"You don't want to know. Really, you don't." Shuddering, you push the door closed again. "Don't come out for a bit, okay? I've got a surprise for you too." She makes a muffled noise of assent from inside, and you rush to the closet and pull out your surprise. Belatedly, you realize that you need to dry off to put it on as well. Oh well, sheets make good towels too.

Your surprise is your dress, of course. The Akis slipped it to you as a present back when you came to the city, and at the time you laughed it off as a joke, or a twisted comment on the Scarlets. Bright red and glittery was just not your style - so everyone said, and so you'd always believed, until now. But Shizuha had smiled and Minoriko had disagreed with the majority, and tonight you plan to prove them right. Come to think of it, they'd always acted a little strange when together with you and Letty, as if they knew some private joke. Had they seen this day coming? Could be. In any event, you slip it on and check out your reflection in the window as it wavers in running raindrops.

Excellent.

You briefly regret not trying this on earlier, as you start to comprehend what the clothing store saleswomen say about a new look bringing a whole new attitude. For tonight, and tonight only (chimes the horribly embarassed voice in your head), you'll shed your normal self and a bright crimson fairy. Dangerous. Unstoppable. Hot. Cold is good, but hot can be good too. Letty likes you energetic? Tonight you'll bring some color to her life, yes indeed.

Satisfied with the contrast between your dress and hair, you put on your shoes and knock on the bathroom door.

"Letty, you can come out no-" She opens the door instantly, and "wwwwwwww" dies on your lips, replaced by "How did you DO that?" Somewhere, somehow, Letty's changed her outfit as well. Her new dress... frumpy it is not. Casual it is not. Normal, it is definitely not, for her, although you're pretty sure you've seen Yuyuko wear something similar. Letty now wears a black dress, sewn up slightly left of center, trimmed and underlaid with layers of white lace and adorned with maroon ribbons. A similar black and white lace choker and headband rest around her neck and hair, and the gold trident pin remains attached to the ribbon on her chest - below a rather low-cut neckline. She's ditched her usual thick socks in favor of knee-high white ones and strapped black shoes.

Both of you stare at the other in silence, then speak at once.

"Wow, that's" "My goodness" "impressive" "beautiful" "breathtaking" "unusual for you" "never seen that look before!"

"I, I, wow." You start to giggle at Letty's facial expression, and she does the same, no doubt at yours. She grabs your wrist and pulls you into the bathroom, facing the mirror.

"We look..."
"Hideous."
"Absolutely garish."
"Absolutely."
"Tonight is going to be amazing."
"Like none other."

Tittering like a pair of girls from Professor Kamishirasawa's classes, the two of you link arms and stride out the apartment door... to be confronted with a roaring storm. This, now, this might put a dent in your plans. A glance at Letty's expression reveals no particular clues on how she'd prefer to get there. Umbrellas are probably out of the question. You could just rush it, it isn't like arriving soaked would make the two of you look any more unusual than you already do and presumably Letty's keeping the tickets wherever she kept those clothes. If you took a more roundabout path through the city, keeping to buildings and alleys, it might take you a while longer to reach the concert, but the trip would be certainly drier and probably more peaceful than a mad rush. You shouldn't be late either way.

[ ] Fly high in the thunderstorm. Why not?
[ ] Run through the main streets, splash in puddles, it'll be fun!
[ ] Take the walk around the long, quiet way, you can talk to Letty and maybe rekindle some of your love for the city.
[ ] Wasn't there another way to get there?
----------
Massive apologies for this taking so long. In return, I'll be writing more tonight, so vote quickly!

[X] Take the walk around the long, quiet way, you can talk to Letty and maybe rekindle some of your love for the city.

[X] Take the walk around the long, quiet way, you can talk to Letty and maybe rekindle some of your love for the city.

[x] Take the walk around the long, quiet way, you can talk to Letty and maybe rekindle some of your love for the city.

That last vote seemed really important. What won? I'm confused.

>>4792
>Tonight you'll bring some color to her life, yes indeed.

Kant, eh? Veddy intelestink...

[X] Run through the main streets, splash in puddles, it'll be fun!

And maybe mess up our new dresses, but who cares? Wheeeee!

[+] Take the walk around the long, quiet way, you can talk to Letty and maybe rekindle some of your love for the city.

[ ] Hold Shift for focused movement.
[ ] Graze the raindrops.
Or alternatively:
[x] Take the walk around the long, quiet way, you can talk to Letty and maybe rekindle some of your love for the city.
DON'T THINK. DRINK.

[X] Take the walk around the long, quiet way, you can talk to Letty and maybe rekindle some of your love for the city.

[x] Take the walk around the long, quiet way, you can talk to Letty and maybe rekindle some of your love for the city.

"This way." Making up your mind, you tug on Letty's sleeve and elicit a confused look from her.

"Isn't the event center, ah, THAT way?" She waves imprecisely in a manner cultivated by the city's powers, and that cements your decision. One of the worst things about perfect mental maps, you think, is that nobody ever attempts to deviate from them.

"Yep, but we're going this way. It's dry, it's fun, and we can talk more." You smugly present her with this indisputable argument as your brain turns in wheels, trying to figure out the best roundabout way to reach your destination. It's a bit of a stretch given the piecemeal nature of the city mapping, but you think you've come up with a decent enough route.

"Well, all right. Something you'd like to talk about?" Letty shrugs in mock defeat and follows your lead as you begin hopping from awning to awning, staying mostly sheltered from the storm. You consider her request as you leap across a large puddle, splashing some mud up onto your dress. Giggling at your misfortune, Letty simply walks through it and matches you with mud on her shoes.

"Hm. Why'd you stay in the city?" Glancing around, you ask her the question at the top of your mind. "You hung on to a valley like that that you could go back to, and it doesn't seem like there's all that much to interest you here." Letty takes her time replying and walks in thought for a few minutes, gazing up at the scenery.

As you'd hoped, this path through the city is not only dry but unusual. Possibly even scenic, right now, though it probably wouldn't be on a clear day. Tall structures surround you on all sides, choking the street to a thin alley like oni looming over human children and blocking out the sky save for patches of black cloud and occasional teardrops of rain. Their windows are unlit, they bear no markings, and you can't think of what they might be used for. Residences, if anything, but probably just vacant by their looks. Part of the city's inexplicable growth, perhaps - or part of its death. You're sure Yuyuko would call them dead if she were here, but brick and metal aren't alive to begin with. At least, not in any sense you're familiar with.

Still, the crowded blocks are charming in their own way. Even with Letty's valley fresh in your memory, the city sings a siren song of its own. From above, or from outside, you imagine it looks like a solid block, but here on ground level the buildings dissolve into a fascinating and alien landscape. It's unnatural, artificial, and yet has a natural sort of logic to it - a doorway here, steps there, foundations there, lines and fading in the clay of the bricks there. Noises, too, constant thrums and splashes and throbs punctuate the silence. And lights, and smells, and smooth and rough paving under your feet...

There aren't any flowers, though.

"For the people, I think." Letty finally answers, startling you as she quietly appears at your side and peers down a side alley. "The seasons - all the rest of my friends, and Chen, and it seemed like everyone just moved in here when it was built. Security was one of the major selling points, back then, but I think it's more like we all came in because everyone else was coming in. You're right, I like holding on to that place, but I don't mind the city itself. Winter comes here just the same, and it can be pretty in ways I'd never dreamed of back when... way back when." She hesitates, then strokes your hair, a soft touch among the harsh lines.

"That's why you wanted to go this way, isn't it? It's not quite what I'd call pretty here, but yes, I do like being here, too. It's a very nice idea. Thank you." Taking your hand again, Letty waits for you to lead her forward. You attempt to keep your face from becoming as red as your dress as she calmly skewers your exact reasoning.

"Um. Something like that, yeah. People is why I stay here myself now." You mumble, pulling her forward. Point's made, time to enjoy the rest of the walk. "Like you."

"People are," your companion corrects. "Tsk, what would seeerious people say if they heard grammar like that?"

"I dunno, but I'd tell them not to be so serious!" Laughing, you lean your head back and succeed in capturing one of the stray raindrops in your mouth. Bent all the way over like this, your perspective on the surrounding walls skews further and further up, seeming to curve them into cartoonish shapes. Your laughter echoes off them, upwards and upwards towards a sky you can't even discern from the gloomy shadows anymore. Letty doesn't laugh with you, though, and your mirth gives way to an air of quiet contemplation.

"What do you think about it, I wonder, I wonder?" You hear her whisper, and aren't quite sure whether you were meant to or not. She continues slightly louder. "Do you like the city? Or the people, at least? I'm not surprised that so few fairies come here. Lily and Lilith have private reasons for staying, but I've seen a few besides you come in, and they all leave fast. You don't have to stay here for me..." Letty murmurs self-consciously.

"M'not." You pull her a little further in the right direction, taking a turn down an even narrower and more shadowed damp alley lit only by some mysterious unplaceable glows. Extremely picturesque. A camera! That's what you should have brought. Some of the haunting sounds you've been hearing coalesce into a melody, someone playing music, or perhaps singing, nearby. You both pause and listen to it for a moment.

"Kiss, oh, kiss me a kiss in May, my darling, kiss me a kiss in May..." The throaty female singer croons. You're sure you'll hear much better tonight, but for now, the tune is wonderfully appropriate. Brought to you by yet another random person in the city, indeed. You nearly take the song up on its enticement, and Letty seconds later succeeds where you shrank. Your fleeting mind adds "making out in a dark alley to a stranger's song" to your list of life experiences. It's about as good as advertised.

"Then I hope the other people you like here are kind to you. I'd like to meet them sometime... if possible, of course. No problem if it's not." Letty's words sound relieved, but you aren't as she forces the Saigyoujis back into your mind. And you'd so wanted to forget about them for a little while longer. Come to think, though, you can give her an honest answer - Youmu, Youki, Meiling, even Yuyuko...

"They are." You nod confidently, jumping as a loud slam reverberates around the alley from somewhere unknown. "Don't worry about them. It's hard to deal with, but you might meet some in time."

Something in the air above you catches your eye - a round shape, perhaps a bucket or a large barrel, suspended well above your head. Yet another interesting part of the city, you think, and turn to communicate this to Letty.

She's no longer there.

Dumbly, you look back up and realize the shape is moving.

Another loud slam rings out, and your world turns red.

Scratches.

Drips, wetness. Cold on your cheek, dirt along your body.

You aren't dead, haven't died.

The ringing in your head makes you wish you had.

Letty!

Where's Letty. Turn head, open eyes. Darkness. Letty?

Letty's there. Good. Lying down, not moving. Bad. Very bad.

No further pain comes. That's very good, you don't think you can take any more right now.

Were you really so stupid as to walk down and get hit in the head by someone's laundry?

Then you realize the music has stopped. It starts again almost immediately. Good.

"Kiss me a kiss in May..."

It's coming from right. Beside. You.

Bad.

"... my darling, kills me a kiss, kisses me a kill, may I?" Something scrapes behind your ear. Slowly, inching in front of your face, the barrel that hit you seems to walk in front of you despite having no legs. It tilts, and clatters to the ground, and something inside of it twitches and curls and slithers.

"May a kiss, may a kill, may I may I dear dear please?" A bit of yellowish-green light begins to glow from within the barrel, and its inhabitant curls and twists further, inching parts of its body out of the barrel's open top and retreating them suddenly. You have to admit, whoever or whatever it is has a very nice singing voice, though it's beginning to regress to a ragged slather.

"May I, may I, may I kiss?" A hand, or a claw, pure black in the gloom, shoots out and grabs your face roughly. It feels dirty, very dirty, and cold, and smells like sickness and misery. The hand twists your head, sending fire through your nerves, and you swallow and choke. It drops you immediately and the creature retreats back into its barrel. Then the barrel rocks, wobbles and rolls over to Letty. You prepare to scream, but the open end turns to face you again, and as you open your mouth your assailant's head pops out into the glow.

It's a girl, as you suspected from the voice. Ratty green hair, tied, or perhaps just clumped, in two large bundles, and a long sallow face. Teeth like pins, or they would be if they were all there, skin extremely dirty and pocked with a few ugly sores. You can't see past her head; she might not be wearing any other clothing. You tend to doubt it with the posture she'd have to assume to stay in that barrel. Obviously a youkai, she likely couldn't pass for human even cleaned up. Obviously a feral youkai. Possibly, you add as it speaks, quite intelligent but not quite all there in the head. Definitely dangerous.

"May I kill, I may, kiss'me crying, crying in May," it hisses venomously, and you understand its warning perfectly and clamp back your shout. It (you can hardly think of it as a she) sticks out its hand again and rolls Letty over, patting her down. Unable to scream outwardly lest the mugger (you HOPE it's just a mugger) decides to hurt Letty, you scream inwardly. Why, why, why, why why did you not bring a weapon?

"Kiss'mkill'mkiss'm may? May I not. Cry, cry I may. Cry you, lover? Cry in May." Its hand jerks back into the barrel. All of the creature's movements are erratic, twitchy. It reminds you unpleasantly of when the patients at the nursing home have seizures. You can barely make heads or tails of its singsong speech, and still don't dare move. It retreats its head, thank everything, and rolls back over to you.

"May I?" One dark eye gleams from the barrel's glowing lip. Silence stretches. You realize it's waiting for an answer, fully aware that you're awake and not quite in so much pain anymore.

"May I please?" The voice, the creature's one normal-ish feature, sounds like a little girl begging for candy. You nod, and that claw reaches for you again, beginning to feel over and through your dress.

"Kids and kiss, lovers, lovers walking in the street. Kissed me in May. Missed him, missed May, Miss May. Miss May I would love, Miss May kills me. Kiss me?" No, you're not going to kiss it. Very much not. Fortunately that doesn't seem to be what it actually wants. It (she?) sounds disappointed, genuinely sad. "Miss May kill. The flowers won't come back. Kissume assume you'll kill, you'll kiss? Lovers kiss. Kiss and May kiss. May kills."

The claw reaches down to your hips, to the dress's nicely concealed pocket, in which you placed Letty's rose. It feels an object, and jerks back, along with the seaweed-haired head, then they return with increasing confidence, rubbing your thigh and tracing the flower's outline.

[ ] ________________

fffuck

Oh holy shit what.
[x] "No you May not. And it's October, anyway."
Or alternatively:
[x] Show her the flower
But whatever happens, we're not giving it to her. It's important to us.

As an aside, I've read Kisume's freaky dialogue 4-5 times over and if there's a hidden message there I'm not getting it.

Holy shit.

[x] Strangle the crazy broad.

Won't let it take Letty's flower.

>>4808

The only thing I noticed was that 'Kiss me' kind of sounds like 'Kisume'

>>4810
Yeah, I got that as well, and I did wonder whether 'May' was a reference to another Touhou, but I didn't get much further than that. Anon's not supposed to think too hard about these things.

>>4812
Well, we ARE the Nameless Fairy in the City of Gaps. Given how Blankfag claims to operate, if we tell him it means something, it might come true.

>Kissume assume you'll kill, you'll kiss?

She thinks we're gonna kill her?
>Lovers kiss. Kiss and May kiss. May kills.

What?

[X] Grab the bucket and throw it away.

>>4813

Yeah, like "bring color to her life" became two dresses. What would have happened if "Rain" had won?

Also, hey guys, what season is begins in May?

>>4815
>>"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."

What, Kisume's supposed to be the Summer Youkai? Or she's singing about the Summer Youkai? In that case, Letty might know her or something about her.
[x] Show Kisume the flower.
[x] Try to rouse Letty.

>>4815
>Also, hey guys, what season is begins in May?

Summer, but what does that have to do with...

>"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."

Letty doesn't like parasols; you know who else has a parasol besides Yukari?

>>4816
Holy hell. Summer is fuckin' ugly, man.

[X] Show her the flower, but ONLY show.

[X] Show Kisume the flower.
[X] Try to rouse Letty.
[X] If she tries anything funny, kick her ass.

Show her the flower, don't let her take it. She is mentally unstable, lets not do anything to provoke her. If it comes to it she could probably be easily beat, she doesn't seem to be that fast on the ground.

>>4817
Oh shit. I guess this answers the question as to what's happened to Yukari as well.

>"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.

Crazy hypothesis: Letty murdered Yuka (summer), and stole the one flower that doesn't wither in Gensokyo.

>>4821
No, Yukari and Yuka fought, and both of them are either dead or critically injured / recovering somewhere (hence Yukari's sudden disappearance).

Bricks. So many bricks.

[x] Show Kisume the flower.
[x] Be prepared to kick her ass.

>>4817

Summer begins in May, and if May kills = Summer kills. What's the oposite of summer? Right, winter. Letty = Winter.

If there is something summer should kill/null, it should be winter. But yeah, Summer is dead. That's what makes this logic line broken. Unless, of course, if >>4816 is correct.

Damn your black heart, Blankfag.

For the third time in a row, I don't know what to do.

You guys know the "me" in "Kisume" is pronounced similar to "May", right?

>>4826
...

>Miss May kill. The flowers won't come back.

I think Kisume is saying Miss May (Summer) was killed, rather than she will kill. And that she's sad and misses her.

[x] Show Kisume the flower.
[x] Sucker punch this nutjob while she's distracted.

Right in the kisser.

>>4828

Oh.

[X] Show her the flower, but don't give it to her.

[x] Show Kisume the flower.
[x] Try to rouse Letty.
All winter and no summer make Kisume something something.

[X]Show her the flower.
[X]"You want this flower? I can give it to you. If you kill that woman".

[x] Show Kisume the flower.

in b4 Letty brains her over the head with a rock while her back is turned

[X] Show her the flower, but don't give it to her.

Fucking Wow.

[x]card crusher, etc

[x]card crusher, etc

fucking perfect >>4845

Wow, how long did it take you to write that fucked up dialogue, Blankfag?

[x] Let it rape you.

I'd like to vote, blank, really I would... but I have no fucking clue what Bucketloli said.

>>4851
Not long, it's very fun to compose.

Next update tonight, on account of my head spinning every time I get up or sit down. May be a double again to compensate depending on how I feel then. I don't quite understand the card crusher votes.

>>4862
>>I don't quite understand the card crusher votes.
Inexcusable! Just youtube it

I'm not so sure breaking something precious Letty gave us is a smart thing to do.

>tall human woman
>her clothes look quite cheap and threadbare,
Oh hey there, Yuka.

>>4862

Yo, you allright, or is it just a hangover?

Powerless. For all your connections, for all your skills, for all that you can go toe to toe with one of the city's most elite fighters, for all the myriad ways danger could strike at you... for all that, you're stalled out here. You can't even protect Letty from some filthy basket case. All you can do is try your best to appease the youkai girl-thing.

Doing your best to not look threatening, you move a hand down to your thigh. Your breath catches as the creature stops pawing at your dress, but it simply retreats to its barrel and waits. A pair of dark eyes watch you as you extricate the icy rose, then begin to drift closer as your attacker pokes her head further out to look at it.

"It's a flower," you whisper, as calm as you can make yourself. "Just a flower. Not valuable to anyone but me. We don't have any money. Just, just leave us alone and we'll leave you alone, okay?" Actually, you brought quite a bit of money and you're sure Letty did likewise, but the youkai didn't find anything on Letty and you at least know how to conceal a wallet from pickpockets. It'll have to get a lot more physical to find THAT, if it doesn't believe you. You hope it believes you.

Too late, you notice exactly how captivated it seems to be by Letty's gift, and before you can react it's captivated you, lashing out a hand to grab your wrist and pulling the flower close to its face. Its grip is surprisingly strong, and you can indeed feel what are either claws or nails that haven't been cut for years. The creature leans a little further out of its container, sniffing all around the flower like a baby tengu, and as your eyes adjust to the gloom you can see its shoulders - bare and rail thin, nearly skeletal. It uses its other hand to tap the petals with a finger, and instantly scrunches backwards at the chill.

"Kissflowers of May," it mutters. "June, July, August, SeptemberOctoberNovember Decemberrrrr..." Hissing, it flicks its wrist and drags your body through the puddles towards Letty's, looking at her. You catch sight of her face, eyes frozen wide open with fear, and inwardly rejoice that at least she's awake. She doesn't move as the youkai inspects her again.

"Miss May Miss May Miss me love? Miss kiss dismiss kill. Love loves me," it croons, beginning to point to the flower's petals in turn, "loves kiss, loves me, loves kill, loves lovers, loves May when the raintears fall down Decembertime's cheeks, loves flowers." Running out of petals, it stares at Letty and concludes sorrowfully, "Loves me not when the flower withers May."

A pregnant silence follows. Seeing no reaction from Letty, the thing in the barrel pulls the flower closer to her, yanking you along the ground in the process. The scrapes hurt, but you don't dare resist. If you were alone, getting torn apart wouldn't be that big of a deal, but Letty is ironically more fragile. It must, you think, be hurting her enough just to watch some creature grasp at the gift she gave you not an hour ago. It certainly hurts you more than your physical injuries.

Then the youkai does something with her fingers, and the flower bursts into eerie white flames.

You yelp, almost scream, but the talons around your wrist constrict like a vise. Letty still just watches... and after a second, so do you. The flames are very real, and very hot, you can feel them scorching down to your own hand, but they aren't affecting the flower at all. A few seconds more, and they die out entirely while the flower remains entirely unharmed.

"It, ah, it won't melt or burn." Finally, Letty speaks up. "You can't break it. I'm sorry, I don't understand what you're talking about, but could you please let go of my friend?" There's a slight edge in her voice which you struggle to place, and panic when you do. Meiling sounded the same yesterday, just before she started to break out. You lift your head off the ground a little further and start shaking it, hoping Letty gets the message, but she's not looking at you.

"Mayflowers Nayflowers in Decemberfire. Do you kiss May?" The girl's eyes begin to glow with the same phosphorescene of her barrel as she addresses Letty crisply. She speaks as though her words made perfect sense even though they make none. Letty nods along.

"I gave it to her. Please don't take it away." To your utmost relief, the youkai immediately lets your arm drop, with the flower still in your grasp. Letty continues. "Is there something we can do for you? Are you hungry? I'm Letty Whiterock, I run a restaurant, if you'd like to stop by sometime-"

"Do you remember me in May, my darling December?" Cutting her off, the creature croaks and cranes its neck to look between you and Letty. Neither of you respond.

"I remember you." Slowly, the light in its eyes fades out, and it shrinks back into its barrel. The glow there likewise dims. "Remember December, when you called. You call, you kiss, you caw. You call on me in May, you can kiss on me crazy me. You call, you kiss with flowers in spring when love is in the air. My darling darkling. Kissing and killing. Why can't I remember? I used to know who you were. I think I was Miss May. I loved you and now you'll go away. I wish May would come again." Bit by bit, its outline fades, until you and Letty are left in the alley with a silent barrel.

Letty cautiously stands up, grabs your arm, and starts walking, leaving the barrel behind. You keep an eye on it as you leave, and don't stop until several blocks later, when the alley opens onto a lighter gray street and pouring rain.

"I'm fine, are you okay? I'm so so sorry. I should have looked out more, should've thought about where we were going-" you start to jitter and apologize, but to no avail. Letty grabs your lips and holds them shut, a trace - just a trace - of humor returning to her.

"Don't worry about it. All's well that ends well." Again, you try to protest, and again she shushes you. "I mean it! Learn to cool off." So saying, she sticks her arms and legs out into the rain, wincing slightly as she washes off her scrapes a bit. You do the same, flinching uncomfortably from the sight of Letty in pain and once again thankful that everything you buy is waterproof.

"Did you understand any of what that poor girl was talking about?" Letty asks after a while, removing and shaking out her headband.

"No." You sigh unhappily. "Letty, that wasn't a poor girl, that was a youkai mugger, or, uh, something. Freakishly strong, and she was babbling and incoherent the whole time. I don't even know what she wanted."

"I did recognize her," Letty murmurs, prompting you to stare at her in disbelief. "It took a while, though. I haven't seen her since before the city was built. She used to be much happier, but... not everyone chose to come here, when the land vanished, and some people just couldn't adapt to it. Yukari never did take care of them. I hope she comes to the diner sometime. She should be able to find it."

"Then... you know who she was? Did you understand anything she said?" Across the atreet, a trickle of water pouring down from a gutter catches your eye. You imagine it as a river, part of the current you'll swim against to escape - things like that girl. Letty nods.

"A little. Call her... what was she singing? Kisses in May? Kisume will do. She remembered seeing the flower, I think." Her face closes momentarily, and when it opens again she seems haunted. "I'm sorry if I misled you, but I didn't actually make that. Summer created it, and gave it to me."

"A summer youkai made you an ice flower?" You can't resist calling the obvious joke.

"She was very talented." Letty deadpans back to you, flashes a grin, then turns sombre again. "We were close. Ancient history now, though. I'm sorry, I should have told you. I just... don't like to talk about her."

"S'fine." You pat her back, slowly returning to some semblance of your prior mood. The two of you sit for a few minutes longer, enough for your adrenaline high to completely fade and leave you feeling nothing but cold and wet. Eh, it's appropriate.

"Feels like it's bedtime. Looks that way, too but it's barely evening." Seconding your thoughts, Letty speaks up again. "It'll only get darker if we stay here. What's next on our scenic tour of the city, dear?"

[ ] To the concert, damn it all. You've both been looking forward to this too long.
[ ] No, that was enough action. Let's just go home and have a quiet evening.
-------
>>4867
I belong to the sick writer moe club. Patchouli hands out hot water bottles on occasion, it's quite nice.

[X] To the concert, damn it all. You've both been looking forward to this too long.

Time to see what conflict the concert brings.

[X] To the concert, damn it all. You've both been looking forward to this too long.

ITS DANCE COMMANDER TIME

[x] To the concert, damn it all. You've both been looking forward to this too long.
Moe Blankfag is moe.

[ ] To the concert, damn it all. You've both been looking forward to this too long.

Haha, so Kisume really was Summer?

Feh, we should have tried to fight back. This wasn't as bad as I feared it would be, but now I'm curious about the infinite possibilities. I'm still wondering what would happened if '[X]Rain fall on people' had won. Can you tell us, or not Blankfag?

>>4890
No, Yuka was summer. Whether Kisume is supposed to be Yuka is a completely different question.

>>4892

Kay.
>Haha, so Kisume really was Yuka?

>>4892
So I'm now imagining sex between Yuka and Letty.

[ ] To the concert, damn it all. You've both been looking forward to this too long

>>4891
Would've led to staying in the valley longer, skipping the concert and an entirely different set of events for the night.

>>4892
>Yuka was summer
I'll wait until Blankwritefag confirms or denies this one before accepting it. It sticks in my mind that Yuuka is called the "Flower Master of the Four Seasons", not the "Flower Master of That Hot Season Between Spring and Autumn".

>>4905
Letty strangling us?

>>4907
And it also sticks in my mind that Yuka's trademark flower is:

[x] To the concert, damn it all. You've both been looking forward to this too long.

So the flower was created by Summer partially confirming my suspicions about Yuka, the only person who's created such a thing in canon. Yuka is exactly the kind of megalomaniac that would step on the other seasons' toes by trying to take over their portfolios (cf. Saruman of Many Colors).

She would carry a parasol which is a mark of Letty's disgust. Combine this with that odd story behind the pendant, the amount of force that would be needed to kill Yuka (i.e., multiple powerful youkai working in tandem), Letty's uncharacteristic reticence about her, and the current fractured nature of the Seasons' fellowship, it would seem Letty has a sordid past indeed.

We should try meeting the Akis and Lily White/Black sometime and pump them for information.

[x] To the concert, damn it all. You've both been looking forward to this too long.

>>4912
>We should try meeting the Akis and Lily White/Black sometime and pump them for information.

I'd pump them for information if you know what I mean.

RaANized Subterranean Animism characters

Kisume - Derelict, nutjob, mugger.

Yamame - Runs an SDM-subsidiary sweatshop where textiles are spun & woven--she herself is pretty cool, if you like drinking & partying. Oh, that poncho there? Yeah, that's filled with smallpox, brah.

Parsee - Permanently pissed-off bouncer with max ranks in intimidate and doesn't afraid of anything.

Yuugi - Faded rock star; former band leader of the once hugely popular Four Devas. Good at doing large amounts of drugs and squandering away her own fortune, she claims she'd do anything to get another shot at the big time.

Satori - Cat/pigeon lady who bought the Palace of the Earth nightclub after her retirement from work as a city planner--specifically, she was the one who developed Gensokyo's subway line. Ran an orphanage at some point, but she doesn't like to talk about it.

Orin - Ambulance driver who always seems to arrive a few seconds too late. Can't sleep, so she takes the night shift while working at a fast food restaurant during the day.

Utsuho - A military experiment gone awry involving one of Satori's "orphans". Free energy being a large part of Kanako's campaign platform, Utsuho would scandalize Moriya if it's revealed that they funded the experiment & research.

Koishi - Wandering ascetic and mystic. Mind reading, compatibility, and mood lifting can be yours for a small donation. Often wears a signboard bearing slogans that don't much sense.

>>5055

Satori could have that talindomid syndrome, whatever is that thing called. You, know since her short arms are short...she could also be a patient of Eirin trying to find a cure for the syndrome.

>>5136

thalidomide

You probably already guessed this but don't expect anywhere near frequent updates for a while. Currently 80% of my days are spent in bed violently ill, 19% goes to playing SA and the spare percent to figuring out what I'm going to do with its cast in this story. I expected them to be safely ignorable, but some of them just fit in far too well. >>5055 is interesting, I was heading in some of the same directions and now feel bad because I want to yoink some points from it.

>>5154

Use it if you want to, it's not like Anon will disapprove. He will probably be as happy as he's never been before. And if the characters do fit well in the story, then there is no helping it, do it faggot.

And rest, damnit! Stop playing SA, stress alone is bad enough, and you are ill! Ill with what, by the way? A cold? AIDS? Moebeetus?

>>5154

What >>5159 said. You're a pretty cool guy, and I don't wanna see you drop dead before the story's done.

Also, even if you yoink some points, knowing you it'd only be a base. A base of a base, based on bases made of bass.

Actually, you know...I kind of feel you with the not resting in favor of SA, but do try and keep it down if you feel like you need some more time in bed.

Touhouproject: Where anon is simultaneously the most and least caring people in the world.

Wow, thanks.
> stop playing SA
You are nuts, I haven't had this much pure fun with a game since... possibly ever.

Best guess for what I've got is flu + something else + complications from mono earlier in the summer flaring up again. It's like an Extra final spellcard, every day or two a new symptom gets added.

Doesn't help that the next update has to be intimidatingly long, either. I don't like posting things until there's a meaningful choice to end on, and there's no opportunity for that for longer than I'd like here. Got about 20-25% written... days ago.

>>5154
>I want to yoink some points from it.

Speaking as that Anonymous, I would be fucking delighted man. Half the reason for "discussion" posts is to give the writers ideas they may not have already considered.

And take however much time you feel you need, but I'd like read what you've written, even if you wrote it while high on cough medicine.

>>5180

"I tell you what, Josh," I said. "Can I call you 'Josh,' Josh?"

"Uh-"

"You seem like a straight shooter, Josh, so I'm gonna shoot straight at you."

"Okay," he said.

"Great," I said. "You look like a digger," I said. "Do you dig a lot, Josh?"

"What?" he said.

"You've got digger's shoulders, right there. Well-toned triceps and meaty deltoids, yessir, that's digger's shoulders. We have a lot of need for a man who can bury things around here. I'll be honest, the last four didn't cut it. They couldn't bury a dead cat, let alone a live one. I know, I followed them around for days in my van. They don't dig for pleasure or for sport. They don't even own their own shovel. Not even a pickaxe. You know, you can tell a lot about a man by the way he buries something, Josh. It's a crucial thing."

I leaned back in my chair and took out a highlighter. I cracked it open, removed the ink filter, and proceeded to smoke it like a cigarette. It might've looked odd to old Josh, what with how my face was dripping with pink ink, but I was deep in the heart of Flavor Country, headed for the local Flavor Saloon and then, more than likely, the Flavor Brothel to nail some Flavor Whores in their Flavor Asses, and then I'd probably try and skip out paying them the Flavor Money, which is pink, like everything else is there, and on the one Flavor Dollar bill is a picture of a woodpecker, but I don't know why. Josh wouldn't understand, what with his snooty, lack-of-chocolate-spewing attitude.

>>5162

It's fun because
1.It's touhou. And you are a touhou fan.
2.It's new. Wait until next year.
3.It's touhou.

>>5188
Forgot second half.

4.You are ill.
5.It's touhou
6.It is fun

>>5186

Vicotussin is too awesome to be wasted while sick.

FLAVOR COUNTRY.

GET WELL SOON, NIGGER

Ok, I'm getting more worried about our dear Blankfag.

Please heal up fast.

Postin' Happy Haruhi so Blankfag gets better.

Soon. ;_;

Don't die on us, we love you.

GENTLEMEN.

RaAN.

>>5465

Cirno just got 100% more fappable.

>>5465
When I saw that, I think I forgot how to breathe out for a few seconds.

>>5465

You know, that's what this story is missing. A place where everybody knows your name. And they're always glad you came.

>>5476
>always glad you came

Friend sex?

>>5484

ಠ_ಠ

>>5466

>Letty just got 100% more fappable.

Anyhow, I am feeling... not worse, if not better, and have thoroughly digested SA now. Got a good chunk of writing done today, update should come tomorrow. That picture is amazing and I half want to use it to start every thread and half want to just give it up here and throw in the towel because that's it, it's been done, there's nothing I can write that will equal that amount of excellence.

Thank you all very much for putting up with the delays, and for the kind words and displays of awesome. There may not be choices for the next few updates, at least not per se, as there's not much meaningful choice I can work into "experience concert," but if you have certain things you want to see happen then just say so and I'll see what I can do (as always).

>>5549

Urge to spend 20 hours on a classy Hooray!.jpg...rising...

>>5549
If you like it, then let's supersize.

>That picture is amazing and I half want to use it to start every thread and half want to just give it up here and throw in the towel because that's it, it's been done, there's nothing I can write that will equal that amount of excellence.

Hey, you. Let us be the judge of that.

>Thank you all very much for putting up with the delays, and for the kind words and displays of awesome. There may not be choices for the next few updates, at least not per se, as there's not much meaningful choice I can work into "experience concert," but if you have certain things you want to see happen then just say so and I'll see what I can do (as always).

The only thing I expect out the concert is the confrontation between Letty & Yuyu, asking Youmu to dance, and seeing a fairy get very drunk & loose-lipped. Your style of mindfuck would be well received, as always.

Aside from the concert, I want to say that the "Death of Summer" plot point was unexpected and lent Letty's character some much needed depth.

Alice, the fairy doll, and Marisa's answer to her; the potential conflict with SDM over Meiling; the elections, Yuyu's involvement, the true designs of contenders, and the disappearance of Yukari; the many dichotomies the main character embraces, her nihilism in the face of constant reincarnation, and the question of her eventual karmic fate--these are all very interesting plot threads and I look forward to seeing how they progress.

I also want to say that on these boards, you're by far the best writer of internal monologue, and very few other leads are as well characterized as yours.

>>5555

THIS GET.

IT IS RIGHT IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE.

I second it completely, plus I want to see the fairy's other friends.

>>5553

Letty wears the pants in the relationship. And Cirno wears the holsters.

>>5560
>I second it completely, plus I want to see the fairy's other friends.

Among her friends, Minoriko had visited the Fairy only a few days before the start of the story, and she along with her sister Shizuha bought her the dress. Letty got the tickets from Lily White, so she'll probably be at the concert.

It's likely we'll be seeing more of them as Letty's "four seasons" subplot develops.

>>5683

yeah, but I want to see them now. You know, after the story started.

"Our next stop? Why, that would be the Layla Memorial Event Center and Concert Hall. I hear a little something's going on there tonight," you drawl, as Letty giggles delightedly in response. Crazy youkai or not, you didn't come out this far to just go home again. Taking your partner's arm, you fly forth - sticking to the open streets this time. It's not like the storm will bedraggle you more than you already are, though it certainly tries its best. A roaring wind buffets your face as you charge forth down the dark roads, and sheets of rain sting your cheeks and thoroughly soak you, but whenever you glance back at Letty, flying at your side, her smile makes it not matter.

As you approach the mammoth auditorium, you begin to see people on the streets again, accreting in steady waves towards the concert while fighting the weather. Not unexpected. The Prismrivers are the most famous performers in all of Gensokyo, after all, and for many of their fans flying through a deafening storm is a miniscule price to pay to hear them. You imagine that their more, ah, devoted fans probably can't even hear the thunderclaps anymore. The trio's sounds have magical components to them as well, and they post occasional warnings about the possible side effects of overexposure. Most people ignore the warnings, and a few see them as invitations. Everyone seeking their own sort of good time...

In due course you arrive at the hall, Letty in tow, and pass from tempestuous flight into its inviting warmth. Thoroughly drenched, muddied, scraped and still in your flamboyant dresses, the two of you manage to stand out in the line in a way no one else does. You recognize quite a few of the city's notable figures in attendance, many giving you and your partner at least a passing glance of curiosity. Ha. Let them stare, you think, let everyone see that Letty Whiterock is here and having fun, and I am here with her.

"Tickets and ID, please," an Officially Bored security officer you're too short to see through the crowd calls out as you reach the inner doors. Letty pulls a torn, soggy envelope out from her dress, clucks at its condition and removes the tickets, then doubletakes and makes a surprised sound. You peer around her waist to see what's up, and only then notice that what you took for a child in front of you is actually a fellow fairy - and the black-suited guard in question.

"Good evening, Miss Black. Nice to see you here." Letty assumes her usual warm smile and holds out her tickets, but you see a bit of a catch as the lady who must be Lilith Black accepts them. You feel cold, and not entirely because you're wet in an air conditioned building. What's a famous beat cop doing running a ticket line?

"Same to you, Letty. I hope you've been doing well?" Lilith slightly stresses your date's first name, perhaps displeased Letty didn't use hers. Or perhaps you've been thinking too hard about your conversation with Letty, and are reading too much into their interaction. The officer isn't wearing a trident pin, and seems to be avoiding looking at Letty's, but then again she's in uniform and probably just trying to be polite. Anyone else would just see two old friends pleasantly chatting, you're sure.

"Well enough on my own, although that may be changing." You flush with pride and a bit of embarassment as Letty clutches your hand tighter. Lilith plucks the tickets out with two fingers and tosses the envelope over her head into a wastebasket.

"Front section, and backstage passes after the show? Very nice." As the guard reads off your seat numbers, it's your turn to be amazed. Backstage passes? You wonder how Letty got her hands on those, but not for long as Lilith continues. "What a coincidence, these look just like the two tickets my sister begged me for. I haven't seen her yet, come to think of it. Do you know if she's coming tonight?"

"Why, I have no idea. I thought you of all people would know exactly what your sister is up to these days?" All right, now you know you're not imagining things. At Letty's response, Lilith pales like someone slapped her in the face, and is clearly about to cry... or to make your life much, much harder. You shrink and try to hide yourself behind Letty as she opens her mouth.

"Is there a problem here?" But the contained voice you hear issues from behind, as a long shadow eclipses the three of you. Turning your head, you see a ramrod-straight tower of authority, or a very tall green-haired woman in the same uniform as Lilith's. Same thing. The badges pinned to her cap and lapel read EIKI SHIKI.

"No, Commissioner. No problem. Just making sure these passes are in order." Lilith stuffs them back into Letty's hands, still trying to wipe the devastated look from her face, and waves in dismissal.

"Hm." The policewoman's scrutiny falls on Letty, who returns it cooly. She looks down at you, just a brief glance, and your vision flickers into grayscale save for your bright red - dress?


You are covered in blood. Marisa's, Meiling's, and many more innocents that you never even noted. You are a slave to a monster. You are selfish and hedonistic, and do not even think about those you destroy in your wake. You are a very bad girl and a positively demonic fairy.


Commissioner Shiki's gaze releases you, and your head clears. You aren't quite sure what just happened, or how much (if any) of it she saw.

"Enjoy the concert. Keep out of trouble." Speaking firmly in the imperative, she pulls the door behind Black open, and you and Letty obediently enter it. It feels as though you have no choice in the matter. As the door closes behind you, you note Shiki pulling Lilith aside, and restrain your fear. If she had a problem with you, she'd have stopped you there, right? ... right.
---
More coming shortly, discussion and criticisms and requests always welcomed, etc. I swear it is coincidence that someone else is always writing the exact same characters as I am at any given time no matter how obscure.

Shit.

Now Shiki is 99.9% certain that we are Kira.

>>5734
Not only that, there seems to be something between the Sisters Lily.

>"Why, I have no idea. I thought you of all people would know exactly what your sister is up to these days?" All right, now you know you're not imagining things. At Letty's response, Lilith pales like someone slapped her in the face, and is clearly about to cry...

What the hell Letty? And what's the deal with Lily, has she been turning tricks or something?

>She looks down at you, just a brief glance, and your vision flickers into grayscale save for your bright red - dress?
>You are covered in blood. Marisa's, Meiling's, and many more innocents that you never even noted. You are a slave to a monster. You are selfish and hedonistic, and do not even think about those you destroy in your wake. You are a very bad girl and a positively demonic fairy.

Fuuuuuuuuck...

>You are covered in blood. Marisa's, Meiling's, and many more innocents that you never even noted. You are a slave to a monster. You are selfish and hedonistic, and do not even think about those you destroy in your wake. You are a very bad girl and a positively demonic fairy.

Pff, Shiki is just blowing things out of proportion. She did it during PoFV and she's doing it here. This fairy is selfish and hedonistic? I don't think so.

Dick move, Letty. Dick move.

Gosh, people having more to them then they show to Fairyanon in public?
I never saw it coming!

>>5744
>I never saw it coming!

WHAT A TWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEST

You are now imagining Blankfag as M. Night Shayamaleafbgedwlgiurewbhr

or whoever the flying fuck you spell his name

The inside of the auditorium is far more crowded than the line was and filled with the burbling undertones of people talking. You find yourself with little recourse but to hop up and hover next to Letty's shoulder as she leads you down towards your seats. They aren't quite front row, but pretty close to it, four or five back, and even at a distance it's obvious that this puts you smack in the middle of the truly rabid Prismriver fans and the truly wealthy elite. You wonder which group observers will think the two of you are part of. Rabid fans, likely, and probably for the better.

"Letty?" At a sufficient distance from the doors, you find your voice again. "What was all that about? I've never seen you..." be shockingly catty, and to an old friend and civil servant no less "... act that way." You're also dying to ask why there's so much security at this event, but you doubt she knows the answer to that any more than you do.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I was just trying to be friendly to her - oh, don't look at me that way!" she exclaims at your apparently obvious disbelief. "I was! I, um, it just popped out. I didn't mean it the way she took it."

"Really?" More curious than anything else, you ask silently for elaboration.

"Really. It's complicated." Letty clams up for a bit, then sighs and breaks. "All right, I guess I should explain, it's ancient history now anyway. We, um, the seasons and all, oh, this sounds so silly now."

"Go on." Finding your seats at last, you immediately sink down in yours.

"She really broke off when she joined the force, and spoke strongly about us and the things we used to do. The others didn't take it very well. It was a big shock at the time. The Akis still say that she sold us out - oh, that look again! We were youkai, and it was different back then. Anyhow, Lily still talks to her, and I actually kind of agree with what she believes, but the way she put it - it's still a bit of a situation. I didn't think I cared that much, but..." Letty lapses into introspection, and you give her a pat on the back and try to change the subject.

"I get the picture, it's good if you're trying to be nice. Ah, but... backstage passes? Really? You didn't have to go that far." To your surprise, your friend nods in agreement.

"I didn't! That was all Lily, honest. I just gave her some money - not that much, stop it! - and asked her for tickets. I didn't even know until I looked at them."

"Huh." A gift to Letty, then, or exploiting her sister? Most of the former, you hope.

"Ooh, backstage passes? Perhaps they go to the balcony as well! Then you'll really be in high spirits!" Someone in the seat behind and right of yours cuts in, cackling at their own awkward pun. You glance and see another fairy, start to come up with a wisecrack about eavesdropping, then reconsider it and laugh weakly along with the girl as the manicured claws on her leathery wings and her white-and-scarlet clothing sink in.

Could it be? No, surely not. But there are a lot of high society looking types around, and you can't spot any unwashed Prism concert groupies. Maybe it is... but the girl's already turned away, her attention engrossed in something else. You sink a little lower in your seat and put your hand over Letty's, trying to relax as the overhead lights begin to dim.
---
This is really not long enough to deserve its own post, I apologize but it is a convenient break point and I am tired and sick. More tomorrow.

>>5744
>>5745
Too sick to get this. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

Oh look, Remilia.

This could turn bad, fast.

>>5746
>This is really not long enough to deserve its own post
Nonesense. It's perfect.

>Too sick to get this. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
Generally bad, as M. Night's plot twists are to put it simply, shit. However, >>5744 probably meant it in a sarcastic way, while I (>>5745) was just being a sarcastic ass.

>She really broke off when she joined the force, and spoke strongly about us and the things we used to do. The others didn't take it very well. It was a big shock at the time. The Akis still say that she sold us out - oh, that look again! We were youkai, and it was different back then.

Human eating. That's what they probably broke over.

The auditorium darkens, completely and absolutely, and the buzz of conversation dies with the lights. Everyone seems to hold their breath as one, and for a time no noise is audible save the gloomy patter of raindrops from the roof. You're startled to hear it at first, before realizing it must be an intentional effect. The acoustics here are quite precise - and seconds after you think that, it is confirmed as a nondescript voice echoes out from the stage.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for coming out here tonight." You hear a flicking sound, and on the far left side of the stage a tiny flame begins to flicker, illuminating the face of a youngish human girl. Her voice is soft, conversational almost, but every sound carries to your ear as though she was standing right next to you. Granted, she IS fairly close to where you're sitting, but you're sure every other seat in the house hears her exactly as well as you.

"Quite the rainy night, isn't it? Your entertainment this evening will be provided by Fujiwara on vocals, Nagae on dance, and the Prismrivers on string, keyboard and horn. Please enjoy the show." The girl smiles, looking down at the flame as its glow expands and is joined by four others at various positions onstage. They flare momentarily, revealing figures by them that weren't there when the lights went out. One gleams off the metal of a bright horn, another licks along the edges of a violin's bow, and the third refracts in a few different colors off of something flat with many keys. The speaker herself is visible only for a second; you catch sight of oddly drab denim suspenders, black in the firelight, and hair that nearly touches the floor before her torch fades again. The final and frontmost flame shows only a silhouette of something tall and rippling. Then the fire is quenched again, and all is still.

A piano strikes the opening notes, repeating a low minor thrum in 3 while the violin joins and adds a steady background hum. After a few bars, the keyboard launches into arpeggios on top of the rhythm, already playing more notes than someone with only two hands could. Gradually the patterns begin to vary, and every once in a while you can hear a subtle brass sustained note from somewhere in the back. But while that catches your ear, the center stage begins to catch your eye.

At first it's just a motion in the dark that attracts your attention. Then curls of thin lines begin to shine in front of you, rotating hypnotically in spirals of white and red. Little by little, the dancer (Nagae, was it?) illuminates herself, appearing to shine with a pale inner light as though her very flesh was translucent. Her body lacks color, glowing only gray, but around her she waves a thick, long ribbon, or scarf, or something - perhaps more than one - that catches and releases her light in a silken white sheen. Scarlet frills, of the same color of your dress, line the ribbon and move in waves as she slowly twirls it around herself. The effect is entrancing, and just as her sinuous dance fully comes to light, the real music kicks in.

The deep alto voice of the girl who introduced the show rises out of the darkness behind Nagae, incanting a mournful lullabye of syllables in the melody of the main rhythm. You listen closely in an attempt to decipher the lyrics, but are surprised to find you cannot. Whatever language she's singing in is not one you're familiar with, though it seems to come tantalizingly close to being understandable at points.

Giving up, you lean back and resume your attentions on Nagae's slow spirals, still the only thing clearly visible in the hall, while Merlin's trumpet kicks in with a sharp descant to counter the vocals. Each part of the performance is repetitive and simple, to the point that you think you could even perform them all yourself (though certainly not as well as the professionals on stage), but the piece as a whole sums to more than its parts. You may not be able to understand the words, but the song's message is powerfully clear. The music speaks of one young girl in all the world, wandering in a forest, swimming through oceans and drifting through skies, alone and eternal in an endless cycle. For you, it's uniquely easy to identify with, and the repetition both lulls and sparks your brain into thinking of how others might relate. Letty, perhaps. Or Youmu, if she was here.

"The old language," a voice to your side opposite Letty, breathes in your ear minutes later. It jolts you out of your reverie as the music begins to fade. "Nostalgic, isn't it? 'Ashes return to ashes, and yet I remain...' Not many people still know it, let alone can sing in it." You force yourself to turn your eyes from the stage, very slowly, in five degree increments, already knowing who you'll find sitting next to you.

"What," you hiss out of the side of your mouth as softly as possible, trying not to alert Letty, "the FUCK are YOU doing HERE?"

"Enjoying the show, of course!" Yuyuko Saigyouji answers in a less hushed tone, though still not loud enough to be overheard by anyone else. You meant to ask what she's doing sitting next to you and intruding upon your date, as her presence is never coincidental, but at the same time you're not quite sure you want to know the answer.

"Like the dress? I got it from Sister Hina! Yours is exciting! And that gothic dress, so nice!" Yuyu stifles a giggle. She's dressed even more outlandishly than you and Letty, in what seems like a bodice made solely of maroon and green ribbons wrapped around each other. It seems much like Nagae's, except... shocking, and maybe a little less than tasteful. Looking past her as the music dies completely, you spy Youmu sitting in a suit, staring forward and not batting an eyelash.

"Oh, thank you! I don't believe we've met..." Letty's amused voice drifts from the other side of your head, and you wince and resign yourself to the loss of any chance of privately enjoying the show with her.

"Ah, you must be Miss Whiterock!" As you cast about for options, Yuyuko seizes the initiative and whispers across you. You hear other whispers begin to chorus in the hall as the sound of raindrops return. "I've heard so many nice things about you! My name is-"

A dazzling flash and earsplitting shockwave drown out her introduction.

Thank the gods.

More specifically, thank the god who just blasted the inside of the concert hall with what could only have been an honest to goodness bolt of lightning. Upon the return of your senses, you look forward once more, and see that all the lights are on and the stage is blazing with activity. Nagae poses tall, front and center, with her left arm pointing high to the roof, her ribbonscarf curled around it, and blue sparks crackling up and down her body. In the light, you can finally see her other features - a jaunty plumed hat and light clothes that match the scarf. Next to her stands Fujiwara, arms outstretched and her whole body blazing with apparently harmless but very real looking fire. She is indeed wearing overalls, and a patchwork shirt with them. Behind them, the Prismrivers stand with their instruments at the ready and in their traditional outfits. The ensemble is jawdropping.

"And now it is," the lead duo intones,

"WEDNESDAY!"

"NIGHT!"

"FEVER!"

The Prismrivers strike up a joyous tune, the audience rises as one off its seats, the chairs themselves vanish, and cacophony ensues.

You remember dancing. You remember a lot of dancing, and a lot of shouting, and a little bit of drinking when the refreshments were brought out.

You remember that fairies are prone to revelry, and more affected than almost any other race by phantom music.

You remember Letty, and drag yourself out of it eventually.

All around you, the formerly dignified concert hall has turned into a rollicking party - albeit one where the partygoers around you are quite the movers and shakers. Casting an eye about for Letty, you find her some distance downstage, seeming to enjoy herself. You note that she's as far as possible from Lilith Black, who has come in and is supervising events from the wall with a radio in her hand. Youmu is easily spotted against the wall as well, and Yuyuko in the thick of the dance, prompting a brief unsettling flashback. Meiling is near her, in her easily spotted violet cheongsam, though she seems to be edging her way out of the crowd. A moment later you see why. The girl who spoke to you earlier - no, the lady, that has to be none other than Remilia Scarlet herself! - and her entourage are carousing in a group mostly by themselves, and slowly approaching Yuyuko's position. You don't see Nagae or Fujiwara around, though the Prismrivers are still playing.

[ ] Grab Letty and put those backstage passes to use.
[ ] Before that, let's ________________

-------
The usual. Thanks for forebearance.

>Fujiwara on vocals, Nagae on dance
>I got it from Sister Hina

Awesome, simply awesome.

[X] Before that, let's ask Youmu to dance with you and Letty.
[X] Or just go see what's going on with The Family & The Scarlets
[X] The backstage tickest, usa them after understanding the situation.

>>5981

Also, I can't believe I'm the first one to post here, 2 hours after Blankfag updates and no one else?

[X] Grab Letty and put those backstage passes to use.

I really doubt Remilia would cause trouble here.

[x] Grab Letty and put those backstage passes to use.

No use going to Yuyuko or Youmu right now, they just make MC Fairy ಠ_ಠ. I'd rather not go near Remi and company, which will include Sakuya. And uh, going to Lily Black? Not cool.

Although I want to expose Youmu to Sakuya, see if Fangirl Youmu pops up.

Onto the backstage! Then we can fangirl over Mokou, Iku, or the Prismrivers.

Oh, if you're voting for backstage, look for X is fine too. Pretty free reign on this, do whatever.

Sleep.

>>5998

If you say so.

[X] Or just go see what's going on with The Family & The Scarlets
[X]Ask Youmu to dance with you and Letty.

Wouldn't this be like an anniversary of us meeting Youmu? Hell yeah, this will be good.

>>5984

You should be more worried about what will happen later. What if Yuyuko says we were ignoring the family for our own pleasure? Things could get bad.

Letty's having a good time by herself right now, so should we should use the opportunity to deal with some family matters.

[x] Before that, ask Youmu to dance. When she refuses, whisper that you should both be near Meiling and Yuyu in case anything happens with Scarlet; take her by the hand drag her into the crowd.

She can't refuse if you put it that way. But she will be flustered. Oh yes.

>You are a very bad girl and a positively demonic fairy.
>demonic fairy

But our element is ice, not electricity.

>>6026

[❖] Before that, ask Youmu to dance. When she refuses, whisper that you should both be near Meiling and Yuyu in case anything happens with Scarlet; take her by the hand drag her into the crowd.

Youmu awkwardly attempting to dance?
Yuyuko and Scarlet making barely concealed threats to each other?
Seeing Meiling to stand up to Sakuya?

You have my axe.

Actually, in regards to >>5744 : This was just me mocking the people going "HOLY SHIT I DID NOT EXPECT THIS KIND OF THING" when Blankfag has clearly shown us that everyone in his story has some hidden shit in their past.

Even lovely Letty.

>>6074

You can't appreciate mystery novels because you already know there's going to be a mystery in them?

Fucking stupid.

>>6074
>>6075
It's a Mafia story, so skeletons in the closet are kinda the name of the game. Please try and keep the thread civil. (Unless you're addressing me, in which case flame away should you feel the need to. Criticism is always welcome.)

>>6074

I can't speak for the other anons, but on my end it was more of a shock with Letty acting completely contrary to normal. Going from the normal winter youkai we love to someone making another almost cry for no reason other than spite (or so we thought). Kind of a radical shift, skeletons or no. You would have to expect some reaction from that.

[x] Before that, ask Youmu to dance. When she refuses, whisper that you should both be near Meiling and Yuyu in case anything happens with Scarlet; take her by the hand drag her into the crowd.

[x] Before that, ask Youmu to dance. When she refuses, whisper that you should both be near Meiling and Yuyu in case anything happens with Scarlet; take her by the hand drag her into the crowd.

>>6074

Welcome to RAN, where Anonymous shits bricks.

[x] Before that, ask Youmu to dance. When she refuses, whisper that you should both be near Meiling and Yuyu in case anything happens with Scarlet; take her by the hand drag her into the crowd.

wandbagon

[+] Grab Letty and put those backstage passes to use.

update

[✿] Before that, ask Youmu to dance. When she refuses, whisper that you should both be near Meiling and Yuyu in case anything happens with Scarlet; take her by the hand drag her into the crowd.

Stoicism ℳℴℯ

If we tell Letty that Youmu is the coworker we're always complaining that hates us, she'll understand.

Till next update...

more RaAN!

>>6339

The Baccano theme is now playing in your head.

Writing, darn it.

>>6352

Hooray!

>Writing, darn it.

BLANKFAG'S WRITING AGAIN? JESUS CHRIST! FUCK! GOD DAMN!

Waiting, darn it.

;_;

>>6352

Does anyone else remember that Sci-Fi Channel Original, Seven Days? Looking back, I can't figure out why I enjoyed watching it; every damn character was some sort of cliche.

Might as well kill two birds with one stone, right? You slow your movements a bit and drop out of the crowd, heading to the wall where Youmu flowers. As expected, she doesn't deign to take note of your approach, and you rejoice inwardly knowing that with that, you've already won.

"Hey, shyfly. Come dance! Loosen up a bit!" Youmu glares daggers at you and makes no move to do either. You consider tugging at her sleeve, but think better of it.

"Come on, why not?" Leaning in towards her, you speak more candidly. "It's not like anyone could put Yuyu in danger, and you came all the way out here already. If you aren't going to go home, at least have some fun before you explode."

You hadn't known it was actually possible to vocalize "...", but Youmu manages it.

"All right, well, how about this. Y'see that little kid with the wings out there, about my height? You know who that is? You see how she's kind of moving towards Meiling? That's not good, so even by your standards you ought to be out there." Now is the time for sleeve-tugging, and you promptly engage in it. This, at last, is enough to get a reaction from the girl.

"Sister Meiling's affairs are her own to deal with." So sayeth Youmu, quietly enough that you have to strain to hear her over the din, and when you understand what she's saying your conviction falters, your plan collapses and you deliver a light slap to her face. Her mouth opens in a small 'o' shape, and the party around you begins to blur and slow down as her crystal-clear attention engulfs you.

"How can you say that about a member of the family? Do we even mean anything to you? Are you one of us, or are you just saying that while you hang out at Yuyu's feet?" You barely manage to keep your outburst to a whisper, reigning yourself in to pull your trump card out. "You know, Meiling was playing with your father today. Just hanging out. He said it made him happier than anything. Do you-"

Breath leaves your lungs, and the next thing you know you're several steps out into the dance floor, with Youmu holding you by your throat and gritting her teeth. Lyrica's quick beats play in the background, matching the pace of your own heart as more than a couple of people stop dancing to stare at Youmu. Detached, you note that her concentration's been broken as well. She holds the pose for a few seconds. Then, her eyes flick to each side, noting the stares, and she wheels around, letting her grip flow to your arm rather than your neck, and starts to turn her attack into a dance.

Fortunately, the swordsgirl's grace in battle seems to translate more or less literally to grace on the floor. Youmu swings you around more like a rag doll than a partner, and she doesn't do a very good job at synchronizing herself with the music, but aside from that she's actually a much better dancer than you would have thought. Kind of, at least; all of her movements are recognizable to you as combat maneuvers, especially ones that have been effective against you in the gym. Not even like a doll, you realize as she swings you up into the air, she's wielding you like a heavy sword. It would be hilarious if your neck didn't hurt so much.

"How did you find that out?" she growls in your ear, drawing you into a sheathed pose. It comes out as more of a squeak, as her voice is too high to growl effectively, but nonetheless you've no doubt what she means.

"He told me. When's the last time you went to visit him?" You counter.

"None of your business." She flings you outwards again, giving you time to prepare a response.

"Last I checked - he was my father, too - and that makes it our business," you pop off on the next few occasions you swing close enough to her.

"You don't know anything about him." Youmu tosses you into the air, jumps, catches you and drives you into the ground harder than she needs to. "Or about me. Listen to Sister Yuyuko and no one else."

"Listen to yourself," you respond from underfoot. "Gettin kinda angry there, aren't you? And look, I got you to dance."

Sure enough, the members of the crowd who've been watching you are now applauding at the conclusion of Youmu's 'dance.' You note with some satisfaction that Yuyuko and Miss Scarlet are among them, and with moderately less satisfaction that Letty is as well. Meiling is no longer in sight. Youmu releases you, pale, and tries to return to her place at the wall without further comment, but quickly finds herself surrounded by others offering her their arms. She visibly gathers herself, then pushes through them all and limps out an unmarked door near the stage, shaking her head and acting sick. At least, you hope that's acting.

At that point you realize the crowd's attention now falls on you. You wouldn't actually mind a bit of a cool-down, but the best cooling comes from Letty, who comes charging through the masses to firmly take your hand. She looks amused as she pulls you towards the same door Youmu vanished through. At least, you hope that's amusement.

The music fades as the door closes behind the two of you, and Letty replaces it with a whistle.

"Who was that?"

[ ] Check on Youmu and introduce her in person.
[ ] Leave her alone.
-----
I was trying to fit way too much into this post at first. Scrapped other ideas and rewrote, apologies, thanks, the usual.

Delicious update is delicious, the plotton used for this one is tasty.

Finally breaking Youmu's ice wall, looks like she has some unresolved problems with her father (like always).

[ ] Check on Youmu and introduce her in person.

The wall is starting to shake, let's bring it down.

That was hilarious. And awesome.

[x] Check on Youmu and introduce her in person.

The best way to introduce your potentially jealous girlfriend to a female friend is to let her hang all over you, as it sends a clear message that you're her property.

Also, if Youmu really is tsundere for us, I want to see her explode.

[x] Check on Youmu and introduce her in person.

It's like poking the angry bear with a stick.

Except the angry bear is an angry Youmu.

>Youmu releases you, pale, and tries to return to her place at the wall without further comment, but quickly finds herself surrounded by others offering her their arms. She visibly gathers herself, then pushes through them all and limps out an unmarked door near the stage, shaking her head and acting sick. At least, you hope that's acting.

Shit, did she just reopen the injuries we gave her?

[x] Check on Youmu and introduce her in person.

>>6439
It wasn't a Sci-Fi channel show. They just re-aired it like they're re-airing every fantasy/sci-fi-ish show from the last several years from a whole fuckload of networks.

Tell me when they get around to doing The Lone Gunmen. That shit'll be awesome.

Also, fuck you. I LIKED Seven Days.

>You know, Meiling was playing with your father today. Just hanging out. He said it made him happier than anything. Do you-

Wasn't the fairy not supposed to mention Youmu's father?

>>6455
>Shit, did she just reopen the injuries we gave her?

What injuries?

>>6463
Alzheimonymous.

You know, the duel in the gym where we actually got a hit in? It's kind of been a thing, with Youmu. For a while.

>>6464
Oh, that injury. The one that seems more or less completely insignificant.

>>6466

It's what forced her to talk to us during the scene in the cherry blossom garden, and later pissed her off during the conversation after China was admitted to the family. Have you been paying attention at all?

[X] There was the thing from the snow.

>>6470

what

>>6478

>>/sdm/19220

>>6470

> There was the thing winter left behind

Fixed.

>>6501

I see what you did there.

>>6467
Yes.

[X] Check on Youmu and introduce her in person.

You are an inspiration, Monsieur Blankfag.

>>6517
Inspiration to what? It's not like you've done anything creative for the last 2 months.

Mafianon?

>>6560

...And here I was thinking it was cirno

"That was... hm. Letty, remember how I told you about that girl at work?"

"Of course. That was her?" Your friend eyes you in surprise as you catch her arm and begin dragging her down the drab concrete hall, following a set of unsteady footsteps. The separation you'd hoped to maintain between Letty and the Saigyoujis is quickly vanishing, but Yuyuko's antics make it a lost cause anyhow... and you're no longer so certain Letty needs your insulation.

Reminiscent of the other times she's fled from you, Youmu's footsteps sound quite slow, but you have quite a bit of trouble catching up to her despite that. Several twists and doors past, the increasing drum of rain from outside drowns her out entirely. Letty arches a brow at you, and starts to ask something, but a door slams nearby and you bolt for it, determined not to let your quarry escape the trials of - oh, horror! - social interaction. Around the corner, you find a grim door labeled 'EMERGENCY EXIT,' and push it open.

Immediately, the outside wind whips and howls around you, driving gusts of stinging rain into your face and nearly forcing the door shut again. It's at least twenty degrees cooler outside the building, and the storm doesn't seem to have let up one bit. You struggle to hold it open, and cast about for Youmu, suddenly worried. Spotting her huddled against the outside wall in one of the less rainsoaked spots, you leave Letty to hold the door open and fly out to her. She's holding her stomach with both hands, and as you approach, opens her eyes and makes an effort to snap to attention, but manages only to look completely exhausted. Her mouth sets into a hard line - she might even be saying something to you, but there's no chance of you hearing her out here.

You grab her sleeve, feeling it grow damper as you hold it, and pull her towards the door. She resists, albeit passively, sagging against the wall. You pull harder. She mouths "GO AWAY" and continues to sit. You let go of her sleeve and nod. She looks pleased.

You return a few seconds later with Letty's borrowed trident pin, and wedge it between Youmu's back and the wall, prying her out of her slump. She gives up and comes in with you.

"Letty, this is Youmu Konpaku. Youmu, Letty Whiterock, my, er, friend." You scarce have closed the door and completed your triumphant introduction before Letty is all over Youmu.

"Oh, my goodness, what have you been doing? Did you pull a muscle when you were dancing? I know it's refreshing out there, and you were so energetic, but really, a storm like that is bad for your health! Let's get you warmed up, maybe get some hot chocolate in you. It's so nice to finally meet you, she's told me so much about you already..." Youmu, unprepared for a second assailant, concentrates in an obvious panic but accomplishes nothing more than to turn the incoming motherly embrace into a slow motion bearhug. She really does squeak this time, and for a moment you have the silly thought of how much they look like a mother and child. Ah, but what's that make YOU look like with Letty?

... and more importantly, this isn't quite the time for sillyness. Letty doesn't know why Youmu's leaning with her hands clapped to her chest all the time, nor does she have any idea how out of character this is for the young(?) lady, but you happen to possess both those unpleasant bits of knowledge. They gnaw fiercely at your mind, and in penance you step into a nearby store room and drag out what looks like a miniature purple curtain. Youmu does not resist as you throw it over her shoulders - in fact, she lets go of her side long enough to draw it tightly around her. Letty smiles at you in approval.

"There, dear, you look much more comfortable with that." Letty twists on her heel, looking up and down the hall for something, and... sniffing? "This way."

"Thank you. However, this is really not necessar-yyy!" Squashing Youmu's surprisingly feeble protest, Letty practically drags the girl off down the hall and through a door that looks the same as all the rest. It turns out to lead to a very comfortable lounge, with boxes of snacks laid out on a table and some sort of hot drink brewing in a machine. Youmu quickly finds herself forcefully seated with a doughnut stuffed in her mouth. She shivers once, and Letty grabs a long, white and red scarf from somewhere and wraps around her head.

"Isn't it a waste to play outside in those dresses?" 'Somewhere,' better known to you as the dancer from earlier, coughs demurely before standing up and wrapping a second of her scarves around Youmu. "Well, it is none of my business. Iku Nagae. I believe I saw you in the audience?" Letty introduces you both, and the dancer sighs and lies back on the couch she's been putting a dent in.

"Someone called Mokou away, wanted to talk to her. Politics. I'm here, ask me whatever." Iku waves her long fingers, their laziness matching that of her voice. She contents herself with slithering back into the cushions upon seeing you are not in fact a pack of raving fans waiting to tear her apart.

Youmu, now, she looks considerably less relaxed as Letty continues to dote on her. The boiling pot turns out to contain hot chocolate after all, perhaps due to some arcane power of Letty's she's never told you about, and she wastes no time in preparing several styrofoam cups of it and pouring no fewer than three of them down your coworker's throat. The light blue tone her face had taken on fades, but she still looks - well. Hollow. Near death.

"What'd you go and run out there for? Don't do things like that, it's cold and rainy and stuff..." Feeling like you should say something, you take advantage of a gap in Letty's ministrations to reach over and tug Youmu's wrappings a bit snugger.

"What do you try to humiliate me for? The weather is nothing. You and your Lady have obviously spent a great deal of time in it." Youmu rebuffs you and glances accusingly over your dress, which has now been soaked twice over and sports several rips and quite a few mudstains. You shrug.

"Oho, I'm a Lady now? Is it that transparent? But that wasn't humiliating. You dance marvelously!" Letty's arms drop around Youmu's neck, and the latter actually jumps in her seat. You're glad she isn't trying to drive Letty off, but every little sign of insecurity Youmu shows is starting to trouble you - and you're sure it hurts her pride far more.

"Thank you, Lady Whiterock, but that is not what I was referring to." Defiant to the end, Youmu clenches her own hand to stop it from creeping out to the doughnut box. Letty's wartime intelligence prevails, however, and the girl's mouth is besieged again. You can nearly read her thoughts - 'How sad am I, that my honor is lost to a blanket and chocolate sprinkles?'

[ ] Youmu's tired. Let her rest. Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.
[ ] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down.
[ ] _________________

[x] Youmu's tired. Let her rest. Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.

Normally I'd choose to keep bugging Youmu, but right now doesn't seem like the best time for fairy shenanigans.

[X]

[X] Softmind

We may never get a more mundane chance to introduce Letty to the family.

[ ] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down

YES YES YES YESSSSS

THIS IS WHAT I WAITED FOR.

>>6583
>>6593
[]Youmu's too soft!

THESE. SO THESE.

Break down Youmu and ease Letty into our lives with less danger. I thinX this is win/win tbqh

[ ] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down.

This choice was made for me!

>>6583

The "Youmu is too soft" thing came from a doujin? Because if so, may I know which one it is?

[ ] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down.

Youmu breakan down games

[ YES!] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down

>>6560

Nameless Fairy has blue hair; it's stated in one of the fountain scenes.

[x] Sigh. Punch her elbow lightly while looking away. "You're too soft, Youmu. I'm sure Yuyuko will be around soon enough, so go into one of your trances & rest now. You'll feel better."
[x] Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.

It's development to just have Youmu there with you. Besides we don't know if she's actually opened up her wounds or not.

Iku mentioned politics; that could be important to the main plot. And we came here with Letty, so it's not fair to ignore her.

[x] Youmu's tired. Let her rest. Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.

[x] Youmu's tired. Let her rest. Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.

>The light blue tone her face had taken on fades, but she still looks - well. Hollow. Near death.

Hmmmmm.

[X] Sigh. Punch her elbow lightly while looking away. "You're too soft, Youmu. I'm sure Yuyuko will be around soon enough, so go into one of your trances & rest now. You'll feel better."
[X] Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.

Ease up a bit.

We probably won't have another chance to do this, once this night ends it will all go back to normal.

[ ] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down.

So take this chance and don't let it slip.

[x] Sigh. Punch her elbow lightly while looking away. "You're too soft, Youmu. I'm sure Yuyuko will be around soon enough, so go into one of your trances & rest now. You'll feel better."
[x] Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.

I like this compromise.

[X] Sigh. Punch her elbow lightly while looking away. "You're too soft, Youmu. I'm sure Yuyuko will be around soon enough, so go into one of your trances & rest now. You'll feel better."
[X] Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.
Youmu's getting close to Dignity Break.

[X] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down.

Youmu is going to be social, whether she likes it or not.

Do you really want to bring Youmu to tears like how Letty did to Lily Black? Wasn't that awful to watch? Do you really want Letty to see that side of you?

She's in pain and physically injured, was (she feels) humiliated by her rival in front of her boss, and now has probably caught a cold from exposure because of her own lack of self-control.

Dick move, man.

>>6725

Wait, who's trying to make Youmu cry?

This is an attempt to get her to be social for once.

>>6728

This is social for her. She is around people she doesn't know, without Yuyuko. She's also been talking to you and has accepted help from strangers.

Go overboard and she'll just bail again.

>>6728
What she's done so far is a giant motherfucking leap.

Seriously, Youmu needs her alone time right now before she either goes batshit, or really begins breaking.

And that's no good.

>>6737

That's still not enough. And we may also be able to know what the fuck happened between her and Youki.

[X] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down.

[x] Sigh. Punch her elbow lightly while looking away. "You're too soft, Youmu. I'm sure Yuyuko will be around soon enough, so go into one of your trances & rest now. You'll feel better."
[x] Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.

>>6742
>And we may also be able to know what the fuck happened between her and Youki.

You seriously expect this painfully shy and stand-offish girl to give out possibly traumatic private information about her past after you've just mortified her with humiliation?

hahaha wow

So that's a pretty interesting response. Will be writing shortly, new thread with it I think, so if folks have last thoughts this'd be the time to post them.
(I feel kind of bad about even bumping this considering the sudden flood of new stuff here but I also didn't want to just move on when there's some discussion going on. Good times.)

>>6808

I think a lot of the disagreement is because of there's two potential intentions behind the option:
>[] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down

Some mean it in a malicious manner, and yet others are attempting to get her to open up and force character development. Those voting to do otherwise I assume are afraid of overreaching, and not simply bored with the attention paid to her character. Also, I don't know who took into account that Letty may just keep doting on her during the conversation with Iku.

[X] Sigh. Punch her elbow lightly while looking away. "You're too soft, Youmu. I'm sure Yuyuko will be around soon enough, so go into one of your trances & rest now. You'll feel better."
[X] Strike up conversation with Letty and that dancer.

Youmu, Youmeanie.

>>6730

She's not doing it because she wants to. She's doing it because she has no choice. Give her time to recompose herself now and she will go back to ice cold Youmu.

Take this chance to break down that wall Anon, and even if she cries or run, she will be more inclined to at least talk to us more.
>>6758

Yes. And you? What do you expect of said girl by doing the oposite?

>So that's a pretty interesting response. Will be writing shortly, new thread with it I think, so if folks have last thoughts this'd be the time to post them.

Anonymous refuses to argue any more and seeks a verdict.

[X] Youmu's too soft. Now that she can't run anymore, this is your chance to break her down.

Youmu's weak. If being emotive is weakness, then she is weaker than us. Because we are used to having (and expressing) emotions, we know how to act. But she doesn't. She can't deal with her problems. She's lying to herself, whatever the reason for is. She's running from everything.

Show her we are strong. Show her she's wrong. Bring her back from her isolated room where only she and Yuyuko exists.