(Splitting the baby a bit on the name vote. Will explain why at the end of the post.)

---

[8] Hotaru (Firefly)
[1] Ryusei (Shooting Star)
[12] Kosuke (Rising Sun)

{0} …The Great!
{0} …The Intrepid!
{0} …The Hero!
{1} …The Ingenious Gentleman of Gensokyo!
{1} …the Lunkheaded Fool!!!
{1} …DE LA MANCHA!
{11} …The, uh, ummmm… (MANY UNNECESSARY AND EVER SHIFTING TITLES OF VAGUE HEROISM AND HERALDRY!) (i.e he makes them all up on the fly)
{6} (Maybe I should wait. After all, normally it’s not the hero who comes up with the name, right?)

A name… a fluid thing, in many respects. It’s an old tradition in Japan for warriors to change their names as they grew in experience and status. Some of the most legendary figures in history, such as the three Great Unifiers of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu once had much less renowned names like Kipposhi, Kinoshita and Takechiyo.

Why should any NOBLE KNIGHT not follow in their footsteps? It was beyond time to cast off past titles. You would bear your past name no longer. You are now KOSUKE THE GALLANT, ready to begin your new quest.

You quickly don your HERO’S GARB, its viridian sheen having been your own request. You take a moment to examine yourself in the mirror. It’s only a few minutes more before all of your equipment is ready, even including a simple DAGGER. Of course, a DAGGER on its own isn’t enough to brave the wilds, but a more powerful WEAPON will have to wait for just a bit longer.

And with that, you stride out of your room into the LIVING AREA. You take a moment to examine your home one last time; though you will surely return in short order, this is the first time in a long while you’ll be setting out, alone. A great quest it may be, but-

Oh? There’s a WARRIOR’S KASA you haven’t seen before on the kitchen table. It’s got some quite lovely colours and patterns itself, almost perfectly complementing your HERO’S GARB. Headgear is of course an important part of safe travel, but you were actually planning to use a standard requisition model. Was this left out for you?

You step towards it with anticipation, lifting up the KASA to inspect it. Beneath it, you find a bento box, a few coins, and a note. You recognise the handwriting, of course…

Hotaru,

We’ll be there to see you off, but as you plan to get up early to start making preparations, we thought we’d leave these here for you. I made you some of your favourite snacks for the trip (including some for You-Know-Who); everything else was arranged by your father.

We can’t ever tell you how proud we are of all you’ve done and plan to accomplish. We’ll be rooting for you every step of the way. But make sure to contact us as soon as you can! I’ll be waiting for any piece of news.

With love,

Mom (and Dad.)

…You take a moment to inspect the KASA. In tiny writing, in a place almost nobody would see it if you weren’t looking, you can make out Hotaru in intricate calligraphy.

……………

W-well, you wouldn’t even consider turning down such a heartfelt gift from your closest supporters merely because they used a slightly older name than you currently bore. Besides, it wasn’t like KOSUKE THE GREAT was technically finalized or officialized, after all. And nobody should see it unless they’re looking - you’d never even think of leaving something so precious behind. Trifling matters like names can wait just a bit longer; your quest comes first.

You take a moment to integrate the new gifts. The BOX OF PRECIOUS DELICACIES is carefully stored in your INVENTORY, the KASA is equipped, and the FUNDS pocketed. Now, with nothing left to do at HOME; your final preparations can begin.

Where to start…?

[ ] The ARMORY, where you can acquire a more potent WEAPON. Originally you’d been expecting to requisition something more standard issue, but with your sudden influx of FUNDS you might be able to get something more exotic and powerful.
[ ] The MARKET is an essential stop. You already secured basic provisions, but if you wish to secure a trade route it will be easier to do so with TRADE GOODS in hand. The HAKUREI SHRINE MAIDEN may also respond more positively if you bring a gift as well.
[ ] The SHIPYARD; after all, travelling Gensokyo on foot alone would never be accurate if you intend to forge a path for traders and merchants. You’ve already requisitioned a suitable VESSEL, but you’ve yet to inspect the final result, and with your sudden influx of FUNDS you might be able to request some final attachments or improvements.

---

Apologies to the Kosuke vote winners. I thought I wouldn’t mind it being similar to Kosuka, but it turned out to bother me immensely. Also not helping matters is that the new digimon game that just came out has its own Kosuke, who is very different again from the NOBLE KNIGHT.

So what I’m going with to best honour the votes without completely messing with my head, is that Kosuke is the name he wants to adopt for himself, and the second place choice Hotaru is his actual birth name. This also means that, for those like >>31885, the barely-above-Moon Moon-tier name is entirely self-inflicted. I hope this works as a nice compromise.

[3] The ARMORY, where you can acquire a more potent WEAPON. Originally you’d been expecting to requisition something more standard issue, but with your sudden influx of FUNDS you might be able to get something more exotic and powerful.
[6] The MARKET is an essential stop. You already secured basic provisions, but if you wish to secure a trade route it will be easier to do so with TRADE GOODS in hand. The HAKUREI SHRINE MAIDEN may also respond more positively if you bring a gift as well.
[7] The SHIPYARD; after all, travelling Gensokyo on foot alone would never be accurate if you intend to forge a path for traders and merchants. You’ve already requisitioned a suitable VESSEL, but you’ve yet to inspect the final result, and with your sudden influx of FUNDS you might be able to request some final attachments or improvements.

This early in the morning, few people travel the roads of the CASTLE TOWN; anyone who is up at this hour is probably still managing something at home, or has been working overnight. Still, even for a NOBLE KNIGHT some peace and quiet can be good. You spend the trip watching colour slowly filter into the sky, as the sun rises over the world.

You’d decided on the SHIPYARD as your first port of call. You’d been repeatedly assured everything was on schedule, but that schedule had been rather tight, and the last few days you’d busied yourself with last-minute prep rather than come down and actually inspect the work. If you didn’t confirm that your VESSEL was shipshape, then this expedition wouldn’t even get off the ground, literally.

The first thing that always hit you was the scent. Exotic oils and arcane inks weaved their heady fragrances through the air, alongside the fresh breezes one would find anywhere on the edge of town. Sound arrived much later; it was kept at a minimum on the public-facing areas of the grounds, the craftsmen toiling away at intricate arcanima with careful brush strokes. As you stepped into the SHIPYARD proper, you took a moment to examine the grounds, looking for your contact.

You’re surprised at the number of people hard at work already - or rather, at work still. It appears that craftsmen around are largely finishing up graveyard shifts with final inspections of still-drying runes, or writing up integrity reports on the structure of VESSELS. Clearly they are working to make sure the already built ships are ready for incoming customers; perhaps you have come here a bit early.

In the silence of the SHIPYARD, your footsteps feel sonorous and discordant; rocks tossed into a still pond. You keep your pace regardless, even as the eyes of many workers fall on you. You don’t wish to intrude, but if a NOBLE KNIGHT can be stopped by merely being observed, he is no knight at all. Still, your contact spots you long before you spot them, waving you over.

As you approach, you take a moment to inspect the man. The first thing you note is his beard; a mane of grey tied in a knot (presumably so hairs won’t get caught in the inkwork). His hands bear the stains and callouses of many years of craft, and his clothes, while stained and torn, were clearly made to bear such marks with pride. He’s no fledgling at this point; he’s an ELDER CRAFTSMAN, and deserves all the respect that entails.

He’s assessing you in return as you approach, seeming as yet uncertain in his judgement. His voice comes out soft; more due to the ravages of time than deliberate action on his part. “Ey, kid. You wouldn’t happen to be ‘Kosuke the Explorer’, would you?”

You doff your KASA, bowing before the ELDER CRAFTSMAN. “Indeed I am, sir. Apologies for the late arrival, I’ve been quite swamped these last few days.” You straight up, giving him a warm smile. “I trust there’s been no issues?”

“None in the craft, sure.” The man hummed, seeming uncertain. “It’s all ready to take you to the surface. Might even have the space to etch in an extra function or two, if you’ve got some last minute requests - and the coin, of course.”

“Really? And here I was thinking the best I could hope for was a final clean and a cushion or two.” You follow, giving him a warm smile. “I could do with a reminder of the extra runes, if we’re seriously discussing that.”

“I’ll grab the options list once I’ve shown you this.” The ELDER CRAFTSMAN hummed, looking down at some of his notes. “I have to say, though, if all this is necessary to cross the lands, there’s going to be many customers just priced out of the market.”

“Well, this is an expeditionary vessel. I can’t expect to chart a path without peril on my first attempt; if such a path was known, I wouldn’t need to do this in the first place.” You don your KASA once more, glancing around as you’re led to what appears to be a set of hangars..

He shrugged. “‘Spose so. Just remember, it can only protect you while you’re in it, so don’t pop out to play with the wildlife if you don’t have to. They’ll be vicious - even heard the other day about a frog that could eat a man whole.”

“How terrifying. I’ll keep your words in mind.” HER MAJESTY had actually mentioned much the same, while describing the perils of Gensokyo’s wilds. Of course, at the time she’d been ready to fend it off, but if it ever were to falter… you shook your head, getting back on track. “Still, I apologise if it’s caused your team too many issues.”

“Don’t be too sorry. ‘S a nice change of pace.” He stepped in front of a closed door, fiddling with its latch. “After all the merchants and nobles who want nothing more than to parade around, making something that’s actually going out into the wilds is a good mix-up. Though not everyone’s happy with your requests… and I should tell you, your worst critic’s on the other side of the door.”

With a satisfying clack, the latch opens, and the ELDER CRAFTSMAN grabs both handles of the hangar door. You take a moment to close your eyes, steady your nerves… and at last, everything opens before you.

What stands before you is a majestic VESSEL; one that rivals the very best you’ve ever seen. Its main body is interwoven vivid greens, depicting a lush bamboo thicket so vivid you’d swear you were looking at the forest itself. Inside, you can see a wine-red interior, with enchanted patterns of gold all around it. And all throughout, you can feel the subtle thrum and resonance of magic, interwoven strands in perfect formation, a tapestry of thaumaturgy. It is an undeniable masterpiece even before you’ve taken a single step aboard.

The VESSEL is currently being polished to a perfect sheen by a fresh-faced apprentice, muttering underneath his breath. You barely give him a second glance, too star-struck by the magnificent work of art in front of you. It’s completely perfect! It’s everything you’ve dreamed about and more! Already, you can see yourself forging the path to HAKUREI SHRINE, safe and secure in this elegant beast. With such a majestic VESSEL, you’d have nothing to fear no matter what befell you!

…After a few moments, you realise that the old man has turned to look at you, a self-satisfied look on his face. You shut your hanging jaw and recompose yourself, giving him a bashful glance. “W-well, in terms of design you’ve more than surpassed my expectations. Though I’d still like to give it a test run before we sign things off.”

“Of course, of course.” The ELDER CRAFTSMAN stepped up to the apprentice, tapping him on the shoulder. “Oi, lad, the buyer’s here! Look sharp, alright?”

The younger lad straightens up to his full height - as much as it’s worth. Judging by his still unimpressive stature and his brand-new clothes, he’s clearly a fresh-faced youth, too inexperienced to be trusted with anything important. With that said, he’s clearly taken to his work with gusto, judging by the smears of colour across his face.

“So this kid’s Kosuke the Extremely Demanding? Ow!” The rude remark earns him a smack on the back of his head, which folds him forward clutching at his skull. His voice sounds vaguely familiar… where had you heard it before?

You fight the urge to chuckle at his misfortune. “Well, the title is not yet finalised, but I personally doubt that ‘Extremely Demanding’ will be going forward.”

You can practically hear his eyes rolling as he straightens up. “Well, we managed to make it work, despite your best efforts. I’ve got no idea why you think you need a way to resize all the way from a personal ride to a four-man one, especially when you’re not actually taking passengers, but damn if we didn’t do it.”

“As much as he’s bellyachin’, young Aichi’s got a knack for finding a way to weave everything around each other.” The ELDER CRAFTSMAN chuckled. “If you do decide you want some last minute additions, he’s the one you can thank for finding a way to make them fit.”

…The apprentice is from the Aichi family? Surely he doesn’t mean Seto, right? You get a sinking feeling as you look at the young worker more closely, things starting to click in your head.

“Really, boss? Who is this kid, anyway?” He turns to look at you, eyes full of doubt. Then, the doubt turns to confusion, suspicion, and finally… recognition. “...Hotaru?”

Hells- You yank your KASA down far too late, the damage already done. “It is you, isn’t it? What the hell do you think you’re playing at, pulling a stunt like this?”

You sigh. “It’s not a ‘stunt’. This is a serious expedition.” You give up on avoiding the gaze, instead returning a stern look to the IMPUDENT APPRENTICE. “I am a Royal Knight, you know.”

“You’re barely out of your squire clothes and you’re calling yourself a knight?” He rolls his eyes. “Yeah, and I’m the chief of production. Honestly, there’s getting ahead of yourself, and then there’s whatever this is.”

He raps at the side of the bowl. “How’d you even afford this? Plunder your father’s savings? Get the princess to give you a loan?”

I-you grit your teeth, biting back any overly vicious responses. “I worked quite hard to earn the money myself, thank you.” The fact that a not insignificant portion of the FUNDS in your possession were a gift from your benefactors was rather ill-timed, but every coin that you’d invested in the ship had been from your own efforts and savings.

“And why did you spend them burdening us with this insanely picky request?” He jabs a finger onto your chest, eye level with you. “You even got picky about the bloody pigments we used for the patterning! I spent whole days just mapping out the rune work for you - do you know how hard it is to do that normally, let alone in multiple sizes?!”

“Now now, Aichi, no need to be that harsh.” The ELDER CRAFTSMAN stepped in at last, steadying his ANNOYING APPRENTICE. “You managed it all, didn’t you? Certainly didn’t see you getting shy about saying the spellwork rivaled even the princess’ ride.”

“But that’s my point!” You leant back as a finger intruded right under the brim, barely avoiding actual contact. “We managed to make a bowl as good as the Royals, and I’m proud of that. But if I’d known we were building it so Hotaru, of all people, could go flying off without a plan and crash it, I’d have told him to find some other team to saddle his nonsense with!”

I once again resist my urge to tell him to shut the odorous hole he calls his mouth. As much as I- as much as you’d like to call him out, you know the AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE well enough to sense the feeling of betrayal in his words. This likely was his most impressive requisition to date, in both difficulty and result. It’s likely that this is just as much his passion project as it is a vital tool of your NOBLE QUEST. He’s not just lashing out at you just to release his anger, he’s concerned that weeks of effort are going to go to waste.

You needed to alleviate those concerns.

[ ] (DIPLOMANCE) Requests like resizing capability and specific pigments might seem strange in the abstract, but they both had specific purposes you’d planned well in advance. Explaining them was the best way to reassure him that there was more going into the process than simple personal tastes.
[ ] (FLATTERIZE) You’d never have settled for another team - you needed to do this right, with the best craftsmen for the job. The best way to meet his passion was to acknowledge and respect the hard work they’d put in for it.
[ ] (EXCELLERATE) Meet his passion with passion in return! Your quest is no idle one - you must impress on them both how important this mission is!

[9] (DIPLOMANCE) Requests like resizing capability and specific pigments might seem strange in the abstract, but they both had specific purposes you’d planned well in advance. Explaining them was the best way to reassure him that there was more going into the process than simple personal tastes.
[4] (FLATTERIZE) You’d never have settled for another team - you needed to do this right, with the best craftsmen for the job. The best way to meet his passion was to acknowledge and respect the hard work they’d put in for it.
[1] (EXCELLERATE) Meet his passion with passion in return! Your quest is no idle one - you must impress on them both how important this mission is!

The best way to calm the AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE down was to win him over. He wasn’t unreasonably concerned, just passionate about his work.

“Seto, like I said, this is an expeditionary vessel.” You tilt your head up slightly to look at him. “I’m aware that the demands are high, but they aren’t just idle whims. They’re all for the expedition’s sake.”

“Oh yeah?” He eyed you dubiously. “The castle’s got plenty of scouts, and last I checked none of their rides had the ability to resize themselves into passenger vehicles. Why would you need it just to find a path to Hakurei Shrine?”

“Getting to the Hakurei Shrine isn’t my purpose. It is part of it,” You corrected, before he could get a word in, “but I’m not just looking to find any path, I’m ideally looking for one that merchants could traverse as well.”

There was a thoughtful hum from the ELDER CRAFTSMAN. “So that’s why you want it to scale up? Most of our merchants and porters do ride around in that size…”

“Indeed,” you respond with a smile, “and while it is likely I can chart a path to the Shrine for myself without overwhelming difficulty, riding around in a light and flighty ship all the time would be a rather poor simulation of the experience of any who’d follow me. Adopting a slower and heftier ship will help me understand their limitations, and may help me prevent ignoring hardships that would otherwise go unnoticed.”

“Then why not just actually get a merchant’s ride?” Seto looked at you flatly. “You could have bought a used one for cheap and gotten it refurbished by us. Would have cost a fraction of the dosh, time, and runecharts if you weren’t so self-absorbed.”

“I suppose you could count self-preservation as self-absorption,” you deflected, trying not to let him get on your nerves. “But that is a best-case scenario. My primary goal is just establishing a path singular vessels can take, with no need for any… miracles.”

The young apprentice took a moment, looking you over. “...You wanna make a path the princess can travel safely no matter what?”

"And one that others can also tread," you affirmed. "Such is the duty of a knight. Of course, the other aspect is that a path may very well turn out to be more perilous than it seems. A flightier and more agile vessel may be the difference between a tactical retreat and a life-and-death situation.”

You turn, striding up to the vehicle. “Now, one option is to lash both the large and small vessels together, and create what amounts to a one-man convoy with them. But if I did that, and then had to beat a hasty retreat, that effectively requires abandoning the larger one to a perilous situation.” A sigh escapes your lips. “And at this point in time, I cannot expect others to help me retrieve something like that, meaning it would be lost for all intents and purposes. And that may well happen multiple times before a safe route is found. Compared to the cost of that, one highly-charged craft becomes more cost efficient over time.”

For a moment, the two craftsmen seem surprised. You take the time to step closer to the VESSEL, admiring the bamboo-themed patterning across it. “You also mentioned the pigments I requested, yes? …The specific colours were chosen based on the forest below. They’re meant to blend in with the brush, and help conceal me if I need to stop and rest while on the surface. I won’t deny a certain affinity to the colours, of course, but that’s more of a happy coincidence.”

You turned back to the two of them, assessing their expressions. The ELDER CRAFTSMAN’s face was hard to read, but Seto’s expression had frozen in a rictus of confusion. “You-you were trying to match it up with the surface plants? How do you even do that?”

“Very patiently.” You meet his look with an even one of your own. “I mean, after all, plants change over the seasons, so the timing mattered too. Those colours were perfect every year I checked.”

“Every year?” The ANNOYING APPRENTICE was momentarily lost for words, but found them soon enough. “No way. You gotta be messing around.”

“I’m serious. Why would I lie about that?”

“Because you have a ‘certain affinity to the colours’,” he imitates, poking your HERO’S GARB, ‘and you’re just lookin’ for ways to paint everything green.”

I bristle, leaning in. “I have a good reason for every request I made, and you’d know that if you spent half of your bellyaching time on wondering why. Do you want me to go through the whole list of requests? Or would you care to actually use that thing between your ears and figure it out yourself?”

He leans back, shrugging dramatically. “Nah, I’ve got better uses for my brain than trying to understand you. Like smashing it in with a hammer.”

“One of your favourite pastimes, judging by this convers-”

The sound of dry, hacking laughter filled the hangar, throwing both of us out of the moment. We turned to the old guy, busting a gut for no clear reason I - you could discern.

“Ahhhhh, this brings me back.” The ELDER CRAFTSMAN was grinning from ear to ear. “I remember having these sorts of fights with a friend of mine back when we were kids.”

You bristle. “We aren’t kids-”

“-and he’s not my friend!” Seto huffed, jamming his finger in your direction. The feeling was very much mutual; you’d been more designated playmates than anything more in your childhood years, what with all four of your shared parents being employees of the ROYAL FAMILY. Your objections only seemed to make the ELDER CRAFTSMAN chuckle some more, shaking his head in amusement.

“Sure, sure.” A leathery hand clasped each of your shoulders. “Still, friends or no, best to keep your tempers in check, yeah? This is a business transaction, after all.”

You and the AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE side-eye each other, tempers cooling. You take a slow breath to steady yourself, before sticking your hand out first. “I apologise, Seto. I am rather invested in this project, as you can tell, and I let my emotions get the better of me.”

He glares daggers into your proffered hand, as if it could be deflected by intimidating your thumb. At length, he takes it, his face as if he was unclogging a latrine without tools.

“I… apologise for my behaviour as well.” With every word he forces out between his lips, his grip tightens, and you respond in kind. “I should not have complained to your face just because I knew you personally. I’ll do my best to remember the old mantra; the customer is always right.” It takes a titanic amount of force for him to resist appending his own thoughts to that mantra.

The two of you give an almost geometric handshake, in its delicate balance of politeness and force. The ELDER CRAFTSMAN watches the whole affair with amusement, a grin on his lips as the two of you separate.

“Alright, alright, that’s enough. Now, Hotaru, was it? You mentioned some potential last-minute requests?”

“Please call me Kosuke, sir.” You do your best to recompose yourself. “And if such things can be accommodated, I do have some ideas in mind.”

“You’ve got a few more stops before you head for the surface, right?” You do still have the ARMORY and MARKET to visit, so you nod in agreement. “Then how about this? You gotta have a test ride, make sure things are in order, so we’ll get someone riding in with you. You can hear out what we can fit in, make your choice, and then the passenger drops you off at your next stop and goes back to get it etched in.”

“If that’s doable, that’d be more than ideal.” You give him a warm smile. “Would this service cost anything?”

“It’s not that much more than usual, and we’re pretty sleepy these hours, so I think it’ll be fine.” There’s a twinkle in his eyes as he talks. “In fact… tell you what, kid. You’re a well-reasoned lad, all things considered, and you’ve reminded me of the good old days. I wouldn’t mind taking a coin or two less for an upgrade, even. And don’t worry, Seto, you’ll get a bonus for this.”

The objection the AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE had died in his throat, leading to his much-begrudging agreement. “Fine. You’re the boss, boss.”

“Good lad.” He turns, beginning to walk out of the hangar. “Welp, I’ll leave you to it. You should probably get going on that test ride, then - the sooner you head out, the sooner we can get to making it all nice and ready for the road.”

“Of course, sir. And thank you for your generosity.” You bow as he steps away. “Where can I find an employee to take me on a test drive?”

“Two steps to your left.” He rounds the corner, smirking back as you and the AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE realise what he means. “Seto, show him the ropes, would you?”

---

“You’re not gonna clip a pole, are you?” The AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE leans over your shoulder, forcing you to correct your angle. “If you clip a pole going at this speed, you’re gonna crash, and you’re gonna die, got it?”

You forcefully push him off your shoulder, trying to realign your path with the TOWN CENTER. “I thought this thing would protect its passengers in a crash? I certainly remember asking for stabilisers and emergency cushioning.”

“Never said the crash would be what killed you.” He scowls, turning out to look over the road. “At least this thing is proving itself. It’s running like a dream.”

On that, you were in full agreement. This VESSEL truly was magnificent; even with your backseat driver bumping it up to a two-person ride, flying through the skies was as natural as if you’d been born with wings. It might even have been better than HER MAJESTY’S own vehicle, though that could be explained by the former being a royal heirloom, and this being brand-new.

“I’ve gotta stop at a couple of places in town,” you say, as you spot the area you need to land ahead. “I assume you’re heading straight back?”

“Well, I’m already here…” He pauses, looking out over the town. He seems to be looking in the general direction of the ARMORY. “Might take some time window-shopping or something.”

You resist the urge to turn to face him fully. “Don’t you need to get back to do the last upgrade?”

“Would need you to decide on what you want, Hotaru.” He’s not even looking at you, hanging over the edge. A quick swerve that toys with the idea of launching him overboard straightens him up in an instant.

“To do that, you’d need to tell me what the options are.” You focus on steadying the VESSEL, eyes gazing out onto the landing spot. “You said you had a little more space for an upgrade, yes?”

“Fine, fine. Might as well finish polishing this pearl before I leave it to the swine.” He turns to face you. “We’ve only got a small spot that’s safe, right at the front. So there’s only a few enchantments that make sense. Now listen closely, alright? Because I’m going to give you these options only once.”

You have 15 FUNDS to spend.

[ ] (SIGNAL TONE - 5 3 FUNDS) “You originally asked us to remove the alert from the vessel, because you’re going off on your own. We can add that back in, if you wanted us to - might be good when you get to the actual shrine, or to bail your sorry ass out of a problem if someone friendly’s close enough to hear you.”
[ ] (ARCANE TETHER - 6 4 FUNDS) “Tether’ll let you attach something and pull it along - or be pulled along, of course. It’s not a physical connection, and we have stabilising spells installed already so as long as it’s not too crazy, even a newbie like you shouldn’t get launched overboard.”
[ ] (INTERNALISED STORAGE PHYSICS - 5 3 FUNDS) “This one’s pretty simple; if you’ve stored something in the cargo, it’ll stay stored exactly as you’ve left it until you pull it out again. Doesn’t protect against rain or anything, but could still be useful.”
[ ] (Delay, and make the full purchase later. Discount will reduce to -1 FUNDS.) “What, you want me to wait while you go shopping? Would you like a foot massage as well? You’ll be eating into my lunch break, so you’re gonna have to make it worthwhile, got it?”

If delayed, the AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE will not leave until you’ve visited all three locations, so you can hold off for a least a little bit.

{ } Go to the MARKET first.
{ } The ARMORY should be next.

[2] (SIGNAL TONE - 5 3 FUNDS)
[3] (ARCANE TETHER - 6 4 FUNDS)
[4] (INTERNALISED STORAGE PHYSICS - 5 3 FUNDS)
[1] (Delay, and make the full purchase later. Discount will reduce to -1 FUNDS.)

After this, you will have 12 FUNDS.

{1} Go to the MARKET first.
{7} The ARMORY should be next.

“I’ll take the Internalised Storage Physics,” you said. “That should allow me to make more evasive maneuvers without risking anything damaging anything else.”

The AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE takes a few moments to examine your expression before shrugging. “And you’re ready to pay?”

“Naturally.” You give him a confident smile. “And I wouldn’t dream of keeping you; after all, I’ve got to head off to get a weapon next.”

You enjoy the momentary fall of his expression; he was clearly hoping to visit the ARMORY INNOVATRIX himself, but can’t justify accompanying you there. You were 99% sure that any affections the young craftsman had were entirely one-sided, but there was no harm in delaying any chance to roll the dice - especially with legitimate and entirely practical business.

He rallies quickly enough, shrugging. “Alright then. I’ll go back and get this etched in, then, once you’ve got it landed. You planning to bring any cargo along?”

“That is the reason I’m asking for extra storage protection, yes.” You begin bringing the VESSEL in for a landing. “I’d like to make a good impression with those I meet on the way.”

“Suit yourself. Guess that means I’ll be back with the ride later.” As you get close to the ground, he half-climbs out, holding on to the edge so he can look down at the landing pad. “You know how to land this thing, right?”

You do, but neither telling him this nor attempting to demonstrate it saves you from his backseat piloting as you gently bring it to rest. He immediately begins examining the VESSEL for any sign of damage, a task you join him in doing; though you shouldn’t expect anything to be failing already, making sure you grasp at least the basics of maintenance will spare you both headaches.

It’s not long before you’ve grabbed what you need from the craft, with your FUNDS on hand to give to the AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE. As you hand it over however, he looks… pensive.

“...Are you sure about this?” He asks at last. “There are reasons we don’t go to the Surface, you know.”

“Good reasons at that,” you affirm. “But that doesn’t make it the right decision. You’ve heard the princess speak about her recent ventures. You know as well as I do how much we’ve never even seen.”

“And you think you’re the one to bring us back?” Seto’s voice was tinged with skepticism, and a hint of something else. “That you can make us a part of Gensokyo again?”

You shrug, as you hand him your FUNDS. “On my own? No, of course not. These things take time and manpower aplenty. Could be a whole decade of trailblazing before we’re truly a part of Gensokyo again.”

The smile you give him feels a little different this time. Easier, somehow. “But someone has to try. Anyone can be the best choice if they’re the only person willing to be chosen.”

He sniffs a bit at that. “Just don’t go getting yourself killed. A good half of our generation will wimp out at the first chance they get, never mind the crusty old farts.”

You snort. “I’ll do my best, Seto. But we’d best be getting to it, eh?” You turn, giving him a final wave. “Not getting very far without a weapon, after all.”

The response he gives doesn’t quite become a whole word. It’s still confirmation enough; you head off, so he can back to the workshop and back to work.

And yet, as you turn the corner, he still hasn’t moved. Instead, he stands there, not even putting the funds away, as he watches you go.

…A puzzle for another time. You have a WEAPON to acquire, after all.

And someone to thank, as well. After all, your KASA is a strong match for your VESSEL’s livery, and you suspect that is not by chance…

---

The CASTLE TOWN was a place defined by verticality. Contained within the GREAT WALLS, the town stacked atop itself to make the most of its limited dimensions. One man’s roof was another’s floor, and his roof might be a shopfront or other public ground. The streets were narrow but tall, with bridges, ropes and pulleys all over to allow for easy traversal regardless.

Because of this structure, much of the lower levels get very little natural light, if any at all. With the resources available, the solution was to use towering candles as lampposts, each large enough to be a bonfire lighting the way through the streets. The town’s districts split themselves accordingly; the business, markets and plazas where people were expected to spend their days were at the top, the residential floors were just above or level with the warm flames, and things that were down at the bottom were only there by necessity.

You grab your KASA to steady it as a glob of wax lands atop, cooling and forcing you to adjust the balance accordingly. Most of the military concerns of the CASTLE TOWN were stationed down below if it could be helped, in part because head protection was both standard uniform of the guard and a necessity to navigate the lowest level. The other reason was that, thanks to the GREAT WALLS, most serious threats were inevitably expected to come from the bot- the top- from below the citizenry’s feet, and having the bulk of the military down at the ground was thus a practical strategy.

Most of the rest of the level was staffed by the sort who kept the CASTLE TOWN running in one way or another; maintaining the underlying foundation and supports, clearing out refuse or scraping up the pools of wax that inevitably littered the street. You give them a small smile and nod as they pass; assisting in their tasks was a common punishment for aspiring squires, and every knight knew their efforts were no idle chore.

Your destination is in the main body of the military’s establishments, one of the few parts that (quite deliberately) couldn’t be accessed by just jumping down from above. You make your way to the side entrance of the ARMORY; after all, standard-issue weapons aren’t what you're looking for this time.

These chambers were lit by magical lighting; a welcome change from the gloomy and haunting streets behind you. This side entrance was where non-standard weapons are recovered and maintained; the current focus seemed to be some sort of strange, rectangular structures, strewn across the main table. Something to ask about later. After taking a moment to examine your reflection in a full-length mirror placed by the tabletop, you doff your KASA to begin carefully removing the congealed glob. Any establishment down here has a bin for loose wax, after all, and this is no exception.

You’re just about to don it once more when someone casually leans over you, putting their entire weight on your shoulder. “Well well well. Whatcha got there, huh?”

You grunt, pushing the person behind you off. “Something that I believe I have you to thank for, no?”

As you turn, you make stock of the ARMORY INNOVATRIX. She’s dressed in the hard-wearing clothes of a smith, giving you a cheeky grin. “Heh, how’d you know? I thought it might have been more subtle.”

“Someone must have coordinated with the shipyard to get every part of my outfit together. And you happen to be just the person who could do that.” You can’t resist a small smirk yourself. “Be honest; did Mom and Dad put you up to the design, too?”

“Nah, was already planning to do it. Though they did pay for the time and materials and all that.” She tousles your hair as you go to return your KASA to its rightful position. “Me, I went down to the docks to find out what you’d bought and coordinate designs. Did you know Seto works there now? He was going all-out for your ride, y’know.”

“I’m aware,” you manage diplomatically. The AGGRAVATING APPRENTICE would have been all too happy to help the INNOVATRIX, for reasons unrequited (which would hopefully stay that way. You did not need a Seto-in-Law). “We took a test ride out here, in fact.”

As you manage to push her hand off and readjust your KASA, she steps back, admiring her handiwork. “Looks good on you, little bro. How’s it feel?”

“...Maybe a touch too large? But not too heavy or anything, quite comfortable actually.” You grin, taking a moment to admire your reflection. “I’ll grow into it, I’m sure.”

“Well if you do need it resized, just let me know.” She turns, looking back at the weapon racks that line the wall. “Now, let me guess; you’re here for a weapon, aren’t you? Anything catch your eye?”

“More than anything, I’m curious about these things.” You step closer to the strange rectangles on the table. “What are these? Some kind of storage system?”

“Not even close.” She selects a bar-shaped one, offering it to you. “Take it, see how it feels.”

The moment you hold it, you realise exactly how odd it is. The material is shiny and smooth, and sturdy like painted metal, but metal is nowhere near this light. It gets even stranger as you realise the block you’ve been given has a hollow on its underside. There’s only one explanation for something this weird. “This is… outside-world materials, right?”

“Bingo!” She grins a little too proudly; that wasn’t some wildly difficult guess or anything. “Some sort of modular design, I think. And if it’s from the outside world, magic can make it better. Press that little sigil I made in the bar you’re holding.”

You do as directed, only for all the blocks to start rattling. They leap towards you and the piece, connecting to each other with a series of satisfying clicks. The force of their rapid connections makes you take a step back to brace against their force. You still watch, amazed, as the blocks assemble themselves into a blocky rendition of a nonetheless unmistakable object.

“It’s a tower shield!” You stare in amazement, setting the shield down. Even on the ground, it’s nearly as tall as you. “...And surprisingly light, too.”

“I call it a Modular Defender!” She beams, lifting it up. “You can even customize the configuration it assembles into, and the joins seem pretty much airtight, as well. Only problem is that it’s not the most durable of designs, and it doesn’t have the battery to reassemble quickly.”

You decide to test that, managing to dislodge one of the outer pieces by pulling it while pushing on the main body with your foot. You stare at the loose piece, concern beginning to rise. “That… seems like a pretty big design flaw.”

The ARMORY INNOVATRIX shakes her head. “It’s a limitation, but there’s more than a few worthwhile benefits. Having a complete defence for just a couple of attacks might be more valuable than having a less complete one for a long time. And even the dropped pieces can still be useful; according to the princess herself, just one of these was enough to bring one of the three sages to her knees.”

These little blocks managed to accomplish that? Even scratching one of the GREAT SAGES was no mean feat! You whistle, looking over the MODULAR DEFENDER in a new light. “Really? That’s incredible.”

“Aaaaaand that’s just one of the things I’ve been working on!” She smiles, gesturing to the walls. “I’ve got a few other good projects ready for an aspiring young knight to take and make their own. Especially with the princess’s recent expeditions bringing back all sorts of things from the Surface. Weapons that could make even the shrimpiest kid a threat.”

You scowl. “Hey, I’m not a shrimp!”

She grins like an expert fisherwoman. “Never said you were.” You feel the heat rise to your face as she begins to disassemble the MODULAR DEFENDER. “Ah, you’re too easy sometimes, y’know? Aaaaaanyway. Have you gone and bought some supplies yet?”

The topic change leaves you no way to openly protest. You do your best to regather yourself before responding. “I’ve only been to the shipyard. Got one last enchantment squeezed in, too.”

“I see, I see.” She picks up what seems to be some sort of list. “Get a good price?”

“Really good, actually.” You tap your pack satisfied. “Only took a bit over half of those mysterious coins that randomly turned up on the table this morning. I can work with it.”

“Well, maybe…” The INNOVATRIX runs a finger down the chart, thoughtfully. “You’re gonna find things getting a touch tight if you want anything fun.” After a moment’s more consideration, she looks up with a gleam in her eyes. “Y’want a little discount?”

“Sis,” you start, annoyance creeping into your voice. “I don’t need a discount. I’ve got more money than I started with -”

“I know, I know, but still, there’s some good stuff you aren’t gonna be able to budget in at this rate.” She notices your expression and sets the board down. “Don’t give me that look. I’m not just gonna give you it for nothing.”

At that, you relent. “So what do I need to do for this discount, then?”

“Just answer one simple question, oh ‘Kosuke the Wise’.” She straightens up. “What’s the single most important thing to remember on your maiden voyage?”

[ ] If you can swing it, it’s a weapon. Keep an eye out and be creative.
[ ] Be courteous to the surface-dwellers. Represent your people well.
[ ] The only failed scouting mission is one which doesn’t report back.

[1] If you can swing it, it’s a weapon. Keep an eye out and be creative.
[7] Be courteous to the surface-dwellers. Represent your people well.
[1] The only failed scouting mission is one which doesn’t report back.

The INNOVATRIX had not been given the title for no reason. She had quickly garnered a reputation for her inventiveness, forging powerful weapons from the most unexpected of sources. It was a skill she had aimed to impress unto you many times, and you’d certainly learnt to improvise when push came to shove.

But that wasn’t what she meant. It was the obvious answer, the thing she always did her best to drill into you for any situation, which meant in no way was it worth any sort of discount. Especially as it essentially encouraged looking for other weapons… while the reward was letting you buy more or better ones from her.

Likewise, matters of diplomacy were largely beyond your station. By her account, the princess was making great inroads politically - your task was to mark out their physical equivalents. And there was no guarantee that you were going to get there in one trip, so matters of etiquette might not even be relevant.

No, there really could only be one choice. You straighten up, meeting her gaze evenly. “It’s what dad was always drilling in. ‘The only failed scouting mission is one which doesn’t report back.’”

“Bingo.” She gives a small smile, patting you on your shoulder. “No matter how well your mission goes, if you make it back, it’s a success. So you’re gonna promise to come back in one piece, alright?”

You nod, slowly. “I promise, Himari. One trip to the shrine and back.”

She pulls you in for a hug, holding you close. You can feel a tenseness in her hands, an anxiousness she’s trying to hide. You give a small chuckle, hugging her back. “It’s not like I’m going to be gone long either way. The princess can leave for the shrine after breakfast and be back by dinner. I’m not gonna have quite as easy of a time, of course, but still.”

“Well, as soon as you do get somewhere safe, find a way to let us know, alright?” She manages a small chuckle of her own, but her voice is trembling. “They’ll put on a brave face, but dad’ll be watching for any news like a hawk, and mom will worry herself sick.”

“...I know, and I will.” You release the hug, pulling back a bit. “And right now, I need your help. After all, to come back, I gotta go in the first place. And I’m not gonna do that without something strong by my side.”

It’s a few more moments before your sister manages to compose herself fully, straightening up. “Well then, we’d best get to it. Come on, bro. I’ll show ya to the good stuff.”

---

The back room is much as you remember it. There are a few sandbag training dummies in the center of the room, with the walls carrying weapons in all shapes and forms. You take a moment to inspect one rack in particular: the humble STANDARD-ISSUE DAGGER. It’s the most basic of all weapons; all-around versatile, and in great supply too. The more modern variants included spherical pommels, good in a pinch as a blunt weapon. But you already had one on hand, so your time would be better-spent trying out more unconventional options.

The vast majority of the wallspace is reserved for the most iconic weapon of the knights, the NOBLE RAPIER; a long and majestic piece of gleaming steel. It’s one of these that the ARMORY INNOVATRIX passes you first. You take a moment to feel its heft and weight, admiring its reliable steel. They’re trustworthy weapons with a well-proven track-record - even the princess herself uses one as her right-hand.

These are ultimately fairly similar to the DAGGER, but trade the versatility of the pommel for much longer range and more power. Some used these weapons one-handed, while others used both hands to drive it in with more force. The princess paired it with longer-range magic to bring her opponents to her, so she could run them through with their own momentum. It could even be used for repositioning, though the princess’s skill was… still developing in that aspect. Regardless, it was just another case of just how versatile the RAPIER really was.

The only problem was when one’s opponents were able to deflect your blows; like any thrusting weapon, when knocked off course it could do little to retaliate against your foes. It was why your HERO’S GARB came with a DAGGER by default; knocking that blade away would only bring the pommel to bear instead. Even then, the RAPIER had long been seen as the weapon of choice, and had a storied history all the way back to the days of legend.

Of course, when wielding it one-handed, that left a hand free for mounting a defense. Your sister places out a trio of shields for you to inspect, each one larger than the last. The small KNOTGRIP BUCKLER is a wooden construction, with its titular grip tied through four holes in its center. Humble, but good to keep in mind if you ended up with an idle hand and wanted to stay mobile.

On the other hand, the OUTSIDER’S AEGIS is solid metal right down to its grip, emblazoned with a strange design like many of its contemporaries. Hefty and sturdy, it’s the premier choice for those who prefer a more defensive style of combat. This one is hexagonal, and on the large side - just about perfect.

Lastly, of course, you can’t forget the MODULAR DEFENDER, still in its full tower-shield configuration. Compared to the weighty AEGIS, this was much lighter for its size; you give it an experimental heft. “Is this really that good of a shield?”

You hear a clank from somewhere on the far side of the DEFENDER. “You wanna find out? Brace yourself, bucko, this one’s coming in five, four, one…”

DOOOOOONG!

The impact shoots through your arm, the reverberations resounding right through your skull. She’s clearly not aiming beyond your shield, but the blow still lifts the whole thing up, sending pieces flying and leaving you staggering for balance. You barely manage to right yourself, now managing to glare over what remained of your defenses. “Did you forget how to count?”

The ARMORY INNOVATRIX laughs, placing her weapon head-first on the ground with a metallic rattle. The giant mace sports a well-carved wooden handle, with the head made of some sort of yellow metal. It’s an unusual shape, but the cup-like design does stabilize the piece nicely - though judging by that rattle, there’s likely internal parts you can’t see. You step out from the defenses to give it a try next - a process that requires both hands.

“Heavy…” You grunt, managing to get it into a combat stance, as your sister moves the MODULAR DEFENDER into position in front of a training dummy. After a few false starts, you decide to lift it high, and let it fall back into an underhanded swing. The force not only smashes through most of the remaining pieces, but still carries enough momentum that you’re nearly forced into leaping after it, landing an overhead smash and flattening your target with a burst of sand.

You huff, dropping the mace head-down. “...Is the Defender that easy to break normally? Or is this thing just really strong?”

“More the latter. The Resonance Hammer’s made for smashing through things and breaking them up. The vibrations this thing can put out actually penetrate pretty deep - you can scramble a giant spider’s brain without even cracking its skull. And that’s the exact sort of thing that the Defender’s weak to.” The INNOVATRIX scanned the room, eventually picking out a piece you recognised as the MODULAR DEFENDER’s handle. “Though in this case, breaking easily is a feature. If someone tries blocking a hunk of metal that big, they’re lucky if their shield takes the force for them. Better to have broken shields than broken bones.”

“Makes sense, I guess.” You take a moment to examine the room. “It’s a good weapon, but it’s definitely hefty. Got anything more agile?”

“Agile? Yeah, I got something nice.” She sets the handle to the side, and moves to lift a pair of blades from their mount. You meet in the middle, right in front of another training dummy. “Try these on for size - I just sharpened them today.”

The blades appear to be twinned, locked in a cross-shape, but you manage to separate them by pulling on the grips. Though they’re quite long, each blade’s light enough to wield in one hand, with circular grips that allow for shockingly easy repositioning. You take a moment to spin a blade around your hand, trying to get a sense for the heft and weight.

“They’re called Sin Cutters. These are the go-to weapons for when a soldier goes rogue, y’know.” You manage a glance over to your sister as she continues. “The conjoined form is the perfect thing for turning away a long thrust, and they’re way better in close range than the rapier could ever be.”

“I can bet.” You draw your arms up in an X, slashing two long diagonals across the figure’s chest and letting the momentum carry you a step back. You fully release the blades, twirling the grips around your wrists to bring your arms up. It lets you grab them right as they’re ready to swing down again, making two vertical slashes, before stepping inwards with a pair of underhand thrusts. This manages to lodge the SIN CUTTERS deeply within the dummy, sand spilling out from the half-dozen wounds. “Hah! How is that!”

“Eh, a bit overly flashy.” The INNOVATRIX drily assesses your form. “It’s good enough against a sitting duck, but against a real enemy there’s every chance you’ll miss the catch. Might have the blade fly off into the bushes, or worse. It’ll take a lot of practice to do that in real combat.”

“I suppose…” You have to put a foot on the dummy’s chest to extricate the blades, looking them over. “Anything else?”

“Just one last thing, actually. And if you had fun with that, I think you’re gonna love this.” She walks over to a curtained backroom, quickly returning with some sort of bag. “In fact, I kept one on hand just in case you were interested.”

You look over the bag. It’s relatively flat and vaguely round, though thicker than the two conventional shields. And you can already tell it’s got some sort of lumpy shape, too.

“We’ve been finding these more and more lately. Some sort of outside-world throwing weapon, we think… And with a little magic, we can take ‘em to the next level.” She undoes the drawstrings, pulling the bag open. “Here, see what you think.”

When you see the unveiled object, your first thought is its resemblance to a shuriken. Not a very conventional one, mind - this one has three arms, and is genuinely large enough to act as a shield. “It’d take a lot of power to throw that,” You conclude, stepping over to inspect it.

The central part glows with a presumably added rune, and as your hand gets close you realise why; it’s some sort of magically-enhanced grip. You lift it up, a bit surprised at how much weight is in the arms - and equally surprised they can rotate freely of the central grip.

Your sister is beaming. “Now choose a target, focus on it… and feel the magic at work.”

Almost as soon as you turn your attention on a dummy do you feel the runes spark to life. The arms begin to spin, rapidly picking up speed, until the whole thing is whirring in your hand like a sawblade. You have to take a moment to adjust, shocked at how much power it has.

With a heave, you throw it at a distant dummy. The whirling weapon blows one of it’s arms clean off, sailing right past him. It almost seems to hang in the air for a moment, before you realise it’s momentum is turning around, coming back to you. You manage to ‘catch’ it with the magical grip, though its inertia forces you a couple steps back to steady itself. Perhaps if you’d been more prepared, you could have spun around to throw it again.

“What the heck is this thing?!” It’s still spinning fast enough that it’s just a blur to you. You swipe it at a nearby dummy, managing to send it’s helm flying. “It’s good in melee, too!”

“And even works as a shield, if it has to.” The INNOVATRIX is grinning. “We’re calling them Tri-Fuma Shuriken, and I think it’s got a lot of potential. In fact, we’ve actually got a proposal for it to replace the Sin Cutters; its even better at deflecting thrusts. Only problem is, well, it’s one that requires some pretty good runework, so it’s not exactly cheap.”

You stare at it, impressed. Such a versatile weapon certainly had tonnes of potential - if you were willing to spend the cash. “Well, it’s certainly impressive. Not knowing the price tag, it’s hard to dismiss.”

“Well, then I guess it’s time to get your thoughts.” She hands you a small clipboard, with a price for each item. “So… what are you thinking, little bro? What’s the loadout gonna be?”

You have twelve funds in total, but you must keep at least three for the markets. Therefore, you have 9 FUNDS to spend.

Standard Weapons:
[ ] STANDARD-ISSUE DAGGER (3 2 FUNDS, 1h) Don’t forget, you already have one of these.
[ ] NOBLE RAPIER (5 4 FUNDS, 1-2h)
[ ] KNOTGRIP BUCKLER(3 2 FUNDS, 1h)
[ ] OUTSIDER’S AEGIS (5 4 FUNDS, 1h)

Specialty Weapons
[ ] RESONANCE HAMMER (9 7 FUNDS, 2h)
[ ] SIN CUTTERS (5 4 FUNDS EACH, 1h)

Enchanted Weapons
[ ] MODULAR DEFENDER (7 5 FUNDS, 1h)
[ ] TRI-FUMA SHURIKEN (9 7 FUNDS, 1-2h RANGED)

Note: While there will be chances to acquire new weapons in the future, the Enchanted Weapons require spellcraft that can only be found in the CASTLE TOWN. You will not be able to find working equivalents elsewhere.

[4] TRI-FUMA SHURIKEN (7 FUNDS)
[3] SIN CUTTER and MODULAR DEFENDER (9 FUNDS)
[1] NOBLE RAPIER (4 FUNDS)
[1] MODULAR DEFENDER (5 FUNDS)

A more standard loadout was a safe option. Blade and bulwark were a reliable and renowned combination the world over - from the WOLF TENGU to lands much further afield, even beyond the GREAT BARRIER.

But this weapon… you looked over the TRI-FUMA SHURIKEN once more. This one weapon could be shield, sword, both at once, and even strike at range. Maybe even more. It was still experimental, a new frontier for your people’s armaments. But wasn’t the whole purpose of this expedition to push boundaries? Besides, your people had been driven from the SURFACE with their more standard equipment. Perhaps a style change was just what you needed.

You grin, hefting it up and resting it on your shoulder. “I think I’ll take this, actually. Might as well hit the old world with something new, right?”

“Sounds like a plan.” The ARMORY INNOVATRIX returns your grin triumphantly. “Come on, let’s get you set up.”

You exchange your FUNDS for the TRI-FUMA SHURIKEN. It comes with extra wrist armour, likely to lower the risk of catching one’s own arm with the weapon. Fortunately, your sister has pieces that already match your KNIGHT’S UNIFORM; she really did predict that this would be the weapon for you.

It isn’t long before you’re standing, triumphant, with your TRI-FUMA SHURIKEN at the ready. You take a moment to admire your reflection; a truly striking silhouette. You find yourself visualising statues, tapestries, and other great works of art, bearing your visage as naturally as you bear this weapon. The name KOSUKE OF THE WIND will become legend; it is now all but certain.

You doff the SHURIKEN, placing it on your back - it floats there easily, as if attached to an invisible strap. With that settled, you bow graciously for your kind benefactor.

“My thanks, milady. I am sure this weapon will be a steadfast companion on my expedition… and I will be sure to provide you with valuable insight to how it performs in the field.” You straighten up, pausing at her pained expression.

She forces a chuckle, waving it off before you ask. “Ah, just thinking - back to when you were still so small that you couldn’t even look over the counter. And now… you’re off to the surface itself. You’ve grown up so much.”

You ease up your pose, giving her more of a smirk. “So will you stop calling me short, then?”

“Never.” The joke seems to help her recompose, drawing a long breath. “I’ll be eager to hear how it performs, particularly against the wildlife we don’t get up here. Apparently the spiders on the surface get real big.”

“Well, we’ll see how well they can fight when I strike them down from twenty paces.” You turn to the door. “Will you be coming to see me off?”

“Yeah, I’ll be there, promise.” Her voice takes on that slightly strained tone again. “...See you soon, little bro.”

You nod, tipping your KASA one last time. “See you soon, Himari.”

---

You take a more unconventional and physically demanding route up the levels of the CASTLE TOWN, to get a better sense of how your new equipment affects your maneuverability. It’s not too bad - your people can carry far more weight than others might expect, and this weapon, while on the heavier side, is nothing to a ROYAL KNIGHT.

You pass by the flickering red flames of the lower level, to the more natural sunlight above as you ascend. The local produce comes from higher still, so having markets at the highest point of the town has long made the most sense. Often, the farmers celebrate good harvests by bringing some of their produce down and offering it for free to any who visited the markets; today, the samples were some of the local grapes.

A cool, juicy snack sounds like the perfect thing after a workout, so you happily join the congregation. Plucking out a serve for yourself, you quickly find a spot to rest and enjoy the refreshing treat.

…Of course, it’s not long before someone spots you.

“Heeeeeeey!” You turn to the voice, a small smile forming on your face. The ROYAL HANDMAIDEN was HER MAJESTY’s closest friend and confidant, and though it paled in comparison, you had a rapport with her as well. She’s carried over her own serve of the harvest, as she sets herself down next to you. “You’re looking spiffy today!”

“Good morning, o fair maiden.” You give her a warm smile, tipping your hat to her. “And thank you for the compliment; though performance is more important than appearances.”

“If it works as well as it looks, you’ll make it to Hakurei Shrine, no problem!” You take a bite as she turns to look out, across the town - in at least the vague direction of your destination. “Today’s the big day, right?”

You nod in affirmation. “I’ll be setting out once I finish up in the markets. I’d like to get a few things for diplomatic overtures before I head out, and your assistance would be appreciated, if you’re available.”

“Sure thing!” She gives a thumbs up, turning to look out over the markets proper. “Didja have anything specific in mind?”

“The first thing I was hoping to purchase was something the Shrine Maiden herself might like.” You take a moment to think back, as a couple of young kids rush for the bushels on offer. “The Hakurei seems a rather… dynamic person. I’d like to make a good impression.”

“Believe me, you haven’t heard half of it. Some of the stories that get just rambled to me…” she gives a small, nervous chuckle. “People might not fear us, but they’ll fear Reimu, that’s for sure. Having her protection would be really good.”

“Well, we should be able to defend ourselves, but the services she’s done for the princess are more than deserving of thanks. If there’s something I can find she might like, it’d be worthwhile to present a small gift for her.” You take another bite of grape as you mull it over. “Though I was also wondering if there were other people that might be worth some diplomatic overtures on the way.”

“Hmmm…” The ROYAL HANDMAIDEN takes a few moments to think, chewing on a bit of grape as she does. “Maybe try a magician in the Forest of Magic?”

“...Surely you don’t mean-”

“No, no, not the crazy one. There’s like a half-dozen magicians squatting all over the place in the forest, apparently.” She rests what’s left of her treat on her lap, as she begins to list them off with her fingers. “There’s supposedly a really sickly one in some big mansion, but she’s probably no good; the princess told me the vampires are just as crazy as the fire witch. So if you wanted to open up a trade route… I’d either look for Miss Yatadera, or Miss Margatroid. Either one, or even both, would be good.”

“I… don’t know those names, but I can keep an eye out,” you concede. “What makes them worthwhile?”

“Miss Yatadera’s actually a Jizo magician. As in she’s a statue that came to life. And jizo’re supposed to protect travellers, right?” She pauses to grab another mouthful, before setting it back down. “Just makes sense, really. After all, the point’s about travelling safely, right? Having jizo- jizos? Jizoses? Having pathway guardians for friends can’t hurt.”

That was quite valuable. What better start for a trade route than a blessing of safe passage? What more ideal path could there be than one learnt from a jizo itself? “And this Margatroid person? Does she offer protective services too?”

“No, but apparently she’s been asking for the princess to bring her some of our fashion. Super persistent about it, too.”

You blink, looking at her. “What, for reference? Like, what does she suspect to get out of that? Why would she be interested in them?”

“...I think she’s a magical seamstress or something?” The ROYAL HANDMAIDEN shrugs. “I hear about so many people, it’s hard to keep track of them anymore. All I know is that no clothes have been exchanged yet. Apparently she doesn’t stop by the shrine much, and the princess doesn’t bring any clothes she’s willing to offer.”

You mull it over. On the one hand, ‘Miss Margatroid’ probably wasn’t something as helpful as a jizo to have on a path… but if she was interested in the Princess’ clothing, she might act as the perfect destination. After all, your people once had a reputation for high-quality work, and a trade route was nothing without someone to trade with.

You pause to rummage through your bag, counting your remaining funds. With what you had left, buying gifts for three people would be a touch tight, but it was possible… “Say, do you know where the Princess is? Maybe I should get her thoughts on what Lady Reimu likes for a gift.”

“Didn’t she stop by your place last night?”

I pause, about to take a bite. “Eh? When?”

“She told me, yesterday evening, she was going for a walk to your place. Didn’t she-” Her face falls as she notes the lack of recognition. “She didn’t, did she.”

A sinking feeling starts to bubble in my stomach. “If she didn’t come to my house… where did she go?”

“Probably to one of Reimu’s parties…” Yuzuki sighs. “I’m sorry, Hotaru.”

It takes a few seconds for me to figure out what to say. “But… you told her not to go before today, right?”

“I did! Like a dozen times. And I was trying to keep her here with paperwork and stuff. But she’d heard about this party Reimu’s hosting and clearly was more set on it than I thought.” She gave an apologetic glance my way. “If I’d known she was leaving early, I’d just have spoiled the secret, but… like I said, I thought she was at your house.”

I sag, slumping back into the bench. …It was my own fault, really. If I’d just told her myself rather than trying to hype it up, she’d probably have stayed to watch. “I… wanted her to see me off.”

“Oh?” Yuzuki’s giving a strange look, now. You blink, taking a moment to slap your cheeks and regather yourself. If the princess wanted to go to a party - if HER MAJESTY had chosen the certainty of the HAKUREI SHRINE’S festivities over your secretive departure, you had nobody to blame but yourself.

“Nevermind. There’ll be another time to meet, I’m sure.” You manage a small smile, one that you hope is strong enough to ease your friend’s open guilt. “Perhaps I’ll even surprise her at the shrine itself - she’s clearly stayed the night at least.”

Yuzuki nods… before getting a small grin. “Hey, y’know what? I got an idea. While you’re out buying gifts and stuff… you should get something for her too.”

“...for the princess?” You look at her, confused. “Why would she need a gift from here? She’s the princess, she can get whatever she wants.”

“Yeah, but a gift’s different from that. And you’ve still got some money left, right?” For some reason, the grin on the ROYAL HANDMAIDEN’s face looks almost conspiratorial. “Oh come on, what’s the harm?”

You take a second to mull it over. There wasn’t any real benefit to it… and you didn’t have a lot of FUNDS to spare. But HER MAJESTY was still someone of great importance, and someone you were fortunate enough to consider a friend. If you did end up with a surplus, you might as well spend it - you weren’t certain your FUNDS would have much value on the SURFACE.

You have 5 FUNDS to spend.

[ ] TEXTILES: While your people’s reputation has withered in isolation, their skills have not. From what you’d seen, the difference between your people’s weaves and the outside world were night and day. (1 FUNDS)
[ ] CLOTHES: Of course, the skill of your tailors was an equal match to that of your weavers - your HERO’S GARB was proof of that - but you were still surprised there was someone out there who might be interested in them. Still, finished products were better trade goods than raw materials, if you could find a buyer. (2 FUNDS)
[ ] JEWELLERY: Naturally some of the jewellery pieces one could find in castle town were objective works of art, and from your (admittedly very limited) knowledge of magic, they should be good for enchanting, too. Transporting them might have been a challenge… but not with the INTERNALISED STORAGE PHYSICS you’d purchased before. (2 FUNDS)
[ ] REAGENTS: Alternatively, the magical inks and dyes your people used were incredibly versatile - as your VESSEL and the TRI-FUMA SHURIKEN demonstrated. Maybe those concoctions would be of use to one of the magicians. (1 FUNDS)
[ ] CONFECTIONS: A variety of sweet treats were available, and while you were sure there might be issues, the CASTLE TOWN was known for their appetite. You suspect you would need to buy in bulk, and they’d be at risk of spoiling on the trip, but there were few people who didn’t like such things. (1 FUNDS)
[ ] GIFT FOR HER MAJESTY: You… really weren’t sure if there was any point to this, but… if your checks were balanced otherwise, it couldn’t hurt. (1 FUNDS)

{ } Spend a little more to buy more or higher quality versions of this item. (+1 FUNDS required)
{ } Look for something specific, or purchase with someone specific in mind. …Not that you knew anyone personally, of course.
Once again, we’re working on shopping list rules - a whole combination is one vote.