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Meat Meats in Gensokyo are highly prized. It makes for fine foodstuffs, and can be used to barter or bribe with more primitive-minded Youkai. That said, meat is difficult to come by. Unlike Earth where most meat is shipped from across the world to a store, in Gensokyo meat has to be acquired by hunting a wild animal or slaughtering an animal large enough to give meat. Due to this, meat is hard to come by in most seasons. There are a number of ways of preserving meat. A cool cellar can be used to keep it at a reasonably cold temperature for some time. Salt can be used to dry the meat and seal it, or it can be sealed using animal fat or even cheese. Alternatively, you could pickle your meat using water and salt, or cure it using salt and spices. One can even bury it deep in the ground, where the cold earth can keep it safe. The simplest way to preserve it however is simply to smoke it, which will dry out the meat, repel insects and make it slower to rot. If you consider providing meat to a Youkai, it is best to bear in mind the Youkai's temperament and tastes. While safe with most Youkai, some find certain meats or preservation methods disagreeable. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "We have to go back for him!" Cirno looked an awful sight. The askew wig and dirtied kimono Wriggle calmly helped her with were bad enough. But already, her eyes were beginning to wet with nervous tears, and there was a manic look in her eye. Normally, the risk of Cirno crying would have melted Wriggle's heart. Especially after the night before. As it was, the look only gave Wriggle a small sense of satisfaction. She shook her head at Cirno's plea, even as she continued. "We just found Osu! We can't lose him again!" "There there," Wriggle replied, with an uncharacteristic condescension as she patted Cirno's hand. "I am sure the 'great and powerful' Osu is safe in the Fortune Teller's house. He's probably teleported himself back to Heida Temple already. We had better hurry to see him again~" The lilt in her voice was noticeable even to Cirno. Who gave her friend a penetrating look. One she wished could detect what had Wriggle acting so weird. But their friendship won in the end. With a heavy heart and fearful damp eyes, Cirno started towards the Temple. Wriggle didn't have long to savor her victory. As she pulled her wig on, she finally noticed over her shoulder the eyes of Agappa. Though her gaze wasn't quite on wriggle, but above her. "What are you staring at, creepo?" Her arm slowly raised. Before pointing, in a way that made Wriggle's body grow cold with fear that was not her own. And in that moment, she realized she hated Agappa. Even if she didn't know why. "I see you." =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Wriggle’s face disappeared from the corner of the window. For a moment, Oscar felt his heart grow cold. She had been difficult, even by her standards. But Agappa, Cirno and Wriggle’s presence had been comforting. Now, for the third time in two days, he was all alone… ...Except for a lazy old hare taking a nap in his hat of course. The low sound of the monster in the hall drew Oscar’s attention. The thing seemed afraid of coming back to the kitchens, where the ‘ghost’ of a headless man had terrified it so. But Oscar was sure the moment he left, it would see he was human. Even the terror it seemed to have of him as a spirit would be of no use while he was in the flesh. ...Unless… Oscar’s eyes cast themselves over the room. Dried meat hung from the ceiling awaiting an owner who would never come. Fresher meat lay rancid and rotting. A dull green mass fit only for the maggots that squirmed inside of them. Taking a knife, he did his best to ignore the scent at his nostrils as he turned to one. Idly running the blade over the surface and forcing its inhabitants out. The sight that befell him was too disgusting for words, and so Oscar would never try in the years after. He had just decided to give up on this idea, when his eye shifted over the room. In the corner, he could see a broom made of some kind of straw. A mouse had nibbled at it at one point, but it looked mostly intact. In fact the star looked sturdy enough to resist him breaking it in half… The thought made him pause. The gears turned quietly in his mind. Before a slow smile crossed his face. With a glance to make sure the monster was away, he quickly snatched up the broom, showing an energy that disturbed the old rabbit. It glared down at him as Oscar undid the bindings. Winding pieces of straw into a primitive rope. He gave the wound piece of five broom-hairs a tug. It held, if only just. “Time for another monster to walk these halls.” He murmured with a knowing smile. The Ao Bozu let out a low pitiful cry as it circled the central courtyard. So far, it had circled the courtyard a dozen times. He had examined several rooms. Some he could enter, some had far too many eyes watching for it. And of course there was the kitchen. Haunted as it was, by the headless man. The brute was glad to be free of its prison however. Even this limited freedom was a blessing. A low moan echoed from down the hall. Fearfully, the beast turned its head. The door of the kitchen stood open. Ominous with only a faint illumination from the afternoon sun. For the span of three breaths, the space was empty. Until a figure appeared. It was dressed well, its hands extended, coated in exposed meat as it approached blindly. Its face, wrapped in rotting flesh, oozed faintly. Flies clinging to it as it stumbled into the hall with a dull groan. The Ao Bozu felt another set of its eyes close in fear. The monster scrambling for cover as the dead thing lumbered into the hall. And towards the stairs to the lower cellar… As Oscar pulled the impromptu mask of straw and meat from his face, he could see the yawning maw of the cellar ahead of him. The space was pitch black, and nearly impenetrable. But if Wriggle was right, it also had his freedom… What now? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= = Call out and see if anyone is down there. = Through great good luck, you manage to find a candle down here. = Feel your way into this dark place with your bamboo stick. No sense in drawing attention to yourself. = Peer into the dark. Will yourself to see.