MikoSpark !N11zMkGpy6 2010/01/23 (Sat) 19:10 No. 20276 ▼ File 126427380986.jpg - (327.15KB, 733x832 , 90834a452f6757bff4a4803c5cac1167.jpg)
[X] Head to Kourindou.
[X] Ask Rinnosuke about Aya's camera.
"How about Rinnosuke's shop? It's been awhile since we've been there." You suggest to the waiting witch.
"Kourindou? I guess we could stop by there again; I wonder if he got any new stuff in~ze?" Marisa thinks aloud as she considers the possibility. "Yeah, alright. Let's head over there!"
With that the witch motions for you to hold on tight, which you comply with happily. As you rest your head against her own, you feel the familiar feeling of weightlessness as your feet depart from the ground and begin swinging freely. With the wind beginning to rush past you, Marisa's hair tickles you as it flows past you, and along with her hair comes her scent, which does bear a woodland smell which you never really noticed before. Her smell fills you with fond memories, the likes of which you can't seem to let go of, especially after seeing them again immortalized on film--Perhaps you can get some of those framed; maybe some other time.
As you fly across the warm summer skies of Gensokyo, with the sun well on it's way back down to the horizon, you smile, taking in the scenery and enjoying this little break from all of the day's mishaps. As you glance back at Youkai Mountain slowly fading away in the distance behind you, you notice a flurry of crows circling around partway up it's craggy face--you and Marisa must have really left a huge impact on the tengu to have them riled up like this.
Turning your attention away from the mountain, you look toward the fields and forests before you, the glow of fairies and fireflies begin to appear below. Speaking of fairies, you're a little curious about what happened to Cirno after your time at Mayohiga; she's a tough little fairy though, so she probably made it home fine, but she looks and acts just like a little girl, so you can't help but worry a little bit. That reminds you, Marisa and Cirno are friends, aren't they?
You ask about Marisa's relationship with the little fairy and get some interesting stories from her, to say the least. It seems that they've developed something of a playful rivalry against each other the score currently sitting at five to nothing in Marisa's favor. You and Marisa continue your idle chit-chat for a bit, talking about the other residents of the Forest of Magic, laughing at some of the more interesting tales of Alice and the stunts that Marisa has pulled, and eventually the conversation gets back to the topic of Rinnosuke.
"So he used to work for your Dad's shop, right?"
"Yeah, that's right. Ya see, he watched over the shop and me, especially when my dad would go on his drunken rampages. He even protected me when he found out that my papa would hit me when he got drunk. I guess he was like a second father to me~ze." Marisa recalls, looking wistfully into the distance with a sigh. "Ya know how some little girls say that they want to marry their daddy when they grow up? I-I guess I was kinda that way with Rinnosuke too." The witch admits with a blush. You lean over with a raised eyebrow to try to get a better look at her face, but she just turns away. "Wha-What am I sayin'~ze!? O-Of corse I grew out of that years ago." She stammers with a nervous giggle.
"Marisa...?" You ask probingly. "Really? You grew out of that?" You ask, poking her in the cheek teasingly with a chuckle.
"Y-Yes!" She snaps at you blushing furiously. "I-I did, s-so shut up!"
"Fine, fine." You chuckle as Marisa turns her attention back to flying. She really is cute when she gets flustered like that.
Your stomach rises into your chest as Marisa suddenly begins to bring the broom down into the dense forest below. As the two of you weave between the trees that populate the forest, fairies seem to disperse from the path before you, which eventually opens up into a clearing in the middle of which sits Kourindou. The exterior of the shop still littered with scraps and knick-knacks as ever before.
Marisa parks the broom in front of the little shop and allows you to disembark as well. You then follow Marisa as she barges into the shop boisterously.
"Kourin! It's your favorite customer~ze!" The witch boasts as she begins looking through the many items lining the shelves of the store. The store owner, seated in a chair behind the register at the front, raises an eyebrow before turning his attention back to the book cradled in his hands. He looks up again and notices you, looking through the many familiar items from the outside world.
"Oh, you mean that boy from the outside that your brought last time, Marisa? He could very well be one of my favorite customers, well, him and that green-haired shrine maiden. They're both very useful when it comes to deciphering the proper operation for many of the items that find their way here." Rinnosuke remarks with a smirk to Marisa's dismay. The witch sticks her tongue out at the shop owner. "Speaking of which, something seems different about you, is your hair?" Rinnosuke remarks as he looks you over before shaking his head. "Anyway, was there anything I could help you with?"
"Actually, I was wondering if you could tell me about this camera." You ask as you remove the camera strap from your shoulder.
"Now let's see here," Rinnosuke begins as he adjusts his glasses, "I've seen this camera before. Ah, that's right! I sold this camera to that tengu girl who runs that less than trustworthy newspaper. Now, I won't ask how or where you go this from, but what did you want to know?"
"Well, I wanted to know where it came from I suppose." You say as you look the camera over.
"Well, let's see. It ended up in my hands several years ago when a charming and young-looking blonde youkai came and brought this to me. It seemed to be from the outside world, but it's not quite your average, everyday camera." He explains, his face showing rekindled interest in the device. "You see, it captures not only photos things, but danmaku as well, effectively making it a great defensive weapon in spellcard battles. Although, this isn't really what Aya uses it for most of the time. Although, it does require some time to recharge after each use." The bespectacled man explains.
"Wow, this might turn out to be useful then." You think aloud. "Oh, by the way, who did you say brought this camera to you again?"
"That would be Miss Yakumo of course. It seems that she may have altered this camera somewhat though, giving it it's magical abilities. Although cameras have always had some sort of mysticism associated with them, even without the aid of youkai magic." Rinnosuke replies continuing to examine the device.
"Yakumo... Ya mean Yukari~ze?" Marisa chimes in, suddenly popping her head up from behind the counter.
"Yes that's right, since you and Reimu introduced her to me, she's been a constant source of novelties and trinkets from the outside for some time now. She brought me some new items just the other day actually." Rinnosuke explains to the surprise of Marisa and yourself.
"You mean you've seen her recently? Miss Yukari, I mean!" You ask in shock.
"Yes I have, once a week usually. We've become rather close as of late." Rinnosuke replies tilting his head. "Should that be surprising?"
"Well, yeah she's supposedly been missing for almost a week, nobody has seen her in at least five days. Did she say anything to you the last time you spoke?" You ask anxiously.
"Hmm, nothing really stuck out as being out of the ordinary, although most things are out of the ordinary when you consider Miss Yakumo." The shop keeper begins to ramble a bit. "Oh, you know, she did mention having to 'replace something precious to her,' something about being 'complete' again? I'm never sure with her, she sometimes speaks in such odd parables, although her company is always welcome."
"Being 'complete'..." You repeat as you try to wrap your mind around the meaning of Yukari's words. As you ponder her odd message, a chill finds its way down your spine as you recall your last encounter with the elusive gap youkai--the passionate kiss, the decayed room. You can't help but wonder aloud, "What do you think it could mean?"
"Maybe she's tryin' to complete a book collection or somethin'~ze. That's what I usually mean." Marisa suggests causing you and Rinnosuke to sigh collectively. "What? It is..." The witch sighs dejectedly.
"Now then, was there anything else I could help you out with?" The silver-haired shop-keeper asks.
[ ] Ask Rinnosuke something else.
-[ ] About the sword.
-[ ] Any new wares.
-[ ] Ask about his relationship with Yukari.
[ ] That's all for now. Let's get going...
-[ ] ...back home; it's been awhile.
-[ ] ...to Alice's house; wasn't she doing something for us?
-[ ] ...to the human village; maybe we should check on your dad, Marisa.
[ ] Something else. (Write-In)