awashlogs | [CLOSED]

[ Every animal companion is cute, good, and valid. Jeanne smiles, seeing them. She doesn't have anything quite as charming or adorable accompanying here. Her flag won't appear unless there's danger.

They can take this exploration at their own pace, but she stays standing. ]

What have you heard? There is a sense of forboding that's hard to miss with all the trouble with the forest.

[ The trees in general, the flowers, the dryads... ]

[ Kasen slowly tries to rise up from her spot, gently nudging at Mukou to wake up. The raijuu lets out a little squeak of protest, stretching his little arms before he reluctantly clambers up to take his place on her shoulder.

Now that she doesn't have a lapful of Mukou, she gets up the rest of the way, briskly dusting off her skirt, turning to give Jeanne a big smile. ]

I think the others have managed to discover a few more things about the nature of this place.

[ She gives a little chuckle, turning around to gesture to Kanda to come over. ]

I didn't really get involved in a lot of it, but maybe a fresh set of eyes will uncover some more information about the town. Oh! I already took a peek down the well and... no sign of an arm. I'm not sensing it nearby either. We can either head a bit deeper into the forest or circle around town?

You were worried the arm would trouble others, didn't you? Let's circle around town.

[ It's patrolling, but they both want to be more safe than sorry, don't they?

Jeanne gestures with her hand in a general direction to start. ]

It does seem like many here have been doing a lot of work in unraveling the mysteries of this place. It's hard to pin down who to ask about what.

Of course! I've been wandering around the town for a while but mainly kept to my district and a bit of Bluo... namely that one cafe? So there are still many things I haven't seen yet. Hopefully my arm won't pop up at some point...

[ Kasen follows Jeanne's lead and starts to head back into town. Her brows furrow a bit in thought at she considers all the things that are going on with the other residents in town. ]

Yes... It seems like something that was ongoing before I even arrived into town. Possibly connected to the quests that the town assigned every month? I was so busy getting adjusted to this place, I barely had time to get involved myself!

I believe some people have been around for months and others for over a year. It's no surprise that they are that involved.

[ She smiles, encouraging. ]

I also believe that once you see the other parts of the town and become more settled, you'll be just as involved.

[ After all, Kasen could've kept silent about her arm and tried to find it on her own without warning others. That means something. ]

That's true, it's just what happens when you live in a place like this - you get drawn in. The world I come from is similar... new incidents every week. I would have missed home a lot more if this place wasn't so similar.

[ She returns the smile, but hers is a bit more rueful. ]

I do intend to. Unfortunately, I'm a born meddler. I just can't leave things alone.

[ She briskly continues her way into town. ]

Have you been to any places in the districts? I was shown the onsen and then there is the aforementioned cafe. Otherwise, I haven't looked around at the buildings in detail.

What kind of incidents happen to you at home?

[ Ruler keeps to whatever pace Kasen sets. This exploration is for her sake and for her arm, so it only makes sense to follow her lead. ]

Taken action is admirable, but meddling too much can land you in trouble.

[ It's something that's hard to judge, and it's something that Jeanne tries to navigate with her role and her duty. ]

I've taken a closer look at the library and the church, but I've looked at everywhere else briefly.

Oh, all manner of incidents. Mysterious red mist covering the land, eternal nights, why, once there was even a religious war! Er, not really a war, but that sounds less... stupid than saying that it was basically some kind of popularity contest. I had a more personal hand in resolving that one myself.

[ Kasen decides they might as go through the districts alphabetically, for lack of any other plan, so Bluo it is! At Jeanne's words, she can't help but chuckle. ]

Oh it certainly does. I know a shrine maiden... a friend of mine. I've never met anyone lazier than her. I took it upon myself to train her one day, to make her into a more productive, proactive person. But I realized that ultimately, she didn't need any of that. She has her own system going for her.

[ What would she think of Chroma? Probably find all the random events a right nuisance. ]

Oh! I don't think the arm would go anywhere near a church. We can also probably rule out the library then.

[ Jeanne frowns. ]

What do you mean by a popularity contest? That sounds a bit different from a war.

[ Her tone is neutral, but it's a bit of a troubling prospect for her. Religion is different for and to everyone, but it's something that's important to her. ]

What places would your arm be drawn to?

Basically, there were three major religions in my world: Shintoism, Buddhism and Taosim. Each of them were championed by a group of powerful individuals and at some point, they were fighting to become the dominant religion of the land.

It was not... really a war at all, even though that's what they called it. Actually, it was a series of one-on-one duels between members of each faction. A lot of the hu-- villagers started to come and watch these fights. They had hoped that these battle exhibitions could be used as means of gathering faith, once the villagers saw their prowess in battle. That's why I thought it was more of a popularity contest than anything.

[ How does one explain the whims of Gensokyo to... well, anyone, really. ]

I'm sorry, this must sound utterly nonsensical. I still don't really understand it myself. At the end of the day, it was just an excuse to fight.

[ Just remembering that whole event drains her and she can't help but let out a sigh. She composes herself quickly though, and considers Jeanne's question. ]

It's hard to say. It seeks power, but with the state it is in right now, it'll be more cautious. It is drawn to powerful people, wishing to fight against them, but it'll make sure they are by themselves. It's why the forest and the town are both equally viable... this town seems to have many powerful individuals.

[ Kasen's recount doesn't surprise Jeanne, but it also doesn't make her happy. She knows very well how people can choose to wield religion as an excuse, as justification to do any number of things. Was what happened to her that much different?

As introspective as she's getting, she still keeps her eyes on the surrounding for a cursed arm. She isn't going to lose track of their objective so easily. ]

No, I have experienced and witnessed many things that others could consider nonsensical. I don't recall those religions promoting violence in my world in that manner, but perhaps they have different beliefs and commandments where you're from. To gather followers... it should not depend on battle prowess alone. To believe and to have faith is more than that.

[ Her conviction is clear. ]

If it'll only approach people when they're alone, is it... [ counterproductive if they're together? ] better if we try to look out for people by themselves? I know a number of the powerful people gathered in this town.

[ Nowhere close to all of them, but every Servant is powerful. ]

I agree with you entirely. Unfortunately, that is how our society ended up being structured. If you are powerful, you are given the freedom to do whatever you want. In the past, this led to widespread mayhem until someone stepped up and implemented a system to even the playing field for everyone. Everyone is playing by its rules for now, but it's unfortunate that fighting is still a core part of it. It's why I enjoy being here. It's nice to be around people without having to resort to that.

[ She lets out a little sigh and closes her eyes to see if she can sense the presence of the arm anywhere, which she does not. ]

Well, I'm wondering if it will be drawn to me if it's here and also notices that I am here. We are two parts of one whole, after all. And since you seem to be a powerful individual, it will be eager to challenge you. But that's a good point, it might be trying to attack someone at this very moment.

[ She can't hide her worried expression at these words. She really hopes that isn't the case... she doesn't want someone to get hurt because of it, not to mention the potential property damage... ]

I'm sorry I have so little info for us to go on. Simply put, it's capricious. It's why I've had such a hard time tracking it down. It does what it pleases, with no restraint.

Edited 2019-09-02 03:55 (UTC)

[ For as much as she may not agree with needless violence, she is aware that is necessary sometimes. She may not approve of what Kasen's society was like, but it's not her place to pass judgment on it. ]

I pray that they will continue to abide by the rules and that your society will continue to improve upon it system.

[ She shakes her head before she gives a reassuring smile. ]

I'm sure we'd hear or notice something if it was going around attacking every strong individual. As you said, there are many here who are strong. We'll simply have to cover as much ground as we can. I'm sure we'll find it before it causes too much trouble.

Thank you Jeanne. I really hope so too.

[ She returns the smile. She wonders how Gensokyo must sound to outsiders... it SEEMS wacky and saccharine but peel back the layers a bit... and it's an awful place for the powerless to live. ]

It's actually something I have been wondering. I know a couple of strong humans back at home, but they are the rarity amongst gods and youkai. How did you all get to be so strong?

[ If that... other part of her were still around, she'd probably be tingling with excitement at the prospect of so many opponents. ]

I'd like to clarify that I'm not a human. I'm a Servant, a Heroic Spirit that is magically summoned. Servants are made to be multiple times stronger than a human, and there are six of us in this town.

[ So she can give answers with certainty about any Servant. As for the others... ]

For anyone else, it likely has to do with circumstances. Humans are full of potential, and if they pursue it, they can become great. That's true of anyone. It doesn't have to be a human.

[ She doesn't know what Kasen is, but her language makes it seem like she isn't human. A yokai, if the context clue is the right clue. ]

Not... a human...?

[ Kasen is somewhat alarmed that someone can say that so frankly. She tries to hide her surprise but fails terribly at doing so. ]

So there are non-humans here too...

[ She takes a deep breath and steels herself. Honestly, to anyone else, it would be a poorly kept secret but she actually thinks she's done a decent job of hiding it (not really). ]

I guess I should come clean, then. I am actually an Oni, if you have heard of my kind in your world. [ Oni are notoriously bad liars so really she did the best she could. ] In a sense, I wanted to run away from that past. Coming here would have been a fresh start. [ She lets out a little sigh. ] But I suppose the past always comes back to haunt you.

But anyway... Heroic spirits... How fascinating. I have never heard of such a thing before. Where does your strength come from?

[ There's no point in lying here, at least not for Jeanne, but it's curious that as someone who isn't human that Kasen would be so surprised that there are others who aren't here. ]

Thank you for telling me. I know a number of Servants who are Oni or at least part Oni. You are your own person, and I would judge you and befriend you based on what you say and do, not whether or not you're an Oni. Your arm won't change that. Humans, after all, can be as terrible or even worse than what all the stories say about Oni.

[ And yet Jeanne never loses hope for humanity, and still, Jeanne wants to save and encourage humanity. ]

Not all Servants are Heroic Spirits, only most. Strength can be many things, but if you mean physical and magical, the Holy Grail provides most of the mana we need. If we need more, a Master is necessary.

[ That's speaking broadly. ]

[ Kasen is immensely warmed by Jeanne's words. She can't help the big, genuine smile that spreads across her face. ]

No, thank you for your words. [ She gives Jeanne a low sweeping bow out of gratitude. ] I've been told otherwise for most of my life - you can never really detach yourself from your roots and it would be foolish to try. Youkai must act like youkai... and youkai should not be allowed to get along with humans. It goes against the natural order of things.

[ That last sentence about humans being just as terrible, if not more so, piques Kasen's interest - she feels like there might be a story there, but it would be rude to outright inquire about it. And actually, there is something else that Kasen really wants to ask about... ]

But uh... enough of my ramblings. Some of the terminology you use makes more sense now. This Holy Grail sounds powerful indeed, if it can provide so much power for all of you. But Oni did you say? So Oni can become even more powerful?
[ Her face starts to look a bit fearful. ] The Holy Grail isn't here, is it?

[ She smiles, too, but shakes her head. It's neither ramblings nor does she want to ignore it. She wants to address it. ]

We are who we are because of our history, but you should act as you see fit. If you are an Oni, how you act is also how an Oni would act. You should be able to choose how you want to act. As long as it doesn't hurt others and as long as you don't find shame in it, then it will be all right. Walk forward because tomorrow will come.

[ Even if there are hardships, even if obstacles are in the way, tomorrow will be there— to find where you want to go, to find the place you want to reach, to be the person you want to be, to get closer to your goal. ]

As for holy grails... there is one here, but it does not seem to be one like what is used to summon Servants. The Holy Grail can make anyone more powerful. It's used to grant wishes.

[ She's not that worried about the one Tristan found. ]

[ It takes a moment for Kasen to compose herself - it's all so much. Even though she knows her time in this town is coming to an end soon, she's glad she had the opportunity to be here. ]

I wish to change the social order of my world. It sounds like a lofty goal and I know that I can't do it alone. But there is already proof that humans and youkai are able to live together peacefully, so why must the division continue to exist? Why can't we act against our nature? Your words have strengthened my resolve, so again, I must thank you.

[ Reimu Hakurei and Marisa Kirisame, despite being full blooded humans who took pride in that fact, treated everyone the same regardless of whether they were human or youkai. It's why she had approached them first, in the hopes that maybe, just maybe, they'll be able to help her. It still remains to be seen, but Kasen is hopeful. ]

Wish granting? I can see why people would want it. Though it sounds like it would be awfully dangerous if it is found by the wrong person...

[ They've just been standing and talking, so Kasen wracks her brain for another way to take the investigation. ]

It also wouldn't be too much of a stretch for my arm to be hovering around the area the grail is located at.

[ She smiles. ]

It sounds like you have half of it solved. Working together with someone who believes the same thing you do—that leads to a greater chance at success. It's even better if you work alongside a human.

[ That way, she can show her goal in action. For some, seeing is believing, and already, Jeanne knows Kasen can show something to be believed in.

She nods towards Bluo. Wherever it is relative to their current location. ]

The one seems to be devoid of power or inert, but it should be located in that vicinity.

[ Or wherever Artoria decided to store it. ]

[ Kasen relaxes when she hears that the Grail doesn't appear to have any power. Still, who knows with that arm. It might try something with it anyway.

She also can't ignore a faint tingle in the back of her head. It could mean nothing, but it can also signify something. But it's still early to say anything concrete for sure. ]

So it is just a replica then? How did something like that come into their possession?

[ She's kind of wondering aloud here. This town did pull some objects randomly from her own home world so it wouldn't be much of a stretch that it would happen to others too ]

In any case, there is nothing around here, so we might as well head to Bluo, perhaps?

[ She's open to any other suggestions though! ]

It may be something that this world produced. It's hard to say. I'm not a mage.

[ She doesn't have the requisite knowledge to theorize to that degree. Servants are given general knowledge of the Holy Grail, but that's the extent of it unless they personally decide to study. ]

As for the how, that's something you'll have to ask Archer. I'm afraid I don't know the details..

[ She nods and turns in the direction of Bluo. ]

The worst that will happen is we don't find anything.

Oh, you said your specialty is more faith-based, right? Being an oni, I'm not particularly good with things like that myself, though I have a friend who has similar power.

[ She seems to perk up a bit at the mention of heading to Bluo. ]

There's a cafe in this area as well. [ Great, she's sidetracked already. ] I've talked to the owner once, hoping that he'd have some sweets but he said he didn't really specialize in that. But he did say he'll try to introduce some to the menu...

[ She begins to clutch her cheeks in excitement at the thought. ]

I hope he'll have some dango. I gave my last two sticks to Blue Saber as thanks, otherwise I'd share some with you right now.

Faith is what I have, but I wouldn't call it my specialty.

[ It's what drives her, and it's what stabilizes her.

She smiles at Kasen's enthusiasm for sweets. It almost reminds her of... well, the Saber she mentions. ]

It's all right. Thank you for the offer. If you still had them, I would've wanted you to keep them.

[ Not because she doesn't want or like them (no, she can eat just as much as anyone), but as sweet as the gesture is, if Kasen loves them that much, she deserves them more. ]

Do you want to stop by the cafe to see?

You're so too sweet, Jeanne. Offering to help me with this wild goose chase, encouraging me... I really hope I'll be able to express my gratitude to you someday.

[ She's about to say more in response to Jeanne's question when she suddenly feels a sharp, sudden pain in her head, causing her to stumble. ]

Oh!

What am I here for, if not to help? For those who can and should leave an impact on this or any other world, I'll support them as much as I can.

[ As she sees fit. It's not like she thinks anyone's above a lecture, if they need one. ]

Kasen? Are you all right?

[ Hmm, so it seems to have followed her here after all. And clearly it is not happy that she has run off to another world, even if it was not by her own choice. She tries to straighten back up again, taking deep breathes to keep the throbbing pain in her head from overwhelming her. Slowly she reaches up to the cloth coverings on her head, slowly removing them to reveal a pair of tiny horns.

She really hadn't expected this to be happening here. All her carefully laid plans, all the training she had given Reimu, it ended up not mattering at all. However, from the brief time she's gotten to know Jeanne, she feels like she can be the one to do the job. She gently presses the cloth coverings into Jeanne's hands.

If Jeanne were to examine them closely, she would notice a small silver fragment, sharp and tapered, presumably from a blade. ]

I will be alright, but we don't have much time. I miscalculated. Please, take this. I feel like you would know what needs to be done.

[ She hadn't expected the arm to be so... angry. She can't really tell Jeanne her plans out loud because whatever she says out loud, the arm will know too. For now, she has no choice but to fuse with it again and hopefully minimize any potential destruction it may cause. She hopes Jeanne will know what to do with the fragment, when it comes down to it. ]

[ Jeanne follows Kasen's movements closely, but it's with some surprise that she looks down at what she's handed. She's quick enough to connect the dots, and she frowns. If the arm could be stabbed as is, there would be no reason for Kasen to hand her these bandages with a broken piece of a blade. ]

I will do what must be done, but is there no other way?

[ She's no coward when it comes to shedding blood when it's necessary, but it has to be necessary first. She prefers to explore other options first. ]

[ She hates putting anyone into this kind of situation... hates that she got someone dragged into this whole mess. Even with Reimu, she was selected because she was someone she could guide, could lead to the final confrontation. But being whisked off to this world had changed everything. For the longest time, she had thought her arm was out of sight and therefore out of mind. ]

The past always catches up to us someday.

[ She gives a wry smile and holds out her arm, her good arm, out for Jeanne to shake. ]

It would just be a temporary fix to the problem. With this...

[ She trails off again. ]

I'll run over to meet it. I am not going to seem like myself very soon. You will meet the true Kasen.

[ If there is no other permanent solution, then....

Jeanne nods resolutely. She will not shy away. ]

The past shapes our present, which leads to our future. Do what you must. I won't leave and let you harm others. [ That is the sense she gets from what Kasen has told her. How great will that arm's influence be? ]

I'm ready to meet the true Kasen.

[ She shifts her grip on the shard handed to her. ]

[CLOSED]

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