These Lingering Souls

Signe having to keep Vee in bed so she can heal from Avra breaking her arm.

Only needs one arm to hug Signe.

Reimu's a real sweetheart, and she doesn't really let people get her down. She knows that no matter how bad any rumours get, the moment anyone actually speaks to her, those per-conceived notions dry up.

Since she doesn't speak, Reimu takes a lot of pride in her ability to listen to everything other people have to say. She'll happily listen to everything, from their problems to their pet peeves and even drunken ramblings.

Alas, as pleasant as the meeting has been the food does dwindle, and the meal comes to its end.

Still, a pleasant experience, Reimu's happy to have met such a friendly fellow!

Indeed the tea cools, the food dwindles, and though peaceful, all good times must tragically end.

"I hope you've had as good a time as I." Naomi looks outside to see the sun lowering, he's got places to be, and rather troublesome guests to handle himself.

"Alas I should be moving, I'll leave the basket and the leftovers with you? I can come collect it in a few days if you wish." It should give her some time to enjoy them, and he can bring some more to drop off too.

Naomi stands, and with a polite bow and a swish of his tail he says is farewells.

"Perhaps, I'll bring a game or two next time. I'm sure you'll enjoy them. Till then Reimu-san, thank you."

Poor Udeki's instincts would betray her today. As she heard Kasen's voice, and felt the hermit's hand on her shoulder, she would react immediately, without a moment's hesitation. She'd leap forward, away from Kasen and toward Mao, even reaching out to try to grab the webbed-up spider. She had to get Mao out of here, after all. Which is why she'd be taken completely by surprise when the webs themselves suddenly revealed their true nature, wrapping around her easily.

Caught.

"Ghh... what the hell is this? Partner!" Her voice would bark out, even as she reached down to try to pull the wrappings off of her. She'd have a hard time with that, unfortunately, they were specifically designed to be able to handle youkai after all... but that didn't mean she wasn't going to keep fighting. "I thought you'd learned your lesson after last time! What the hell are you doing down here again? I'll dominate you just like last time, you know!" It was a bold threat, especially for someone struggling to try and break free. But that sort of bravado was probably just what Kasen would expect of Udeki.

The more Udeki moves, the more Mao shifts around, the more it's clear she's definitely not in control of anything. The poor spider is totally out of it, even a pull of threads from Kasen's side and she's plucked to the ceiling and nestled in a web of her own.

Kasen knew her well, a little too well really, just like she was able to find Udeki again, and just like she's now aiming to restrain her arm.

Though their last encounter ended the way it did, one can't forget just who they're actually dealing with. Udeki would and should know better than anyone, how capable this hermit can be.

"You're incorrigible, insufferable." Another hard pull, everything comes collapsing in and before Udeki knows it, she's once more incredibly close to Kasen.

This time however, it's not face to face, it's not against the ground all intimate. Udeki's right arm is entirely encased in Kasen's wraps, like their arms have become one. Kasen even moves the arm as if it's hers despite Udeki's struggle.

The other arm is twisted behind her back and slowly Udeki is pushed to the wall. Kasen's chin over her shoulder, a moment of aggressive closeness.

One would expect her scolding or anger, but what follows is a more... possessive wording. "Why is MY arm so dull and foolish, playing herself out to OTHERS like it's nothing."

"A... doll? You mean like those ones from S*same S*reet?"

Chloe, those are puppets, and you know it.

Still, a... doll? Like the ones Alice makes?... Seems similar enough, yet something tells Chloe that's not exactly the case, because she's so much more high-tech.

"But it's REALLY nice that you've met Sensei before, Shu! I can call you Shu, right? Cheng?" Chloe, please. "I... am somewhat familiar of a compueter! Only heard bits and pieces of it, though!"

"But... wait wait wait... story time. You... and Sensei helped you and your sisters a few times, and even saved his life too? I mean... I know Sensei's kind of... pathetic sometimes..." Chloe! "But... what kind of adventure did you all go on that you all have to keep saving each other's lives all the time?"

Rirune did tell her stories, but... truth be told, she hardly belived it... not that he's one to boast about himself, and more about others.

"A says me straight?" Whatever it was she didn't know, perhaps somewhere deep in the catalogues they got from Sol later on, was there reference of this.

But for now, it's a thing Chloe knows that she doesn't.

"Shu's fine, leave the full name to miss Nyan nyan." Little nicknames for people she meets, the inner Lust in her cannot deny the fun and good memories getting names from people gives her.

"You're a cleaver girl aren't you then?" Most here have no idea what she means, but this girl does. It's a little refreshing, "Your Sensei back when we fought together and saved him, was a little... well not pathetic but scared."

How mean, but Chengshu smiles through it means good things. "Fear's a strong emotion, if you can't deal with it. It'll consume you."

And the things they had to deal with, would instill fear in the strongest people.

"A few, your Sensei took a brave leap into a far away place to try and track down some missing people once. Met some scary monsters. Or the time we met shortly after, saving him from being consumed by a slime queen of a woman."

"Your Sensei's faced some monsters that'd make the people in Gensokyo tremble. Gods and those alike, little helper he was. Hmm."

Chengshu leans back a little, "I guess you want to hear more about him specifically being cool and heroic huh?"

The armor appeared and her gaze narrowed upon it. So the rumor was true! Armor that could appear with such a light moment was incredible. Something that could revolutionize the landsknecht business if their guild got ahold of it.

"Astounding! You've presented me with a one of a kind treasure." It took the will of an incredible knight not to reach out and grasp at his wrist. To sate that burning desire to know if the armor was invisible or if it had truly appeared from nothing. Yet she resisted! The manner of polite society was like a book of law to the woman.

He made mention of transforming weaponry as well. It was enough to get an eyebrow raise from the woman but such a tool was not her main priority. She'd been assigned to seek one wonder in particular and that was what she was seeking.

"Our guild has the finest smith on the island! She'd consider it a great blessing and honor to look over what you have. Good sir, may I have your name and the honor of escorting you to the Beauty & Beast guildhall? I can promise you'll be rewarded handsomely for your cooperation. If it's adventure you seek, well, I believe something like this could grant you a quick place among our membership. If it's money, our coffers have much to spare. And, otherwise, well I do believe that our Blacksmith is a rather beautiful woman."

Indigo's smile never ceases, to hear that this guild might have someone skilled enough to look at his armor, even his weapon! There's a beaming smile on his lips as he takes a step forward staring up at the armored knight with sparkles in his eyes.

"You mean it? Truly? Amazing! I always thought there had to be someone out there, but the general smith always seems overwhelmed by stuff they don't get!"

Oh the manners, he's encroached on her space too much! A jump back and a handsome bow, arm across the front like a butler might be trained to do.

"Indigo Isakova~ At your service Madame!" He leaps back to standing straight up. "I'll have to grab my things, this is only temporary lodging and it runs out tomorrow!"

"No no no, no need to convince me Madame! I'll come with you, just hold on a second." Indigo's quick to rush into the room, packing quickly, grabbing that unique pole and shield and tucking it on his back.

In moments he's right back there with a beaming smile. "Is she?"

"That's cool! Armored knights are the hottest in my opinion though!" Blacksmith a close second, because they work with the armor!"

Witches, politicians, artists, coliseum champions and rookies, they are all the same to the hostess of the party. Each one held something uniquely captivating, each one had their name on the edges of someone else's lips, each one accomplished in their respective fields. Having thoroughly dosed herself on the carnal loving of her previous group of guests, Carmela finds herself craving a line-up of fresh faces.

So, she sent out her invitations--something about some silly fund raiser in honor of some mister or misses so-and-so. The details did not concern her, only the guest list and what extravagant foods would be laid out for the guests' indulgences. She decides to show case the fruits of their humble harbor, shellfish elegantly displayed and complemented by flavorful wines.

Carmela's hungry eyes scan the crowd, gazing out for anyone that seems to be on their lonesome. While a date would not stop her, she wished to start her night with something, someone easier...

Over the heads of the crowd, the hostess spies her target, a loan woman with an eye-turning face and figure. How delicious she would taste...She was the witch-physician whose name has been making rounds for her miracle cures. Her name...

"Madame Naess, correct? I'm honored that you could make my little party. It means a lot to my territory to have such an honorable doctor attend our event. Are things to your liking?"

There's almost a moment when Naess spots someone coming towards her, and might simply decide being less of a stand out at this party is for the best. Only instead of someone random approaching, it's the host themselves.

Quite the hard task to excuse oneself from both such a charming individuals, and the hostess to such a lavish party with such a noble cause.

"That's correct." She turns to face them properly, the witch doctor while still sporting their large hat, has transitioned into a fine evening dress. It fits her form well and leaves little to wonder about, "I never imaged I'd have a reason to accept a local friend's offer of a dress from a decade ago. All the way out here."

A small visit years ago, helping a tailor with his wife, and an offer for such a beauty design if she ever needed it. It's coincidence really.

"It's lovely. Though, I suppose politicians and nobles still feel weary of a witch in their company I would assume." Her comments on how she is still alone despite all the mingling.

"Eheheh~ Big Sis is so cool too!" Yes praise her more. She had fortunately released Avra from her grasp. Good thing Big Sis is so durable.

"Thank you, Big Sis. It was fun saving those people back there. A reward? Hmm I dunno, maybe you can play with me at my tent tonight~?" There was a mischievous tone to her voice, an underlying hint of flirtatiousness alluding to less wholesome activities.

Avra often forgets how strong Adora is, if not for her willingly releasing the taller woman, Avra wouldn't be able to add several praising head pats to this brave warrior princess.

To see her joyous over what was, outright abduction. It was a strange feeling, such innocence yet the reality was so twisted. Yet it was a reality she helped enforce, one for something to faint to maybe be realized one day.

"You wish to see more of me? Very well Adora." Another head rub, "you have earned it today."

The amount of people taken today, brought before Xueyi, would exceed any smaller operation done these last few months. She truly did earn it.

Reimu's had lots of experience with scheming mistresses before. Often times, she's found it better to let them get it out of their system, they usually don't actually know what to do when they aren't interrupted. But she'll keep Naomi's suggestion in mind, in case this Ida person really can just keep going.

But yeah, Reimu tends to attract a lot of the rumours due to her shrine's purpose, so it's no wonder people are always surprised.

As for how busy the shrine is...

A tumbleweed crosses the shrine grounds, as if in reply to Naomi's statement.

Thing is, while Reimu gets a lot of visitors, they're just that. Nothing more. She lives alone, and once the ruckus dies down, it's always down to the same quiet mornings, just her and the baby turtles.

Though the manifestation of the tumbleweed most definitely implied how little traffic truly remains here, his thoughts were actually towards the poor maiden needing to deal with the rather trouble incidents that occur.

But regardless, judging from her reactions, it's clearly not something that hangs in their head that much if the maiden isn't perking up at the mention of those people.

"Or perhaps I've underestimated the maiden once more, how fun." He smiles, regardless of what can be inferred from the maiden, Naomi tries his best not to jump too far head with thoughts.

Some hunches can be right, but doesn't mean they all are.

"I will admit this is the most I've talked myself in quite some time, always listening more than anything. It's rather refreshing."