[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[X] Thank him. Nothing fancy. Just say something like 'thanks' before you move on.
[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[x] Thank him.
[x] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[ ] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[x] Thank him; you remember people who stick their necks out for you.
[x] But it wasn't necessary. You weren't going to give her a choice as to whether or not you got inside.

[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

[x] Thank him.
[x] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

Okay. Once more tonight. Writing.

[ ] Ask him who 'Youki' is. What was that about?

>"What if he's intended to just get inside and kill Satori?" Youmu says. "What if he's a living bomb?"

You should be flattered, because apparently Youmu thinks you're the Terminator.

WHERE IS SARAH CONNER SATORI KOMEIJI?

[X] Leave it for now. You just want to see Satori as soon as possible.

>>79830

>You should be flattered, because apparently Youmu thinks you're the Terminator.

No, not the Terminator. Does anyone remember that other science fiction movie? Kind of mediocre? It had the guy who plays that character on Criminal Intent who messes with the perps' minds all the time.

>>79835

You mean Detective Robert Goren?

Rinnosuke swallows and straightens back up. "Uhh." You notice that his casual clothes are just as plain as the school uniform, he's wearing a lot of grey.
"So, I can come inside now?" You ask. "She's not going to attack me again?"
Rinnosuke shakes his head. "She'll stick to her word, she's just paranoid. We all are." He says, stepping towards the barricade. "Follow me, I'll take you inside."
You step in after him and he rolls a sheet of tin over the entrance-way.
"Looks flimsy." You say.
Rinnosuke glances at you and laughs. "This is just the cover, come on."

Behind the barricade are rolls of barbed wire, bits of old boarding and sheet metal, scrap and junk piled high. A little pathway weaves off between the mess, twisting and turning. Your mind is working on overtime as Rinnosuke leads you through. Is this a bottleneck? For holding off greater numbers with only a small group of people?

Eventually the pathway leads to a doorway, which Youmu has left ajar behind her. Rinnosuke pushes it open and turns to you.
"No sudden movements, okay?"
You nod and follow him through. The room you find yourself in is a wide corridor, painted a sickly-yellow. A trio of surveillance cameras are mounted above the door you just entered, and another three above the door at the other end of the corridor.

In the middle of the corridor are three much more worrying things.

"Are those machine guns?" You ask Rinnosuke as he steps forward.
"Yes, they're automatically triggered, linked up to the cameras."
You just gawk as you pass them, all matt black steel and cold mechanisms. Wires trail from them, off through the door at the far end. They give off a quiet humming noise.
The next room is small, the wires from the machine guns leading into a switch-box on the wall. Youmu stands by another door, waiting for you with her arms folded.
"Don't try anything." She says. "Understand?"
You nod. Youmu produces a key-card from her pocket and passes it through a reader next to the door handle. She opens it and you follow her through.

The noise of the next room hits you before the sight does. The humming of a bank of computers, the gentle, almost inaudible sound emitted by dozens of computer monitors and television screens. The room is big, a circle of computers and screens, print-outs and hand-written notes, junk and food wrappers on one side. A large circle of chairs is on the other side.
A lone swivel-chair in the middle of all the computers turns to face you.
"Ha!" The girl sitting there points at you triumphantly. You almost recoil, it's the one who tried to kill you on the roof.
"I told you he wasn't a skin puppet!" She squeaks excitedly at Youmu, grinning in a vaguely insane sort of way.

Youmu just crosses the room and collapses into one of the more comfortable looking chairs, placing her sword over her knees.
"Shut up Tewi." She says.
Rinnosuke heads over to the nest of computers and rubs his eyes.

[ ] "Who are you people?"
[ ] "What the fuck is this place?"
[ ] "What the hell is going on?"
[ ] "You tired to kill me! Twice!"
[ ] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[X] Silence up in this motherfucker

[ ] "Who are you people?"
[ ] "What the fuck is this place?"
[ ] "What the hell is going on?"
[ ] "You tired to kill me! Twice!"
[ ] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[ ] "Who are you people?"
[ ] "What the fuck is this place?"
[ ] "What the hell is going on?"
[ ] "You tired to kill me! Twice!"
[ ] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

GODDAMMIT, WHERE IS SHE?!

[x] "...You have machine guns. And you decided to use a baseball bat."
[x] "Nevermind. Where. Is. Satori?""

[X] "...You have machine guns. And you decided to use a baseball bat."
[X] "Nevermind. Where. Is. Satori?""

[ ] "Who are you people?"
[ ] "What the fuck is this place?"
[ ] "What the hell is going on?"
[ ] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[ ] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[X] "Where. Is. Satori?"

Last I recall, she was supposed to be crying.

This has me gravely concerned.

That's it for tonight. More updating tomorrow.

[X] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

Just a little something to tide Anon over until Sol wakes up again.

The more I see the less I want to get involved with it.

[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

>>79857

Jawesome.

[ ] "Who are you people?"
[ ] "What the fuck is this place?"
[ ] "What the hell is going on?"
[ ] "You tired to kill me. Twice."
[ ] "Where. Is. Satori?"

Everything is important.

[X] "Who are you people?"
[X] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[X] "What the hell is going on?"
[X] "YOU TRIED TO KILL ME. TWICE!"

While I understand wanting to see and comfort poor Satori as soon as possible, there are some slightly more pressing issues to address, now that we're in some strange command center with the two people who have tried to kill us today. Namely, the whole "why they tried to kill us" thing.

>>79857
This is both awesome and heartwarming at once.
Keep up the great work!
Hell, if it keeps this level, i'd give this story an anime adaption.

[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

Changing vote

>>79863
I agree. We have to know their reasons and what the hell is going on here or else it's running in circles with people who want to kill us.
They probably have their reasons to be paranoid, but that has to end NOW. Talk some sense into them or beat some sense into them if they don't want to understand.
I get the impression everytime we beat one girl up all problems get solved.

[z] "Who are you people?"
[z] "What the fuck is this place?"
[z] "What the hell is going on?"
[z] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[z] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

>>I get the impression every time we beat one girl up all problems get solved.

Great. We're Alabamanon.

[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

>>79874
>Great. We're Alabamanon.
I wonder where our sister is.

>>79876

You mean our mother?

Right, so now it's looking pretty much confirmed that Satori, Tewi and Rinnosuke are our three yes votes with Youmu, Momizi and four unknowns (Nitori likely to be be one, or at least playing some role. If she isn't a part of this, then it also casts some doubt on Rinnosuke.)

Also,
[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

>>79857

Very groovy. Nothing beats a good Bro/Sisfist, especially with Mokou.

>>79857

Now Onianon looks like Arihiko. Shapeshifting Anon is shapeshifting.

>>79879

Hmm wait, forgot about Rika... So we're down to three unknowns, one of which might be Nitori. Then again, depending on how they're set up, that would put two engineers in the 9 council. Eh, judging by the amount of work put outside, they might actually need all that skill.

>>79878
Mother, sister, whatever. Incest is relative.

[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

[x] "Wo. Ist. Satori."

[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

>>79892
Ha-HA!

...Consanguinity.

[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

I can't choose between any single one!

This is probably the most voted story since the days of Owen.

>>79908

You make that sound like he died .

>>79908
WUiG and MiG used to get a ton of votes too.

True; Even if solt's posts aren't particularly long; he updates fast and his story is quite well thought out and interesting actually. 9 threads of quality in less than a month.

Thread 4 was only a week ago. And we went through an entire thread the day before yesterday. I haven't seen that in awhile.

Anyways,
[x] "Who are you people?"
[x] "What the fuck is this place?"
[x] "What the hell is going on?"
[x] "You tried to kill me! Twice!"
[x] "Where. Is. Satori?"

>>79885
He's always looked like Arihiko.

Maybe he's thinking back to the images where we were made to look like Akagi. Other than that though, yep... We've pretty much looked like that in all of Pyg's drawings.

You just stand there for a moment as the door behind you swings shut, the lock clicking into place.
"Who are you people?" You ask. This is too much to deal with.
Tewi hops down off her chair. No longer dressed in a school uniform, now she's wearing an old white tshirt and a pair of shorts. It makes her no less threatening as she walks towards you with that grin plastered across her face.

"You've met Rinnosuke, and Youmu." She says. "My name is Tewi, but you can call me your little lucky charm~" She bows theatrically in front of you.
Youmu sighs and closes her eyes. "We're a collection of like-minded individuals who have noticed something is not quite right about this town we live in."
Tewi rounds on her. "Say the name!"
"No."
"Oh, go on! Say the name!"
Youmu grits her teeth. "We are the society for the breaking of the border between dreams and reality." She says, practically spitting the words out. "Don't use the name, it is utterly superfluous."
"I like the name." Tewi says, sounding vaguely offended.

Rinnosuke clears his throat, looking at you. "What Youmu means to say is that ... well, you've seen what's going on in Gensokyo, you saw things tonight that you wouldn't have believed a few days ago?"
You nod. "Yeah, and I want some answers."
Rinnosuke shrugs. "It's a very long story ... I er ... " He trails off, glancing at Youmu.

She sighs. "Give him the basics, don't go into detail. He's had enough shocks for one night and I am not reviving him if he passes out."
"Ooooh, I love this part." Tewi bounces on the balls of her feet and hurtles over to a chair, perching on the arm.
"Maybe you should sit down for this." Rinnosuke says.
You glance around the room, not really feeling safe yet.
"Okay, but firstly, what the fuck is this place?" You ask.
"My home." Tewi says.
"This is our base of operations." Rinnosuke says. "But yes, it's also Tewi's home."
"You live here?" You ask Tewi. She nods.
"Keeps me out of sight." She says. "The Queen of Hearts doesn't look in some corners, especially when they're guarded with machine guns." She grins.
"So ... are you really a student?" You ask Tewi. She shakes her head.
"But I bet'cha liked the sight of me in uniform, eh?" She winks at you, licking her lips. You do your best to ignore her.

"So what the hell is going on in this town?" You ask.
"I think you should sit down first." Rinnosuke says. "This is complicated and er," he wipes his glasses. "Sort of shocking."
You shrug. "I've just seen some sort of fucking monster outside and earlier I left a dent in concrete with my bare fist, I don't think anything is going to shock me now."
"You'd be surprised." Tewi grins, patting the seat next to her.

[ ] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.
[ ] Not yet. Satori. Now.

[x] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.

[x] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.

Satori is save, she belong with them and they wouldn't hurt her.
Time to hear their reasons and why they wanted to kill us.

[X] Not yet. Satori. Now.
Third time the charm?

[x] Not yet. Satori. Now.

Make sure Satori's not crying anymore and let her know we're okay, then we can get an explanation. What the hell happened to you people?

[x] Not yet. Satori. Now.

Complicated explanations can wait, it's not like we're short on time here.

[X] Not yet. Satori. Now.

She's crying. I want to know she's calmed down and alright before we start any talks.

>>79940
>Satori is save, she belong with them and they wouldn't hurt her.

They forced her to call us up and lie to us to lure us into a trap, then left her a crying mess.

Fuck 'em.

[x] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.

[x] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.

[x] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.

You know, I'm very tempted to forge an alliance with the Queen.

[X] Not yet. Satori. Now.

[x] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.

If the explanation really is too horrifying to bear, we won't be in any state to comfort Satori after hearing it.

ಠ_ಠ

What is wrong with you people? You can't wait for the backstory long enough to find and comfort one of the only people in this group who cared for you, after she was reduced to a tearful, distraught mess, because she thought that she had sent you to your fucking death. Every second that you don't spend getting to her is another second for her anxiety, distress, and despair to grow larger. Fucking let her know you're alright, damn.

[ ] Not yet. Satori. Now.

Seriously, fuck you guys.

[X] Not yet. Satori. Now.

>>79955

Hmm, I felt the same way with a few other situations. Mostly about Makou and Kaguya.

Anyway, votes, votes.
[x] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.

[X] Not yet. Satori. Now.

[X] Not yet. Satori. Now.

Satori~

Aaaaaand I'm back. Writing.

>>79955

>"What if he's intended to just get inside and kill Satori?" Youmu says. "What if he's a living bomb?"
>I just feel sort of protective towards her, that's all." Rinnosuke says, sighing again.

>Wait. That line was the truth. Was it? You look back at him. Are you going mad?


Easy... get them to trust you first. Youmu is coming off as a cold bitch, yes, but we know that they are concerned for her too.

[X] Sit down, listen to what they have to say.

We DID ask them to explain.
Besides that, we're in the presence of at least two people who had no qualms about trying to kill us together, one of which still seems she'd have no qualms about it and the other one clearly off her rocker, and now they have machine guns. Considering one of them seems suspicious that you might be acting and wish to harm Satori, I would think it would be in your best interest to help them NOT think that anymore.

Somehow, displaying a single-minded obsession with seeing her doesn't seem like the ideal way to do that.

"Wait." You say. "First I want to see Satori, where is she?"
"She's in the back." Tewi points a thumb over her shoulder, at a pair of doors on the right side of the room. "Want me to go get her?"
"I think she'd finally fallen asleep." Rinnosuke says.
"I still want to see her, I mean it." If you can see Satori then you'll know she's safe, you'll know there's some secure ground here.
"I'll go get her." Rinnosuke says, crossing the room and heading through the second of the two doors.

An uncomfortable silence descends. Youmu just stares at you, Tewi grins and fidgets.
"So," Tewi says. "You and Satori got a little thing going on? Nudge nudge wink wink?"
"Huh?" You frown. Is it really time for that?
"Tewi." Youmu suddenly says. "Who else is around?"
"Oh, just us." Tewi says. "And Rika's in the basement talking to the thing."
A visible shudder passes through Youmu's shoulders.
"He gets tested, soon." She says. "After we-"

The door that Rinnosuke went through flies open with a crash. Satori stands there for a long moment, staring at you, bunching her pastel-blue skirt in her hands. Her eyes are red and raw, but she's not crying now, just biting her lip.
"Hey." You say, sudden relief flooding your thoughts.
She squeaks something inaudible and crosses the room at a run, almost knocking you off your feet as she wraps her arms around your middle.
Youmu sits up in her chair. "Satori, don't! He could be-"
"Shhh." Tewi hushes Youmu. "He's fine, relax~"

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." Satori burbles into your chest, not meeting your eyes.
You place your hand on her head. Youmu looks away, a little embarrassed by the spectacle, Tewi just grins.
Rinnosuke emerges from the door, glasses askew.

Satori turns her head and frowns at Youmu.
"I told you he was real!" She almost shouts.
"You've been wrong before." Youmu says, perfectly calm.
"Humph." Satori makes a frustrated noise and finally looks up at you. Her bottom lip wobbles.

[ ] Hug her back.
[ ] "Are you okay? Seriously? They didn't hurt you?"
[ ] "Sorry if I woke you."
[ ] "You lied to me."
[ ] "Satori, what's going on?"

Just let em know we are worried about her and perhaps they could make it quick is all. Rinnosuke did tell us Satori was fine but at least someone in the group (Rinnosuke if he is not too busy explaining) should tell her that we are fine too.

[ ] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt."
[x] Hug her back.

[ ] Hug her back.
[ ] "Sorry if I woke you."

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[x] Hug her back.
[x] Sorry if I woke you.

[X] Hug her back.
[X] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[ ] "Sorry if I woke you."
[ ] "You lied to me."

Seriously.

[X] Hug her back.
[X] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

Satori~

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "Sorry if I woke you."

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[X] "You lied to me."
[X] "As punishment.."
[X] Kiss her

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[x] Look at her with disinterest.
[x] "You lied to me."
[x] Place a hand on her head.
[x] "I was worried sick about you"
[x] Smile "That wasn't a very nice thing to do"
[x] "And tomorrow, you'll be making it up to me by having lunch together"
[x] Hug her.

[x] Flip off Youmu.
[x] "Satori, what's going on?"

Not ready to be deredere with Satori yet. Yea shes nice and all but our involvement with her seems to have gotten us into this situation. She is on our side but we don't even know what battle we are fighting or if we even want a part in it. At least we can stand up to Youmu for her.

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

[X] Hug her back.
[X] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

No teasing, just honest happiness.

>>79985>>79988
This kind of..."joke" might work in lighter circumstances, not after she was crying for an hour because she betrayed us. Don't break the poor girl.

>>79992
No, actually, it could work.

[x] Hug her back.
[x] "I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything."

Writing now.

wow people here seriously need to calm the hell down.
They are getting way to worked up over this here.
Like >>79608 wrote. Before this ends in faggotry here...

>>79997

I don't see anyone getting TOO worked up. Just people getting into the story. Nothin wrong with discussing the course of action. If anything its a tribute to the writer's ability to draw out a response from the readers.

>>79997
are you new here? this is nothing, stop overreacting

>>79997
Don't post for two months. Just read.

Not wanting to make Satori cry again, you wrap your arms around her shoulders and hug her to your chest. She feels small and frail, but she doesn't start crying, just makes a soft whimpering sound.
"I'm just glad you aren't hurt or anything." You say. "I was really worried."
Satori just nods into your chest, sniffing a little. You look over the top of her head, at Tewi staring at you, Youmu and Rinnosuke both looking away.
"Okay." You say. "Guess I better sit down."
Satori pulls away from you, untangling herself from your arms.
"You're going to tell him about the town?" She asks.
Rinnosuke shrugs. "He wants to know. He ... he has a right to know."
"It's not like we're just going to send him on his way after he's seen this place." Youmu says, then looks over at you. "You do understand that, yes?"
"Understand what?" You ask as Satori takes you by the hand, leading you over to a chair and nodding at you to sit down.

Youmu sighs. "You're curious now, aren't you?" She says, not waiting for a reply. "You've seen that things here aren't normal, you're going to start digging, perhaps even taking risks. You do that alone and Yukari will kill you before you even start."
You sit down in the chair and Satori perches on the arm next to you, placing a slim hand on your shoulder.
You frown at Youmu. "Okay, first thing then, who's Yukari?"
Rinnosuke clears his throat, but Tewi gets there first.
"The Queen of Hearts!" She spreads her arms wide. "The one and only monarch, the biggest and hungriest of cats, the Alpha and the Om-"
"Thank you, Tewi." Rinnosuke cuts across her. "Yukari is ... well we didn't actually discover her until rather recently, perhaps we should start at the beginning?" He glances at Youmu, obviously deferring to her.

She nods. "From the start. Go ahead."
"Shall I ... er ... you know?"
Youmu blinks. "No, he's had enough shocks for one day. Just the basics."
"What are you keeping from me this time?" You ask, feeling sardonic.
Satori squeezes your shoulder and you look up at her. She just shakes her head, looking sort of sad.
"One step at a time." She says quietly.

[ ] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.
[ ] No, what are they holding back?

[ ] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

[ ] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

[X] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

Don't want to drive ourselves crazy. Easy now.

[x] No, what are they holding back?

[x] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

[X] No, what are they holding back?

JESUS CHRIST YOU FUCKING PUSSIES JUST GET ON WITH IT

[x] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

[x] No, what are they holding back?

We don't need any more bullshit surprises.

[X] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

[x] No, what are they holding back?
[x] "I have to know everything, if I am to survive here"

[X] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

Just woke up

Why haven't we ruffled her hair yet?!

[X] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

[x] No, what are they holding back?
[x] "I have to know everything, if I am to survive here"
I wonder if they know that Siki and Komachi are working for Yukari

[x] No, what are they holding back?

On one hand, infodumps make the story feel rushed. On the other hand, we just asked for one, and stumbling through events with limited information on purpose is just completely stupid.

[X] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

[ ] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

[x] No, what are they holding back?

TELL ME EVERYTHING

EVERYTHING

[X] Okay, one step at a time. Let them speak.

This whole thing will go faster and easier for everyone involved this way - the characters, the author, and us.

>>80028
It actually would have been rather amusing for me if the other option had won, but never mind. Time for some exposition.

Writing.

>>80029
If the other option won, would we be able to see forever?

>[X]Plot exposition
>[ ]Plot Exposition with more plot and more exposition.

I fail to see how the winning option won.

>>80031
>[X]Plot exposition
>[ ]Anemia option
I'm not seeing the problem.

You nod to Satori. "Okay, I ... I trust you." You say to her quietly. Her cheeks turn a little red, but it's true. She's the only voice you have any real belief in right now, she warned you not to go out at night that first day, she was trying to protect you.

Rinnosuke takes a deep breath. "I suppose the very beginning would be last year. Youmu's father, Youki, discovered that after sundown, nobody walked the streets of the town. When he questioned people about this, a few others expressed the same worry."
"But most," Youmu chimes in. "Most didn't seem to notice, like they were blind to it."
"Indeed." Rinnosuke says, sitting down in a chair across from you, leaning forward and putting his hands together in front of him. "He was-"
"Is." Youmu says through her teeth.
"He is," Rinnosuke corrects himself. "A very competent swordsman and so he decided to find out what was going on at night. He was the first to discover the hive's activity and live to speak about it. There were probably others before him, but none that we know of, and undoubtedly there are some people in the town independently aware of it. Other than those in Yukari's pay, I mean."
You just listen intently, questions already forming in your mind.

"Youki told Youmu about what was going on." Rinnosuke says. "And eventually they learned that the hive was digging something up, in the forest to the north of the town. Why they controlled the streets at night he had no idea." Rinnosuke pauses for a moment, frowning with thought.
"We brought other people in." Youmu says. "Mostly through the school, people I knew who were curious, intelligent, capable."
Rinnosuke nods. "It gets complicated here, you're going to have to bear with me. Eventually we found out what they were digging up and decided to get there first."
"Why didn't you tell ..." You shrug. "The police, the government?" You ask.
Youmu and Rinnosuke look at each other. Satori's hand tightens on your shoulder.

Tewi bursts out laughing.

"There is no authority here!" She says, hopping off her seat and stepping forward. "Just her."
"Tewi, don't." Satori says.
"Nothing but the Queen of Hearts, keeping us all in place inside her perfectly ordered Wonder Land!" Tewi spreads her arms and grins at you. "You go to the police? She'll know. The government? Same. Why? That's what you're thinking, isn't it?" She leans forward.
"Sit down." Youmu orders Tewi, her voice dripping with anger.
Tewi rolls her eyes and stomps back to her seat. "We're going to have to explain it eventually!" She says. "Can't we get the screaming and sobbing out of the way first?"
"Shut up and let Rinnosuke explain." Youmu says. You look over your shoulder at Satori. She smiles gently in reassurance.
"It's okay." She says. "Just listen."

"So, they were digging up something and we got there first and took it from under their noses." Rinnosuke says. "It's hard to explain what it is, so we'll show you to it in a bit."
Wait. Show you to it?
"Damn right we will." Youmu says.
"After that, we started to have a number of set-backs. Yukari, this woman, confronted us and nearly killed Youki. We think she controls the hive, but we're not sure. She wanted the thing they were digging up." Rinnosuke continues.
Youmu looks down, hiding her expression.
"She sent people after ... well, Tewi and Youki mainly, as the only ones who didn't have a plausible cover as students." Rinnosuke sighs. "So we learned there were people working for her, against anybody curious enough to investigate the town, or stay out after dark, or just being in the wrong place at the wrong time." Rinnosuke glances at Youmu, obviously worried. "We learned she could hollow people out, make fake humans."
"But why?" You ask. "Who is she?"

Youmu and Rinnosuke look at each other and an evil grin creeps across Tewi's face.
"This is the difficult part." Rinnosuke says. "This is going to be a shock for you, I ... I don't even know how to start this."
"I'll do it." Satori says in a small voice. Everyone looks at her. "I'll do it."
"Do what?" You ask.
She just looks at you, biting her lip.
"Wait." Youmu says. "We should show him to the ... thing, first."

[ ] The thing? Yes, do that first. You don't like the sound of more shocks.
[ ] Talk to Satori, you trust her.
[ ] No, make them all explain, don't leave a burden on Satori alone.
[ ] Wait! You have a question about what you've heard. [input]

[ ] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

[x] No, make them all explain, don't leave a burden on Satori alone.

[x] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

[x] "Whatever's easiest for you and most understandable for me"

[✓] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

[x] The thing? Yes, do that first. You don't like the sound of more shocks.

in b4 yukkuri

[x] The thing? Yes, do that first. You don't like the sound of more shocks.

That explains the distrust and why they wanted to kill us. Must have been hard for them.

[x] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

I can only trust the underground mind princess.

[x] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

[x] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

[z] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

[x] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

[x] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

Ease her guilt with a show of trust. Since she decided to do it herself, she seems the most likely to give deliver the news straight, with Rinnosuke coming in a close second.

[X] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

[x] Talk to Satori, you trust her.

Talking to Satori~n

[ ] Wait! You have a question about what you've heard.
[ ] "Does that mean our teachers are under her control as well!?"

just a random question. is tewi's nose still broken?

You ignore Youmu, turning to Satori and nodding to her. "Okay, go on then."
She actually smiles, putting her hand to her mouth and cocking her head at you. "You're so full of resolve." She says.
"I ... am?" You hadn't thought about it until now. How could she see that?
She climbs off the arm of the chair and kneels down a little way in front of you. She smiles and pats the floor in front of her.
"Come, sit here, with me."
You get up and sit down in front of her. The floor is surprisingly warm, but this is all a little eccentric. Satori reaches over and puts her hands on your shoulders. Everyone else looks away, but the tension in the room is palpable.

"Don't be afraid." Satori says. "Just look into my eyes, focus on me."
You shake your head. "I'm not afraid."
She frowns, looking sad. "I know, but you might be."
"Go ahead." You say. "I'm fine."
"How many people live in Gensokyo?" She asks.
"Um ... a few thousand?" You try a guess.
She nods. "About five thousand people." She pauses.
"Okay, so?" You frown.

"Less than a hundred are real." She says.

"What?" You say, unable to stop yourself shaking your head. "Nonsense, what about all the people at the school, or in the streets?"
"Everyone else is a puppet." She says, then bites her lip. "Don't be afraid."
You shake your head. "I'm not, I'm just having a hard time believing this. Why would everyone be a 'puppet'?"
You're starting to worry inside. Are they just crazy? A cult? No, those monsters outside were real enough.
Satori takes deep breath and shifts her hands, holding your face, cupping your cheeks.
"Because the town is a prison." She says. "You can't leave."
You frown. "This is nonsense." You say. "This is just silly."
Satori's expression starts to drop, unable to stay calm. "It's a prison, we can't leave. Those placed here have their memories sealed off."
"So I'm a prisoner?" You ask. "I moved here! Last week!"
"You didn't." Satori says, voice full of sorrow.
You take her hands off your face. "Prove it."

She bites her lip, then nods, obviously terrified of the impact she's going to have.
"Where did you move from?" She asks, voice shaking.
"My old town." You say.
"What was it called?" She asks.
You frown. You know this, right? The name, where you grew up. Just a name.
"I ... " You trail off, feeling your heart rate increasing, your mind starting to spin. "I don't remember. Why don't I remember?"
"Did you have any friends there?" Satori asks.
"Of course I did!" You say, starting to panic inside. You had friends! You remember them!
"What were their names?" Satori asks gently, reaching over and putting a hand on your knee.
"They were ... " Your mind draws a blank. "I don't ... I don't remember." You stare at Satori. "What ... why don't I remember?" You ask, eyes wide. You blink, you can feel your vision going fuzzy, your mouth going dry. Why can't you remember your friends?
"When did you last talk to your parents?" Satori asks.
"Today!" You say. "Earlier today, at dinner."
"What did you talk to them about?" She asks.
"About the usual, just ... stuff ... oh gods, I don't remember." Your hands are shaking.
"What are your parent's names?" Satori asks.
You put your hands to your face. You don't remember, you don't remember your parent's names. You don't remember.
"What do they look like?" Satori asks.
"Stop." You mutter, weakly. "Don't."
Satori leans forwards, taking your face in her hands and making you look at her.

"What's your name?" She asks.

You just stare into her eyes, starting to hyperventilate.
"My name ... ?" You manage to say. "I ... I don't-"

You don't know your own name.

[ ] Scream.
[ ] Panic.
[ ] Pass out.
[ ] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.
[ ] Just fucking cling to Satori, she's real, right?

[ ] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

[x] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

[x] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

[x] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

[x] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

Well fuck. Looks like we tipped over the despair pitcher and it all came pouring out all over us.

[x] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

[ ] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.
[ ] Just fucking cling to Satori, she's real, right?

[x] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.
Calmest option. We need to show we can think clearly under stress.

...Everyone's going to vote for Satori, aren't they?

[x] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

>>80058
>>80059
>>80060
>>80061
>>80062
>>80063
>>80064
Sweet Jesus mother of FUCK.
Was not expecting that many in the time it took me to vote.

[X] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

The slice-of-life school days stuff just won't be the same after this, will it?
Oh well, that's what we get for not taking the blue pill...

[ ] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

But... Kaguya?

[X] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.
[X] "I did always like the name Akihiko Sanada"

>>80068
>Romancing Touhous to the tune of a plot in the background. Back to basics.

started at this

>"I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.
This will be another step towards insanity. Break down for a bit, man!

[X] Just fucking cling to Satori, she's real, right?

>>80068
>>The slice-of-life school days stuff just won't be the same after this, will it?

Wait and see. Think Persona 3.

>>80073

Is Tewi's nose still broken?

>Oh well, that's what we get for not taking the blue pill...

only a wuss takes the blue pill


[x] "I don't know my own name, do I?" Focus, focus.

Calling it and writing. Seven minutes might hit soon.

>>80074
Yes, and I'll deal with that in a bit.

Awesome.

Just staring into Satori's eyes, huge pale pools of understanding. She knows, she's real.
"I don't know my own name." You mutter, not to yourself, but to her. Talk to her, keep that connection open. "Do I?"
Satori just nods gently. "It's okay, don't be afraid." She says, cradling your head in her hands.
"I don't know my own name." You repeat. "I don't know my own name." You can feel yourself slipping, your mind spinning, a veil of insanity starting to descend. You pull your knees up to your chest, wrapping your arms around them. You don't know your own name.

"He's going under." Somebody says. You think it's Rinnosuke, but you're too confused, your mind spinning.
"I'll get-"

"Satori." Youmu steps behind her. '"Let me talk to him."
"Okay." Satori nods and scoots to the side, but keeps her hands on you, one arm over your back, other palm cool against your forehead. Youmu crouches down in front of you.
"Look at me." Youmu says. You glance up at her. Her face is clear, expressionless. Hard and cold. Solid. Real?
"Who are you?" Youmu asks.
"I ... I don't know. I don't remember my nam-"
"No. You know who you are." She cuts you off, jabbing a finger at you. "A name is only a marker. Who are you?"
You blink. "I ... I'm a person."
"And?" Youmu prompts.
You blink. "I'm a student at the school."
"And? Who are you? Tell me about yourself."
"I ... " You gulp, trying to focus. "I believe in honesty. And truth. I don't like lies."
"Go on." Satori says, excitement in her voice now.
"I believe in ... giving people fair chances before resorting to violence. I don't like being controlled, I like a challenge, I like video games, I like-"

You keep talking, stuff just pouring out of you, your own words reassuring yourself of your personal reality. By the time you finish, words tumbling from your lips, Satori is hugging your shoulders and Youmu has a small, devious smile on her face.
"Well done." Youmu says. "How you do feel?"
You gulp. "A ... a little better, I guess." You wipe the cold sweat from your forehead, savouring the warmth of Satori against your back.
"Good." Youmu nods. "It's a shock, I know."
"I still don't know my own name." The realisation sends a wave of horror and nausea through you, but you don't feel like you're on the brink of madness any more.

Satori brings her lips to your ear. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet." She whispers. You would blush, if you weren't in such a state of shock. You just reach over and put your hand on hers.

"We can fix the problem of your name." Youmu says. "It's just locked away inside your head, to control you."
You nod. "Okay, okay I think I can deal with that." You say, rubbing your forehead. "I'm still the same person."
"He made it!" Tewi leaps around over to your right. "Well done! Rinnosuke spent three days as a twitching mess. Didn't'cha?"
Rinnosuke glances at you and scowls uncomfortably. "I was more affected by the revelation of not knowing my own name, yes. Congratulations, well done."
"You all had to do this?" You ask, feeling somewhat numb.
"Well, not all of us." Youmu says. "Whatever is used to damage our memories isn't perfect. For most people it leaks through within a couple of months. You've just ... moved very fast."

"Okay, yeah." You rub your eyes and swallow. "I think I need-"

[ ] A time-out. A rest, seriously.
[ ] To know what your name is.
[ ] To hear the rest of their story.
[ ] A hug. Hug Satori.

[X] To hear the rest of their story.

[x] To hear the rest of their story.
Name can wait, satori, eh, nice but not now and timeout is for those who can't take it,

[X] A time-out. A rest, seriously.
[X] Thank Satori for the support. If it weren't for her, you'd probably flip out.

ok, as much as i'd like to hug Satori again, time for some rational thinking.

[X] A hug. Hug Satori.
[X] Ruffle hair

[X] To hear the rest of their story.

[ ] To hear the rest of their story.
[ ] A hug. Hug Satori.
[ ] Ruffle hair too.

[x] A time-out. A rest, seriously.

[x] To hear the rest of their story.

[X] To hear the rest of their story.

My name? I don't need a name!
I'M THE JUGGERNAUT, BITCH!

Now seriously-
[X] A time-out. A rest, seriously.
[X] Thank Satori for the support. If it weren't for her, you'd probably flip out.
Sounds good.

[x] To hear the rest of their story.

[x] Thank Satori for the support. If it weren't for her, you'd probably flip out.

[x] a drink while you hear the rest of their story.

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

A good drink would work wonders for us right now.

[X] A hug. Hug Satori.
[X] To hear the rest of their story.

[x] To hear the rest of their story.

Yes

>>80093
Lookit this crimson looking, mustard looking motherfucker, trying to act all hard
Bitch I'ma hit you with your own pimp, I'm bad, I'm the baddest motherfucker in the world.

[X] To hear the rest of their story.

[x] To hear the rest of their story.
[x] Thank Satori for the support. If it weren't for her, you'd probably flip out.

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

I understand this whole "Oni" thing, but hell, "a drink"?
Anon is 17-18, stop this nonsense.

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

Changing vote to this from "To hear the rest of their story. "

>>80107
This may come as a surprise, but many teenagers have access to alcohol, despite there being laws against it. Shocking, I know.

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

>>80109
What i meant is that anon CAN be one of those rare kids who, i dunno, DON'T violate the law and drink while underaged?

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

>>80113

But anon is an Oni and oni are all about drinking.

[X] A time-out. A rest, seriously.
[X] Thank Satori for the support. If it weren't for her, you'd probably flip o

I suspect votespam about the drink thing.

>>80113
A) Laws in Gensokyo could be fucked for all we know
B) It's not like a drink kills people
C) Oni, duh.

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

>>80113
The vote doesn't really specify what drink it is so that's out in the open. I personally would love a glass of water after what we just went through.

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

Stop your moral-fagging. That man wants a drink!

[x] A drink while you hear the rest of their story.

We need to eventually ask Tewi where the other two oni are so we can learn who they are and talk with them if they're our allies

>>80113
Where I come from, 18 is the legal age to buy alcohol and you can drink in a pub in 16.

Anyway, new thread up shortly.

>>80113
Since Suika is a student, and Suika is all about drinking - which most(and probably you as well) find to be alright - then you sir, have just hit a paradox.

>>80116
If there really is no police and/or government as Tewi said, then all there is is moralfaggotry.

The guy just ran across town, fought Youmu and a pair of scouts, ran some more, fought a combat drone, and had his reality shattered, resulting in a minor panic attack. I'd say his mouth is pretty dry.

[ ] A time-out. A rest, seriously.