If you have to run from a Youkai, remember to mind your surroundings. Youkai are usually faster, and can often fly. Every Youkai however has a weakness. Some are afraid of certain plants, others animals, or metal. Knowing the Youkai of Gensokyo, is the key to your survival in the wilderness.
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“Rumia! Rumiiiaaa!”
The distant sound of a voice cut through Oscar’s theatrical display. One which he was both glad and resentful for. Showmanship was all about presentation, and if he had any chance of cowing this Kimiko, he needed every ounce of it he could. But the distraction had its own benefits. He could prepare his next move...
The imperious beauty’s fair visage a sharp contrast to the wild plants she wore. Her neck cracked as it twisted towards the voice, in a way more akin to an owl than a human. A second voice joined the first. Then a third, and a fourth. Whoever it was, they had not come alone looking for Rumia.
The girl still dangled in the horror’s grip. Streams of blood staining her blond hair. A miserable sniff escaped her as she silently sobbed. Oscar’s eyes flitted to the Yamahime. Those alabaster nostrils with their impeccable form sniffed, as though to smell fresh prey.
This was it. Now or never.
There was no grand plan. Oscar merely listened to his heart. The instant Kimiko was distracted from her meals, he bolted forward. Ignoring the roots around his feet as his fine dress shoes bit into the forest floor. Gathering all the strength in his body, he could only prepare his finest spell as the wild princess turned back to him in shock, before his fist collided with her face.
It was hard to tell if it actually hurt her. Her face whipped backwards in shock, seemingly unharmed. Still, it had the desired effect. Those horrendous fingers loosened, releasing her captive. Moments before Oscar Digg’s arms grabbed Rumia, and pulled her tightly against his chest. Then, he ran.
A roar of pure rage echoed from between the trees behind him, convincing him he had probably made the worst mistake of his life. With a strangled sob, Rumia pressed her tear-stained face against the front of Oscar’s jacket. Branches scratched at his face and clawed for his hat, but there was no time. Even now, he could hear a sound he had never heard before. It sounded as though the very trees were pursuing him. Oscar had the courage to turn his face only once to see what was behind him. The long, slender form of their captor moved among the trees like a phantom. Arms, fair and feminine but far too long, extended towards them. The pale face in the dark letting out a roar of pure rage. Under the amber eyes that glittered in the dark, her mouth hung open. A ring of white teeth surrounded it, promising both of them a painful and bloody death…
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“Rumia! Rumiiiaaa!”
Daiyousei clasped her hands together as she called her friend’s name. Nearby, Wriggle Nightbug peered into the treeline that bordered Muenzuka. A hollow trunk lay against a skeleton as Cirno called inside. Mystia Lorelei ran a hand against her hat as she hovered nearby.
“Are you sure she went this way, Dai-Chan? I know Rumia loves meat, but would she really come all this way for food?”
The green-haired fairy took a slow breath. Her self-doubt settling in again There was no real way to say for sure if Rumia had come all the way out here. But with the rest of her friends keeping Rumia from hunting animals or humans near the Village, she would have to go somewhere to find food. And she did have experience with the area…
“I don--”
“DAI-CHAN!”
The strained cry was enough to call the four together. Though none of them had ever heard her in a tone like that before, each of them recognized the voice in an instant. The foliage on the edge of the bath burst open, a figure in black racing towards them, cradling the crying form of their friend. A moment later, a figure as silent as smoke stepped from the edge of the forest. Regarding the group passively as Oscar stumbled towards them. Rumia slipped from his grasp. The girl saying nothing as she wrapped her arms around Daiyousei. Cirno, always impetuous, moved between the group and the monster. Kimiko only gazed at her serenely.
“You have something which belongs to me, little fairy. I want him back, now.”
Gasping and afraid, Oscar could say nothing. Only pray these strangers were kinder than Rumia had been...
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= "Kimiko," Daiyousei says, holding back an uncharacteristic surge of anger. "What are these marks on Rumia's head?"
= "Wait a second," Cirno says, hovering at the front. "Why does a princess like you want with a man like that? You dating or something?"
= "Hmm?" Wriggle murmurs, the sound of buzzing rising around them. "Something that belongs to you? Like fifty pounds of wasps?"
= "Human?" Mystia hums, Kimiko's vision growing dim. "I don't see any human. Do you?"
= Rush the monster! The Lake Fairy Crew will be avenged!
= The cries of unwitting fairies and youkai draw the attention of the Yamahime's sisters...
= Oh crap is the creepy forest lady play dead!