Halfway Point

Still on schedule, but still a long way to go.

Considering speeding up KM to catch up with the other two, but no rush needed.

Here's another project I recently thought of: "Allusion To Love And Strange Things" (ATLAST). Still in planning stages, but this will have to wait until the first arc of the other stories end. This is something very different to /thp/, so I might test a few concepts first.

Anyway, Yuyu~.

SH: Patchouli

I wonder if the readers would choose Patchy over Sakuya. I decided to start some more active development with her, so they can make a better choice. I think I may have developed Sakuya a bit too quickly compared to the others.

I still have no idea why the readers have no love for the vampires. Not surprised about China though.

Day of Rest

I'm taking a day off from writing updates on any of the three threads. I have some urgent matters to attend to. I'll probably get back to writing by tomorrow.

For SH/MR, I guess this will give the readers more time to vote, but so far the current winning votes are decent enough. When I get back, I would be pleasantly surprised if there is a more interesting write-in to work with (as long as it isn't too random).

I actually have a major update for KM, but I'd rather spend time polishing it before posting. Hopefully, this one would start changing the atmosphere of the story.

For those wondering about the character status, I'll just say this: getting "B" rank with any character doesn't lock a route, and it is very much possible (and recommended) to reach "B" rank with as many characters as possible. Just think of "B" rank to represent a reliable ally when in a pinch...

Oh, and someone asked this too, so have fun:

Character Encounters Missed:
- Komachi
- Ran
- Mokou
- Chen
- Reisen

Side Story Ideas: Playing the Villain

Ever since I wrote that Sakuya mindcontrol scene, I keep getting a feeling that Grey could really become a good villain character. As a protagonist, I hesitate in granting him more abilities than necessary. But when you're out take over Gensokyo, seems fair to have some exceptional skills. All the good girls will be out to get you, after all.

For a Charisma-type character, the key is to manipulate and influence the powers of Gensokyo, slowly gaining control. Of course, as time passes, his ability won't be limited to manipulating only sentient beings. But that is left for another day.

Perhaps if there is enough interest, I can write something along those lines. But for now, Evil Mode Grey will be left on the shelf.

Scarlet Horizon/Magical Rhapsody

"Scarlet Horizon" and "Magical Rhapsody" are about to have their first major interaction. I wonder how the readers from the two boards will react? Quite likely that some would vote on both threads, but I don't think it should make much of a difference. I'm hoping to see some interesting write-ins.

"Kaleidoscope Midnight" will catch up in time. But for now, I believe that there needs to be a bit more development between the characters before it can directly interact with the other two. No surprise, as this is the youngest of the threads. But I do plan in making this key in understanding the other two.

A touhou look at "dere"

I do like this interpretation of Reimu.

Different Shades of Gray

The Anon of "Scarlet Horizon" was named Earl Grey for a very specific reason, though this will make itself clear as the story progresses.

I originally planned for the Anon of "Magical Rhapsody" to have "White" as part of his name, while the Anon of the /border/ story to have "Black". I was toying with the French term for white, "Blanc", perhaps as "Joshua Blanc" or such. For "Black", I was planning to use the Japanese terms "kuro" and "kawa", perhaps as "Sheid Kurokawa". However, having them all as Gray/Grey is fine as well.

While they have their own separate stories, the tone for each is quite different. The /border/ story in particular is planned to be quite dark compared to the others (the references to "the children" may be a key plot point).

I find it quite intriguing that the votes on each story are leading to a name that involves "Gray" or "Grey". This is definitely a pleasant surprise, as it is beyond my own expectations.

I suppose this either reflects the hive-mind of Anonymous, or perhaps something else - that all Anon protagonists are neither completely black, nor completely white in their character.

3rd Parallel Story

There is a 3rd story running currently in http://www.touhouproject.com/border/. This runs in the same timeline and universe as Magical Rhapsody and Scarlet Horizon. Latest updates will be at the link above.

I may create a public archive of it, but I am waiting for a few more signs.

Village of Fantasy and Illusion

This is a general blog for Touhou-related work and fanfiction. Anything that doesn't go under the other story blogs falls here.

Other stories:
1. "Scarlet Horizon" - http://scarlet-horizon.blogspot.com/
2. "Magical Rhapsody" - http://magical-rhapsody.blogspot.com/

Other interesting places:
- http://touhou.wikia.com/wiki/Gensokyo
- http://www.touhouproject.com/
- http://www.4chan.org