Writebox, Writefags go here

General thread for anything Writefags come up with. Be sure to state what character route/path/decision your piece applies to.

Writing will be critiqued as needed.

Opener. Destroy and rebuild as you see fit.

[Background: Inside of CERN. Lab,CMS detector on wall.]
[Music: None/Non-tense.]

"You mean I can't do anything?"
Dr. Kleiner shakes his head. "I'm sorry." He looks down, almost embarrassed. I still can't get used to it, working under a man so much more experienced than me who still sometimes acts like a child who just got caught with his hand in the cookie jar. I stare at his thinning gray hair, as I have done a hundred times so far during this internship.
"I'll just ... wait here then?" I offer.
The good Doctor looks up at me, little blue eyes coming back to life as he nods. "Yes! " He says, full of enthusiasm again. "You might not be able to actually do anything in here, but you can certainly watch! I know I wouldn't miss any opportunity to see such a thing, can you imagine? It must be-"
I nod slowly, smiling as I let my mind tune out. Dr. Kleiner has proved an easy boss to get along with, if a little eccentric. To be honest I suspect I've been stuck with him because of his genuine need for a capable assistant. He's spent the last few weeks in such a state of manic excitement that he keeps losing notes, knocking things to the floor and pouring cups of coffee without adding any actual coffee. Without me around to pick up the pieces, organize his notes and hand him a fresh lab coat in the morning, I suspect he would be dragging the project behind schedule a little, despite his intellectual brilliance.
With the sheer excitement around here, I doubt any such delay would be tolerated. Everyone, not only Dr. Kleiner, has been anticipating today with such fervor it borders on the fanatical. Well, as close as physicists can get to fanaticism.
"Okay Doc." I say. "I'll stay here and watch, promise I won't touch anything."
"Good, good, good ... " He trails off as he turns away from me and walks off into the room, greeting his colleagues with a shaky wave.
Nobody spares me a glance, the out-of-place intern, totally unremarkable next to one of the most amazing pieces of scientific hardware ever built.
The Large Hadron Collider.
Or rather, the CMS detector, part of the Collider. The huge, portal-like circle of steel and plastic dominates the room, people bustling around the various control panels and free standing instruments below it. The room, purpose built for just this piece of equipment, is clean and white like any other lab in the facility, but the CMS detector, with it's gantries and supports, gives the place the air of an industrial site. I watch as Doctor Kleiner advises a pair of subordinates adjust a set of dials. It's a pity I haven't really got to use any of my education while here, but it would probably feel like a lighting a match next to the blowtorch of the intellect around me. This is going to look amazing on my resume though. Present at the first live test of the LHC.
Brilliant.
The hustle and bustle in the room increases a little and I check my watch. 8:50 am. The test run is due to take place at exactly 9 am this morning, the first firing up of the largest particle accelerator ever built. There's a section of it below my feet, buried under the floor and a few layers of concrete armoring. The entire thing extends for 17 miles, but this is one of the most important parts. Today Kleiner will oversee the CMS detector.
Although, that's not entirely true. As I lean against the wall, watching Dr. Kleiner totter from readout to readout, nodding his head and giving little orders here and there, I come to realize he's not actually necessary for this. He's here because he's in such a senior position. It would be insensitive and hurtful to not allow a man near the end of his career to oversee something like this. The team in the lab, mostly made up of experienced, middle-aged physicists, are running the entire operation like clockwork, having gone over the procedure in preparation dozens of times by now. Kleiner may be absent-minded, but they know exactly what they're doing. I feel a little knot of tension in my shoulders unwind, relaxing and just letting myself enjoy the show as my the numbers on my watch flick to 9.00 am.

[Change Background: Busier inside of CERN]
"Bring the first set online."
A pause.
"Done."
"And the second, if you please."
"Now regulate-"
"Stop the-"
"Is the computing grid clear?"
"Ready to go."
"Ready."
"Say the word."
I let the back-and-forth of the preparations wash over me as I watch the final checks being made. This is fascinating stuff, even if I'm not directly involved. I have a sudden pang of disappointment that I don't have my camera handy.
"Are we ready?" One of the physicists, a severe-looking woman, asks Dr. Kleiner, her hand poised over one of the facility's internal intercom buttons.
He nods, smiling his happy little smile. "Ready."
She presses the button and speaks into the grille.
"CMS detector ready."
I can't make out the reply, but she smiles.
"Fire away." She says, letting go of the button and standing back.
There is a pause, all the action and motion in the room stopping for a split-second. I can hear the tension in everyone's breathing, feel the long-awaited result rushing towards us.
One of the technicians, gaze glued to a read-out screen, speaks, less than a second later. "We have a fourteen TeV collision." I can feel the elation in his voice. "Results being written to computer memory now."
He turns to the rest of the room, grinning. Kleiner smiles. "Well done people! We did it!"
A cheer is raised from the throats around me, the three dozen people in the lab all clapping in unison. I join in, unable to hold back. It works! For some absurd reason I was expecting a lot more of a climax than that, but hearing any sound upon collision, all the way up here, would mean something very bad had happened.
"Hey kid, come here." One of the scientists waves me over to his read-out panel. He looks as elated as everyone else in the room, but also confused. I peer over his shoulder at a steady red line against the green background of the screen.
"What's that mean?" I ask.
He shrugs. "Must be an instrument malfunction, something that big wouldn't even fit inside the accelerator." He points down the bank of controls. "Flick that switch for me, would you?"
I glance at the little blue switch he's pointing at, then up at Dr. Kleiner. Someone is patting him on the back and he's not paying any attention to me.
'Helped resolve instrument reading malfunction at the LHC' would look even better on my resume, so I step over to the switch and flick it downwards with a little click.

[Music stop]
[Screen shake, turn black]
The world stops. I can't hear or see or smell or feel. I can't feel my clothes against my skin. I can't even feel my skin.

[Screen shake]
[Explosion noises, sparking, panic, etc]
[Background: CERN lab, turmoil]

"There was something in there! Jesus Christ!" The technician is shouting in my ear.
I hear a dull boom from below me and the floor shakes, I almost lose my footing. I can see everyone running back and forrth now, panicking. Kleiner is in the middle of it all, no idea which way to turn.

I still can't feel my skin. That can't be good, maybe-

[Booming noise, screen shakes, crackle/generic 'warp' noise(?)(Anon going through border).]
[Screen goes black]
[End of Scene.]
['Dr. Kleiner' is a placeholder for now, I couldn't think of anything other than that and 'Dr. Doujin'.]
edit: Fixed a few spelling errors, Americanized the English, posted on the wiki

1. Needs more SCIENCE
2. More dialogue would also be good
3. One thing we should settle on now is if we should use American or non-American English (armor/armour, theater/theatre etc). It doesn't really matter either way, we just want to be consistent. On second thought, that doesn't really matter, it'll be fixed later by proofreaders, just do what's comfortable, writers
4.

I'm assuming you cut off where the technobabble begins. A note to writers dealing with things not of their expertise: if you come across something rocky like technobabble, just tag it with [tech] or [scenery] or whatever and other Project members can fill it in with what's relevant later.
5. CERN was never really mentioned anywhere.
6. Change "Doctor" to "Doc" to show a little familiarity.
7. WHICH FINGER DID HE PRESS THE SWITCH WITH FUCK I DON'T KNOW

Other than that it looks great. First two are unnecessary, just more icing on the cake.

Day 0 Scene 3. "Fairy Attack: Run away from little girls!"


“Tehehehe.”

A high pitched giggle breaks my thoughts. Instantly I spin around to find its source…but nothing’s there.

“Heheheheh”

The laugh is a little lower and more amused this time. I turn around to make a full circle, but there’s no one there. What the hell? Did I damage my brain as well? There’s no telling what sort of effects whatever happened at CERN could have on my mind. Hell, I could going ins-

“Hehehehehe”

It’s above me!

And there, ten feet off the ground, float three small girls in dresses and tinted insect like wings.

Fuck, I AM going insane. It’s a little disappointing that I’d hallucinate something like that. My subconscious should at least come up with something cool. Sullenly, my gaze returns to the road and start walking. However, after a few steps the path before me is blocked by my new imaginary friends.

In front of me float those three girls again. Now I’m up close, it’s hard to ignore the fact they are sort of cute. Their pale wings flutter lazily, and dresses sway back and forth about a foot from the dirt.

(fairy description)


God this is weird. Well whatever. If I’m going insane, I might as well enjoy it and play along.

“Umm….hi,” I greet them awkwardly.

“Tehehehe” they all giggle in unison ,hands over their mouths. Quickly they turn to one other, as if nonverbally coming to an agreement. The middle girl gestures with her finger to the ground in front at my feet, but there is nothing there. I don’t get it.

“Uhh….I’m afraid I don’t undertstand. Do you want something? Do you want me to do something?”

A wicked grin spreads across their faces as the other two point their fingers as well. Three white lights suddenly shine on the tips of their fingers and shoot lighting fast to the ground. A small black mark sizzles in the dirt before me. Slowly their fingers rise up to my chest and glow again.

Oh you have GOT to be kidding me.

Without thinking, my body flies sideways as the lights shoot past me. Well almost past me. For a split second a horrible tingling burning sensation spreads through my shoulder, as if a red hot electrified poker was jabbing it. The pain fills my mind with dread and body with adrenaline. Realization hits me with a sick nausea.

It’s horrible. It’s impossible! It can’t be real.

But it is real. This pain is real. These girls are real. The explosion at CERN was real.

Panic courses through me. I don’t care about whatever happened before; I just want to get away from these abominations. Before I realize it, I’m sprinting down the dirt road past them.

(danmaku sound. Stray bullets image)

Balls of light shoot all around me and the giggling from behind breakings into full laughter.

(danmaku sound. More stray bullets)

My lungs and legs burn, but I can’t stop. Blind terror keeps pushing me forward. The dirt road widens a little bit leading to a series of farms. Civilization! I’ll be safe there, if I can reach it.

(danmaku sound, more stray bullets)

The pain suddenly returns as a light hits my ear, momentarily blinding me. The town is over a mile away. Can I even make it?

Frantically I look as my vision returns. The tree line of a forest stands off to the left a few hundred yards away. That might provide some over and is a lot closer, but there is no guarantee I’ll lose them in it. Hell that could be their home for all I know.

I’ve gotta decide now. The best option has to be…

-civilization. If there are farms and buildings, there have to be people; people who can help. The forest is too unreliable.

-the forest. I’m too exposed out here and the trees could provide a barrier.. (not available)

Day 1, Scene "Yukari’s Inquires"

Re-written because I didn't like the last write-up.




There can be no mistake. That look... there was definitely an implied “someone” there. It might be best to speak up.

[Anon]
“I... might know something about that. Has this been a problem since yesterday afternoon?”

Reimu looks a bit taken back by this, but Yukari doesn’t even bat an eyelash.

[Yukari]
“Indeed. The bright flash yesterday afternoon seems to have something to do with it, as that’s when the trouble started.”

Her gaze shifts, bringing its full attention to me. Her disturbing gaze. Eyes shouldn’t be that color. It’s quite unnerving.

“What do you know about it?”

[Anon]
“Ah, well... I was working on a project in the outside world that involved high energy particle collisions.”

Perhaps that wasn’t the best choice of words, but it has become second nature to describe my work like that.

“Something happened. There was an explosion, or something, I’m... not quite sure. The next thing I knew, I was running for my life from some fairies.”

I let out a sigh.

“The rest really isn’t important. Do you think that could be the problem?”

Yukari leans forward, removing the fan from her face while resting her chin on the back of her other hand.

[Yukari]
“A particle accelerator accident? Hmm...”

She leans back again. I wonder... how did she come up with that term? She could have just made it up, but I doubt it.

“It could be. You say there was an explosion? That’s not normal. Don’t they usually try to contain and measure that?”

Indeed they do, Yukari. How do you know this, however? I wouldn’t expect the average person on the street to know that, much less the average Gensokyo resident.

[Anon]
“That’s right. I---“

[Reimu]
“So, it’s your fault, then?”

Reimu finally decides to speak up. Great. I guess I didn’t make myself clear.

[Anon]
“No. I was just a lowly intern.” Perhaps a bit of humility is in order? I’ll try it. “If anything, it’d be the engineers’ fault. I---“

Reimu just glares. She gets ready to say something, but Yukari decides to butt in instead.

[Yukari]
“Leave the poor boy alone, Reimu.”

That slight grin returns. “He seems interesting enough.”

[Reimu]
“Fine. I’ve got work to do, anyway.” She looks straight at me, glaring daggers. It’s not at all pleasant. “Don’t cause any trouble.”

Saying this, Remiu leaves, leaving me alone with Yukari. I’ve still got some time to kill, so striking up a conversation seems like a good idea.

[Anon]
“So, how do you know about particle accelerators, anyway?”

Some answers would be nice. She’s a curious person.

[Yukari]
“Oh?” Her expression is a strange one. It almost feels like she’s toying with me. “I like to get outside every once in a while. So, how powerful was it?”

It seems like I’m not going to get any straight answers out of her, though that’s fine. A challenge is always welcome, even if it is in speech patterns.

[Anon]
“The collision energy is... was... about 14 TeV.”

She seems surprised. Her eyes widen slightly.

[Yukari]
“Oh? How big was it? That’s quite powerful.”

We continue talking about the specifications of the LHC for a while. Time passes quickly, and before I know it, the sky is starting to take on a slight red tinge. It seems night is beginning to fall. Yukari is the first one to mention it.

[Yukari]
“This has proven to be an interesting meeting, but I’m afraid it’s time for me to leave.”

Her tone of voice is not unpleasent, but there’s still something in it I don’t like. There’s a hint of superiority that keeps showing up. Granted, it’s probably reasonable, but...

“I may be paying you a visit in the future, <anon>. Though you’ve told me much, I’m afraid I might need to know more.”

[Anon]
“Sure. That shouldn’t be a problem.”

[Yukari]
“Good, and... Goodbye.”

Saying this, she slips back into that... thing... that she’s been hanging out of the entire time. I still can’t get over how disturbing it looks. After she enters it collapses in on itself, relieving me of its presence.

An interesting meeting indeed, Yukari.

[Screen Remains Black]

[Brief images of past backgrounds flash through the following text]

My first thoughts return to me as I regain consciousness, a feeling of grass against my face and hands. How'd I get outside? What happened to the collider? What about Dr. Kleiner? What about, well, everyone? I try to open my eyes, to see where I am. The sun is so bright, have I been out that long? The headache I have doesn't help much, but after picking myself up and adjusting to the sun, my headache is the last thing I'm worried about. I don't recognize this scenery at all. It's just grassland, and mountains all around. I don't remember any places like this near CERN...

Where am I?

[Cut in to a landscape matching description]

There's a forest in the distance it seems, a rather thick looking one. I can see a few houses as well, so that's a good thing. I might be able to get some help there, find out where I am and how I got out here. At least, I hope I can get help, wherever here is, I'm not even sure I'll be able to communicate with people effectively. I should probably be able to get in contact with someone though. Wait! That's right! My cellphone!

[Cellphone beeps]

[Image of cellphone screen, no connection] ...

There's no reception. I'm already not liking this, not at all. No reception, I must be way out in the countryside. I have to be close to CERN though, there's no way I could have gotten way out into the middle of nowhere from... whatever it was that happened. I would have been killed by a fall for sure, but why would someone move me? Why isn't there anyone else here? My headache is getting the better of me now, I need to sit down and let the world stop spinning.

[Back to landscape scene]

What went wrong? Was it a problem with the collider? Someone said something was inside it, but that couldn't be right, how could something like that happen without anyone noticing? What the hell could have gotten in there in the first place? It was a success, wasn't it? Where did it all go wrong? This is something else though, my situation. I can't wait to get back to CERN, or even my home, find out what happened and how you got to this place. I need to get going, though I should make sure I didn't lose anything of mine.

I check my pockets...

[Inventory Here]

lolidunno

Also working on Bedside Nurse now as well.

[Black Screen opens]

[First person view of ceiling?]

For the second time today, I open my eyes in pain. I hit my head and lost consciousness, but...

[Keine's head and upper body appear, looking down at you.]

[Music start. Possible arrangement of Keine's theme?]

"Oh, you're awake," a voice says, a woman's voice. A woman's face appears above you, the neckline of a blue dress and long silvery hair with blue highlights seems to fill your vision as she looks down at you. That and a very peculiar looking hat of some fashion. "Lie still, you had a rather nasty fall."

"I... what..." my voice croaks, each word makes my head pound.

[Scene shifts to Keine sitting at the bedside during/before following text. Expressions change as stated?]

"I'm sure you have a great deal of questions," she says gently, lowering herself into a chair next to the bed. "I'll answer them in due time. My name is Keine Kamishirasawa, what's yours?"

I tell her my name. [Does CERNonymous have one?]

"Well, nice to meet you." Keine says with a soft smile.

"I... saw... something... what was..."

"That's not important right now," Keine hushes, leaning forward and removing something from the top of my head. I didn't even realize the bag of ice resting there, and Keine replaces it with another one. "All you need to do is rest right now."

There's so much on my mind, so many questions. What were those lights, and how did they hurt me? Were those girls really flying? What about her, that wasn't a hallucination either, was it? It's uncomfortable, these memories of something you can't explain and no way to make sense of them. As much as I want answers however, I can't get past her smiling face. Maybe resting for a while wouldn't be so bad...

"Where..."

"You're in Gensokyo, a world within a world you might say," Keine says rather calmly, as if she hass said it before. "You might call it a 'fantasy world', like something out of a book. All sorts of dangerous and wonderful things exist here, monsters and magical beings call this world a sanctuary from the waning mysticism of the outside world, but you're safe here in the Human Village from all dangers." she says, adjusting the edge of the sheet that covers you.

"Danger...?"

"That's not for you to worry about," Keine says with a reassuring smile. I don't know if it's my reasoning or my concussion, but I feel like I can trust this woman. "For now, just sleep. I'll tell you more tomorrow."

My eyes feel heavy, and straining to keep them open while they fight to roll back into my head is too much. I close my eyes, and keep the image of the woman Keine in my memory as I drift back into sleep.

http://touhouvn.scribblewiki.com/Concussions_and_Laser


My best bet is with the town up ahead. They’ll help me. They’ll have answers.

(screen jerks a bit. More bullets) (zoom in of view of Village)

...

I’m not going to make it. Their shots were random and unfocused, but have been becoming more and more accurate. Are they just toying with me? How in the heck did I go from being at a major scientific breakthrough to being bullied by tiny girls in just 5 minutes? This isn’t right at all.

Desperately I begin to zigzag back and forth in a random pattern to avoid being hit. The ground hisses with each missed shot. It’s all up to chance now.

(next page)

“Huh……huh…..huh….huh.” My breath has gone ragged whiles lungs burn for air and legs burn for relief. This isn’t good. A scientist isn’t supposed to have to run like this. My head throbs with every heartbeat as if it’s being beaten like a drum. No good. I won’t make it.

(flash of red)

Suddenly my right calf screams out in a new pain. That horrible tingling sensation shoots through the whole leg, numbing it in mid stride. Everything feels like slow motion as the seemingly dead leg buckles under my weight and I fall. As I spin around in mid air; a blue sky with a panorama of colorful dots comes into view. (screen shake)

The hard ground slams into the back of my head and my vision swims. Fatigue and pain fill my mind. I give up, it’s impossible to get to safety. It doesn’t matter anymore.

(half fade screen)
(red and blue lasers)

My eyesight dims as blue and red bolts of light shoot across the sky from the direction of the village. It must be from my occipital lobe crashing into the back of my skull. The world shines with brilliant colors for a few seconds.

And then darkness.

(full fade to black)

(Original AngryDesu scene before Doujin edit)




Exodus from Fantasy: Head to Hakurei Shrine
http://touhouvn.scribblewiki.com/Shrine_Day1


[ Scene - Keine's house ]

[ Keine ]

"Well, since this meeting is going to take a while, why don't you give yourself tour of the village?"


[ Akyu ]

"Are you sure? What if he gets lost?"


[ Keine ]

"Good point, how about we all meet up at the shrine when we're done?"


[ Anon ]

"Ah... I guess that sounds alright. How do I find the shrine?"


[ Akyu ]

"Just look up! The shrine is visible from almost anywhere in the village, so you shouldn't have much trouble finding it. It is something of a climb though."


[ Anon ]

"Well, a little climb never hurt anyone, right?" Although I say this i'm not entirely sure. My leg still stings a bit and I don't exactly look forwards to doing much on it. Still, a walk around would be better than sitting in here until everyone returns.


[ Keine ]

"That's settled then! Myself and Akyu will head to this meeting while you explore the village for a bit and we shall all meet up at the shrine afterwards."


[ Anon ]

Both girls nod to each other and shuffle out of the room. I quickly follow them, not wanting to be left behind now. As we leave the house I do my best to remember the route we follow to the center of town. I'm pretty confidant I can make my way back if i get too lost - not that it would do me any good, as I can't get in without Keine anyway.


[ scene changes - a few different village shots? ]

[ Anon ]

I'm surprised at how developed this village is. Although it's pretty backwards in many ways, I don't seem to see the signs of disease or refuse in the streets. I may not have been the best student of history at school, but I do know that a historic- type village like this should be a lot worse off than it actually is. Still, aside from the odd tradesmans shop there isn't exactly a lot to see around here. I did hang around the market area for a bit, but it wasn't long before I decided that perhaps I should make my way to the shrine.


[ Scene - Shot of village, panning up to show shrine above it all ]

It seems to be a pretty impressive shrine from here.


[ Scene - bottom of shrine steps ]

[ Anon ] ... It seems significantly less impressive this close though. Oh well, it's not like I have a choice, if i'm going to the shrine i'll have to climb these stairs sooner or later.


[ Black screen, gasping and panting SFX ]

[ Anon ]

Ugh...*pant* so many stairs... *gasp* I need to get into shape... *pant*


[ Scene - just outside shrine gate ]

[ Anon ]

* Haaaaaa*

I made it. I don't know how many steps there were, but I know there were way too many for me. I hope I won't have to make this trip too often. Still, I think it may have at least been worth it, this shrine is rather... quaint? It reminds me of places i've seen in books. Calm and quiet. Restful even. Well, there's not much point in hanging around here. Keine and Akyu don't seem to be here yet, and I'm sure they would have called out if they had seen me. So I guess that means I have some time to kill - maybe I could see about finding who runs this place?

Looking around I can see that the shrine building seems to be open. If nothing else then it makes sense to look there first as where else would I be likely to find a priest or shrine maiden if they weren't already outside? As I step forwards I feel a faint shiver run through me as I pass under the gate. Probably just my leg protesting at the climb i've just forced it to do.


[ Scene - inside shrine building ]

The only think I can think about this place is 'it's old'. The floor is fairly well maintained, but the walls, the ceiling... the timbers here just seem to scream their age whenever I glance in their directions. Whoever looks after this place seems to care for it well enough at least, though they don't seem to get much appreciation if the donation box I passed was any indication. Still, it's a nice place - as relaxing as it was outside. Wandering around the shrine I notice a corridor leading off to once side and head on over for a look. Doesn't seem to be anything down there but a few doors - maybe thats where the shrine's owner lives? A quick look behind me confirms that a similar corridor heads off from the other side of the shrine too.


[ SFX - Rumbling ]

[ Anon ]

Eh? What was that? It sounded sort of like an earthquake but no, it can't be, I didn't feel a thing.


[ SFX - Rumbling, slightly louder ]

[ Anon ]

! There it is again! And not a tremor to be felt at all!


[ SFX - Rumbling, again slightly louder ]

[ Anon ]

That's no earthquake! I don't know what it is but it definately sounds like it's getting closer and I think it's coming from the other corridor!


[ SFX - Rumbling, louder again ]

[ Anon ]

What am I going to do!? I look around in a panic and, much to my relief, I spot that one of the rooms near me has it's door slightly ajar. If I had to I could hide in there from whatever is making all the noise but... If I did that and got found? That would be breaking and entering almost! There's no way I would be able to talk my way out of that if I got caught red-handed hiding in someone's room! I don't exactly want to stay out here, but I don't want to get caught in there either... Ahh, what should I do?

Hold your ground! Face your enemy!

Whatever is coming doesn't sound friendly. Hide while you still have a chance.

Smoke Signals
http://touhouvn.scribblewiki.com/Fire1


By the time we return, the building is already nearly covered in flame. The crowd formed around it is filled with awe and terror. Some people are running back and forth with buckets of water, but it does little to stop the fire. Mothers cry in tears, but only a few are holding their children. Some have to be held back from running into the fire.

One woman in particular thrashes to get free while pointing to the pile of scrolls on the ground, then to the second floor window just above. She screams one word over and over again.

“Akyu. Akyu!”

Oh god, Akyu is still inside.

I turn to Keine, but woman I know isn’t there. Instead, there is girl with a horrible look of panic and fear covers her face. Something about that expression chills me to the bone and sickens my stomach. She shouldn’t wear it. She should never have to wear that look ever again. Not if I have anything to say about it.

And then something snaps. There is no thought, only resolution. My feet push forward towards the door on their own. People are yelling, but I can’t understand it. It’s just a murmur engulfed by the roaring flame ahead. As the blazing inferno comes closer, the air becomes uncomfortably hot and sharp. The bright flickering light and thick smoke claw at my eyes, causing me to tear up and squint. The heat spreads right past my clothes as if I was wearing nothing.

What the hell am I do? I'm going to get myself killed.

One final gasp for air and I tumble into the blaze, arms thrown over my face.

And then all the air is gone

"Awakening", first half (or so) draft:

'''[Fade in from black screen to first-person view of ceiling, blurry at first, then clearing after a second]'''

I awaken to the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling.

This isn't the ceiling of my room back home, that true and constant friend who greeted me every morning for years, whose every bump and crack was as intimate as my own reflection; this isn't the ceiling of the quarters provided for me by the CERN Institute, not as well-known, but had been growing on me. No, this ceiling is a complete stranger. I do not know where I am.

I try to cast my mind back, recall the events which may have led me here.

'''[Possibly overlay faded pictures of the previous scenes as they are mentioned?]'''

CERN... explosion...

Strange landscape...

Winged little girls firing light beams from their hands...

I ran for the village, but fell and hit my head... and then I woke up here.

'''[Sound: rustle of sheets. Screen changes to view of room.]'''

My head doesn't hurt any more, so I've been given some treatment. This isn't a hospital, so the odds that all of those memories are delusions brought on by injuries sustained in the CERN accident have lowered somewhat. The furniture, architecture and general design are simple and rustic; the odds that I made it to that settlement I spotted and was rescued have increased dramatically. None of which actually answers the question of where the hell I am and how the hell I got here, but better take this in small steps. Looking around, I see a table standing at the bedside. On top of the table is a plate and a wooden cup filled with water; on the plate is a loaf of bread and a note. I take the note first and read it:

'''[Screen half-fades to black. Font changes to a more feminine, handwritten-looking script (maybe?).]'''

You were still asleep when I woke up, but I can't stay for long. You must have a great many questions, but I'm afraid the answers will have to wait until I can return at midday. Until then, feel free to make yourself at home, or even go out and explore the village if you're feeling strong enough. It isn't so large that I shouldn't be able to find you, just don't get TOO adventurous and try to go outside the village. Suffice to say, this place can be dangerous to the unprepared.

I wasn't sure how much you'd feel like eating, so I just left you a small breakfast. If you want more, the kitchen can't be too hard to find. Help yourself.

See you soon,

Keine

'''[Screen fades back in, normal font returns (if it left at all)]'''

Keine... the name brings to mind another hazy fragment of memory, almost forgotten: drifting into consciousness once before, a warm, motherly figure tending to me, speaking... but I can't quite remember exactly what she said. I think she called this place a "fantasy world", but that doesn't make any sense. What would it even mean? She's right about one thing, though, I have a GREAT many questions for her.

But for the moment, she's right about another thing: I'm famished. Taking the bread, I tear off a chunk with my fingers and pop it into my mouth. Mmm, wow... this is surprisingly good, for being just plain bread. Soft, too, just recently baked. Decorum is largely abandoned, and I just eat it whole out of my hand, washing every few swallows down with some of the water. A small meal, but filling. My physical well-being now greatly improved, I kick the sheets off of my legs and stand up from the bed. I should look around the house, at the very least.

Stranger in a Strange Land
http://touhouvn.scribblewiki.com/Village_Day1

[Music: No change]
[Background: No change]

Faint sounds of life filter in from the outside. The birds, done with their dawn ensemble, have broken into a disorganised encore. Accompanying the chaotic twittering are distant voices and hurrying footsteps, the noise of frantic morning activity.

The noise of people. The noise of civilisation.

The warm sunlight shining in through the open window is tempting me to go. I give in without a struggle. The din outside means I wasn’t hallucinating about the town I saw yesterday. Yesterday? Was it yesterday? Wasn’t there something else I saw back then? Deep reminiscence is still giving me a headache; it probably wasn’t important anyway. In any case, a town means answers, assistance, and maybe even a working telephone line. I find my shoes lined neatly next to the doorway, and I stumble out into the morning air.

[Background: Human Village]
[Music: Village theme]

The sight that meets me defies all expectation. In fact, I feel a bit betrayed. Where is the neatly spaced suburban housing? The cleanly paved bitumen roads? The bustling 9am traffic? What I’ve got here are wooden shacks, dirt paths, and horse-drawn carts. Did I just step out of a telephone booth? Is this some sort of joke? Can I have my money back?

As I stroll through the streets, realisation gently hits me on the back of the head. From the oriental costumes that the people are wearing and the construction materials that some of them are carrying around, the conclusion is unmistakable.

They’re obvious filming here.

Yes that’s right. This is definitely a movie set. I’m definitely not crazy. Ah, I really shouldn’t have fret. The sun is shining and the birds are singing. It’s a great day to be alive and completely sane. Yes I am.

[Music: Stop]
[SFX: Collision]

Huh, did I just hit something? Did something hit me?

Uh oh

[Background: Aftermath ~ Akyu and scrolls in shambles]
[Music: Silly]

[???]: Owww

Come on, she’s half my size! Of course I couldn’t see her! I’m totally innocent!

I hasten to help the girl pick up the paper rolls she dropped before I incriminate myself further. It concerns me how much they make children labour in this day and age.

“Are you alright?”

[Akyu Sprite: Neutral]
I was not far off with my initial assessment of the girl’s height. It’s not surprising considering her age. At least she looks young. Old enough to be an actor, perhaps, but she can’t be a day over—actually, I’m not sure. Maybe it’s the intricate ornamental robes that she is wearing, or maybe it’s the way she carries herself as she dusts them off, but you can almost taste her refinement. The bow she gives me merely adds to the image of elegance.

[???]: “A thousand pardons. I have been most negligent in watching where I was going.”

It’s embarrassing having a young girl apologise so sincerely, especially in the middle of the streets. I’ve been getting enough stares from passer-bys already, and I can almost feel the mob glares coming. I struggle to make some conversation.

“Er, those are pretty realistic props you’re using”

The girl responds with confusion.

[???]: “Props?”

“Yeah, props”

[Music: Stop]
[SFX: Crickets]

People can die from awkwardness this thick.

I hurriedly introduce myself before I suffocate. Fortunately, the girl replies in kind, but not without another full-body bow.

[???]: This one is the daughter of the Hieda family. I have been given the name Akyu, as of the ninth generation.

I wonder if those are her lines in the movie. Maybe I’m just out of touch with popular culture these days.

[Akyu]: I hesitate to ask, but are you…new here?

I guess it isn’t hard to tell. I’m not even in costume and I probably look too dishevelled for staff.

“You can say that I suppose. I’m not sure what’s going on actually. Right now I’m just staying with Ms Ka—” why do they insist on so many syllables these days? “—Er, Ms Keine”

[Akyu Sprite: Surprise]
[Akyu]: You are staying with Ms Kamishirasawa?

“Why yes.” I fish for my best Hollywood cheese, “You can say it was a meeting of fate”

[Akyu Sprite: Blush]
[Akyu Sprite: Serious]

[Akyu]: “And she has told you…nothing?”

Why so serious? “To be fair, we haven’t had much of a chance to chat. I was hoping someone could clear things up for me”

[Akyu]: “I see. Well, if Ms Kamishirasawa would excuse me, I will try my best to assist you in her stead. Please, follow me”

Akyu, still holding her body weight in paper, starts to walk off. What else can I do? I follow her.

[Shrine interior - Hallway?]

I'm going to face whatever's coming. I can't run and hide, so I might as well stand and fight.

[Shrine interior - Hallway slowly fills with Mini-Suika]

At least, I thought I should, until I see a very small creature run around a corner, followed by another, and another, until there was a swarm of them barging through the hallway, a sea of orange flooding down the hall towards me. I panic, and in the moment I'm swept off my feet by the horde of creatures and carried off by them as they pour into a room.

[Shrine room - Interior?]

They begin to pile up onto each other, clambering up onto a large gourd covered in some kind of tags. They dump me aside as they climb over each other, creating a large squirming mass. As the last one makes a huge leap from the ground and lands on top of the pile, the entire collection of miniature creatures suddenly transform into one, an orange haired, horned girl laying on top of the gourd, who quickly rolls off.

[???]

"Nyahahaha~! You should have seen the look on your face!"

From how she's talking, she sounds a little drunk, even though she only looks like she's about 12 years old. Though, she also has horns, so appearances must be deceiving.

[Anon]

"What was all that about? What are you?"

[Suika]

"My names Suika, I'm an oni. I was just out having a bit of sun and decided to come back for my gourd. Imagine my surprise when I managed to pick up a lost man somewhere along the way though. I thought things were supposed to stick to your shoes, not your horns!"

She laughs to herself again, and ss she talks, she takes the stopper out of the gourd and takes a drink of some kind of liquid within. There's a very distinct smell of alcohol though, so it's pretty clear what it's supposed to be at least. She staggers up to her feet and stretches her back a little bit, almost falling over as she does.

[Suika]

"So who are you?"

[Anon]

"I'm lost here, it seems. I'm trying to find a way to get home."

[Suika]

"Well, you're not doing a good job at it sitting here with me!"

She smiles at me, then hoists her gourd up and ties the attached cord around her waist. Before I can even protest, she walks over and pick me up as well, as if I weighed nothing at all. It's best not to fight it, I'm just going to let her carry me. Soon after, she carries me out through a back door of the shrine and sets me on my feet and pushes me a little.

[Shrine grounds - Behind the Shrine]

[Suika]

"You shouldn't be able to get lost out here."

Suika walks ahead of me, though I only make it a few steps before another woman in blue appears from nowhere. I nearly run into her, stopping just short of a full collision.

[Mima appears and replaces Suika]

[???]

"Whoa! Watch it kid!"

[Anon]

"Sorry! I didn't see you!"

[???]

"Who are you anyway?"

I explain to her what I told Suika. I'm an outsider lost in this world, and I'm trying to find my way back home.

[Mima]

"I see then. My name's Mima, I stay around here as well."

[Suika]

"Mima is the shrine's evil spirit!"

Mima gives Suika a sour look, then looks back to me.

[Mima]

"Don't listen to her, she's just joking around."

[Suika]

"Oni never lie!"

It takes them a few moments of bickering before they calm down.

[Suika]

"Come on! We've still got to get to Reimu."

Suika grabs my arm and pulls me along, and Mima floats along beside us. I only notice now that Mima doesn't have legs. This world is something else indeed. It doesn't too long for us to reach the back gate however, and Suika releases my arm. A short distance ahead, a black haired girl in red and white is waving around some odd kind of stick and saying something, cursing every so often.

[Suika]

"Reimu! We brought someone!"

The girl turns around, looking a little annoyed. She sets her gaze on you, and she doesn't seem to improve much at all.

[Reimu]

"Who is this?"

[Suika]

"He's an outsider, he wants to go back."

Reimu sighs, planting her hands on her waist. She looks a little frustrated and a lot tired, though exactly why I'm not entirely sure. I end up looking past her though, towards the large gate. It looks similar to the gate I passed under at the front of the shrine, but I have a hard time seeing down the stairs. It's like my eyes are having difficulty focusing, it just seems to fade away. It's hard to look at.

[Reimu]

"I'm afraid you can't leave."

My heart jumps in my chest. I can't leave? That can't be right, isn't she supposed to be the one to get me out of here?

[Reimu]

"The border is strange, it's harder to control. On top of it all, I have to prepare for the festival as well, and I definitely need the money that'll bring in. I'm already up to my neck in dead weight and I don't need more people leeching off me."

She looks at Suika and Mima as she emphasizes the dead weight part, and neither of them flinch at all. Seems they've become accustomed to the idea of being nothing more than nuisances, at least from how it seems to me.

[Anon]

"So... what were you doing there? With that wand thing?"

[???]

"She was talking to me."

The voice comes from behind me! I turn quickly, surprised by the voice being as close as it was. There, I see a blonde woman that appears to be leaning forward, though her body vanishes at the waist into a bizarre opening in mid air. Unblinking eyes stare out from within, while hands occasionally grip at the edges of the gap, seeming to struggle for a moment before slipping off. The sight sends a chill up my spine, what is this? Is this the woman's doing? She seems aware of my discomfort however, though she only offers a smile.

[???]

"Something bothering you?"

[Anon]

"Wha- what...?"

The woman slinks back, slipping into the hole in the air. As she does, a second hole appears, and legs slide out from it. In a few moments, the woman reappears in whole, sliding out from one gap and sitting on another.

[???]

"Poor Reimu's been hard at work trying to fix the problems with the border that separates this land from yours."

[Reimu]

"This would be easier if you would help my Yukari! You are the youkai of borders, aren't you? Stop being such a layabout."

[Yukari]

"I've been plenty of help already, my dear. The only reason the border reacts to you at all is because of my help. Something must have happened to make the border act like this."

Yukari quickly produces a fan and uses it to cover most of her face. Just before she does though, I'm sure I saw a quick smile as she looked at me. What is she up to?

To be honest, with the exception of HY, I think most of this writing is kind of...meh.

Not a lot of descriptions and stuff, I guess. Or something like that. It's all flat.

Sorry if I offended anyone.