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I don't know if I'm late here and I don't have an account on Moriya Shrine, but I have been reading since at least the part where Marisa and Oscar meet released last year. This is one of my favorite stories I've read on this website. Sorry I don't have much to say.

Back again. Sorry for the delay one and all. I can't make any explanations you haven't already heard sadly. So if you were hoping for something new and exciting in my life, you'd be wrong. Onward to the entry. A little longer one. I wish I had time to put in the effort I wanted. But I think the quantity of the writing shows my dedication to you all at least. Love Soshmal and Gri's theorizing! I put a lot of tiny details into interactions at times. Both to hint at future possible plotlines and encourage speculation. Soshmal especially's picked up on a few of these. @Motaromc Yes indeed! From the first post, the voters are all playing nameless Kami who are watching our hero and influencing his choices and that of others in the narrative! And having your things taken by Jo'on. As for if you can run out, probably not. There are at least four of you she can pick things from after all. Though you might just get tired of her making trouble and kick her out. That'll be a fun mini-narrative, watching you all throw her out of your cozy temple in who-knows-where. If I ever make this into a real fanfiction, I'll probably come up with characterizations and appearances for my voters as Kami, but that's for future Yummy Toe to worry about. Don't worry about Osu. I have a special idea for him if things go very wrong...or possibly two. Its maybe too soon for one of these reveals. Weird to think I have been writing this for a year now...if only I had more time to do so. One of these days I'll tidy up the story and post it to an actual fanfiction site to see what people think. Or maybe learn 3D animation to post these on Youtube. One of these days...

As a Canadian I am not wired to have any sense of fear of the winter. One time however I was staying up at my uncles cabin a bit further up north. there was a blizzard. Everyone had left, My sister went on a walk and my aunt and uncle went out to go grab food from a nearby town. So me and my older cousin were the only ones there. She soon ran off to go get better WIFI so I was alone in the cabin for about an hour. I heard some strange noises outside. I thought nothing of it personally but later some of us were panicking over unexplained human bootprints that mysteriously appeared sorrounding the house. This is starting to sound like a horror story but thats where the story im telling ends actually. Watching this video reminded me of that moment alone in the blizzard thinking about those noises and trying to brush them off as natural phenomena from the snow and ice in that moment, yet never able to shake the feeling of being watched. As much as I love the snow and even the atmosphere of a bad blizzard It can sometimes come off as eerie specifically when dark. Like the snow is hiding some wicked force behind it. Or that force is the snow itself.

I see that everyone else has posted long video essays in this thread, so how about I post a video that is more simpler and shorter. Presenting, a 2012 recording of a social dance event where DDRKirby(ISQ)'s remix of Lullaby of Deserted Hell, Lullaby of Flame, was played as the accompaniment music. I don't know a thing about dancing, but I can appreciate the circling movement of people as they dance in pairs. It is a bit of a hypnotic mood to see people move so wonderfully and organized without any commands or chaotic factors in the mist. I guess I was so used to seeing everything have a plan, that I forget that humanity could act out for plain fun only. In fact, I should apply that principle of enjoying without fearing the consequences more with my interactions with Touhou. Speaking of Touhou, this video made me wonder what sort of physical movements could a Touhou fan do to show they are definitely into Touhou? While I am sure there are many movements that could be copied from Touhou music videos, I'm thinking of more about the movements that could be done on the spot, without prior training, like Marisa's handling of the mini-hakkero and Chimata's dollar sign pose. It be nice to say Touhou to other people in a more sneaky fashion that both affirms the passion for Touhou, yet isn't bothersome to be done out in the open. One last thing, the social dance video made me realize something odd about the Human Village in Gensokyo. Why haven't we seen the anyone from the Human Village practice a type of art? People love Kokoro's dances, so why don't we see troupe try to mimic her routines to recreate and improve upon the art of dance? Alice's puppet shows are a hit with the children of the village, so why can't a person make a handpuppet show inspired by the seven color puppeteer? With the pull the Prismrivers pull with their concerts, why haven't we seen a small music circle practice out at daylight at daylight to remind one of a festive village? It this sort of thing that brothers me, how the Human village is more interested in consuming "media" from youkai, yet we don't see much attempt from the Human Village to recreate what they loved, and ultimately make original from. Of course, it could be intended by ZUN and the sages of Gensokyo to make the Human Village appear culturally dead and more comparable to "youkai cattle", but I really doubt any youkai has the influence to take away the ability to mimic, learn, and create art from humanity. Perhaps it be worth writing more about how some parts of the Human Village are practicing an art to add some flavor to the world of Touhou. It certainly would be good to know that the Human Village can have the same enjoyment as Youkai Mountain did with their White Water Rafting tournament. If the Youkai Mountain can host tournament on a sport despite how flying makes boating down the water mostly pointless, then I am sure the Human Village can do the same with the arts.

Rokurokubi 'Pulley Neck' One of the more common Youkai to emerge from humans, Rokurokubi are universally drawn from human women, usually those from red light districts. They are said to be transformed due to some cosmic misdeed, though the nature of this misdeed can range from blasphemy against the Kami to simple infidelity. This misdeed need not be performed by the victim of it either. Often Rokurokubis inherit this punishment from their husbands or fathers, who go unpunished for their actions. Possessing unnaturally long and extendable necks, Rokurokubi conceal their abilities by day. By night, their use their elongated necks move their heads around as their bodies sleep. Their snake-like neck they usually use to drink oil from hanging lanterns. Though they may also hunt small animals, frighten unfortunate victims, or restrain people. Though frightening, Rokurokubi are seldom harmful to humans. Often preferring to live among humans, and usually unaware of their condition. There are a series of similar beings widely fitting in the same class. While the youkai Nukekubi and devil Dullahan are similar in some respects, it is best not to confuse them. Dullahans and Nukekubi are both significantly more dangerous than a Rokurokubi, and seldom take kindly to being compared to the more benign Rokurokubi. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= It burned her hand. Searing against her fingers even as they ran against the texture. Scars, black as midnight, forming over her fingertips. A little hiss escaped between clenched teeth as the fabric ran against her small digits. Until all sensation in her hand ceased. And she had no choice but to let go. She raised her hands. Ignoring the sound of the stream passing beneath her as she held up her dull hands. Scars, black as pitch, greeted her gaze, covering each of her hands. But despite the memory of the pain, Rumia only felt sad she could not feel it against her fingers again. Close her eyes, and think of how things used to be… The hands lowered. The odd sound of birdsong surrounding her as she sat in the shadow of a boulder. A familiar shield against the sun...It may have burned her much as the ribbon did. But the sun’s light only brought pain. The ribbon’s touch, the fabric, it brought back...happier, memories. If only they had stayed forgotten…Humans had been easy enough to ignore. Even with her abiding hunger, there were plenty of other tasty things to eat, when the gnawing got too bad. Sometimes, she could almost convince herself there were no humans in Gensokyo. That she had no idea what they tasted like. That she had never been friends with one. Until... Her eyes turned down to the creek that ran over her bare feet, forming a pool. A miserable face gazed back at her, its cheeks stained with dried tears. But she could see something in its eyes. The same feeling that gnawed at her gut. Hunger…and something else. Kimiko was right. Her fingers could scarcely move properly. She had no idea it was a stone in her grip until she had thrown it into the water with all her might. The furious splash startled fish and bird alike as she huddled against her knees. Purposefully avoiding the water’s surface now. “Miko...would my friends hate me, if they knew what I did?” The murmur of the creek was her only reply. “I’m sorry…” =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= The basket jostled. Rousing the sleeping rabbit from his dream with bleary winks. Light stole around the woven basketting, illuminating the head opposite to him, sleeping as well. He could hear voices outside, and with his strength returning, he nuzzled at the edge of the basket. His rescuer was standing in the shadow of an imposing looking building. A Buddhist temple, he was sure. The redheaded girl peering around tombstones, until she closed her eyes and let out a breath. “You can come out Kogasa. You know you won’t get any Faith from scaring me anyway.” The rabbit’s worn eyes stared up, unable to perceive more than colors as a woman holding an umbrella stepped towards them, her face looking downcast as she approached. “Oh, its just you Sekibanki...I was hoping to scare someone today…” “Yeah, well. That’s life. C’mon. I bet Kagerou and Wakasagihime are waiting for us at the usual place.” The blur of blue and soft white slowly resolved itself as the figure approached, It was a young woman, dressed in a modest but distinctive blue dress. Holding a large umbrella, a comedically long tongue swirling behind it as she approached as though hiding itself from view. Hetero-chromatic eyes of blue and red giving Sekibanki a disappointed look, which she either ignored or failed to notice. The expression on her face vanished as she turned her eyes down to the basket. Only now noticing the fluffy white face which sat on the brim of the basket. “Who’s that?” “Huh? Oh, this is a new friend I made. I found him passed out in the square in front of the Heida Temple. If I hadn’t passed by, a dog or hawk probably would have gotten him. Doesn’t talk much, but he’s pleasant to be around.” “Hmm…” The blue-haired youkai considered him for a moment. Before with a sudden burst of energy, she rushed towards him. Mouth opening wide as her tongue rolled out, hands grasping towards him. “BLEEEGH! You look delicious!” Houdini’s only response was a wiggle of his nose. For a moment, Kogasa held the face, as though hoping the rabbit might change his mind and back away in terror. When he did not, she slumped forward. “Not even a little fear...I can’t even scare a rabbit.” “Yeah...that’s life.” Sekibanki didn’t feel her response was helpful. Especially after repeating it twice. But there wasn’t anything else she could think to say in that moment. The words hung in the air for a moment. Before she turned and stepped from the cemetery. The footfalls of the other hurrying to catch up. “I’ll tell you what Kogasa. When we get to the Lake, I’ll let you have first pick of the food.” “You know human food can’t sustain me though Seki-chan…” “Yep.” “...What did you pack this time?” “You’ll have to wait until we get there.” “Is anyone else going to be there?” “Just Ichi. She’s in the basket.” The talk of the two made the blood of the old hare stir, bringing him from a preemptive drowsiness. The lake? So far from the village! Oscar could be dead by the time he got back! Looking over the basket though, he could only see the food, packed in its fresh bamboo leaves, and the sleeping second head of the woman holding the basket… There was no time to lose. He had to save his best friend. Outside the basket, the two continued their conversation, rising along a path towards the northern gate. “So what have you been doing lately, Koggers?” “Why do you call me that?” “Its funny.” “Well, if you must know, I tried babysitting some of the children who go to the Myouren Temple.” “How did that go?” “Awful...They wouldn’t listen to me, they pulled at my umbrella, and then when I tried to scare them, they started calling me ‘umbrella ghoul’ and throwing water on me! So rude…” “I mean...you live in a graveyard. Kids are going to find that weird.” “Yeah but you would think I—” Their conversation was cut short, as the basket rocked in Sekibanki’s arm, before the head of Ichika rocketed out of the wicker basket like a cannonball. The sleepy rabbit following after. His body made youthful in his adrenaline, his paws landed on the head as it bounced down the slope. Half running, half-rolling underneath it as it went down the stone street. “I-Ichibanki!” Seki shouted after the head. Kogasa could only stare in stunned silence. Some voice in the back of her head wishing she could roll her head through the Village...maybe then the townsfolk would fear her. "S-someone should help her!" Kogasa managed. “Stop staring then, umbrella ghoul—let’s go!” The reply Kogasa had half-formed broke into a shout as Sekibanki pulled after her, the two youkai chasing after the rabbit and the head as they rolled into town… =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= How will the two Youkai try to catch Ichika and Houdini? = Sekibanki will extend her neck to try and grab Ichibanki. = Kogasa will shout for the townsfolk to help. = Use Kogasa's control over the weather to slow him with a strong wind. = Sekibanki fires a concentrated danmaku into the ground ahead to make a hole for Ichibanki to land in.