[X] "Sure I am."

Yes ma'am, Miss Oni.

[x] "Sure I am."

Maybe it won't be as bad...

Tsk. Figures that whenever I'm able to write there isn't much in the way of votes. Well, steaming ahead anyways.

[X] "Sure I am.."

>>26291

What is your time zone..? Because I think a lot of anon tend to visit much later than now. In fact I'm visiting via a friends' laptop outside of my workplace during break time...

[x] "Sure I am."

"Sure I am." I replied with a straight face. "Just try me."
"It is tempting to try you." She smirks, looking straight into my eyes. "But that would be inappropriate given that you're in a hurry. Besides, I like to enjoy delicious things slowly and thoroughly."

"Are you going to get started, or just stare at each other all day?" Suika interrupted the exchange, looking a bit upset.
"We'll get started. No need to get all jealous on me there." Yuugi laughed. She really seemed to enjoy every moment of life, I had to admit. "While you may be a bit stronger than those girls physically, I don't think you could handle anything too great. So something awesome like boulder crushing is out of the question."

She stopped to think, leaning her arm on my shoulder casually. "Running around in hell would be too time consuming, too. And I don't want to risk the others finding you and playing with you." I wondered if she meant 'hell' literally. Since she was Suika's company she could be joking just as easily as she could mean it seriously. She looked at my again, staring deeply into my eyes.

"Ah, that's it!" She moved away from me, clapping her hands. "I take it you're not just a pretty face, right?"
"I'd like to think so." I stole a look at Suika who simply shrugged.
"Right, right. Of course not. You're probably really talented. And have lots of skills. Otherwise Suika would have left you long ago." Pleased with her assumption, she grinned at me. "So if I tell you to do something, you'd likely be able to. No matter what it was."
"I'm not sure if I could do anything..."
"Sure you can." She convinced herself already, leaving me wondering about what was going to come next.

The suspense didn't last long, as she got to the point.

"Since you conspire with that shrine maiden, according to Suika, you probably are one and the same. I want you to try to defeat me in a spellcard battle."
"A spellcard wha-?" I mimed, confused.
"You know. Let's go already!"

She stepped back quickly and in what was a literal flash, began to do something.

"Oni sign - ? She began to declare. I didn't know what was going on, but I felt a heightened sense of panic and overwhelming uselessness. There was nothing I could do. "Mysterious powers an-"

"Jeez, don't get carried away!" While I was dazed and confused, Suika had decided to intervene and had tackled Yuugi, disrupting whatever it was she was doing.
"Hey, I told you not to interfere!" Yuugi was absolutely livid.
"I told you, Arc's a regular human! He won't know how to deal with that."
"The others were also regular humans! They dealt!"
"No they weren't. Reimu is different and that other one is pretty powerful as well. Arc isn't like them."
"Fine. I get it." She clicked her tongue in annoyance. "This pretty boy isn't good at fighting."
"No, he isn't. He's as normal as normal can be when it comes to that. And I don't want you to hurt him."
"I won't fight your toy then." They both got up, with Yuugi turning to me. She groaned, "Sorry about that."

"That's alright." I replied, unsure what it was I had just avoided due to Suika's timely intervention.
"We still need to do something though." It was then that I noticed that her skirt was translucent. The patches of dirt made the light filtering through the clean cloth more obvious. I could tell she was wearing something under it, but I wasn't sure what it was. "If you don't make an effort, there's no point in me helping you."

"Let Arc suggest something appropriate then. He's good at thinking up stuff." Suika stated, giving me a confident thumbs up. She really trusted my judgment.
"And what if I don't like it, or think it's inappropriate?" Yuugi asked.
"Then you can do whatever you think is appropriate instead."
"Can it be anything I want?" Her smile was a little too happy and enthusiastic for my liking.
"Anything you want." Suika cemented my fate before I could even say anything.
"Good. Then choose what it is you want to do to prove yourself to me." She looked at me expectantly. "Don't disappoint me, or I'll figure out what's best."

I wasn't sure what was best here. I figured that she wanted a display of sort. Whether it was winning a small contest or me performing some sort of feat by myself, I don't think she minded. I felt I could always ask Suika for a way out, but that would no doubt place me in debt with her. And I would have to pay with interest some other time in the future.

[] <insert idea here>
[] Ask Suika for help

>>26296
[X] "What can you put in a bottle of sake to make it lighter?"

I got nothing; these are always so hard to come up with write-ins for.

>>26306

Ditto need time to think argh...

>>26309
>>26306
Whatever. At this rate, I'm just giving up on updating anymore anyways. Might as well chalk it up to fate or some other convenient excuse.

>>26311

something personal happen thus causing need to take it out on anon.."

;_;

>>26311

Don't give up so fast,

Here's my shot;

[x] "Try to ask her what the potient combination of liquor is" (We work at a wine shop and have knowledge of it)

[x] I'll name something, you name something back that can beat it, I'll do the same, so on and so forth.

If you've read the Sandman comics, you'd know this one.

Or if you haven't :

http://brendoman.com/kyle/2009/01/15/my-favorite-sandman-moments-1

[x] I'll name something, you name something back that can beat it, I'll do the same, so on and so forth.

sounds good

[x] I'll name something, you name something back that can beat it, I'll do the same, so on and so forth.

This can be a lot of fun but also time consuming... We'd better make sure to end it quick

[x] I'll name something, you name something back that can beat it, I'll do the same, so on and so forth.

[x] Drinking contest

>>26364

That's something we'd lose. (for one our name isn't Mikio, boy who could outdrink most Tengu and had the balls to challenge lord Temma before passing out)

[x] "I challenge you to a lying contest."

They're oni.

Come on.

>>26396
I really want to vote for this as well (since we can win), but we're trying to get on Yuugi's good side. Lying when we're trying to gain her trust and get information is kind of counterproductive.

[x] I'll name something, you name something back that can beat it, I'll do the same, so on and so forth.

[x] "I challenge you to a lying contest."

Oh god, this is actually pretty brilliant. Also, they probably won't be mad if it's just a contest.

[x] "I challenge you to a lying contest."

>>26400
Using knowledge to gain an advantage in a particularly hopeless situation would probably just impress Yuugi.(IE referencing Komachi and a certain game in HLA)

[x]"I challenge you to a lying contest."

>>26405

I wonder how Oni respond to such trickery. In Wiseman's Yuugi side story, his character does something similar to Yuugi as a last resort. But too bad Arc's an native so he wouldn't know of IT.

[x]"I challenge you to a lying contest."

>>26408
Both characters are natives if I remember right, plus I think Yuugi's actions were more of a reflexive defense as opposed to willful action, namely since she forfeited right after doing it.

>>26416

In HLA, Haku was an outsider who ended up in Gensokyo after his passing, thus his knowledge.

In Wiseman's side story, the lead's an outsider who found himself being challenged by a Horny Yuugi. Too bad she let him pick the games, and the lead isn't above picking things that he has an advanage in. She's shocked at how she's beaten but takes it in stride.

>>26424
Oh god damnit, I was thinking of Glasnost's story and the first Yuugi encounter. FFFFFFFFFFF

I'd write again now, but votes are tied.

As an aside, you do realize that just because there's a chance for a write-in doesn't mean you have to make one, right?

[x] "I challenge you to a lying contest."

[+] I'll name something, you name something back that can beat it, I'll do the same, so on and so forth.

Because lying + oni we wish to befriend = Bad.

All of you who voted the other way should be ashamed.

[x] I'll name something, you name something back that can beat it, I'll do the same, so on and so forth.

>Because lying + oni we wish to befriend = Bad.

This Suika lied though.

>?That's unfair, I came just the other week. You weren't here."
>?Really now, I know you better than that. You probably got drunk on the way and decided it was too much effort to come."
>?Fine, it's true." Suika admits.

>>26619
>>26620
Sorry, I already started writing for the other vote. I've just had some unexpected distractions. Expect something sort of soon.

>>26627
>Suika lied

"Alright then." I had thought something up, something which could maybe help me out. I looked at the taller woman and then shifted my gaze to Suika, who was acting more and more like her usual self. "I'll challenge you to a lying contest."

"...what?" Yuugi looked confused. She stared blankly at me without saying anything.

As did Suika. The two oni didn't seem to register my suggestion at first. I wondered if I had slurred, stuttered, or even spoken in another language without noticing. So I repeated my suggestion.

"Yes, I heard you boy." Yuugi snapped out of it after a few more bewildered moments. "I... don't even.... how would that even work?"
"Whoever tells the biggest lie wins." I recounted a simple story of my childhood; The boys would often get around to deciding who did what or who got what first by a similar process. It, of course, had to be told with a straight face and be somewhat believable.

It was something that didn't seem to register well with the oni though.

"I don't think that'll work." Yuugi concluded. "I'm not comfortable with that sort of thing. Can't we just do something more straightforward?"
"If you can't do it, doesn't that mean I win?" I asked.
"Shrewd. But no." She shrugged. "Like I said earlier, if I don't like it, it's no good. I get to choose."
"Yeah, sorry Arc, but it's not a good idea." Suika nodded, agreeing with Yuugi.

"That feels unfair." I stated, appealing to them.
"Now now my pretty friend, no need for hard feelings. Us oni are fair folk. We don't believe in being dishonest or tricking people." She smiled. "Since you're in a hurry and really want my help, you do want it right?"
"Yes I do!"
"Well then, since you're in a hurry, I'll help you anyways. We'll just postpone our interaction here. Some other day though, we'll spend some quality time together. Sound good?"
"Yes, it does. Thank you." I smiled at her, feeling thankful.
"Aww... when you smile like that it makes my heart beat fast, pretty eyes.."

"Yeah, whatever Yuugi. So, helping us or making passes at my Arc all day?" Suika interrupted the moment with an impatient attitude.
"Settle down sis." The taller oni shrugged. "Let me just go back inside and confirm my information. You can stay out here and play with your precious Arc in the meanwhile."
"Right. Don't take too long. We're on a mission here." Suika waved her friend off, signaling for her to hurry.

I was left alone with Suika. We sat down on a nearby rock that faced the cavern, spending some time chatting.

"So, whaddya think about Yuugi? Awesome, right?" Suika had apparently forgotten about her acting role, reverting to her normal self instead of whatever persona the hat and coat was meant to bring out. I didn't mind, already being more than accustomed to dealing with her.
"She's nice."
"And fun!"
"And fun." I added. "She's a lot like you."
"You think?' She stopped to think before adding, "She's much taller than I am though. Not to mention that she's got just one horn and no cute ribbons." She stroked her own horn, showing off her usual decorations. "And her hair is different than mine as well. Mine is nicer."
"Is that all, eh?"
"What do you mean, 'is that all'? Arc, ya tryin' to say something about me?"
"Geez, I wonder if I am..."Hmm." I smirked, enjoying the rare opportunity to tease her.
"Come on," She started to shake my shoulder, "tell me... come on Arc, tell me."
"I don't have anything to say about you right now." I shook my head at her with a smile.
"But you do at other times?"
"I didn't say that either." I left my meaning ambiguous.
"Hrmm!" She pouted, looking much more childish than usual. "You're being mean."

I was sort of being mean. But it must have been a side effect of spending so much time with Suika.

"Fine, fine... I'll tell you what I was implying..."I smiled at her as she stopped shaking my should, instead looking at me wide-eyed and expectantly.

[] "You are the better oni. Cuter too."
[] "Yuugi is classier and probably more awesome than you are."
[] "You oni are unmanageable. That's all."

[X] "Boobs."

Well, it's true.

Until Suika gets competitive with her manipulation of density, anyway.

[X] "Boobs. Hey I'm being honest"
After she reacts
[x] "But to be honest you each have your own charms. (While being too much for a normal guy)"
This should be funny.

[xxx] "You are the better oni. Cuter too."
so damn moe

[x] "Boobs."

[x] "Boobs."

Alright. Writing now.

"Boobs. That's what." I said it in a silly tone, like the boys often would behind Miss Keine's back.
"Oho~? Suika perked up almost immediately, looking at me with the sliest of smiles. It was her turn to do the teasing, "So my favoritest Arc in the world was thinking about that sort of thing. Of being sandwiched between two sizable pillows and drowning in happiness? Just when you think you know someone..."She adds, "I thought you liked Reimu, and while hers are bigger than how mine usually are they're still not very big. Or maybe it's the concept that's gotten your head in a bind."
"Er-"
"Yuugi has really large ones, right? They move so hypnotically when she walks, right? You can't help but stare at them, right?" She badgered me, poking her finger at my side. "I am beginning to think that my dear Arc is changing for the worse. Becoming a whole 'nother type of pervert."
"Hey, what's this about me being a pervert?" I tried to defend myself by counterattacking with my own pokes. "You're the one talking about weird things."
"Don't deny it. Your tastes are changing from exposed-armpit preferring to huge love marshmallows, aren't they? I've always known that you've got oni fever," She added in a whisper, ?(which is why I love you)?, and then returned to her normal voice, "but you're mine not hers."

Geez, I really opened up a weird conversation. Suika didn't pull any punches, squaring me down to what she thinks makes me tick.

"Hey, hold on, what's this about 'loving me'?" I asked, trying to grab onto a thread of the conversation.
"What? It's true. I love you very much Arc." She laughs sweetly, "Ehehe~ I'm not kidding either."
"That's, umm..."I didn't know how to react, feeling myself reddening at the first confession in my life. Suika hugged me tightly and thankfully didn't squeeze hard enough so that it hurt.
"You're great, and I want to be with you forever and ever~! I even asked your Auntie, and she said it was alright."
"Wait, what's this about my Auntie?" Her cap was rubbing up against my nose, tickling it. Her small arms clenched my back tightly.
"Nothing much, just from my talking with her. I told her I loved you, and she said that that was fine. After all, Arc loves me as well, right?"
"I umm..."I searched for an answer.
"Sure you do! You also love your Auntie and Reimu very much! Otherwise you wouldn't spend so much time with us, would you now?"
"Hah, that's true." I started to get my thoughts in to order as I realized that she was talking about that kind of love. I stroked her ponytail as I hugged her back, feeling happy. "I guess I'm a sucker for you guys."

"I'll say." Yuugi had come back. "Is there any chance that I could also get in on that?" She asked with a wide grin.
"Didja get what we wanted?" Suika asked, burrowing her face into my shoulder.
"Of course."
"Then come on in!."

Suika let go of me momentarily as the other oni sat down and joined in a three-way hug. Suika giggled and Yuugi smiled while I felt a bit awkward due to a new very soft sensation rubbing up against me. The addition of Yuugi also introduced a wonderful fragrance that was unlike Suika's, it was sweet and addictive. It was simply delicious.

"Alright Yuugi," Suika finally let go after a while and Yuugi and I did the same, "What's the deal with our delinquent miko?"
"It's not just your miko, the other shady shrine maiden is in cahoots. Probably that witch as well. Gone off to solve some kind of problem, like they usually do. It's a shame that they don't start drinking until after they're done. They need to loosen up."
"Yeah, I agree. I'm always telling Reimu, 'drink more', but she instead chases me away saying that I'm a bad influence or something."
"A shame." She sighed. "But, in any case, they're probably in the thick of it. The problem is that I don't really know where. They have an annoying tenancy to move way too fast. So if I told you were they were ten minutes ago they'd be long gone."

"So what should we do?" I asked, dreading the answer.
"There's not much to do. They'll be back soon enough, so you're better off waiting for them than chasing them down."
"That's not much of a plan. What if they don't come back?"
"They will. Anyone who can get past me will make short work of whatever." She reassured me, but it didn't cheer me up. I looked at Suika.

"Arc, I'm with you 100% of the way, no matter what you want to do. But Yuugi has a point."
"Don't pout sweetie," The larger oni leaned on me, "I know how to cheer you up... just come back to my place and I'll show you..."
"Now's not the time Yuugi." Suika threatened. "Just let Arc make up his own mind on what to do."

[] "I'll just wait at the shrine with you I guess."
[] "I want to go home, I'll go to the shrine later."

[x] "I'll just wait at the shrine with you I guess."

>?Don't deny it. Your tastes are changing from exposed-armpit preferring to huge love marshmallows, aren't they? I've always known that you've got oni fever," She added in a whisper, ?(which is why I love you)?, and then returned to her normal voice, "but you're mine not hers."

Not quite, our heart may be in one place, but our desire for large onipai is elsewhere.

Suika seems to have a crush on us... things are getting ever so complicated.

And while a night in Yuugi's home sounds very appeal, chances are Arc's body would not be able to handle it. (She is an Oni after all, and if it gets lively chances are Arc's rather frail body might get maimed)

I think Arc has that "Helpless" appeal to most.

[\\!/] "I'll just wait at the shrine with you I guess."

It's a sarashi fetish.

>>26654
Home here refers to Arc's home. As in, not spending any more time with Suika.

Anon isn't making it easy for me to update frequently with what amounts to a trickle of votes.

>>26664

Well it is a sunday night, and with school about, it makes it harder for votes to come in.

And things are still recovering from the death and rebirth of the site.

not to mention weird time zones, but we're glad you're still writing this story.

>>26661

Who knows with Yuugi; she might go without any such thing for all we know

>?Yuugi has really large ones, right? They move so hypnotically when she walks, right? You can't help but stare at them, right?"

that kinda hints at bralessness.

[x] "I'll just wait at the shrine with you I guess."

[X] "I'll just wait at the shrine with you I guess."

Best place to wait for Reimu. Hope she isn't in a bad mood or anything after getting back, but...

[x] "I'll just wait at the shrine with you I guess."

Oni Tits, the strongest in Gensokyo.

Writing.

>>26667
Right, but when it's not one thing it's another. You may slice it any way you like - but that doesn't make it any less annoying or frustrating.

>>26674

I know all too well; since my story's flow of votes is rather slow as of late.

>>26671

She can crush rocks in her cleavage, that is both rather scary yet very hot.

>She can crush rocks in her cleavage, that is both rather scary yet very hot.

I saw a video like that. Except it was a watermelon.

Having said goodbye to Yuugi, we headed back to the shrine. As we exchanged goodbyes, the taller oni whispered something for my ears only;

"Nice of you to keep Suika company like this. You're really a good guy."

She smiled, and I looked at her, questioning her words.

...and then she grabbed my rear with a roar of a laugh.

"Take care sweet cheeks! Hope to see you soon!"

I watched, rubbing my sore behind, as she returned to her cavern. Suika grinned, and took off her cap and coat, opting to carry them instead. We began to walk back to the shrine.

"Sorry about not being able to find Reimu for you. Hope you're not mad at me."
"It's alright." I assured her. "We probably did a better job together than what I would have been able to do by myself. I guess I'm just not that lucky."
"Don't look at it that way. You can't always get what you want. You just have to make sure to get what you need."
"Get what I need?" Sounded good enough in principle. But in practice, I had no blinking idea what it was that I needed. Well, I felt like I needed to see Reimu, and fought to make it possible. That much was certain.
"Yeah, what you need. Like me. I'm good with just having fun every day. I guess that overlaps with what I want as well."
"You're not very good at explaining things."
"Eh, I know." The oni smiled dumbly at me.
"But that's alright. I sort of know what you mean. It's really important that I talk to Reimu."
"Hmm..."The oni falls silent.

There's a bit of an awkward atmosphere as we walked through the brush for the next several minutes. It was only until we were well clear of the cavern and winding down the path that she resumed.

"I've been thinking about it, Arc..."She looked at me with a raised eyebrow. "Why do you want to talk to Reimu so bad. I mean, you see her pretty often right? That means that stuff can wait."
"This can't really wait, I'm afraid." I felt my heart pump faster as I started to feel more anxious. I thought about the impending deadline. There was no real postponing it, I felt.
"Ah... so it's gotten to that point, huh?"
"What are you talking about?"
"You."
"Me?"
"Yup."
"I don't follow."
"You. You're finally going to tell Reimu that you really like her, right?"

I stopped walking. I found the nearest tree and leaned against the trunk. I couldn't believe what I had just heard from Suika, and she didn't even hesitate in saying it!

"Haha-hahaha." I laughed. A massive explosion of butterflies occupied my empty stomach. "What g-gives you that idea?"
"Mmm..."She brought a finger to her lip, and she then smiled. "Well, I may be drunk a lot of the time, but I'm not stupid. Anyone could tell what with you coming over the shrine all the time and all that."
"I like spending time with her." I didn't know why I was denying it. Probably because it was something that I only allowed myself to admit to when I was completely alone thinking at night. "There's nothing wrong with spending time with friends, right?"
"No... there isn't. Mmmm... could it be that you don't want to admit it to yourself?"
"Look, it's nothing of the sort, okay? It's just something that I want to do with her and I need to ask her in advance." I vehemently cut this line of talk out, feeling aggravated.
"Well, I say that you should go for it." She doesn't specify the 'it', ?You're mine and all, but I don't mind sharing my stuff."

I was at a loss for words. I felt confused to the extreme. I didn't know what to say to her but the usual, "Look here Suika, I don't know why you keep insisting that I belong to you, but..."
"Hehey! Loookie there!" She pointed off into the distance. Bright sparks of multi-colored light sparked in the distance. The red, white, green, and plethora of other colors were intense enough to be seen in the clear sunny sky. "That's probably Reimu there."
"It is?" I immediately forgot the previous talk, and craned my neck to try to make out any shapes. Of course, that was impossible at this large distance.
"It's her alright. Where there's danmaku, there's shrine maiden. Almost no exceptions."
"Is that so-" We began to walk again, and I kept my gaze all the while at the distant scene.

"It could also be Aya-chan and her tomfoolery again, but I doubt that. It'd be pretty weird timing since Reimu is on the prowl.."

I tried to imagine what could cause those points of light in the distance. Nothing came to mind.

The lights only went away when we were almost at the shrine.

"Reimu should be back soon." Suika nodded. "You know what that means, right? It's our responsibility to make sure she gets a nice welcome."
"What are you suggesting?"
"We get a couple of bottles of sake and food. The usual."

I could do nothing but nod. Once Suika decided to set up any sort of celebration it was impossible to convince her to do otherwise. I helped her get everything ready, helping ourselves to the precious few snacks and drinks at the shrine. With my practice in helping Suika, we had everything set up in record time. She looked satisfied.

"And now we wait."
"Yep." I sat down and looked out at the afternoon sky.

It took five minutes of doing nothing for her to become bored.

"Hey Arc, I'm going to take a bath, wanna join me?"
"No thanks."
"Awww, don't be such a bad sport. Baths are fun."

They were fun, but they weren't something that you wanted to share with Suika right now.

"I won't push you right now. But is there anything that you want from me? We probably won't have time once Reimu and the others get here."
"What others?"
"There's always others. You'll see soon enough."

[] "About what you were saying earlier..."
[] "You know what, I think I will take a bath now."
[] "Go ahead, I've got nothing."

"About what you were saying earlier..."- I think this might refer to the matter of what he wanted to ask Reimu

"You know what, I think I will take a bath now." Bathtime with oniloli?

"Go ahead, I've got nothing." Wait outside still in case Reimu arrives.

Hard choies to make... I'll think on it. Too bad Arc isn't He that got both girls.

[] "You know what, I think I will take a bath now."

[x] "You know what, I think I will take a bath now."

Let's see what happens, since Suika hinted at... interesting uses of her abilities.

And going around would raise a stink and it's best to green Reimu fresh and clean.

[X] "You know what, I think I will take a bath now."

Always freshen up for a girl, especially after a hard day trekking through the mountains.

I'm done for now. How disappointing.

[x] "You know what, I think I will take a bath now."

>>26702

Man, stop bitching about votes. This goes for the other writers too. The sites still rather un-populated with many of us only recently even discovering that it got re-made, and I'm sure many of us still unaware. It was pure luck that I even found out at all, and I was deliberately searching for clues all over the damn place.

Additionally, you can't expect voters to be on the same schedule as you, and frankly you aren't consistent enough for voters to develop the habit of checking often enough. Heck, I've spent the last week waiting patiently for updates on quite a few stories and have been generally disappointed all around. You writers whine about not getting votes, but we can't vote again until there's actually an update. Please try to keep that in mind.

When updates slow down, so do votes. When updates speed up, so will votes. This is a proven FACT. If you want more votes, just keep up a good pace for a week or so and people will realize that you're actually updating regularly enough to check regularly. If you slow down for a while, you're going to make us check less often. You can't expect us to magically know that you have updated afterall.

Not trying to bitch at you about it. Its just frustrating to see writers slow down for a while and suddenly pick up the pace and act dumbfounded when no one votes, then slow down again. You'll only hurt your own story by doing so, and yours is good enough that it would be a shame if that happened.

>>26706
Whups, forgot my vote:

[x] "You know what, I think I will take a bath now.."
[x] "About what you were saying earlier..."

No reason we cant do both, afterall.

>>26702

Your mental instability is showing.

>She adds, "I thought you liked Reimu, and while hers are bigger than how mine usually are they're still not very big. Or maybe it's the concept that's gotten your head in a bind."
>and while hers are bigger than how mine usually are they're still not very big.
>bigger than how mine usually are
>usually
Haah.

>>26706

I made a similar rant in /SDM/ a good while ago with some one else agreeing with me on the issue of finding THP...

>>31155
>>31158

Also...

[x] "You know what, I think I will take a bath now."
[x] "About what you were saying earlier..."

It's hard when there's so many factors keeping people away or coming around at varying different time zones.

There were two updates here before I even had a chance to read the previous update ;_;

>>26710

God damn it I just realized I can't cross reference...

>>26706
site needs more advertising, /jp/ has lots of Touhou fans on it but also several people from /a/ who spam it and pointing /jp/ here might up end getting this place flooded. Theres also the tard from the original site who still hasn't redirected the old THP to here, so no one knows its moved if they didn't already.

also
[X] "You know what, I think I will take a bath now."

>>26709

W-w-what.."

>>26706
No, I will not stop commenting on no votes if it's necessary. In an ideal world more updates = more votes, but it does not work like that from experience. Even when other stories on the same board or other boards get a plethora of votes in the meanwhile, getting two votes or less in as many hours is simply pathetic. In particular when it's the second or third update for the day and people are alerted that there are updates. There are many factors at play (timezones are the least of them as I try to update at hours that favor UTC, CET and EST), but the fact still stands that it's a huge put off that no matter the circumstances it's always the same outcome.

Oh, and you realize that every board has its own rss feed and there's an in-built watch thread function as well, right? Not that it would help much considering that, like I said before, a story may be utterly ignored on a board while another gets a crapload of votes in the same timeframe. I am a realist, and don't expect anon to magically know when I update, but when it's taken to the extreme I honestly don't feel like writing anymore. In fact, I'm almost at the point where the investment in time and thinking isn't compensated by the payoff. This is not a threat, it's a fact. You may have a right to complain as well, but I'm not the one spending five minutes to read an update that took at least an hour to write.

>>26710
>>/boardname/xxxx

Anyways update soon, not that actually stating that matters in the least, but it'll be here if I don't feel too pissed off.

>>26720
>you realize that every board has its own rss feed and there's an in-built watch thread function as well, right?

Curiously when was this implemented? I would have killed to have had that...

>>26718

There has been at least one 4chan topic where the new name was brought up. But the facts remain, people not prone to voting, school, etc.

>>26720

That attitude is not doing you any favors, and it didn't help you threatened to give up on the story once.

I'm using my trip to say this: over in /sdm/ where my story is, I only get a few votes, but I don't whine about it; I thank the few that do vote.

And when HY updated Fairy Maid, it got shit-ton of votes compared to the others, but I wasn't that upset because some stories are more popular than others.

You have your fans, even though some might not vote... and THP, and ESPECIALLY /Shrine/ Doesn't need another YAF or Kira. (YAF's ego implosion is what most likely condemned /shrine/ to its formerly slow state)

(Until R.I.M. came along this was among the slowest boards in all of THP, and is slowly bringing life into it)

You're not the only one with slow voting inflows, I can easily mention a few other stories with that problem in other areas.

And in case you didn't notice it a few more votes came in after that pissy "disappointment" remark. You should consider giving things more time in these slow times.

And those functions you talked about? Anon can't be bothered to do that, same with checking beyond the first page.

Just hang in there until things improve, and stop bitching about it so much. Anon can't stand stand that, and I doubt many other write fags do as well.

>>26722
>YAF's ego implosion is what most likely condemned /shrine/ to its formerly slow state.

This could not be emphasized enough oh god those were dark days in /shrine/

>>26721
RSS has been around since before the switch.

>>26722
You confuse disappointment with resentment. I never have been nor will be resentful of my readers. This isn't an ego trip nor provocation. Nor is it borne out of any misguided sense of pettiness. It's a lamentation and overall a damn shame.

-

"Ah, you know what?" I shrugged as I turned to the oni, trying to loosen up. Reimu could come back any minute now (hopefully at least), but it wasn't going to make time pass by any faster if I just sat here and did nothing. I could at least do something useful in the meantime. "I'll take that bath now, I think."

"Really?" The oni asked with sparkles in her eyes, "Yay! Oh this is going to be so much fun! I'm going to wash your back, you can wash mine, and we can drink a bit and , oooh, we can play 'underwater explorers'!"
"Sounds, uh, good. But let's not get too carried away, alright?" I knew how to work with her by now, appealing to her sensibilities, "Let's leave the drinking until later, it's rude to get started without Reimu."
"Oh, do you think Reimu would want to talk a bath with us? Think about it, it'd be fun."
"I don't think so." I tried not to think about it. It was hard enough to get into a bath with Suika - it was awkward in more than one way - so I tried to block out any insinuation of possibilities of another joining us. It would be too much, I knew. "Let's not sit around here all day and get going."

Bath time with Suika was something that I had to prepare myself mentally for. I told myself that it would be like bathing with Auntie and her friends when I was smaller, but that didn't help matters. At all. Quite the contrary. That was a set of memories that I wanted to keep under lock. Maybe think about it in the late of night, when I was all alone in my room.

Before I had realized it, I was already thinking about that. I struggled to keep my mind focused on the present.

"Wahaa~! This is fun!" Suika cheerfully commented while scrubbing my back. I was naked, save for a towel wrapped around my waist. I had insisted that we keep at least a bit of modesty between us. Naturally, she would have none of it, but when I threatened to not take a bath she complied. It had resulted in the addition of the towel around my waist and draping to my thighs and a clumsily wrapped towel around her. It made no difference in her case as she was still exposed where it mattered the most. Still, I found myself not minding as much as I thought I would. Suika's cheer was infectious and her spunk even more so. "Hey, hey Arc, tell me, am I doing a good job?"

"A real good job." I replied, feeling her small hands move with a certain precision.
"That's good then. Reimu doesn't appreciate it when I try to do her favors."
"About that. Remember we were talking earlier..."
"Stop worrying about stuff that happened earlier." She cut me off. "Wash my back, ok?"

I nodded, seeing that there was no way to get her to do something if she was being stubborn about it. She at down on a bath stool and exposed her back for me. Her ponytail had been undone and her hair clumsily kept held together on her head by a towel (which in turn was being kept in place only because of the intervention of her horns). I did my part, washing her back as best I could.

"Hehe~? She giggled. "Don't move so quickly, it tickles."
"Sorry." I tried to do as she asked, while doing a good job at all the rest. There wasn't much to wash, after all her back was as tiny as she was, so I was done quickly.

We got inside the bath. The hot water felt good and it was relaxing, despite Suika being a bit too noisy at times. It was endearing how she brought along a small wooden toy along, and splashed it around while trying to keep talking to me.

"You know Arc, you should really cut your hair."
"Huh? Really, you think?" I touched my hair. I thought that it was at a reasonable length. "Is it too long or something?"
"Nah, not really. It's just that you'll want shave it off."
"What for?"
"Well, to be closer to divinity."
"Oh, you mean like a monk." I smiled, understanding what she was getting at. "I think I'm fine the way I am, no need to take any shortcuts."
"Well, if you're going to be patient, that's fine with me as well. But you know, you've got to grab life by the horns and steer it where you want."
"So if I grabbed your horns I could control you?"
"Hmmmm... maybe. Probably not. That's not where my power comes from."
"Where does it come from then?" I asked, joking, "All the drinking?"
"That's not it either." She looked at me seriously, asking, "do you really want to know?"
"Even if I knew, I don't think I could do anything about it."
"Alright." She came closer to me in the bath, until she was within whispering distance. "If you hafta know, it's my hair. My long awesome hair. Cut it off and I'm as useless as a dried-up prune."
"What, really?" I looked at her head dubiously.
"Well, no." She laughed. Splashing me with bathwater. "I'm just having a little fun with ya. I don't really know myself. But it'd be awesome if it were something like that. Would explain why my hair is so awesome."

I shook my head.

"Aww, don't be like that. Lighten up." Suika went back to her end of the bath, "Bath time is fun time. It's worth ignoring the other person here for."
"Other person?"
"Oh, you didn't notice? There were footsteps by the front just a little bit ago."
"Really?"
"Yup. Really. Someone else is at the shrine."
"Do you know who it is?"
"I can't know that from just hearing footsteps you know."
"Ah." I stood up.
"Umm... Arc?"
"What is it?"
"Gonna get out or just stand like that or something?"
"Oh." I realized I was exposing myself to her. I slunk back into the water.

[] Stay in the bath
[] Get out

[] Stay in the bath

[x] Stay in the bath

[X] Stay in the bath

No need to stress out. Gotta let Arc get nice and loose, and ready for dealing with Reimu. The opportunity to pop the question will come when it comes.

[X] Stay in the bath

No need for additional awkwardness, and I'm sure Reimu is used to Suika running around naked at times.

But what if it's not Reimu?

[X] Stay in the bath

>>26728

Guests arrived early.."

inb4 pool raid

[x] Stay in the bath

[x] Stay in the bath

"Bath time is fun time." I repeated Suika's words with a small sigh.
"That's right." She smiled. "You know what would make this even more fun?"
"No, what?"
"Something to drink, of course."
"Of course." I felt stupid for not seeing that one coming. "But, it's not like you need to drink in order to have fun, right?"
"Nope. It just makes things more interesting." She explained, "Like, drinking makes people lower their guard and cut loose. Acting drunk is convenient as well."
"Acting? Are you telling me that you act most of the time?"
"That's not what I'm saying. I'm just saying that people who are looking for ways to let their feelings show without consequences can always blame alcohol when it comes to it."
"That's dishonest."
"Humans are dishonest with themselves. Not oni though." She beat in her chest proudly in the water, creating a small tidal wave in the bath along with several splashes. "Why bother hiding how you're feeling? That's no good. I drink because it's fun and makes everything taste more awesome and people have fun at parties."
"I get what you're saying." I could understand her point of view. Being together with her for several months had already made me realize what she was saying. She liked parties because it made other people join in as well. You think that if it were up to her, every day would be a party complete with drinking.

We stayed in the bath a while longer. She talked about the usual things, and I listened as usual as well. Despite the awkwardness that I wouldn't let fade, it was nice. I just hoped that she never told my Aunt about this, I'd never hear the end of it. I was still paying for when she found out through Suika about what happened at the first party. Sure, it wasn't malicious teasing, but it was teasing all the same. And I didn't know how to reply to Auntie's teasing.

"Clean and ready to go!" Suika had gotten out of the bath first, and dried off quickly. She got her clothes on the adjoining room, giving me space to towel off and get dressed as well.

She was done remarkably fast. I had to admit that I was curious to know how exactly she got all those clothes and accessories on so fast. She even managed to get her ponytail in a presentable fashion by herself. I asked, but got an unfulfilling answer, claiming that it was merely practice.

"Alright, let's get started on the drinking." I wasn't able to stop her before she ran down the hallway and out of sight.

When I caught up with her, she was already helping herself to some sake while enjoying the setting afternoon sun.

"Arc, what took you so long? Come on, drink!" She held an extra saucer in her hand full of sake for me.
"Thank you." I took it, knowing that rejecting it would be a big deal. I didn't have to drink it right away and could sip it leisurely while Suika went down hard on the bottle. "There's no one else here yet, huh?"
"Nope, just us!"
"Then those footsteps?"
"Dunno. Probably imagined them." She then added laughing, "Maybe being with Yuugi got to me, and it was my heart beating fast because of you. Whadsshe call you? Pretty eyes? The bath was something she might have really wished for."
"Real funny." I pushed on one of her horns in a friendly manner, forcing her to tilt her head.
"Maybe I should keep you closer, you know, in case she tries to spirit you away."
"You mean like you have?"
"Hehe, yup." She smiled, drinking more. "Although, to be honest, if I had spirited you away, you we'd be somewhere far away from here. Just the two of us. But that's not as fun as being here, right?"
"I guess not." I drank a bit of the wine myself, trying my best not to think about what that scenario would be like.

"I'm going to have to take you home later, huh? It's my responsibility to get you home safely. I promised Auntie..."She remarked as the sun began to fade in the distance.
"That is if you're not passed out." I added.
"Like I've said before, for you, I'll do anything." She killed the remaining content of the bottle with a single gulp and then discarded the bottle. "I think Reimu might be coming back."
"How can you tell?"
"Can't you hear that?" She gestured with her hand to the distance. "Like noise coming from behind those trees."
"Hm." I strained my hearing. All I could hear were a couple of nocturnal birds making their first cries for the night. "No."
"Ah well, trust me then. Give them like five minutes."

We waited for several minutes in silence. I hoped that the oni was right. Perhaps I needed to have more faith in her, I thought. She was clingy and pushy at times, but never led me astray. Besides which, my aunt approved of her for some reason. And despite the difficulties I've had with her, she was the only one would take me in when I needed somewhere to go. She was the only member of my family that I...

Suika's guess was correct. I was interrupted in the middle of my thought process by the appearance of several silhouettes coming up the steps and through the torii.

"Yahoo~!" Suika greeted them with a cheerful wave of hands.
"Yahoo~!" At least one voice replied as enthusiastically.

As they got closer, I could identify some of the shapes. My heart skipped a beat as I saw Reimu on one side of the group. She had a tired-looking expression on and looked like she was avoiding interacting with the rest of the group. Beside her was the easygoing Marisa and the smiling reporter. An uneasy-looking girl dressed in a white and blue outfit that was quite a bit similar to Reimu's was to the other end of the group and in between them walked the taciturn Alice.

"Hey everybody, welcome back!" Suika greeted each and everyone of them with candor. "We've got drinks and some food, so let's live it up!."

Half of the group cheered the proclamation while the other half didn't react much at all. Reimu in particular looked like she couldn't care less and almost completely ignored the commotion. She walked off to the rear of the shrine, leaving the group.

"Oh, I've been so hungry all day!" Marisa almost leaped at the food as soon as she saw it. Aya and Alice joined her, acting more restrained, but still with eagerness. No small thanks to Suika's marshaling and encouragement.

Suika started to ask what was up with everything, and the others started to explain their adventure that day. I tuned them out for now, trying to think. I was left alone. Well, almost alone. The fifth girl had sat close to me on the porch, all the while looking concerned about her actions. She was silent, dividing her attention to the others inside and the sunset outside. She looked at me a couple of times, but our stares hadn't met yet.

[] Listen to what they were up to today
[] Talk to the girl
[] Go find Reimu

[X] Go find Reimu

I know she looked tired and all, but it would be nice to at least just go and tell her "hey, you look down, if you want to talk about it, then I'm here for you; if you don't, then that's fine too." Just let her know that we care, you know? We can head back to the festivities afterward.

[X] Go find Reimu

[x] Listen to what they were up to today

best not to just loop in with either maiden without knowing whats going on

also don't feel you need to rush this I know you aren't, just saying don't do it on a count of us pushing for more quickly

{X} Go find Reimu

[X] Listen to what they were up to today.

I don't really see anything wrong with simply relaxing amongst the group; plus Reimu may want some bit of peace before being spoken to.

tiny issue revolving that small bit of power bestowed by Mima. We haven't forgotten that have we..?

[X] Go find Reimu

[x] Listen to what they were up to today.

[X] Listen to what they were up to today.

inb4 reimu chews us out.

>>26741
[X] Listen to what they were up to today.

If we know what happened, we'll have something to talk about with Reimu later.

Dull, tedious, doubly unfun work kept me busy earlier. And will keep me busy later. But, for now, I'm writing with the intent to update.

>>26822
Please consider updating your /eientei/ story while you're at it.

[x] Listen to what they were up to today.

is it just me or are the other boards, not just here started showing signs of life once again...?

Sorry for the delay, especially given how tiny the update is. Been annoyingly busy.
-

I got up, ignoring the others. I felt that the girl was looking at me as I made my way inside, but I ignored her gaze. The loud group of drinking girls ignored me almost completely, happy enough to focus on their story while drinking. Suika was the only one who even noticed me, but she was apparently too engrossed in the details of the day.

I found Reimu in the same place I had the day before, lying on the dark face up. I knocked at the half-open door. She looked in my direction, facial expressions hidden by the shadows. It seemed that she was mopping around, something which I wasn't sure how to deal with. Auntie was extroverted and so I could read most of her moods, and I didn't care enough to know the moods of most of the of my family. I felt my pulse quicken, and I wasn't completely sure why I didn't just turn away and go back to the party.

"Not in the mood for celebration?" I had enough courage to try to start a conversation.
"Not really in the mood for anything." She groaned. I tried not to get too put off.
"Ah, they're loud and exaggerated, so I understand."
"It's not really that. Although that also is annoying. I wish everyone would leave me alone."
"I'm sorry, I'll leave then."
"I didn't mean you." She sighed, her figure slumping further.
"...do you mind if I stay then?" I took a step inside, ready to take it back if rejected.
"Go ahead. You won't make an already bad day worse.."

I took up a spot several paces away from her, sitting between her and the door. I could now see her face despite the dark - she didn't look upset, just tired. I didn't know how to deal with that either. The sounds of the party seemed far away, but that might have just been my nervousness dulling my senses. It was strange, even though I had spent most of the day looking for her, now that she was within arm's reach I didn't know what to do. I just knew that now wasn't the moment to ask about that.

"How was your day?" Reimu is the first to break the renewed silence.
"A bit strange." I felt like saying more, but that was all that I managed to get out.
"Suika keep you busy?"
"No. Uh, actually yes. We went out."
"I see." She said simply, closing her eyes.
"Um... you know," I took a deep breath, "I spent most of the day looking for you."
"Sorry about that then." She apologized immediately. "I would have preferred staying here."
"It's, uh, not your fault." Probably, I thought. "So you don't have to apologize."

She sighed, but didn't say anything further. Being alone with her wasn't making me as nervous as I thought it would, especially given the mission that I had so selfishly decided up. I just wasn't sure where to start. Or maybe to go away. She might be more talkative later. Suika would definitely handle this situation well. She got along with people. I just had a tiny bit of experience.

[] Ask her what she did today
[] Lie down like she is silently
[] Leave

[] Ask her what she did today

>>26935
[X] Lie down like she is silently

Although lines like
>?It's not really that. Although that also is annoying. I wish everyone would leave me alone."
make me feel a little selfish for insisting on staying, I think this course of action might be on the mark. Not making any demands of her time, nor leaving her because she doesn't have what we want.

[x] Lie down like she is silently

Sometimes quiet moments are best.

[X] Casually mention the upcoming festivities and the recent ongoings at the village before he made his search for Suika (of course leaving that bit out)

I forget when is it occurring exactly, a day or in some odd hours later? I know Arc was pressed for time to ask her out for it but still. I don't see anything really wrong mentioning it.

Heck it's something distant from the BS she had to put up with recently right.."

Then again is anon ever that great at gauging one's thinking process; especially that of a woman with extraordinary resposibilities? Does Reimu even have a large role in said upcoming festival?

In case that doesn't fly then

[X] Lie down like she is silently

[X] Lie down like she is silently

[X] Lie down like she is silently

[\\!/] Lie down like she is silently

Easy~

[x] Lie down like she is silently

Good way of taking it easy. Also, you can learn a lot from silence.

Well, writing. Hopefully update will be ready soon.

I changed positions. I lay my head and body down parallel to hers, keeping the same distance as before. Gradually, my anxious heart settled down, making the festivities in the background all the louder. I could hear Suika speaking excitedly, her voice joined by Marisa and some of the others'. I wondered briefly if that girl was still sitting out on the porch, ignoring the party while being ignored.

These derivative thoughts kept my mind elsewhere, away from the dark room I was in. They also kept me calm and feeling good. Reimu was silent, and I was fine with that. And she was fine with me being silent as well. At one point I heard a small rustle as she probably shifted her head in my direction, but another rustle meant that she soon looked away. I hoped she wouldn't be too frustrated or annoyed. I didn't feel like there would be much I could do to fix that.

"Aren't you going to spend time with them?" Reimu's question shattered the localized silence as it had before. This was talkative enough to convince me that she wasn't feeling as antisocial as she was trying to look.
"No. I'm fine here."
"That may be, but Suika will probably come for you sooner or later." She pointed out the inevitable truth of all of these situations.
"Maybe. That doesn't matter." Suika knew I was here, so I could only assume that she was entertained enough to not care about me right now. "When she comes, she'll come. No use worrying about it before then."
"You've really learned how to deal with her, haven't you? I'm jealous."
"I don't think that's it. She still does whatever she wants around me. I just think I might have reached an understanding with her."
"There you go."
"She says she has an understanding with you though."
"I wish." Reimu lets out a small chuckle. "All I get is headaches from her."

The conversation was interrupted. Not by any external factors, but just because we both fell into occasional bouts of silence. During those moments I felt my senses stretch out, flowing towards the commotion elsewhere. It was like I was practically there, I could see the antics going on in my head and I could sure hear them as well. Marisa really couldn't handle her alcohol.

"You don't have to be here on account of me, you know. I'll be fine by myself."
"It's alright." I assured Reimu. "I want to be here."
"Why?" She asked something that would normally be difficult, but I knew the answer to immediately now.
"Well," I told her the basic truth, "remember what you told me when we first met?" It looked like she didn't really, so I said it all the same, "This is my shrine and you're my shrine maiden, so it's only fair that I look after you when you need it."

I wondered if maybe she would take it the wrong way. It did sound presumptuous of me. I was ready to apologize when she started laughing. It was soft at first, but it built upon itself and turned into a hearty laugh. "I had forgotten that I told you something like that. That's a good a reason as any, I suppose. You're the only villager to even care."

Reimu stopped laughing, but her tone was now markedly more candid.

"You know, when I told you that I was trying to sound dependable, right?"
"Well, aren't you?" I asked. "Plus, I've always thought that you were."
"I might be. Although it's not something that comes to me naturally."
"It doesn't seem that way."
"Yeah, that might be the problem actually." She talked about all the things that people had asked her to solve, just recently. I had been something of a regular visitor to the shrine, so I knew that she was popular, but I was still surprised at just how large the demand was for her involvement in things.

I could understand how if today was something like what she hinted at, she would react this way. It was strange being able to do so. I had never shunned work, finding that it gave me a certain independence and freedom from my previous reality. But then again, I more or less did what I did because I wanted to (and because I could - I was no good at manual labor).

There was more silence, as before, but it felt better.

Despite the fact that I was feeling more anxious. As I realized that she was becoming more receptive, I felt my desire weigh me down harder. I wouldn't bring it up until I was completely sure that the odds were in my favor.

"You know what?" She broke the silence yet again. "I'm bored."
"There's always the party."
"Yes, there is." She let her voice trail long enough for me to be forced to follow up with a question.
"Is there something wrong with that?"
"Not more than the usual. But that's not much, I think." She sat up, prompting me to do the same. "I could use a bit of distraction right now. And if it's like every time it'll do just that."
"So... do you want to go now?" I sat up.
"I could. Do you?"

[] Go to the party
[] Wait a little while more
[] Suggest something else (optional write-in here)

[X] Sure, why not head to the party?
[X] ... but first take the opportunity and ask her. If she needs something to take her mind off things, if she needs to take a break, then tomorrow would be a good opportunity to give her a day off, and you... you'd like to spend the day with her, just the two of you. It would be nice.

Might be a little too soon, but I'm somewhat worried about the party getting out of hand, or something coming up and keeping us from asking the question.

[X] Sure, why not head to the party?
[X] ... but first take the opportunity and ask her. If she needs something to take her mind off things, if she needs to take a break, then tomorrow would be a good opportunity to give her a day off, and you... you'd like to spend the day with her, just the two of you. It would be nice.

[X] Sure, why not head to the party?
[X] ... but first take the opportunity and ask her. If she needs something to take her mind off things, if she needs to take a break, then tomorrow would be a good opportunity to give her a day off, and you... you'd like to spend the day with her, just the two of you. It would be nice.

[X] Sure, why not head to the party?
[X] ... but first take the opportunity and ask her. If she needs something to take her mind off things, if she needs to take a break, then tomorrow would be a good opportunity to give her a day off, and you... you'd like to spend the day with her, just the two of you. It would be nice.

[X] Sure, why not head to the party?
[X] ... but first take the opportunity and ask her. If she needs something to take her mind off things, if she needs to take a break, then tomorrow would be a good opportunity to give her a day off, and you... you'd like to spend the day with her, just the two of you. It would be nice.

better ask now before a repeat of a certain arm breaking incident or something similar prevents this.

[x] Go to the party

I suppose it's irresponsible of me to come and go erratically. Sorry, life has a dreary tendency of making things busy when one doesn't want it to. I'll strive to update in the coming hours if possible. But don't hold your breath. On the plus side, I'll soon be more or less free for a long while.

>>26999
Do what you can when you can, we'll be waiting.

>>26999
Status?

>>27150
Status: I'm basically free from many a distraction until the end of the year. Which translates into faster updates. This will be updated as soon as I'm done celebrating and get some sleep. Probably story in /eientei/ will get an update first.

>>27152
>doghous.jpg

>>27152

I don't know whether to be amused that someone spent a substantial amount of time and effort to do this, or disgusted that someone spent a substantial amount of time and effort to do this.

I take it something came up and ruined your timing writefag?

>>27490
Actually no. Nothing came up. This is just me not writing out of laziness/some sort of writer's block. I've been free to write most of the time over the past few days barring a few small exceptions. Hope to have something soon regardless.

>>27517

Sometimes we need a break from all forms of contact to feel refreshed for anything. We'll be here waiting.

wheres mah updates

This story is why I come to shrine. Update.

Updates. Where?

plotton, cupcakes, etc...

"Well, yeah." I said, trying act casual. It felt like the atmosphere could change at any moment; the commotion with the others grew louder and could find its way in here - not to mention that my own nervousness was showing. "But if you don't mind, can I ask you something?"

"Sure. Go ahead." Reimu looked at me, not sure what I was going to say.

"Well, there's something that I want to talk to you in private about. Not here. Not right now." I suppressed most of my nervousness long enough to get that out. It was hard to do, and I hadn't felt like this since... well, that was long ago. "Maybe we could take some time, a break? To, you know, get your mind off things. Not around all these distractions. It'd be good. For you I mean. That is if you think that it's a good idea, I'd like it as well."

"Hm." She blinked, apparently not sure at why I was getting myself all worked up. "We can talk later if that's what you want, sure. It's not a problem."
"Really? Thank you." I must have looked funny since Reimu smiled and put her hand on my shoulder.
"Come on then, shall we?"

I nodded and walked side by side with her.

The others were living it up. As usual. They had clustered around the edge of the room, at the porch, singing a song that was popular in the village a couple of years back. Suika sang loudest and proudest, butchering the words to the song as she sang in between drinks. Marisa almost matched her, with more control over herself but with less tonal harmony, and at her side the reporter sang earnestly with a bottle in her hand. They were having fun.

Alice, surprisingly enough, sang as well. In a moderated and restrained way, but it was still something that I wouldn't have imagined her doing. By far she was the better singer, but that may have just been on account of her not being as drunk as the trio.

The last girl, the one who I didn't know, sat to a side of the spectacle, looking on with a half-smile on her face It seemed like she could identify with the spectacle, but didn't care to participate herself. We were able to walk up to the group without them noticing.

"Drinking and eating at my expense again?" Reimu asked casually as soon as the passionate song was over.
"Oh Reimu!" The oni hugged the shrine maiden tightly, catching her by surprise. "I heard all about your exploits and felt so moved that I hadta sing!"
"If by exploits, you mean annoying work, then you'd be correct." Reimu freed herself easily enough from the clutches of the ravaging oni.
"Sour as always, you'll wrinkle up if you keep like that you know!"
"We'll see about that. So, not going to offer me something to drink?"
"Ah. Ahah!" Suika laughed, looking at me. 'That's the spirit! I thought that Arc was doing something with you, but turns out that he brought you to the party." She grabbed an empty cup and poured a drink for Reimu.

"Doing something with her?" Aya inquired, put down her glass and picked up her notebook. "Like what?"
"Nothing. Just talking." I don't know why, but I answered.
"Is that a fact?" She grilled me, "Then why are you blushing?"
"Ah..."I felt my face flush. I didn't know if I hadn't realized it before or just started then. Either way it made the reporter scribble down something furiously.

"Cut that out now." Suika chided. "We're here to have fun! If you want a story I can tell you how I told Arc that I loved him later."

"Buh!?" More than one person reacted in the same way.

"Did you now?" Aya asked calmly, disguising poorly her excitement. Her hairs seemed to stand on end from eagerness.
"Yep! But I'll tell ya later, including our alone time earlier, but right now is for having fun!" Suika winked at me." I wondered if she had somehow done me a favor.
"I don't know about that. A love triangle seems like a huge story for my readers. It's my duty to report on it."

"A love triangle?" Marisa interrupted with a huge grin. "More like a love pyramid!"
"Oho-! Is there something you know then Miss Kirisame?" The notepad was opened again as the reporter scribbled down annotations quickly.
"I wonder, I wonder?" Marisa looked at me with a wink. I didn't know what the hell that was all about.

Luckily for me, whatever was happening didn't involve me directly. In the ensuring discussion, they left me out, going back and forth amongst themselves. Reimu joined the fray, prodding and putting down their extravagant claims with a carefree attitude. She was used to this, and was having fun immersing herself in the madness.

That left me isolated, but watched. Suika looked at me every so often - silently encouraging me to join in and have fun. Under the night sky stood Alice, gazing at the stars alone, probably having split away from the group at some point during proposals of a love diamond. Even though I couldn't see her face. she was looking lonely under the cover of darkness. The girl at the periphery of the main discussion looked a bit lonely as well, but her nervousness seemed to be larger. She looked, smiled, but didn't say anything.

[] Join the fray in earnest
[] Go outside and talk to the lone magician
[] Make contact with the girl

[] Go outside and talk to the lone magician.

[X] Make contact with the girl

[x] Go outside and talk to the lone magician

[X] Go outside and talk to the lone magician

I see you're back~!

[X]Go outside and talk to the lone magician.

[X] Make contact with the girl

I wonder who it is.

[x] Join the fray in earnest.

This just feels like the right choice to me.

>>28093
[X] Make contact with the girl

For some reason, I think we'll really get along with Sanae

Arc and Sanae do seem like they would get along with each other, but Alice appears to be the lonelier one right now.

[X] Go outside and talk to the lone magician.

We should see about introducing Alice and Sanae properly at some point; they might get along well together.

[x] Go outside and talk to the lone magician.

Eager to get Arc started on learning magic.

[X] Make contact with the girl

[x] Make contact with the girl

Alice chose to be on her own for some reason, I say let her have some space.

I should officially call this. I've been writing for a while, but my pace was sluggish so I didn't want to get hopes up. Seeing how I'm refueling with a nice meal now I'll probably churn out an update sometime very soon.

>>28113
cirnohooray.png

I headed outside, leaving the commotion behind. Even though Alice was standing near the porch and the main building, relatively speaking, she seemed to be very far away. Every step that I took seemed longer than the last. It was weird, but something that I forgot about as soon as I met up with her.

She stood silently, gaze slightly upturned towards the sky. I looked up, expecting to see a sky full of lights as was usual in Gensokyo, but instead saw that most of it was covered by fast moving cloud - dark blobs that coasted through in a hurry towards the mountains. Looking at her, she kept a dull look that complimented her unfocused eyes. Her features were distorted by the light coming from the shrine, shadows hiding her ears and elongating her nose.

"It's lonely standing out here all by yourself." I spoke to her as casually as I could think to. Given everything that I had come to expect from her, I was surprised to feel not very apprehensive.

"Good thing that you're here to keep me company then.."

It struck me that she was in something of a good mood. She had joked with me, something of a far cry from the rebuke I sort of expected. She kept her head still, moving her eyes to look and acknowledge my presence.

"Anything interesting up there?"
"Not especially." She kept her stare up in the sky.
"I see. If there weren't any clouds we could see more stars." I felt stupid saying the obvious. There I was, trying to make conversation with Alice, but apparently trying too hard.
"Indeed.."
"...boy the others sure seem like they're having fun, aren't they?"

My words made her stop looking upwards and instead directly at me. Soft yellow light reflected off of her eyes, tinging them. I thought that I had maybe upset her. I couldn't tell what she was thinking, and I wondered if she really was happy before or if it was all just my imagination. At length, she began to speak;

"There's no problem if you go back now. I don't mind."
"Ah. I wasn't implying that I would rather be there." Maybe not consciously.
"Of course not. I'm just taking time to think after a busy day here. I don't think that it'd interest you to unwind my way."
"Your way?"
"Extend your senses, forget about outside influence. It flushes out less than ideal feelings and hones my instinct."
"Well, I had a pretty busy day as well." I blurted without thinking.
"Perhaps you'll want to relax then. You're free to join me if you want."
"Really? But I wouldn't know where to begin." As far as anyone I knew was concerned, meditation was for monks, and there were no monks around to show how it's done to others.
"Hm. Maybe I can't teach you right now. Perhaps you might want to tell me about your day then?"
"I wouldn't want to bother you with my life."

She insisted. So I told her about what I had done. How I spent most of the afternoon looking for Reimu with Suika only to decide that it would be best to wait for her. I omitted the bath part. I wasn't going to go around telling people about that anytime soon. They would probably misunderstand. Not that I understood it much really, but well...

"A full day indeed." She concluded for me. "And may I ask what you would have done if Reimu hadn't come back to the shrine?"
"I..."I thought about it...
"It's regrettable that you can't think of anything." She hit the nail on the head. If Reimu hadn't come back, I would have had to go home and I wouldn't be able to talk to her.
"But she did come back so it's alright.."
"Yet-" She opened up a topic that had lay dormant until then, "If you had my powers, even a fraction of them, you could have located her quite easily. I did just that today."
"But I don't have your powers." I replied hollowly, realizing what she said was likely true. And at the same time realizing that this conversation was leading somewhere where it had gone before.
"I did promise to give you another day."
"And you want an answer?"
"That would be it. Not defining yourself is your problem, not mine. If you don't want to, then it's fine. But what will you do next time something like today happens?" If it ever happens again I thought. "Or if you must defend yourself or someone else? There's only so much that you can do by limiting yourself. Having abilities or power means being able to use it to help yourself whenever needed."

What she said was true. I didn't want power for the sake of wanting power. But being able to take care of myself would be nice. While I don't think that I'd do something reckless like camp out in the forest, it would be really pleasant not having to worry about some of the smaller problems that crop up from time to time.

She looked at me with intensity in her eyes, a seriousness that was focused. This wasn't like the night we met. She wasn't being hostile or coercive. She was, like she usual does, simply stating a fact. In a way, she was giving me breathing space. Plenty of it. I looked back at the gathering, I could see the figures of the others laughing and moving about.

[] Become a magician
[] Change the subject

[] Become a magician

I want to see how this plays out.

[X] Become a magician

Why not.

[X] Become a magician.

Magic is Arc's dream, and as it stands he'll never be able to do it without help. If there was anything Mima admired in him, it was initiative, and if there's anything he needs to become a magician it's initiative.

Take the jump.

[x] Become a magician

[X] Become a magician.

Why not?

[X] Become a magician.

[x] Become a magician

Can't possibly go wrong!

[x] <--- See Picture

[x] Become a magician

I do think Alice would make more of an ideal teacher for him, since she'd teach him more things than "Blowing things up really good"

[x] Become a magician

[x] Become a magician

What kind of magician would Arc be though will be a very interesting matter; assuming he succeeds.

Patchouli - elemental "youkai" magician
Marisa - brute force / emulator of spells "human" magician
Alice - Puppetry/concentrated magic "youkai" magician
Arc - (maybe similar to Alice~???)

>>28215

I heard you liked enormous magical constructs, so I upgraded your image.

>>28217
Ah thanks, though as appealing as that upgrade is, is it suitable for Arc assuming he goes on a similar path as Alice.."

Heck it doesn't have to be human shaped as it can be just simple designs like flying stone or onyx {the gem not the PM) stones that look like eyeballs or perhaps go further and summon small familiars

Eh Arc will probably just create simple wisps of "energy" to use in place of magical constructs.

BEER SPIDERS MADE TOTALLY OF BOTTLES

>>28215

You're assuming that alice or Patchy would be so narrow in their knowledge. I'm sure both know various other types of magic, but preferring in certain ways. (Marisa in contrast is that narrow in her magic knowledge)

Chances are Alice would empathize finding his own style and teach him useful spells that could help out with everyday life and such.

Your writefag has been lazy as of late, which explains the lack of updates. That and irregular operating hours. Sorry.
-

I'm unsure of what my exact answer was. My lips moved and words came out of my mouth. Alice understood. I had made up my mind, and was on what probably going to be a long road.

"Things will happen quickly once the course has been set." Alice said, placing one of her hands on my arm. I felt most of my arm tingle, thousands of small pricks all along its length up to my shoulder. "If you have any doubts of queries, now would be the time to make them."
"I'm not sure what is supposed to happen. I want to do this, but I can't abandon my lifestyle or anything." Auntie would kill me. I could hear her scolding me for wasting my time doing silly things instead of tending the store or something along those lines. I wasn't going to run away either. "I can't leave and train all day."
"I don't expect you to. Magic is something to be taken seriously, but every user has their own style and proper path for development.."
"How will I know that I'm on the proper path then? It didn't feel like I would have natural aptitude for this sort of thing. I simply found it awe-inspiring but wasn't sure that I could ever understand how to perform magic by myself.
"You'll feel it." Alice smiled, moving her hand up to my shoulder. The needles in my arm felt sharper than before, almost to the point of causing me pain. I realized that this was something that this girl was excited about.

"How do I get started then? You're going to help me right?"
"As is proper." She replied. "Except for very unique and talented individuals, everyone starts with a teacher helping them along."
"Ah." It went with out saying that she would be that teacher.
"There is a matter to address before things can get going."

Alice touched where the mark was on my arm. A pleasant numbness spread from the contact point.

"We have to get rid of this. Make a contract." Her cool eyes met my own. Last time she had suggested the same thing she was forceful and dominant. This time she was more relaxed, evidently convinced that I would go along with her designs. "Otherwise all of your magic is simply going to be absorbed by this annoying sigil and that simply won't do. You can't be a magician if you can't use your magic."

"Is that the only way?" I asked, hoping for a different answer.

"It is if you wish to be a magician." She expanded on what she hoped would occur, "Whatever you're bound to should find itself suppressed by our own beneficial connection." Simply put, there wouldn't be a drain on me.
"And there's nothing complicated that I have to do for this to work?"
"Not especially."

She cocked an eyebrow in the dark, letting me know that it was alright for me to ask any questions that I might have had. For all the excitement that promised to come with being able to use magic, the serenity of that instant seemed almost artificial. The others didn't really care what I was doing out here with Alice, judging by cheers and laughing. Suika started up another song, only to stall halfway because it was evident that she didn't know the lyrics. I smiled as I thought about it.

[] Questions and comments for Alice

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,

[] Alice would be best after all
[] Try to go with Marisa instead

[X] ... if that little sigil drains magic, then it sounds like it could be dangerous. Alice is sure it wouldn't hurt her, or cause her any problems, right?
[X] How about you? Forging this contract shouldn't cause you any problems, right?

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,
[X] Alice would be best after all

Alice would definitely be best. She has technique, and in fact raw power over Marisa - Marisa's big, flashy spells require her to use the Hakkero. She simply doesn't have that much raw magic in her.

Plus, as much of a hard worker as Marisa might be, I can't imagine her being a particularly good teacher. Alice, on the other hand, seems to have the right demeanor as an instructor, plus we know she's willing to accommodate our schedule from what she's just said.

[X] ... if that little sigil drains magic, then it sounds like it could be dangerous. Alice is sure it wouldn't hurt her, or cause her any problems, right?
[X] How about you? Forging this contract shouldn't cause you any problems, right?

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,
[X] Alice would be best after all

Works for me~!

[X] ... if that little sigil drains magic, then it sounds like it could be dangerous. Alice is sure it wouldn't hurt her, or cause her any problems, right?
[X] How about you? Forging this contract shouldn't cause you any problems, right?

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,
[X] Alice would be best after all.

Also Alice would teach him useful things outside of blowing stuff up real good like the ability to sense Reimu.

But I wonder what was Mima's plan with that Sigil, is she planning on sponging off of them or is it part of something else?

[X] ... if that little sigil drains magic, then it sounds like it could be dangerous. Alice is sure it wouldn't hurt her, or cause her any problems, right?
[X] How about you? Forging this contract shouldn't cause you any problems, right?

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,
[X] Alice would be best after all

[X] ... if that little sigil drains magic, then it sounds like it could be dangerous. Alice is sure it wouldn't hurt her, or cause her any problems, right?
[X] How about you? Forging this contract shouldn't cause you any problems, right?

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,
[X] Alice would be best after all

[X] ... if that little sigil drains magic, then it sounds like it could be dangerous. Alice is sure it wouldn't hurt her, or cause her any problems, right?
[X] How about you? Forging this contract shouldn't cause you any problems, right?

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,
[X] Alice would be best after all

[X] ... if that little sigil drains magic, then it sounds like it could be dangerous. Alice is sure it wouldn't hurt her, or cause her any problems, right?
[X] How about you? Forging this contract shouldn't cause you any problems, right?

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,
[X] Alice would be best after all

[x] ... if that little sigil drains magic, then it sounds like it could be dangerous. Alice is sure it wouldn't hurt her, or cause her any problems, right?
[x] How about you? Forging this contract shouldn't cause you any problems, right?

And, if a contract of sorts has to be established,
[x] Alice would be best after all
We take a path, we walk it.

My decision remained the same, though I started to think about some of the finer details of it all. It was a lot to process, and I really wasn't sure if things would even work out. I felt stupid. Sort of like not knowing the answer to a problem in school. Like that problem was something completely different from anything I'd encountered before and I couldn't even begin to imagine the answer to it. It was on a whole different level as far as I was concerned.

Ignorance was a hard thing to bear.

But still I asked, because it would be improper for me not to ask. Growing up, I always tried to do the right thing and not hurt anyone no matter the circumstances. As much as she might tease me at times, Auntie knew that that was how I thought and acted and would trust my decisions. Funny that, thinking about it. She would give me hell for slacking off, but when it came to what I thought was right or wrong she always let me do what I felt was correct.

"Isn't there any danger to you?" I found myself asking with genuine concern, my voice was sober enough to make up for all the drunken girls in the shrine. It really was the right thing to ask.
"Concerned?" Alice looked as if she didn't understand what I was getting at. Or maybe that might have just been the shadows playing tricks on me. The first conclusion appealed to me more.
"The sigil drains magic, right? Then that sounds dangerous. I mean, it might hurt you or cause problems." I explained my concern to her. Already I could imagine a scenario where she was somehow incapacitated and it was all my fault. It wasn't nice to think about.
"Don't worry about it. It's nothing I can't handle. I am assuming that it doesn't do anything as crass as draining life force."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Well," She grinned, looking certain, "You're alive and well aren't you? And you've had this for months now. I trust that I can handle myself."

She sounded confident. Yet - I couldn't let it go so easily.

"Take it easy. That's my advice. I am fully confident in my analysis." She placed a hand on my shoulder, triggering a series of shivers and tingles that I wasn't completely sure were wholly due to the sigil. "You'll understand when we get right down to it. And you'll see that everything is alright."

"Is there something that I should know that you're leaving out about this?" I asked, feeling that I had to be satisfied with what she gave me. It was important to know more about what would happen to me. "I really don't know the first thing about magic or contracts or anything like that."
"I'm not leaving out anything pertinent to you."
"Pertinent to me? I don't want to sound rude, but does that mean that there are things you are leaving out?"
"Let me rephrase - the only thing I'm leaving out are details that you would not understand. Things like 'a stable inversion field' and 'generation of spontaneous transmitigation of incandescence' mean nothing to you, correct?"
"...should they though?"
"Not at this stage."
"So," I made sure, "there's nothing unexpected that would happen from this contract with you? No feeling really tired, having to be somewhere certain times of the day, or strange habits?"
"You're attuning your natural frequency with my own, not becoming a vampire."
"A vampire? What do you mean?" A vampire, whatever that was, didn't sound like a very nice thing to be.
"Oh, you don't know." She frowned. "Never mind, it was a poorly executed attempt at humor." She smiled, simplifying her joke, "I was just implying that you wouldn't suddenly grow horns or anything abnormal like that.."

It wasn't much of a joke.

"Okay." I looked at her. "I'm ready when you're ready then." I nodded, "I've made up my mind and want to make a contract with you." I stretched out my hand, expecting her to do something.
"I'm glad." She just looked at me with a curious look on her face.
"So... can we do this now?"
"No."
"Ah." I dropped my arm.
"This will take a little preparation and the right equipment and materials. Which is why I wanted to do it in my house." She hinted at slight displeasure with my decision the other day. "It's not as simple as a verbal thing."
"And so when do we do it?"
"Tomorrow. Early. Just before sunrise. I'll fetch you from your home."
"That's fine with me." I could shuffle things around to be absent in the morning. There was hardly any work to do. "Do you know where I live?"
"I'll manage to find it." She said with a tone that in any other context would sound unsettling.
"That'll be that then." I concluded,

There was no time to just stand around, maybe exchange an additional word or two about tomorrow.

"Hey Arc~! Get back over here, will ya?" The cries of a loud oni diverted my attention back to the shrine. "We need you!" She waved at me like it would be hard to see her.

It couldn't be helped. I shrugged and walked with Alice in tow to see what all the fuss was about.

Even though I couldn't have been gone for that long, things had taken a rather unexpected twist. The girl whom I didn't know sat with her back to the wall, hiccuping like mad. Aya and Marisa tried to help her up, but found each other to be more interested and kept loosening their grips. Reimu stood by, watching disapprovingly as Suika simply nodded and smiled at the whole exchange.

"It's your fault she's like this." Reimu accused, pointing at the collapsed girl. "Take her back home now."
"Hey, hey. It's not my fault she can't handle her drink." Aya defended herself, "And plus, if I took her home, I'd be going home as well."
"So what? It's your responsibility. I don't care. You're freeloading here anyways."

"Hey," I whispered to Suika as those two went on about the expected, "what happened? And why did you need me?"
"Oh Arc, when didja get here?" The oni spoke loudly, instantly attracting the attention of everyone present. "Apparently she can't handle her drinks very well and so we need to take her to somewhere more quiet so we can continue to drink." As usual, her logic was flawless. "Go give Aya a hand, will you?"

All eyes were upon me, for the second time in the evening. Marisa let go of the girl, "Come on, grab her and go." I really felt like I had no choice, so I just went along with what they were asking me to do. Reimu complained every step of the way, blaming Aya for tricking the girl. Apparently she had offered her drinks, pretending that they were just strong-flavored juices. Didn't sound very plausible to me, but there I was, carrying the supposed victim to an empty room in the shrine.

"Good job there kid." Aya complimented me as we put her to rest on a spare futon. "Keep this hush-hush, will you? People at home wouldn't appreciate much what happened to the prodigal daughter here. I'm better off not being associated with this."
"I don't know what you're on about." Truth be told, I was taking every word that came out of her mouth lightly - she smelled like she had fallen into a vat of distilled liquor. That was an accomplishment in itself, since I was more or less used to the smell of alcohol. For me to notice it, well, it had to be very concentrated.
"Sure. Now come on, let's get back."
"Are you just going to leave her here?"
"She'll be alright. She's a good girl." Her statement was dangerously irresponsible. Kind of as if one of the villagers allowed their son to play with the sharp harvesting equipment. Then again, she knew this person better than I did. She now was out cold to boot.
"..."
"Hm?" She stopped by the door. "Not coming? Your girlfriend and two mistresses will be mad at you. And I'll be upset at you too. I want to drink a bit with you."
"Ah, well..."
"Come on, drinks are on me!"

[] Go with Aya back to the others
[] Stay a while with the girl

[x] Go with Aya back to the others

We should enjoy ourselves, that and I think Sanae's going to be out for a while.

[] Stay a while with the girl

[X] Go with Aya back to the others

>>28279
[X] Stay a while with the girl

Take it easy~

[x] Stay a while with the girl

[X] Go with Aya back to the others

{X} Go with Aya back to the others

[x] Stay a while with the girl

[X] Go with Aya back to the others

[X] Stay a while with the girl

Yeah, the others might be a little disappointed, but they're rowdy and inconsiderate anyway, and Arc has to stand up for himself some time. Looking after Sanae is the right thing to do.

[X] Go with Aya back to the others

[x] Stay a while with the girl

[+] Go with Aya back to the others
Sanae will be fine.

Also, how the hell does she go this long without gaining a tolerance for alcohol when she lives with the likes of Kanako?

>>28317

Most likely because Kanako doesn't let her drink, that and Sanae's descended from Suwako, for all we know has such a terrible alcohol tolerance.

That and chances are some strong stuff was involved (maybe not Oni strength, but strong enough to get a person drunk quickly)

[0] Stay a while with the girl

[x] Stay a while with the girl.

Calling it (I'm trying to get out of my vicious laziness cycle).

>>28318
Mm, I don't think Kanako would disallow Sanae to drink, since several purification rituals that miko must perform involve sake. But you have a point about the strong stuff; I neglected to remember what heavy drinkers Tengu are, and if even Aya is stumbling, then it must be some pretty strong booze.

she's not a miko she's a wind priestess >:v

>>28324
It's not to"mei"to, it's to"ma"to.

>>28324

She's technicially still a shrine priestess of the Moriya shrine. It just so happens she has the bloodline of a god in her.

"Sorry, but I'll stay here a while I think." I informed Aya of my decision.
"Oh." It seemed that she didn't really care what I did, not making a big issue of it, "Next time then. Just make sure not to molest her or anything, or you'll be in trouble."

She left, implying that I might do something that I would never do.

It was the right thing to do. Staying there, I thought about all of the things that could happen to the girl. She could spew, choke on it, and die. It would be irresponsible to just leave her way out here with no supervision. Even if she was just sleeping.

I'd seen my fair share of drunks, normal ones unlike the oni out there, and I knew that some people could be unpredictable.

She looked normal though. A perfectly tranquil expression on her face, as if she were having the best sleep of her life. I sat down some distance away from her, trying not to stare too much at her. That'd be rude. And creepy.

"Mm..."She whimpered in her sleep. It was so soft that I thought it was part of the background noise at first. But then she did it again, saying something softly. I got closer, trying to see if she was maybe feeling ill. "Mm... mama..."

I shirked back. She was probably just dreaming. About her mother probably. It might have been a nice dream. Together somewhere on a sunny afternoon, talking and laughing. Perhaps helping around the house, her company making the chores seems easier and more fun. They would work in tandem, cleaning and making sure everything was perfect in their household. And after that, towards evening, they would begin to prepare the evening meal together. Surely waiting for her father who would come back home after a hard day at work and be greeted by his loving wife and daughter. They'd all laugh, joke, and have a pleasant meal together.

And even if it were just that, it would still be a pretty nice dream.

Before I had realize it, she had sat up and was looking at me with unsteady eyes.

"Ah, it's so hot." She spoke. Her words came out firmly but they probably weren't directed at me. She tried to stand, stumbling almost immediately as her hands failed to provide enough support.

I moved in to support her.

"Hey," I used the most calm and soothing voice I could manage. I didn't know her nor what she was capable of. She gripped me tightly, putting the whole of her weigh on me, forcing me to get her up. "You should stay still."
"It's really really hot." She repeated her previous assessment, looking around like a frightened animal. She tried to take a step, stumbled, and I caught her before anything bad happened.
"Stay still. If you work yourself up, you'll feel even hotter.."

Naturally my advice was ignored. She began to thrash about, her strength minimal, but the range of motions almost knocked the both of us over several times. She really paid me no mind, instead singlemindedly trying to get out the room.\\

"Ok. Fine." I gave up trying to fight her. "I'll do whatever you want to do. It's hot, right? How about some fresh air then?"
"Mmhmm.. Fresh air is good." She closed her eyes, smiling placidly. She almost fell asleep again, but just when I thought I could put her down her eyes opened. "I want fresh air. Pretty please."

Not able to leave her alone, I had no choice but to help her outside. She leaned heavily against me, so much so that I practically became her legs for the journey. Walking with her like this was awkward. She really weighed me down because I was doing all of the effort.

I took her to the nearest exit that I knew of, on the opposite side of the shrine to the others. All along the painfully slow trip, the girl smiled and nodded to herself.

"Here we are." The cool night air felt refreshing as I helped her to sit down on the porch. "Feel better?"
"Mmhmm..."She looked up at me with childlike glee. "Thank you very much Mr. Policeman for taking me home."
"Er... 'policeman'. I don't know what you're talking about."
"Hm..."I wonder?" She tried to place a hand for support under her chin, but missed her head by a fair distance. "Maybe you're one of those, Mr..."
"It's Arc, And I really am not following you here. Just try to relax and enjoy the cool air."
"Oh oh!" Her eyes lit up and she swayed, almost tipping over. "Sanae Kochiya, age fift... no sixt... no se...eigh-" I can't remember! But I've lived in the prefecture for most of my life and so I thank you for walking me home."

She didn't make sense. But then again, I didn't really have much hope for her in her current state. I wondered what she might have had to get this drunk.

"You know Arcpoliceperson, you're really nice. Want to be my friend?" It was like she was wearing her heart on her sleeve.
"I told you, it's just Arc." I humored her. "And yes, I'll be your friend Sanae."
"Ehehe~ good. We should celebrate then!" She tried to get up, but immediately flopped back down. I really didn't know how she was functioning. "Whoops. Just got a little bit dizzy. I guess I'll stay down here a bit longer. Come on join me, 'kay?" She swatted the wood next to her lazily, ostensibly patting the spot she expected me to sit in."

I sat next to her and she instantly put her head on my shoulder, slumping into a comfortable collapse. She really didn't look alright. And not just because she kept dozing off for several seconds at a time. I had to think how to best deal with this drunken girl. She seemed talkative, sort of. Maybe it was the cool night air. That was something else I had to watch out for, I didn't want her to be affected by the cold too much in her state.

I sighed as her head began to slip from my shoulder to my chest.

How should the girl be handled:
[] Actions, attitudes, dialog, all that jazz and more go here

[x] Try and keep her awake. It may seem rude, but it'll prevent a massive hangover tomorrow.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.

[x] Try and keep her awake. It may seem rude, but it'll prevent a massive hangover tomorrow.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x]Get a blanket before she's gets too cold.

In during BUT THE HOOCH MAKES YOU WARMER

[x] Try and keep her awake. It may seem rude, but it'll prevent a massive hangover tomorrow.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x]Get a blanket before she's gets too cold.

"so, i herd u wer a good girl..."
half expecting her to fall asleep again and having to carry her back

[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x]Get a blanket before she's gets too cold.
Sleeping or staying awake has zero effect on hangover though. Giving her water to drink might help, but she deserves the pain.

[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x]Get a blanket before she's gets too cold.

Works for me~!

[+] Get her plenty of water to sip on.
[+] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[+] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

The water is important; it helps flush the toxins out of the bloodstream and reduce the swelling and dehydration that causes the hangover.

[x] Get her plenty of water to sip on.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

[x] Get her plenty of water to sip on.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

[x] Get her plenty of tea to sip on.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

Tea is superior.

The effect of caffeine on hangovers is well documented, which are a combination of the diuretic action and peripheral vasoconstriction that antagonize the effects of acetaldehyde and promote its excretion. The water in will relieve the mild dehydration, which is due to the sweating and urination. It's also a respiratory stimulant, and counteracts the suppressant action of alcohol intoxication on breathing.

It's a shame we don't have any willow bark.

[x] Get her plenty of tea to sip on.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

[x] Get her plenty of tea to sip on.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

[0] Get her plenty of tea to sip on.
[1] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[2] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

[x] Get her plenty of tea to sip on.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

[x] Get her plenty of tea to sip on.
[x] Ask her to talk about whatever happened earlier in the day.
[x] Get a blanket before she gets too cold.

Update in a while, am unfortunately busy. Poor Sanae.

>>28378

Hopefully it doesn't end up making Sanae hot. We don't need Arc getting caught with a half-naked drunken Sanae.

I'll be trying to pick up the updating pace a bit. If not today, tomorrow.
-
"Are you really alright?" I asked, looking at her with worry. She was looking pretty out of it, worrying me. I had no idea just how drunk she was.

She didn't reply. But her head shook, a shiver. She was probably cold.

"You probably don't want to go back inside yet right?" I asked and received no reply as expected. I tried to get up, but found that she stubbornly clung on to me. "Hey, I'm going to get you some tea and a blanket." She didn't reply, turning her head upward to look into my face. Her eyes asked me to stay. "I won't be long, you can wait a little bit right? You'll feel better after."

"Okay." Her soft reply came with an equally soft nod. "No one's home anyways. I'll be good and wait."

She let go of me, slumping up against the wall. She closed her eyes again, presumably dozing off. I told her again that I wouldn't take long and got up. It was first to the kitchen, skirting past the commotion out front. There I set the kettle to boil some water, and I drew some cool water for good measure. That way she would have her pick. I didn't waste time standing around, looking for a blanket to give her while the water boiled.

I couldn't find a blanket nearby, and didn't feel like interrupting the others to ask where a one might be. Luckily I found something appropriate though. That would do in a pinch. Suika's coat from earlier - the long checkered material would be enough to cover the girl up and protect her from the cold. I held the coat in one arm as I got a tray from the kitchen with beverages.

I found her as I had left her. She stirred as I gently placed the coat over her, getting most of her under it.

"Here, I brought the tea. Might help you feel better. And some water too. Drink up." I sat next to her and helped her sit up. She groaned, not all too thrilled about being moved and stared at the cup of hot tea blankly.
"I don't feel so good." She said weakly.
"That's why you should drink up, it'll make you feel better." I felt sorry for her, "Want me to hold the cup up for you?"
"No, I really don't feel good."
"What's wrong then?" I asked.

My reply came soon enough. She lurched forward, tripping over her own outstretched hands. It wasn't a pretty sight, and I reacted quickly enough to help her along. She cleared the porch and hovered with her head over the ground before vomiting. I kept her from falling with one hand as she expelled her insides' contents violently. The sickening smell of the acidic contents assaulted my nostrils as I scrambled with my other hand to keep her hair from falling into the path of the spew.

The incident thankfully ended promptly. She emptied what little was in her stomach quickly and quivered back onto the floor looking upset.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She apologized over and over again shaking her head.
"It's alright, it happens." I didn't want her to feel too bad. Compared to the occasional drunk making an absolute mess in front of the store, her expulsion was most civilized. She continued to apologize though, and it took a while of further consolation before she stopped talking and simply whimpered with tears in her eyes. "Hey now, don't cry. It's alright. You just needed to do that. It's understandable."
"I'm not home at all, am I?" She sobbed, letting her emotions out. "I didn't want to do it, but I did. I made a mess."
"Like I said, it's alright. I'll clean it up later."
"Why should you have to?" She began to hiccup. I offered her some water, luckily neither it or the tea was spilled over when she moved suddenly. She drank. "Tastes horrible."
"Do you want your tea now? It'll make your stomach settle and help you sober up."
"No..."She was still pretty out of it, her movements sluggish.
"Come now, don't be difficult." I tried to get her to stop crying, but didn't know how to handle the situation.
"I don't want to be like this!" She clung on to me. "I'm so cold..."
"Alright there." I tried to calm her down by hugging her and placing the coat over her.?Hold still and you'll feel warm in no time.."

There was something about her, her state and look, that made me want to be nice to her. Perhaps it was because pressed against me was the first girl I had met in a while that seemed absolutely normal. I didn't know how to explain it to myself, since I didn't really know her, but it seemed true enough. She continued to sob for a while, before eventually settling down.

"There... feel warm now?" I asked, prepared to let go.
"Feels really warm and comfortable." Her voice was a bit hoarse.
"Want the tea now?" Not that it could be very warm at this stage. I felt her nod and I reached out for the cup. "Here you go."

She took the tea gratefully, moving apart from me and to my side. She sipped, a smile on her face.

"You look a bit better now." I commented. "The color has returned to your face, you're a bit red though, but that's probably still the alcohol."
"Mmm." She didn't reply over another gulp of the tea, showing a bit of nervousness in her attitude. A sign that was sobering up in good order.

I got up.

"Stay here, okay?" I told her. "I'm going to tell the others about what just happened. They'll take you home."
"Ah, no!" She looked at with a pitiful pleading look in her eyes. "Please you can't tell them!"
"Why not? It'd be better if you got home to a warm bed. It's pretty late already."
"I don't want her to find out, so please!" She acted more coordinated now, but with enough slowness in her movements to betray how she was really feeling.
"Ah? Who? Look, it's important that you get rest somewhere comfortable. You drank a lot and I'm surprised at how well you've dealt with it. But there's no need to tough it out here."
"Please don't..."She begged, grabbing onto my leg, but I thought that she was being too stubborn for her own good. She wasn't in the right mind to be making that sort of decision, not after throwing up like that.
"I have to clean up anyways, so I need to get cleaning materials. Please let go."
"Are you going to tell?"
"Maybe... it's for your own good you know."
"I don't want you to tell..."She let go of my leg despite it all.

I walked back inside, looking for cleaning materials. I found a dirty rag and a bucket and I fetched a couple of other items and some water while I was at it. I passed by the room where the others were and stalled for a moment.

[] Have them take Sanae home
[] Just clean up

Oh boy! Drunk, defenceless innocent girl? in front of us!" this is an outrage!
Seriously tho, i have no idea what's her problem with going back home, but i guess Arc has done his fair share of kindness for her now, so unless someone has a reason to do otherwise,
[X] Just clean up
and call it a day.
Besides, it wont be the first time Reimu has drunk people sleeping at her home is it?

Oh God, so moHNNNNNNNNGGG

[X] Just clean up

[x] Just clean up

[X] Just clean up

Oh, poor, poor Sanae. I just want to hug her.

>>28414
[X] Just clean up

[X] Just clean up

[x] Just clean up

At this rate, Sanae will steal Arc from Reimu and Suika without trying.

[X] Just clean up

[x] Just clean up

Carrying the cleaning supplies back outside, I ran into Suika just outside the bathroom. She greeted me as though we hadn't seen each other in a long time.

"Oh hey Arc, how have you been? Keeping busy?"
"Been fine. And yes, a bit busy."
"That girl interest you?"
"You mean Sanae?"
"She's a shrine maiden as well you know. Maybe." She gave me the reason why her dress resembled Reimu's somewhat. "That shrine we went to? Hers."
"Ah."
"Ah indeed." She nodded, noticing the things I was carrying. "Working instead of having fun? I'm not paying you this time, you know. You should come drink with us."
"Sorry, but like I said, I'm sort of busy."
"That's ok. We're about done anyways over there. I think that the humans are about to pass out. A drink or two more, and they'll be out and sleeping peacefully." She then added, sounding ambiguous, "We can have our own little celebration after that."
"Eh? What do you mean?" I had assumed she was more or less sober, but I realized just how drunk she was. She was pacing in place, unable to stand completely still.
"You know... well, you'll know when you see it. If I'm not too tired that is."
"Alright. Have fun then."
"You too, but don't get carried away just because she shows off the same parts of her that Reimu does."

I shook my head as I left her. As far as drunkards went she was coherent - she managed to keep great control of her speech regardless of how much she drank. The frightening thing about all this, I realized, is that I could tell just how far gone she was now. Months of spending time with her imprinted the subtleties of her inebriation. That wasn't something to be proud of.

"I'm back." I announced softly. Sanae was still sitting in the same spot, clutching the coat tightly. She looked at me with a pained expression of worry. I answered the unspoken question casually while putting down the bucket, "I just went to get cleaning materials, nothing else."

She thanked me in a low whisper, and I found myself looking away from her for some reason. It was much easier to lose myself in cleaning up than trying to understand the situation properly. I came to clean, so clean I did. Luckily there wasn't much to clean up. It had mostly gone to the ground without touching the wooden structure of the shrine. For the few spots on the wood that the vomit had reached I managed to scrub easily, leaving things like before. As far as I could tell anyways. It was dark back here and some spots might have been hidden by the night.

The water really helped. Virtually all of the expelled material was liquid and was absorbed into the earth. Applying water was enough to get rid of the strong smell coming from the dark patches of soil. It wasn't a perfect fix, but it was the best I could do with the materials at hand.

When I was done, I turned back to the girl. She was asleep again now, with a serene expression spread across her face. I accidentally woke her up as I took the cleaning material away. Finding myself forced into having to say something, I asked how she was doing, "Would you like to go back inside? It's chilly out here."

"Ok." Her voice was groggy, obviously she was feeling sleepy.

I had to help her walk along, supporting her by having her place her arm around me. It was better than when we had gone out, but was still a slow ordeal. Midway through she spoke again, not making herself very clear from the outset.

"Can we stop for a bit?"
"Feeling tired? It's just a bit more and then you'll be able to lie down."
"I... don't want to lie down." She spoke with anxiety in her voice.
"It's really cool outside though, you'll catch a cold if you stay as we were."
"Um, it's not that.."
"Do you feel like throwing up again? Hang on, I'll go get the bucket." I began to rush but she stopped me.

She leaned up against the wall, speaking while avoiding my gaze.

"I need to go." She struggled to get the next sentence out, "I need to go to the bathroom."
"Oh. Oh." I felt awkward with her admission. I tried to not make a big deal out of it, "Of course, no problem, you have been drinking after all and-" I realized I had just made something of a deal about the subject. "Anyways, sorry. Let's go then."
"Thanks..."

We walked to the bathroom together, at a quicker pace for her benefit. She was able to use the facilities with no incident by herself, so I was able to wait outside patiently She came out looking refreshed. And we went back together to the room without speaking to one another.

As I expected, she fell asleep again as soon as her head hit the futon. I was sitting at the same place as before, as unsure of what to do as then. It wasn't long before someone came in.

"Yo Arc. Wanna go home?" Suika made the offer casually.
"Is everyone leaving?"
"No, not really. Not everyone. Some will definitely spend the night. But we're done partying if that's what you're saying."
"Ah, ok then."
"You good to go? I promised auntie that I'd watch out for you, and it's no good if you sleep too late."
"Right yeah, I'm good to go. Is Reimu around?"
"Sleeping. Looks like both shrine maidens had a full day."
"Oh that's a shame." I let out a loud yawn.
"So did you, huh? Alright, let's go before you fall asleep on me."

So she said.

But going home was something of a blur. I'd gotten there before I realized it, probably because my mind was basically asleep.

My mind woke up as I went inside though.

Auntie had waited for me, a worried look crossed her face. As she saw me her expressions cycled in rapid succession between relief and disciplinary sternness. Suika probably caused the relief to triumph in her. The oni exchanged a few happy words with my auntie before saying goodnight and leaving.

"Suika said that you were in good company the whole day, but you had me worried." She confessed, acting softer than I would have expected her to. I had stayed out late before, but for some reason I had always expected her to be very cross with me the day I stayed out without warning her first. "No one had seen you in the village since morning, and you know how a million and one things can happen if you're out there."
"Sorry about that. But I was fine, really."
"You don't look so fine. You look really tired. Something happened, didn't it?"
"It's late, that's all."
"Then what about that stain on your shirt there?"
"Hm?" I looked at where she pointed. It was vomit. I hadn't noticed in the dark but it looked like Sanae had hit me after all.
"I know that you're all grown up now but I still worry about you, you know.."

I felt that at any time she was going to remind me of how I spent so much time with her as a child, clinging to her like there was no separating us. I liked spending time with her, and she liked spending time with me. As we grew up though, we drifted apart. Maybe it was because of all the teasing she got from her friends. Or maybe she realized that I needed my own space. I never had spoken to her about that, or even why she did what she did after that incident...

In any case, she looked at me expectantly. I was really tired. I had to get some sleep, any sleep, if I had to get up before dawn.

[] Tell auntie about today to put her at ease
[] Give her a vague answer and go get some rest

(you may want to specify which portions should be shared and if certain parts should be changed or omitted, the tone also might matter)

This may also be the last update for today as I'll be quite busy in a couple of hours.

[x] Give her a vague answer and go get some rest
She'll get the full story off Suika anyways, nothing we can say matters much here.

{Z} Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
-{Z} Be upbeat, you had fun today.
--{Z} Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
--{Z} Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine.

You could tell her the gist of what happened without going into great detail and set her mind at ease.

Also, Drunken Sanae is cute.

{x} Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
-{x} Be upbeat, you had fun today.
--{x} Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
--{x} Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine. (But leave out the puking part)

[X] Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
-[X} Be upbeat, you had fun today.
--[X] Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
--[X] Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine. (But leave out the puking part)
--[X] Don't forget to mention that Alice is going to pick you up in the morning, and that you plan to spend the rest of the day with Reimu...

Hope that making that contract won't tire Arc out too much for the festival. Knowing his luck...

>>28435
>spend the rest of the day with Reimu.

Really? Is that so? I don't think we asked her. I mean we asked her for time to ask her but we didn't actually ask her.

>?Well, there's something that I want to talk to you in private about. Not here. Not right now." I suppressed most of my nervousness long enough to get that out. It was hard to do, and I hadn't felt like this since... well, that was long ago. "Maybe we could take some time, a break? To, you know, get your mind off things. Not around all these distractions. It'd be good. For you I mean. That is if you think that it's a good idea, I'd like it as well."

So I have no idea if we're going to be spending time with Reimu or not.

>>28436

>and that you plan to spend the rest of the day with Reimu...

No one said anything about succeeding. But that's the plan. Given that, unless I've misread, tomorrow is the festival day, and the whole point of trying to find Reimu yesterday was to ask her to the festival, I'd think spending the day with her is exactly what we intended to do.

[X] Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
[X} Be upbeat, you had fun today.
[X] Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
[X] Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine. (But leave out the puking part)
--[X] Don't forget to mention that Alice is going to pick you up in the morning, and that maybe you plan to spend the rest of the day with Reimu.
I'm a bit unsure about telling Auntie about Alice picking us up, but i guess she will have no problems with it?

We can do business with Alice first thing then go to the shrine to pick up Reimu then enjoy the festival.

Sounds like a decent enough plan.

[X] Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
[X} Be upbeat, you had fun today.
[X] Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
[X] Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine. (But leave out the puking part)
--[X] Don't forget to mention that Alice is going to pick you up in the morning, and that maybe you plan to spend the rest of the day with Reimu.

Works for me~!

[X] Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
[X} Be upbeat, you had fun today.
[X] Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
[X] Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine. (But leave out the puking part)
--[X] Don't forget to mention that Alice is going to pick you up in the morning, and that maybe you plan to spend the rest of the day with Reimu.

[X] Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
[X} Be upbeat, you had fun today.
[X] Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
[X] Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine. (But leave out the puking part)
--[X] Don't forget to mention that Alice is going to pick you up in the morning, and that maybe you plan to spend the rest of the day with Reimu.

[X] Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
[X} Be upbeat, you had fun today.
[X] Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
[X] Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine. (But leave out the puking part)
--[X] Don't forget to mention that Alice is going to pick you up in the morning, and that maybe you plan to spend the rest of the day with Reimu.

This should reassure his aunt that Arc has a healthy interest in relatively normal human girls.

I want to say that there'll likely be no update in the coming hours. I have been awake for enough days to have lost count and some touch with reality. Until this problem is rectified, I'm not going to try to write. Otherwise ludicruous thoughts fill my mind, ones of poor boy Arc's aunt taking a stand with him, forbidding him from seeing those other hussies and claiming him for her own. Or another popular thought would be a spiriting away of the sleeping lad, by a promiscuous single-horned oni for her own amusement. And last but not least, picturing the shrine maiden of paradise and the newcomer go at it in a no-holds barred match - not only to establish the pecking order once and for all but to claim our oblivious boy. There would be a lot of ripped outfits after that fight.

...but this is all the product of a really weary mind, so pay no heed.

Besides the apology for not updating, I'd also like to tie in the decline in quality. The reason for both issues are similar and sometimes one and the same.

I'll stop writing now and hopefully go take an extended vacation through dreamland. If successful, I'll come back refreshed and I think that several of the coming updates will be fast once they're in the making.

>>28451

Now that you've mentioned them, I want every single one of those as a side story. However, this:

>poor boy Arc's aunt taking a stand with him, forbidding him from seeing those other hussies and claiming him for her own.

I demand a side story of this! Arc needs his aunt to teach him, firsthand, who the most important woman in his life is, and what he needs to do to keep her pleased in bed.

>>28451
Take it easy.

>>28449

Thing is his aunt LOVES Suika, and if Suika wanted to marry Arc, his aunt would not complain.

But I must say it's interesting how the divide formed between them, I wonder if that'll be a plot point.

Sorry, still no update. I need to sleep more. Funny how after not sleeping, sleeping well comes hard. When I do rest and feel well enough, you can bet that this will be the first thing I take care of. I wish to write what comes next, the next story day, as it'll be really fun.

>>28452
It would be a bold move for her, to claim Arc for herself like that. And surely many an hour would be spent with her teaching Arc what real love is. But in order for that to happen, a lot of things would have to come into place. And I'm afraid I've got higher priorities on my list than writing about incestuous smut an intimate and loving relationship. Unfortunately anon, it's up to you to fill the gap here and maybe generate more buzz for the idea.

>>28481

What? How can you not want to write about Arc's aunt slamming the door shut, forbidding him to see any of those sinful women, then shoving him onto the counter and taking him for herself right then and there? How can you not want to write about her tenderly running her hands over his body, coaching him through his first experience with a woman, before kissing him lovingly as he finally ejaculates into her, and she takes all he has to offer with a happy sigh? Don't you want them to be happy?

Poor auntie deserves some happiness, doesn't she? That said...

[X] Tell auntie a bit about today to put her at ease.
[X] Be upbeat, you had fun today.
[X] Suika took you around to meet her friends today.
[X] Afterwords they had a bit of an impromptu party at the shrine. (But leave out the puking part)
--[X] Don't forget to mention that Alice is going to pick you up in the morning, and that maybe you plan to spend the rest of the day with Reimu.
[X] "... I'm sorry for making you worry, auntie. I never wanted to worry you, but... I'm glad that you care that much. I'll try not to make you feel that way again."
-[X] Step forward and give her a hug. She's your family, your only real family, and this is home. You shouldn't go around making her worry like that.

Slight addendum to my previous vote, which I apparently can't delete. Not that it matters much given that no one seems to be voting for anything else...

I actually do feel kind of bad about making her worry about Arc like that.

>>28481

It's more side story material than something in the actual story.

For one there's the matter of healing that gap somehow.

Second an incestuous thing would ruin the actual story as far as I can tell.

[+] >>28484
That's a pretty good series of actions if I ever heard one. Seems a bit more open than Arc usually is, but that's not a bad thing; maybe this will help him be more honest.

Fuck fuck fuck. No update for now. I'm thoroughly pissed. I had the update ready, editing, revising, about to post and then the damn word processor crashes. Not only that, but it completely devoured the 2000+ words of the update. Saved over it with an old version? I'm not sure. Automatic backing up and restoring my ass. I am extremely butthurt about this and can't really see myself writing all that just quite yet. Especially when it was just so damn perfect.

Goddamn it.

>>28500
Ouch, hope this won't make you put off writing for too long though.

>>28500

Damn, that's always a painful one. Sit down and take some time to cool off; I know you're probably going to feel like whatever you produce now isn't as good as the original update, because that's almost always how it ends up feeling, but... well...

As Rin might say, "be of good cheer!"

>>28500
I remember having that happen to me once but on a more pressing situation, class...

Nonetheless it's good to know that you're still passionate about writing this cyoa as we are reading it.

have a beer

or vodka and mountain-dew mixed?

>>28500
I'm not the best at giving advice in situations like these, but if I might have a go at it...

Try doing something that calms you down, then see if you can't reconstruct it from memory. If you can't, don't beat yourself up about it; just try, that's all we ask.

>>28500
This is why you don't use an overcomplicated bullshit program like Microsoft Word to write anything important.

http://tinyurl.com/notepad-plus-551

In addition to Notepad++, you should add this plugin to it as well.

http://www.mediafire.com/?ztnhyqjimdn

It gives notepad++ the option to autosave when the application loses focus or you can set it so that it automatically saves after a set amount of time.

Sorry for not updating. Initial frustration led to laziness which, coupled with some real life things, has kept me from updating. Makes me feel guilty. But I'll have something later today or tomorrow most likely. I have to exorcise the sloth demon that resides within. A muse would also be nice.

>>28712
Feeling dogged down? Don't worry. I know how ruff it can be, but these aren't the dog days of summer, anymore. You've got to get out there and go fetch your inspiration, you know? Don't sit here, howling at the moon!
Just keep at it, and you'll get that blue ribbon sooner or later. But you've got to focus, unless you like simply chasing your own tail.

>>28722
You might say that I'm feeling just dog tired. I'm scratching myself, trying not to roll over, attempting to find the trick to updating. It's not easy, writing on command. Beings leashed to my own whims is causing me to miss my treat.

I really should unmuzzle myself already and chase this update down. After all, time heels all wounds.

>>28722
>>28738

You are both terrible people who should be put down like the dogs that you are.

>>28739
You're barking at the wrong tree there.

Update within the hour, for real! New thread because this one is perilously close to autosage.

next thread
>>28753