#and it causes all sorts of issues for kanako as well

[howlonomy]

Do the Sir Slithers ever get, like, a "turn" being the main pilots of poor gooped-up Kanako, or is it a more constant "Kanako is now herself and Slithers at the same time all the time but the Kanako personality is just more pronounced"?

Very intrigued by the dynamics of this, I imagine she probably surprises her mom every now and then with something that would've been very out of character for her pre-amalgamation

("How much of what I just said/did is the trauma talking and how much is the literal other people who soul-merged with me talking?")

kanako/sir slithers masterpost :]

the way it works is very much everyone gets their own personality, it just happens that bc kanako’s soul is more powerful, she got the body. so she can move the arms and legs, but the snake bodies/her hair she can’t, because theyre sill their own people. IF the sir slithers worked together, they might be able to take over the main body, but bc theyre all too busy fighting each other to be the main character nothing ever comes of it. kanako is always the strongest among them all.

and thats EXACTLY what i was thinking!! obviously, kanako is not the same monster she was before she fell down, but its hard for everyone (including kanako) to pick apart if her ooc moments are just because of trauma or because she’s fused with a bunch of other people with their own personalities. while the snakes can talk on their own, sometimes if emotions are high enough they can kinda,, fuse personalities a little. basically combine to one mind/one goal.

oh yeah, absolutely. she hung around them bc they were kids like her, and their mom was with them and watched over them. unfortunately they got too close and fused. but it was also bc they were familiar; they came from the same place, and they reminded each other of home. she missed the dunes and dina and her mom, and the family reminded her of that. so they stuck together in a shitty awful place

and she doesn’t ever have to go anywhere; the entire family is on her back. their dad isn’t in the picture, so its just a mom and her 6 kids. just like real snakes lmao

yeah!! they need to talk and get socialization in too. they enjoy talking to each other. theyre like friends attached to her all the time so they get up to some scams fun!

#asked and answered #monster clover au #kanako ketsukane #sure they would like to be their own people again and not be stuck together but. what can u do #most of the time theyre chilling but sometimes they just get upset and pissy (AS THEY SHOULD) #and it causes all sorts of issues for kanako as well #like. no privacy. the snakes cant do things like make friends. its a shitty situation for everyone #but they made boundaries and rules a long time ago in the lab lmao #the kids still have homework dont worry. they can help each other #mcau doodle #mcau lore

[randomnumbers751650]

Touhou XX: Esoteric Kingdom of Eternal Gems

I had this idea after thinking a bit and I imagined the gems would fit well in Zun’s art style. Just imagine some sort of AU and here it is.

A new island had appeared in a foggy area of Misty Lake and that could mean only one thing: an incident.

Thus, Gensokyo's incident solvers were dispatched to deal with it. Reimu goes out of obligation, Marisa goes because she saw some precious stones at the shore of the lake and deduced they came from the island, Sanae goes because it reminded her of a manga, and Reisen goes because Eirin felt a familiar lunar energy coming from that place.

After crossing the fog (and blasting fairies and spirits who already moved to cause ruckus) the player is greeted by an androgynous person wearing a summer uniform; they had beautiful shiny hair introduced themself as Diamond.

Brittle Powerhouse Diamond 

Not getting used with not being greeted by a shower of danmaku, our heroes blast them out of the sky (if the player is going through a pacifist route, Diamond will retreat and give more bonus).

After crossing the sea, the player arrives at the beach, where he's greeted by Morganite and Goshenite.

Naughty Know it All Morganite

Insecure Wallflower Goshenite

"Good grief, a bunch of flying flesh creatures are invading our beloved island."

"Morga, they might be peaceful."

"Ah, but where's the fun in that? Come, let's dance!"

Morganite is the actual boss. Their patterns are more based on simple but flashy circle patterns, with Goshenite providing back up. Forget Goshe, focus your shots on Morga.

"Argh, I lost it!"

"We, Morga, I think we shouldn't-"

"Better scram!"

With them retreating, the player advances through the marshes, where they meet the mid-boss: Yellow Diamond.

Hasty Melancholy Yellow Diamond

Yellow isn't much of a challenge, although is hard to hit due to their speed, usually will retreat after a while. The player is then let to face the 2nd boss: Phosphophillyte.

Young Energetic Peeble Phosphophillyte

"Hey, if I defeat you, I'll get to finally get a job of my own!"

Phos's patterns wouldn't be much of an issue, I can imagine their patterns resembling Cirno's in EoSD (the fact I put them as 2nd boss is a homage to Cirno, since she and Genki Phos are quite similar).

"Aww, everyone is going to get mad at me!"

After defeating Phos, the player advances through the flower fields and fights the mid-boss: Red Beryl.

Hype Fashionista Red Beryl

Red Beryl again has no difficult patterns, but theirs are the most colorful ones. After defeating them, the player progresses to the third boss: the Amethyst twins.

Dancing Swordsman Twins Amethyst

"We saw you wanted to play, watch and learn two becoming one."

The Amethysts have two hitboxes and they tend to separate from each other in the screen, while shooting linear patterns at the player.

"We failed. Well, at least it was fun."

The next level is the school's entrance. The midboss is Euclase. Again, nothing difficult, but it feels like Euclase was more like testing you with their patterns. They also retreat if you don't waste their energy.

Wise Secretary Euclase

Now for fourth boss, now this where things start to get tough: Alexandrite.

Moon Berseker Alexandrite

"I c-can't let you p-pass."

While Alex is in Green Mode, their patterns aren't special, but when they turn Red, well...this is where the fun begins. Red Alex has an arsenal of curved patterns that will serve to wake you up - one rule of danmaku is that you have to create pretty patterns, not outright trying to hit your opponent and, in their berserk mode, Alex ignores this, so they're the wake-up call boss.

"I lost. No, I will have my revenge against the Lunarians!"

Fun fact: if you're playing as Reisen, you get to turn Alex red from the beginning.

The fifth level is inside the school, traversing corridors and such. The mid-boss is Jade.

Loaded Prolocutor Jade

Jade is tougher than others, but it shouldn't give you problem, unlike the fifth boss: Rutile.

Doctor of the Lustrous Rutile

"What a beautiful specimen. Let's make a deal: if you lose I get to dissect you."

Rutile's patterns use more straight lines, they'll attempt to trap you in cages of danmaku. It'll be a tough battle, but not as tough as Red Alex. With patience and avoiding Rutile's danmaku's puzzles, you get to defeat them.

"It was a mere pasttime before I return working on Padpa, but your next challenge will be the last one."

Now the player is at the ceiling of the school. The last stage is hard and, if you get through it, you'll get to be greeted by the mid-boss: Diamond.

This time Diamond will fight back. It's a gimmick boss, because if you stay on a safe spot in the screen, you'll end up defeating them. Then comes the last one: Bort.

Bort The Destroyer

"If you have passed through my siblings, it means you have worth. Let me test it."

Bort is the hardest fight besides the Extra Stage. Unlike Red Alex, their patterns are more organized and beautiful, but, at the same time, they're relentless and unforgiving. They'll make things like a danmaku swoosh with their hair and use both straight and circular patterns, and patterns shaped like a diamond.

"You have surprised me, flesh creature!"

After defeating them, the credits roll. It shows gems adapting to life in Gensokyo, like Phos bothering Reimu, Rutile watching Marisa creating spells, Red Beryl and Obsidian going gaga over fashion and swords with Sanae, and Reisen running away from a berserk Alex (with Kaguya and Tewi laughing at her), Euclase and Jade at the school with Keine, Bort sparring with Youmu, and Sensei talking to Kanako, Byakuren and Miko.

The Extra Stage happens when Sensei asks you to go tell another gem of this world, a gem that has left their society. It's night and you go through the field and meet the mid-boss: Phos.

Although Phos has new tricks, you go through them until ending on a cape, where a red gem awaits you under the full moon: Cinnabar.

Lonely Immortal Crystal Cinnabar

"Did you come here to tell me about this new world? I don't care."

Being the extra stage boss, Cinnabar is brutal in their mercury-based patterns, even to the point of creating clones of themself with mercury. But, after a long fight, you finally manage to convince them to give a chance, with them blushing tsunderely.

"Alright, it's not like I wanted, but maybe I could maybe try to enjoy, who knows."

#houseki no kuni #touhou #land of the lustrous #touhou project #maybe a sequel might deal with the hnk!lunarians #i wanted to have lapis as the extra boss #but cinnabar was better #also thanks to quigu for bouncing ideas

[trustworthyreporter]

Issue 22

Special thanks to: @reverberatingfantasies & @asknueidentified for giving me something to really work on layout wise. @scarletvampireofchaos for submitting a gest article

Blogs mentioned in the articles:

Rabid Rabbit Rampage: @lunarexiles, @inabainsanity, @exaggerateddreams,

Battle Byakuren: @reverberatingfantasies, @cruentusscarlet, @betweenhumanandyoukai,

Big Faith hurting small gods: @autumnharvestt,

Guest article by: @scarletvampireofchaos,

Blogs mentioned in the asks: @freshholeinthewall, @lightyokai, @itspurvis, @digitalyokai,

Text versions with links after the readmore:

Rabid Rabbit Rampage

After the introduction of the spell card rules youkai on youkai violence in Gensokyo has become somewhat of a rarity.  This relative peace was shattered recently when Eintei resident Reisen Udongein Inaba started violently attacking humans and youkai alike for no apparent reason.

As of press time, neither the human village nor Eientei were willing to confirm casualty numbers. However, several eye witness reports of the level of violence mean that there likely would be several major injuries at minimum.

Under house arrest

For their part, Eientei has put Reisen under house arrest until the true cause of her madness can be determined.  When questioned about the event, Kaguya Houraisan claimed to have no knowledge about what the cause might be, expressing great frustration saying: “That’s what I’d like to know!  I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but she just flew off the handle apparently!”  

When asked about the “Eirin’s shady drug” conspiracy that inevitably has come up, she dismissed it out of hand in the fashion such conspiracies deserve saying, “No, that can’t be it.  She’s always seemed normal, and I don’t think Eirin’s medicines have those kinds of side effects anyway.”  Further she also had Eientei’s resident pharmacist check the inventory of medications, all of which were accounted for, ruling out drugs as the cause of Reisen’s behavior.

Kaguya herself then began speculating, wondering allowed if Reisen had been “possessed”.  Though at this time there is no evidence to support that.

Possible sleeper agent

Reisen’s outburst comes at a poor time for Eientei.  Reisen herself is a refugee from the Lunarian kingdom on the moon.  After fleeing to Gensokyo she managed to claim asylum in Eientei with the exiled princes of that same kingdom.

The Lunarian’s recent near invasion of Gensokyo has already put many on edge; despite The Hakurei shrine’s successful diplomacy mission resolving the conflict.  This tension has lead many to openly wonder if Reisen wasn’t sent as a sleeper agent.  Some have even gone so far to claim that Eientei is a forward base for a future invasion.

When asked for comment on the anti-lunarian fears, Kaguya said that: “I understand their worries about what the Moon may do…  I share in those fears myself. But the Earth is my home now, and I would very much like to protect it just as much as anyone else here. Our rabbit going mad was an isolated incident, and she will be properly disciplined for it.”

Dream copy

Reisen herself pleaded her innocence claiming that it wasn’t her, that it was instead a “Dream Version of herself”.   Reisen did admit that she did not have proof, but claimed that a “Doremy” could vouch for her story and pleaded with the Bunbunmaru to track this woman down to help exonerate her.

Although difficult to track down, the Bunbunmaru did manage to get a brief interview with Doremy who did vouch for Reisen’s story.  Going on further to explain that dream selves were indeed a thing that exist, as an exaggerated version of a person.  She claimed to know this by virtue of being the ruler of the dream world though she did not provide anything further to back up that claim.

The Bunbunmaru reached out to Yuuka Kazami who was once a resident of the dream world to ask for her comment on “Dream copies” and Doremy’s true identity, though she did not respond by press time.

Battle Byakuren

Byakuren Hijiri, leader of Myouren Buddhist temple has confirmed recent rumors and announced the beginning of a battle festival of sorts. The festival will be held at the Myouren temple until the end of February in which anyone who wants to prove their strength outside of the spellcard rules can participate. Byakuren herself offered to take all challengers.  Of course, those wishing to only watch are welcome as well.

Proof of strength

When asked for the reason for the festival Byakuren said that

“It was brought to my attention by Nue that most see us as peacemakers from our weakness. I’m aiming to use this as a display of our knowledge on warfare and our proficiency in combat. That way, they can see that even the strong can choose to avoid conflict while seeking resolutions.“

Byakuren was likely referring to the temple’s stance on youkai/human peace.

Interest building

Interest in the fights have been rapidly growing in among both youkai and the human village.  Even Gensokyo’s more prominent citizens are starting to take notice.  Remilia Scarlet of the Scarlet Devil Mansion offered up her comment that she’d:

“I would like to battle someone by leaving the Spell Card rules and Danmaku aside, without restraint”

Even the surly Rinnosuke Morichika is planning to set up a refreshment stand to sell to the participants and spectators.

Big faith hurting smaller gods

The Moyria shrine, the Myouren temple, the Taoists, and of course the Hakurei shrine.  Gensokyo has many major big name religions for humans and youkai alike to give their faith to.  While the Hakurei shrine has been here for a long time, the others are relative new comers as you are no doubt aware dearest reader.

Each one of these new big faiths caused it’s own problems when they arrived.  Kanako of the Moryia shrine nearly caused Gensokyo to be blown up by her reckless gifts to Utsuho Reiuji.  The Myouren temple caused much panic with their reckless search for Byakuren Hijiri.  The Taoists nearly started a civil war with their anti youkai rhetoric.  All of these incidents were put down by Reimu Hakurei, as she always does.

But there is a lingering problem these new big faiths are causing that falls below the level of Hakurei involvement.

If you were not aware dearest reader, most native gods need faith for more than just growing more powerful, they need it to live.  Should a goddess go for a prolonged period without sufficient faith they will eventually die.  With the influx of new bigger faiths, many small local goddesses have found it hard to compete for market share.

One such minor goddess is Minoriko Aki of the human village.  As a harvest goddess Minoriko was once invited to a ceremony in her honor every autumn.  In that ceremony Minoriko would receive more than enough faith, and in return would bless the human village’s harvest, ensuring enough food for the humans, and through them for the youkai.

But now, much of the village has turned away from Minoriko, instead preferring to rely on the more generic “miracles” of the Moryia shrine that don’t require elaborate celebrations to confirm.

You might, dearest reader, call this just the natural progression of faith, as new stronger gods replace old weak ones.  And in a way you would be right, dearest reader.  But in the opinion of yours truly there is something more important being lost here.  Gensokyo was created as a land for those that had nowhere else to go as the outside world no longer needed us.  If we allow goddesses like Minoriko to disappear the same way, how can we say we deserve to continue living in this land?

So next time you’re enjoying your sake, or a peach, say a prayer in thanks to Minoriko dearest reader.

#issue_22 #BunBunMaru Newspaper #touhou #aya shameimaru #battlebyakuren2018