“And you’re certainly doing a good job of it,” I say in response to her thoughts, “Rather than pester me incessantly, why not give me a moment to think?”
In a sense, I suppose her persistence in pushing the issue is a good thing; it keeps my mind on the subject despite any unconscious attempts to avoid it. It is starting to become annoying however, and rather than spend the rest of the night being hounded I think it would be best to come to a decision now. Rin seems to sense that I’m actively pondering my response, and her ears perk up. All… four of them, now that I look closely—a normal humanoid pair and two cat-like ones on the top of her head. How odd, I’d thought they were some manner of bow or headdress. I opt to seek no explanation, as my mind recalls Alice’s description of Gensokyo.
I try to maintain my focus on the matter at hand, redirecting myself away from Rin’s unusual array of ears. I try to weigh the benefits of going versus not going, but as my knowledge base is limited I am incapable of doing so. I recognize the clear and present danger that Okuu possesses, and that by choosing to accompany Rin to meet Satori I will be reducing my distance to her despite my wishes to do the very opposite. I value my life despite the notion that I only remember two days of it, and in consideration of the danger presented by Okuu I am unable to determine if an equal or greater danger to me might be posed were I to choose to go elsewhere. My choice is teeming with uncertainties and unknown variables, and in the end I’m forced to consider only what I know.
What I know essentially boils down to my desire to remember. Something, anything—even if I must endanger myself I believe it would be in my best interest to meet Satori. The help of a like-minded—or at least similarly-abled individual like her is worth the risk. I will not delude myself into believing that her help is assured; I know precisely what it is I am doing. I am stumbling in the dark, not knowing if the path I take will lead me to light… or deeper into the abyss.
“Okay,” I say to Rin, “You win. I’ll go with you.”
Alice is the first to react, jumping out of her chair in shock. The sound of her chair clattering to the floor snaps me to attention.
“Yo—You’ll do nothing of the sort!” Alice exclaims, “You’ll die!”
Her mind focuses on my injuries, her thoughts grow cold with fear. There is no anger in her mind, though the way she yells would indicate otherwise. Her reaction does seem a bit ardent given her ordinarily calm character, but yelling or no I cannot argue the validity of the point she is trying to make. While I have been recovering quickly and steadily, the wounds do still cause me trouble. And though I’ve no memory to go on in regards to my body’s heath, something tells me that I’m still feeling a bit weak and sluggish. As upset as she is, I half expect Alice would physically bar me from leaving were it to come to a shouting match. I would like to avoid exactly that sort of unnecessary confrontation entirely, and as I’m in no hurry to get out the door, I concede to her wishes.
“I never said I’d be leaving right now,” I say.
“And you won’t be tomorrow either,” she replies, “Not if I’ve anything to say about it.”
She picks up her chair and takes her seat, trying to calm herself. She breathes heavy for a moment, sighs as she loosens the ribbon around her neck. Under the surface it still feels like she’s full on pins and needles as her mind tries to diverge from focusing on the negative circumstances and possibilities surrounding my eventual departure.
“What’s the big deal?” Rin asks, “I know it’ll be dark soon and all, but why not wait ‘til morning?” ’I guess Okuu has this sort of effect on people? I don’t really see a problem…’
“The ‘big deal,’ Rin,” Alice says, “is that Kohaku is injured. I doubt she has the stamina to make the trip.” ’And even if she does, what if her wounds open? …What if the one who made them finds her?’
’Hence, bandages,’ Rin thinks, ’I thought it was just another sort of creepy fashion statement. These surface world folk really are weird…’
“No problem there,” Rin says, “My secret shortcut will have her there in ten minutes or so, provided she can keep a decent pace, and… You know, keep it secret.”
Rin looks to me, mentally inquires if I’d be capable of maintaining such secrecy. I question how well she can manage to keep it secret as it stands; not only is she sharing a household with a mind-reader like myself, I find it to be incredibly simple to pluck the mental images of the opening straight from Rin’s head. Even when she’s trying to shut me out, her mind feels like an open book. In a matter of moments, I cobble together enough of Rin’s thoughts to have mapped out the majority of the trip. I’m rather amazed by the accomplishment—or rather how easy it was.
“It’s a bit steep at times,” I say, “But not too far from—“
“Ahhh!” Rin jumps out of her seat, “No fair! You damned mind readers are all the same!” ’I thought it’d come to this! If that’s how you want it...!’[i]
My mind is suddenly flooded with imagery of astoundingly lewd acts of pre, inter, and post-coitus deeds, mostly between humans. Rin projects the thoughts well and with impressive clarity, but I can see right past the wall of filth she has built around herself as if it were transparent. Rather than be bothered by it, I feel unimpressed and annoyed. She put an impressive amount of effort into trying to shut me out with this, but it appears to have fallen flat.
“…You’re not very good at this,” I say.
“No dice, huh?” Rin says as she laughs, “That one usually nets a win against Satori.” [i]’Weird, she didn’t even blush…’
“I’m not Satori,” I reply.
“I noticed.”
It almost feels as though I’ve conditioned myself for such a barrage. While I should expect to find it distracting, my mind seemed to unconsciously circumvent it entirely and focus directly on what was important to me. Considering how susceptible I was to Okuu’s mental attack, for me to be at an advantage when against Rin’s mind games seems bizarre.
“What are you two doing?” Alice asks, utterly confused, “This is serious!”
“I know,” Rin says, “And we can’t help that she’s injured. Okuu may be an impatient brat, but I’m more than happy to give this a bit of time.” ’Can’t say the same for Satori, probably. I should call her at some point to see what she wants me to do about this…’
“That might not be a bad idea,” I say, “Why not ask? I’m sure she’d let you borrow the telephone.”
“You know, I wasn’t really planning on asking,” Rin tells me, “Satori probably has her hands full with Okuu right about now…” ’I’d hate to bother her when she’s in the middle of lecture mode.’
“You don’t mind, do you Alice?” I ask in Rin’s stead.
“By all means,” she replies.
I watch as Alice drags the device out of the cupboards. It looks identical to the one at Marisa’s house, though a bit well used in comparison. The cloth wrapping for the wires leading to the headset is fraying at the end, though not so much as to expose the wires it looks to be protecting. Alice connects the device to a socket in the wall and picks up the handset. What appears to be a usual exchange of information between Alice and this ‘operator’ person takes place, and the phone begins to ring. Alice starts to turn the phone over to Rin, and I—
[ ] Let Rin take the call.
[ ] Personally take the call.
No. 175806
[x] Personally take the call. |
No. 175808
[X] Personally take the call. |
No. 175810
[x] Personally take the call. |
No. 175811
Continuing this from the other thread. |
No. 175813
[x] Personally take the call. |
No. 175819
[x] Personally take the call |
No. 175824
[X] Personally take the call |
No. 175828
>>175805 |
No. 175832
[x] Personally take the call. |
No. 175833
[x] Personally take the call. |
No. 175834
[X] Personally take the call. |
No. 175836
>>175795 |
No. 175847
Your favorite writefag here. Lots of discussion going on in these parts. While I'm not yet ready to call the vote, I will offer up a bit of clarification: |
No. 175855
>>175828 |
No. 175858
>>175832 |
No. 175859
>>175858 |
No. 175873
[x] Personally take the call. |
No. 175891
[X]Personally take the call. |
No. 175950
So did we ever figure out where (if anywhere) our third eye is? |
No. 175955
>>175950 |
No. 175961
>>175950 |
No. 175972
>>175961 |
No. 175992
>>175961 |
No. 176002
>>175992 |
No. 176008
>>176002 |
No. 176016
>>176008 |
No. 176018
I take the phone. |
No. 176019
>>176016 |
No. 176020
I was mainly bothered by the fact that Marisa had, in fact, noticed its apparent absence in >>174607. |
No. 176023
[x] ...but I need time to recover. |
No. 176026
[x] …but I need time to recover. |
No. 176027
[X] …but I need time to recover. |
No. 176029
[x] ...but I need time to recover. |
No. 176032
[x] ...but I need time to recover. |
No. 176034
[x] ...but I need time to recover. |
No. 176044
>>176020 |
No. 176083
[x] ...but I need time to recover. |
No. 176118
[x] ...but I need time to recover. |
No. 176222
“…but I need time to recover.” |
No. 176223
[x] I don’t. |
No. 176224
[X] I don’t. |
No. 176225
[x] I do. |
No. 176236
[x] I don't. |
No. 176237
Middle ground. |
No. 176242
>>176237 |
No. 176243
[x] I don't. |
No. 176263
>>176242 |
No. 176266
[x] I don't. |
No. 176311
[x] I don't. |
No. 176319
[x] I don't. Just make sure she behaves. |
No. 176385
>>176319 |
No. 176394
[x] I don't. Just make sure she behaves. |
No. 176412
Blargh. I've been sick, therefore the lack of updates. I've thrown something into the update pipe and it should be ready soon. |
No. 176432
I give a moment’s pause to consider the question, judging my options carefully. One misstep could easily spell disaster for me, for Alice, for any and all who might be present. Okuu has presented herself to me as somewhat of a loose cannon, but Satori seems to have complete faith in her. For me to tell her that her faith has been misplaced would be improper. I feel equally uneasy allowing it however, as it places my safety in jeopardy. But to deny her safety to ensure mine feels entirely self-serving. |
No. 176433
[x] Investigate |
No. 176434
[x] Investigate |
No. 176437
[x] Investigate |
No. 176439
[x] Investigate |
No. 176441
>>176439 |
No. 176449
[x] Investigate |
No. 176461
[x] Investigate |
No. 176480
[x] Investigate. I bet it's Koishi. |
No. 176513
In the event I haven’t imagined it, I step out into the hall. |
No. 176514
>>176480 |
No. 176515
[x] Let Rin stay. |
No. 176517
> prana |
No. 176518
[X] Let Rin stay. |
No. 176519
[x] Let Rin stay. |
No. 176527
>>176515 |
No. 176531
[x] Let Rin stay. |
No. 176532
If not for the fact that we don't seem to know much about satori, I'd suggest a more likely conclusion is that our amnesia only affects our personal memory rather than our knowledge. |
No. 176533
Oh, and [x] Let Rin stay. |
No. 176538
>>176532 |
No. 176686
Fuck, I've fallen off of the front page! You know what that means? Updates~ |
No. 176689
I climb back into bed, leaving the light on. Rin claims a spot at the foot of the bed, and though I’ve the notion that it might be better for me to have her leave the room I can’t bring myself to actually kick her out. What puts me at ease is the knowledge that there isn’t a single improper thought in her head in regards to me. This seems to be the norm for her; sleeping at the foot of the bed of a mind-reader, with only a single-minded desire to attain the perfect resting place driving her. I feel a bit uncomfortable when I consider her as a person, but when I regard her as a cat… It isn’t so bad. |
No. 176690
[x] Offer to make food, if Rin will watch to keep you from doing anything really foolish. |
No. 176691
[x] Offer to make food. Ask Rin to make sure you don't do anything foolish. |
No. 176692
[x] Offer to make food. |
No. 176694
[x] Offer to make food. |
No. 176700
[x] Offer to make food. |
No. 176701
[x] Offer to make food. |
No. 176705
>>176700 |
No. 176724
>>176705 |
No. 176749
>>176724 |
No. 176890
Holidays have gotten my schedule all blown to hell. Updates probably early-to-mid next week. |
No. 176990
Ignoring Rin’s foul mood, I decide to try my hand at making something to eat. At first, the thought of going through Alice’s kitchen without asking bothers me. As I start opening cabinets however, I learn of the delicious-looking things Alice has hidden away, and it dawns on me that I prefer doing it over not doing it. The alternative being allowing Rin to go through Alice’s kitchen without permission, which I’m certain would garner a negative reaction. I find a loaf of bread stashed overhead and some eggs in the icebox, and I skip out on the dried meats and fruits as those hardly seem like breakfast foods. |
No. 176992
[x] I want to try it on now. |
No. 176994
[x] I want to try it on now. |
No. 176997
[X] I want to try it on now. |
No. 177004
[x] I want to try it on now. |
No. 177012
[x] >>176994 |
No. 177015
[X] I want to try it on now. |
No. 177020
[x] I want to try it on now. |
No. 177022
[X] I want to try it on now. |
No. 177202
>>176990 |
No. 177218
Someone should offer an unforeseen consequences preparedness daily planner or something. Life is unkind to me this week. Updates probably early next week. |
No. 177297
“I—“ |
No. 177298
>>177297 |
No. 177300
[x] Hear it. |
No. 177304
[x] See it. |
No. 177307
[x] Touch it. |
No. 177309
[x] Touch it. |
No. 177335
[x] Touch it. |
No. 177338
[x] Touch it. |
No. 177339
>>177298 |
No. 177343
[X] Touch it |
No. 177449
Calling it now, it's our missing third eye, which works like the Silence from Dr. Who and/or a somebody else's problem field. |
No. 177489
I reach out to it. Or, more appropriately I find myself reaching out to it. There is little to no conscious effort made as my hand extents outward, grasping at thin air. My eyes are fixated on the reflection in the mirror, and I dare not draw my eyes from it as I reach out to touch it. I feel a warm sensation on my face, my vision goes dark as something covers my eyes. |
No. 177494
[x] Agree |
No. 177495
[x] Agree |
No. 177496
[ ] Agree |
No. 177497
[x] Agree |
No. 177595
[x] Agree |
No. 177659
Everything went full potato when I wasn't looking. My update schedule is potatoes as a result. Next update will be bananas. |
No. 177761
Are the potatoes chips yet? |
No. 177805
>>177761 |
No. 177807
I nod in agreement, seeing no reason to argue the matter. If Alice does not feel confident in her ability to cut hair, I’d rather she didn’t try her luck on me. I’d hate to wind up with a bald spot; especially the sort of easily-noticeable bald spot that everyone but I can see. |
No. 177808
>>177807 |
No. 177810
[ ] Look into the mirror. |
No. 177811
[x] Look into the mirror. |
No. 177812
>>177810 |
No. 177813
>>177810 |
No. 177815
>>177813 |
No. 177832
>>177808 |
No. 177923
>>177832 |
No. 177924
>>177923 |
No. 177930
>>177923 |
No. 177932
>>177930 |
No. 177933
>>177932 |
No. 178124
Sage bumping for Sage |
No. 178129
>>178124 |
No. 178162
And unwise it is, but I am starting to grow accustomed to my actions flying in the face of my better judgment. I take the mirror, gripping the handle tightly. Partially due to my own curiosity, and partially because Alice’s words sound like a provocation, I have no desire to put it away. I gaze into the mirror, dreading the worst. |
No. 178166
>>178162 |
No. 178167
[x] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178169
[ ] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178170
[x] “Do you want it to be a declaration of love?” |
No. 178171
{X} Do you want it to be a Declaration of Love? |
No. 178172
[X] “Do you want it to be a declaration of love?” |
No. 178173
[x] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178174
>>178167 here, wondering why we can't have both. |
No. 178175
[X] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178179
[x] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178182
>>178171 |
No. 178183
The problem, of course, is that it isn't a declaration of trust. We haven't been put in a situation where we would have to trust her, because we read her mind instead. |
No. 178184
[x] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178188
[x] “Do you want it to be a declaration of love?” |
No. 178190
[x] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178195
>>178183 |
No. 178198
>>178195 |
No. 178200
[x] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178262
[x] “Do you want it to be a declaration of love?” |
No. 178264
[x] “It was a declaration of trust.” |
No. 178265
>You don’t ever need to explain yourself to me |
No. 178283
>>178265 |
No. 178284
>>178283 |
No. 179090
For those of you who are still watching, two points to make: |
No. 179102
>>179090 |
No. 179479
Gentlemen, I have returned. I've started actively writing again since the first three weeks on the job have gone by without incident. Updates are up and coming, but I'm doing a bit of additional work on the back story of a few of the more important and/or highly visible characters currently. I will likely post it all here in the future after I can confirm I won't be spoiling my own story, since it's basically a short story per character. I will also not spoil how it will work with regards to Kohaku's memory, as that plays a rather pivotal role in the story. |
No. 179489
>>179479 |
No. 179535
Certainly, Alice’s words are correct. To say that I feel love for her would be a stretch. The depth of my emotional connection to her barely progressed beyond superficial. After all, I’ve only known her for a number of days. There hasn’t been enough time, and I do not feel a want for her affection. Alice seems to want something more from me, but her thoughts on the matter are still unclear. For me, the truth is simple: Alice has my best interests at heart. While I may be capable of knowing her thoughts, I’ve spent the last few days being pulled around left and right by the ones around me. It would not have been difficult for her to have taken advantage of me during that time, but the notion never crossed her mind. |
No. 179537
[X] Do something unthinkable |
No. 179538
[X] Trust her to make the right decision and let her go. |
No. 179539
[X] Trust her to make the right decision and let her go. |
No. 179540
[ ] Do something unthinkable. |
No. 179541
[X] Trust her to make the right decision and let her go. |
No. 179544
>>179535 |
No. 179550
[x] Apologise |
No. 179553
[x] Do something unthinkable. |
No. 179557
[x] Trust her to make the right decision and |
No. 179559
[x] Apologise |
No. 179561
[X] Trust her to make the right decision and let her go. |
No. 180440
Sorry for the massive delays, folks. Here's another reminder that I am still alive and actively working on this. |
No. 180442
>>180440 |
No. 180473
>>180442 |
No. 180512
A small one for now. Hopefully more later this weekend. Get to voting and it'll happen sooner~ |
No. 180517
[x] !? |
No. 180518
[?] ??? |
No. 180520
[X] !!! |
No. 180521
[x] ??? |
No. 180522
[x] !? |
No. 180532
[x] ??? |
No. 180548
“???” |
No. 180550
[ ] Three |
No. 180551
>Three |
No. 180552
[x] Three |
No. 180553
[x] Two |
No. 180554
[ ] I don’t know |
No. 180555
[X] Three |
No. 180560
[X] I don’t know |
No. 180563
[X] Three |
No. 180564
[X] Two |
No. 180565
[X] Two |
No. 180566
[ ] Two |
No. 180567
[ ] I don’t know |
No. 180578
[X] Two |
No. 180581
Argh.. Damn boring people, all of you two-eyes! |
No. 180587
[x] I don’t know |
No. 180589
Three eyes on the head is not cute. |
No. 180590
>>180589 |
No. 180592
The third eye is attached to the heart. Not head. |
No. 180593
>>180592 |
No. 180594
>>180593 |
No. 180595
>>180594 |
No. 180602
>>180595 |
No. 181581
Kept you waiting, huh? |
No. 181951
SO HOW ABOUT THEM UPDATES? |
No. 181968
>>181951 |
No. 184303
>>181968 |
No. 186942
Terrible. |