"Here," Kasen dumped three coins into my hand. "Take these to Suzunaan. It's a book-lender's in the village. If you can't find it, ask one of the guards. Kosuzu will know what book you need."
"Are you leaving me?" I asked. I clutched the coins to my chest.
Kasen huffed. "You'll be safe in the village, and Reimu needs a straightening-out. You could've been seriously hurt when those youkai came after you. You know that, don't you?"
"Youkai? As in... youkai?"
She smiled. "I know it must be a shock. I don't know what life was like where you came from, but Gensokyo is very, very different."
"Youkai?"
"Just go and read, please. That book will explain it better than I could. I'll come by later and say hello."
Still smiling, she gave me a wave, turned, and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
"I, you, but," I stammered to the empty air.
I could barely keep track of the names and events coming at me. Reimu was apparently a shrine maiden, and she looked the part, but she was drunk when those weird-looking women that might be youkai came after me. Kasen was apparently a hermit, but what was with the pink hair? Also, where the hell was I? And was I about to be involved in some sort of dispute between them just by standing around and trying not to get attacked?
I heard a loud chuckle from behind me. I turned around to see a guard force his smile down.
"Don't worry. You're not our first outsider," he said. "Suzunaan's right by the dragon statue. Face the head, turn to the left, five buildings down."
He stepped to the side and let me pass through the gate to the village, surrounded by wooden walls too high to see over. Stepping inside was like walking into an old samurai movie: squat clay buildings, old women spinning cloth, someone walking by peddling tofu in small barrels. I had never felt so out-of-place wearing slacks.
I tried not to look at anyone, as if by ignoring them I could pretend that I had not, in fact, travelled through time. As long as I was ignoring things, I could also pretend like I hadn't heard Kasen talking about old-timey spirits.
I was so focused on staring at the ground I nearly walked right into the dragon statue. It was about three meters tall, all bronze, with so many scales it was dizzying to look at. The gray gems in its eyes turned pure white. I should have been surprised or amazed by that, but I was too busy still being surprised and amazed by everything else.
To the left and five buildings down, just like the guard said, was a shop labelled "Suzunaan." I clinked the coins still in my hand. Each one was a different size and shape. I half-recognized the characters on the coins, but I had no idea what they meant. Maybe they were someone's name, I thought.
I took a deep breath and slid open the door. A wave of cool air hit me, carrying the dusty scent of old books. I heard a small ding, not from the door, but from the shopkeeper, a very young-looking girl with her light red hair tied up with bells and ribbons. She brushed a piece of lint off of her apron and smiled at me.
"Welcome to Suzunaan. I am Kosuzu Mootori, your humble shopkeeper."
I knew people used to work earlier back in the old days, but what looked like a fourteen-year-old running a store by herself seemed like too much.
"Kasen told me I should come here to check out a book."
"Ahh, I see. There are several things-"
"She gave me exact change for a specific book."
The girl's face soured for a split-second, then returned to her cheery saleswoman expression. "Oh. I think I know just what she's talking about. I have it right here."
She turned around to face the towering wall of books behind the counter. She picked through the shelves, muttering something about Kasen, outsiders, and their both being a waste of her time.
"Here we are, 'The Kinu Yasumi Almanac for Outsiders.'"
The book was thin, something you could go through in a Sunday afternoon. She brought out a small slip of paper, her equivalent of a library card. I put the coins on the countertop.
"That's exact change, alright. Just sign here and this book is yours for the next five days. Unless you damage it."
This girl was way too industrious for her age. "Right, okay. I'll bring it back in one piece," I said.
"Then have a good day."
I left the store and stood by the building for a moment. I didn't want to read on the side of the street, so I thought about where I could go. There weren't any coffee shops or internet cafes around here. What's more, I didn't have any change on me. Even if I did, they probably wouldn't take modern money. They definitely wouldn't take credit cards.
The weight of my new situation fell on me like a thick blanket. I was just riding my bike, minding my own business, not hurting anyone, and then I was here, and I had no idea where here was. I didn't even know when it was. I slapped myself in the face to make sure this wasn't some bizarre dream.
I wasn't. The sharp sting did help to clear my mind, so I slapped my other cheek. I took deep breaths, resisting the urge to hyperventilate. I was here and there was nothing I could do to change it. If this is temporary, then I just have to ride it out. If it's permanent, then I might as well start reading and getting used to-
What about my parents and friends? Would they never know what happened to me? My grip tightened around the book. I whispered apologies to my parents through clenched teeth, biting back the tears. I pressed my back against the wall and slid down until I was sitting, taking deep breaths and trying hard not to let them turn into sobs. With shaking hands, I put the book between my knees and tried to look at it. A couple looked pityingly at me as they passed by.
No, I'm better than this, I told myself. I don't need to be pitied. I can make the best of this situation, no matter what happens. I spent a few long minutes taking deep breaths and wiping away the tears I could no longer fight back.
"Here."
Someone was talking to me. I looked up to see a middle-aged man in a worn yukata handing me a clay mug.
"Some beer to calm your nerves. It's never easy for outsiders. I've seen several of them come through, and they all cry."
"Thank you," I sniffled.
"No problem. Good luck."
Just like that, he started walking and left me.
I sipped the beer. It was strong and surprisingly sweet, almost sweet enough to not notice the alcohol. With one last wipe across my face, I blinked away my last few tears and looked at the cover of the book.
Kinu Yasumi Almanac for Outsiders, 3rd Edition
Printed at the Suzunaan press.
I opened it. Advertisements for second-hand shops and merchant services. Turning the page got me to the preface.
A number of people from the Outside World have found their way into Gensokyo, the land of gods and youkai, through all manner of methods. Despite the dangers, many of them have even come to call our humble human settlement their home. This book's purpose is to help outsiders acclimate to their new life, which may be incredibly different from the life they knew.
You're telling me, lady.
In addition to an overview of what opportunities may lie for you here, the Yasumi family has attempted to give you an understanding of our culture and lifestyle. It may be difficult at first, but as a human you are welcome in the bond that we share, fighters of youkai and tenders to the gods.
The constant use of 'human' and 'outsider' left me feeling odd in a way I couldn't quite explain.
Without further ado, welcome to Gensokyo. Enjoy your stay.
Another turn of the page brought me to the table of contents. The book was divided into two halves, the first half being something like an encyclopedia, detailing Gensokyo. The second half was a list of charts and information, everything from tofu recipes to advice for dealing with fairies.
[ ] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above
-- [ ] The Capital
-- [ ] Hamlets and Provinces
-- [ ] The Great River
-- [ ] The Outskirts
[ ] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground
-- [ ] Economics
-- [ ] Government
-- [ ] Notable Persons
-- [ ] Our Shared View
[ ] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations
-- [ ] Administration and Government
-- [ ] Farming the Blessed Lands
-- [ ] Artisans and Crafters
-- [ ] Merchantry
[ ] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai
-- [ ] Organized Defenses Against Invasion
-- [ ] The Everyman's Duty for Protection
-- [ ] Shrines, Seals, and Magical Protection
-- [ ] Spellcard Duels
[ ] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai
-- [ ] The Tengu
-- [ ] The Youkai
-- [ ] Common Spirits
-- [ ] Trade With The Mountain
<To avoid any confusion, the chapter with the most votes will be picked, and from there, the section with the most votes will win.>
No. 182648
This thread is part of the NaNoWriMo challenge found here |
No. 182649
Dang it all. Imagine I said "The Kappa" instead of "The Youkai" for the second Chapter 5 option. |
No. 182651
[X] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 182652
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182653
[X] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 182654
[x] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182656
[ ] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182657
[X] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 182658
Kappa? |
No. 182659
[x] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182661
[x] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182662
[X] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182663
[x] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182664
[ ] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182665
Wow, you guys rock! Twelve votes on my very first update. Looks like our protagonist is going to read up on: |
No. 182670
[x] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182671
Can you blame us? You're certainly writing better than I am, and this seems like an interesting take on 'Outsider suddenly in Frilly Magic Girl Death Trap Land.' |
No. 182672
>>182671 |
No. 182689
[x] Chapter 1: Gensokyo From Above |
No. 182692
[X] Somewhere open, like a park. |
No. 182694
[x] Somewhere where I'm safe in the crowd. |
No. 182696
[ X] Somewhere quiet and peaceful |
No. 182700
[X] Somewhere safe in a crowd. |
No. 182701
DAMMIT! I forgot to lose the name first and I can't delete my post... |
No. 182702
[X] Somewhere where I'm safe in the crowd. |
No. 182704
[X] Somewhere where I'm safe in the crowd. |
No. 182706
[X] Somewhere where I'm safe in the crowd. |
No. 182708
[x] Somewhere quiet and peaceful. |
No. 182711
Closing votes. Our hero is going: |
No. 182712
[X] Somewhere where I'm safe in the crowd. |
No. 182713
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182714
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182717
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182718
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182721
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182722
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182730
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182731
Closing votes. Our hero will be learning who's who: |
No. 182736
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182741
[X] Buddhist temple. |
No. 182742
[X] Buddhist temple. |
No. 182743
[X] Administrative center. |
No. 182744
[X] Administrative center. |
No. 182745
>>182744 |
No. 182755
[x] School. |
No. 182756
[X] Buddhist temple. |
No. 182759
[X] Buddhist temple |
No. 182769
[X] Administrative Center |
No. 182774
[X] School. |
No. 182777
Closing votes. I can't come up with anything witty to say about it, so: |
No. 182783
[X] Buddhist temple. |
No. 182786
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182787
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182788
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182790
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182798
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182800
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182801
Closing votes. Looks like we know what we want! |
No. 182806
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182807
Sage-King's History Korner |
No. 182808
[X] Beg for mercy! |
No. 182809
[x] Beg for mercy! |
No. 182812
[x] Beg for mercy! |
No. 182813
[X] Beg for mercy! |
No. 182816
[X] Beg for mercy! |
No. 182820
[x] Bribe her! |
No. 182824
Closing votes. We ain't too proud to beg. |
No. 182829
Hey all. Update is briefly delayed 'til early morning tomorrow. Rough day at work and not enough sleep. Thanks in advance for your patience, and I'll be doing a double-update tomorrow to make up for it! |
No. 182835
[x] Beg for mercy! |
No. 182836
Oh, hey, updates. |
No. 182837
[x] Help them for no charge. A favor owed couldn't hurt. |
No. 182838
[X] Help them out, but not for free. |
No. 182839
[x] Help them for no charge. A favor owed couldn't hurt. |
No. 182840
[x] Help them for no charge. A favor owed couldn't hurt |
No. 182842
Closing votes. We're earning some Buddhist brownie points: |
No. 182843
[x] Help them for no charge. A favor owed couldn't hurt. |
No. 182844
[X] The Kappa |
No. 182845
[x] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 182846
[x] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 182847
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182848
[ ] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 182849
[x] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 182850
[x] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 182851
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182852
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182853
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182854
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182855
Closing votes. Let's read about some mad scientists: |
No. 182857
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182858
[x] Tell me more about magic. |
No. 182859
[X] Tell me more about magic. |
No. 182861
[x] Tell me more about you. |
No. 182862
[X] Tell me more about magic. |
No. 182863
[x] Tell me more about magic. |
No. 182864
[X] Tell me more about magic. |
No. 182865
[x] Tell me more about you. |
No. 182866
>>182864 |
No. 182868
[X] Tell me more about magic. |
No. 182869
Closing votes. I put on my robe, etc: |
No. 182878
[X] Tell me more about magic. |
No. 182898
[x] You mentioned checking out the school before, right? |
No. 182900
[x] You mentioned checking out the school before, right? |
No. 182901
[x] You mentioned checking out the school before, right? |
No. 182902
[x] You mentioned checking out the school before, right? |
No. 182907
[X] Is there any kind of town center in the village? |
No. 182917
Closing votes for a nice trip to Keine's! |
No. 182920
Ask her to teach crop rotation and the 3 field system. Start a green revolution! |
No. 182924
[x] You mentioned checking out the school before, right? |
No. 182925
Hey all! From now on, updates are going to come in the early afternoon instead of late night. The story's starting to develop now, and it's probably better to proof things after sleeping than in the middle of the night. |
No. 182926
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182927
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182929
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 182930
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182932
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182938
Closing votes. Gotta get the cash, gotta get the dough. |
No. 182959
Damn you, snow. Between shoveling twice and historical research, the update is briefly delayed. Thank you for your patience. Please stay on the line to speak to an operator. |
No. 182966
Throw down ice melt and you'll only need to shovel once. |
No. 182988
[x] Chapter 2: Gensokyo From The Ground |
No. 182989
[x] Any good boiler-leads? |
No. 182996
[x] Any good boiler-leads? |
No. 182997
Why can't the character leave Gensokyo again? Or is this a take on the world where there's no way out? I'd figure the books would cover it. |
No. 183001
[x] Where's a shortage of reading, writing and 'rithmetic? |
No. 183002
[x] Where's a shortage of reading, writing and 'rithmetic? |
No. 183003
[X] Where's a shortage of reading, writing and 'rithmetic? |
No. 183004
[X] Any good boiler-leads? |
No. 183005
[x] What hard labor will be the least hard? |
No. 183014
Flipped a coin to break the tie, and the unbiased currency declared our winner: |
No. 183019
>>183014 |
No. 183029
[x] Where's a shortage of reading, writing and 'rithmetic? |
No. 183030
Had a schedule change at work, which is why updates have been all over the place these past few days. Don't they know they're interrupting my Touhous!? |
No. 183032
[x] Protect the sugar! |
No. 183033
[X] Protect the sugar! |
No. 183035
[x] Shadow-box! |
No. 183037
[X] Protect the sugar! |
No. 183041
[x] Protect the sugar! |
No. 183042
[X] Shadow-box! |
No. 183046
>>183033 |
No. 183047
[X] Shadow-box! |
No. 183048
[X] Protect the sugar! |
No. 183052
Another tie. Curse you, democracy. The Zimbabwe 50-cent coin called it for: |
No. 183054
[x] Shadow-box! |
No. 183056
[x] Farming the Blessed Lands |
No. 183058
[x] Farming the Blessed Lands |
No. 183060
[X] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 183062
[X] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 183063
[x] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 183065
>>183052 |
No. 183066
[x] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 183067
[x] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 183068
[x] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 183070
>>183065 |
No. 183071
>>183065 |
No. 183072
>>183070 |
No. 183073
>>183072 |
No. 183074
[x] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 183076
Closing votes! It's always important to use protection. |
No. 183077
[x] Chapter 4: Defense Against Youkai |
No. 183078
[x] Joke's on you, I'm enchanted! |
No. 183079
[X] Joke's on you, I'm enchanted! |
No. 183080
[x] Joke's on you, I'm enchanted! |
No. 183081
[x] Joke's on you, I'm enchanted! |
No. 183082
[x] I'm an outsider, so I don't even believe in youkai! |
No. 183083
[x] I'm an outsider, so I don't even believe in youkai! |
No. 183084
[X] Joke's on you, I'm enchanted! |
No. 183090
[X] Joke's on you, I'm enchanted! |
No. 183095
Closing votes. Our hero has something up his sleeve! |
No. 183096
Oh, I forgot to mention this earlier. Updates are postponed on account of Turkeyween, but after that things shall go as normal. |
No. 183097
[x] Joke's on you, I'm behind 9000 enchantments. |
No. 183109
[X] Joke's on you, I'm enchanted! |
No. 183110
[x] The grocery store supplier |
No. 183111
[x] The 'procurement specialist' |
No. 183113
[x] The grocery store supplier |
No. 183114
[x] The 'procurement specialist' |
No. 183119
[x] The 'procurement specialist' |
No. 183122
[x] The 'procurement specialist' |
No. 183124
Closing votes. How much is that fairy in the window? |
No. 183132
[x] The 'procurement specialist' |
No. 183133
[x] Try haggling again -- talk small. |
No. 183134
[X] Try haggling again -- talk big. |
No. 183135
[x] Try haggling again -- talk small. |
No. 183137
[x] Try haggling again -- talk small. |
No. 183138
[x] Try haggling again -- talk small. |
No. 183139
[x] Leave it. |
No. 183148
[X] Try haggling again -- talk small. |
No. 183157
Closing votes. Let's give it one more shot. |
No. 183173
[x] Try haggling again -- talk small. |
No. 183174
[x] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 183175
A note that it may be pertinent to take the money out of the tool belt now before the fairy finds it after you've been reading, since she's already going through it looking for neat things. |
No. 183179
[x] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 183181
[X] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 183182
[X] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 183186
[X] Chapter 3: The Four Occupations |
No. 183188
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 183195
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 183196
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 183197
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 183201
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 183203
[X] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 183204
Closing votes! You guys are bringing your A-game to this tread. |
No. 183214
[x] Chapter 5: A New Era: Cooperation with Youkai |
No. 183217
[x] Look for kappa gadgets. |
No. 183218
[x] Look for kappa gadgets. |
No. 183219
|
No. 183222
[X] Look for kappa gadgets. |
No. 183223
[x] Look for kappa gadgets. |
No. 183231
[x] Look for a tea house. |
No. 183235
[x] Look for kappa gadgets. |
No. 183239
Closing votes. Go go gadget: |
No. 183244
[x] Look for kappa gadgets. |
No. 183250
[x] Head for the closest inn. |
No. 183251
[X] Head for the closest inn. |
No. 183252
[x] Head for the closest inn. |
No. 183260
[x] Any other travel options? |
No. 183261
[X] Head for the closest inn. |
No. 183269
Closing votes. |
No. 183276
[x] Head for the closest inn. |
No. 183278
[ ] What happens if the gossip gets real bad? |
No. 183279
[X] That old crow tengu still has that creepy grin aaaaaaahhh |
No. 183282
[X] Even if it's at my expense, this is kind of hilarious. In a cosmic sense. |
No. 183289
[x] Did it ever occur to you that maybe the reason why fairies constantly pester humans with pranks is because they're lonely? |
No. 183290
[X] Even if it's at my expense, this is kind of hilarious. In a cosmic sense. |
No. 183293
[x] That old crow tengu still has that creepy grin aaaaaaahhh |
No. 183294
[X] Could Fuku be talked into staying away when I'm around people? |
No. 183298
[X] Even if it's at my expense, this is kind of hilarious. In a cosmic sense. |
No. 183299
[x] That old crow tengu still has that creepy grin aaaaaaahhh |
No. 183301
[x] Even if it's at my expense, this is kind of hilarious. In a cosmic sense. |
No. 183302
[X] Even if it's at my expense, this is kind of hilarious. In a cosmic sense. |
No. 183304
Closing votes! |
No. 183305
[X] Could Fuku be talked into staying away when I'm around people? |
No. 183309
[X] Even if it's at my expense, this is kind of hilarious. In a cosmic sense. |
No. 183310
[X] Keine. |
No. 183311
[x] Kasen. |
No. 183312
A quick note before I forget. I'm seeing a movie tomorrow, so the closing of the votes will be a little late and the update will be on the shorter side. I also wanted to thank you guys for bringing your A game with the voting. It's a pleasure to see you analyze your choices and come up with stuff I didn't think of, it's a sign that you enjoy my story and that makes me feel warm and fuzzy. |
No. 183314
[X] Keine. |
No. 183316
[X] Keine. |
No. 183320
[x] Kinu, if I can find her. Or him. Did the book ever say? |
No. 183325
[X] Keine |
No. 183337
[x] Kasen. |
No. 183338
[x] Kasen. |
No. 183339
>>183338 |
No. 183341
[ ] Kasen. |
No. 183344
Closing votes! Gensokyo's favorite teacher by default: |
No. 183347
Pretend I said 'slightly delayed update' instead of 'short update.' I'd rather pack in more delicious worldbuilding with a slight delay than force out an update and pass over important details like "what did people make soap out of without readily accessible animal fat" or "what are the sociopolitical implications of fairies?" |
No. 183390
[x] Keine. |
No. 183397
>It had an herby smell, like cilantro |
No. 183400
Okay, I'll break the seal since no one else has: |
No. 183403
[x] What's all this about a 'were-hakutaku' anyway? (I'm assuming the almanac didn't go into particular detail here.) |
No. 183405
[x] What's all this about a 'were-hakutaku' anyway? (I'm assuming the almanac didn't go into particular detail here.) |
No. 183406
[x] What's all this about a 'were-hakutaku' anyway? (I'm assuming the almanac didn't go into particular detail here.) |
No. 183409
[x] What's all this about a 'were-hakutaku' anyway? (I'm assuming the almanac didn't go into particular detail here.) |
No. 183410
[x] What's all this about a 'were-hakutaku' anyway? (I'm assuming the almanac didn't go into particular detail here.) |
No. 183411
At some point, we should ask someone how to get back through the barrier again. Probably not now. |
No. 183412
Closing votes! Time for more polite naked chatting. |
No. 183413
[x] What's all this about a 'were-hakutaku' anyway? (I'm assuming the almanac didn't go into particular detail here.) |