The Grassroots Youkai Network
An informer affiliation of lesser Youkai, the Grassroots Youkai Network is often used to pass on information between weaker Youkai. Usually as a means of protecting themselves, whether against Humans, stronger civilized Youkai, Wild Youkai, Spirits or other threats. Many of these Youkai act as informal advisors to Otherworldly Ventures, confirming details in this book and assisting in tracking down rumors. Its members are usually anonymous, leading the Otherworldly Ventures team to assume the Network is widespread throughout Gensokyo.
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Guessss Whhhooooo? Back again for more of your money! If you had any. I’ll take your jewelry. Don’t give me that look, you’re a Kami. You’ll make it back in donations in a few months...or decades, depending. Now to flip this ring. Heads, Houdini goes to the Stalls. Tails, the Buddhist Temple my loser sister stays at.
...Wellwell, I guess he goes to the stalls. But if you thought meeting the local bunny girls would be that easy, you’re going to be very disappointed.
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The rabbit made its way down the cobblestone road with long hops of his back legs. Though as he bounced frantically towards the line of stalls, he could feel his strength leaving his legs. His bones, old for rabbits, ached painfully. Each hop brought him closer to his friend’s rescue, but also towards his own exhaustion.
He could see them ahead. The figures were dressed in peasant clothing, one taller, the other shorter. But even his old nose could smell they were rabbits. The two sat around a table, eating. The taller gagging, even as her companion pointed and laughed…
...Why were they so hard to see…
The periphery of his vision grew dark. His throat struggling to take in a breath. The two stood, grasping their great bamboo packs before turning to leave…
No!
The sight brought new strength to his limbs and he bounded forward. But his body failed him. Even as he struggled to catch his breath, he fell forward onto the road. Darkness consumed his vision, and he slipped into a despairing sleep…
A pair of red shoes crossed the cobblestone pathway. Their owner gazing off towards the horizon. Dour thoughts clouding an otherwise youthful mind. Even if the basket hanging from the crook of her arm promised some cheer. Her eyes slowly passed the homes that lined the space. Idly wondering if life would be better if she moved out from the Village. It was not easy living in hiding all the time after all. But experience had taught her that life was just as dull anywhere else. Perhaps moreso, as the Human Village was a magnet for Incidents. And it would be lonely without her friends around.
Her eyes turned towards the Heida Temple as she passed the road, a voice in the back of her head wondering if Keine would try to rope her into going back to night school. Before she stopped in mind stride.
In the center of the road lay an elderly rabbit. Breathing heavily with his eyes closed. The day was still early, so no humans had seen him, but he was sure to be a lucky hawk or dog’s lunch…
With a soft sigh, she turned. Changing her path to walk towards the wheezing creature. Stopping in front of it to set her basket down. The cloth over the top rustling as a pair of red eyes peered out at him. Crouching down, she studied it for a moment. As though rethinking what she was even doing.
“Hey.”
There was no reply. Only more ragged breathing.
“Hey. Wake up.”
Her words didn’t seem to be helping much. But at least he opened his eyes to that. A hand reached into her basket. Ignoring the feeling of hair and the odd nip of teeth against her arm.
“Ugh, you’re in a rough state...I’m not much of a pet person. So sorry if you don’t like it or whatever.”
Her slender hand emerged. Offering an Onigiri to the exhausted rabbit. For a moment, it could only sniff at it, before slowly nibbling at the offering.
“Wonder what you are doing here...this is the worst place a rabbit could be. Did you come here with the rabbits from Eientei?”
Only the sound of munching met her ears.
“Not much of a talker, are you? I think we’ll get along.”
Gripping the exhausted rabbit by the scruff of the neck, the young lady awkwardly lifted the fluffy creature. Dropping it into the basket. Its food soon following. “You just get some sleep. We can sort out introductions later.”
The basket began to sway again, drifting from side to side as Houdini caught his breath. The basket itself was half stuffed with Onigiri. Cooked rice, plums, fish and other fine foods mixing in the space. But he could pay no mind to that. Nor to the one he had already been chewing on. For across from him, was a human head watching him.
“Hey.”
Oscar would probably have startled at that. Houdini however, was too relaxed at his age for that. He was just grateful he had dinner and a ride. A pleasant enough thought, as he returned to sleep.
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Well. You found someone at least. What distant dreams does your Patron share with you?
= Wait, and Dream of your Best Friend.
= Wait, and Dream of a Witch's Strings.
= Wait, and Dream of an Afflicted Soul.
= Wait, and Dream of Stranger's Self-Loathing.