It strikes me as likely that several Avatars came and went without ever knowing Patchy was in there.

>> Her curious look changing to a scowl, Hōrai Doll produced a tiny broadsword
>> from somewhere and held the fairy off at swordpoint.
>
>Well, that reaction doesn't leave room for misinterpretation. Hōrai
>clearly takes a dim view of drunken sailors.
>

Still waiting on Shanghai's opinion...

>> "I don't know. Not yet. I need more information. I need..." She paused,
>> looking thoughtful, and drank off the rest of the tonic, now so engrossed in
>> the problem that she didn't react to its flavor. Meeting her familiar's eyes,
>> she said firmly, "This man she's marrying. Take me to him. He'll know where
>> she is."
>
>Also, it seems years desiccating in a library in the desert haven't
>left Patchy in the best of health.
>

My impression is that Patchouli hasn't ever been in the best of health, even in Touhou canon. I think she's based on one of the standard anime characters - sickly badass bookworm.

Peter Eng
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Insert humorous comment here.