Sleep. Sleep good. Sleep very, very good. Cool, comfy, peaceful. No ghosts or clocks to bother you. Just sleeeeeep. Make the evil daystar go away, then it will be time to play! Someone taught you that, way back when, and thought it was clever. Lever. Lover. Leavening. Eleven nine.

Eleven?!

Despair undoes your paralysis long enough for you to turn your head. Sure enough, the dastardly clock is proclaiming its victory in large red numerals. 11:09, same as the reflection you saw on the windowpane. Turning back and checking out your own reflection, you confirm that you look like hell. Baggy eyes, kinda ratty hair, you slept in your vest, that's definitely a hangover you're feeling (resolution number #itdoesn'tmatter: don't drink Yuyuko's sake!), and your new body still looks abnormally frail. Ah, well, that's life. Yesterday was harsh, the old man will understand. There's no sense going in until after lunch now, so you might as well catch a few more Z's and rest up for tonight.

Your skull continues to pound as you flop over and bury your face in the pillow. Almost sounds like someone's knocking on your door. Naaah, too loud, it would break with that kind of force. Like your mind is breaking. Back! To! Sleep! Someone calls your name. No! No more ghosts! Shut up, they can't have you! BACK! TO! SLEEP! Yes, that's much more like it. A soft, refreshing gurgle of fresh water flowing, pouring like a soothing river and drowning out everything else.

You should probably get up and take a bath. Sometime. A bath would be nice. Maybe something uncomfortably warm, so you'll itch all night, it'll help the experience. Oh, that's curious. You're flying to the bath on your own. No, being carried, in someone's loving arms. Letty? Probably. Oh, this is a nice dream. Maybe she'll have ice cream. Maybe she'll turn you over and have ice cream.

Maybe she'll have ICE.

The BATHTUB.

Is FULL of water.

The water is full of ICE.

"Heeere we goooooooo~!" a devil's voice sings out. In the half second before you hit the water, you try to concentrate, to slow time like Youmu, but no dice.

Everything whites out. Burning cold pain covers your body, jarring your wings and bringing every single nerve to attention before instantly re-numbing them.

"Ghuuuuf!" You cough, choke, and spit up some of the frigid water you swallowed when the hands pull you above the surface again. "Aghsdjgsd! ShhhtooNNOOOOO-"

They plunge you back down into pure agony, then bring you up again.

"YOOOUUUUUUU!" Twisting your head, you shriek at your tormentor with enough force to wave her black braids. Meiling's face lights up, then water covers your eyes and you inhale COLD as she dunks you a third time. This time, she holds you under for several seconds, flinching only when your thrashing slops a good couple of liters of water out onto her legs. Finally, she pulls you back up, and you opt for a wordless howl of rage.

"Ah, Mistress Fairy! You're awake!" Mockingly oblivious to your fury, Meiling holds you at arm's length and grins. "I thought extreme cold might do it. You're late for work!"

"You! Broke into my apartment!" Oh god, your eyeballs are going to frost over.

"You gave me a key and told me to come by anytime." Meiling holds up something small and shiny. You squint, trying to blink your vision clear.

"I did? I don't remember that AND THAT'S NOT THE WAY TO WAKE SOMEONE UP!" She answers you with a laconic hum, and you answer that with the only appropriate response, shaking your arms and wings hard enough to spray Meiling with the remnants of your chilly torture.

"Get dressed and come in. See you there!" Wisely, the Chinese girl chooses to take her leave before you fully recover.

You do, however, fully recover, and as your wits return you must admit that her choice of methods is not entirely ineffective. One of the perks of being a nature spirit is that you have an affinity for water, even bathwater, and for temperatures low enough to be unsafe for something as fragile as a human. Indeed, as the initial shock wears off, you feel your heart pump faster and your flesh start to reinvigorate itself. The fairy that meets your eyes in the mirror looks far heartier than the one you saw in the window, except for your underclothes being completely soaked. Fine, Meiling, you think. Someday that girl will pay for this. For now, you need to get dressed.

Five minutes later, you realize you've been staring into your wardrobe, thinking entirely about getting dressed for the night, rather than the day. THAT one, yes, that one will do for later. For now... slacks and scrubs, the usual aquamarine, who cares what Meiling thinks and the old man won't care. Throwing them on quickly, you check the time (11:39), your cupboards (ice cream, of which you wolf down a pint in seconds), your phone (one message, Letty's voice beginning with "Hey, I got the-" and you cut it off there so you won't be distracted), and your door (intact and unlocked, she had to have been telling the truth about having a key. Damn, were you really that out of it?). Grab wallet, grab keys, grab... guns? Yeah, grab guns, just in case. Guns will go in socks, where any bulging can be attributed to your sudden burst of fitness. And go!

[ ] Grab Bunbunmaru.
[ ] Grab Gensokyo Chronicle.
[ ] Ain't got time for that, news is depressing.
============
New thread, got the title wrong on the old one. Sorry about that.

{X} Grab Gensokyo Chronicle.
Bunbunmaru is shit, don't want to miss anything interesting

[x] Grab Gensokyo Chronicle.
For now.
[x] Grab Bunbunmaru.
For later.

[1] Grab Gensokyo Chronicle
[2] Grab Bunbunmaru.
If we can only take one, get the Gensokyo Chronicle.

[x] Grab Gensokyo Chronicle.
For the simple but important news.

[x] Grab Bunbunmaru.
For when we have time to read between the lines.

Also, EX Meiling is AWESOME.

[ ] Grab Bunbunmaru.
[ ] Grab Gensokyo Chronicle.

For whatever reasons the lot above this post said.

[x] Grab Bunbunmaru.
[x] Grab Gensokyo Chronicle.

Idort option.

>you have an affinity for ... temperatures low enough to be unsafe for something as fragile as a human.
Letty was made for us, and us, for her.

[x] Grab Gensokyo Chronicle.
News just in. Purple is the new green.

[+] Grab Bunbunmaru.
[+] Grab Gensokyo Chronicle.
Also, FUCK YES WE ARE CIRNO!

>>3868

So THAT is the reason our name hasn't showed up yet.

If not, then can we have name tiem nao?

>>3830 >>3831

I just wish the fairy showed a bit of regret for neglecting Yuyuko a bit more. Yeah, she what she did, but still...Yuyuko is not a bad person.

>>3884
Weren't we all agreed that Yuyuko's a bitch? She might be a competent crime boss, but...

>>3887

No. And who exactly is "we"?

>>3890
Most everyone participating in the shitstorm/discussion not too long ago.
FOCUS.

>>3895

Focus on what? I'm not going for Letty/Meiling AGAIN. There is enough of them in others CYOAs(Yes, even Letty, and she is a boring character).

>>3898
Way to miss the point. It's not about "Letty route y/n" - there aren't such routes in RaAN.

[X] Grab both.

Ready for work, you zip out the door and downstairs, then barrel out towards the nursing home. The political crowds on the corners are a little thicker and a little rowdier today, waving signs and banners, but they all blur into a sea of colors as you skim over their heads. You do try to keep an eye out for Meiling, but no purple blobs catch your notice on the streets. Zipping into the building, you jog left, right, and almost knock over a cartful of blankets.

"Sorry!" A hasty apology shouted back at the poor attendant will have to do. You slam around the corner to the elevator and mash the up button, then bounce until the doors open, jump in and start punching buttons. The doors close again, and you try to curb your jitters on the ride up.

An eternity of deep breaths later, the elevator chimes, and Gensokyo's most cool and collected fairy steps out of it... and is promptly hit in the nose by a paper glider. You stumble back and nearly sneeze from the shock. Nobody's in view, and the room itself is pastoral as ever, a few delicately folded paper cranes floating down the artificial stream. A soft giggle and a glimpse of a hand sticking out of a beaded curtain alert you to another glider being thrown; this one you catch and unfold. As you thought, a poem rests within the crumpled surface.

"Glad you could make it!" The Master's voice, more cheerful than you can ever recall hearing it, floats to your ears. Taking that as an invitation, you push through the curtain and see him lying down on a soft bed, covered with soft green drapery. Meiling is sitting on the side of the bed, perfectly at ease, and as you enter she finishes folding a third paper glider and tries to peg you with it. Both of them wear radiant smiles.

"Ahaha, glad to be here!" You join them in smiling, arching an eyebrow at Meiling. "I had to defeat some witches and bears, and survive terrible poisons and dangerous youkai trying to drown me and hit me with flying poetry danmaku."

"What a tale! Does that mean you are a dangerous youkai, daughter?" The patriarch chuckles dryly, patting Meiling's hand as she denies his accusation.

"I was just trying to wake her up! She was still in bed when I got there!"

"All right, all right." You sigh. "I guess I had too much of Youmu's sake, and -" Your foster father raises his hand, beckoning you closer.

"Rest." He indicates the side of the bed opposite Meiling, and you obediantly sit on it. The metal posts at the bottom catch your attention - it's the same model as the single beds in the rest of the home, if more elegantly made, yet there's room enough for all three of you to occupy it without feeling cramped. Briefly, just briefly, your Master seems old and small. His hair is a little whiter than you remember, his face a little more wrinkled. But he reaches out and gently pulls you down, so you're lying beside him in the soft sunlight, and then he is your friend and father. Who cares if he's in bed, or if the poetry you know he spends weeks calligraphing is turned into children's toys? He's happy, and so are you.

"Have you brought us news?" He asks, at length. You nod and produce the newspapers, spreading them out on the bed for all to see.

"Yasaka, Houraisan Outpace Hakurei!" is the Chronicle's front page news. As you'd expected, political news takes up the entire front section as well as some special inserts. Meiling seems apathetic, but the old man reads everything carefully, and taps the pages halfway down.

"They are in error," he pronounces, "although it is hard to fault the news for remaining positive."

"What's wrong with it?" Feeling as though this is a familiar game by now, you read what he's pointing at before asking. It's an editorial mentioning a work-related accident at Eientei, which quickly segues into questioning their record on safety and human and youkai rights.

"Lady Houraisan's suit is greatly outpacing both of her competitors, and Lady Yasaka's support is ephemeral. It is only quick scandal and slur that may influence the results."

"Sounds like something up Mistress Scarlet's alley," Meiling notes, and the man nods gravely and looks at you.

"The rich and the powerful cast their ballots with deeds." His mirthful eyes linger on yours a moment too long, as Meiling gives up on deciphering his comment and turns to the more entertaining Bunbunmaru. You puzzle a moment, too, but his meaning becomes clear when you look at what Meiling's reading.

"Rabid Reimu Removed From Run?!" the tabloid exclaims. "The Priestess of Hakurei cancelled our exclusive interview yesterday, citing sickness! And what causes sickness to an up and coming leader? P O I S O N, of course! Our sources report that Reimu Hakurei was heard frantically calling the Yama and asking for justice with her nearly dying breaths! And who could poison such a pillar of the community?"

You feel oddly calm as the puzzle fits itself together in your mind. An "accident" at Eientei, and Hakurei getting sick? The Bunbunmaru's clearly making stuff up, but... no, the Master's telling you it's no coincidence. Oddly calm, you turn to the next page's "SUPER SCOOP" photo, fully expecting to see yourself. Instead, you find a grainy, blurry snapshot of...

"ALICE MARGATROID, noted social deviant and curse user, was caught at the scene by our dedicated photojournalists! When called for comment, she broke down and THREATENED A MEMBER OF THE PRESS, saying that Reimu was a good friend of her dead LOVER, Marisa Kirisame! Did Reimu arrange the 'accident' that killed Marisa? Political pawn, or karmic vengeance? YOU BE THE JUDGE!"

You stop reading there, before it goes into more "interviews" and mudslinging sidebars. Even here, in this peaceful room, it's almost enough to bring you to tears. The same Alice you met? Of all people, she doesn't deserve this. You're sure of it - you think. Even though you know Shameimaru's making nearly everything up, your momentary association with Alice is enough to make you question for a moment whether she might have been doing something unusual in that room after all... and tabloid article or not, you can see others thinking the same. You turn to the Master, recalling his advice about rumors being truer than news, and he reads your face and shrugs.

"Tragedy falls into every life." Playing the sage to the hilt, he offers you nothing but a proverb. Meiling looks between the two of you, puzzled, then plucks another museum-quality poem leaf from the bedside table and begins to fold it. He doesn't seem to mind. You watch her work for a while before speaking again.

"Juicy and all. Is anyone going to take this seriously?"

"Ahh, daughter, how could I know that?" He laughs, and the mood lightens. "I am an old man, dirty according to some, not a seer. The papers print what they will, and the people act on it as they will."

"... So, what are we going to do today?" You shoot for the non sequitur, trying to... you don't know. Anywhere else, you'd be flying into a rage, or a panic, or both right now, but knowing Father is here and reading the articles with you makes it impossible to stay concerned.

"Just..." he sighs, and the illusion of frailty creeps back, competing with that twinkle in his eye. Dirty and old indeed. "Just to have company, I am afraid. Please excuse my selfishness. You have both earned your rest, and I have heard that one of you has an... exciting appointment tonight."

"Having company is fun!" Again, Meiling chimes in with a simple observation. She certainly seems to be enjoying playing the child, even if it clashes entirely with her new persona. In the Master's presence, though, she seems considerably less lethal. More like one of the butterflies in the cages, a bright part of nature in her own way rather than Yuyuko's deadly instrument.

"That it is." Closing his eyes, the man swallows, content. "A little love goes a long way. Aphorisms are the same. Remember that, should you ever have merry daughters of your own. It makes conversation much simpler!"

[ ] He's right. Just rest here.
[ ] Talk to the old man about ________.
[ ] Play with Meiling.
[ ] Excuse yourself to ________.
=========
Character limit. Hate.

Yeah, I figured those letters were terrorist weapons of some sort.

...I don't know what to vote for.

[x] He's right. Just rest here.
[x] Talk to the old man about: [his relationship with Yuyuko]
This remains exceptionally well written. And >>3909 is right, it's difficult to know what to vote for.
>>3898
>>Yes, even Letty, and she is a boring character
Nah she isn't, and especially not in this story.

{X} Play with Meiling.
Happy happy funtimes~

[X] Play with Meiling.

A father loves to watch his children have fun.

[x] He's right. Just rest here.
[x] Talk to the old man about: [his relationship with Yuyuko]
[X]Ask Meiling to train together when there is free time

Nothing better to do. Going with the write-in and my own write-in

>>3919

Meh, whatever. Going with this guy.

[x] He's right. Just rest here.
[x] Talk to the old man about: [his relationship with Yuyuko]
[x]Ask Meiling to train together when there is free time

>>3925
>If Alice really did hex Hakurei,
Did you really not catch that the poisoning was as a result of something on the letter?

[x] He's right. Just rest here.
[x] Talk to the old man about: [his relationship with Yuyuko]
Take it easy.

[x] Talk to the old man about: [his relationship with Yuyuko]
[x] Talk to the old man about: [whether Youmu insulting you now instead of simply not speaking is a good thing or a bad thing]
[x] Talk to the old man about: [the "exciting appointment" he mentioned]

The 'exciting appointment' is the concert, by the way.

>The 'exciting appointment' is the concert, by the way.

[x] Ask Meiling if she's going to the Prismriver concert

My name is Anonymous and I'M PROUD TO SUPPORT UPDATES.

{X} Play with Meiling, if you know what I mean.

>>3983
>{X}
Hey there.

Not wanting to disturb the room's tranquility, you merely nod and lie back down to watch the sunlight glitter. Silence falls, and minutes tick by.

Possibly hours.

The next time you crane your neck over to look towards Meiling, you realize that she's nodded off, and the rhythmic noises coming from her side of the bed are light snores rather than paper folding. Well, if there really was nothing that needed to be done today, so much the better for her. You can't fall asleep yourself, though, and apparently neither can the old man.

"She has been asleep for some time now. It seems being a dangerous youkai is quite tiring." He gives you a conspiratorial wink, and speaks as though giving you permission to leave, though you knew you had it already. But you find yourself not wanting to go anywhere else, either - the things you're looking for are all right here.

"Hey, can I ask you a question?" You speak to the ceiling, already knowing he'll just say "Of course, dear."

"Of course, dear."

"What do you..." No, that won't do, he'll just say something vague. You can't think of a better way to put it, though. "What do you think of Yuyuko?"

Worse than vagueness, he simply doesn't answer you. By the time you've counted up to thirty Meiling snores, you're about ready to consider asking again. At thirty-nine, though, the Master begins to speak.

"You may find the next thing I say hard to believe."

"I'll believe it." His timbre clears all sleepyness from your head.

"Very well. Once, I was a young man..."

"I don't believe it." You close your eyes and pretend to sleep anyway, but snap back to life when he reaches out and gives your wing a light flick with his fingernail. The resultant chime echoes pleasantly in the room, though the reverberation in your back is a bit ticklish.

"It is true. Once, a very long time ago, I was a young man. I did not know anything of death, and I did not think I knew much of love, but I believed I was in love anyway. That," he breaks away for a second, "as it turns out, can be all that matters, and I wish that I had found that out many years earlier than I did. Do you understand?"

"Uh, sure." You don't.

"You don't." He chuckles, and takes the conversation on a sharp turn. "Tell me about Madame Whiterock."

"Er. Letty? She's cool." The Master chuckles at your pun before you realize you've made it. He knows all about her already, then. You expected no less. "She likes food, and traveling, and skating, and..."

"Humor an old man." He lifts a finger towards your wings again. "Tell me about her."

"Ahhhh. No!" Slowly, his meaning dawns. "I don't think we're in love, that's stupid. She's loyal, and always goes out of her way to cheer me up, and knows just how to have fun, and she's smart enough to know I... do something, but she respects me enough to not pry. So, I mean, yes, in the family sense. Like I love you, Gramps. But not in THAT sense. And don't you get any ideas, y'dirty old man." You laugh, intending to mock his insinuation, but it comes out sounding nervous.

"Is that so." Thankfully, said dirty old man keeps a perfect poker face.

"Yes."

"If you insist."

"I do."

"As you wish, daughter."

"Get back to your story, ya senile old coot. How's this have anything to do with Yuyuko?" You growl half-seriously and dig your wings further into the bedspread, to protect them from errant flickings. The man's hand returns, but only to gently ruffle the tips of your hair as he begins to speak hypnotically. Much better.

"Very well. I was in love with a most scintillating woman, and she with me. We were to have children and be happy. Much akin to Madame Whiterock, she saw all of my many flaws, and forgave all of them. I likewise cared about none of her own. Much akin to Madame Whiterock, all that remained between us was an unbroachable rift - that truly lay only in our minds. I was human, a gnat, and mortal, while she was... less so, and regardless of all else I could share in no more than a pinch of her life. I undertook to correct this."

"Oooh. And it didn't quite work, but you love her anyway and resigned yourself to your fate? That's so sweet! I'm so happy for you!" You know this one well. The old human and youkai romance, basic plot of roughly half or more of Gensokyo's romantic movies. Quite rare in real life, you understand, but the man lying beside you is special. Him and Yuyuko? Well, you could see it, assuming you bought into the ridiculous notion that the Master was ever young. And if she really can love someone romantically, then -

"Thank you, but my Lady is not of the Saigyouji family. Nor did I undertake this task lightly, or without her permission. We agreed together that it would be worthwhile, should I choose to attempt it. It was, in truth, for this reason that I first sought out and met Yuyuko."

He pauses, but you manage to keep your mouth shut this time. Eventually he points to Meiling.

"As you have seen, her power is truly formidable when she cares to apply it. Control over death means more, so much more, than its simple invocation. I sought her out, yes, and did many unsavory things in the process. None of which I regret, of course. Suffice to say that I found her, which, as you also know, very few succeed in doing." You catch a hint of pride in his voice, which sustains itself just soft enough to not wake the sleeper. Then his pitch drops.

"You may think Yuyuko to be lonely now; she does prefer that persona even among family. It is subterfuge. She is outcast in this world, it is true, but her true kingdom lies in a realm that you can never know, and I myself can only glimpse. Yesterday, I think, you caught such a glimpse. In her land, she is never alone, and the chaos speaks to her and her only. She knew who I was and what I desired: to stave away my own death. I am not wholly without skill, and never doubted that I would be able to find her, but persuading her to help us - that is where the risk lay."

"What'd you offer her?" You can't contain your curiosity, and the fingers gently curling your hair descend to trace your scalp.

"I offered you."

"Wh, you're, you're joking, right?" He must be. The room's too calm for him to be serious, and it's impossible anyhow.

"In a manner of speaking. We had nothing worldly that could interest Yuyuko, and my Lady could give nothing of her own. The only thing we and I could offer her was that which was most precious to us - a share in the happiness that she would be creating. The concept of family, something that had been lost to her for ages, yet which we hoped would still tug at the remnants of her humanity. A silly thing to offer the Queen of Ghosts, was it not? But it was the best we could do. And her answer..."

"She agreed." You finish his sentence. "And that's where all this came from."

"Yes. That is when she began taking in others. Never against their will, and only very rarely, but she has built herself a family. As for myself, I have lived much longer than other men, learned much, and spent many a happy year with my Lady. To stave off death forever - that is beyond even Yuyuko's power. It will come for me in time, and that is all well. I regret almost nothing. It really worked out remarkably well. Not at all like those books, or the newfangled moving pictures."

"Sounds like that all worked out perfectly for you."

"Not quite," he breathes, "not quite. Almost nothing I regret, but almost is not nothing. The point of this tale, besides the fact that you are my Family and should know it, is that Yuyuko is a strange being. She will give you what you ask for, and if she likes you, she will give you what you need. It is unlikely she will give you what you want, and her prices are exacting. She took half of my life as well, in contract, and more in practice. I believe I made the right choice. But it is not mine to choose for others, and sometimes others choose poorly when I might have prevented it. I gave Yuyuko a family, but she existed before that, and her goals are yet her own."

"I'll... keep that in mind." Chewing this over, you realize he made the same decision you're currently sitting on.

"There is one more thing. Her answer to me." The old man speaks again, and once more sounds old indeed. You make a cheerful questioning sound.

"'Youki Konpaku,'" he quotes, "'I'll trade you your life for half of it.'"

Meiling snores on. The water outside burbles. The room remains calm. Unnaturally calm, as if the concentration of an ancient mind was focused upon keeping it so.

Every bone in your body turns to jelly as the Master's name sinks into them.

"You... You." Both an address, and the first half of two names. "You-mu. You... gave her your daughter."

"No. She chose for herself. She chooses again every day. I made Yuyuko promise that she would always be allowed to leave, but..." Hollow, his voice falters. "I understand her less than I understand the ghost. I regret that I cannot help either of them."

You have no words.

"Thank you for your company," Youki mumbles behind your head, "and for all you have done, and what you may do. I am sorry if I have disturbed you. The world rolls on regardless, and I am afraid there may be work for you tonight. Seek the happiness you can."

[ ] Stay here until it's time to go.
[ ] Pick up Letty early.
[ ] Go to Hakugyokuro, because __________.
[ ] Go somewhere else, do something else.
============
Apologies for the long time this took. I'll try to write more the next few days.

[ ] Pick up Letty early.

{X} Pick up Letty early.

Fuck, Youki is awesome. Just reading this makes me get that relaxed Idunwannamove feeling.

[ ] Stay here until it's time to go.

Youki man, your words are like aural Valium.

>The point of this tale, besides the fact that you are my Family and should know it, is that Yuyuko is a strange being. She will give you what you ask for, and if she likes you, she will give you what you need. It is unlikely she will give you what you want, and her prices are exacting. She took half of my life as well, in contract, and more in practice.

[x] "It's a pretty good story, old man. Very human. Not at all like a fairytale. Fairies like me don't have real wants or needs, even if I'm pretty sure I'm a a freak among my own kin. Still, that Yuyu likes perverting wishes is something I'll keep in mind."

[x] "Youmu made it pretty clear yesterday that she doesn't enjoy my company but let slip that Yuyu had ordered her to be more familiar with me. Is there any way you could get Yuyu to lay off? I don't want Youmu hating me even more than she already does."
[x] Ask Youki to take Meiling out to the tonight's concert and show her a good time; you'll be busy with Letty.
[x] Stay here until it's time to go.

[x] Thank Youki for his time and his story, and promise to remember his words and keep them in mind.
[x] Excuse yourself to go pick up Letty early.
[x] Ask if there's anything you can do for him before you leave.

[x] Thank Youki for his time and his story, and promise to remember his words and keep them in mind.
[x] Excuse yourself to go pick up Letty early.
[x] Ask if there's anything you can do for him before you leave.
Now seems like a good time to get our coats. Also, Youki route confirmed for next playthrough.

[x] Thank Youki for his time and his story, and promise to remember his words and keep them in mind.
[x] Excuse yourself to go pick up Letty early.
[x] Ask if there's anything you can do for him before you leave.

I must be so dumb, I'm probably the only one who didn't see that coming. Fuck yeah Blankfag that was awesome.

>>3997

I like this

[x] "It's a pretty good story, old man. Very human. Not at all like a fairytale. Fairies like me don't have real wants or needs, even if I'm pretty sure I'm a a freak among my own kin. Still, that Yuyu likes perverting wishes is something I'll keep in mind."

[x] "Youmu made it pretty clear yesterday that she doesn't enjoy my company but let slip that Yuyu had ordered her to be more familiar with me. Is there any way you could get Yuyu to lay off? I don't want Youmu hating me even more than she already does."
[x] Ask Youki to take Meiling out to the tonight's concert and show her a good time; you'll be busy with Letty.
[x] Stay here until it's time to go.

How would Youki take Meiling to the concert? I was under the impression he is unable to move from his bed.

[x] "It's a pretty good story, old man. Very human. Not at all like a fairytale. Fairies like me don't have real wants or needs, even if I'm pretty sure I'm a a freak among my own kin. Still, that Yuyu likes perverting wishes is something I'll keep in mind."
[x] "Youmu made it pretty clear yesterday that she doesn't enjoy my company but let slip that Yuyu had ordered her to be more familiar with me. Is there any way you could get Yuyu to lay off? I don't want Youmu hating me even more than she already does."
[x] Ask Youki to take Meiling out to the tonight's concert and show her a good time; you'll be busy with Letty.
[x] Stay here until it's time to go.
[x] Ask if there's anything you can do for him before you have to leave.

Eh, why not?

>>4012

But isn't he able to? The last time we came here when he called he was at his desk, wasn't he? Maybe I should go reread the first two threads.

>>4014

I worded my post wrong. He probably has some mobility but I doubt he is in good enough condition to go to a place such as a concert.

>>4015

I hadn't read anything that indicated he had an injury. But anyway the offer is mostly facetious, just gives him a window to make a move by suggesting an alternative ("My knees are not quite up to that these days; how about dinner instead, my dear?"). Oh, Youki. You old devil.

[x] "It's a pretty good story, old man. Very human. Not at all like a fairytale. Fairies like me don't have real wants or needs, even if I'm pretty sure I'm a freak among my own kin. Still, that Yuyu likes perverting wishes is something I'll keep in mind."
[x] "Youmu made it pretty clear yesterday that she doesn't enjoy my company but let slip that Yuyu had ordered her to be more familiar with me. Is there any way you could get Yuyu to lay off? I don't want Youmu hating me even more than she already does."
[x] Ask Youki to take Meiling out to tonight's concert and show her a good time; you'll be busy with Letty. "Look I can tell she's sweet on you Youki, and no one will deny she is both attractive and likable. But she's sorta like a kid sister to me, so even though I trust you more than I trust myself, I'm still asking you to be careful with her feelings. Capisce?"
[x] Ask if there's anything you can do for him before you have to leave: "Pillows, cigs, drinks, drugs, guns, candy, that saucy nurse in admissions? ~AND NO. I AIN'T BUYING YOU CONDOMS AGAIN, 'MR. YOUKAI MAGNUM-SIZE.' That last sales clerk is still in therapy."

>>4019

hahaha wow

I don't think another write-in is going to trump this

>>4019

Magnific.

>>4019

Cool, but will never work. He sees everyone as his daughters.

[x] Thank Youki for his time and his story, and promise to remember his words and keep them in mind.
[x] Excuse yourself to go pick up Letty early.
[x] Ask if there's anything you can do for him before you leave.

"Pretty good story, old man," you say after some deliberation. "Very... human. I'll keep it in mind."

"Oh, not like a fairy tale?" Youki's smile reflects in the window, prompting you to strain to recall the stories you used to tell around the lake. Only fragments float to your memory.

"Not in the least. Fairy tales aren't true, and, um. We..." We or they? "We don't really need anything, or want much other than fun. Guess I'm a bit of a freak."

"You are special, to have come to the city at all. Very few of your kind do." Instantly sensing your discomfort, the old man does his best to reassure you. It works surprisingly well, almost too well, and in the back of your mind you wonder if he actually has some kind of power at work assisting the soporific atmosphere, like Youmu's.

"Youmu - " that reminds you. "Youmu doesn't like me much."

"Not a surprise. She hardly seems to like anyone, save her mother." Youki mumbles disappointedly under his breath as you continue.

"Yeah, well. Seems like Yuyuko started ordering her to hang around me and be social. D'ya think you can get her to, uh, not do that somehow? I don't want Youmu to hate me any more than she already does." Halfway through your question, he's already shaking his head.

"Ahh, child. Would that you would ask for an easier favor. To change Yuyuko's mind, when she has already given such an order - it might be easier to ask Youmu to love you. I will mention your concern, but I can tell you now that it is futile."

"Thought so." You sigh, and decide a change of mood is in order. His ribs are right there, begging for an elbow to dig into them! "Well, I'll try not to upset her. You wanna do me an easier favor, though? Take sleepyhead there to the concert tonight and show her a good time... if you know what I mean. Eh, eh?"

Youki gives no answer, but placidly, the fingers running through your hair wrap a few strands around themselves and contract. You grit your teeth and hold out till your eyes water.

"Okay, okay! I give!" You yelp, and instantly the pressure is gone. You catch a few teeth in the old man's reflected grin. "I apologize for thinking someone as old as you could even dream ofOWOWOWOWOW all right, I know you have better manners than to make a move on the first date!" Anticipating him snatching your hair a third time, you jerk your head upright and out of range, snickering.

"Too soft" is his only comment as he reaches forth and flicks your wings again. Hard. The room blurs and splits into five or so as vibrations, not quite unpleasant but distinctly nauseating, run back and forth through your skeleton. You almost fall off the bed, and Meiling snorts blearily at the noise.

"Wh-wh-where did you LEARN that?" you manage to stutter, trying to hold yourself together. The Master, having reestablished his dominion, simply waves a finger at you.

"Never you mind. Since you ask of our dangerous youkai, however, she will be working tonight. And," he raises himself off the bed and glances out the window, "Madame Whiterock is waiting for you outside, and doing a very poor job of hiding her impatience. If I may be so bold, perhaps you would like to begin your date with her early?"

"Yeah, I - wait, really?" Fully alert in an instant, you hop off the bed and stare outside. All you can see is brilliant, cloud-laden sky. You float up, trying to get a good angle to peer downwards over the sill, and can eventually just make out roofs, treetops and ground, the front of the nursing home. No Letty, though. "Are you kidding me? How the hell?"

"Never you mind." Youki lies back, resting his wizened head on the pillows again. "I assure you, she is there."

"Alllllright. Say, though, is there... anything I can do for you?" As you stand to leave, you find yourself struggling against the peaceful draw of the room for once. All that he told you, all that he trusted you with, it all seems like the most natural thing in the world. You know you ought to thank him somehow, and you know ought not to, that it isn't necessary. This is all you can manage. He thinks, then nods slowly.

"Remain cheerful."

"Okay." Yeah, you had a feeling he'd just say something like that.

Meiling snorts again and droops her head further forward. You resist a sudden impulse to ask Master Youki if he has a tub and some ice somewhere, and bow out through the curtain. In the main room, scraps of drowned, dissolving paper float over pebbles, the remains of cranes. Your surroundings seem even more muted, but simultaneously more real. The price of coming to know the Master in his paradise, it seems, is to come to know him as an old man in a posh but artificial suite. Some of the mystique is gone and will never return. Or, perhaps, it has simply moved to different matters, leaving more questions than answers. You try your best to shove skepticism and excitement out of your brain, preparing to go meet Letty again, and succeed just enough to finally notice exactly what the old man had said.

"It's NOT a date!" you shout through the elevator's closing doors, and immediately wish you hadn't as Meiling's groggy "Rehhhhhhh?" sounds back. Having registered your stance, for good or ill, you return to thinking about how you can ask Letty for a minute to go back to your apartment and pick up your dress for your Mutual Outing Of Best Friends At A Concert. And maybe an umbrella - you didn't spot Letty from above, but those clouds mean rain's a-comin. And maybe something else.

Youki is true to his word, of course, and you easily spot your quarry hanging around on the corner. She's pretending to window shop, but glances at the front doors of the nursing home every few seconds. You stride contentedly in her direction, looking up, down, all around, and do your best to pretend to be surprised when a pair of hands slide over your eyes and softness pressed against your wings.

"Guess who-oo~!"

"Minoriko!"

"Guess agai~n!"

"Shizuha!"

"Awww..." The person holding you pouts.

"What, jumping on me from behind and crying? Must be Parsee!" Your exclamation earns you a swift bap on the head.

"Be serious! I got the tickets!"

"Oho!" Sliding out from her grip, you spin about and cross your arms. "Madame Leticia Primrose Whiterock! What a surprise to meet you upon this fine streetcorner! Pip pip, shall we procure a quantity of scones and don our monocles?"

"... I'm sorry, I must have the wrong fairy." She gives you a perfectly blank look, bows, and steps backward. You take advantage of the opportunity to pounce forward and violently ruffle her hair as the two of you burst into laughter.

"Letttyyyyyy!"

"That's right! Not Primrose and DEFINITELY not the other one. Say those other names in public again and I'll pip pip cheerio your rear end!" Letty stands up and attempts to look threatening, fails miserably due to being Letty and having her hair be a mess, and falls back into laughter. "Anyway, hah, anyway, like I said, I got our tickets, so we're, we're good to go. Ahahaha! Are you off work already?" You assent, and she looks relieved.

"Good, good. Then, ah, do you, um, have something you'd like to do before we head over?"

"Gotta swing by my place real quick, we can do that when we're ready to go." Perfect. "Other than that..."

[ ] "Why don't we ________?"
[ ] "Nothing in particular. Why, did you have something in mind?"

[X] "Nothing in particular. Why, did you have something in mind?"

Can't think of anything else to do.

] "Nothing in particular. Why, did you have something in mind?"

>"Minoriko!"
>"Shizuha!"
>"Must be Parsee!"

Will we have the chance to meet them too?

>>4037
Pretty much anything is possible. Minoriko was actually mentioned all the way back in the first post.

[ ] "Why don't we do a bed top sport for indoor types?"

>>4038

Huh, she was indeed.

[ ] "Why don't we rub the tickes on Minoriko's face before going?"

Just because I want to see her.

>"That's right! Not Primrose and DEFINITELY not the other one. Say those other names in public again and I'll pip pip cheerio your rear end!" Letty stands up and attempts to look threatening, fails miserably due to being Letty

I died.

[x] "Why don't we take it easy, maybe have a light meal? I plan on wearin' out my dancin' shoes tonight!"
[x] "Oh, and FYI about the concert: If a strange raver girl with pink hair comes up to you and offers you anything, walk away. Just trust me on this."

[X] "Why don't we take it easy, maybe have a light meal? I plan on wearin' out my dancin' shoes tonight!"

I can't say I'm for mentioning Yuyuko AT ALL, though, even indirectly.

>I can't say I'm for mentioning Yuyuko AT ALL, though, even indirectly.

Yuyuko WILL introduce herself, if only to fuck with you. The cover story Yuyu uses could be disastrous (e.g., ex-girlfriend), so it'd be best to prep Letty by framing her in a negative (but truthful) light.

[+] "Nothing in particular. Why, did you have something in mind?"

>>4057
A distinct possibility. Still, the way it's phrased now seems a little too overt to me. Hmm...

[x] "Nothing in particular. Why, did you have something in mind?"
Think we're good, but let's see if Letty's got anything on her mind.

>>4057

Yuyuko won't fuck up with us or Letty. Remember what she said after Shoot/Don't Shoot? She was being very, very honest at that moment. You can trust Yuyu, she won't do anything bad.

>>4074
she said Letty has her protection, and that is all. never said she won't be a shit-stirrer.

[+] "Nothing in particular. Why, did you have something in mind?"

Okay, so here's the deal. As of tomorrow, or really late tonight, I'm off on vacation for ~2 weeks. Part of the reason for the wonky pacing has been that I've been trying to work it so the concert scene would happen either before or after the trip; obviously preparations have kept me a lot busier than I thought and it'll be afterwards.

I'm working on one more update before I go, and will post that sometime later tonight. If you have any questions or comments, post em here and I'll get to those tonight as well. Tell me what you like, what you don't like, any suggestions, etc.

>>4098

We need a Youki/Meiling H scene. Badly.

>>4098
This story is awesome and you should feel awesome. Also, I will miss you during this trip, but wish nothing but whatever rest, relaxation, and/or massive mind-bogglingly fun things you need upon you.

Have a ball, Blankfag. You'll be welcomed with open arms, no matter where you go.

>>4101
DO NOT WANT OLD PEOPLE IN MY MEILING

>>4109

Fuck you man, Youki is sex on wheels.

Or wheelchairs.

Either way.

>>4109

Come on, you know it would be awesome. Just imagine him calmly thrusting while she moans in rapturous pleasure. And then he takes a nap.

>>4101

DO NOT WANT MEILING IN MY H-SCENE

>>4098

You've been great so far, keep at it. Use this time well to take a break, you will need the rest so you can come back and build WALLS AND WALLS AND WALLS.

>>4098

You better enjoy your vacations, cause now I will have no reason to come to /others/. You are one of the best writes of the whole site and my favorite.

But we still need to see other people than Letty.

>>4112

I'd rather have Youki sexing up the Fairy and Letty while Yuyuko molest Youmo, and Meiling can only watch since she's the youngest of the family.

>>4113

They grow up so fast...

>>4098
>I'm working on one more update before I go, and will post that sometime later tonight. If you have any questions or comments, post em here and I'll get to those tonight as well. Tell me what you like, what you don't like, any suggestions, etc.

This story is awesome man. You roll real well with write-ins and obviously read everyone's posts. Your walls are long but don't make it feel like we're on-rails--a good thing. Your adaptation of Touhoes to the cityscape is excellent, and the way the city is described feels very grand and Planescape-y.

The Nameless Fairy is just plain awesome. Her sardonic inner-monologue is amusing and conforms with the reader's own thoughts. Out of all the COYA characters, she has the most personality. I'm really interested in seeing if & how her fairy nature changes as her actions and thoughts become more-and-more human.

Youmu, EX China, Letty, Youki (FUCK YEAH), Alice, all them awesome. Yuyuko had appeared a huge bitch, but her display of actual emotion made her a sympathetic character again.

Will we get a chance to tell Alice what Marisa said? Any possibility of seeing Youki in action, maybe defending China from Sakuya? What about a battle of immortality between the fairy and Kaguya? Are there any other Touhoes who are members of the Saigyouji Crime Family that we haven't seen yet?

>>4113

Or maybe something more subtle. Like walking in the old one's room and see him readjusting his robes and Meiling pulling her panties up. Cue playful ribbing and wing-flicking.

Thanks, folks. Main reason I wasn't able to write yesterday was because various depressing things happened, and I can't write happy scenes while wanting to kill the world and everyone in it. So it's always nice to hear you like it and -

> Youki H

Oh god why me

why

>>4119

Just try to get this sexy example of all that is man out of your head. Bet'cha can't, bet'cha can't!

Also because I am a retard who forgets to actually answer questions, >>4116: Maybe, maybe, maybe, and yes, you'll meet some more soon.

Also because I fail miserably, there's no way I'm getting this wall done before I have to sleep for my flight. My apologies.

>But we still need to see other people than Letty.

I agree. The character should make more routine trips around the city, like going to Rinnosuke's convenience/firearms store (rifle range is in the basement) for her ice cream, alcohol, pixie sticks & other sundries, keeping the riff-raff off of Saigyouji turf, meeting contacts for information (Wriggle the street urchin, Mystia the pigeon lady), bribing the fuzz (Momizi, Komachi), unloading problems on our bartender (Keine? Suika?).

There's Yuka and Medicine's flower shop & apothecary if we need to pick up some poisons or painkillers. Nitori could always be introduced on the job as a demolitions expert. Rumia is a derelict living in condemned buildings and abandoned subway lines. Hina is a private investigator/ghostbuster. Mokou is the city Fire Chief!

>>4121
Old Youmu is pretty cool guy, eh?

>>4123
>Mokou is the city Fire Chief!
This was said in such a perky and cheerful way that I could not get this image out of my mind.

>>4116
>What about a battle of immortality between the fairy and Kaguya?

This is gonna hurt. A lot.
>>4122

Eh, no problems. See it on the bright side, now you have two weeks to build it!
>>4123

Rinnosuke would probably the arms suplyer of the city, black market and all that rubbish. Heh, I wonder what Cirno is in this story. Letty's helper, or younger sister? Maybe she's part of the family too. In either one, shit will be so cash.
>>4129

NNNGGGGHHHHH

>>4129
/r/ fireman's hat shopped onto trapdoor Mokou.

>>4143

Shh... Keep it on the down low.

>>4123
>bribing the fuzz (Momizi, Komachi)

Bulk of the police force is made up of wolf Tengu. The chief of police would be the extremely intimidating Lord Tenma. I could also see Komachi as the district attorney. Siki is of course the judge. Renko & Mary work for the Gensokyo Chronicle. Shinki is the leader of some radical underground cult.

>>4158

HONK HONK

>>4118
DO NOT WANT OLD PEOPLE IN MY MEILING ;_;

>>4161
But Meiling is a youkai. She is old people.

>>4161

You know that she would love every minute of it. Youki would ride her like there is no tomorrow. Not only does he have the whole half-ghost thing going on, but we can assume he has the stamina of a swordsman. I can say this much: Meiling won't be getting any sleep that night and some of the morning.

>>4163

Fuck, stop that! This way I'm really gonna hope for a Youki/Meiling scene...

>>4177

With the way he speaks, he could easily make it happen, too. He knows all of the right spots to touch, caress, and rub as well. Then it's just a question of nobody interrupting. Hell, he could just have Miss Lie casually sit on his lap while he converses with the usual "employees" (or even us). Just imagine her on Youki's lap, completely red-faced, while he calmly talks to us. All we see is a bit of fidgeting from under his robes or, if it happens to be winter, blanket.



You know, this all started as a joke, but now I'm actually liking this. What the hell is that about?

>>4185

Wait, this started as a joke? I was gunning for it from the beginning.

>>4185
>You know, this all started as a joke, but now I'm actually liking this. What the hell is that about?

They have chemistry.

>>4185
>You know, this all started as a joke, but now I'm actually liking this. What the hell is that about?

Exactly what happened to me. Fuck, Youki is THAT awesome, you know.

And even though I never liked Meiling much, I kinda want to see her with Youki now...

>>4194
It's interesting, if not feasible. About the only stranger pairing I can think of is the one by that guy on Pixiv that likes drawing Meiling/Krizalid pictures.

>>4207
I love the way he draws her.

>>4191
>They have chemistry.

What ಠ_ಠ

>>4210

Meiling is sitting on his bed giggling and making paper airplanes out of his poems. Don't you have any feel for atmosphere?

>>4213

That's more of a Father/Daughter thing.

>>4209

I thought that guy was Archer for a second there...

>>4232
I think most people thought that, too.

>>4209

PITZ

>>4209
...did anyone else notice the fact that the dude is holding a knife, despite there being no butter or other spreadables on the table?

I don't think I like where this is going.

>>4281
CANNOT UNSEE

>>4281

There's a bit on the top plate next to the fruit.

update

>>4294

Oh hi, how's your reading? >>4098

>>4297
That doesn't look much like butter/marmalade/etc. to me. Looks more like sweet biscuits and more fruit.

[x] "Why don't we see if Blankfag has updated his story?"

[X] "Why don't we read the thread?"

[x] "But I'm illiterate! ;_;"

TWO MORE DAYS

>>4478
Not entirely sure what you mean by that, but I am back and writing now. Possibly a new thread... maybe not, this one still has about half its life in it.

>>4479

Awesome!

>>4479

Fucking A, man.

>>4479
Welcome back! How was your trip?

>>4479

I missed you. ;_;

Never leave us for that long again.

>>4479

Writing now!

>>4479
fuckyeah.jpg

"Nothing in particular. Why, did you have something in mind?" Predicting Letty's instant reply, you add "Besides food."

"Hmm, maybe. I'll tell you after food." Letty holds a finger to her lips, snatches your arm and starts flying. You begin to worry about the dangers of dancing on an ice cream filled stomach, but thankfully she passes up the dessert shops and heads for her own diner.

After unlocking the door and hurrying in, Letty brushes a thick layer of dust off the bar with one hand and lifts you up onto it with the other. She does not turn on the lights. The lazy afternoon sunlight does its best to compensate, penetrating the front windows in dim orange squares, but fails to reach your seat or really illuminate the building. That's fine by you, though. All the empty stools and chairs stacked on the tables in the dimness give the restaurant a secretive charm, like your old prankster self has snuck into somewhere you shouldn't be. Knowing that it's Letty's place lets you turn the fear of discovery into the thrill of a shared secret, a quiet hideout just for the two of you.

"Anything you want, on the house!" Letty calls, vanishing into the back - to fix herself a sandwich, you presume. Hopefully not an ice cream sandwich. Your eyes flick to the menu. Fruits, vegetables, salads, sandwiches, steaks, seafood, and a dessert list that eclipses all the others in length. You've rarely seen the diner very busy, but everything you've ever tried on the menu has been fantastic. On the other hand, you've never had the nerve to try any of the most expensive dishes. On the other other hand, now's probably not the best time to start, and even if she wouldn't mind, making Letty actually cook something would put a dent in the mood. You settle on some fruit and retrieve it from the freezer, stopping to bask for a second in the breath of cool air released when you slide open its door.

"Cherries and peaches? Is that all you want?" Returning with the prophecied sandwich, which looks to be two or three times the size of your head, your companion nocks an eyebrow at your comparatively meager selections.

"Yeah, well, some of us aren't big enough to pack down two loaves of bread and a cow as a light snack," you retort, flopping backwards on the counter and popping a cherry in your mouth. Letty's not really THAT hefty, and you're well aware that her metabolism and physique are partially maintained by magic anyway, but that's never stopped anyone from taking good natured cracks at her appetite. She tends to take them as compliments.

"What can I say?" Laughing, Letty leans over you and quips. "I prefer my sandwiches like myself - stacked."

Your face turns the same color as the cherry you're eating, and its pit lodges in your throat as you sputter helplessly. Letty delivers a good natured thump to your abdomen and hands you a peach instead, which you hastily accept. Eating is good, yes, and provides a good cover for embarassed silence. The fruit really is quite good. Imported, perhaps? Couldn't be, not at the prices she's selling it at and DAMN IT YOU'RE HERE WITH LETTY ALONE THINK OF SOMETHING WITTY TO SAY TO HER!

"Ssssoooooo..." you begin, desperately casting about for a decent topic. Your eyes wander to Letty, taking her in as though for the first time. Her usual blue and white smock and gold pin, her perpetually sleepy lilac eyes, that tinge of the same color in her wooly hair -

"So?" Jolted, you realize Letty's been watching you stare at her. The situation's only saving grace is that she seems to be nearly as nervous as you.

"That pin you wear sometimes, with the three gold prongs. What's it about?" As soon as you mention it, Letty starts and looks down, mumbling.

"This? Ahha, I shouldn't have worn that today. Didn't even think about it, I suppose. It's a little embarassing, really. Just something we got a long time ago." She starts to remove the jewelry, but you catch her hand. No sad Letty allowed today, no sir.

"Don't worry about it. It looks good on you, really. And now you got me curious, who's 'we?'" Letty chews her lip before replying.

"Lily White, Lilith Black, the Akis, and me, back when we were a lot closer, and the city was just built. The three points represent autumn, winter and spring. Kind of a silly thing, right?"

Back when the city was built?! Inwardly you kick yourself and move your estimation of Letty's age upwards by another century or several. She looks so much like the humans that often surround you that it's all too easy to forget she's a youkai, and a fairly primal one at that. During all those ages you can barely remember, while you were playing around at the lake, she lived her own life... history, there's something to talk about later. Assuming you can avoid any touchy bits.

"Naw," you answer automatically, "it's beautiful. But, uh, aren't there four seasons? What about summer, isn't there a youkai or something for it?"

"Summer... passed away." Lost in thought, Letty murmurs and shrugs. "She won't come back. Nothing's taken her place. That's part of why we got it, to remember."

"Uh... huh." is all you can come up with. So much for avoiding the touchy bits.

"Sorry, that shouldn't be depressing." Letty smiles. "It's good to actually talk to someone about it, too. We all sort of drifted apart anyway. I don't think Lilith ever wears hers anymore at all, since she joined the force. New job and new friends, you know."

You don't quite know, but you nod anyway. To you, Lilith Black is little more than a name - the most capable beat cop for the Yamas' criminal justice department, aka someone a fairy in your line of work certainly does not want to meet, and Lily's relative; you vaguely recall hearing the two were estranged somehow.

"There's two for each of the other seasons," Letty continues, "but only one of me. Shizuha jokes sometimes about how I should find a partner who likes the cold." She stops there, and her eyes meet yours. In them you read fear and hope intermingled.

Well. They don't make invitations any more blatant than THAT.

Except the ones that kill you, of course.

You lean forward, confident that you know the right move in this situation, but to your surprise Letty pulls back. She looks out the front windows, wherein the dim light is growing dimmer as gray clouds blot the sky. The tension seems to be making her remarkably conflicted. Or not. You can't read her as well as you're used to.

"I was going to take you out to a surprise after this," she mutters, "but it's going to rain. We could still make it if we hurry. Or we could stay here and talk. I don't know."

[ ] Let's hurry, then.
[ ] Let's stay here. Talk about ________.
[ ] Let's go back to my place.

>>4497
By this point you should know that my "writing now" translates to "it'll be done in a large number of hours."

>>4488
Thanks. That's kind of disturbing, but okay.

>>4482
Tossed back some blood with Remilia Scarlet, roomed with a communist pyromaniac Australian, went on a foolhardy walk around the city that resulted in Harvey Dent-esque sunburn. It was all right.

{X} Let's hurry, then.

[ ] Let's stay here. Talk about Cirno.

But we don't know Cirno, so
[ ] Let's stay here. Talk about the ice cream mess at your place.

Bah, I'm not feeling much of a Lettyfag today.

[+] Let's hurry, then.
[+] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation later.

[X] Let's stay here. Talk about Letty.
[X] Thank her for always being there

Letty is the only one outside of work that Mafianon can actually talk to. When at work people usually only talk to her when they want something done. Letty seems to be the only true friend Mafianon has.

[X] Let's stay here. Talk about Letty.
[X] Thank her for always being there

[X] Let's stay here. Talk about Letty.
[X] Thank her for always being there

[X] Let's hurry, then.
[X] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation very soon.

>>4158
SON OF A BITCH!

I only just now noticed this. Many belated thanks.

>"There's two for each of the other seasons," Letty continues, "but only one of me. Shizuha jokes sometimes about how I should find a partner who likes the cold." She stops there, and her eyes meet yours. In them you read fear and hope intermingled.

Oh, WOW.

[X] Let's hurry, then.
[X] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation later.

[x] Let's hurry, then.
[x] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation later.
>>"There's two for each of the other seasons," Letty continues, "but only one of me. Shizuha jokes sometimes about how I should find a partner who likes the cold." She stops there, and her eyes meet yours. In them you read fear and hope intermingled.
MY FROZEN HEART. IT IS MELTING

[x] You'd like to stay here, if the surprise will still be around after the rain.
[x] Talk about Letty.
[x] Thank her for always being there.

>>4525

No problem. It was a quick and dirty two minute job anyway.

[x] Let's hurry, then.
[x] Do you have an umbrella?

I mean, it's raining, thus we need an umbrella, which there is only one of...

[x] Let's hurry, then.
She has a surprise planned. A SURPRISE. C'MON PEOPLE.

>>4537

She has a dick, and is taking us somewhere for rape

[x] Let's hurry, then.
[x] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation later.

>"I was going to take you out to a surprise after this," she mutters, "but it's going to rain. We could still make it if we hurry. Or we could stay here and talk. I don't know."

Letty expects you'd want to see what she was going to surprise you with, and she's already sulking. Doing otherwise may leave her in tears.
Be the energetic ice fairy she wants you to be.


>>4510
>But we don't know Cirno, so

I do not have enough facepalm for this.

[x] Let's hurry, then.
[x] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation later.

The exhilaration from the quick flight will wipe away her bad mood.

[x] Let's hurry, then.
[x] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation later.
[x] Ask if she has an umbrella.

[x] Let's hurry, then.
[x] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation later.

Yeah, you're pretty much an item now.

[x] Let's hurry, then.
[x] Let her know that we want to continue this conversation later.

The most important thing in a relationship is to have fun together.

"We'd better hurry, then." Flashing Letty a smile, you hop off the counter and motion for her to head outside. You'd like to stay here and continue that conversation. You'd very, very much like that; indeed you were a second away from going for the kiss, movie-style. But your paramount concern is what Letty would like, and you're sure whatever surprise she has planned will be well worth seeing. "Got an umbrella?"

"No. I can't stand them." Letty gets up and follows you out, putting an end to the diner's spell. Her mood is clearly darkening, mimicing the sky above, but you've no idea why. Did she expect you to make a move? Should you have been a little faster? Is something wrong?

"You can't stand umbrellas?" Venturing this, you offer her your hand. Letty ignores it, causing your heart to skip a beat, but then she throws an arm fully around you and lifts you bodily up, bringing your face level with hers as she begins to fly.

"Not at all. They're so, so... artificial. Like a portable shield, just to keep the rain off people, like they're above ever getting their heads wet. Parasols are the worst. Sometimes ladies will come in and hold them up even when they're eating inside and there's not a cloud in sight. It's just a pride thing. Yukari Yakumo had one. I never really liked her. Rain, snow, it's meant to fall on people, don't you think? If you don't like it, don't go outside, but blocking it and walking around like it shouldn't affect you, it defies nature."

Letty plows onwards, talking slowly while flying quickly. Evidently she really does feel strongly about umbrellas - or she's incredibly anxious and talking about something trivial to take the edge off. You're more than familiar with that syndrome, and as she rambles about rain you attempt to work out the manner in which she'd most like to be snapped out of it. Anything physical's a bit of a no go at the moment, due to how you're being carried, but a cheesy line might do the trick.

"That's fine, Letty. You're all the umbrella I need!" You manage to deliver the expression without bursting into laughter, and give her the biggest grin you can manage. Her flying speed falters and nearly halts as she breaks off to stare back at you. A little bit of the cheerful Letty you love begins to shine through again, though it's still tempered by unease.

"That... that doesn't make any sense. But thanks. I'm sorry, I'm just nervous. To tell you the truth, I've wanted to bring you out here for a while, but I always worried about whether you'd like m-it or not. And in this weather today, I mean, I don't mind if it rains on me, but we can really save it for later if you want..." Oh ho ho, you heard that! 'Whether you'd like me or not,' is it? Just as you suspected.

"Fly!" You order. Letty looks confused. "Come on, get a move on! Wherever we're going, I wanna get there. I know I'll like it, because..." You make sure she's looking at you before finishing your sentence. "Because you like it, and I like you."

She flies.

She flies quite a long way, in fact, through alleys and twists and turns, staying mostly low. You see few people, which surprises you given how many were on the streets earlier, and recognize fewer places. The structures around you seem to hollow and age as you pass them, like you're flying through a nursing home for architechture. No matter whatever byzantine logic the city rearranges itself by, you're surely passing through some of its least popular sections. All this serves only to increase your anticipation more. She must, you think, be taking you to some archaic treasure, a hole in the wall shop or attraction, but where? Not this block, nor the next, nor the next. Letty actually speeds up as time passes; you didn't even think the city could be this large. Finally she turns once more and squeezes through a gap between two looming brick buildings, rushing at breakneck speed with only fingertips of clearance from the walls on either side back towards the white glow at the alley's end. The two of you burst out from the passage and emerge in a thick white fog. Letty finally slows and stops, and the mist around you clears, as if by magic. It probably IS magic, since you're with Letty, but nevermind that.

A snowy-white field gradually appears beneath you as your friend descends to meet it. Letty sets you down on a carpet of frosted grass, each blade glistening like an emerald encased in crystal and frosted with diamond dust, and the whole array spotted with small gems of flowers, primroses, lilies and some you can't identify. You inhale, and gasp at the air's crisp, moist taste, so different from the hints of smog you've breathed for the last year. The fog gently brushes against your skin, dampening it with a bare touch. Through its banks, you can make out some gently rolling hills around you. It's nearly freezing cold, and the whole place bears not a slight resemblance to Yuyuko's home, but where there you were an interloper, here you're right at home. Everything smells like Letty, and winter, and earth.

"We aren't in the city anymore." Letty seems just as awed as she answers the question you were about to ask. "We aren't really anywhere. When the city was built, the lands under it just vanished. Most people forgot they ever existed, but they're still here, if you look around and fall through the cracks. Hardly anyone does, though. Mostly just me, since I used to live out here. So I keep it cool. It's a simple place, but..." She sighs as she speaks. The steam of her breath twists with her words, tracing them in the language of air and moisture.

"Amazing." It's all you can say as you gulp in another lungful yourself, trying to suck in a bit of Letty's exhalation for yourself. The valley is her, plain and simple. Blue and white and green and lilac, the place's subdued colors stand out to those who look for them.

You turn around and notice she's holding something - a white flower, not unlike those in the grass around you. She extends it to you, and on closer inspection you can see that it is made out of ice, or perhaps was turned into ice. Yet it bends between her fingers as though it was alive.

"Here." She presses it into your palm. It's cold, ice cold, but just as willowy and soft as it looked. And, of course, even more beautiful up close, where you can see its intricate details. Every petal contains loops and patterns within, embedded in the crystalline structure of the ice. Myriad rainbows sparkle inside them, and the entire pattern changes like a kaleidoscope when you tilt it or bend a petal. It seems so delicate, though you can feel a strength in the stem that would surely hold it together if dropped or pulled upon. You can't begin to imagine how Letty crafted it, or how much work it took. Not for an instant do you doubt that she made it.

"It's the one winter flower that will never wither away. Just like you." You pull your eyes away from the gift and back to Letty as she continues, bowing her head and speaking softly. "You're so energetic every time I see you, even when times are tough, and I know they're tough too often. Just being around you is enough to make anyone laugh and cheer up. I wanted to thank you for bringing some color to my life, and to tell you that I'll always be here for you."

"Letty?" you murmur softly. You know what she's saying. She's said it before. So have you.

"I know I've said that before, but I mean - I'm sorry if this seems too sudden or too unusual, but I enjoy your friendship more than anything else I can think of." Eyes closed, hands clasped, she continues with her speech.

"Letty!" you call a little louder. You judge that she can't hear you over her heartbeat. Fair enough - you can barely hear her over yours.

"I know I can't help you with every problem, but I want to try anyway." She takes a breath to go on, and on an impulse you hold the flower high up, in front of her face. Her eyes flicker open involuntarily and fix on it.

"You could just say 'I love you.' Like this: I love you, Letty, and how you're always there and always sweet. And I always have. Nothing's really changed, y'know." Her knees give out, and she sinks down, jostling diamond dust from some emeralds. Not hesitating this time, you strike.

"I, I love yomrgfhmm-"

She tastes like ice cream and good sandwiches. Perhaps not literally sweet, but it'll do. Oh, my, it'll do.

A long interval of time passes wherein neither of you says anything. Letty cries quietly, the water freezing into crystal trails on her cheeks as it passes, and you wipe her face clean while trying to avoid tearing up yourself. Nothing's really changed, right? Right. Her earlobes are puffy and red, and cute in their roundness. Nothing's really changed, and everything will be fine. You'll go to the concert in a while, and carry on with your life, and she with hers, and you'll enjoy each other's friendship more than anything else either of you can think of. Your family approves, and you won't let anything else get in the way. That's how it'll be.

Maybe you changed. No, certainly you changed. Not from yesterday, but from the way you used to be. Time was when you'd laugh at the notion of a fairy like yourself and a youkai hooking up in some bizzare humanesque relationship. That was then, this is now. You'll be there tomorrow and so will she. Maybe someday one of you will change again and you'll part... but you hope not. Even Master Youki agrees on that count. So goeth your trains of thought; you hope and believe Letty's parallel yours.

"I love you," she repeats, all traces of her earlier malaise gone as she fondly whispers your name.

Above you, the black thunderheads provide a dramatic fanfare and lightshow on the white hills, then begin to sprinkle applause. Letty looks up and shivers. You know she isn't physically cold. Especially not with how tight you're holding her.

[ ] Rain is meant to fall on people.
[ ] Bring some color to her life.

{X} Rain is meant to fall on people.

Rain's nice.

[x] Bring some color to her life.

in b4 master spark

I have a feeling this choices are "to stay/to leave the city". I don't know why and I have no reasons to think so, but I really feel that. Hope I'm wrong.

Not voting this time.

>>4575
>to stay/to leave the city

inb4 We stay in the city and Letty leaves.

[ ] Rain is meant to fall on people.
[ ] Bring some color to her life.

>"You could just say 'I love you.' Like this: I love you, Letty, and how you're always there and always sweet. And I always have. Nothing's really changed, y'know."

>You'll go to the concert in a while, and carry on with your life, and she with hers, and you'll enjoy each other's friendship more than anything else either of you can think of. Your family approves, and you won't let anything else get in the way.

This is exactly how I was hoping this would go. Wonderful.

[x] Bring some color to her life.

I don't know what these mean but this one sounds more like doing something nice for Letty, or with Letty, or to Letty.

that was awesome blankfag

This wait was worth it holy fucking fuck on a fuckstick. I love you, Blankfag.

[X] Rain is meant to fall on people.

This one feels like a choice between who gets the spotlight in the next move, and by my count it's her turn.

Oh, for fuck's sake!

[X]Beat her to death

>>4584
Get the fuck out.

[x] Rain is meant to fall on people
Just enjoy the moment. Trying to bring colour to her life sounds like an attempt to do something funny when it's not really the time. This was awesome, by the way.

>>Nothing's really changed, and everything will be fine. You'll go to the concert in a while, and carry on with your life, and she with hers, and you'll enjoy each other's friendship more than anything else either of you can think of. Your family approves, and you won't let anything else get in the way. That's how it'll be.
Though God help you if you're setting us up for a fall.

>Nothing's really changed, and everything will be fine. You'll go to the concert in a while, and carry on with your life, and she with hers, and you'll enjoy each other's friendship more than anything else either of you can think of. Your family approves, and you won't let anything else get in the way. That's how it'll be.

This is quite a naive assumption. This is obviously too good to be true.

[X] Slap some sense into her and yourself.
[X] "This is wrong! We're girls, and girls can't love other girls like this, only men!"
[X] Become a nun and spend the rest of eternity repenting for all your sins.

>[ ] Rain is meant to fall on people.
Sorrow.
>[ ] Bring some color to her life.
Joy.

[X] Bring some color to her life.

I didn't come here to break your heart, Letty Whiterock.

[X] Bring some color to her life.

[X] Bring some color to her life.

Let's light up her life.

>>4589

I suspected it but didn't know, vote change!

[X] Bring some color to her life.

[z] Bring some color to her life.

Color bringan gaems.

[X] Bring some color to her life.

Vote changed as I assume >>4589 is right.

[x] Rain is meant to fall on people.

This romance just seemed to come out of the freaking blue. I'm fine with Nameless Fairy and Letty being best friends.

Plus, Nameless Fairy is in the mafia. This shit's never gonna work.

[ ] Bring some color to her life.

[x] Rain is meant to fall on people.

Letty said this herself. Ler her spread all over on our body.

>>4589
>I didn't come here to break your heart, Letty Whiterock.

Shit will hit the fan and Letty will die a horrible death if we become even closer than now.

And really, as awesome as it was, I can't help but think that this was...sooner than expected.

Fuck you Blankfag, I have no idea what to vote.

>>4587
Oh indeed it is. I bet that within the next few posts we are going to have a Despairfest. The last post was so ominous with it's overflowing happiness.

[x] Bring some color to her life.

Like a certain Seven-Colored Rainbow Puppeteer?

>>4642

Love Colored Master Spark

>>4602
Join the crowd.

>>4602
>>4717

Are the choices really that obtuse? This one's sort of meant to be, but I've seen too many people saying this too many times now. Suggestions?

Also writing, will likely be a new thread since this one's on its last legs.

>>4720
Seriously, I'm usually pretty good at interpreting these things and even I didn't know what to vote for.

Well, writeins are always encouraged. Or you could just vote for the general gist of what you'd like to see happen next. As always, I'm looking more at the reasoning people give for their votes than the actual options selected.

>If you don't like it, don't go outside, but blocking it and walking around like it shouldn't affect you, it defies nature
>it defies nature

3:1 odds for Yuyu finding your ghost friends repulsive.

[x] Rain is meant to fall on people.
[x] Bring some color to her life.

SIMON! GATTAI DA!

[x] No rain, no rainbows.

Talking to myself & feeling old. Sometimes I'd like to quit. Nothing ever seems to fit.
Hanging around, nothing to do but frown. Rainy days and Mondays always get me down~.

>>4724
>3:1 odds for Yuyu finding your ghost friends repulsive.
>Yuyu
You mean Letty, right?

>>Also writing, will likely be a new thread since this one's on its last legs.
We waited for you Blankfag.

>>4722
[x] The option that counts towards a happier ending.

>>4722

Well, sure.

[X]Kill Letty and live happily ever after with her ghost in Hakugyokuro.

Fairies are immortal, Letty will eventually die. Instead of seeing her decompose gradually and suffer everyday taking care of an alzheimer'ed Letty, do it when we're most happy and live with her ghost.

>>4738

ಠ_ಠ

Updates?