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THE STORY SO FAR:
The world has ended, but five (well, it’s complicated) humans get a chance to do it over, and make things right. Only problem is, for their second go around, they're not going to be 'human'...
Kosuzu, Reimu, Akyuu and Youmu have all remembered their pasts, and through significant trials and tribulations, begun the path of fighting against the doomed future. Of the five Immaterial Children who were wound back in time together, only one remains - the former magician, Kirisame Marisa.
In this life, she is Houjuu Marisa, raised on the island of Sado in the outside world. Spending her childhood years looking up at the stars, the arrival of the Spiral Comet awoke her inhuman heritage - one she was completely unaware of, and equally unprepared to deal with. Having left her life on the island, she now searches for a way to get to Gensokyo - though why she seeks it, even she couldn’t say.
But though she has left her home behind, she is not without allies. She has met up with Goutokuji Mike, a friend she met online, and together they’ve decided to search for a path to the mysterious Gensokyo. Perhaps the Rainbow Market, hosted by the mysterious Tenkyuu Chimata, will provide their first step to uncovering the hidden world they seek…
Previous Threads:
Redo/Reimu >>205449 >>205720
Again/Akyuu >>206017 >>206302 >>206595 >>206906 >>207202
Yester/Youmu >>207370 >>207705 >>208027 >>208337 >>208664 >>208978
Kaizou/Kosuzu >>209221 >>209492 >>209799 >>210140 >>210522 >>210832 >>211127 >>211466 >>211848 >>212143
Memoria/Marisa >>212437 >>212766
Epilogues and Shorts >>/shorts/2804
Or read the story archive on Ao3:
https://archiveofourown.org/series/4062991
Outside/Omakes (Shorts from Other Writers): >>/shorts/2947
As they were eating away at their skewers, Marisa fished out the damaged digital monster from her pocket, clicking away at it. Mike leaned over, trying to assess the device.
“Ah, yeah, that’s bad. Don’t think you’re saving that one.” Mike’s grimace was even less reassuring than her words.
Marisa sighed, muscle memory guiding her through the motions of feeding and cleaning. “Maybe not, but… it’s my favourite, y’know?” She sighed, putting it down into her bag. “Ah, but while we’re here, I should do the others too.”
Mike rolled her eyes. “Others? Marisa, how many did you bring on your big escape from Sado?”
The islander responded by lifting her hand out, with a grin somewhere between mischievous and sheepish. She had a tamagotchi perched in each gap of her fingers, and a dozen digital pets or more were hanging from the keychains acting as rings. “This should be most of the ones I started with.”
The other girl’s eyes boggled at the collection. “That’s… that’s too many… wait, that’s what you started with? Marisa…”
Marisa took another bite, pooling the small devices in her lap and doing maintenance on them one-by-one. “Yeah… well… What can I say? I’m a collector at heart.”
“Even on a runaway’s budget?”
“That’s the catch, actually.” Marisa could feel Mike’s eyes in the back of her head. “I’m… not great at managing money stuff. Kinda already running empty.”
The other girl let out a long, long sigh. “Alright, alright… You need a hand to keep your wallet in check?” Marisa nodded, guiltily turning her gaze back to Mike. “Fine, fine. Leave any haggling to me, got it?”
“...Thanks, Mike. I really appreciate it.” Marisa took another bite, continuing to shuffle through her devices. “Anything you need help with, in exchange?”
“Well… maybe I’ll just keep you as owing me a favor.” She chuckled. “Or maybe I’ll make you owe me one whenever I stop you.”
“Oooof, you’re driving a hard bargain.” Marisa smirked. “But that’s exactly what I wanted your assistance for.”
The two of them spent a little longer, Mike eventually being recruited to feed more of the digital pets. With the long list of digimon and tamagotchi fed - not to mention the girls themselves - the duo finally got up to explore the market more casually.
The quickly-struck bargain soon proved its worth. While the various small potted plants and handicrafts didn’t catch Marisa’s attention all that much, there were some places selling fan-comics or second-hand devices, and those required Mike to almost hold the islander back. In the end, despite that being the exact reason why she’d asked for her help… Marisa’s wallet still ended up feeling a lot heavier than she wanted it to be.
As they were finishing up their walk-around, one last place caught the Sado native’s attention. A stall manned by a young blue-haired girl was littered with devices, with Marisa once again cooing over them. But among the relatively common pieces, two items caught her attention.
One was a pair of goggles with golden frames. Marisa lifted the goggles up, putting them on her head. “How do I look?”
Mike raised an eyebrow. “Do you really need those? Would have thought any islander would have carried her own goggles.”
“I did, but I broke them not long after hitting the mainland.” She’d still been struggling to even understand her own strength then. She popped them on top. “Come on, don’t they look good?”
A nod was given as confirmation. “I won’t deny that. …Ugh, fine, how much is that one?”
“Just 2000 yen. Truth be told, they’re a miscoloured version, but they turned out so lovely that we thought they’d be perfect for a market like this.” The blue-haired girl tapped a similar pair in green perched atop her matching cap. Mike gave it a moment of thought, letting out an uncertain noise.
Marisa grinned. “Cool, works for me.” That just meant they were one-of-a-kind, right? That made them even cooler.
With that possible purchase lined up, Marisa took another scan of the stall’s contents. One odd game cartridge caught her attention. It was pitch-black, and missing any signs of a label.
“Hey, Mike? Look at this.” She lifted the cartridge off the table. “What do you think of it?”
Mike leaned in. “Hmmm… something about it seems-”
The blue-haired girl grinned. “Oooh, you two have a good eye! That cartridge contains a prototype game that was never officially released, in fact! Would you two be interested?”
Marisa… shared a glance with her friend. Mike did not seem to have the same enthusiasm she did. “Iunno, this one seems… off.”
“Now now, it’s all-but one of a kind!” The seller leaned in closer, bringing her face right up to Marisa’s. “Can you really afford to miss out on such a rare collectible?”
The words struck right in Marisa’s weak spots. Mike rolled her eyes. “Marisa, you didn’t even bring a gameboy.”
“But it’s one-of-a-kind!” Marisa resisted her friend’s attempts to tug it out of her hands.
“That… doesn’t… matter!” Mike kept pulling. “If it wasn’t released, that’s probably because it’s bad!”
“But it’s a collectible! You heard her! It’s an unreleased game!”
“If I may…” Another voice interjected. “Perhaps you should be asking whether that’s really true.”
The two girls turned. There was another short woman behind them, wearing shorts and a loose green shirt. She had long, black hair, piercing red eyes, and-
Something was wrong. Marisa narrowed her eyes. Something about this woman’s face… it was giving her similar vibes as her pursuers, an indescribable wrongness. And yet… the feeling was focused, pulling Marisa’s eye in. Something about the woman’s face...
She stepped past the two girls, easily pulling the cartridge out of their hands. She dangled it like a dead lizard, in front of the shopkeeper’s face. “Your story about this item… it depends on this being a legitimate copy, yes? A perfectly normal prototype, in fact?”
The blue haired girl started to sweat. “W-well, of course! I-it’s, it’s perfectly normal.”
“Is that so? Because usually, these sorts of items have some identifying markers or the like. You’re in the tech industry, you’d know that much, right?” The green-clad woman leant in, her facing getting near to the shopkeeper’s increasingly pale expression.
“A-are you claiming it’s a bootleg? I assure you madam, it’s entirely legitimate…” The blue-haired woman did not have the air of someone being unfairly questioned. She shuffled back, unable to meet the woman’s steely gaze.
Marisa grabbed Mike’s hand, pulling her back. The other girl turned to her, confused, and the sound of her shuffling feet caught the eerie woman’s attention. Now that she had that sense of wrongness in her focus, it was all the islander could think about. Marisa felt a drop of sweat trickle down her face, as she was brought into the gaze of those piercing, red eyes.
The strange woman seemed to take a moment to study Marisa’s face… before a small smirk crept to her lips. She raised a single hand, snapping her fingers, and the off-putting feeling disappeared - replaced by two small, yellow horns, banded with strips of red cloth.
Marisa and Mike both gasped. The shopkeeper went bone-white. The horned woman snapped her fingers, once again hiding her horns and turning back to the shopkeeper.
Marisa gulped. Though the strange feeling had returned with the disappearance of the horns, something about knowing why turned it from unsettling to relieving. If she squinted, she could almost still see them. What wasn’t relieving, however, was the fact that this was definitely not a human woman standing before them.
The horned lady smirked, reaching over and using a manicured finger to lift the capped girl’s chin. “Now, Cappy - can I call you Cappy? Cappy, I could keep going with you about this item under false pretenses… but perhaps I should just say that anything quite so… touched shouldn’t be sold out in the open, hmm?”
The newly-christened Cappy stammered, struggling to speak right with the woman’s finger on her throat. “O-of course not! My deepest apologies, milady, I-I was unable to reserve one of the uh, the ideal bookings and -”
“And I’m sure Lady Chimata explained her rulings on the matter in no unclear terms, hmmm?” Again, the blue-haired lady flinched. The other woman pulled the cartridge into her fist. “I will offer you a deal, Cappy. I will take this item off of your hands… and in exchange, I will leave the matter that you tried to sell it to two kids private, hmm?”
With a hasty nod from the merchant, the horned woman squeezed her hand. For a moment, there was a strange, pulsating sensation, and for a moment, Marisa could swear she saw something trying to escape the iron grip. But a moment later, there was a final, fatal crack, and black powder began to spill from her hand.
Marisa stared as the woman shook her hand off from the powder. “What… what are you?”
The horned woman put a finger to her lips. “Not here. Too many watching eyes - if you want to talk, we’ll talk on the other side.” She turned a slow eye toward the petrified shopkeeper. “I assume there’ll be no more problems?”
“N-no, not at all!” The capped shopkeeper nodded, and the strange woman sauntered into the crowd. Even as she parted, Marisa kept her eyes locked on her.
“...risa? Marisa?” The islander blinked, turning back to Mike. “Do you still want to get the goggles?”
“The gog- oh, yes!” Marisa turned back to her, lifting the goggles and gesturing to the merchant. “These don’t have the same problem that cartridge did, do they?”
“O-of course not, of course not…” The girl balked under their glares. “I-if there were, that woman would have confiscated them too, wouldn’t she?”
Mike nodded. “I suppose that’s true… but now that I think about it, you two agreed without involving us at all.” She leant forward, smirking. “Do you want to leave things off with us having had such an… unpleasant experience at your store?”
The shopkeeper tried to rally herself. “Look, e-even this reservation wasn’t cheap, and, and with the cartridge gone, it’s gonna be hard for me to turn a profit-”
“How fascinating… it sounds like this wasn’t a simple case of a misplaced product, is it?” Mike rapped her fingers along the desk. “Almost sounds like you were counting on selling that cartridge to an unsuspecting customer. I wonder what Chimata would have to say about that?”
Cappy squirmed. “L-look, kids, for the trouble caused, how about I slash another half off those goggles? Just 1000 yen sound good?”
Mike smirked, offering a small nod. “Much better.” She gestured to Marisa, who started fishing through her pockets. She wasn’t even sure if she still had any notes above 1000-yen anyway, but she still had plenty of those, and - ow! She got a small bit of static as she pulled out the exact note she needed. “Alright, and make it quick Cappy.”
“Y-yes, just let me get your friend’s change…” The capped girl’s hands were shaky as she opened up her cash drawer.
Marisa raised an eyebrow. “Change?”
“Yeah, change.” Mike rolled her eyes. “Come on, Marisa. You gave her 10k yen, so she needs to get change, right?”
The islander blinked, staring at the note she’d handed over to the cashier. Despite the merchant nodding in agreement, the two cranes that normally adorned the 1000-yen note were completely unmistakable. What on earth were they talking about?
[ ] Take the change. She needed to keep her money going as far as she could, and getting the goggles not just for free, but with bonus cash was very tempting.
[ ] Refuse the change, and try to convince them it’s a 1000 yen note. They must be confused because of how unsettling that lady was.
[ ] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{ } Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
{ } It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Nitori(?) and Zanmu, what a lovely pair of Youkai to meet out here. Guess this whole market is crawling with fantasy. Also, always nice to have an Oni around to make sure you don't accidentally buy the demonically possessed video game cartridge you can't even play.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
Gotta respect market rules, and where we're going we won't need money for much longer. Also, while I am very much in support of a Marisa who has no idea how to use her powers, actively rejecting her subconscious use is too much murderblender. Let's at least accept the reality we've accidentally created for now.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Investigating is for boring babies who want a good perspective and an idea on how to haggle. Real champions just fumble their way headfirst. Besides, the rainbow will only last so long, let's maximize our time to make a sales pitch directly to her.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
Yeah, weird things are happening, but we need some mystery. Plus Nitori could do with a bit of confusion.
{X} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
Just a bit more looking around.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
Pranked lmao. Let's call the amusement part of the exchange.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
I see two choices here. Take the extra cash and continue the sidequest shopping, or don't and get on with the investigation.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
Maybe just a little more browsing.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
A perfect mix of caution and pettiness. This is the best option and you can’t convince me otherwise.
{X} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
This one is a bit more up in the air. We might already know everything this option will give us, but I am loathe to pass up the opportunity for potential new information. I don’t want to run into a potential confrontation with a goddess missing something crucial.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
I was one of the 4 that wanted directly for the fountain. So, let me revote the same way again.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
And Gooboi forgot the thread update on AO3. I _almost_ posted in thread 1 and I only saved it because I wanted to check my first statement. (which is removed because I was incorrect)
...Was Marisa almost conned into a haunted gameboy cartridge?
...Black...
Oh my god, it was Pokémon Black, wasn't it? Worst, as a digital pet collector, that would've suckered her in entirely.
Also, as nice as Marisa accidentally doing the Nue Magics is, restrain yourself, Chimata is watching, and she's a stickler for the rules and regulations.
...But the urge to prank...hrrr...
Ahh fuckit.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
As for what to do next...Let's follow some sage advice, yeah? Also, Zanmu's around. Scary.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
Given that we just saw the results of trying to swindle people, doing so ourselves would be a bad idea. And while we might not have much more money, you never know what you might find for cheap. Might as well give it another once over before continuing.
[x] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{x} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Unless we rip off the shopkeeper (which is a pretty obvious trap), I'm not sure we have enough cash left to do anything interesting in the market.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
Don't wanna piss Chimata off, but a little pranking doesn't hurt
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
waterrrrr
This confirms that Marisa can detect illusions/transformations? around her, even from the supposed person who is chasing her
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Marisa will have to explain later about the "fake" bill to Mike
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
better to stay on a god's good side, right? and i want to see just how many youkai are setting up shop or shopping around on the other side of the barrier. on another note, how much money does marisa even have total? she still has at least a couple thousand yen, which should be enough for one or two more purchases to build up goodwill for chimata.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
Mamizou would be proud, pulling pranks with "fake" money is classic tanuki stuff.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
I'm not sure we still have much to find out in the "regular" part of the market?
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
This isn't gonna go well, but don't think giving anyone a hint of Marisa being a Nue is a good idea either.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
[x] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{x} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Fountain seems nice.
With pointless goggles we finally have become a Digimon protagonist
[X] Refuse the change, and try to convince them it’s a 1000 yen note. They must be confused because of how unsettling that lady was.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
we've come this far without borrowing anything so might as well play (mostly) nice.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Kasen mentioned the water fountain for a reason. Also why is Zanmu up here... Unconnected Dreams of All Living Marketeers....
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
We do a little gaslighting. It would be amusing if Cappy somehow becomes a recurring victim of ours, especially if she ends up believing that her misfortune is a result of owing us money.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
>> Reimu focused, whirling her orbs around her. The two wolves trying to attack her dissipated into mist.
>> She stepped through the gap Yukari provided, aglow with red crystals. Several wolves - and human spirits as well - stared at her, stunned into silence by her abrupt entrance. It was odd, being so completely undisguised in her nature as she stepped in. It was also just as strange being full-grown, when yesterday she’d entered the same building as a child.
Reimu and Yukari teaming up, like in old times. Or for the first time, it's complicated.
[X} Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
Initially I thought of just taking the money, but now that I think about it, Chimata might not like that, whether intentional or not.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
[X] Take the change. She needed to keep her money going as far as she could, and getting the goggles not just for free, but with bonus cash was very tempting.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Aw, I wanted to buy the creepypasta! What's the worst that could happen
>>213091
> Aw, I wanted to buy the creepypasta! What's the worst that could happen
Well, let’s see. They could have had to face a blood-crying hedgehog, a giant red scorpion-like kaiju, an evil spirit that takes the form of a certain iconic plumber and is apparently as old as time itself, or they could have listened to music that would’ve driven them to suicide.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
[X] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{X} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Lesgoo it's the barrier team!! Great piece Kosu, I always enjoyed these scene redraws.
It was fun making the logo with the Digimon music in the background hahaha
>With pointless goggles we finally have become a Digimon protagonist
thanks for the silly idea xD
Now that we have become the chosen Goggles-bearer, we must go full Digimon Frontier and learn Spirit Evolution.
>>213096
Now THAT is a clever logo.
Good job with all of them so far!
Counting to >>213094:
Main Choice #1:
[1] Take the change. She needed to keep her money going as far as she could, and getting the goggles not just for free, but with bonus cash was very tempting.
[1] Refuse the change, and try to convince them it’s a 1000 yen note. They must be confused because of how unsettling that lady was.
[24] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know why. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
Main Choice #2:
{7} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
{19} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Love the drawings & logo re-edition by Kosu & Asutnima.
(Also, Koishi is a pretty interesting character for LBOL)
:3
>>213087
This might have dethroned Blinding Faith as my favorite of your R/R art. I love every detail... the lines are super clean, the paint splatter effect is awesome, everything's super vibrant... when Reimu makes it into Gensokyo, every single youkai (including other ICs) is going to tremble in fear at the change in the atmosphere.
Seriously though, amazing work. I would put this framed on my wall.
>>213091
"And then... an umbrella appeared on the screen, but her eyes were dripping hyper realistic blood and she said "give me your soul!"
"...Marisa, an umbrella is quite possibly the least terrifying thing to ever haunt your bootleg video game."
"Umbrellas are absolutely horrifying! I asked Mom, and she said she knows one that's super old and powerful."
>>213096
Takes me back to the days when I was probably like 6 or 7 watching Digimon Adventures. I distinctly remember asking for a Patamon plushie for my birthday one year... ah, nostalgia. Absolutely splendid!
>>213099
I've had to ban myself from taking Lovesickness because I know how good Rushdown is.. but I love mixing passion and burst and degenerately slamming big numbers into enemies.
>>213100
Remind me which one was Blinding Faith? I haven't seen all the illustrations.
Also yes, Dragon Reimu does carry some big "I win" energy. Now we get to wait for her to go gamer mode and activate Fantasy Nature in the future.
>>213095 >>213090 >>213099
Thanks! That pen was just a Bic ballpoint pen, but it was worn enough that I understood it's flow. It finally ran dry, I should just buy another one. This current one is not bad at all, but it's not for sketching, it's for inking.
>>213100
Thank you too! Which one was Blinding Faith? I don't remember naming one like that ^_^U
>>213096
Loving the logo!
>>213101
Edit?: I forgot to send the message for like an hour, reloaded just in case.
Thank you too. If you're already mentioned above, thanks again lol.
I got a new pen, re-did this one. It's better, but it could still be more (especially the faces). Anyways, there'll be no fourth try lol.
>>213103
You know I thought you meant that one, but I may have forgotten the names I used. I normally use a placeholder name, rename it and then I might title the post differently, so it wasn't farfetched to think I really did forget a title lol
And another one of Marisa and Mike.
This one I liked better.
>>213104
>I don't know why but I imagined Marisa and Mike entering Gensokyo with the opening of Digimon 1 in the background lol
well now that's too interesting of an idea to pass so here's a simple rendition. I'm loving the logo too, brings back a lot of memories
Oh, this is incredible. I can almost hear the cheesy Digirap playing.
>>213108
Right in the nostalgia, good job
>>213108
I guess my only complaint is that Marisa fits way more with Frontier than with Adventure, being someone transforming into a magical beastie and (eventually) getting access to a supermode. It's even more appropriate if we consider one of Marisa-the-Human or Marisa-the-Nue having been fused with the soul of the other, which isn't exactly like how Frontier worked but is good enough for government work.
Second half of Yumemi's epilogue is up at >>/shorts/3035.
>>213087
>>213096
>>213105
>>213106
>>213108
I am, as always, blown away by all the fanart. Especially with the
Digimon Opening animation, that just activate a primal monkey-brain effect.
But it's not just the art, of course - there's been some really great shorts written over in the Outside/Omakes thread as well. if you haven't seen them yet, here are some of the newer ones.
>>/shorts/3017
A fun little introspective piece of Reimu's thoughts during one of the darker points of K/K. This was reviewed by me in how the character acts, so while the writing style itself is different the Reimu within is pretty accurate.
>>/shorts/3023
A short based on a parody of a classic TF2 short. Always a fun little bit.
>>/shorts/3027
Now this one is interesting, and rather dark. I've been keeping characters out of the outright undead, so this short was made to be an exploration on what that could be like. Very intriguing indeed.
>>/shorts/3034
And lastly, the embodiment of short but sweet. A very cute little scene involving the Inaba sisters.
Gotta start a proper collection of the fan art somehow...
I think my favorite part of the animation is a tiny detail.
Mike's tail slips out while she's spinning! That's gonna surprise Marisa once they land.
>>213112
>>213115
thank youu! this fic series got me in a chokehold.
>>213113
I do think she looks like Takuya more too, with the hat and all. BUT consider this... seeing them spin-falling is sillier.
>>213117
lol yeah... I make her do that because I like to think it's a reflex to realign herself in the air with her tail like actual cats do.
[1] Take the change. She needed to keep her money going as far as she could, and getting the goggles not just for free, but with bonus cash was very tempting.
[1] Refuse the change, and try to convince them it’s a 1000 yen note. They must be confused because of how unsettling that lady was.
[24] Refuse the change, but don’t let Cappy know. It was still a fair exchange that way, right? And besides, after whatever she just tried to pull, making her worry about her cash not lining up was the perfect petty crime.
{7} Spend more time around the same market looking for clues about this mysterious Chimata. Nothing too clear had come up on their browse, but maybe they’d get some other pieces of information?
{19} It seemed like there was quite a lot going on below the surface of this place. Perhaps they’d have better luck finding things out if they investigated the fountain, like Kasen had recommended.
Marisa slapped the goggles on top of her cap.
“Y’know what? If you think there’s change, keep it. S’all yours, I guess.” Marisa spun around, beginning to leave. Mike and ‘Cappy’ stared as she left, the former flabbergasted.
This exchange has been noted by the Goddess of the Market.
Marisa stepped deeper into the crowd, waiting for Mike to catch up. The other girl was red in the face. “M-Marisa?! What are you doing?!”
“What? Do you think I actually gave them a ten-kay note?”
Mike got in front of her. “No, I think you just scammed her with a dodgy note! Don’t you remember that whole thing about the market goddess?”
Marisa shook her head. “Nope, nothing like that. It’s just the exact amount of change she asked for.” The hoodie-wearing girl blinked, confused, and Marisa took that as a chance to continue. “It was a perfectly normal note - had the cranes on it and everything. Don’t know why you both thought it was more than that.”
“It was ten thousand, I saw it.” Mike started, but the islander shook her head. “Come on, Marisa, this is serious-”
“I am serious.” Marisa pulled out her wallet. “I mean, look, all one-kays, see? Do you think I would casually spend my only ten thousand yen note when what I want is only 10% of that?”
The other girl hesitated. “Well, no, but-”
“Then do you think I’d have asked you to keep an eye on my funds if I had forged notes I could spend like water?” Marisa jammed her hands into her pockets. “She asked for a thousand, I gave her a thousand. If she thought it was anything else, that’s on her, not me.”
“But… I could have sworn…” Mike’s voice trailed off, uncertain. “I could see it so clearly… couldn’t I?”
Marisa took a moment to think. “...Perhaps it had to do with that strange horned woman.” The islander leant in. “I… I could tell something was off there, too.”
Mike looked up in surprise as Marisa continued. “It wasn’t… super clear, but I could tell that there was something there I couldn’t see. I think however she was hiding her horns… I’m more resistant to it, or something. Maybe the note was something similar…?”
Mike tilted her head. “...Weird… something like a test, maybe? Guess we don’t have any other illusionists around…” She straightened up. “Speaking of, you’re taking the whole ‘horned woman’ thing pretty well.”
Marisa gulped. “Ah, well, it’s not the first time I’ve seen something like that happen. We’ll talk about that later.” Her pursuers gave her much the same vibe, after all…
Mike gave her a long look, before eventually sighing. “Well, alright… let’s hope the Goddess of the Market has the same feelings about this you do.”
Marisa gave a small grin. “Well, if she does, there’s only one way to find out. Let’s check out that fountain that Kasen recommended.”
Marisa stepped around the fountain, trying to examine the tiles and holes for any kind of pattern. Mike was trailing behind her, using the other girl as a shield from any blasts of water. As another spray began, the cat-hoodied girl yelped, quivering behind her friend.
Marisa rolled her eyes. “Come on, Mike, it’s just water. You can’t possibly be this scared of it.”
“J-just… a reflex thing… h-hey! I had a thought! I-I-I…” Mike stammered, and Marisa duly waited for her friend’s thought to arrive. “I-I-I was thinking that, m-maybe the rainbows might be from the spraying water…”
The islander looked over her shoulder, unimpressed. “You’re going to try and claim that this was all smoke and mirrors after we’ve seen a woman with horns on her head? Come on, scaredy-cat. Let’s at least give this a real look, alright?”
She paused, taking a moment to examine the scene. “Though… speaking of rainbows…” She paused, taking a moment to examine the sprays. She’d been focused on the floor, but maybe there was something in the spray itself?
After a few seconds of scanning, one part seemed to catch her eye. There was one part where the rainbow in the spray seemed to meet the ground. The rainbow felt unusually clear and defined, more than she was used to seeing from spraying water, and the place where it touched the ground was some kind of yellow metal plate. As the display died down again, the rainbow seemed to linger for a few seconds more, before it too faded completely.
Marisa took off, running for the spot where the water had been. “Marisa? Be careful,” Mike pleaded, starting to run behind her. “W-we don’t know when it’ll go off again!”
The islander didn’t listen, focused on the spot where she’d seen the gate. It was a metal disk in the center of the fountain’s path, surrounded by grates, and clearly designed to look like the new moon from above. It was large enough that even with their arms spread,neither girl would be able to reach across it. Marisa crouched down, trying to lift or tilt it up but struggled to find any purchase or moveability.
Marisa heard her friend running over, and glanced up. “Marisa…” The apparent hydrophobe skittered into the ring, eyes wide. “A-are you sure this is safe?”
“Safe from what? Getting wet?” There was a ring of jets around the moon, but they were still at a safe distance - and completely off, anyways. “I’m sure it’s fine. Hey, doesn’t this moon plate seem odd?”
“Umm… dunno…” Mike stepped onto the moon itself, stymying any further attempts to lift it. Marisa picked herself up. “Does seem strange, I guess… If this is meant to be the central art piece, why surround it with jets?”
Marisa stood up, stepping on to the moon as well. “Maybe it’s a secret lift or something? Maybe we gotta get it going. One, two…”
She jumped on it, producing a big clang that drowned out the rest of the market’s sound. Mike jumped at the cacophony, clutching at her hoodie. “M-marisa! What are you doing?”
“Juuuuust trying to get it started. Besides, what’s the harm in making a bit of noise?” Marisa offered a cheeky grin, and Mike started to muster a reply… before both of them noticed something.
The sound hadn’t come back. From when the islander had stomped on the plate, the entire market had fallen silent. As the two girls looked around, the crowds around them seemed… wrong, somehow. Vague, and indistinct.
Marisa stepped back, towards the center of the moon. “Uh-huh. Spooky. Well, we’ve found something, at least.”
Mike’s head was whipping around even faster. “Wh-what’s going on?! D-did jumping on the plate do something…?”
The two girls clustered together, staring at the indistinct crowds around them. Marisa glanced down. “Y-you know what, maybe we should get off this moon thing. Probably something important w-we shouldn’t be messing with.”
As she made to leave the disc, though, a jet of water began to shoot up in front of her, bigger and more powerful than it had been doing so before. The jet was lit up with yellow light from within, and arced perfectly over the girls, landing in a gap between two jets on the other side. The two jets it landed beside shot up in turn, again arcing over the girls.
Mike let out a strangled noise as the duo was rapidly surrounded by a technicolour wall of water. Marisa wordlessly fumbled for her friend’s hand, grabbing on to it and squeezing tight. The wall of light was a swirling kaleidoscope, and Marisa trembled, afraid they would be washed away at any moment.
And then… one by one, the jets stopped spraying, cutting off without warning and revealing the market around them once more. As it all cut away, though, it became clear the market that they were standing in now was not the same one as they’d expected only moments before.
Like it being night time, for starters. Marisa stared up at the starry sky above them, slack-jawed. The moon shone directly above the market, helping the dozens of red lanterns to brighten the grounds.
But what caught Marisa’s eyes next were the attendees of this market. Many of them were self-evidently not human - strange, alien proportions, tails that swung and swayed, and Marisa even saw a winged girl taking photos with her camera as she hovered in the air.
“Th-this is…” Mike stepped forward. “E-even in the temple, I never saw so many youkai in one place…”
“Kids?” The two girls whirled around. Two young men were approaching them, both bearing stern faces framed by curly green hair and stony horns. One of the two had stepped forward to address them directly. “We’re gonna need you to step away from the entrance, so other guests can get in an’ out of here.” His partner - twin? - grunted in agreement.
“O-oh, sorry.” Marisa stepped back, away from the moon plate as directed, only releasing Mike’s hand a second later. “U-um… if you don’t mind me asking… where is ‘here’?”
The one speaking to them raised an eyebrow. “You mean you don’t know? This is the non-human section of the market. Where you don’t need to hide everything under heavy jackets.” He gave a meaningful look to the girls. “‘Spite the flashy entrance, it’s really just a regular old hermit enclave fit for Lady Tenkyuu’s purposes.”
He gestured around. “You explored the regular version yet? Everything’s pretty much the same here in terms of where you’ll find food and goodies. ‘Cept that where the entrance is, you’ll find Lady’s Tenkyuu herself - something about watching both markets at once.”
Mike nodded, bowing. “Got it. Thank you, mister - er, I mean misters…”
“Mister?” The gatekeeper rolled his eyes. “Just call me Nio, alright? Now come on, off you trot; if it’s your first time here, I’m sure you’ve got a lot to see.”
The two girls stepped away from the walk-through fountain’s entrance area, into the area proper. Marisa was still stunned, staring at the myriad creatures around her.
…And yet, none of them had the tentacle things she had…
“So, um.” She turned, looking over at her friend. Mike was gripping the edge of her hood, anxiously. “I… I know there’s a lot to see here, but… I have something to tell you, Marisa. …Promise you won’t freak out?”
Marisa blinked. “Um… okay. I have some things to tell you, too…” She fiddled with the sides of the jacket, pausing for a moment. “...A-and, um, you don’t get to freak out either. Alright?”
Mike nodded. For a long moment, both of the girls stared at each other, wordlessly.
The market continued around them. The winged girl in the air landed between them, tapping idly on her phone. She stepped back into the crowds, leaving the two recent arrivals to their staredown.
“Y-you go first.” Marisa offered. “Y-you said it first, after all.”
Mike shook her head rapidly. “N-n-no! U-uh, you, you should go first. You started this whole trip, right?”
Five more seconds passed.
Marisa gulped. “Uh… we’ll do it together, alright?” Mike nodded, hastily. “On three. Good with that?”
The hoodie’d girl nodded. “W-we’ll count it together, alright?” She took a deep breath and met Marisa’s gaze as evenly as she could.
“One…”
“Two…”
“THREE!”
Mike pulled back her hood, and Marisa let the tentacle things squirm out from the hole in her jacket. For a moment, the two of them stared at each other.
Her friend… had cat ears. And a tail, now slipping out the back of her hoodie. Marisa stared at her, a little slack-jawed, before the nekomata let out a nervous chuckle.
“So… y-you’re not exactly normal either?”
Marisa let out a small snort. “I guess you could say that. Aheh… kinda makes me feel a little silly about hiding it.”
Mike giggled, and Marisa found herself snickering right alongside her. Rather than subsiding, however, it only seemed to build and build, a dam that had finally broken and was now overflowing. The two girls broke out laughing, buckling over themselves as the needless tension washed out of them. It wasn’t long until they were sprawled on the floor, cackling like maniacs.
After what felt like hours, the two of them finally settled, sprawled out on the ground. Marisa pulled herself up, still chuckling. “Ahhh… alright! You good, Mike?”
“B-bit winded.” The cat-girl managed. The two girls got to their feet unsteadily, slowly coming to realise they were being watched by a crowd. Slowly, though, it started to disperse, as the kids picked themselves up and dusted themselves off.
Mike straightened up, surveying the market. “A-alright, well… we’ll talk things over as we explore, okay?” Marisa nodded, in agreement. “So… where do you wanna start?”
[ ] Try to get an audience with Chimata. It'd certainly be a lot easier to find her on this side!
[ ] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
[ ] Ask around for any information about Marisa’s tentacles. Surely someone had to know what she was, right?
[ ] Anything else that might be worth doing? Maybe looking for one of the ladies they’d already met, or exploring the market for something in particular? (Write-in).
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
Marisa trade gremlin feels to be appropriate, and it wouldn't hurt to engage in more exchanges before trying to meet with Chimata.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
Definitely need to look for cool shit before meeting up with the boss lady.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
We came here to find weird and possibly magical shit, let’s go find weird and possibly magical shit.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
is better for Marisa to get some magical object for any future conflict.
>>213108
Thanks! Seriously, watching that animation brings me so much nostalgia, nice job.
[X] Anything else that might be worth doing? Maybe looking for one of the ladies they’d already met, or exploring the market for something in particular?
- [X] Look for Kasen.
Marisa already noticed this, but there don't appear to be any youkai of her species around. This means that they are either uncommon, tend to avoid such markets or are not welcome, none of which would be helpful when it comes to finding more information about her.
Last time Marisa bought something, her note was placed under an illusion which, judging by Mike's reaction, was more convincing than what the horned woman was able to conjure up. With the woman, she had at least noticed that something was wrong.
Trying to buy anything, with no explanation for why that happened, as a first-timer in a youkai market, sounds like a good way to get into trouble.
It would be nice to have more trades done before meeting Chimata, but not until we have someone with us that could bail us out in cases like that note illusion. Kasen's helped us get here, maybe she'd be willing to give a helping hand.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
Put a RPG party in a market, and they will spend 15 hours in it making no progress
{X} keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything
[X] Ask around for any information about Marisa’s tentacles. Surely someone had to know what she was, right?
"WHO am I? WHAT am I?"
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
{X} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything.
We do some more shopping and we get more info. Kill two birds with one stone!
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
- [X] Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right? She didn't want to spend money on pointless trinkets, but magical pointless trinkets were a whole different story.
Need to get a good credit score before we talk to Chimata, and it'd be a fruitless endeavor trying to get knowledge of the unknown. (We might get hints, though, so I don't hate it.)
[X] Anything else that might be worth doing? Maybe looking for one of the ladies they’d already met, or exploring the market for something in particular?
- [X] Look for Kasen.
kinda torn about whether to get more information or spend money on the magical goods, but...
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
- [X] Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right?
i have a plethora of questions i want them to ask, but those can be asked later or even during the buying itself. for now, i'm hoping we run into a certain half-youkai shopkeeper...
Is anyone else hoping they find a color-reversed Cappy here in the spot Cappy's stall was? With green dress/hair, and a blue hat?
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
Potion Seller I need your strongest potions.
I think we could do multiple things at the same time here and not just a single thing. So...
[X] Anything else that might be worth doing? Maybe looking for one of the ladies they’d already met, or exploring the market for something in particular? (Write-in).
[X] Look for info on Marisa's species
[X] While also trying to see Chimata
[X] All that while window-shopping when doing the above.
In other words, all 3 of the main choices. lol
I'm vaguely curious what Mike's reasoning for being so afraid of showing herself as a youkai is. There's some obvious ones with regards to being bullied in her backstory for being calico, and being outwardly inhuman Outside is likely something that would absolutely have brought unwanted attention to her, but I'm wondering if there's anything beyond that. The reticence to reveal herself to Marisa, even after they're very clearly in The Youkai Zone (and I think Mike might have been able to pick up a little on Kasen being obvious), makes me think she's had at least one bad experience with being open about herself to someone else.
[x] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
As for write-ins
[x] ask Michael if she maybe knows what kind of youkai we are, if she doesn't, ask if she knows someone who might.
If she doesn't know maybe we can be directed to Shou or the Buddhists, and by extension Nue
[X] Ask Mikael if she maybe knows what kind of youkai we are, if she doesn't, ask if she knows someone who might.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
{X} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything.
Get that Market Goddess Credit Score as high as it can get.
Unfortunately, Buddhism has yet to make a full resurgence (Byakuren is still locked up) We may still learn about Nue, but it'll probably be from a Former Hell person choking on their drink at the little Nue girl running around rather than the Temple specifically.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
{X} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything.
We have to be cautious not to let Marisa's Nue instincts take over and turn her yen notes into something huge.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
[X] Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right?
[X] ask Michael if she maybe knows what kind of youkai we are, if she doesn't, ask if she knows someone who might.
{X} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything.
These are good add-ins.
[X] Ask around for any information about Marisa’s tentacles. Surely someone had to know what she was, right?
I wanna see if anyone has a reaction to the little Nue girl running around
>>213144
A kappa-made version of Tamagotchi?
Kappagotchi? lol
>>213145
It'd definitely be waterproof. And probably eat digital cucumber instead of boned meat.
[x] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
-{x} Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right?
-{x} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything.
Indeed, very good add-ins.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
-{X} Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right?
-{X} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
-{X} Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right?
You cannot run from capitalism Marisa.
-{X} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything.
Yeah, that Kasen lady seemed quite knowledgeable about this place despite most definitely not being an oni or any other sort of youkai. In fact, despite most certainly not having acquaintances in or any other forms of connections with Hell, she may even be able to tell us what was up with that horned lady and could possibly even tell us what we are.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
Funny octagonal object, mayhaps?
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
{X} Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right? She didn't want to spend money on pointless trinkets, but magical pointless trinkets were a whole different story.
That's a really good write-in, oh my god.
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
-{X} Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right?
more more more!! we can at least get a glimpse of magical items in this side of the market right... Also really like the write in, a collector won't pass the chance to buy browse for collection even if it seems impossible
-{X} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything.
more possible Kasen too please
[X] Anything else that might be worth doing? Maybe looking for one of the ladies they’d already met, or exploring the market for something in particular?
- [X] Look for Kasen.
This seems like a decent choice for now!
[X] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
-{X} Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right?
I'm putting my money on Kasen still being on the human side... speaking of, anyone want to bet that she only showed up here because of the anon that's constantly been mentioning she was out there, lol?
Counting to >>213155:
Main Choice:
[1] Try to get an audience with Chimata. It'd certainly be a lot easier to find her on this side!
[23] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
[3] Ask around for any information about Marisa’s tentacles. Surely someone had to know what she was, right?
>>213136, I assumed you voted for every single main choice.
Potential Additions:
Looking For Kasen:
-{3} Look for Kasen. (>>213126, >>213132, >>213154)
-{9} Keep an eye out for that Hermit that told them about the fountain, could get more info if no one has to hide anything. (>>213127, >>213130, >>213140, >>213141, >>213142, >>213147, >>213148, >>213149, >>213153)
Miscellaneous Additions:
-{9} Marisa wasn't going to buy any digital pets. She wasn't. She had Mike to keep her on track, and she had the willpower to resist her impulse to get even more. But if they happened to pass any vendors who had them, it couldn't hurt to glance, right? She didn't want to spend money on pointless trinkets, but magical pointless trinkets were a whole different story. (>>213131, >>213133, >>213142, >>213147, >>213148, >>213149, >>213151, >>213153, >>213155)
-{2} Ask Michael if she maybe knows what kind of youkai we are, if she doesn't, ask if she knows someone who might. (>>213138, >>213142)
:3
>>213156
213136 here. Yes, I meant every choice because I believe, you could do all of them.
[ ] Ask around for any information about Marisa’s tentacles. Surely someone had to know what she was, right?
I'm still iffy about showing off the Wings and asking around, mainly because Mama Nue has a reputation as "mischevious" which...I mean, in Youkai terms that's pretty far reaching from simply being a prankster to menacing humans. Which, from her profile...yeah, she's done a lot of that.
Marinue might be judged for or mistaken as Mama Nue due to being the second known Nue in 800+ years. Also the Tanuki Yakuza is after her for some reason, so just kinda bad feelings about the option all around.
...Huh. So, on a reread, a question.
Was that Hatate that landed between the girls right before the species reveal reveal? Because she's the only girl in the franchise that has both wings and a cell phone.
Merry Christmas, I hope you have a good night tonight!
I have more "batches" of cookies I couldn't finish because I ran out of time (did like 70% of everything I wanted to draw), I'll try to post them these upcoming days.
They look good! But the only gives rise to the real question... who gets to eat them?
I really like the funny smile on the Marisa one.
>>213204
open the door, Im hungry
No Yuyuko-sama! Not again!!
>>213234
An offering of cookies for Yuyuko!
This was the original scope of the image but I run out of time before Christmas. I won't make it super fancy this time, so it's "unfinished", if you want to call it like that.
Lots of characters didn't make the cut, I really wanted to add everyone but I'd not have finished by the new year.
>>213195
Hadn't read this before, it could be Hatate but it's more likely it's an unnamed tengu. Hatate iirc doesn't like going out to take her photos, since she has thoughtography. Might be a nod to her, though.
I just find it very interesting that there is exactly one, singular character in the entirety of Touhou with both wings and a cellphone, and someone that matches said description landed close by. Could be for any number of reasons...but it is worth noting that her ability could probably help search for Immaterial Children, which the Tengu have been sticking overly-long red noses in and making a mess of things. (Image related)
Also, lovely cookie platter! Keep it away from the local pink black hole, lest nobody else get any!
[1] Try to get an audience with Chimata.
[23] Start surveying the shops for any interesting wares. This was clearly not a human market, who knew what they might find?!
[4] Ask around for any information about Marisa’s tentacles. Surely someone had to know what she was, right?
[3] Look for Kasen.
“Well, no better way to find out about spooky, otherworldly markets than to look at their wares, right?” Marisa gave a sly grin. “Let’s see what we can get for sale. Need some proof we’ve been here, after all.”
Mike chuckled. “Alright, have it your way. We’ll start with some shopping, hmmm?”
Mike gave a grin. “Well, more or less. Still in training - can’t beckon wealth and people, only one at a time.”
Marisa hummed, tilting her head. “...so if you can beckon wealth-”
“It’s best not to do that unless you have a legitimate way to obtain that wealth. If I do it in a shop, the shop might get a rich customer. If I did it in the street, I could end up with a stolen purse in my hands.” She gave a nervous chuckle. “You hear all sorts of wild stories from the older cats. I’d rather not be featured in any of them.”
It was a bit of a mind-boggling thought. Marisa had always known in her heart of hearts that the truth was out there, but she was a bit surprised to find it was down here as well. It wasn’t like she was unfamiliar with youkai or anything like that thanks to her auntie’s thousands of stories, but she was regretting not paying as much attention as she probably should have.
…If only she could still ask her.
Mike leaned back, looking at the tentacles on Marisa’s back. “What about you? You a youkai, a god, something else?”
Marisa paused, leaning in. “I think I’m an alien?” She gave Mike a sheepish look. “I-I mean, I don’t know for sure of course, but these things showed up the same night the Spiral Meteor did.”
Mike’s ears flicked back. “You mean you don’t know…? What about your parents?”
Marisa sighed. “Well, to hear Auntie Zou tell it, my mom lives off somewhere that I can’t go. Or at least I couldn’t go - I’m hoping that somewhere is Gensokyo.” She gave a small sigh. “And, well, she didn’t leave me with my dad, and Auntie Zou never met him, so… that’s a dead end.”
The catgirl’s face softened. “Sounds.. .rough.”
“Nah, not really.” The islander gave a cheeky grin. “My Auntie was always pretty good, and Mom always sends me cool stuff. Like my telescope.”
She sighed. While she was certain who those presents were coming from, they were never labelled with a name. Maybe they were worried she’d run off when she found her in a phonebook or something (whether or not she would have was neither here nor there).
Mike tilted her head, a question on her lips. “If you liked it there, why did you have to run away?”
“I could ask the same of you. You’re in-training, so why’d you decide to leave?” The maneki-neko hesitated, and Marisa gave her a cheeky grin. “‘S fine if you don’t wanna talk about it just yet. We only met in person today, after all.”
“...Point taken.” Mike shrugged it off, before taking another moment to scan the stalls. “Hey, look over there. That stall… it’s selling unlabeled games stuff like that other stall was.”
Marisa turned to look. “Yeah and - and they’ve got Tamagotchis!” She whipped her head around to Mike. “Hey, let’s check it out.”
“Marisa-”
“I won’t buy anything, I promise. …Seriously, I won’t! But it can’t hurt to glance, can it? And maybe we can find out what the deal was with that Cappy lady on the other side.” She grabbed her friend’s hand. “Come on, please?”
Mike gave her a look. “...Give me your wallet and we’ll check it out.”
Marisa did as instructed (nonetheless making sure to palm a few notes just in case), and skipped over to the stall to investigate. The woman behind the counter seemed to be of a roughly similar build to Cappy, right down to having a cap of her own. But the colours had been swapped - green hair and dress with a blue cap, the inverse of Cappy’s outfit - and her clothes had a camo pattern.
The traveller took a moment to examine the girl’s outfit. “...What are you meant to be? Some kind of soldier youkai or something?”
The stall-owner laughed. “What, never seen a yamawaro before?” She smirked. “Let me guess, you’re not from around here?”
“Nah, I grew up on Sado.” Yamawaro were… basically mountain kappa, right? Did that make Cappy a kappa? …Not that either girl displayed any outward signs of being youkai instead of cosplayers. “Anyway, you’re selling custom games? I mean, you even got tamagotchis here - are they mass-produced or customised?”
“Bit from column A, bit from column B. There’s often slight variations - process is a little bit art and a little bit science.” The yamawaro lifted a cartridge. “So elements like level design tend to shift a bit, but that’s part of the fun, right?”
She laid out a few cartridges. “A recent new hit has been one where you’re trying to escape from a shrine and go on a hunt while being chased by a minotaur. If the minotaur catches you, let’s just say you’re in for a splitting headache. Oh, and if you’re a real aficionado, we’ve got some Moriya-franchise ones that might be going out of stock for good, what with the recent departures and all. Of course, those carry some rather harsh punishments of their own… but if you like frogs, maybe there’s no downside to that.”
Mike hummed, as the two of them picked up some of the digital pets. “Out of stock for good? Surely you can recreate them if you have the program, right?”
“Well, we can recreate them, I guess.” The store owner sighed. “But it’s just not the same without the real curses, y’know?”
Both girls dropped their devices, staring at the yamawaro in shock. “...What, you didn’t know? Haven’t you heard the stories about cursed games and the like?”
Marisa stepped a foot back, and Mike did the same. “W-well, yeah, but aren’t they super dangerous?”
“That’s the fun part, isn’t it? Thrilling scares! Photorealistic blood! Blast processing! Life and death in the palm of your hands! The thrill of real danger!” The yamawaro took a moment to examine them. “Though, if this is the first time you’re buying, I do have a number of versions that can’t do any real damage. There’s another game where, rather than being a youkai trying to escape a shrine, you play the Miko keeping them sealed instead. That one gives you a splitting headache too, but… well, there’s no actual risk of, well, splitting. And there’s variants of most of our games that just hit ya with mild aches and pains if you lose them. Heck, a few of the Moriya ones are outright painless - as long as you don’t mind the other effects. Like I said, best if you really like frogs… and don’t mind eating a few flies.”
“I… see…” Marisa wasn’t exactly convinced. “So… how do you even make something like that?”
“Well, it’s the same process a lot of magic items get made, broadly speaking. You take a normal object and imbue it with whatever magic you need it to have. Method varies by intended result and all that… but small electronics are shockingly fertile ground for hosting enchantments, especially those based on memories and curses.”
She spun a cartridge in her hand. “While I won’t go into the details - trade secret and all that - let’s just say the cursed games are… by and large a sampling of the local flavours. With that curse-god’s shrine gone for years now, all her old hexes are leaving the land, so it’s getting harder and harder to make them.” The yamawaro sighed. “It’s a shame, really. I used to have this sign up about having the deadliest game of Snake in the world, and soon it’ll be gone for good.”
Marisa hummed, looking over the tamagotchis. “And I’d imagine that these aren’t sellable on the… uh, normal side of the market?”
“Only in the Lunar Rainbow Market, yes. Chimata would be very angry if you tried to sell them to a normal human. After all, no two copies are alike, and if you don’t know what you’re doing, even a mild curse can become something far more dangerous.” The yamawaro gripped the cartridge in her hand firmly, before slamming it down loud enough to make the two girls jump. “But if you handle them properly, it’s a gaming experience like no other. Would you like a demonstration? I’ve got a little setup back here if you want to try it out. …You do like frogs, right?”
The two girls shared a quick glance. “Y’know what? We, uh, we might come back later when we’re sure we’ve got everything else we need,” Marisa said hastily. She saw Mike nodding emphatically in agreement. “We’ll… take a better look then, alright?”
The shop’s owner shrugged, sitting back. “Alright, you know where to find me.” She gave them a wave, as the two girls returned to the crowd.
The catgirl took a nervous glance over her shoulder. “Did that kappa from the other half of the market seriously try to sell us something that dangerous? Without even warning us?”
A rickety chuckle was what Marisa could muster in response. “I guess that we owe that horned lady one, then.”
She paused, straightening up as a thought occurred to her. “Though, now that I think about it… that yamawaro girl mentioned that some of her cursed games came from a curse god’s shrine. I’m wondering…”
Mike’s eyes widened. “You think the missing cut-out in Lake Suwa is where that curse god’s shrine used to sit? It’d line up. And people noticing the cut-out only seemed to start happening recently - maybe it was only moved in the last few years, and nobody pointed out the odd shape because it wasn’t there yet.”
The islander gave a grin. “Well, perhaps we should ask around for a few more details. Not that I don’t wanna check it out myself… but hey, if it turns out to be a dead end, asking people in the know might save us a trip.”
The catgirl met Marisa’s grin with a triumphant smirk of her own. “Well well well! We’ve been working together for… about an hour? And we’ve already solved one mystery and got a good lead on another! Perhaps we’ll get to two-out-of-four before we’re even done shopping!”
Marisa chuckled. “Hopefully one of them will lead us to Gensokyo proper, eh? …But let’s hope none of the other ones are the sources of these cursed things.”
“Mmmm. Yeah, that… that would be bad.” Mike coughed. “Anyway, let’s see what else there is to find, shall we?”
The kappa flitted through her change-box again. Somehow, things still refused to add up. She took a moment to swap from checking if her change was right, to instead checking if the box itself had been tampered with - no obvious signs, but that didn’t rule out supernatural meddling. …The fact that she’d knocked it over and jumbled everything up didn’t help, either.
She groaned, rapping her fingers along the box. First the game was confiscated, and now her till was thousands of yen short of what she’d expected. If her bad luck kept going the way it was, she might not be able to pay rent this month - or worse, be forced to choose between rent and cucumbers. What a nightmare this day was turning out to be.
“Excuse me, kappa. I’d like to ask a few questions.”
The kappa looked up, yelping in surprise. A mountain of a man was suddenly looming over her stall, looking over her wares. His face was shadowed under a hat, and yet his eyes almost seemed to glow white from within the darkness as he leered down at her wares.
She stuttered, trying to compose a response. “W-what- kappa? Wh-what are you talking about? I-I’m just a normal human like all the rest.”
The goliath’s pinprick eyes locked on to her face, making the kappa’s heart start to pound. “Ah, my apologies for my indiscretion. I do not wish to cause you trouble.”
The kappa gulped, nervously. “Uh… sure mate. Believe me, I don’t want your trouble.”
“Of course.” The man’s gaze eased, ever-so-slightly. “My name is Daigo. I am a confectioner from outside of town.”
“A confectioner?” The kappa let out a nervous chuckle. “Here, I thought you were some kinda yakuza thug-”
She clapped her hand over her mouth, but the man’s expression had already stiffened. “Is that how I appear to you?” He reached into his bag, pulling out something balled up in his fist. The kappa braced herself, screwing her eyes shut.
A second passed. Something small and hard tapped on the table surface.
The kappa slowly opened her eyes. A small, stylized figure had been placed down on the counter. Its body was little more than two red balls atop each other, but its long nose and the tokin hat atop its head clearly indicated it as a tengu. The man gestured to the small figurine. “Please, have a sample of my wares.”
The kappa picked it up, and after a moment’s hesitation, gave it a tentative lick on the tip of its nose. She wasn’t sure what to expect… but the flavour was nutty and sweet. “...Marzipan?”
Daigo took his hat off his head and bowed deeply. “Apologies if I have been intimidating - my boss has always said that stress gives me a ‘thug’s mug’.”
His hand once again reached into his bag, pulling out a photo and unfolding it. “But unfortunately, the situation bears no small amount of urgency. A young girl has gone runabout in the area, and we’re helping to make enquiries. Her name is Houjuu Marisa. Perhaps you’ve seen her before?”
He placed the photo in the middle of her desk, for the kappa to examine. It was a familiar-looking blonde girl; one of her earlier customers from when that nightmarish oni had jumped her and ruined a perfectly good sale. “Our boss is looking for her, and any information you could give would be very much appreciated.”
The kappa blinked, looking up between the man and the photo. “Uh… maybe I’ve seen her. Is she ‘sposed to be travelling alone or with somebody else?” She took a proper bite of the tengu. “Like, what’s the story here? Is this girl a youkai or something?”
The man’s face darkened. “She is important to my boss. That is all I am supposed to say - for her health and others.”
The kappa clicked her tongue. On the one hand, while this man was more friendly than he looked, this was clearly some kind of capital-S Situation, some big deal she was only scratching the surface of. Perhaps either avoiding it entirely or getting through with minimal fuss would be ideal. “Well, I don’t know what I can say. Customer confidentiality, and all that.”
On the other hand, the thought of a month without cucumbers was too grim to consider. She paused, and gave her best smile. “But if this girl’s so important… surely there’s some sort of reward attached for assistance?”
The man’s eyes bored into her, as he put his hand into another pocket. “If you have anything to offer… I can compensate as needed.”
He lifted a small sack out, dropping it on the table with the clinking of metal within. As he let go, the bag’s opening folded over towards the stall-owner - and she saw the glint of gold within.
“Young Marisa? Yes, I believe we’ve met.” She sat back, picking up a coin and clasping it in her hand. “What do you want to know?”
[X] Spend a bit more time exploring this ‘hermit’s enclave’. How did it work, anyways?
Because I don't have any good ideas to write.
> Arrival is imminent.
Hmm....
Tanuki Network is coming up!
And for some reason I get the feeling we're being hunted down by the Tanuki equivalent to Kazuma Kiryu.
Which is scary as fuck, but also he'd never hurt us. If, y'know, that is the case.
Hm...Hm...I'm not gonna vote at the moment, too tired, but Hm. Many options, but pursuit is homing in on Marinue and her new friend...
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
Write-in: ask them what gensokyo (or the underground) is like
I'm just doing this cuz WE NEED AN ADULT RIGHT NOW
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head?
To be clear, when I said “write-in” there, I more meant specifically who you want to meet. Though having specific questions is good as well.
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
Oh then I want to look for Kasen, the least red flag of the adults
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we where Youkai?
- [X] If that's not cosplay, what's with the outfit? Is that just how hermits dress?
I'm glad that Nue at least has some contact with Marisa
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we where Youkai?
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
> Arrival is imminent.
oh no
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we where Youkai?
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
Heh. Suwako making custom creepypasta retro games is fun. You Process those Blasts, girl!
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we where Youkai?
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
You know. I've assumed, right from when we learned she was Outside, that Kasen's been looking for her Arm on company time, so to speak. I bet hanging around her is gonna turn out a lot more volatile than it looks.
I think we should meet Chimata.
Firstly, it makes sense from Marisa's point of view. Back on the human half of the market, she'd heard about the mysterious “Lady Chimata”. Marisa had originally come here to explore the market, and who better to tell her about it than its mistress?
Secondly, it's safest to be around Chimata, she's a goddess and this market is her temple.
Thirdly, Chimata will likely help Marisa find her way to Gensokyo. After all, Marisa was on her best behavior at the market.
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head?
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head?
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we where Youkai?
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we where Youkai?
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we were Youkai?
- [X] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
- [X] Something's not right here... you can't help but feel like something- no, someone's coming.
- [X] Ask her if she can accompany you to meet Chimata. Surely someone vouching for you can help net you a boon from a goddess, right?
"arrival is imminent" makes me think daigo will arrive either next chapter or the one after that. kasen is the one most likely to tell a big, scary looking guy to fuck off if he asks around about a hojuu marisa. and fuck it, let's push marisa a little bit, give her a bit of unease and warning. i actually want to explore what we can do as hollow psyches. certainly we can nudge the player characters in certain directions, but how much more can we do?
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady. (Write-in)
-[X] Try and find Chimata, get some answers on the what and why of the market
-[X] Find Kasen, see if she's hanging around? An adult like her around would be great, especially in alien (heh) territory.
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
On a side note, seems like whoever it is that's following Marisa is going to arrive soon. Perhaps rival gangsters to Mamizou's tanuki cabal?
> And for some reason I get the feeling we're being hunted down by the Tanuki equivalent to Kazuma Kiryu.
"KIRYU-CHAN!"
[x] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
-[x] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
-[x] How did she know we were Youkai?
-[x] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
-[x] Ask her if she can accompany you to meet Chimata. Surely someone vouching for you can help net you a boon from a goddess, right?
These are good write-in's, I approve.
[x] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
-[x] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
-[x] How did she know we were Youkai?
-[x] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
-[x] Ask her if she can accompany you to meet Chimata. Surely someone vouching for you can help net you a boon from a goddess, right?
Capitalism ho!
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we were Youkai?
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
Quickly, hide behind the (former) deva!
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we were Youkai?
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
>>213243 eating them all because I miss them
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
- [X] How did she know we where Youkai?
- [M] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
[x] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
-[x] Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
-[x] How did she know we were Youkai?
-[x] Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am?
-[x] Ask her if she can accompany you to meet Chimata. Surely someone vouching for you can help net you a boon from a goddess, right
Mmhmhmhm yesss, hobnob with the nicest of the sages (well, if you aren't Kosuzu.)!
Although miss Kasen might still be drowning her sorrows in food. She is, secretly, an Oni after all.
I still wanna buy a creepypasta! I like frogs!!!
But as for the other question...
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head?
Kasen is appealing to me because I have audience meta knowledge, but I think it makes more sense for the Ms to keep nosing around for someone new and try to find the big lady!
You know, something occurs to me. Daigo the presumably-tanuki pulled a sock of gold-looking coins out of his pocket almost *immediately* upon being asked for a bribe. While it's not inconceivable that he might in fact be carrying around coins like that, it's more likely that our the kappa is getting scammed for the second time with illusionary currency. In another sense of looking at what just happened, a transaction happened under the presumption that the money supposedly offered and the information told were of equitable value to both sides. However, if the coins are illusionary, then Daigo may have just performed an unfair transaction within Chimata's domain, a fact that would likely pre-dispose her to dislike him. While this isn't immediately relevant, we should keep it in mind, just in case Daigo finding Marissa/Mika happens in the vicinity of Chimata.
Or maybe I'm going completely off-base here, it's hard to say.
>>213291
see the thing is, we're not playing as marisa here. we're playing as dozens of little spirits nudging marisa in the direction we want her to take. same goes for all of the other "player" characters- we're just pushing them towards the choices we want. which, for me, opens up a bunch more possibilities. i'm really not worried about being "in character" anymore.
actually, now that i think about it, since we're hollow psyches of the same variety that was used by tsukasa (by proxy of kosuzu's grandpa), and zanmu clearly detailed how to use and protect against them/us in the future, we might even be used against them. or even stripped of our ability to affect them, like yukari did at the end of the previous arc.
>>213294
True! I mean, if I as audience wanted something else more strongly, I wouldn't necessarily hold myself back from voting for it either. I guess in this case my little nudging spirit just prefers trying to go with the flow as I see it.
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head?
Well, clocks ticking, and I don't want to risk falling into the hands of auntie's goons.
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady.
- [X] Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head?
We have the advantage of actually knowing where in the market Chimata is supposed to be. She would probably also be able to help us find Kasen since there probably aren't that many customers buying and consuming sake by the barrel.
Counting to >>213307:
Main Choice:
[22] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe them a visit thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady. (Write-in)
[1] Spend a bit more time exploring this ‘hermit’s enclave’. How did it work, anyways?
[0] Something else? (Write-in.)
Potential Additions:
Write-Ins for "[x] Find someone specific":
-{7} Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head? (>>213259, >>213272, >>213273, >>213277, >>213291, >>213305, >>213307)
Note that I placed >>213277's vote in this write-in.
-{16} Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No? (>>213258, >>213261, >>213265, >>213267, >>213270, >>213271, >>213274, >>213275, >>213276, >>213277, >>213278, >>213282, >>213283, >>213286, >>213288, >>213290)
Note that I placed >>213277's vote in this write-in as well...
For Kasen:
--{1} Ask them what Gensokyo (or the underground) is like. (>>213258)
--{13} How did she know we were Youkai? (>>213265, >>213267, >>213270, >>213271, >>213274, >>213275, >>213276, >>213278, >>213282, >>213283, >>213286, >>213288, >>213290)
--{1} If that's not cosplay, what's with the outfit? Is that just how hermits dress? (>>213265)
--{M, 13} Maybe she can know what kind of youkai I am? (>>213267, >>213270, >>213271, >>213274, >>213275, >>213276, >>213277, >>213278, >>213282, >>213283, >>213286, >>213288, >>213290)
--{4} Ask her if she can accompany you to meet Chimata. Surely someone vouching for you can help net you a boon from a goddess, right? (>>213276, >>213278, >>213282, >>213290)
Miscellaneous Additions:
-{1} Something's not right here... you can't help but feel like something- no, someone's coming. (>>213276)
This should be correct. Always love the write-in's.
:3
>>213294
>see the thing is, we're not playing as Marisa here. we're playing as dozens of little spirits nudging Marisa in the direction we want her to take. Same goes for all of the other "player" characters- we're just pushing them towards the choices we want. which, for me, opens up a bunch more possibilities. I'm really not worried about being "in character" anymore.
OK, but isn't that kind of a cop-out? I mean, if you stop trying to be "in character" as Marisa, then what is stopping you from using your meta knowledge to make a ridiculous vote like:
[+] Hey, Marisa! Listen up! The youkai you are is a nue, you have the power to make disguises and illusions, your mother is named Nue Houjou, you are an immaterial child which means you used to be a human that went back in time in order to stop the evil black fire from destroying the world, you are a youkai now because youkai don't burn as easily, Kasen can get you into Gensokyo, your best friend Reimu is there as a dragon-turtle, you need to meet up with her to have enough fire power to save the world, now hurry up and skip this whole Chimata market adventure so we can speedrun this quest. (This is not a real vote. Please do not bandwagon it.)
I don't know about you, but that seems like a pretty un-fun way to go through this adventure. Acting "in character" has made this adventure pretty enjoyable so far. I say we stay the course.
>>213313
i don't think we're really capable of doing that? we're just nudging her towards things. like yukari said:
> I can only sense the boundaries those frail souls touch when they reach out and establish a connection with you. They are so miniscule, and their whispers so faint that I’m surprised I can even do that.
i mean, nobody was even aware of us until yukari pointed us out. we're tiny, miniscule spirits just barely nudging them towards choices with whispers, not a stream chat offering commentary. and there is something stopping us from making ridiculous write-in votes like that: gooboi himself. i think he's said before that if he doesn't like a write-in, he'll just outright ignore it. there might not be anything stopping us from voting it, but there's a filter that stops those votes from actually affecting the story.
also, whenever i make "meta" write-ins, i try to do it "in-character" as a little spirit nudging the characters. little things like giving them an ominous feeling (i was >>213276 for example) or something. i guess you could take it as a cop-out to hand out meta knowledge, but i just want to explore what we can do within the confines of being just being faint nudges in a certain direction.
[X] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe them a visit thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady. (Write-in)
-{X} Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head?
As much as I want them to meet Kasen again. I feel that the time spent trying to gain Chimata's favor to solve the mystery of the market might be lost since it looks like we are running out of time with the Arrival is imminent message.
marisa houjuu doodle i wanted to make for a long time
[23] Find someone specific. They still hadn’t actually met Chimata herself, and now they know they owe thanks to both Kasen and the horned lady. (Write-in)
-{7} Chimata! What better way to cap off studies of this market than by trying to get a word in with its head?
-{16} Let's see if we can try and catch Kasen hanging around here. No?
--{13} How did she know we were Youkai?
--{13} Maybe she knows what kind of youkai I am?
[1] Spend a bit more time exploring this ‘hermit’s enclave’. How did it work, anyways?
[ ] Something else? (Write-in.)
“You wanna look for Kasen?” Mike blinked. “Why the sudden urgency?”
“Well, we don’t know how long they’ll be around, do we?” Marisa started. “Besides, she locked on to us pretty quick, right? I wanna see what she knows.”
The maneki-neko tilted her head. “I suppose… she even seemed to spot I was a maneki-neko pretty quick. And I think we both know how happy the goddess would have been with you if she hadn’t warned you.”
“Aheheh… guilty as charged.” Marisa couldn’t meet Mike’s gaze. “And she might know what kind of youkai I am, too.”
The catgirl let out a nervous hum, before shaking her head. “You shouldn’t. She was already suspicious of us being runaways, right? If you throw that question at her, you might find her throwing a few more back if you can’t explain why your aunt didn’t tell you.”
“I got it, alright? Trust me, this isn’t my first time prying info out.” The islander gave her a smirk. “For now, let’s just see if we can find her, yeah? Shouldn’t be that hard to spot someone with bright pink hair.”
After a few moments of scanning the crowd, Mike pointed towards the food stands. “Hey, is that her? She kinda looks right, but…”
Marisa hopped half-up on a bench in the park to get a better look. The figure who had their back to them looked like Kasen, but also appeared to have a full bag of sweets in one hand and a half-eaten dango stick in the other. “If it’s Kasen… how’s she eating that much?”
“Beats me. I thought hermits only ate mist,” Mike mused, “but she is here, so she’s probably not just an ordinary human…”
“Maybe she’s carb-loading, or it’s like a sumo thing. Or maybe she just goes a long time without meals,” the islander suggested, “and the eating mist part is just a metaphor? I suppose you can ask, if you want to know.”
“Yeah, no thanks. I’d rather not push my luck.” With a final chuckle between the two girls, they started squeezing through the crowd, trying to get to Kasen.
It was indeed the hermit, eating more sweet treats. Perhaps she was a stress-eater? …Marisa really did just have to wonder where exactly she was packing it all away, though. Kasen turned as the two girls approached, giving them a broad smile.
“I see you two made it in! Well done, well done.” The hermit threw her arms wide. “Welcome to the Lunar Rainbow Market!”
“And thank you for the tipoff.” Marisa gave a tip of her hat. “We coulda been stuck for hours if we didn’t have a hint.”
“I certainly wasn’t going anywhere.” Mike shivered. “What kind of cruel goddess puts the entrance to their market in the middle of a fountain?”
“It does need to be somewhere people won’t go too idly. It’s relatively easy to misdirect people from an entrance when they’re not crowded - pack them in tight enough and they’ll get spirited away by accident.” The hermit gave a helpless shrug. “And it is a market. Crowds are somewhat required.”
The catgirl sagged. “Still… I really don’t like water…”
“I’ve found few cats that do. Even my tiger gets so fussy.” Kasen chuckled, as she finished off another stick. “Nothing wrong with having a couple of instinctual fears, dear.”
That was a good segue to species talk, and Marisa jumped on it. “Well, I was wondering actually. There was something important we wanted to ask. You seemed to -”
A casual line in passing suddenly caught her focus, and Marisa’s thoughts completely derailed. “You have a tiger?! You keep one as a pet?!”
Kasen thumped her chest. “I have quite a few pets, in fact! They help me out around the house - Houso the tiger keeps any intruders away, for example. Ah- though I won’t be trying to tame young Mike here, I’ve got enough to manage already.” She gave the catgirl a small smile. “I’m sorry to say I don’t have any pets with me on this trip, but perhaps I can bring one or two another time.”
Marisa leaned in. “What else do you have?! An eagle? A dragon? A raijuu? A flatwoods monster?! A sky fish?!”
Kasen blinked. “Uh… not those last two, but the first three were… surprisingly good guesses. Anyway, I can talk about my pets all day… but what were you going to say, earlier?”
It was a few moments before the islander remembered what she was going to ask, her face flushing. “Oh, right. Uh- you knew from the start we weren’t just normal people, right? How’d you spot us?”
Kasen shrugged. “Two young girls with far above average spiritual power, rugged up for winter in the middle of summer? It wasn’t too hard to figure out, really. I saw young Mike’s hair and recognised it as a calico pattern, so she had to be some kind of bakeneko.”
“So that’s how you figured out she was a catgirl?” Marisa gave a small grin. “What about me? Didja guess what I am?”
Kasen took a look over Marisa, examining her. “...Mmm, no, and I still haven’t. When I see unusual wings like that, I think vampire, but I didn’t exactly see the telltale signs.”
Mike chuckled. “Yeah, normally vampires go for rare meat and fancy meals. This girl’s always talking about eating weird mushrooms.”
“Is that right? Ah, well. I don’t have lady Chimata’s power, so I can’t exactly sneak myself a hint or two.” The hermit shrugged. “All I could say is that you definitely weren’t human.”
For a moment, Marisa felt her cheeky smile twitch. “A-ah?”
“Well, you had some real serious spiritual power, didn’t you? I’ve seen a few rare kids from special bloodlines at Mike’s level, but seeing your power in an outsider human is simply unthinkable.” The hermit gave a small shrug. “If I hadn’t spotted Mike was a youkai too, I’d have been worried you were going to eat her.”
Marisa couldn’t quite keep the strangled tone out of her voice. “Ah. That bad, huh?” She sagged a bit. “A-am I really that much of a monster?”
The hermit’s face paled. “Oh-Oh! M-my apologies, you must be new to all this, I assume?”
“...Yeah. The tentacles only grew out a month ago.” Marisa pulled her hat down. “I’m… still getting used to the idea I’m not human.”
Kasen sputtered, desperately trying to make up for her faux pas. “Ah, Marisa, I’m so sorry! You must be a changeling, right? W-with that much power, I never would have thought you’d be so recently emerged.”
Mike took Marisa’s hand. “A… changeling? Isn’t that where a baby gets replaced?”
Marisa gripped the proffered hand tightly. “Does that mean there’s some other girl who-”
“N-no! No, no, that’s- it’s a poor choice of words.” Kasen shook her head furiously. “That’s not what I mean. G-generally, there’s a few terms people in the know use for half-humans based on how their inhuman traits appear throughout their lives. There’s the imbued, who are human in every obvious way except that they are more durable, agile, longer-lived and so on. Then there are hybrids, who display at least some identifiable youkai traits from birth.”
She took a deep breath, “Changelings are what we call those who show no youkai traits at first, but develop them later, either as they age or in response to certain stimuli. O-of course, which one any half-human is depends on a lot of things… but i-it’s nothing to be scared of, I promise you.”
Marisa still couldn’t meet her gaze. “I’unno… scared that girl earlier today pretty good.” She sighed. “Can’t exactly blame her, though - these things are pretty freaky. Can’t even control them, really…”
Mike shook her head. “But Marisa, you’re still new to all this, so-”
The islander pulled her hand out of her friend’s grip, turning away from the two of them. “Mike, maybe you shouldn’t get too close. These things are dangerous, so-”
She felt someone grab her from behind, pulling her back and spinning her around with surprising force. And yet the hug she was yanked into was soft and gentle.
“Marisa, please… it’ll be okay, alright?” Kasen ran her fingers through Marisa’s hair, hooking the young girl’s cap on one of her fingers. “I know you must be confused and scared, but what’s happened to you is quite normal, all right? You’ll figure it all out, in time.”
“Kasen-”
“Many youkai and gods were once human, you know. Some were changelings like you, while others transformed because of their actions.” The hermit kept holding her close. “And just because you’ve become a youkai doesn’t mean you have to surrender your human heart.”
Marisa sighed. “...if you say so… It’s just… a lot to take in, you know.” The… changeling looked up. “I always thought of myself as… an ordinary person, I guess? But that was kinda the point - I wanted to be able to do hard things because I’d worked hard to beat them, not because I was super-powerful by nature. Like I was beating the odds, y’know? Now I’m some kind of monster-”
“You’re not a monster, Marisa.” Mike’s voice was firm. “You’re still you, aren’t you? I mean, if you don’t even know how to control your tentacle-thingies yet, then it really hasn’t done much to your mind at all.”
Kasen gave a small smile. “She’s right, you know. Realising you’re no longer human… it’s a terrifying feeling, but that doesn’t mean you’ve become something different at heart. And… just because you’re stronger now doesn’t mean you can’t beat the odds.” the hermit gave a reassuring smile. “You just have to set the odds you’re aiming to beat even higher.”
“...okay.” Marisa took a deep breath. “I-I’ll try to think of it that way.”
The hermit released her from the hug, with Mike pulling her into one from behind. Marisa just let the catgirl hang over her shoulders for a few moments, before squirming out of her grip and giving her friend a weak smile.
Mike returned Marisa’s smile with her own, before turning back to Kasen. “...You sound like you’re speaking from experience?” Mike tilted her head. “I didn’t think you were a youkai.”
“I-I’m not, but I have a few, uh, acquaintances who were human once.” Kasen seemed to hesitate, taking a moment. “...Perhaps I can introduce you to some of them, some other time.”
“That might be good, yeah.” Marisa reclaimed her hat from the hermit, putting it firmly in place.
Kasen stepped back. “...Are you feeling better? If there’s anything I can do as an apology, let me know. I’d rather not leave you two with such a thoughtless impression.”
Marisa took a moment to take a slow breath, regathering herself. When she looked up, it was with a cocky smirk on her face.
“Well, if you’re offering… do you know how to get to Gensokyo?” Marisa stuck her hands in her hip pockets. “Could you get us there?”
Kasen hummed. “Well… not personally, at least any time soon. I’m… on a bit of a backup task, you could say.”
She looked between the two girls, seeming to deliberate on how much to tell them. “I actually live in Gensokyo, at least normally. There was a certain someone me and my coworkers were looking for - an heiress to a very important shrine. But apparently they’ve found someone suitable, so my search was called off. That happened two weeks ago,” the hermit groused as she rummaged through her sweets bag, “though they only thought to tell me a few days back.”
She started chewing on another stick. “But while I was out here… there’s something I have to deal with. It’s very dangerous, and it’s proving elusive, but I could have it any night now. So I’m sorry to say that I can’t go escorting any kids until I’ve got that matter sorted.”
Marisa sighed. “Aww man… in that case, can you tell us how to get there?”
Kasen paused, before she reached into her bag and pulled out a small card. “...How about this? If you give this to your youkai parent, they can use it to get in contact with me. And then I can give them the directions to get there.”
Marisa took a look at the card. Its shape and size resembled a business card, but it looked more like a talisman. She folded it up, sticking it in her pocket. “Got it. We’ll pass it on.” Asking questions about how it worked would only lead the conversation towards the one thing neither of them wanted to discuss.
Mike straightened up. “Thanks again for leading us here, Miss Ibaraki. We’ll get this to our parents when we get the chance.” She paused, taking a moment to survey the crowds. “Hey, if this is all common, do you know where we might find a tailor or something who-”
Something is wrong.
Marisa’s blood froze in her veins. Two familiar faces had emerged from the teleporter - both from Sado. The guy who ran the sweets shop, and one of the construction foremen. But the changeling’s instincts were screaming - it's wrong, it's WRONG.
“Marisa?” Mike’s hand landed on her shoulder, causing the girl to jump. “Are you alright?”
[ ] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
[ ] No, wait, she might just think Marisa was a runaway. There was a retaining wall nearby that she could go to which’d keep her out of view of the entrance.
[ ] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{ } Perhaps it was better to hide on her own. That way, Mike wouldn’t be in danger…
{ } …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Hey everyone, hope you've all had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Sorry for the long break on this one - for whatever reason, the start was just IMPOSSIBLE to write.
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Not abandoning our kitty partner in crime just yet. Poor Marisa. Not so self-made anymore and contending with the fact that she's a youkai.
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Sudden movement could be noticed. I'm banking on Marisa passively obfuscating her presence with Nue powers.
Side note, I find it odd that at the beginning of the story, Marisa was gunning for a powerful Youkai like an Oomukade or Oni, then here she's lamenting that her abilities aren't a result of hard work. Is that part of losing memories when reincarnating or is this some sort of suppressed jealously for Reimu?
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
For now I vote that Marisa and Mike hide together, I still haven't decided if it's better to be with Kasen or Chimata.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
>>213355 nice art!
[ ] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{ } …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
I actually just found this on AO3 recently and decided to give it a whirl (starting from Redo/Reimu, of course) and I was completely hooked, so I'm gonna take the chance to vote. Kinda rough that it's probably going to be one of the more important choices, but what can ya do.
Anyways, I'm honestly kinda hoping that the name "Marisa" is a tell to Kasen that she'll hide her thinking that she's the last Immaterial Children yet unaccounted for. Of course, I'm also not leaving out the lil kitty cat that's been with Marisa the entire way through so far.
A construction foreman..
Yep, that's probably those two.
Poor "Daigo"-chan.
I'll wait on if we hide behind Kasen or Chimata, I'm torn about who is more likely to fight em.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
But we keep our friend.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
HIDE US, MISS HERMIT-WHO-IS-TOTALLY-NOT-AN-ONI!
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
The big thing that’s been a running theme thoughout our interactions with l Kasen is the fact she suspects we’re unjustified runaways. In other words, she’s possibly the single most likely person to rat us out, without realising the danger.
Also, Kasen will not be able to hide two people even if we do convince her. We need some cover, ASAP.
>>213370 here, I'm pulling for Chimata.
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Uh oh. Looks like they've caught up to Marisa. Question is, are they tanuki sent by Mamizou to bring her back, or something else?
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} Perhaps it was better to hide on her own. That way, Mike wouldn’t be in danger…
NOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINKNOTIMETOTHINK
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
I want them to go to chimata's stage because if these guys are actually sent by Mamizou I think Kasen might side with them instead. And of course we're not just gonna leave Michael by herself
I'm also so interested to see how Marisa would deal with being on the other end of the powerscale
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
The Kasen option is tempting, but I'm not sure even Marisa's nue powers can hide two teenagers behind one oni cosplaying as a hermit.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Hermit Lady save us! Plz!
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Save us, oh great market goddess!
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
I'd say we go with the pink haired lady.
>>213355
Nice!
>>213368
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
I choose the Hermit. (definitely not an Oni)
X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Oni cosplaying as hermit.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Wait the Rainbow Market isn't in Gensokyo? Huh. Dang. I was foolded by my own headcanon I imagine. Anyway, my votes... I seriously didn't know what to vote for. Mike is friend; must protecc friend.
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
:3
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
-[X] Pray to all the gods you can remember that they don't recognize you as you head towards somewhere safer.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
yeah kasen might rat us out. as good as she is, she might misread the situation and assume marisa (and possibly mike) are runawayd using the classic "pretend they're not my parent" trick. in which case, yeah they're fucked. hoping the nue powers kick in, or the tentacles buy them a little more time.
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
We should hude with the hermit. A hermit that definitely doesn't have horns.
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Aside from this being an actually viable hiding spot, we should probably actually try to meet Chimata at some point before leaving the market.
It really does seem that Kasen is out of the loop regarding the ICs being youkai. If she were aware, seeing an unusually powerful youkai in the outside world might have raised a few more red flags and her reaction to learning about Reimu probably would have involved more sake.
Actually, now that I think about it, if Kasen's fellow sages really did withhold such crucial details from her, it's probably because they want to watch her blue screen in real time as she realizes that the new Hakurei shrine maiden (i.e. the person whose job it is to protect the humans of Gensokyo) is a youkai from the Animal Realm (badly) pretending to be a human.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Despite everything, Kasen is the most trustworthy and compassionate of the three sages, so she's probably likely to lend a hand here, I feel. I think we could probably hide behind her without her protesting too much.
>>213386
I think it's just 'cuz this is happening so long before Unconnected Marketeers. I think Chimata had arrived in Gensokyo rather recently due to the decline of traditional markets in favor of online storefronts?
Counting to >>213396:
Main Choice #1:
[14] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
[0] No, wait, she might just think Marisa was a runaway. There was a retaining wall nearby that she could go to which’d keep her out of view of the entrance.
[12] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
Main Choice #2:
{1} Perhaps it was better to hide on her own. That way, Mike wouldn’t be in danger…
{25} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Potential Additions:
For [x] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage:
-[1] Pray to all the gods you can remember that they don't recognize you as you head towards somewhere safer. (>>213388)
Happy New Year to you too, Gooboi. :3
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
We wanted to go to this market for a chance at Chimata, I still want that chance.
>> 213369
Hey AO3 person, make sure you mark your vote with an X. E.g
[X] blahblahmakemarisadosomething
Anyway, for my actual vote, I’d say Kasen is powerful enough to beat up the two grunts from Sado, so just hiding behind her should be fine. And we don’t want to be forced to try and find Kasen again once Marisa’s calmed own.
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
[X] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
Alright, well... that's tied the vote when i was working on a mini-next update, so... First vote after >>213404 decides!
[X] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
There's no time, and I'm sure Kasen would help.
{X} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
No calico left behind!
[16] Get behind Kasen. Explanations could wait, for now she needed to hide.
[ ] No, wait, she might just think Marisa was a runaway. There was a retaining wall nearby that she could go to which’d keep her out of view of the entrance.
[15] But there was also a spot behind Chimata’s stage. Maybe it was better to hide there?
{1} Perhaps it was better to hide on her own. That way, Mike wouldn’t be in danger…
{30} …Unless they already knew they were together. Better to keep Mike safe, too.
“Mike, get back.” Marisa’s voice was low as she stared at the entrance. “Big trouble.”
The calico looked in Marisa’s direction. “What? What’s up?”
“You wanna know why I had to run away? Guys like those are why.” Mike stiffened, as Marisa took her hand. “We need to move.”
The two men seemed to be murmuring something to the door guard, holding out a picture in their hands. In the corner of the islander’s eye, she could see Chimata start approaching the guards, her face stern.
The changeling’s thoughts were racing a mile a minute. Was that the only way out? If so, were they trapped? No, they didn’t have enough people to search the whole crowd. How did they even find her so quickly? Would they bottleneck the entrance? If so, where could they hide?
“You know, I do think I saw a tailor around here.” Marisa spun around. Kasen was humming in thought. “There’s lots of youkai who get flaps and proper holes cut in the back… maybe one of them can help you with your jacket, too.”
The islander blinked, before shaking her head. Right, they just had to blend in with the crowd for now. Drop off anything identifiable at the tailor, sneak out, and circle back later. “O-oh yeah? That’d be great. Where’d you see them?”
“Oh, they’re just on the far side of the fountain. Wouldn’t want any grease or sugar getting on new clothes, after all.” Kasen gestured to the crowd. “Would you like me to show you the way?”
“I-the far side?” The maneki-neko stuttered. “I-I dunno, that’s pretty far-ow-ow-ow Marisa!”
The changeling released her grip from her friend’s hand, trying to check that she hadn’t bruised it without alerting the hermit. “I-I mean, we just got over to the sweets ourselves. Might as well get some dessert before we go, rather than after, right? Hey, uh, know anywhere private we can eat them?”
“Private?” Kasen tilted her head. “...What’s going on with you two?”
“Nothing! Nothing at all.” Marisa’s words were betrayed by stepping back. “We just… wanna take some time to sit and relax, you know? No reason not to find a quiet spot, hey?”
Mike’s tail had puffed out, in a spiky pattern. Kasen’s eyes locked on it as the catgirl turned her back to the hermit, briefly. “O-oh, for that matter, we haven’t checked out the distant areas around the market, have we? Say, Kasen, do you know what’s out there?”
The hermit folded her arms. “Mike. Marisa. What’s going on?”
She turned her head towards the fountain… and froze. Marisa followed her gaze, getting a sinking feeling. As the market goddess was poking the confectioner in the chest, he was showing a photo in response.
Blonde hair, red ribbon, and a bomber jacket. Crap. The distance didn’t make the picture easy to make out… but Marisa recognized it all too well. She could only hope that this far away, Kasen wouldn’t-
“...I see.” The runaway’s head seemed to turn far more slowly than she ever had, even a split second lasting for minutes on end. Kasen’s eyes had fixated on the sweating changeling, and were subjecting her to an iron gaze. “Marisa. I’m sure you have some interesting stories, but… why are those men looking for you?”
Bail, bail, BAIL. Marisa couldn’t meet the hermit’s glare, her eyes flickering around for exits. She could still blend into the crowds if she got away, but if Kasen caused a scene, they’d see her, and then those guys could just watch the fountain for when she emerged. She whipped her head around, looking for a place to escape to.
[ ] The horned lady was sitting atop the retaining wall. She was watching the scene in the square with a faint trace of amusement. Perhaps they could ask her for an illusion?
[ ] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
[-5] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
…OK, Screw it. Stage it is.
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
Huh, so is that negative due to spirit, instinct or just cause Marisa has always been a horrible liar?
Anyways, we've made too many smart choices, time to do the wrong thing
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
Poor Marisa. With this attitude, she might very well undergo a species shift into an armadillo.
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
I'll never give up on capitalism. Plus, Zanmu is one of the worst people I can imagine being indebted to, and for once I'm actually in agreement with our IC against the negative option. Marisa is more liable to break down crying than to come up with a lie, and while that would probably get Kasen's sympathy it would also definitely attract hostile attention.
FLEE, MARINUE! FLEE WITH YOUR CAT AND TAMOGACHIS!
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
Also sounds like the Tanukuza scammed someone on the way in (Most likely the Kappa at the front), and Chimata is a pretty fierce fighter. There's gonna be trouble...
And unless these guys are as good as the guys we think they're expies of, anyone short of the Big Tanuki herself would lose.
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
I like the idea of getting caught in the market godess's dressing room.
[x] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
I doubt we can outrun Kasen but its time to book it Marisa
[x] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
This is a terrible idea, but it's an extremely Marisa move.
[x] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
Yeah, huh, run...
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
I don't know if this is a good idea but I'm interested in it.
If this has to do with his Nue youkai side and slightly reduces his very high human spirit, well... why not?
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
We keep getting options to go over to Chimata. I'm not saying Gooboi's hanging a neon sign or anything, but I like following the plot. Plus, having a minus doesn't necessarily mean that it's a better option, just one that needs a bit of extra convincing to get through the door. (Though, that last bit isn't proven, just my intuition.)
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
I'll try this one.
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
Gotta build this Marisa up to brazenly lie in the face of powerful folks. Need to get her to the point where "(Huge lie.)" is appended to her text box again. This is probably a bad idea, but suffering builds character or something
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
Hmm. Hard choice. This is probably a bad idea, but it shouldn't doom us too hard.
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
Kasen won't let her go easily so...
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say somethin
>>213428, I agree.
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
I mean, these people could be from a rival opposing Mamizou pretending that they're merely searching for Marisa to bring back home or they could actually be from Mamizou herself being awfully protective of Marisa. But for now, probably best to buy time by bluffing to Kasen (The other choices would've been best at an earlier time, but the past remains in the past so yeah.)
Although, what do we even say to Kasen...? Marisa can't just lie about them being evil people trying to kidnap her & are deceiving everyone else, because then they'll get tied up & interrogated and Marisa will have to explain it all when it's revealed otherwise.
Eh, maybe some other anon will figure this out.
A extremely messy sketch of Marisa on a very bad piece of paper.
I really should practice anatomy....
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
It may not be the best choice, but it's definitely the most fun.
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
i really, really don't think we'll be able to convince her.
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
Looking at all the stuttering on the bluffing vote really makes me think leaving is the better option. Because honestly, Kasen is going to see straight through that lie. The only problem is that if Marisa and Mike run, then Kasen might shout for them to come back and probably follow them.
I think the real deciding factor is that Kasen used to be an oni. And oni HATE lies.
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
It would appear that our pursuers have bad credit scores if Chimata's reaction to them is any indication. Our credit score should still be quite healthy, so we should be safe hiding here.
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
Honestly won't lie, I feel like this choice is the one with the biggest chance to backfire because 1, she's bailing on Kasen without explaining anything (leaving the oni more in the dark and probably more pissed) and 2, considering that Chimata is a Goddess of Markets, should any sort of "fair trade" happen to get her, she's smoked. Issue is, I can't see either of the options going well either, not especially when Kasen's already sussing Marisa out. Here's to hoping, I guess.
Counting to >>213436:
Main Choice:
[0] The horned lady was sitting atop the retaining wall. She was watching the scene in the square with a faint trace of amusement. Perhaps they could ask her for an illusion?
[16] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
[11] [6] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
:3
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
Something about this feels right, but the other option to hide behind Chimata's stage feels like a good one too. I guess we'll see in due time.
>>213439
Also, the bit in the text about "the actual truth" being too ridiculous makes it sound like maybe these guys are her caretakers or something, and they're following her so Mamizou doesn't flame their asses for letting Marisa run away.
Considering that it is Kasen wouldn't that be hypocritical of her?
[X] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
I don't think this'll work, but I feel like most of the options could backfire hard.
[X] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
Time to meet the Goddess of Skittles.
[ ] The horned lady was sitting atop the retaining wall. She was watching the scene in the square with a faint trace of amusement. Perhaps they could ask her for an illusion?
[17] No, wait, the goddess’ stage was unoccupied now. It seemed she was arguing with those guys for some reason - maybe they could hide somewhere there while the attention was taken?
[12] She could try to bluff her way out? Stall her, at least until they hopefully went away? The-the actual truth would probably sound too ridiculous to explain, so she- she’d have to come up with a good lie, but she’d-uh-she’d- she’d say something!
An explanation might have worked. Maybe. But she knew the look Kasen was giving all too well.
Mike let out a yelp as Marisa seized her hand and took off, dashing into the crowd. The other girl stumbled to keep standing as she was dragged through the crowds, leaving Kasen’s protesting voice behind. The throngs of people, while still giving enough room for the young girls to squeeze through, were nowhere near as permitting for an adult, and it wasn’t long before Kasen’s voice fell away behind them.
Marisa hit a slide as the two girls reached the stage, ending in a crouch behind the stage’s edge and releasing her friend’s hand. “Stay low, and let’s get around the far side. We really don’t want to be recognised.” She twisted back to Mike, who was rubbing the arm Marisa had been holding.
“Ow ow ow… you nearly pulled my arm off.” Marisa winced, extending her arm to lead her friend more gently - and only feeling a jolt through them both as she touched the catgirl. “Ow! Static too...”
“Sorry…” Marisa gave her an apologetic look which the catgirl waved off. “I just can’t risk it with these guys.”
“Who are they, anyway?” Mike leaned over her shoulder.
“Well, they look like a candy man and a construction guy from Sado.” Marisa turned her gaze back to the entrance as the two shuffled around the back. “Who they actually are, though, is anyone’s guess.”
“Whaddaya mean?” Before Marisa could respond, Kasen rounded the front side of the stage. She scanned the crowds around her, before locking on to the two crouching girls.
“You two!” The changeling sputtered, trying to think of what to say as the hermit rushed up to them. She just had to figure out something, anything to stall her for a little bit long-
“Have you seen a blonde girl with a red ribbon, and a calico bakeneko?” Kasen’s eyes darted off the duo, into the crowd again. “I’m trying to find them!”
Marisa blinked. She turned to look at Mike, who was just as confused as her. “Uh… yeah! We saw them go that way!” She pointed off in the rough vector they’d been heading before they got to the stage. Kasen gave a stiff nod, before rushing off into the darkness around the Market.
“I’m not answering any of your questions!” A voice rang out from the middle of the crowd. “You are not welcome here. Not with your actions topside.”
The girls turned their eyes back to the main stage. Now that they were in a safer position, Marisa took a moment to judge them more closely. The figure of the confectioner was always unmistakable, a mountain of a man taller than most, and with a bulky build that masked exactly how much muscle he had.
His partner was entirely in the other direction, a man who would be much closer to matching the other’s height if he ever stood straight - as it was, he was rarely anything even resembling standing at attention, and slouched with practiced ease, dangling a keychain with a single key off his finger.
Compared to the two of them, Chimata seemed utterly dwarfed. She was clad in a rainbow kimono in front of the two in much more casual clothing, with one of those floating shawls - hagoromo? Marisa really should have paid more attention - flowing around her. And yet, for all her diminutive size, it seemed it was the thugs who were on the defensive.
The confectioner seemed to be trying to get a word in between the other two, who were right in each other’s faces. “Excuse me-”
“I told you already, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” The foreman’s voice had a whining tone to it, throwing his arms wide. “You’re not explaining yourself, lady!”
The market goddess stayed resolute, poking the foreman in the chest. “You violated the rules of this market! And so egregiously, too! What makes you think you can just get away with that?”
The larger man began to speak again. “Listen, Den-”
“Get away with what?!” The lanky man through his hands into the air. “We just went around and asked some questions!”
On the far side of the entrance, Marisa saw the figure of Kasen, emerging from the darkened streets around the market. This put her near the horned lady on the retaining wall, and the hermit quickly grabbed the other woman for a few questions. As the two got into a conversation with very different levels of urgency, a glow from the fountain brought Marisa’s attention to the main stage.
Chimata was focusing, muttering a spell as strange lights formed around her. As they got closer to the two men, they suddenly took shape, forming colourful daggers.
The lankier man yelped. “Look, we’ll apologise, we’ll apologise, all right! We’ll make things good, okay, compensate for any damages caused - compensate double, if we have to!” As the floating lights slowed, he took an uneasy breath. “Just please explain what the issue is, alright?”
Chimata straightened up. “As I said, you performed an unfair exchange. A deal where you scammed the partner. That is the issue here.”
“Who did we-”
“Denki!” The larger man’s shout sent ripples through the crowd, turning the few heads who hadn’t already been watching the show. “If you would let me speak... I might know which deal she means.”
The foreman paused, looked to his partner, and sighed. “...Ah, Daigo. I’m not going to like what I’m about to hear, am I?” He started spinning the keychain in his hand, faster and faster.
Daigo eyed the spinning key, but continued. “As I mentioned, the one who told us she might be here was a kappa. But in exchange for the information -”
The keychain went flying, up into the air. As the two kids watched, a plume of smoke enveloped it, becoming a spinning pillar. The one calling himself Denki reached up into the smoke, grabbing at one end and growling with rage.
As his hand descended from the cloud, what he’d grabbed at had revealed itself - a metal bat, with a ring hanging from its hilt. He brought it swinging into the back of his partner’s head, producing a clang that made the audience wince and folding the bulkier man into a bow.
“Idiot! I told you to be careful about that, didn’t I? That shit isn’t gonna fly here!” He growled. The other man grit his teeth, slowly returning to a standing position. “Honestly, this is a market goddess’ turf! That’s the whole reason she came, isn’t it?”
Denki swung the bat again, but this time his friend just raised a tree-trunk arm, blocking it before it could pick up momentum. “You’ve made your point.” The two men shared a glare, before the lanky foreman gave up his second swing.
Chimata seemed thrown off-balance by the sudden exchange of blows, as Denki straightened up and bowed deeply. “Lady Chimata, I am so sorry for my friend’s idiocy! I promise he was going to compensate her in time!”
The goddess blinked. “...Compensate her in time?”
The foreman nodded, pulling out what appeared to be a golden koban coin. “Yes, it’s a common negotiation tactic back home. If you think someone’s not on the level, you give them some of our funny money at first. See?” He offered it to the goddess to examine.
The marketeer’s posture stiffened. “Yes, it was your counterfeit money that caused the issue.” She dangled the coin like she’d need to wash her hands afterwards. “I’m well aware of what you lot-”
“But that’s only the first part, see?” He pulled out another koban that looked indistinguishable from the first to Marisa - but Chimata’s reaction was starkly different. “If the info turns out to be legit, we go back and compensate them properly. Usually we do it subtle-like, but considering the trouble we’ve caused, we’ll apologise properly for any trouble caused.” He pressed that coin into her hands as well.
The market goddess hesitated. “...I wasn’t expecting you to actually have the funds to…” She shook her head, refocusing. “Regardless of the reason, the fact is that you have had exactly one exchange in this market, and that exchange was with your counterfeit coins.”
Daigo bowed deeply. “My deepest condolences for the inconveniences caused.”
“You better be sorry, asshole.” The foreman turned around, sauntering back to the entrance proper with his partner on his heels. “We’ll go back to the kappa and compensate her properly, then. And we’ll leave the market, too, if it’s causing you trouble.”
Chimata put her hands on her hips. “Good, at least then-”
“Oh, but before we go-” As the two stepped into the center of the fountain, Denki turned around, giving a small grin. “Can we come back to this discussion once the market’s closed?”
The goddess stiffened, as the smile only grew wider. “After all, for Lady Chimata herself to come up and tell us off, the deal must have been lopsided indeed. Poor Miss Kappa gave us legit info, and we repaid her with dodgy coins.” The foreman spread his arms. “Which means that the girl really did come here, huh? Right, Lady Chimata?”
The goddess seemed stuck for a response, as the exit began to glow around the two goons. “Daigo, call up the boss to meet us here, would you? I think we’re all gonna be very interested in that follow-up chat.” Denki gave a casual wave to the crowd, still hanging the bat over his shoulder. “Well, boys and girls. See you all around!”
As the fountain enveloped the duo, they vanished into the fountain. Chimata seemed to sag somewhat as they disappeared, putting her hand to her head.
“Think the coast is clear?” Mike stood up, nervously. Marisa turned back, nodding to her.
“Yeah, at least in the market itself. Unless Kasen goes and tries to rat us out - but she’s on the far side at least… however she got there.” Marisa took a glance over the grounds, starting to go back to normal again. Kasen and the horned woman (a friend of hers, maybe?) were walking into the darkness again, seemingly retracing the former’s steps.
Mike shook her head. “What was that about, anyways? She was right in front of us and didn’t recognise it at all.” The catgirl groaned, rubbing her arm and wincing.
“Hey - seriously, you okay? Still got all your fingers attached and all that?” As she turned back to inspect her friend’s arm, she saw a white thing squirming on it. “Ah, there’s a little worm-”
When she touched it, the two girls got another static shock, producing a yelp from both of them. Mike waved the numbness out, muttering under her breath. “Seriously, Marisa? You sure you’re not a raijuu or something?”
“Oww… pretty sure I’m not. Kasen’d know if I was.”
“I’m inclined to agree,” a gentle, almost sing-song voice added. The two turned, to see the figure of the market goddess before them. “You certainly don’t look like any raijuu I’ve ever seen. But you are an unusual youkai, are you not?”
“Ch-Chimata!” The islander sputtered. “I- I don’t know, actually. I mean, I kinda think I’m an alien, but… yeah. Dunno.”
The goddess gave her a sympathetic look. “Poor thing… ah, but let’s get a little more comfortable, shall we?”
Hoo boy lads. I don't have words to describe how badly things would've gone if yall picked the Kasen option. Let's just say the fun mystery field trip part would be over.
There may be a choice midway through the next part, so I'll wait until I've written up to that to post this to Ao3.
Well, that was close!
Yey, Chimata! Although she did get talked around by the Majima, we are still safe.
Poor Kappa-chan, though... and looks like Marisa Nue'd Kasen. Huh.
booyah on being right about not trusting the minus!
Chimata seems to be doing pretty well for herself, honestly. I wonder if that's a ripple effect of the ICs, or if we're just early enough in time that people haven't entirely abandoned the traditions of the marketplace. Good fortune for us, either way.
Daigo and Denki are a surprisingly intimidating force. I wasn't expecting them to be so scarily competent... But I suppose perhaps our exposure to the Kiketsu family (what one would expect to be one of the most ruthless) as a spoiled princess or her bestie may have colored our perception of the Youkai gangsters.
That little worm is very interesting, to me. Doesn't seem particularly Nue-like off the top of my head. Obviously a physical medium of undefinedness, but what is it?
Yet another wonderful update with fresh new mysteries to savor...
Those were very clever words Denki spoke back there!
>>213465
If I had to guess (and going from memory) it might be a small "seed of the unknown", like Nue used in UFO to disguise the fragments-of-whatever that would unseal Byakuren. I don't remember the exact names, but it's something like that. The seeds are supposed to be snake-like, so maybe it's a very little snake instead of a worm?
>>213467
Yeah they're called Seeds of Unknown Form; it's what causes stuff to become "unknown".
Well, looks like the pursuers have been thrown off for now. Marisa is in serious trouble if the gangsters are that ruthless with each other. Glad we get to talk to Chimata and not them.
Well. Either Gooboi forgot to update AO3 or they wait to write another update before updating it now that "Close Encounters" chapter is done.
No voting this time... so... finger crossed.
>>213485
> There may be a choice midway through the next part, so I'll wait until I've written up to that to post this to Ao3.
