Author Topic: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts  (Read 94042 times)

Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #120 on: August 22, 2013, 10:55:07 PM »
It's the day Iced feeds Keine again.  All history in the chapter is a lie.

----

Miko took a sip of her sake as the slow dance Kokoro was performing reached its end.  The crown prince couldn?t call it a good performance without the music, however Kokoro was a masterful performer.  And Miko had to admit she shared a certain nostalgia for the old forms.  After all, she?d created most of them.

It helped that the mask youkai could stir the emotions of her audience just by changing her expression.  Though the young girl had been good about keeping her power under control after that last battle.

She politely clapped along with the other two occupants of the shrine.  While Kokoro?s dances had drawn in many people to start, the novelty had worn thin quickly.  Especially since Kokoro wasn?t using her full power to influence people.  Now the only viewers were herself, the shrine maiden, and the leader of the Myouren temple.  Probably because each of them felt a responsibility towards the young youkai.

Kokoro bowed.  ?Thank you.?  The mask youkai moved over to where her cup had been set aside and held it out.  ?Can I get a drink before the next act??

?Of course,? Miko replied.  She?d already heard Kokoro?s desire, so she?d gotten the bottle ready in advance.  She carefully filled the girl?s cup, then emptied the last of the bottle into her own.  ?Ah, and it seems we?re out.?

?Again?  Stupid Suika running in here to grab some extras.?  Reimu looked around to find a survivor of the one youkai horde, but the oni had managed to clear out the whole shrine interior.  Reimu sighed and picked up the empty bottle.  ?I?ll go grab another.?

?Thank you,?  Kokoro and Miko both replied.

Byakuren nodded her head.  ?If it wouldn?t be too much trouble could you get some water as well for me??

Reimu waved over her shoulder as she walked out.  ?Right, right.?

?Hm??  Kokoro tilted her head at the nun.  ?Um, I?m somewhat curious.?

Byakuren blinked. ?About what??

?Since you?re a magician, can?t you cure alcohol poisoning?  Why don?t you just do that so you can drink with others?? Kokoro asked.

?It?s not about drinking with others.?  Byakuren raised a finger to emphasize the point.  ?It?s about maintaining certain standards and holding to them.  The goal is not to get stuck within the details of the world.?

?I see,? Kokoro nodded before drinking her own sake and returning to the stage.

Miko couldn?t pass up the opportunity.  ?It?s too bad though.  It would be a lot easier to gain converts among the youkai if you could join them in their revelry.  Drinking is such a big part of Gensoukyo.  Perhaps if you picked a different sect to work with for a while you could join the fun??

Byakuren pouted and turned back towards the stage.  ?I would prefer it if you refrained from teasing me about my vows.?  Miko chuckled.  She still didn?t think much of Buddhism, but she had to admit flustering her religious rival was good fun.

Still it was probably best to not press her on and off foe.  She returned her attention to Kokoro?s preparations.  The youkai girl didn?t need to change her masks, but her other props required a little more finesse, especially props more complex than the fans and naginata.  Miko had made a game of figuring out which dance Kokoro was likely to perform based on the props.  Currently Kokoro was knotting a rope which meant....

Miko blushed as she remembered which dance required that.  ?Ah.  Well I suppose for completeness? sake that dance has to be included.?

Byakuren turned back at Miko?s statement.  ?Hm?  Is this not a good one?  I didn?t think you?d be so critical of one of your own creations.?

?Well it is not a bad dance per se just...?  Miko coughed and threw back her last cup of sake.  ?Each of the dances was to call upon and placate a certain emotion.  The obvious ones are joy, hatred, anger and pride.  But it would be foolish to ignore some of the baser emotions.?

?This dance is to placate the emotion of lust,? Kokoro stated bluntly, before hiking up her skirts and beginning a wildly spinning dance.  Miko mentally noted that the young woman?s skirt made the motions a great deal more flashy than the traditional costume that was normally used for these performances.

Byakuren flushed deeply and shifted in her seat.  ?Toyosatomimi no Miko, what have you been teaching that young girl?  I understand that some instruction in carnal matters is important, but this is...?

?The rituals needed to cover all the strongest emotions,?  Miko protested.  ?And while I admit the dance is somewhat cruder than is widely accepted these days, at the time it was totally reasonable.?

Byakuren raised an eyebrow as Kokoro shifted roles to the drunk?s part and began to use the rope prop.  ?Really?  That there was reasonable??

Miko coughed in embarrassment.  ?Well I might have been pushing the envelope a bit at the time.?  She fanned herself to cool her cheeks.  ?At the time I thought it might be a good idea to assure the public it was a farce as opposed to leaving it questionable.  I thought overacting would be the best way of doing that.?

Byakuren sniffed.  ?Really?  I find that excuse hard to believe from someone who never got married, while taking so many concubines.?

?What!? Miko started at the accusation.  ?It would have been rather difficult to keep my gender hidden if I had gotten married.  And I didn?t have many concubines!  Just Tojiko and-?

?Ha!?  Miko couldn?t help but flinch as Byakuren jabbed a finger at her.  ?And what about seducing one of your most fervent supporter?s wives?? 

Miko?s retort faded on her lips as a stray desire wandered to her ears.  *Teasing her really is fun.  I want to see her blush even more.*  She slowly smiled as the pieces fell into place.  If that was how the game was going to be played?.

?That is an unfair accusation.  I seduced Futo long before she was married.  Do I sense some jealousy, Lady Hijiri??  Miko fought to keep from laughing as Byakuren?s disapproval shifted to surprise.

?Jealousy??  Byakuren shook her head.  ?You think rather highly of yourself oh crown prince.?

?I cannot deny I am somewhat prideful.?  Miko smiled and leaned forward, causing Byakuren to lean back slightly.  ?But I know your true desires.  You?re jealous of our ability to enjoy our relationship.?

Byakuren turned away, blushing.  ?I, I don?t know what you?re talking about.?

?No??  Miko shrugged lightly.  ?You?re surrounded by a number of beautiful supporters, all of whom seem to have great interest in you personally.  But your personal rules prevent you from accepting their affections.?

Miko?s smile widened as Byakuren blushed more.  For some reason she really wanted to tease the gradient haired beauty before her.    ?Of course I would never question the strength of your convictions.  Even though that Ichirin does have quite the fine figure.  A pity that you?ve never been able to-?

A flash of desire was the only warning Miko had before she found herself on her back, her monologue cut off.  Byakuren loomed above her, the magician?s distraught grimace replaced by a predatory smile.  ?You seem to be making a few mistakes crown prince.  You see, I have in the past gotten much closer to my admirers.  I was a witch after all.  Even today I consider myself more of a practitioner then a nun.?  Miko shuddered as Byakuren?s hot breath whispered in her ear, ?And I prefer handsome girls.?

It seemed she had lost this round.  Still she was smiling as she took off her earmuffs.  ?My my.  Such interesting desires you have hidden in your mind.  Are practitioners of Buddhism allowed to do such things??

?Technically no.?  Byakuren leaned against her.  ?But I have to make sure you?re embarrassed enough to not spread rumors later.?

?How conniving,? Miko sighed as she leaned up to kiss the magician.

?Crown prince!?

?Lady Hijiri!?

The two started and turned their heads to see what the commotion was.  Standing there in the doorway looking shocked were Tojiko and Shou.  Miko felt her heart sink to her stomach.  There was no way to explain this, but she had to try.  ?Um.  Tojiko, you see-?

Lighting began to crackle around Tojiko as the ghost woman?s anger rose.  ?I see all right!?  She jabbed a finger at them.  ?I see you letting that large breasted Buddhist woman have her way with you, without having the common decency to tell me about it first!?  Miko and Byakuren blinked as Tojiko?s tone suddenly shifted.  ?How dare you go off and have this kind of fun without me.  I?m your only, surviving-er, remaining concubine am I not?!?

?Indeed.  And Lady Hijiri, how could you jeopardize the temple?s standing like that?  While I can?t begrudge you your choice in partners, given the status between our two sects it is important for you to have someone trustworthy nearby.?

Miko felt her cheeks flushing again as she felt another wave of desires hit her.  Shou?s were new to her, but she knew Tojiko?s very well.  ?I believe we?re about to be punished for our errors, Byakuren.?

?Yes.  Yes, you are,? Tojiko said sweetly.

The magician woman shivered.  ?Oh.  My.?

?It?s for your own good,? Shou said as the two approached with gleaming eyes.  There was no escape.  Not that either of them wanted to, of course.

Still Miko couldn?t help feeling they had forgotten something in the moment.

---

?Why are you sealing off my shrine?? Reimu yelled.

Patchouli spared the angry miko a quick glance to make sure violence wasn?t going to erupt before turning back to her wards.  ?To save Gensoukyo from a disaster the likes that has never been seen before.?

Marisa frowned at that.  ?Is that the magician thing you told me about?  Because I kinda remember?.?

?HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE!?  Patchouli?s glare caused the black white witch to hop back in shock.  That matter covered she turned towards Koakuma.  ?Are the seals working properly??

Koakuma sighed.  ?Yes, sadly.  You should be able to reinforce them as well, though with mages of that caliber it?ll be at least a day before we can do a cleansing ritual.?

?I hope the participants don?t have to stay away for that,? Yukari said.  ?It would really cut into Ran?s sleep.?  The kitsune grumbled from where she was helping Koakuma fix up the barriers.

?Okay, big incident.  Sure.  Why don?t I just beat it up?? Reimu asked while swinging her gohei about.

Patchouli sighed.  ?This incident is mental in nature.  Violence would be of no use.?

?The bean sprout is correct,? Yukari said as Reimu?s expression soured.  ?I?m afraid we?ll have to solve this the long way.?

?What about the other people that were in the shrine?  Shou and that crazy ghost girl went in right before you started yelling about seals,? Nazrin asked sharply.  ?How do we get them out??

?It?s too late for them!  No escape~!? Koakuma replied with a dazzling smile.  ?We?ll just have to let them-koah!?  Patchouli whapped her familiar on the head with a book.

She turned to the mouse youkai.  ?They should survive.  Keine should be able to handle any other issues.?

The mouse youkai looked unconvinced.  ?How will that schoolteacher help??

?The less people know the better.?  Patchouli replied, giving Marisa a sharp glare to keep the other magician from opening her mouth again.  Marisa grimaced, but kept quiet for once.

?I?m still not sure how it happened.? Ran muttered as she finished up a rune.  ?Given the two people in question it seems highly improbable a resonance would occur.?

Patchouli shrugged.  ?Not my department I?m afraid.?  She turned her attention back to the runes around the shrine.  The crowds still lingered, but the way their conversation was going it seemed they would soon break up and get back to drinking.

Still it was a good question.  Patchouli pondered it a bit.

?Oi, Marisa.?  Her thoughts interrupted, Patchouli turned to see the kassha from the hot springs incident approaching the black white witch.  ?You seen Koishi anywhere??

-----

Kokoro fanned herself as she tiptoed towards the back exit of the shrine.  Using her emotion powers to stir up the passion in the room had been intended just as a bit of petty revenge.  But things had snowballed far beyond what she?d intended.  She?d expected a bit of blushing and maybe a few sparks.  Not? what was currently loudly occurring in the front of the shrine.

Still she?d only inflamed the passion.  They?d done the acting.  She might have stayed around to watch a little too long, but that was perfectly normal wasn?t it?  After all she was still getting used to these emotions.  Given what she?d seen it was natural to be hot and bothered.

Very hot and bothered.

Kokoro fanned herself again and quickened her pace.  She needed to get out before her influence was noticed.  She would escape, find somewhere nice quiet and secluded and?  and?.

?Wha?!?  Kokoro yelped as a green and yellow blur appeared out of nowhere and struck her.  She found herself looking up at the face of her eternally smiling nemesis as the young satori straddled her waist.

Koishi waved down at her.  ?Hi~.  You look really cute right now.?

Kokoro briefly wondered what she?d accidentally unleashed.  But those thoughts quickly faded as the two youkai kissed.

Alfred F. Jones

  • Estamos orgullosos del Batall?n Lincoln
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  • y de la lucha que hizo por Madrid
Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #121 on: August 23, 2013, 07:10:27 PM »
IT'S ALWAYS ROPE WITH YOU FOR THESE KINDS OF STORIES, ISN'T IT ICED

Approved, of course.

Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #122 on: October 29, 2013, 11:53:35 PM »
Miho absently swept the leaves from the shrine grounds, watching as the wind blew them back in.

Honestly there was no way she could clean the grounds in this weather.  There were going to be leaves, and no human could stop that.  But that was really the only task she could perform for the shrine.  The torii needed paint, and the bells should be polished, but tasks like those required money.  And money was one thing this distant shrine didn?t have.

Other things the shrine lacked were a priest, any worshippers, and an active deity.  All it really had to its name were the rolls of a small farming community that had dried up and moved to a slightly larger village years ago.  Miho had no idea why she bothered keeping the place running really.

Sighing, she returned to sweeping the leaves away.  No use reminiscing on matters; best just to do her duties.  Focusing on the leaves helped the day pass.

The piercing cry of a baby snapped her out of her reverie.  Travelers?  Or perhaps even supplicants?  Miho wanted to rush out to greet them, but that would ruin the shrine?s image.  Instead she moved her sweeping closer to the entrance, watching the top of the stairs for the visitors.  And her patience was soon rewarded.

A cloaked figure of a woman slowly ascended the stairs, the crying baby bundled in her arms.  The dust on the hem of her cloak told a story of many miles traveled on foot.  The sight of a poor woman carrying their child on the roads was hardly unprecedented, but the woman?s gold hair and eyes told a different story.  The woman was obviously a youkai.

Miho reached into her sleeves for ofuda, but there was honestly little she could do with her limited spiritual powers.  She decided to wait and see what the woman wanted.

The youkai bowed properly before stepping into the shrine grounds, then approached Miho slowly.  To her surprise the youkai woman bowed again, before holding the crying child out to her.  ?I?m sorry to disturb you, but I have a need of a priest.  This little one?s family perished in a plague.  They asked me to have her name recorded by a shrine for her.  Would you perform this one request for me??

Miho looked at the child.  The little figure seemed healthy, if unhappy, and there were no signs of inhuman lineage.  She hesitantly took a few steps closer and confirmed, the child seemed as human as any baby she?d seen.

Shrugging, she pointed towards the dusty offertory box.  ?Donate.?

?Huh??  The youkai woman looked shocked at her statement.  ?I?m sorry, what did you say??

?I said donate.?  Miho waved at the box again.  ?It?s only proper to give something to the shrine that records a child's name, right??

The youkai slowly smiled, then chuckled.  ?Yes that is true.  I apologize for my foolishness.?  The youkai woman walked over the the box and pressed her hands together as best she could with the child in her arms before tossing in a bill.

Miho nodded, then moved towards the shrine?s entrance.  As she reached the doors she paused.  ?What?s the kid's name??

The youkai opened her mouth to answer, blinked, then tilted her head in thought.  ?... Kuroko.  Her name is Kuroko.?

?Right.?  Miho walked back into the shrine.  It took her a little time to grind the ink, and a little longer to find the right scroll and write in the name, and then she finished off with a prayer for the souls of the other ujigami to watch over the child.  There was probably more ritual she was forgetting, but she could fix that later.  The important work was finished.

Exiting the shrine she was surprised to find the youkai was still there.  The blonde youkai had even managed to calm the child in her arms.  She'd expected the woman to run off with her donation box or something.  It was empty of course but youkai weren't likely to let something like that stop them from playing a prank.  "It's done," she told the woman.

The youkai smiled.  "Thank you."

Miho hesitated for a moment, then stated, "You know, you can't raise that kid.  You're a youkai.  She's a human."

The youkai's smile turned predatory, but there was still a friendly gleam in her eyes.  "Oh?  And are you going to try to take her from me?"

"No.  That's not my place."  Not to mention she had no chance of succeeding at it, Miho mentally added.

The youkai chuckled again.  "You.  What's your name."

Miho hesitated.  Giving a youkai your full name could be dangerous, but not telling the woman would be impolite.  "Hakurei.  I'm from the Hakurei family."

"And I am Yakumo.  Yakumo Yukari."  The youkai stood a little taller as she proclaimed her name.  "Little Hakurei, I have visited over fifty shrines with this child, searching for someone who would perform the smallest of favors for a youkai.  All of them have either turned me away or attacked me with no care for the child's life.  You alone were willing to not only help a youkai, but speak up for the child without resorting to threats."

The youkai stepped forward and carefully held the baby out towards her.  "I don't know why you've abandoned the ideal of purity, but you have compassion.  Thus I will entrust this child to you."

It was a ridiculous offer.  Miho barely could support herself here at this shrine.  But she found herself accepting the tiny bundle anyway.  "Thank you, I guess?"

The youkai pulled a fan out of her sleeve and opened it to conceal her face.  "I think you'll be seeing me in the future, Miss Hakurei.  I look forward to interesting things from you and your descendants."  With that a strange opening appeared behind the youkai.  The woman bowed then fell backwards through the gap before it sealed up and disappeared.

Miho blinked at the display, then looked down at the sleeping girl in her arms.  It seemed she'd gained a new burden in addition to this dilapidated shrine.  Still she didn't feel any remorse.  "Well then Kuroko.  Let's see how much that youkai donated."

Hopefully the woman had been generous.  After all, they'd be needing a lot more in the way of supplies.

----

Finally I finish something.  I have to admit it wrote this just to write SOMETHING.  But I'm not dissatisfied with it, so here we are.

Alfred F. Jones

  • Estamos orgullosos del Batall?n Lincoln
  • *
  • y de la lucha que hizo por Madrid
Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #123 on: October 30, 2013, 04:05:52 AM »
You know, I've always liked how the characters in your writing so neatly walk the tense tightrope of youkai-human relations. That's something I've wanted to say for some time, but couldn't express very well, and I still feel like I'm leaving something out.

Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #124 on: December 25, 2013, 09:24:20 PM »
Rinnosuke looked all over the hot pink object.  He could tell with his eyes that it was used as an ornament in a religious ceremony, but he couldn't for the life of him figure out how.  For that matter he couldn't figure out how any religion could survive having this as an ornament.  Then again, perhaps that's why the objects were falling through the boundary.  Whatever fad had caused them to be created had passed, and now they were a relic of another time.

Sighing he accepted that the tacky tree shaped object would have to sully his store for a little while.  He'd collected about seven of them, and while they were terrible aesthetically, they were apparently made of some super metal "aluminum."  The kappa were willing to pay good money for any objects made of the rare metal.  If he left the thing up in his store someone would be sure to buy it soon.

A bell rung as the shops front door slid open.  "Welcome!" He called out automatically.  He worked his way to the counter, wondering what kind of customer had shown up.
His curiosity vaporized as a familiar serious looking blue haired bird youkai came into view.  "I'm not giving you that book," he said instinctively.

Tokiko's frown deepened.  "I'm not here to ask about that!" the young girl snapped.  "Though you should give it back anyway!"

Rinnosuke repeated the first magical spell old man Kirisame had taught him to ward off complaints.  "All sales are final."  He sat down on the stool behind the counter.  "So then what do you intend on buying?"

"I just need to look around a bit!"  Tokiko stomped her foot.  "This is a shop right!  Let me browse!"

"Hm..." Rinnosuke gave the young bird girl a long look.  He didn't really trust her around his wares, both because the girl was holding a grudge, and because her ability allowed her to make use of some of the items he had no intention of actually selling.  Tokiko returned his glare with equal fervor.

"Now now Rinnosuke.  You shouldn't be so harsh."

Rinnosuke's jaw fell open at the voice.  He jumped off his stool and stared at the doorway.  There a tall elegant woman with solid blue hair stood.  Her skin seemed to glow slightly, and her hair formed the image of wings behind her as she moved.

"Mother!" Tokiko and Rinnosuke exclaimed at once.

The two feuding youkai blinked then looked away from the radiant woman to face each other again.  "What?" Tokiko asked.  Rinnosuke just blinked repeatedly.  He knew the obvious answer but his mind refused to accept it.

"Oh dear."  The graceful woman's aura faded as she frowned in concentration.  "I did remember to tell you about your half sister right?"

"No you didn't mother," Rinnosuke replied with a sigh."

Tokiko shook her head.  "You didn't tell me I had a brother either."

"Whoops!"  The woman smiled weakly.  "I'm sorry.  It just slipped my mind."

Rinnosuke sighed, then turned and headed towards the back room.  "I'll get some tea."

When Rinnosuke returned with the kettle he found his mother sitting in front of the heater, Tokiko's head on her lap.  The young youkai girl was reading a book she'd grabbed from somewhere while his mother stroked her hair.  He walked over and put down a small table next to the two.  Tokiko sat up and set her book behind her as he poured the tea.  "So when did you remarry, mother?"

"Hm, I wouldn't call it remarrying."  She reached down and blew on the tea to cool it off before continuing.  "I just happened to find a nice gentleman a couple of years after your father passed away."  She sighed.  "It's too bad he was afraid of commitment.  He left a few years after Tokiko here was born."  She patted the bird girl on the head.  "Not that we couldn't handle things on our own of course dear?"

"Yep!"  Tokiko smiled up at his mother.  Rinnosuke couldn't help his eyebrow from twitching.  Seeing that girl, his half sister apparently, chatting so freely with his mother made his chest tighten up.

He tried to focus on his tea instead.  "So, is that why you haven't visited in the past thirty years mom??

"Thirty?"  His mother blinked.  "It hasn't been thirty years has it?"

"I'm forty mom," Tokiko said.  "And you haven't visited my since I left ten years ago."

"You're forty, Tokiko?"  The silver haired woman looked at her fingers as she started counting out years.  Rinnousuke found himself sighing in unison with Tokiko.  Tsubame Morichika was a youkai, and thus was never truly welcome in the village, but she'd managed to convince the villagers she was mostly safe enough to be around.  And she'd done that by having the memory of a fish.

Seeing Tsubame was still working out the math he instead turned to Tokiko.  "You're only forty?  You seemed older then that."

"I'm part beast youkai.  We mature faster," Tokiko replied. 

Rinnosuke smirked.  "I thought you were around eighty.  After all you act a lot like a human I know did back when they were sixteen."

"Hey!"  He forced himself not to chuckle as Tokiko's cheeks puffed in anger.

"Don't taunt your sister Rinnosuke," Tsubame scolded.  Rinnosuke frowned as his mother patted Tokiko's head again.  "In any case I am sorry I haven't been around as much as I could have.  You know how things slip my mind dear."

Rinnosuke shrugged.  It was something he'd gotten used to.  His mom was a youkai, and while he knew she loved him, she was her own being.  "It's alright.  After all I am an adult now.  Still, I'm curious why you stopped by right now."

His mother smiled.  "Why, because now was the right time to stop by.  At least that's what my intuition told me."

"That's odd."  Rinnosuke mused.  His mother's ability was to instinctively know proper etiquette and style.  "I don't know of any holidays other then New Years, and that's still a while away."

"Maybe it's because you put up a Christmas tree," Tokiko said before flipping a page.

Rinnosuke looked over to the aluminum oddity in the corner.  "That's a Christmas tree?"

"Hm..."  Tsubame looked at the silver tree.  "I think she might be right."  She frowned.  "Though it's terribly out of fashion and tacky.  What were you thinking putting it out Rinnosuke?"

"I was going to sell it to the kappa," he replied dryly.  "And how did you know what it was?  They've just started falling into Gensoukyo."

"It was in the Charlie Brown Christmas book," Tokiko replied.  "Though the drawing was a little different."

His mother looked surprised.  "My my.  You're getting into all sorts of strange books these days Tokiko dear.  Why the interest in that Christmas holiday?  It's something from that western religion after all."

Tokiko shrugged and frowned.  "I don't care.  It's the day I met my best friend, so it means something special to me."

?Ah?  A thought struck Rinnosuke.  ?That satori girl you bought the book for last year??

?Yeah, Koishi.?  Tokiko pouted.  ?She said her big sister wanted to have a family event this year, so we're meeting up tomorrow.?  The little bird youkai's face brightened.  ?Though she said she'd introduce me to a new friend!  Or enemy.  She was kinda unclear on that.?

Tsubame smiled.  ?Hm...  Well then, I have an idea!  Let's have a family meet-up of our own for Christmas Eve then.  You don't mind do you Rinnousuke??

Rinnosuke blinked.  ?Um...  Well, I don't mind but...?  He looked around the crowded store.  ?I can't really make a festive atmosphere on demand.?

?Don't worry about that Rinnosuke.  All you need to do is show me where the kitchen is.?  His mother stood up.  ?Why don't you two catch up while I go make something to eat??

?Is that really alright?? he asked, but it was too late.  His mother was already heading to the back.  He sighed and turned his attention to Tokiko.  He could at least trust his mother not to take anything too irreplaceable.

He hesitated a moment.  The idea that he had a half sister still seemed odd.  That the girl in front of him was his sister was even more strange to his mind.  But still...  ?Hey.?

?What??  The bird youkai looked up at him suspiciously.

?How... how has mom been doing?? he asked quietly.

Tokiko blinked, her hostility vanishing.  ?Ah!?  The girl thought over it for a minute, then shrugged.  ?She seemed happy.  At least she was until we moved apart.  She was a little annoyed when dad left, but she said she knew hawk guys were flighty.?

Rinnosuke winced.  ?Did you ever figure out if she does those puns on purpose??

?I have no idea,? Tokiko said shaking her head.  The two sighed in mirrored suffering, then smiled.

?There we are!?  Rinnosuke looked up to see his mother walking in with a large bowl of soup and a kettle.  ?Rinnosuke dear could you grab some bowls and cups??

?Sure.?  He went and grabbed the guest utensils that he used whenever Reimu and Marisa barged their way in.  When he got back he saw his mother had placed the small table nearer the aluminum tree.

He sat down and set out the places for everyone.  ?Why here??

His mother smiled.  ?Well this is a holiday dinner.  Even if the tree is tacky.?

Rinnosuke looked at Tokiko, who shrugged.  Resigning himself to his mom's eccentricities, he set the places, then dished out the meal.  ?What is it mom??

?Spiced cider and fish stew.?  Tsubame waved a finger at him.  ?Your trout was spoiling you know.  You can't heat your house like this and expect fish to keep like it normally would in the winter.?

?Sorry mother.?  He glared at Tokiko's smirk, then took a bite of the stew.  ?It's good.?

Tokiko nodded.  ?It's been a while since you've cooked for us, mom.?

?It has hasn't it.?  His mother smiled at them.  ?Well then, why don't you two tell me about your respective businesses while we eat??

The three chatted about their various jobs and hobbies.  Rinnosuke blew of some steam complaining about the poor quality of his customers.  Tokiko's reading list was impressive even to him.  And listening to the odd situations his mother managed to get into was interesting as well.

Finally the meal drew to a close.  "I'll take the plates," Rinnosuke said.

"Ah, I can handle it," his mother said.

"No no.  You and Tokiko can just relax.  I'll get some more water too."  He waved his mother back to her seat, then took the dishes to the back.  His mother was an excellent cook so none of the stew had burnt to the pot making cleaning quick and easy.  He was back with another pot of water in only a few minutes. 

After his mother poured the tea he settled down with one of the newer clocks  he'd found from the outside world.  He'd found that dismantling the complex device and looking at each of the pieces gave him a much better understanding of the item as a whole.

Tokiko had acquired a stack of books and was reading through them one by one.  His half sister's talent was impressive on it's own, but her reading speed was also incredible.  He idly wondered if the girl naturally understood the concepts she read.

His mother on the other hand just pulled out a bit of sewing and started working on it while humming.  She rarely used the items she made.  She just liked needlepoint.

The three of them each doing their own thing didn't seem like an celebration of any sort, much less a holiday.  But Rinnosuke couldn't help feeling an odd sense of nostalgia.  How many evenings had he spent looking over ledgers or items while his mother hummed that same tune?

He looked down at the little youkai girl that had been added to the picture.  Seeing her here, just as comfortable as he was with their mother's song, made it actually feel like she was his sister.

"Oh my."  The two siblings looked up at their mother's exclamation.  "It's snowing."

Rinnosuke moved over to look out the window.  Sure enough a light snow was falling down outside, the flakes glistening from the light of his store.  With the tree next to it, Rinnosuke couldn't help but imagine it as a fantasy tableau.

"It's pretty," Tokiko said quietly.

"It is," he replied.

The three of them sat and took in the sight for a while, ignoring the practical in favor of enjoying the moment.

After a bit his mother said, "Though your tree really is tacky."

"It sucks," Tokiko added.

"Stop complaining.  It was free," Rinnosuke replied.

The two women sighed, but he crossed his arms and ignored them.  The 3rd magic spell of the Kirisame family could not be defeated by mere aesthetics.

As his family muttered to each other about his lack of artistic sense, Rinnosuke noticed the snow starting to get heavier.  He wished he could check the weather with some of the magic devices of the outside world, but lacking those he had to assume the storm would only get stronger.  "It looks like it's going to be bad tonight, so why don't you two stay here instead of going home in a blizzard?"

"Ah!"  His mother looked outside in surprise, then awkwardly brushed at her hair.  "My my.  I didn't expect that.  Thank you Rinnosuke.  You're a good son to think of your mother's comfort."

Tokiko looked a bit confused but nodded.  "If that's alright then... sure."

"Just don't make a habit of it," he muttered to the youkai.

"Well then.  Let's all get set up for tonight.  Where are the futons Rinnosuke?" his mother asked.

"Just up here.  Let me set the space heater then we can shuffle things around."

The three moved furniture around in the upper room until there was enough space for three futons, then he showed his guests where the spare yukata were.  Soon enough Tokiko was tripping over her oversized clothes while his mom was making sure the sheets were perfectly arranged.  Rinnosuke shook his head at the sight, then moved down to the store to lock everything up for the night.

The room was already starting to warm up from both the heater and the occupants as he walked back up.  Tokiko was asleep on one of the futon and his mom gave him a hushing gesture and a smile as he walked in.  That was fine with him though.  He was ready for sleep himself.

As the snow fell outside he curled up in his bed and closed his eyes for the night.

----
The morning sun shone off the fallen snow, making the day brighter then it really had any right to be.  Rinnosuke had opened his store early, even though he wasn't likely to get any more customers.

"Good morning, Rinnosuke dear."

He turned to see his mother and sister coming down the back stairs, both back in their traveling attire.  He wasn't surprised.  They were all at least part youkai, and most youkai liked to move about.  "Do either of you want breakfast?"

"Koishi was going to buy breakfast for us," Tokiko said.

"And I shouldn't take any more of my son's food stores," his mother replied.  "No, I think I should be off.  Thank you for everything dear."

Rinnosuke nodded.  "It was good to see you again mother."

Tokiko hugged their mom.  "Goodbye!"

Their mother patted Tokiko on the head before waving goodbye.  "Take care dears.  I promise to try to visit more.  And try not to fight too much while I'm out."

"Bye bye!"  Tokiko called out as the two waved.  Rinnosuke felt a twinge as his mother stepped out of the shop then took to the air.  His family was strange, but still better then most.

As his mom left he looked down at his newly discovered half sister.  Rinnosuke hesitated then handed over a book.  "The Illiad, in Greek.  Merry Christmas."

Tokiko looked up at him in astonishment, then slowly took the book.  The youkai girl flipped open the front cover and eagerly scanned the front page before looking up at him with sparkling eyes.  "Thanks!"

She flipped through the book a bit humming hapily before blinking.  "Ah!"  She looked up at him again.  "I still need to get a present for Koishi too."

He pointed her towards the book section.  "I can also sell you wrapping paper and bows as well for five more coins."

Tokiko glared at him "But-"

He summoned the fifth Kirisame magic.  "This is a business not a charity."  He adjusted his glasses.  "Besides you owe me a present.  A sale today will do nicely."

"Cheapskate."  The little bird youkai stalked towards the books while he smiled.  After all, holiday or no, it was important for the older siblings to torment their younger ones a bit.  Right?

He turned and went back to his work with a lighter heart.

Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #125 on: January 28, 2014, 10:09:56 PM »
~WalpurgisNacht~

Alice smiled at the results of her work.  It had taken several weeks, three different pacts with demons, five duels, and a dash of outright divine intervention, but she’d succeeded in her quest.  And the results were more impressive then she’d dared to imagine.

Before her stood the other four most powerful magicians in Gensoukyo, all dressed in the finest formal attire.  Admittedly Byakuren’s evening dress was similar to her usual clothing, and Ellen’s dress screamed generic Disney princess, but Marisa’s strapless black cocktail dress and Patchouli’s purple ball gown both fit them quite well.  Alice was a little biased of course, since she’d created both of the dresses, as well as the simpler blue dress she had picked out for herself.  Sadly the people in question didn’t seem to appreciate the effort that had gone into her work.

“This is all your fault Patchouli,” Marisa muttered as she smoothed out her dress.

“I simply said we should go to Walpurgisnacht,” Patchouli muttered taking another dark look at her ball gown.  “I said nothing about formal attire.”

Byakuren shifted awkwardly as the other magicians complained.  “I’m still not sure why you needed me to come.  I know I visited once, but I stopped being a magician in favor of the path of a monk.”

“What’s the matter?  Don’t you like balls?”  Ellen chirped.  “I mean, they’re so exciting and romantic.  Maybe we could even meet a prince!”

Alice considered briefly correcting Ellen, but kept her thoughts to herself.  The cheery magician was the only one of the crew that actually wanted to be here AND was willing to dress up for the event.  Instead she turned to speak to the more reluctant members of the expedition.  “Marisa’s cluelessness I can understand, but you of all people should know better Patchouli.  This is a bicentennial Walpurgisnacht.  Our appearances will be judged, no matter how unreasonable it is.  And since none of us are the type to flaunt our power in ostentatious displays of wasted magic, we have to do things the old fashioned way.”  Four pairs of eyes focused on Shanghai, but Alice ignored the implied comments and continued.  “In addition given we’re the largest group of mages from Gensoukyo arriving, our appearance will reflect on our homeland as well.”

“I was witchy enough before you stole my hat,” Marisa muttered.  “And I don’t see why I should care if the people here think badly of the Scarlet Devil Mansion or whatever they’re going to associate us with.”

Alice sniffed in annoyance.  “If you want to annoy Remilia that’s your problem.  But don’t forget you’re also in a coven with me.  Which means your slovenly dress will reflect poorly not just on Gensoukyo, but on Makai and mother as well.  And given there will be a lot of Makai magicians there....”

Patchouli and Marisa frowned, but didn’t contest the issue.  Byakuren however stepped forward.  “While I admit that your reasoning is sound, I’m still not sure why I need to be here.  This is going to be a party with drinking, politicking and flirting with demons.  Three things I’m specifically not supposed to be doing.”

Ellen frowned at that.  “Demons?  Are any of the demons princes?  Maybe enchanted ones?”

“You’re here because...”  Alice paused.  She had no idea why Patchouli had been insistent on inviting Byakuren.  “...we need someone to keep Marisa from looting the place clean?”

“Good luck with that!” Marisa snapped.  “After all this nonsense, I’m not leaving without stealing a full dinner set.”

Patchouli coughed, then took over.  “My apologies.  We need you here for two reasons Miss Hijiri.  One, to settle any fights that might arise nonviolently.  You have a small amount of fame, even if most of it has been lost to time, so you’ll be able to convince older and more arrogant magicians that ‘youngsters’ such us are not to be trifled with.  Second, and most importantly however, as someone who has attended a Walpugisnacht before you can vouch for someone as a witch without being in a coven with them.  I can only vouch for Yuki or Mai.  I need you to get the other one in without the stupid magic trial nonsense.”

“Ah.  Well that’s fair enough.”  Byakuren sighed and relaxed a bit.  “You’ll understand I’ll probably leave early however.  This really isn’t my place anymore.”

Patchouli nodded.  “Fair enough.”

Alice frowned.  “Technically the cost of you losing the duel was to stay the whole evening.”  Alice sighed.  “But if you really want to leave in the middle I would not be so uncouth as to stop you.”

“Ah!  And how are you going to convince me to come along?” Ellen asked.

“Didn’t you come to us asking for a ride?” Alice asked.

“Yeah, but Socrates and I were feeling left out of the whole complaining thing,” Ellen responded.  “I mean, I suppose I could complain about there being demons instead of princes, but I’m pretty sure I was supposed to remember that on my own.”

Alice wasn’t sure how to respond to that so instead she turned to Patchouli.  “So where are Mai and Yuki anyway?  And why did Koakuma need to go with them?”

“They’re getting our escorts together,” Patchouli replied.

“Escorts?” Alice felt her eyes narrow.  Marisa and Byakuren looked equally offput by the idea.

“This is a witches’ ball, yes?”  Patchouli waved her hand.  “We’re supposed to go there, exchange spells, start petty feuds, get drunk, and most importantly connect with demons.  Back when devils were less concentrated and more dangerous to summon, Walpurgisnacht was the night when a witch got to meet and greet those demons who were actually interested in working with a mage.  In fact that’s still one of its primary purposes, since a large number of magicians hide away in ‘magician only’ realms.  The only difference is the demons and witches tend to be more interested in companionship then the old world shattering relationships.”  Patchouli sighed.  “Thus why I asked for escorts for everyone.  So we wouldn’t get pestered by an endless parade of lonely incubi.”

“Ya know, I don’t really consider being attached to a succubus for the night to be that much better.  Especially since I’m sure you’re claiming Koa as your escort,” Marisa pointed out dryly.

Byakuren crossed her arms.  “I must agree.  I have my position within the temple to consider.  Especially with those Taoists complicating matters.  I can’t allow myself such impropriety, even if I was interested.”

Patchouli coughed a few times before replying.  “That’s why I had Koakuma go.  So they’d pick devils that wouldn’t actually try to seduce you.  Elle, my other familiar, will be serving as your escort Byakuren, so you don’t need to worry at all.  She’ll walk with you to show you aren’t interested in hookups then wander off to let you enjoy the party in peace.  And I know I can trust Koakuma to find proper matches for everyone else.  Though I’m afraid I didn’t tell her to find someone for you Ellen, given I didn’t know you’d be joining us.”

“That’s okay, I have Socrates!” Ellen said, holding her cat high.  The black feline gave a long suffering meow.  Alice had to admit, against that kind of defense even the most persistent demons would probably back off.  Ellen wasn’t axe crazy, but the demons here wouldn’t know that.

Still, Alice considered hiding behind a ‘beard’ to be insulting to her position.  “And I have my Grimoire.  You can have my ‘date’ if you wish Ellen.  I will be attending solo.”  She brushed her hair back over her ears as she turned her gaze on Patchouli and Marisa.

Patchouli frowned, but Marisa just snorted.  “Sure thing.  Just don’t complain when a fight starts because of it.  Patchy might not want to start a scene, but I totally want to fry someone.”

“Now now Marisa, it’s bad karma to incite violence purely because you don’t like the dress you’ve been given,” Byakuren scolded.

“Told you it would end up like this Mai.”

Alice turned to see Yuki and Mai stepping out of a dimensional rift, followed by Koakuma and four other devils.  The two Makai magicians had decided on matching sleeveless dresses along with gloves, though Yuki’s hat and Mai’s wings broke their symmetry.  Still Alice thought that suited them better.  Koakuma and her siblings simply wore suits, though the cuts were slightly different for each, and one of the devils had added a short sword to their attire.

Yuki smoothed back her hair while Mai smirked.  “So since Alice doesn’t want an escort we’re all here.”  The fire mage turned to Ellen.  “I don’t think we’ve met.  I’m Yuki.”

Alice politely joined in as introductions were passed around.  Ellen greeted everyone with her usual cheer, while Koakuma seemed almost as bored as Patchouli.  The other demons, Elle, Ruby, Shotglass and Elspeth, seemed more enthusiastic about the matter.

When introductions were over Alice turned towards the path leading up the mountain.  “Well then, shall we enter before the line gets too long?”

Patchouli nodded.  “Indeed.  Even if we get to use the returning members entrance it would be best to start now.  After all we have to walk.”

Alice began her ascent.  Soon she’d figure out why Patchouli’d been so insistent about going here.

---

Marisa had been annoyed at this nonsense ever since Patchouli had suggested it.  True the idea of dropping in and showing off to the greatest witches had flitted through her mind a couple of times, but the fact that most of the people attending would be older than Patchouli made that fantasy unlikely.  She’d also tossed around the idea of stealing some nice magical artifacts, but given more traditional witches usually had great skill with curses, she’d tossed out that idea as well.  That left her with stealing spells, in exchange for sitting through some formal event where she didn’t know the rules, with a date she’d never met before, while Patchouli got to flirt with Koa and Alice politicked.  Not her idea of a fun time.

However as their group ascended the mountain she couldn’t help feeling a certain electricity in the air.  There was magic here, and lots of it.  The crackling energy of thousands of spells designed to create the ball and hide it from the outside world.  The inaudible hum of thousands of witches all in one place, each one resonating with personal power on their own unique wavelength.  And below that mad chorus the deep beat of the power of this location, a power that had been here before the first witch and might linger after the last.  The magic of winter changing into spring.

The gate that appeared before them as they passed over the final rise was just as impressive.  It was a set of doubled swinging gates, made with rods of ebony and silver.  At least that’s what Marisa guessed.  The party could be seen beyond, but only hazy flashing glimpses of it.  Before the gates three somber hooded figures stood, a massive guestbook on a table next to each.  A crowd of younger witches queued around the two on either side.  Most were dressed up, though some were in normal clothes.  As their group passed the queues several of the magicians turned to look at the crowd.  Marisa waved and smiled, but it was obvious there was a lot more attention on Alice, Yuki and Mai.  At a guess those were Makai magicians then.

When they reached the middle figure it held out a pen.  “Patchouli Knowledge, Byakuren Hijiri, and Ellen Fuwafuwaatama Aureus.  You are Welcomed.  Do you wish to sponsor a witch?”

Patchouli nodded.  “I bring those bonded to me by the contract of a coven, and one guest.  Mai.”

The figure shook its head.  “I’m sorry, however the rules have changed since last you joined us.  The heads have decreed that one may only bring in new coven members or guests.  Not both.”

Marisa took an involuntary step back as Patchouli’s expression twisted into the snarl she wore right before committing great bodily harm upon someone.  “Damned arrogant, incompetent, lazy do nothings.  What purpose does forcing more people to jump through hoops serve?”

“Oooh!  I can help!”  Ellen waved her arm happily.  “I’ll sponsor.  Me and Socrates think Mai’s a good enough magician.”

“Do you wish to give reasoning for this sponsorship?” The figure asked.

Ellen nodded.  “Her wings are fluffy!  That’s an important witch feature!”

Marisa chuckled as the robed figure seemed to pause.  Trust Ellen to confuse a highly sophisticated magical construct.  Mai on the other hand seemed to take it in stride, flapping her wings once or twice for effect.

“So noted,” the figure finally said.  “Do you have a sponsorship, Byakuren Hijiri?”

“Yes,”  Byakuren smiled.  “I will be sponsoring Yuki here for her work with other youkai.”

“I suppose that works,” Yuki muttered.

The figure held out the pen again.  “You are all Welcomed.  Sign your names, so that you may be remembered, then enter.”

Marisa tried to remain nonchalant as she followed Patchy and Alice up to the giant tome.  Still she couldn’t help but linger over the book as she prepared to sign her own name in.  This tome contained the names of the greatest witches to ever live.  It had the names of thousands of lesser witches who all pulled on history one way or another.  It was a relic surpassing the Gensoukyo Chronicles.

She really really wanted to steal it.

In the end she settled for simply signing her name, and as an afterthought putting Mima down as her master.  She was certain the green haired spirit hadn’t lived long enough to visit, so she figured a mention of her first magic tutor was something the crazy ghost would like.  She then stepped aside so the rest of the group could sign in.  Marisa noticed the others seemed to have similar reverence for the artifact.  Except Ellen of course.

When Byakuren finally put her name into the tome and stepped forward the gates swung open revealing a bright light.  “Proceed,” the hooded figure stated. 

The light intensified as Marisa stepped through.  Normally she’d dismiss it as pretentiousness but she had to admit that she was excited about the party part.

As the light faded however her excitement drained away.   While the open air clearing was impressive, the party itself just looked like one of Remilia’s larger affairs.  Perhaps even less interesting.  While devils replaced the fairy maids, there were no interesting youkai standing around, just other magicians.  And unlike the magicians Marisa was used to, the average physical age around here seemed to be sixty.  And that was with the makai crew skewing it hard.  She could kinda understand not changing your appearance with magic, but when age was starting to affect your ability to move it seemed foolish to not deal with that.

She turned to the rest of the group.  “So what’s there for entertainment?”

“The ball itself will be in a couple of hours, if you care to dance.”  Patchouli replied.  “Until then the tradition is to sample the buffet and insult your peers.  I trust everyone here is good at that?”  Marisa and Mai chuckled, while Alice tried to look innocent. 

“That doesn’t sound quite right,” Ellen said.

Byakuren patted the other magician on the back.  “I believe her views are mildly skewed.  I’m sure we can have fun without such crudeness.”

“To each their own.  Still it’s considered proper form to wander separately for a while at the start.  Otherwise the covens would just stand around and give each other dark looks all night.  Shall we meet up when the dance starts?” Patchouli asked.

“Sounds good to me.”  Marisa waved to the others and started heading towards the food tables.  She could get a good idea on what was what from there.

As she walked across the field she decided now was a good time to get to know the devil that had been quietly shadowing her for some time.  “So Ruby, huh?  What’s your job?  And how’d you get picked for this shindig?”

“I’m the adventuring succubus.  I do random jobs for my mistresses and generally look for interesting things.”  The red headed devil smiled at her.  “As for how I got picked, I volunteered.  Koakuma’s told us devils a lot about you after all.  It’s always nice to get to chat with someone who understands how useful fire is for settling diplomatic disputes.”

Marisa raised an eyebrow.  “Surprised she told you about those, since she was usually the person being set on fire.  Then again I suppose she doesn’t take it too personally either.”  Marisa shrugged.  “I imagine you get into those situations more often than me.  Incidents are more about trash talk then real diplomacy.”

“Hm...  It would be interesting to see one of those incidents.  They sound like a lot of fun.”  Ruby patted her sword.  “I love my work as an adventurer, but it would be nice to have a few contests that are both unscripted and friendly.”

“I dunno.  I’d kinda like to get out more.  Gensoukyo’s full of cool things, but the occasional adventure outside would be nice.”  Marisa looked around at the ball surrounding her and frowned.  “So long as they were actual adventures.”

As they reached the table the group of witches already there looked Marisa up and down and rather dismissively turned away.  Marisa considered picking a fight right then and there, but she reconsidered when her stomach reminded her that she hadn’t eaten recently.  Instead she started looking over the platters on the table for anything good.  Unfortunately it seemed proper Japanese cuisine was in short supply.  She picked over the foods she knew from Remilia’s parties, while turning to Ruby.  “Any suggestions food wise?”

“Grab an eclair fast,” the devil said as she swiped one for herself.  “Can’t say much for the rest.  Maybe get some the artichokes?  Looks pretty bland right now.  Probably because these are just the appetizers.”

“Maybe you’d find something more to your liking at the kids table,” one of the women muttered just loud enough so she could be overheard.  The group snickered as Marisa turned towards them.  Her hand twitched towards where her explosive potions were stored, but a certain innate perversity held her back.  Instead she looked around.  Sure enough in the far corner there were six or seven kids standing around a table.  Marisa had assumed they were just witches who wanted to look young, but given true magicians were born as youkai she should have guessed there would be some actual children around.

A smirk grew across her face.  “Thanks!  I was hoping there were gonna be some interesting people to chat with other than Ruby.  Later.”  She tossed the surprised looking women a wave that even Satori would have a hard time doubting the sincerity of and started walking towards the distant table.  Ruby hurried along after her with a confused look.

“Are we really going to the kids table?” The devil asked.

“Yep!  What’s wrong?  I thought devils liked corrupting impressionable youth,” Marisa replied.

“My preferred corruptions are not recommended for summoners below seventeen years of age.”  Ruby grimaced.  “I’m not good with kids!  I rescue them, dump them somewhere kinda safe then go on to shoot the people who kidnapped them in the face.  This isn’t my specialty!”

Marisa laughed.  It seemed she’d already managed to confound the mighty adventurer.  It was nice being the one in charge of the conversation for once.  “Just follow my lead.  If you blank tell them a story.  Age appropriate.”

Ruby’s sputtered protests fell silent as they reached the small table.  There were eight girls there, ranging from seven to fourteen from Marisa’s guess.  The younger kids looked bored, while the young teenagers looked bored and sullen.  One of the older kids gave her a dark look as she wandered over.  “I don’t know who you are, but none of us are dumb enough to agree to be some random witch's apprentice, even if those contracts were binding tonight.”

Marisa tipped her hat to the girl.  “Heh, you’re a sharp tongued kid aren’t you?  I’m Marisa Kirisame, Ordinary Magician.  And I don’t take apprentices that aren’t motivated enough to run away from home and ask me for power.”  Marisa winked.  “But I ain’t here for that kinda nonsense.  I’m here to steal your spells.  After all you girls have to have thought up something interesting, unlike those old fuddie duddies wandering around pretending they’re cool.”

The girl that had challenged her just stood there in slack jawed disbelief at her insane pronouncement, but one of the younger girls clutched a book close.  “You aren’t going to steal my spell old lady!”

Marisa held herself back from commenting on the ‘old lady’ line, even though Ruby was snickering behind her.  Instead she waited for more pieces to fall into play.  Sure enough a slightly older girl wheeled on the child.  “What?  You don’t have a unique spell Kseniya!  Mom hasn’t let you even see the mid level grimoires yet.  Don’t lie to strangers like that.”

Kseniya whirled on her sister, Marisa’s ultimatum forgotten.  “I do too have a spell, Lyudmila!  Watch!”  The young girl whipped out a wand and waved it at a blueberry tart sitting on the table.  “Клубника магию вспышка!”  There was a stream of pink sparkles, a puff of smoke, and then the pastry reappeared as a strawberry tart.  “See!  My spell can turn any berry into strawberries!”

“Oooh.  Not bad not bad.”  Marisa gave light applause at the transformation.  Kseniya grinned widely and bowed while Lyudmila poked at the crimson sweet.  “So how strong is the transformation?  Does it change the magical powers of the fruit?”

Kseniya’s smile faded at that.  “No.  The magic stays the same.  I tried really hard, but it only makes them taste and look like strawberries.  I got a stomach ache using that on gooseberries.”

“Of course.  There’s no way you could alter something’s real nature like that.”  Lyudmila muttered.  “That takes alchemy.”

The teenage girl recovered enough to sniff in disdain at that.  “Hardly.  You can do real transmutation with pure magic.  Especially if you’re just working with berries.  It’s not like you’re transforming elements.  I can change the type of wood in the fireplace for my own rituals.  It’s not hard.”

Marisa chuckled.  “You can do that, but it’s always better to get the real thing.  Mixing magic is dangerous, if fun.”  She walked forward and patted the girl on the head.  “And you shouldn’t look so down about the spell working the way it does.  I’d say it’s almost better that way.  I bet you could do all kinds of clever things with that.”

“Really?” the girl asked.  She looked up at Marisa with sparkles in her eyes.  “Like what?”

“I’d love to hear how strawberries that aren’t strawberries are going to help you out,” the teenager sneered.

Lyudmila crossed her arms.  “I’m with Helena.  That seems kind of weak.”

“Oh?  Come on now kids,” Marisa carefully adjusted her hat to give the proper arrogant pose.  “Haven’t you read any stories where someone was vulnerable to a certain substance?  Imagine if you could get a monster to eat a mistletoe tart thinking it was strawberry.”  Marisa’s grin widened as she saw comprehension dawn over the faces of the young witches.  “I’m sure Ruby would have liked a spell like that at some point, right?”

Marisa turned to the devil who blanched as the rest of the kids followed Marisa’s gaze.  “Well, ah, I suppose...”  The succubus thought for a moment.  “Oh right!  There was this one lycanthrope hunt where that could have been really useful.  You see....”

The kids moved closer as Ruby started telling the story, while Marisa stepped back and sent a wink back towards the table she’d vacated.  She wasn’t sure if they noticed, but it was important to gloat.  She wasn’t sure if it was better to reign in hell than serve in heaven, but she was sure it was more fun to reign over the playground than deal with sophomoric sniping from her ‘peers.’  Especially since she liked kids.

As she turned back to help Ruby’s story her eye caught an owl looking down at the group.  Normally the night creature wouldn’t have stood out, but there weren’t many trees for the bird to hide behind.  It seemed that some of the parents were smart enough to keep an eye on their kids.  Marisa gave the spy a polite nod, then moved into the group to take control of the conversation again.  “And let me show you girls another spell that’s more useful than you might think....”

-----

Yuki plowed through the party, ignoring both the questioning looks and the dismissive ones.  She had a mission to accomplish and she wasn’t going to let anyone stop her.  Mai had come because she’d wanted to try to pry secrets out of people and chat with Alice.  Yuki had come because there was something here she couldn’t get anywhere else.

Her hopes rose as she approached the first table, bottles glistening in the light of the moon.  She forced herself to take small steps, not wanting to trip in her dress.  Then as the labels on the bottles became visible she stopped and swore.  This table’s promise had been a dark illusion.

A small imp servant blanched at Yuki’s anger.  “We are very sorry miss.  Are these wines not to your likings?”

Yuki whirled on the creature.  “Of course not.  I’m looking for alcohol, not grape flavored kids drinks.  Point me towards the real liquor.”

“Ah...”  The imp stared at Yuki for a moment then pointed at another table further down.  “We think that may be what you desire?”

“I hope so.  I didn’t cross dimensions for sour water.”  Yuki turned and stalked towards the indicated table.  Hopefully this one wouldn’t disappoint.

As she walked the demon girl she’d brought to the party hurried up to stand beside her.  “Uh, isn’t it a little early to get into the hard liquors, boss?”

Yuki gave the succubus a sidelong glance.  “The hard liquors are the entire point of coming here, Shotglass.  You didn’t think I asked you along just because you look good in a suit, did you?”

“Well I was kinda hoping....” Shotglass sighed.  “So why do you think the liquors here are going to be better than what we get in Makai?  I mean you’re a baroness now.  We don’t exactly lack for supply.”

“We have supplies from everywhere in Makai,” Yuki replied.  “But Faerie, the wizard realms, or the new world?”  Yuki gave the bartending demon a pointed glance.  “There’s a lot of alcohol in the world, and we’ve only scratched the surface.”

Shotglass nodded in agreement.  “True, mistress.”  The devil sniffed the air then slowly smiled.  “And I think that your plan has come to fruition.  Unless Dragons Breath is a common spirit in the outside world.”

“Dragons Breath?!”  Yuki’s heart flipped in her chest, and she half leaped, half flew to the table.  There in the middle of the table sat the rumored drink, surrounded by yellow caution tape like sacred ropes surrounded a holy relic.  The glorious sight was only magnified by the many other bottles surrounding it, secondary shrines to the splendor that was the main temple.  She could almost hear a choir of oni in the background as she surveyed the wonders before her.

Eventually though she snapped back to reality.  There was drinking to be done.  She turned towards her demonic servant.  “We start with the Dragons Breath.  I don’t want my senses dulled for this.”

“Good idea.”  Shotglass grabbed two mugs and flipped the flagon into her off hand.  With a carefully practiced motion she filled both glasses, then cautiously handed one to Yuki.  Yuki raised her drink to the succubus, then carefully began drinking the potent mixture.

The first gulp was painfully hot.  Dragons Breath was actually made from the breath of dragons, and the mystical flames suffused the brew.  If Yuki hadn’t been incredibly resistant to fire she’d have died right there.  As it was it felt like she was drinking tea right off the stove.  She forced herself to ignore the pain and continue on.

Two gulps later her mouth had adjusted to the magical flames and she was able to taste the liquid itself.  Her first impression was a metallic tang, copper, or perhaps gold, surrounded by the spicy sweet taste that good hot ciders had.  She closed her eyes as the flavors started to build so that she could better recognize them.

Soon the full body of the liquor revealed itself to her.  Beyond the heat, beyond the tang of metal and the sweetness of the brew itself was a sort of hum.  It was the magic itself in the drought, a pulsing flow that suffused her whole being.  And the sweetness and spiciness pulsed with it, rising and falling according to the whims of the drink, not her drinking speed.

Finally the drought ended.  Yuki opened her eyes and took a deep breath before huffing out a small cloud of flame.  The aftertaste was a little harsh she had to say.  Her tongue felt like she’d drunk the dragon’s horde instead of its breath.  But overall Yuki had to say it had lived up to the hype.

“Phew.”  Yuki looked up to see Shotglass smiling back at her.  “So.  What would you suggest next?”

“Obviously we need a palate cleanser.  I’m thinking something sweet.”  The bartending demon started grabbing bottles and various fruits from the table.  “Let me whip something up.  Alcohol light.”

“Don’t make it too light,” Yuki said as she summoned up a chair.  “I don’t want to be wasting time on fruit juice here.”

“Have I ever disappointed?”  Shotglass asked as she started to juggle the ingredients.

Yuki sat back and relaxed.  This was going to be a great outing.

---------

It tweaked her pride to admit it, but Byakuren was slowly starting to realize age was definitely in the mind.  While her body hadn’t changed in the centuries since her transformation her mind was, well not old per say, but more mature.  Her youkai friends had helped keep her youngish, and escaping to Gensoukyo had taken years off her age.  However her status as a religious leader and a teacher always made her feel like the adult in the room.

That was probably why she found herself wandering towards a group of the older looking ladies.  The ones that had decided if they were going to be immortal witches they might as well go the distance, age to ninety or so, and get a few warts to help drum up business.

She’d had another reason to speak with them though.  Which is why she’d left Ellen and her escort behind.

The group of elder witches turned to face her as they reached the crowd.  “Good evening,” Byakuren said simply with a polite bow.  “Do you mind if I join you?”

“Well now.  I don’t think anyone would mind such a polite lady joining their group at a party like this,” one of the elders said with a wheezing chuckle.  “I can’t recall seeing you before dearie.  Are you new to this little ball?”

“Ah, I visited once before, but I fear I’ve been... away for some time.”  Byakuren grimaced at the memory of her long imprisonment.  “I was never much of a real witch for that matter.  This is something of a western tradition.  The first time I was mostly visiting to learn about your customs.”

“Hm...?  An eastern witch you say?”  Another one of the women squinted at her.  “We have been getting a lot of you eastern witches drop by recently I suppose, but if you were far enough back one of us old gals might recognize you.  About when did you visit us?”

Byakuren thought for a bit.  “Hm...  What was it in western years?  I’d been a witch for a bit, so it was... a little after 1100 AD?  I think?”

Several eyes opened wide in respect at that.  Apparently even among these witches that was a long time.  However one of the ladies chuckled.  “My my.  That was a fair bit back.  Aye, I was one of those know it all witches that ran things back then.  Hm…”  The witch gave her another once over and nodded her head.  “Aye I remember a lady from the orient that looked like you dropping by around then, though you’ll forgive me if I forget your name.  After all, you never sent a yuletide card.”

“How thoughtless of me,” Byakuren replied with a smile.  “I hope I didn’t offend.  I am Byakuren Hijiri, youkai witch of Japan.  Though I’ve retired.”

“Retired?”  One of the other ladies chuckled at that.  “You can’t retire from meddling.  It’s in the blood.”

Byakuren shrugged.  Attempting to argue the point wouldn’t go well so she merely replied, “Well I did become a priest again, so it’s more meddling in a different way.”

The group laughed at that.  “It’s too bad we can’t mix our meddling here,” the eldest said.  “It would bring a fine bit of variety to life.”

Byakuren smiled, then coughed lightly.  She enjoyed the company but she had something she needed to accomplish before she could fully relax.  “If I might, I was wondering if you knew someone from that time?  Eirene Arbantene she called herself.  A witch of the Romaioi.”

“Ah.”  The elder witch’s smile faded.  “I’m sorry there child, but she fell afoul of the Church I fear.  She was never one of the quiet types after all.  And with all the religious wars...”

Byakuren stiffened at the news.  She gave the group a bow, “Thank you for your time.  I’m sorry to bother you over such trivial matters.”

The old witch nodded in return.  “It’s no big deal dearie.  Good to remember the old movers and shakers once in a while. 

A few more meaningless pleasantries were exchanged before Byakuren retreated to the edge of the barrier.  She shouldn’t have been surprised really.  Being a witch was always a dangerous proposition after all.  Byakuren had barely survived herself.  And as a proper Buddhist she shouldn’t be distraught by the cycle of death and rebirth.

But she found herself wiping her eyes anyway.  After all it had been one of the most important events in her life.

She’d had to run from her home country for a bit.  People were starting to suspect she was living too long to be human, so she took a vacation.

Still it was a good time.  She’d managed to travel all the way to India, meeting fantastic youkai along the way.  Then on to the fabled city of Baghdad, a place where magic was openly practiced in the streets, though always with a proper religious screen.

It was there when she met Eirene.  The western mage was of a similar age, and interested in the many stories that Byakuren had from her homeland.  In return the western witch had told her of the demons in her own lands, and invited Byakuren to visit the great witches’ conclave.

Byakuren had been well into her wine cups by the end of the ball, and she’d ended up blurting out the truth behind her work.

“It’s not that I really like youkai.  But our power is tied to theirs.  So I save them whenever I can.”

The other witch had looked surprised at that.  But then Eirene had smiled.  “Well, I imagine they don’t care, so long as they’re saved.”

It was something her brother might have said.


Byakuren sighed and shook off the lingering memories.  “It seems I have a ways to go as a monk.  I keep getting trapped in illusions.”

Still she found herself smiling at the memory.

She brushed her hair back and headed back towards the group of elder witches.  It would be impolite to simply sit in the corner all night.  And she was sure their conversation, if simple, would be interesting.

----

Alice slipped through the crowds effortlessly, her only pauses coming when she had to smile and reveal her grimoire to a devil who looked like they were going to proposition her.  It had been quite successful so far.  She’d managed to get to the refreshment table, grab a drink and some snacks, then escape to the outer circles of the party without any issue.  She had to admit this was kind of defeating the whole point of going to a ball, but that was just the kind of person she was.  She prefered to spend time with friends rather than mingle.

Fortunately Mai had shadowed her, along with the demon butler Mai had brought as her escort.  The quietly smiling magician was hardly the most gregarious of people, but the company was still appreciated.

As the trio stood together and sampled the refreshments Alice’s eyes scanned over the crowd.  It was strange.  The movement was instinctive enough to be automatic, but new enough for it to seem strange to her.  In Gensoukyo she’d been something of an afterthought to the big powers.  When she’d joined the coven with Patchouli and Marisa however things had changed suddenly.  Pretty much every major power had dropped by to visit after that, with expressions very similar to the polite smiles of the magi that had fought over her when she’d first dropped into Makai.

She didn’t want to admit it, but the sudden attention had panicked her.  She’d considered escaping to the SDM or Makai for a bit before her mother had made an unannounced appearance.  Shinki’s guileless smile, accompanied by pointed praise and Yumeko’s icy glare helped calm things down.

After that she’d started paying more attention to who was saying and doing what.  Patchouli and Marisa were useless when it came to understanding people in power, and Remilia was actively working to get the three magus to support her own ambitions.  So it fell upon her to see how the wind was blowing.  And now that she’d trained herself to keep an open eye, it was hard to turn it off.

What she was seeing right now were groups forming based upon apparent age.  There were exceptions of course, but in general the patterns fit.  The most ancient witches had formed their little huddles and were actually treating the party like a social event, catching up with old friends and sharing minor magics.

The other two groups were less casual.  One was mostly composed of middle aged looking casters in more conservative garb.  That’s not to say they were drab however.  All of them seemed to carry magical artifacts and familiars of some sort, and most of them were showing off spells as well.  Alice wasn’t impressed with the variety of magics being tossed about, but there were some interesting variants every now and then.  “I wonder how many of those Marisa will steal?” Alice muttered.  Mai rolled her eyes and sniffed, but Alice could see the ice magician’s mouth turn up slightly.

The third group was the most natural looking to Alice.  Young, well dressed for a night on the town, and possessing more nonhuman attributes then the older witches.  Most of those were just entering the hall, probably because most had to go through the proving process outside.  As they came in they split up and began to circulate, talking with other mages in the group and the demons who were standing around.

Those two groups of younger magicians didn’t seem to interact much.  In fact they seemed to be alternating between actively glaring at each other and pretending the other side didn’t exist.  Alice was impressed.  There had to be a fairly deep rift in the community for that animosity to coalesce.  Magi were innately self-absorbed to some degree.  Usually petty disagreements and infighting amongst close peers prevented witches from forming huge social groups.  The witches that were in magical schools had their rivalries of course, but most schools were small.

Alice pondered the problem for a bit before vocalizing her guesses to Mai.  “So, us Makai magicians versus the older holdouts?”

Mai nodded.  “Not just Makai.  Look.”

Alice looked at the gathering that Mai was pointing at.  She almost missed it, but eventually she realized the oddity.  The witches’ garb and mystical implements showed they were from the rebuilt City of Wonders, where the djinn and other related creatures had fled.  “Ah.  It’s other realms as well.  I’m so used to people picking clothes from random countries I missed the difference in magical styles.  So it’s a generational divide after all.  The witches who were big names in the outside world and fled to hidden realms, versus those of us who were born in magical spaces.”

Mai crossed her arms and smiled slightly.  The devil behind her added, “It’s mostly those witches who are from mixed realms as opposed to wizard only realms.  People who actively live side by side with devils, fey or other legendary creatures.  The witches from pure magical realms and the European witches who don’t engage in their realm’s social activities compose most of the old guard.”

“Wait,”  Alice blinked.  “Does that mean we are the sociable, reasonable witches, and that there are people more stuck up and removed from reality than us?”

“Um….”  For once Mai looked startled at the comment.  “I guess?”

Alice shook her head and sighed.  What was wrong with the world?

----

Patchouli sipped the wine lightly.  It was a fairly strong jug, probably an older vintage meant to be cut with water, but Patchouli hadn’t bothered.  While her constitution was terrible, years of living with a vampire had built up her tolerance to alcohol even before she ended up in Gensoukyo.

“Um…  Miss Patchouli, what are we actually doing here?” Koakuma asked.  The little devil had been fiddling with her suit for most of the evening.  Patchouli wasn’t sure why her familiar hated suits, but the little devil had fought tooth and nail over that part of the plan.  That was probably why Koa had sold her out to Alice, not that the devil girl would have held back even if Patchouli had acquiesced.  Maybe it was the pants.

She blinked, realizing her mind had wandered.  “Ah.  Why do you think we’re here for anything in particular Koakuma?”

“Because if it’s a party you wanted you could have just gone to any one of the parties in Gensoukyo.  Or asked Remilia to throw one.  Instead we’re here with a bunch of witches you either aren’t interested in, or people you hate because of the last Walpurgisnacht we went to.”  Koakuma sighed.  “I mean, maybe you could have shown up to flaunt off your hot girlfriends, but then you’d have just asked Alice, Marisa and me.  And you’d have gotten me and Marisa to wear skimpy outfits and cling to you and Alice.”

Patchouli shook her head.  “That’s your fantasy, not mine Koakuma.”

Koakuma stomped her foot.  “Please Miss Patchouli.  My fantasy has ALL of us wearing skimpy outfits.”  The little devil smiled.  “Though you aren’t fighting the girlfriends bit, so does that mean…?”

“That means I know some things are beyond even the power of magic.”  Patchouli rolled her eyes.  “Still I suppose I should explain what we’re doing.  We’re going to start a war.”

Koakuma twitched.  “Again?”

“Ah, the ‘Lunar War’ was unintentional.  And also something of a farce.”  Patchouli finished the glass of wine and set it down.  “This one might be more involved.”

Patchouli couldn’t help but smile as Koakuma blinked at her.  It was always fun to confuse the girl.  “Um, you aren’t serious Patchouli right?  I mean, it’s not like we have an army or anything and well….”

“I’m as serious as I am about killing Marisa to get my books back,” Patchouli replied.

Koakuma’s eyes narrowed as the devil tried to decide how bad that was.  Patchouli considered explaining the matter to her in full, but a familiar face moving through the crowd caught her eye.  It seemed it was time.  “I should mention that you look good in a suit Koakuma.”

“Eh?!”  Koakuma started in surprise.  Patchouli took the opening to begin moving in towards her prey, the little devil having to dash to catch up.

Patchouli reached her target just as the woman joined a group of other witches.  Some looked older than they had before but Patchouli recognized most.  She approached the group calmly and coughed to draw attention to herself.

The little group mostly just gave her a dismissive look and turned away with a sneer, but the woman she’d picked out first looked surprised.  “Hmm?”  The witch turned to look at Patchouli.  “Is that really you Heather Verlinden?  I would have thought you’d be too ashamed to show your face here again,” she asked with a vicious smirk.

“It’s Patchouli Knowledge now, Marie Leclerc.”  Patchouli shrugged.  “And why would I be ashamed?  After all I’m one of the few true witches here, as opposed to spellcasting secretaries.”

That got the group’s full attention.  She heard some angry mutterings from the women, but Marie stepped forward to confront her directly.  “Oh is that so Miss Knowledge?” the woman spat.  “Big talk from a child.  I forget, are you even a hundred years old?”

Patchouli raised an eyebrow.  “Bringing age into it, Leclerc?  You’re only thirty years older than me, otherwise we wouldn’t have run into each other.” 

“Much to my misfortune,” Marie waved her hand as if dismissing a foul smell.  “I don’t know why you earth born magicians even bothered to show up.  Didnt you learn last time that no one’s going to be impressed that you studied with a whopping four magician families?  Or with your second rate familiar?”  The woman smiled viciously.  “Though I suppose you’ve only got the second rate familiar now that your little ‘conclave’ is dead.”

Patchouli had been prepared for the taunt, but it still caused her to flinch.  Koakuma took it less well.  “How dare you!  Miss Patchouli’s family-”

Patchouli put an arm on her familiar’s shoulder to stop her.  She was grateful for Koakuma’s support, but letting the little devil take a swing at her foe would be a mistake right now.  Instead she forced a disinterested look and replied, “Second rate?  I see your masters still haven’t gotten around to teaching you the basics of demonology.  Probably for the best, really.  A simple rote spellcaster who can’t see the strengths and weaknesses of demons at a glance really shouldn’t be allowed to summon them.”

“Tch.”  Marie grimaced unable to fully refute the accusation.  Patchouli had always suspected part of the older girl’s insults had come from jealousy.  “More like you don’t have the power to summon up anything really dangerous.  Real magicians know they must understand the seven great mysteries before binding a useful familiar.”

Patchouli sniffed.  “Great mysteries?  Ha!”  She allowed her own sneer to show.  “Meaningless babble for dabblers who need benchmarks to prove to themselves they’re really learning magic.  There’s only one mastery for a witch!  The true secret of immortality.  Everything else is just a means to an end.  Knowledge is without limit.  A witch proves herself by using her knowledge.”

“Oh?  And how do you use it?  Curing warts?  Blessing cows?”  Marie laughed harshly.  “Tell me the grand experiments the peasant daughter of an accountant and a housewife has accomplished.”

“My parents mastered magic in a world where mana was all but gone,” Patchouli hissed.  “While you were repeating basic charms, I learned how to scrape power from the tiniest of hiding holes.  While you hid from the church in far realms, I practiced right next to them.  While you sat in classes having simple knowledge handed to you I constructed spells from whole cloth, learning everything I could to master the world around me.”

Patchouli began to shake as she shouted at the woman before her.  “My family was the longest living branch of witches on Earth.  We were not killed by the church, or by the demons we summoned, or even by wars that covered the entire world, and we only left when the magic in the world was too small to keep any youkai alive.”  She cut off the other woman’s rebuttal.  “I have bargained with vampire lords.  I’ve fought gods to a standstill.  I’ve sent a rocket to the moon!  That is the legacy of my family!  What have you done?”

Marie rocked back before returning with her own tirade.  “What, am I supposed to be impressed with your playing around?  I’ve worked to master techniques you fools lost centuries ago.  While you’ve been playing with humans I’ve been studying magic every day.  I’m researching spells you peasants can’t even comprehend.  A half taught wizard like you has no right to judge me!  You and your little country coven should stick to telling fortunes to your village like the dabblers you are.”

“Dabblers is it?”  Patchouli turned to see Alice and Marisa stride into the widening circle of mages.  Alice had a disinterested air around her while Marisa was smiling.  But the little Shanghai doll next to Alice was holding a razor, and Marisa was idly flipping her mini-hakkero.  Patchouli’s unease faded away as her allies moved to stand beside her.  Alice looked Marie up and down before continuing, “And who are you to judge anyone’s skill in magic?  Your kind seem to love waving around artifacts, but you don’t possess any.  Patchouli on the other hand is capable of standing with the master of the Hakkero and the holder of the Book of Alice.”

Marie flinched as her coterie of hangers on slowly edged away.  Patchouli couldn’t help but smirk.  That was the problem with living in a realm filled only with immortal magicians.  No room for advancement.  Still given what had happened last time….

“She is one of the finest students at the University of the Silent Pine, and a descendant of Niviane” stated an older witch as she strode into the circle.  Patchouli recognized her as Brenda, the headmistress of the so called university.  Just like last time the woman was in a severe black dress with a floating shawl and intricately carved staff.  Marie flushed with relief and stepped aside to let the older witch handle matters.  “And while I’m certain your accomplishments are quite distinguished in your own realm, in the realms of magic I fear they aren’t that impressive, even if they could be confirmed.  Perhaps if you had an organization of some sort…”

Patchouli’s eyes narrowed.  This was the final step.  Last time Brenda had hid Marie under a bundle of rules and organizational runarounds.  She had to unsettle this woman.

“Alice is lady Shinki’s daughter.  You will show some respect.”

Patchouli started as Mai stalked into the circle, her demon familiars dragging in an annoyed looking Yuki as well.  The ice magician’s wings had shifted to their devilish form, and her usual smile was replaced by a scowl.  “She was recognized as a worthy member of the goddess’ court.  If you insult her you insult our whole realm.”  She walked up to stand next to Alice, glaring at the opposing magicians.

“Damn it Mai, why’d you have to drag me over for this?” Yuki muttered as she adjusted her dress.  The fire witch moved to stand next to Marisa as their demon friends attended Koakuma.  “I was having fun at the bar.  Alice doesn’t need us to cover for her.  You just want front row seats for the carnage when they kick the crap out of those puffed up posers.”  The magicians behind Patchouli laughed at the display.  The Makai crew was out for blood.

Brenda gave an exaggerated shrug.  “I suppose that is somewhat of note, but we are magicians.  Not politicians.  The title of ‘greatest mage in Makai’ means as little as the title ‘greatest mage in Belgium.’”  She waved her finger to chide the crowd.  “You have no real standing here.  If you were part of a recognized college of course you could offer more standardized proof of your status but…”

“She’s part of a barony,” Yuki interrupted.  “We’re part of a magocracy, which counts under the rules.  They’re all nobility.”  She pointed to where Elle, the office lady succubus, was standing among the demons.  “Give her the paperwork.  She’ll have it done.”  Yuki’s eyes narrowed.  “So now what?”

Patchouli looked over at Brenda with a smirk.  “Shall I make a formal challenge now?”

The older mage looked nonplussed at Yuki’s declaration, but quickly recovered.  “You can’t,” she replied shortly.  “No challenges are allowed on Walpurgisnacht.”

“It was a little impolite of you to start a fight tonight.”

Patchouli sighed as Byakuren entered into the fray.  While it was nice that someone was there to keep actual violence from occurring, unfortunately she was starting on the wrong side.

Bykauren stepped between the two groups and turned to face Patchouli.  “This is a meeting for us witches to enjoy.  While I can understand some animosity over certain rules, tonight isn’t the time to argue over it.  You should instead look to enjoying your time with those you like.”

Patchouli seethed as Brenda grinned in triumph.  “Thank you.  It’s good to see some wisdom and reason among the delegations from the demon realms.  The ability to reasonably resolve disputes like this is one of the things that separates us from the lesser demons and beasts after all.”

Patchouli could almost hear the air freeze around Byakuren.  Patchouli raised an eyebrow to the Buddhist witch, while Marisa let out a low whistle.  It seemed the one good thing about having utterly reprehensible enemies is they were skilled at annoying everyone else as well.

A patently false smile forced itself onto Byakuren’s face before she turned around.  “Yes.  We should resolve this with a simple contest instead of all this petty bickering.  That should appease everyone’s pride and entertain the others.”

“A contest?”  Brenda stepped back at Byakuren’s sudden shift in character.  “But that’s…”

“A great idea.”  The crowd parted to reveal a striking woman in a business suit, with Ellen standing behind.  “However it would be far too hasty to do it right now, don’t you agree Ellen?”

Ellen nodded happily.  “That’s right, Kirke!  We need invitations and rules and confetti and stuff!”

Patchouli found herself instinctively reaching for her spell cards before she stopped herself.  Somehow she knew, instinctively, that this woman was the Kirke, the witch of Greek legend.

The two casually walked next to the two groups, before Ellen branched off to stare at Mai.  “Would the evening of the midnight sun be reasonable to both parties?”

Byakuren hesitated, probably realizing she wasn’t supposed to be engaging in witch duels.  So Patchouli stepped forward to help.  “Yes, that sounds fair.”

Brenda hesitated as well.  “Contracts signed on this day can’t be enforced….”

“I trust both sides would be unwilling to hurt their reputations by not showing up,” Kirke replied cheerily.  “After all that would almost be the same as admitting defeat.”  She raised a hand to silence Brenda’s next objection.  “And don’t worry about the rules or other details.  I’ll handle that matter myself.  You trust me to do that, right?”

The college witch’s eyes hardened.  “Fair enough.  Well then I guess we shall meet again later to discuss the details.  Come along Marie.”  The two gave Patchouli a withering glance before turning and heading back into the party. 

Kirke stretched.  “Well then, that’s that.  Try to enjoy the rest of the party.”  The ancient witch chuckled.  “I’d say don’t do anything you wouldn’t do at home, but I’ve heard about Gensoukyo, so instead I ask you to not shoot anyone tonight.”  Kirke waved and walked away.  “I trust you to see to the rest Ellen.”

-------

As Kirke walked away Ellen took it upon herself to handle the most important problem remaining.  She pointed at Mai.  “You!  Fluffy wings!  Now!”

The white clad witch immediately switched her wings back to their proper angelic appearance.  Ellen patted the wings to make sure it wasn’t just an illusion then nodded in approval.  Fluffiness was an important quality in a witch after all.

When she turned around sh
« Last Edit: January 31, 2014, 06:37:53 PM by Iced Fairy »

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #126 on: January 28, 2014, 10:11:56 PM »
Mai sipped the blood orange juice that was part of her lavish breakfast setting.  She was exhausted from the all-night party, but any Makai mage worth their salt learned how to handle lack of sleep.  Though most Makai magicians didn?t have a staff of trained demons helping out around the house.

The dance had turned out well for her.  She?d managed to get everyone on the floor at some point.  Even Byakuren.  Patchouli had managed some of the slower waltzes with both Mai and her own companions.  And Ellen had proved surprisingly adept at all styles of dancing.  She made a note to learn more about the mysterious forest magician at some point.

As she started in on the pancakes Yuki stumbled out of the second floor hallway and oozed down the banister.  ?Mornin,? the fire mage said, before throwing back a mug of coffee.  Mai gave her friend a look at the display.  ?I don?t want you complaining about my drinking.  This was a once a decade chance here,? Yuki replied.

Mai just shrugged and went back to her breakfast.  She couldn?t complain too much.  Yuki had given her several dances before becoming too inebriated to continue.  Besides the drinks had been good.  Just not as good as the hash browns here were.

Yuki worked her way through three more mugs before pausing.  ?Hey Mai.  Did I actually challenge a mage college to a ritual duel last night or was that a dream??

?We did,? Mai stated.

Yuki groaned.  ?Ugh.  You at least have an excuse, since you?re trying to get into Alice?s skirt.  I should have known better damn it!?

Mai shrugged.  It wasn?t that big a deal, right?

?You think any fight where Alice is one of the competitors is going to be small?? Yuki sighed.  ?We?re in such trouble.?

Mai winced.  Yuki had a point.  Still she did want to show up those out realm magicians herself.

She turned her mind to more immediate matters.  ?I?m still trying to get in your skirt too.?

Yuki merely grabbed another mug of coffee in response.  The girl was so old fashioned about certain things.

-----

Marisa looked down at the message in her hands.  The fact that an owl had delivered it was weird enough, but the paper and seal were all of a make that was completely unfamiliar to Marisa.  The contents were even more ridiculous.

?A summer camp?? Marisa muttered, reading over the words again.  ?Here?  In Gensoukyo??  The idea seemed ludicrous in her mind.  Even more confusing was the suggestion inherent to the letter.  ?Run by me??

She had to admit Gensoukyo was a great place for a crash course in magic.  But Marisa had no idea how to be responsible for kids.  She wasn?t all that great at being responsible in general.  But somehow two parents were willing to entrust their child to her.  This was a recipe for disaster.  Marisa considered just throwing the paper away, but she read on, just in case there was some semblance of sanity hidden away.

Then she reached the ?payment? section of the letter.

?Maybe I should start talking to Keine about how to run a class,? Marisa muttered thoughtfully as her eyes ran over the list of magical artifacts being offered her.

------

Alice shivered as a magical tone went off in her mind.  She?d been trying to pretend it wasn?t going to happen, but she knew there were forces that even the Hakurei barrier couldn?t stop.

Sighing she stood and put aside the sewing she?d been using to calm her nerves.  Gripping her book tightly she walked to a large standing mirror and cast the spell she needed to complete the magic circuit.

As the red clad figure of the goddess of Makai appeared in place of her own reflection, Alice nervously raised a hand.  ?Hello mother.?

?Hello Alice dear,? Shinki said.  The woman?s worried expression told Alice everything she needed to know about the conversation that was about to happen.  ?I hear you?ve gotten yourself in something of a contest.?

-----

Patchouli bowed her head to Remilia as the vampire wandered into her corner of the library.  ?Thanks again for the help.?

?It wasn?t that hard.  The fates were demanding something like this happen for a while.?  Remilia flopped down in a chair, then glared at Koakuma briefly before grabbing a book at random.  Patchouli idly wondered if her friend could read the grimoire or was just holding it to look refined.  ?I can?t fiddle with the contest itself though.  Not with a goddess or two looking over the event.?

?Ms Patchouli will win,? Koakuma stated simply.  The little devil frowned.  ?Though I?m a little worried about the others...?

?They have the skills.  It will come down to the design of the contest itself,? Patchouli stated simply.

Remilia chuckled.  ?It sounds like you?re going to be having fun Patchy.  Just remember to invite me when it begins.?

?I wouldn?t think of leaving you out of it,? Patchouli said, returning her attention to her book.  ?After all, I want you and Sakuya around to kill them messily if they cheat too much.?

?Don?t get my hopes up Patchy,? Remilia said as she smiled.  ?It?s been so long since I?ve been able to have some ?messy? fun.?

Patchouli made a mental note to talk to Sakuya about slaughtering a village full of cultists or something in the near future.  If Remilia was in a violent mood, Flandre probably was too.

---

?I can?t believe you did that,? Ichirin said.  Unzan nodded behind her.

?Yeah!  That sounds super cool!? Nue added happily.

Byakuren hid her face in her hands.  ?I?m being such a bad example.?  She shook her head.  How did she let herself get involved with this.

?Well, it?s not too different from the religious fight we had recently,? Nazrin said helpfully.

Shou winced.  ?Only in the eyes of Gensoukyo.  You of all people know how big the difference is spiritually Nazrin.?

?Well there?s no backing out now, so you might as well crush them!? Murasa stated, with a broad smile.  ?Don?t worry!  We?ll all be cheering you on.?

Byakuren just shook her head again.  Such a big mistake.  ?At least no one else knows.?

-----

?And then Byakuren was like, ?Oh no you didn?t,? and challenged them to a duel.  So Kirke stepped in and we set up the fight and then I made Mai?s wings fluffy again,?  Ellen waved her arms to try to convey the importance of this statement before picking up her tea and sipping it again.  ?So that?s how that went.?

?That is interesting,? her guest said.  ?Can you tell me when the contest is??

?Midsummer night,? Ellen replied.  She caught herself then looked over the woman who had been interviewing her.  ?Um, sorry, but who are you again?  I forgot.?

The tengu stopped writing notes long enough to wave and smile.  ?No worries!  I?m the pure and honest reporter Aya Shameimaru, at your service!?

Ellen nodded.  ?Thanks!  Anyway then the dancing started??

Sagus

  • Spin, Hina, spin
  • Spin like there's no tomorrow
Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #127 on: January 29, 2014, 03:22:52 AM »
Please tell me that you do plan on writting the duel. This was excellent. Your shorts are always great, but this one really picked my interest.

was totally expecting some Mima though :V
« Last Edit: January 29, 2014, 03:26:41 AM by Sagus »
Peketo's Drawing Stuffs
Despite the name, it's mostly 3D models.

My fanfics.

Iced Fairy

  • So like if you try to hurt alkaza
  • *
  • I will set you on fire k'?
    • Daisukima Dan Blog
Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #128 on: January 29, 2014, 03:27:40 AM »
Please tell me that you do plan on writting the duel. This was excellent. Your shorts are always great, but this one rellay picked my interest.
Oh yes.  I was originally planning to have the duel in the middle, but it just didn't fit right.  Hopefully as a standalone I can work it better.

Quote
was totally expecting some Mima though :V
I apparently need to write out my Mima head canon at some point because you're the second person to comment on it.  For now I'll simply mention Mima isn't there because she's indisposed.

Sagus

  • Spin, Hina, spin
  • Spin like there's no tomorrow
Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #129 on: January 29, 2014, 03:40:01 AM »
Oh yes.  I was originally planning to have the duel in the middle, but it just didn't fit right.  Hopefully as a standalone I can work it better.
Waiting anxiously for it!

I apparently need to write out my Mima head canon at some point because you're the second person to comment on it.  For now I'll simply mention Mima isn't there because she's indisposed.
I remember she needed to be summoned by... pouring blood on her tombstone? In your "New World" fic. I always wondered what was up with that. Seems like it has an interesting story behind it.
Peketo's Drawing Stuffs
Despite the name, it's mostly 3D models.

My fanfics.

Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #130 on: January 31, 2014, 06:49:57 AM »
That was interesting. And worth staying up late for

Spoiler:
psst, there was at least one instance of referring to an individual as a "succubi". The singular is "succubus" unless she's meant to be a reference to Rogers the Bulls

Iced Fairy

  • So like if you try to hurt alkaza
  • *
  • I will set you on fire k'?
    • Daisukima Dan Blog
Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #131 on: February 17, 2014, 06:57:37 AM »
The whispers came from far away.  The cries of a people in anguish.  "Oh great one, save us!  Spare us from the death of fire.  Save us from the horrors of the sky and earth."  And the raven heard their pleas.

She arose from her nest beneath the earth and stretched out her wings.  With a single beat she arose from her hell, with another she flew away from her home, and with a third she reached the world.

Before her stood the ruins of a great nation, a nation the power of the sun had built and destroyed.  Its cities had once reached to the sky, but now they were simply rubble across the earth, like all the works of man.  She sensed youkai and demons wandering the broken streets, and sneaking through the regrowing jungles.

Beneath her wings people stood atop the crumbling ruins of pyramids and offered their faith up to her.  They asked her to protect them from the demons, to spare them from her wrath.  But they called her by the name of another.

She shook the doubt from her feathers.  She was not one to worry about names.  They had faith, and faith was what she ate.  A raven did not refuse food.  She reached down to take the streams of power into herself.

"Stop black bird of the east.  This offering is not for you."

The raven turned to see a man in bright clothes, decorated with feathers.  A black mirror sat upon his chest, and to her surprise his right foot was merely bones.  She could tell he was an old god, if weak.  Still he had challenged her right to feed.  "The people below call for the sun, for the god of flame who took away the old world.  That is me.  Who are you to claim these offerings?"

"I am Tezcatlipoca.  I am the Smoking Mirror.  I am the one who is master of all humans.  They call upon my name," the god proclaimed boldly.

The raven cocked her head.  That was the name the people called upon.  But they called upon her aspect.  Still it was strange.  If it was his name they called, then he should have taken the aspect for his own in this land.  Cautiously she walked around the god, looking at his true self.

Finally she reached a conclusion.  "You are a dead god.  They abandoned you.  You are trying to revive with their prayers."

"They did not abandon me!"  The god swung his fist, and the winds roared.  The raven twisted in the air to keep aflight.  "They were stolen from me!  And now that the tongueless god can not protect them, I shall return!  So be gone from this place, eater of carrion."

The raven preened at her feathers and thought some more.  The ways of the gods were strange to her, and there were many possibilities to consider.  Her head filled with scenarios and worries.

But in the end, she was a raven.  And the god was weak.

"They call upon my aspects.  They worship my attributes.  They speak of my actions."  The raven's eyes began to glow, and the flames of the sun fell upon her like a mantle.  "If they call your name, then I shall consume you and take your name for my own."

"You will eat me?  I am Tezcatlipoca!  I shall consume you, and take your faith to aid my rebirth," the god roared.

The god's body twisted and shifted as he transformed into a great jaguar large enough to slap the sun from the heavens.  The sleek feline pounced upon the raven, but she was quick and wise to the ways of cats.  She flew forward under the jaguar's body and pulled at his tail as she passed.

The jaguar god spun around as only a cat could do and tried to crush her beneath its claws.  Her wings beat and she flew into the sky above the stars.  She hovered just out of range as the god leaped up at her and laughed cruelly at her foe's attacks.

Tezcatlipoca roared his rage and the winds came at his commands.  The air itself turned into razor sharp talons that ripped through the air.  Even with her agility, there would be no escaping the attack.

She closed her eyes and reached inside herself.  To the core of her being where molten fire curled and roiled.  Her mind removed the barriers keeping her powers in check, and the gem on her chest flared as the power of nuclear fusion roared to life.

The blades of wind bent and warped as the sun within her heart pulled the air itself to its core.  Her body was lacerated.  Her blood soaked her clothes.  But the plasma in her soul slowly expanded as the winds fed her true essence.

Howling, the jaguar flung a hurricane into the sky, then another.  The raven's skin was flayed again and again, and her blood began to glow, then ignite as the power in her body grew and grew.

With a raucous cry of victory she flung her wings open, and disturbed the massive magnetic fields that were constraining her godly essence.  A flare of power tore free from her body and slammed into the jaguar god.  Tezcatlipoca was slammed through the ground, into the darkness of hell.

The raven glided down after her prey.  First through dark caverns of earth, then of shattered bone, then of screaming fire.  But she knew the ways of hell, and the hells recognized her.  There was nothing that stood in her way.

Finally she reached a cavern of smoke where the fumes billowed and swayed like curtains in the wind.  It reminded her of the caverns back home, the ones that led to the mystical surface world that she so rarely saw, even as a god.  Here she had found her best friend hidden in the smoke and fog, lying so close yet so far to the corpse she needed to eat to survive.  Was that a corpse in the mist?  The raven's mind swirled and spun in the smoke and fog, the corpse before her giving a rigid grin as she fluttered over it.

Why was she here?

She did her best to remember the past moments, to think through the haze.  Did she need to eat someone?

"You came here to eat someone, but you could not," the corpse replied.

That did not seem right to her.  "I can eat anything now.  I am the sun," she replied.

The corpse lay before her and said, "You are the sun of your realm, but you are not the black sun of this realm.  The black sun of this realm lost his foot and rebuilt it with bones."

She cocked her head to consider this.  "I lost my foot to the fires humans unleashed.  And I rebuilt it with their bones."

"The stars are at the sun's mercy," the corpse protested.

She held out her cape.  "The stars are my raiment."

"The sun died and was replaced by other suns, but now rises again in new form," the corpse said softly.

"I have died and been reborn, both as myself and as a god," she replied confidently.  "I am the returned sun."

"Then you have already eaten Tezcatlipoca," the corpse said mournfully.  "Go little raven.  There is nothing for you here."

The raven nodded.  "That is right.  I am Tezcatlipoca.  I am the Yatagarasu.  I am Utsuho Reiuji."

And with that she absently ate the dying god's heart.

---

Orin shifted uncomfortably in her sleep.  The furnace of the underground was ebbing, but her body was hot.  Her dreams flickered and shifted, the strange fever twisting about in her mind.  Jaguars and serpents rose from the flames, chasing hummingbirds and butterflies before returning to the flames again.  Suns rose and were extinguished.  Temples were built and were crushed.  The scent of blood wafted across her nose, and was pushed aside by screams and fire.  And in the background the horrific clouds that had soared over the land during the night of destruction slowly gathered in their malignant beauty.

"Orin."

The kassha's eyes opened, but she knew she did not wake.  Sleep and waking had no meaning to a youkai in this state.  She was not in her room.  Time and space were an illusion that had no use right now.  She was inside her true self, a broken and cracked cavern filled with corpses and ghosts, the only light the glow of magma from below.  Right now the magma was pulsing, roiling, while the ghosts seemed to hum with power.  And in the darkness beyond she began to see different shapes shifting and moving.

Utsuho stood before her.  Her best friend.  Her goddess.  A three legged crow with eyes burning like lava.  A striking black winged humanoid with an intricately etched arm cannon and the finest machined clothing.  A whirlwind of fire and death with a smoky mirror at its center.  The black sun of hell.  All of those stood before her, the goddess unbound by form in this realm.

Orin squinted as Utsuho held out a hand.  "Come Orin.  We must speak with our supplicants.  There is much to teach them."

As Orin reached up pain flashed through her body.  Her skin seemed to peel away from her body as it expanded, her inner flesh slower to fit her new form.  She could feel it now.  The warping and shifting forces of chaos that were altering her very nature as a youkai.  She knew if she followed Okuu her very existence as a youkai might change.

She held her breath and took her goddess' hand.  The pain was less sharp this time.  "Goddess, I fear you must speak, for I do not know the words these people will hear," she said as they started heading back to the human world.

"Trust in my divine power, for I have seen their hearts and know their ways," Utsuho replied.  "You need but act on my will."

---

Kanako shivered as she looked at herself in the mirror.  It had been centuries since she'd prepared to do something like she had today.  And she had never gone through with it.

To absorb a god was not something to do lightly.

"Are you still hanging around?" Suwako asked as the frog goddess entered the room.  "That raven has already finished her part and then some.  If you don't get a move on you're going to be late."

Kanako whirled on the smaller goddess.  "Well forgive me if I'm not as quick to throw away my sense of self."  She frowned and looked back at the history books she'd been reading ever since she'd felt the disturbance.  "These gods are old and powerful.  Far greater than we ever were.  Even with their faith destroyed and scattered to the wind they still had the force of legend behind them."

Which meant if she consumed one, their legend would be as strong as her own.  And legends were the essence of gods.

"You always were squeamish about this kinda thing weren't you," Suwako said.  The little goddess then smiled.  "Not that I should complain too much.  After all if you weren't such a scaredy cat you might have eaten me."  The little blond goddess laughed at Kanako's growl.

"Hopefully it won't come to that," Kanako muttered.

Suwako shook her head.  "It will.  But it'll be fine Kanako."  The little goddess smiled.  "It doesn't matter what the humans say, in the end, your true form is the goddess of change.  Always moving towards the future.  You'll end up in charge no matter what."

Kanako blinked at her fellow goddess' encouragement then smiled.  "Thank you."

With that she took a deep breath and summoned the winds to her.  Her mind split and she entered the realm of the gods as a great white snake.  With a flick of her tail her form soared through the skies towards the lands east of the easternmost islands.  She was an ancient goddess, and she had learned much about the world before retreating to Gensoukyo.  Unlike the raven it was easy for her to find the person she was seeking. 

As she flew into the other god's realm the spirit whirled to face her.  "Who are you who comes to the lands of Quetzalcoatl?  Tell me your name intruder!  And tell me why do you have the smell of the one who has taken the place of my enemy, the one who slew my brother?"  The god stood before her, proud and tall in his warrior's regalia.  As he spoke his wings rippled with the colors of the rainbow.  This god was weak, but not dead.

Kanako stopped before the god and respectfully bowed, never letting her eyes off the warrior's face.  "I am Kanako Yasaka.  I am the god of Suwa.  I am the patron of the new empire of the rising sun.  The one who took Tezcatlipoca's name and place is of my pantheon and my making.  I come to stand in balance to her in this world."  She drew her sword, but did not raise it.  "I come to take your place oh great feathered serpent."
Quetzalcoatl raised his blade, but as she had so many years before she lifted her free hand and called upon her divine powers.  There was a piercing shriek and a wave of sound washed over the winged serpent's obsidian sword, shattering the blade.  Quetzalcoatl cursed and stepped back, staggered by Kanako's display of godly might.

"As you can see my powers as a god are greater," Kanako stated.  "I offer you a bargain.  Surrender and I shall let you aid me as a subordinate god.  With your aid I shall lead your people to a even greater future."

The native god looked at his shattered sword, then tossed it aside.  "I refuse."  He looked Kanako in the eyes, and this time she was forced to take a step back.  "I can see now to fight is futile.  You are a very strong god now.  But a strong god is not enough!"

The sky turned dark as the god continued speaking.  "These people do not need just a god.  They need Quetzalcoatl!  They need the winged serpent!  They need the god who has stood over these lands since humans first walked upon it."

"And Quetzalcoatl is a god of sacrifice!" the native god's voice boomed like thunder through the heavens.  "I will not give up my place to a foreigner.  I will not give up my people to strange new gods.  Only Quetzalcoatl will rule."  The winged serpent called forth another weapon to his hand.  "If you wish to be that god, you shall have to sacrifice yourself and absorb my person."

Kanako blinked, then bowed again.  "I apologize.  You are right.  Quetzalcoatl is the god of this land."  She took a breath to steady herself, then opened her soul up.  Her clothing shifted and warped to the warrior's dress of this country, and her sword changed from her old Japanese blade to a shining maquahuitl.  "And I shall be Quetzalcoatl, even if it costs me myself!"

To offer anything less would be unworthy of a ruler.

The two eyed each other with respect, then ran forward to clash in battle.

---

Sylvia shivered as the extravagantly dressed priests began their ritual.

To say she had misgivings about the ceremony was a grave understatement.  The ritual was horrid, barbaric and cruel.  Her heart twisted within her every time the priests kicked the sacrifice to force the man to run further.

But it was the only way.

When the apocalypse had come their city had been spared by chance.  It had been right at the outskirts of Mexico City proper, and the deadly neutron rays that had wiped all life from the city hadn't quite reached.  It had been a terrible and agonizing day which had turned everyone's lives upside down, but they had been lucky.  There was food and water in storage in the towns warehouses.  Enough for everyone and all the refugees that had arrived.  So while they lacked electricity and gas, they had what they needed to begin the slow transferal back to a farming lifestyle.  Many people lit candles for that small miracle. 

The first three years had been mostly shock.  Everyone was just trying to survive.  Without the communications they had all taken for granted, the world was both larger and smaller then it had ever been before, and it took time to cope.  The struggle had forced their community together and no one had dared to start a big fight.  There had been arguments and crimes of course, but a makeshift police service had helped keep the problems to a minimum, just as the makeshift defense force helped keep the mutants and creatures of the night away.

This year however the troubles began.  One moonless night, a great howl and cry had erupted from the north.  A noise so terrifying that the guards had turned on the generators to shine lights out from the city.  Lights that revealed a jungle, fresh and reborn from the ground, like no humans had ever lived there.

Panic spread throughout the town, but the leaders quickly quelled it.  However calm and unity did not return.  One of the leaders, Miguel Quezada, had proclaimed that the old gods had returned.  That it was time to throw off the trappings of the Spanish invaders and reclaim the ways of the Nahua.  He said only by returning to the worship of the city's god Tezcatlipoca could they stave off the monsters of the jungle.

At first people had laughed.  When Miguel had shown the power to call fire from his hands the laughter faded.  Father Rodriguez of course dismissed the claims as madness, and all but openly called Miguel a witch.  The town became tense and conflicted.  It seemed likely the two camps would erupt into open violence.

Then the jaguar people attacked and the matter had been settled.

The guns of the people and the prayers of the holy were equally useless against the monsters.  But the flames of Tezcatlipoca drove the monsters back to the jungle.  His loudest critics dead, and his followers the only hope of their small city, Miguel had demanded a day of celebration and sacrifice to the gods.  With the last surviving Catholic priest as the chosen sacrifice.

What could they do?  She had been an atheist before, but there really wasn't a question any more.  Miguel had produced results.  The gods had spoken, and they had spoken with fire.  No matter what she thought of the brutality.

Sylvia winced again as the victim stumbled on the last staircase.  The priests of Tezcatlipoca had run the poor man ragged until he could barely stand.  The man tried to push himself upright but his arms gave out again, and his body fell onto the stone pyramid's steps.

This was enough for the priests apparently.  Miguel and his assistant grabbed the sacrifice by the arms and dragged him to the top, where they had set out their alter.  Another priest of Tezcatlipoca carried forth a heavy stone bowl, while Miguel raised his obsidian knife.  "Oh great Tezcatlipoca, he who gives us life!  Lord of near and far!  Enemy of both sides!  We who are all your slaves give thanks for your works and offer you this sacrifice!"

The knife descended, and Sylvia closed her eyes.  She had hoped that the poor victim at least had lost the power to scream, but the man's death wail cut through the crowd's gasp.  She forced herself to open her eyes as Miguel pulled out the heart and raised it up.  The priest held the bloody organ for all to see, then cast it down to the waiting bowl.  "For Tezcatlipoca!"

Sylvia cried out in shock as a burst of flame roared to life on the stage.  The priests too screamed and fell back as a dark figure strode from the blast onto the pyramid.  A hand lazily reached out and plucked the sacrificial heart from the air.  "Behold my people!  I am Tezcatlipoca!"

The crowd fell to their knees.  Sylvia knew she should bow, but the sight was too stunning.  The god before her was both everything and nothing like the tales.

The most obvious truth was the figure was a goddess.  A dusky beauty beyond mortal comparison.  The woman was dressed in great finery, clothing as ornate as the priests' vestments, but made of the most modern fabrics.  Her right arm was covered in a power armor gauntlet that turned it into a claw, and her right leg was a cast of bone, recreated after the great monster that formed the earth had bitten it off.  Smokey black wings fluttered behind her, while a cape that seemed to be formed from the night sky itself both concealed and was concealed by the black feathers.  A black jaguar covered in red spots slowly prowled around the goddess' legs, and in the center of the woman's chest a obsidian mirror glowed and smoldered, as if the magma of the earth's core had slipped inside it.

Tezcatlipoca looked out over the people and raised her arms.  "Oh my people!  By your faith I return to you!  I have heard your cries and I have answered!"

"F-f-false god!  Who are you!"  Sylvia gasped along with the crowd as Miguel stood and pointed a shaky hand at the goddess.  "Tezcatlipoca is no woman!"

The goddess turned to face Miguel and sneered before snapping her fingers.  The priest that had accompanied Miguel threw his head back and howled, then his body twisted and churned into the form of a Jaguar man.  "False priest, though your words brought my return you never had faith in me, only yourself.  You made a pact with the monsters to secure your power, and used witchcraft to fake my blessing.  For this I give you death."

Tezcatlipoca snapped her fingers again and the black jaguar behind her pounced.  Miguel managed to scream only once before the mighty cat tore out his throat.  The jaguar man yelped then turned and fled before suddenly exploding in flames.  The priest who had carried the stone bowl up to receive the sacrifice prostrated himself on the ground before the goddess shivering in terror.

The woman casually gnawed on the heart a bit before tossing it into the bowl and standing before the last priest.  "Rise boy.  I have seen your heart and fed on your faith.  You stand true to me, and in time will be one of my servants here."  The man slowly stood and then followed the black and red jaguar in stunned silence as the great cat led him to stand behind the goddess. 

Tezcatlipoca raised her hands, and power seemed to wash over Sylvia.  "Hear my words.  I Tezcatlipoca  shall give you power.  I shall protect you from the demons, and give you strength against your enemies.  So long as you praise and give sacrifice to me, your city shall be strong and unassailable!"

"You never see the long path sister."  Sylvia shivered as another powerful voice boomed over the crowd.  There was a rush of wind and then two goddesses stood upon the temple heights.

This goddess was white to Tezcatlipoca's black.  The woman was fair skinned, and the robes she wore were something that could have appeared in a fashion show back before the apocalypse.  Based on old traditions, but still modern.  The woman kept her hair short, and most tellingly her wings shimmered and gleamed with every color under the sun.  Sylvia did not need an introduction to know who this goddess was.  "Quetzalcoatl," Sylvia whispered, and the people nearby seemed to agree.

"Who are you to interrupt me, sister?" Tezcatlipoca said angrily.  "These are my people.  They gave me faith!  I am the ruler of the west, just as you are ruler of the east.  Keep to your own kingdom.  I will give my power to these people."

Quetzalcoatl shook her head.  "You have power yes, but remember it was I who gave you that power to begin with.  A people with only power will never become an empire.  They will crumble before others, betrayed from within like a poorly built house."  She raised her hands.  "I am the goddess of the east, and the east stretches forever.  The poets and builders shall receive my blessing, and my people will become prosperous."

Tezcatlipoca laughed shortly.  "The west stretches forever as well sister.  You can talk about poets and builders, but in the end, they too crave my power.  Just a more subtle form.  The east has the empire of the rising sun, but this shall be my empire, and they shall guard the setting sun!"  The dusky woman snapped her fingers and then turned back to the crowd.  "But your words do not matter.  We shall let faith decide!  Give praise unto me, and you all shall have power.  The power to crush your foes.  The power to lift up your friends.  The power of the future!"

The rainbow serpent turned to the people as well.  "And if you give your faith to me you shall have the innovation and skill to not just rebuild, but to create a new world.  To rise above the past to a greater future.  You shall teach others the arts.  You shall show others the way to live.  This I offer you for your worship."

The two goddesses turned to face each other again.  "Hmph.  We shall speak more on this," Tezcatlipoca said.  "First though we must remind the star goddesses who rules these lands."

"Indeed," Quetzalcoatl replied.  "We will set the world aright.  Then we can teach the people how to praise us properly."  The black jaguar leaped inside the dusky woman's form, and then the two goddesses vanished.  One in smoke, the other in light.

A silence fell over the crowd, then the surviving priest of Tezcatlipoca moved over to where Miguel's corpse was.  The priest lifted the body over his head, then cast it down the stairs.  The shattered body bounced all the way down, leaving a trail of blood behind.  "Thus is the fate of all who abuse her mighty name for their own ends!" the man cried.  Those closest to the bottom of the temple, those who had accepted the miracles of Tezcatlipoca first, cheered at the pronouncement.

Sylvia though simply nodded at the poetic justice and turned away.  She could not oppose those who served the smoking mirror but she had another plan.

It was time to fix up the temple to Quetzalcoatl.

----

The world has had six suns.

The first five suns were created by the gods.  Each time a god created a sun through their own sacrifice, but each time the god's faults and failures caused that sun to fall.  It was only the fifth sun, noble and brave Nanahuatzin that stood up.

But the humans of the fifth sun were not as strong.  The followers of the tongueless god brought their war to the world, and when the battles ended, they tore down the temples and ceased the prayers of the people.  The sun became stale and dead and the stars fell silent.

In the silence humans built their cities of steel and glass.  They picked up the tools of the gods and learned secrets that once only the stars understood.  In time they tossed aside even the tongueless god in their power and reached up to touch the face of the lifeless moon.

And in their power, they turned to folly. 

By their own hands they called forth the end of their world.  Their weapons turned the skies black, and the lifeless sun could sustain them no more.

But from the ashes two gods awoke from their slumber.  Quetzalcoatl and Tezcatlipoca.  Long had they struggled against each other, often had they worked together.

Seeing there was no sun in the sky the two each considered how to bring forth a new sun.  Both had tried before, and both had failed before.  Finally Quetzalcoatl found a flock of crows who had eaten pieces of the old suns.  He said to Tezcatlipoca "if we eat these birds we can create a new sun, but whoever does so will lose their old self and become a crow."

Tezcatlipoca replied, "What old self do I have to lose?  You were remembered, but most have forgotten me."  And so Tezcatlipoca ate the crows and became one of them, shedding his own self and becoming the goddess of the black sun.

Quetzalcoatl, jealous of his newly reborn sister's power shed his skin and let the human's world seep in.  He transformed himself into the goddess of the ivory tower.

And so reborn they came down to the people who had once forgotten them.  Our people.  With their guidance and strength our empire rises.  Our cities spread from California to Panama, and our ships sail to across both oceans.  The spirits recognize us, and do not harm us, and in return we treat them with respect.

This is the era of the sixth sun.  The second black sun.  It is our golden age.  May it last as long as all the eras before.

- Sylvia, High Priestess of Quetzalcoatl

Alfred F. Jones

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #132 on: February 17, 2014, 07:28:51 AM »
Oh my god, Touhou meets Aztec mythology. You have no idea how many years I have wanted this.  :*
I love love love all the attention you paid to the little details. Tezcatlipoca having lost his foot to Cipactli fit in really well with Utsuho's elephant's foot, in particular, was an excellent comparison you seized on. At some points it got pretty metaphorical, but that's fitting for gods and the concepts and legends that surround them. A fine story!

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #133 on: February 17, 2014, 10:09:51 PM »
The best part was when Okuu tugged his tail.

Also this is hella Digital Devil Saga, and I like that.


Edit: Also, I feel I should mention this is probably one of the few times I can see "Touhou blended with Aztec Mythology" and not be left furious by the end. It takes a lot of skill to do that without fucking it up. My only pondering is why Orin didn't question it, given what happened last time Utsuho went nuts.
« Last Edit: February 18, 2014, 09:44:54 AM by Chaos Purvis »

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #134 on: February 18, 2014, 12:02:04 PM »
I really like your stories set in the world after the apocalypse that happened in your "New World" fics. Utsuho's confrontation with Tezcatlipoca was awesome, specially the way it ended.

Just to be sure, the "tongueless god" mentioned is the abrahamic god, right? Whatever happened to him after the nuclear war?

Edit: Also, I feel I should mention this is probably one of the few times I can see "Touhou blended with Aztec Mythology" and not be left furious by the end. It takes a lot of skill to do that without fucking it up. My only pondering is why Orin didn't question it, given what happened last time Utsuho went nuts.
Well, Orin's only worry back then was Satori getting angry at Okuu, not really anything else, so since that's not a problem here...
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Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #135 on: February 18, 2014, 06:24:50 PM »
Edit: Also, I feel I should mention this is probably one of the few times I can see "Touhou blended with Aztec Mythology" and not be left furious by the end. It takes a lot of skill to do that without fucking it up. My only pondering is why Orin didn't question it, given what happened last time Utsuho went nuts.

Thanks.  I was worried about fucking it up, and honestly my first idea had a bunch of screwups that I'm glad I fixed before it came to print as it were.

As to the Orin situation...  the short form is she's the one getting a little weird in the head because of god power.  Okuu's been down this rodeo before, and honestly Tezcatlipoca isn't bringing a lot of power to the table.  Especially in her post nuclear apocalypse state.  Meanwhile because Tezcatlipoca is the god of jaguars, who is attended by four wives in the story, Orin's getting made into something of a demigod.  I figure the details of the legend are going to change, but since Orin's right there she's gonna get caught up too.

(Yet another edit : Satori's totally gonna yell at them though.)

Quote
Just to be sure, the "tongueless god" mentioned is the abrahamic god, right? Whatever happened to him after the nuclear war?

This is kinda another complex thing, but I figured that the modern "abrahamic god" kinda isn't a god, in the Touhou sense.  The modern "God" is everything to everyone, and thus nothing to no one.  In thinking on it, as the world drifts farther apart there probably will be several "Jesus" and "God" gods pop up as local groups make their god concept more refined and able to form into a coherent being.
« Last Edit: February 18, 2014, 07:49:01 PM by Iced Fairy »

Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #136 on: March 14, 2014, 05:24:18 PM »
Hatate shivered beneath the glare of the mighty youkai.  She was almost regretting her choices, but she had to stand strong.  She was a tengu!  She would fight on no matter what.

"So great youkai sage, I need your help getting to the outside world for a bit," she managed to spit out.

Yukari slowly fanned herself while looking down at her.  "So, just so I'm clear as to your insanity, you want me to go out of my way to punch a hole in my perfectly maintained barrier, so that you may take Komeiji Satori on a date?"  The gap youkai snapped her fan shut and began tapping it against the palm of her hand.

"Yeah, that sounds about right," Hatate admitted.

The purple clad woman just sat there for a minute, gazing down on Hatate with golden eyes.  Finally she spoke.  "I'm almost impressed.  You have to know I despise Satori.  And before today I assumed you were bright enough to realize I usually considered you a minor annoyance, if I bothered to consider you at all.  But you seem actually convinced that somehow I'll listen to this ridiculous request.  Why is that?"

Hatate took a deep breath.  "Because if you do I'll owe you a favor.  A big one."

"Hm?"  Yukari's eyes widened a little at that.  "Oh my.  Do you know what you're saying little tengu?  That's the type of talk that will get you killed in a few hundred years."

"Maybe."  Hatate glared back at the ancient youkai.  She hated how people that age questioned her determination and knowledge.  "But maybe I care enough about the trip to take that chance."

Yukari opened her fan again to conceal her face and looked down at Hatate again.  This time however the judgment was a little more curious.  "Hm...  Did Ran tell you how to bargain with me?  No, she wouldn't have known it would work.  Perhaps that little wolf tengu?  But no, she's too straightforward."

The gold eyed youkai chuckled.  "Well I suppose it doesn't matter in the end.  Alright I'll do it."  Hatate's heart leaped up into her chest, but flopped back down immediately as Yukari raised a finger.  "But!  You will perform three small favors for me, and answer a question."

Hatate hesitated, then nodded.  "Agreed."  Technically Yukari was asking for more than what she offered, but small favors were much easier to refuse.

"First the question.  Why?"  Yukari folded her fan.  "Why go all this way for a date?"

"Huh?"  Hatate looked at the youkai sage.  She had no idea why Yukari was asking that.  But since she was bound to answer?  "Well..."  She blushed and looked away as she tried to put her thoughts into words.  "I mean, well our relationship isn't really going anywhere."  Hatate sighed and slumped at the words.  "It's not like I'm bored or anything, and really given we annoy each other all the time we're doing great but... we're always just hanging out at her place.  I like being with her and all, but it's always the same thing."  Hatate began flipping her phone open and closed in frustration.  "Like, she can't go wandering out on the surface because of your stupid rules, and I can't officially be seen with her in the underground so that's out.  So we need to do something big to like shake things up!"

Yukari blinked a few times then slowly brought her fan up to her brow.  "That explanation was both terrible and made no sense.  I should have known."  Hatate fumed at the youkai sage's condescension, but there was little she could say right now.

After a while Yukari opened her eyes again.  "Oh well, a deal is a deal.  In any case I'll tell you the first favor you must perform."  The fan snapped down to point at Hatate.  "You must publish a story about your date."

Hatate froze.  "What?"

"Sorry, was I not clear?"  Yukari rolled her eyes.  "Your date, write it up.  Make it a travel piece or a personal piece or an art piece or whatever, but I want you to make it clear to all Gensoukyo you are going out with Satori Komeiji."

The enormity of the request hit her like a boulder.  Tengu were allowed to have affairs with other races when they were young, but Hatate was around the age when she was supposed to be settling down with another tengu.  Openly dating someone who wasn't a Tengu was a sure way to draw odd looks.  Not to mention satori were nearly universally loathed and despised for their powers.  Admitting her girlfriend could rip surface thoughts right out of people's heads would not only make her look extra weird, it could forever taint her reputation as a reporter.

"Fine whatever," Hatate snapped.  She wasn't going to hide her feelings just for a bit of status.

"Hm..."  A faint smile appeared on Yukari's lips.  "My, you really do love her.  This is far more entertaining."

The purple clad youkai idly grabbed a book and threw it at Hatate.  She easily caught the missile then looked at the front cover in confusion.  "Learning French volumes one and two?  The hell is this?"

"I'm not stupid enough to send a satori to a country where the populace will understand her usual speech," Yukari replied bluntly.  "She'll spew out whatever's in their heart, and this little farce will end up in a fight.  So instead you're going to Paris.  Lucky you.  Hope you can learn the language fast."

Hatate rolled her eyes and pocketed the book.  "I'm a crow tengu.  Don't insult me."

---

"You really didn't need to do this," Satori said again as the two of them waited for Yukari to arrive.

The diminutive youkai had worked to straighten out her hair better, and had changed to boots that were more appropriate to the season up top.  Most importantly Satori had added a modern style jacket to hide away her third eye.  Hatate thought she looked cute in the outfit, though it helped that she was blushing.  It was really hard to make Satori flustered enough to blush.

"I still think I did," Hatate said.  "You can say you don't mind sitting around in your house and uh... talking every date, but I don't believe it."

"Well, I'm not sure if I'd ever get bored with having long personal talks followed by kinky sex," Satori replied, "but I can see you feel a little differently.  And I have to admit, I like the idea myself."

Hatate blushed and just shook her head.  She'd slowly gotten used to Satori reading her unspoken words and answering them, but some things were still embarrassing to hear out loud.

"That's part of what makes you cute," Satori whispered as she moved to kiss Hatate's cheek.

"Alright lovebirds, your train is here."  Yukari plopped out of a gap causing Hatate to squawk and mentally curse.  "You've got forty eight hours, and a thousand euros."  The gap youkai held out one of the 'debt' cards that had replaced money in the outside world.  "Don't spend either all in one place."

Hatate recovered herself enough to snatch the card.  "Don't you usually send Ran for these little excursions?"

Yukari just opened the boundary.  "Don't question, just go."

Satori nodded.  "Ah, you're trying to make Aya jealous so she'll make a move at Ran.  It won't work, but I understand the effort."  Yukari snarled as Satori took Hatate by the hand.  "Thank you for this."

Hatate recovered enough to start through the portal.  "Yeah, thanks and later."

She was rewarded with one last sigh from the boundary youkai before the gap swallowed her up and spat her out into a weakly lit stone passageway, Satori at her side.  The strange flow of air told the tengu they were underground.  The fact that the walls were niches filled to the brim with bones told them they were in a catacomb.  "What the heck?  Why here?"

"Ah, I don't think this is actually an insult," Satori said.  "It must be easier to link the old hell to places where death is revered.  And down here we're unlikely to bump into anyone when we enter and leave."

Hatate frowned, but conceded the point.  It still wasn't the first place she'd expected to see in Paris though.

Letting her mind calm down a bit though she started to see the charm of the place.  Sure bones were bones, but the effort and ritual the humans spent to build this resting place for their bodies was interesting.  And the little touches here and there showed that the workers had a sense of humor as well.  A heart made out of skulls looked at them from across the way.

"A fitting start for a date among youkai," Satori said as she moved to stand next to Hatate.

"Yeah," Hatate agreed.  She reached out and took the other woman's arm.  "Still there's a lot more to see."

"Yes there is," Satori replied with a smile.  "We're going to... the Louvre first?"

Hatate nodded as she pulled out a map.  "Let's see if we can figure out where we are then use this metro nonsense.  Man, not being able to fly is such a pain."

---

As the two youkai emerged from the catacombs the other reason Yukari probably dropped them down there became evident.  The noise of the city was like a open hand slap to Hatate.  It wasn't the people really, though there were more people wandering around then anywhere in Gensoukyo that wasn't having a festival.  It was those strange cars that the humans were driving around.  The noise of their engines and the rattling of the larger ones made the city loud indeed.

Next to her Satori winced a little and rubbed her eyes.  Hatate mentally kicked herself.  This was the first time in two years the other woman had been above ground, and she knew that Satori avoided both loud noises and crowds.

"It's fine," Satori said with a weak smile.  "I don't hate the sun.  And I should be able to handle crowds for a little bit.  I'll be fine."  Satori patted her on the arm.  "Let's go.  We can find someplace quiet for lunch."  She blushed.  "Ah and if I start replying to people's hearts under my breath just ignore me."

Hatate hesitated a bit, but eventually gave in.  "Alright.  But don't push yourself too much, okay."

It turned out that the metro system wasn't that hard to figure out at all.  The tickets were a little difficult, but Hatate's experience with Kappa technology allowed her to piece it together after a few faulty starts.

The ride over was slow, but not as slow as walking.  And the short trip did show them an interesting view of the city, both old and new.  Hatate was surprised at how different European architecture was to Japanese design.  And the random switching from generally clean streets of boutiques to generic blocky apartments with graffiti was an odd sight.

"It's always easy to forget these cities are real," Satori said quietly beside her.  "I've read so many stories, but the reality is always different."

"I wonder if there's a mythical Paris out there?  Like our Gensoukyo, or Baghdad the City of Wonders?" Hatate mused.

Satori glance at her in surprise, then smiled.  "I wonder."  Satori turned back towards the city.  "But I'd rather visit the real one first."

Hatate's further musing was cut short as the rail line dipped below the ground.  Instead she turned her attention to the metro maps.  "Ah.  It's the next stop."

As they reached the metro stop Hatate reached down and took hold of Satori's hand again.  Both of them were fairly short, and the station here looked a lot more crowded than the sparse platforms where they had got on.

"I'll make sure not to get lost," Satori replied with a smirk.  Hatate blushed again but didn't release her grip.

They made it out of the metro station with little incident, other than Satori muttering to some old guy chattering on his phone that he really shouldn't be lying to his mistress.  Fortunately the guy didn't know Japanese.  After that it was a pretty simple walk out of the station and across the street.

"Whoa," Hatate said as they rounded the corner and found the front of the building.  Her hand instinctively fished up her cell phone camera and took a picture.  The entry plaza was pretty, but even more than that, it was a beautiful anachronism.  The pyramid of glass and light in front of a very formal european palace made for an interesting juxtaposition.

"A little like having a Meiji era village with cellphones?" Satori asked.

Hatate winced.  "Well, I mean, honestly I have to say this is cooler.  I mean cellphones are easy.  This takes work."  She thought for a moment.  "Maybe if the kappa actually made that Hisoutensoku robot or something?"

"I think you might have spent a bit too much time chatting with that Sanae girl," Satori replied.

Hatate's retort was cut off as a tour bus stopped next to them.  Seeing Satori's grimace the tengu hurried over to the lines.

It took them a good five minutes to work through the queue.  Satori spent most of the time with her eyes closed and muttering to herself, while Hatate did her best to flutter around without actually fluttering.  Finally they made it to the front where Hatate managed to compose herself enough to ask for the tickets in French before dragging Satori over to a quieter corner, mentally kicking herself all the while.

"I should have known this was dangerous," she muttered to herself as she rubbed the shorter woman's back.

"It's not your fault," Satori replied weakly.  "It's no worse then when all my pets come to see me.  I just need a breather."

Anger washed over Hatate.  "Don't lie to me!  This isn't like when your pets all visit at once."  She turned away.  "Damn it Satori, I need you to tell me the truth about your feelings.  I can't read your heart."  Sometimes she wondered what the hell she was thinking.

"I don't know.  Did you think dating a satori was going to be easier?"  Satori snapped.

Hatate fumed at the constant refrain.  She hated it when Satori pulled that card on her.  It was so-

"Sorry."

Hatate slumped and took a deep breath.  She wondered again if this was the right choice.

She felt Satori's arm fall on her shoulder.  "That's why I was afraid to speak my own mind.  I don't want you worrying about this.  I want to be here."

Hatate lightly covered Satori's hand.  "Are you sure?"  This wasn't what she'd planned.

"I'm sure."  Satori squeezed her shoulder.  "Reality will never be as perfect as your dreams.  But I want to see it anyway."

She gave Satori's hand a return squeeze, then wiped her eyes before turning to face her lover.  "Alright.  Let's start off in the smaller exhibits then.  We can visit the bigger exhibits right before we leave."

"And you've got a quieter place we can visit afterwards?  Good idea."  Satori nodded, then pointed towards the stairwell.  "Why don't we start with the Egyptian relics then?"

---

Hatate broke off a piece of the local bread and used it to scoop up some jam before eating it.  "This is pretty good," she said.  "I wonder how hard it is to bake?"

"Getting the wheat might be hard," Satori said lightly as she nursed a cold coffee drink. 

The rest of the Louvre tour had turned out pretty well, aside from their rush through the most famous exhibits.  Hatate had taken tons of pictures of the artifacts and paintings.  Meanwhile Satori had regaled her of the various histories behind each of the works, either from the many books she'd read or by stealing the info out of other people's hearts.  It was amazing how much more interesting art was when you knew the stories.

"It's a lot like reporting and writing isn't it?" Satori said as she smeared butter on her own half of the baguette.  "It's not just the facts.  It's the story.  A record of the lives and emotions of others."

Hatate thought over it for a moment.  "Yeah.  I guess you're right.  I mean, no one's gonna care about a picture of some woman who's kinda smiling.  I can get those anywhere.  It's the story that makes the picture important."

The two walked on in silence for a bit more, enjoying the view.  The streets here were much quieter, along the banks of the Seine, and the river itself was gorgeous.  Hatate could understand why there were so many amateur painters on the riverside.

"So why Notre Dame as a quieter place?" Satori asked.

"Eh?"  Hatate looked over to her date.  "Ah!  Well uh, I figure it's gotta be kinda quiet because it's a church.  And well, the pictures I got... well you'll see when you get there."

"It looks like my palace?" Satori raised an eyebrow, then shrugged.  "Well, that does sound interesting.  And the streets around here are nice."

They finished their lunch as they crossed the bridge to the island.  Now that they were close enough Hatate didn't need the map.  The giant cathedral stood out, its intricately carved grey walls and minarets looming over the rest of the city.  It was the second biggest building Hatate had seen, barring the palace of the earth spirits, and she could tell it was taller than Satori's home by a few stories.

The crowds picked up a little here in front of the tourist attraction, but the part in front of the building was sizeable, and youkai had better eyesight than humans. Hatate led Satori to a spot a decent distance away so they could look over the saints and angels carved into the front.  Hatate flipped out her phone as Satori began explaining the imagery.  "Those there are the apostles-"

Suddenly Hatate felt a chill wash over her.  She instinctively raised her camera and looked up towards the rooftop.  There, peering down at her were several twisted stone statues, with grotesque faces and odd bodies.  They looked more like demons then angels.

"Gargoyles," Satori said quietly.  "They were made as wards against evil creatures.  Strange, I didn't expect them to react to us."

Hatate snapped a picture of them just in case, but there was no reaction from her camera's spiritual energy stealing function.  "They just there to creep us out or something?"

"Probably that's all they can do.  They have no hearts or minds," Satori said.

"Hmph,"  Hatate stuck her tongue out at the statues then took some pictures of the front.  "Let's get inside.  They won't be able to glare at us there."

Satori chuckled lightly and led the way towards the chapel.

Once they entered the dimly lit cathedral Hatate felt the pressure leave her mind.  At her side Satori seemed to brighten up a bit more as well.  "I see what you meant when you said it looked like home," the other woman said as she looked up at the rose patterned stained glass window.

"Yep!"  Hatate allowed herself to preen a bit.  Finally something that had actually gone as planned!  Sure Satori was right that plans didn't always work, but she had her pride.  She refused to accept that nothing would go right!

Satori laughed.  "You do always have your pride.  I can trust your tengu blood to give you that."  The other woman leaned against her arm, taking the sting out of the words.  "Still, I like it."

The two grabbed a pew and sat down to rest.  Hatate hated to admit it, but this was a lot more walking then she was used to.  She had wings for a reason after all.

"It's a good thing we both can depend on youkai endurance," Satori said quietly.

Hatate nodded, then let her eyes and camera wander.  "Huh, my spirit photography still works here," she noticed as she snapped a few photos.

"Probably the same reason the blessing didn't affect us.  The priests can't accept that we exist, so they can't protect against us.  One of the many species of devils on the other hand would probably have a hard time." Satori leaned back against the hardwood bench.  "The faith in the gargoyles is a little more broad."

Hatate frowned.  "That reminds me.  How come there are so many different hells worth of devils?  I mean I know why we don't count but..."

"Hm...  Well from what I've read off Kanako that's related to how all this came about," Satori said, gesturing to the cathedral.  "The war god of a pantheon decided they were going to take over the position of all the gods and get rid of all their competition.  And he sort of did."

"Sort of did?"  Hatate blinked in confusion.  "How do you sorta become head god?"

"He killed most of the other gods, and the surviving gods and demigods either accepted his rule or were cast into hells."  Satori sighed.  "And then he found that it's easy to convince people to believe in a creator with your name, but that doesn't actually make you the one true god."

Hatate thought about it for a moment.  "Huh.  I don't really get it, but that does explain the devil bit."  She looked over at Satori again.  "Why'd Kanako tell you all that anyway?"

Satori opened her eyes.  "Well it was part of her lessons on the care and feeding of gods.  Since Utsuho occasionally gets a little overconfident."

"You know, it's still kinda weird knowing you keep the sun god as a pet," Hatate said, turning her gaze back to the cathedral's architecture.

"It's still weird keeping a sun god as a pet," Satori muttered.  "Especially a sun god who hasn't really learned much from the experience other than nuclear physics."

Honestly Hatate still wondered how Satori managed to keep sentient youkai as pets to begin with, but they'd had that conversation before and in the end it just seemed to be another satori thing.  The best Hatate could hope for was corvid solidarity.

"Hm, well my definition of pet is a little different from what you consider as well, but as you said, we had this conversation before."  Satori stretched and stood.  "I'm feeling better now.  Why don't we finish looking over the interior before walking through the city a little more?"

"Sure thing," Hatate said as she hopped to her feet.

----

Hatate stretched as they left the restaurant.  They'd spent a fair amount of time wandering the narrow streets of the Latin Quarter before hunting down a nice quiet and dark restaurant.  Hatate had managed to get a seafood platter, while Satori had ordered a thick stew like dish called cassoulet.  Hatate suspected the dish had chicken in it, but kept her peace.  Well as much as possible with someone who could read your heart.

"So the next stop is the Eiffel Tower," Satori said.  "That's a good choice.  It appears so often in books, but they never visit it.  I'm curious."

"Yeah!  I figured we should go at night to see the city all lit up.  It's gotta be cooler that way, ya know?" Hatate replied.

Satori nodded.  "So how are we getting there?  Oh, the street is just around the corner?"

Hatate turned and pointed.  "It looks like it."

The tower was just as impressive as she imagined, glowing brightly in the sky, standing taller than any tree.  Past it stood the Arc de Triomphe, glowing under its own light, but dwarfed beneath the tower.  Hatate wondered how much power it took to light up the whole structure.

"Quite a bit I imagine, though from what I've read off of Kanako, less than a single reactor," Satori said.

Hatate blinked.  "A reactor can make that much power, huh?  It's hard to believe."

As they slowly strolled through the park to the monument Satori looked over the structure.  "So I take it we'll visit all three of the decks?"

"Of course," Hatate replied.  "Yukari's card has plenty of money, and we have to go to the highest floor.  I mean, it's the closest we'll get to flying right?"

"I see.  Then it looks like we'll have to wait until tomorrow," Satori said, pointing at a sign.

Hatate peered at it.  "Observation deck closes at four for maintenance?  The heck is that!"  The brightly lit tower seemed to be mocking her now.  "We won't be able to see the city at night then!"

Satori shrugged.  "So it seems.  We can always visit tomorrow."

"To hell with that," Hatate muttered.  She looked around at the other tourists to make sure none of them were watching, then pulled out her cellphone and punched in some commands that the kappa had shown her.

Satori's eyes widened.  "Camera blinding?  What?  But-  Ah-!"  Satori gasped as Hatate pulled her close then lept into the sky at speeds only a crow tengu could reach.  The brightly lit edifice became a wall of light as she flew upwards, then cut out as she opened her wings and lightly flitted to the top of the observation deck.

"There we are!"  Hatate relaxed her grip on Satori slightly, but she kept her arm around the other woman.  Being rapidly dragged somewhere by a tengu was a little disorienting.

Satori took a few breaths before shaking her head.  "Yukari's going to have a fit.  What was that about camera blinding as well?"

"Ah well," Hatate rubbed her head.  "I figure the only things that could see us would be cameras and stuff, so I used my own camera to make them blurry."

"Something the kappa probably made to mess with us reporters, hm?"  Satori sighed.  "Well I suppose it worked for us."

Hatate pouted.  "Come on, look at the view!"  Turning to look over the city she found herself stunned by her own suggestion.  A sea of lights, some moving down the roads, most glimmering in the darkness spread out before her.  It was a scene unlike anything in Gensoukyo.  Even the bright lights of a festival in the oni city were nothing in comparison.

"It is beautiful," Satori said quietly as she snuggled closer to her.

The two stood there on top of the tower for several minutes, slowly turning around to see all the skyline.  "It really is the City of Lights," Hatate said softly.

"Hm," Satori nodded.  "Perhaps one day we'll be able to compare it to another city."

Hatate silently agreed, though she wondered if that day would ever come.  It would take a lot of blackmail to get the youkai sage to allow them to do something like this again.

"Ah!"  Hatate started as she remembered something.  "That's right!  I've gotta take a photo of us!"

Satori's eyes opened wide and she blushed.  "Ah, well, but I don't like photos and..."

Hatate pouted as she looked down at her girlfriend.  This was a once in a lifetime photo!

"Well.  Since you need a photo for the article."  Satori straightened up a bit and pulled at her hair to try to straighten it.

"Right!  On three then!"  Hatate smiled widely and aimed the camera at the two of them.  This one was for great memories!

----

Hatate groaned as there was another knock on her door.  "No comment," she yelled at the visitor.

"I'm not a journalist," Momiji's voice called back.

The table creaked as Hatate pushed herself to her feet, then quickly threw the door open.  "Come in fast, before the rest of the vultures see their opening."

The wolf tengu smiled mercilessly, but stepped inside.  "So, how's it feel being the one whose relationship is currently under intense scrutiny?"

"I said I was sorry for that Valentine's Day mistake," Hatate cried raising her hands to the uncaring heavens.  "Besides this is like a thousand times worse!"

"I thought you'd be proudly proclaiming how love conquers all," Momiji asked, her smile widening.

Hatate slumped back in her chair.  "Yeah love conquers all and stuff.  It doesn't make all this nonsense suck any less."

?It was somewhat brave of you though,? Momiji said as she took a seat.  ?As a wolf tengu I?m mildly impressed.?

?What you don?t think I?m just doing this for the attention?? Hatate replied with a roll of her eyes.

Momiji shook her head.  ?If you were doing it for attention you?d have printed it immediately, like you did when the Taoist trio shot down your drunken advances.?  Hatate blushed deeply at that reminder.  The wolf tengu?s harsh smile faded into a serious expression.  ?No, I think you mean it.  Which is why I wanted to congratulate you, sincerely.?

?Um, thanks.?  Hatate idly flipped out her cell phone.  ?It?s easier for me though.  I mean, this will blow over eventually.?

Momiji?s expression grew grim.  ?No, it won?t.?  The wolf tengu sighed and closed her eyes.  ?You don?t spend a lot of time with the older tengu.  They remember the youkai of the underground, and they hate them.  Even if our generations don?t care, the elders will always view someone with ties to the underground as suspect.?  Momiji pulled out a small sake bottle from her sleeve.  ?You should drink to your political career, because it?s dead.?

Hatate sighed and grabbed the bottle.  ?Yeah whatever.?  She poured a cup and handed it to Momiji before scrounging for another one for herself.  ?My career died when I decided to be a chronicling journalist instead of a reporter.?

Momiji gave a light chuckle.  ?Well that might be true.?  She sipped the wine.  ?Though I have to admit, I think I like your new paper more.  If nothing else it?s different.?

?Thanks.  That means a lot.?  Hatate bowed slightly in return.  Praise like that did mean a lot to a crow tengu.

?Ah, one more thing,? Momiji tossed an odd key onto the table.  ?A? mutual friend was so moved by your story she? stole this key.  It should get you through the wards on the reactor elevator.?

Hatate picked up the gift.  There was no way it was stolen, given the only people who used the elevator didn?t have to worry about wards, but that just meant no one would complain.  ?Tell her thanks for me.  I?d text her myself but she?s being all cloak and dagger about it so??

Momiji rolled her eyes.  ?I told her no one would believe that story, but she insisted.?

Hatate giggled, than smiled as a thought hit her.  ?Hey that?s right!  Now that the stories out we can totally chat about our romances!  Come on, I want to hear all the details.?

?What!?  Momiji?s tail bristled.  ?Not a chance!  Especially not while you?ve got your cell phone out!?

?Come on Momiji.  This?ll be totally off the record.  I promise-?

?No!?

And so the two friends talked and fought well into the night.

Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #137 on: March 20, 2014, 10:46:48 PM »
Good story.  :)  It's always interesting to see nonstandard parings and youkai learning about the Outside.  One thing that confuses me though:

"I'm almost impressed.  You have to know I despise Satori."

Since when?

Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #138 on: March 21, 2014, 04:57:13 PM »
Since when?
If you check Reimu A's route for SA, she's pretty insistent that Reimu beat the snot out of Satori.  Toss in the fact that Yukari of all people would not want her true feelings read and, well...

Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #139 on: March 25, 2014, 10:22:47 PM »
(I should've set the message to notify me of replies, but by the time I thought about it it was in pending-moderator-approval limbo.)

If you check Reimu A's route for SA, she's pretty insistent that Reimu beat the snot out of Satori.  Toss in the fact that Yukari of all people would not want her true feelings read and, well...

I checked it out but didn't see anything hateful in Yukari's tone, her insistence seeming more "focus on the job" than " I hate satori."  I'm also pretty sure that Yukari can block mind-reading with boundary powers (if she thinks to do it).

Of course, Yukari being a bitch would be in-character.

Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #140 on: May 07, 2014, 04:36:09 AM »
While not breaking the libraries NSFW policy, if your mother is reading over your shoulder, scroll to a different story segment to avoid interesting questions.

This is Ruro's fault.  Well her and the two cosplayers who gave her the idea.

---

I carefully gave the fairies my best glare without actually resorting to scowling.  "Now return to your duties.  And stop juggling the axes."

"Yes ma'am," the unrepentant maids replied before scattering to the winds.  I sighed, then allowed my expression to return to my usual expressionless mask.  I really wasn't too upset at the fairies, but it was important that they thought I was.  Showing that their antics were mildly amusing would only encourage them in the future.

As my counterpart consistently proved time and time again.

"I see you're done, miss Izayoi.  Great work."

I found myself sighing again.  Turning I found my other self smiling.  It was disconcerting to see such a carefree smile on my own face.

"You of all people can refer to me by my first name you know," I replied.

"Ah, but I wouldn't want to confuse the fairy maids," Sakuya said.

I frowned, but held my peace.  It was a good excuse, but I knew the smiling maid across from me had no issue with confusing the fairy maids whenever the mood struck.  Sakuya had no issue confusing anyone if the mood struck her.  The blue clad maid had done it for months after the incident a year ago.

It had in fact been a full year since that day.  The day I had been ripped from my world just as I was about to punish Yukari Yakumo for her role in the second "Koumajou" incident.  I had somehow tumbled through time and space to this Gensoukyo.  A Gensoukyo of brighter colors and more distant dueling, though one that was still just as hectic at times as my own.

I had been lucky.  The residents of the mansion had been kind to me.  They had even worked to send me home at first, until they learned the truth.  I had been ripped from my correct timeline, but I wasn't the true Sakuya Izayoi of that world.  I was a time double, an accident of the strange power that I wielded.  It was impossible for me to return to the timestream that I remembered as my own without destroying my individuality.

And so the residents of the Scarlet Devil Mansion had taken me in, again.  Sure there were differences between the worlds.  Patchouli was a little more openly sarcastic, Meiling slightly more competent, the mistress more playful, and the little sister slightly less insane.  But I recognized them all.

It was my other self that confused me the most.  The constantly smiling maid Sakuya.  A carefree woman in light blue and white in stark contrast to my own deadpan mask and black pinstriped uniform.
I shook off my ruminations and turned my attention fully to the other maid.  "Do you need my help for something?  My duties for the day are mostly done."

"Yes actually.  There's a small problem that you can help with."  Sakuya's smile widened as an explosion rattled through the mansion.  "Marisa's broken into the library again, but it's the Mistress' tea time.  Could you handle it?"

I felt my eye twitch.  In the time it took for Sakuya to find Marisa breaking in then find me and tell me, she could have solved the matter herself.  Or at least made an attempt.  Still there was nothing to be done about it now.  "I see.  I'll take care of it then."

Sakuya nodded.  "Thank you so much."

I stopped time and began walking towards the library.  As I left I felt Sakuya activate her own ability and begin moving towards Remilia's room.  It was amazing how often Sakuya came to me with an emergency.  And even more amazing how often the other woman coincidentally couldn't help, or for some reason forgot the obvious solution to the problem.

At least the mansion was easy to navigate.  We had discovered that for all our differences our powers were exactly the same.  Thus we both instinctively understood each other's time manipulations and could work with or around them.  I reached the library within a minute of stopped time.

As I walked through the door I took stock of the situation.  Patchouli was down, already beaten, one of the bookcases was slightly blackened by what was most likely the spell that defeated Patchouli, an end table was overturned and its lamp was broken.  Minor damage then.  Looking at the perpetrator I found Marisa was standing on the ground today.  That was a bit strange.  Usually the young magician prefered to start her battles in the air, indicating she wanted to use danmaku primarily.  Starting a fight while on the ground signaled you wanted to use physical attacks as well.

Well I wasn't one to question my foe's errors.  I allowed myself to phase back into normal time as I readied my weapons.  "I'm sorry, but the library is closed today for repairs.  Could you come back later?"

"Ack!  Sakuya!"  Marisa hopped back at her sudden entrance.  It was so pleasant surprising people like that.  "Oh great, and the serious one at that.  Why couldn't I get the smiley maid?"

"Probably your bad karma."  I moved to Patchouli's side.  "Lady Patchouli, should I escort this ruffian out?"

Patchouli coughed and gave me a dark look.  "Yes," she wheezed.

"Well you can try," Marisa cried out as she spun her broom.  Taking that as the invitation to start the fight, I turned around, then somersaulted backwards to land next to Marisa.

As the magician staggered away from my sudden advance I drew my favorite sword and slashed at her.  The enchantments to prevent it from killing slowed the cut a little, but the silver blade still had the hungry sheen that drew me to it back when I first acquired it.

Marisa barely parried the blade with her broom, getting dumped on the floor for her efforts.  "Holy shit!  The hell is that?  Yumeko's supposed to be the crazy sword nut, not you Sakuya!"

"Oh?  Has my counterpart put away the sword?  Strange," I mused.  It had been a long time since I'd seriously considered giving up my vampire hunting blade.  Of course my knives were my best weapon but...

I realized my carelessness as Marisa flung herself into the air.  "Well if we're gonna play rough, take these!"  The Magician tossed out several bottles from her hat, ones that I knew packed quite an explosive punch.

A wave of my hand summoned several silver knives, then a thought stopped time.  I carefully judged where each bottle would end up, then threw knives at those locations.  Then as an after thought I tossed a blade straight at Marisa's face.  With that handled I restarted time.

"Wah-!"  Marisa fell to the ground as explosions ripped through the library again.  I was mildly disappointed the blade hadn't hit Marisa, but at least her attack had been stopped.

"Would you like to go home now?" I asked as I retrieved another brace of knives.  The young magician girl had to realize the fight was no longer going her way.

Marisa growled and pulled out her Hakkero.  Apparently the witch was in a fighting mood.  "It ain't over yet!  Let's see you handle my Master Spark!"

I prepared myself to escape the blast when the sensation of time stopping washed over me.  Sakuya waved to me as she stepped into the library, then casually threw a batch of knives at the magician.  I took the time the other maid gave me to grab Patchouli and leave the area of Marisa's attack.

Honestly I didn't really need to bother.  As time resumed Sakuya's knives struck Marisa dead on.  The magician yelped as the enchanted blades tore her clothes and sent her sprawling, her own attack lost.  "Please avoid damaging the library more.  It would be a shame if we had to spend more time repairing it," Sakuya said.

Marisa slowly wobbled to her feet, her frown deepening.  "Hey, two on one is cheating you know."

Sakuya curtsied.  "Ah, but you only faced Sakuya Izayoi."

I nodded.  "Indeed.  Surely Marisa Kirisame is match for a simple maid."

"Augh, you two make my head hurt sometimes,"  Marisa adjusted her hat then hopped on her broom.  "You win this time Sakuya.  I guess we'll have to finish up later Patchy."  And with that the black white mage flitted out of the library.

As soon as Marisa was out the window we both stopped time, almost simultaneously.  I moved to the entry window to close and lock it, while Sakuya moved to the end table and righted it before sweeping up the lamp shards to be fixed later.  I did a bit of light dusting on the shelves while my other self got another lamp to replace the old one.  When the room had been mostly returned to order we moved back to our original positions before allowing time to restart.

"Are you alright, Lady Patchouli?" I asked.

"Are you alright, Miss Patchouli?" Sakuya asked.

Patchouli glared at us as she stood up.  "If you insist in speaking on unison please at least say the same line," she muttered.

"Sorry, that wasn't our intention, Miss Patchouli," Sakuya said.

"My apologies, but that was not our intention, Lady Patchouli," I said.

Patchouli closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths before just shaking her head and glaring at both of us.  "Well, in any case, I am fine now.  I would appreciate it if you dealt with intruders a little faster."

I did my best to keep a straight face as I replied, "You insisted we should be more catlike Lady Patchouli, so it seemed proper to play with our catch."

"Ah!"  Sakuya giggled.  "That is rather catlike."

Patchouli rubbed her forehead.  "In this case I'll accept more human behavior."  She floated over to her chair and plopped down.  "Thanks for removing the rat.  Please make sure she does not disturb me again."

"Of course, Miss Patchouli," Sakuya said.  I nodded my head in agreement.

I turned to head back to the main part of the mansion, Sakuya moving to my side as we exited the library.  "You arrived quickly.  Did the mistress decide to skip tea?" I asked.

"Ah!"  Sakuya clasped her hands together as her eyes widened.  "I forgot, she told me Tupai escaped again."  She turned up to face me, her smile returning.  "We should go find it."

I raised an eyebrow at that.  She forgot that the mansion's pet chupacabra had escaped?  In less than ten minutes?  Still, there was nothing I could do about that.  "I suppose we should."

Stopping time I moved to the window, brushed aside the thick curtains, and hopped out.  Our first job was to make sure it didn't get outside.  Apparently the last time it broke out it had made it all the way to the village.  That would make searching more difficult.

Sakuya followed me out the window landing gracefully next to me.  As she looked over to me I pointed back towards the window.  "Shouldn't we shut that?"

"Oh! Of course."  I shook my head as she flew up to the window to close it.  Somehow she'd remembered to draw the curtains behind her, so no sunlight could bother our mistress, but forgotten the window itself.

As she returned to my side I allowed time to resume.  It was too easy to miss hiding creatures in the still world outside time.  I began walking alongside the mansion, making sure all the other windows were closed.

Sakuya moved to walk beside me, humming a light tune.  After a bit I raised an eyebrow.  "Wouldn't it be better if we split up?"

"Two searchers are better than one," she replied.  "And splitting up never works well on a hunt."

"We preferred to work alone," I commented as we rounded the corner.

She giggled.  "Well Sakuya's the only one here, no?"

I shrugged.  "I suppose that's true."  Seeing there was no use arguing I continued the rounds, keeping an eye out for movement.  The furtive dashing of small animals was the best sign something was moving in the area.  However the squirrels and sparrows only seemed to be fleeing from her.

Finally we finished our circuit.  It seemed that the mansion was still secured, and that Tupai hadn't escaped onto the grounds.  "Hm...  Well its still inside.  I guess we'll have to search there."  I closed my eyes and began to consider where a blood drinking youkai might be.

I needn't have bothered.  A scream, followed by the crash of a fairy dashing through a window without bothering to open it.  Fortunately for my sanity, the latch was weaker than the frame, meaning that the window merely burst open instead of breaking.  The fairy flew past us screaming "Monster!  Monster!  Sharp pointy death has come for us!"

"Oh dear," Sakuya said.

I stopped time and hopped through the window.  This time Sakuya shut it behind her as she followed me.  When I was certain the window was at least partially secured I restarted time.

I was rewarded by the skittering dash of an escaping chupacabra to my right.  I nodded then started to stop time again when Sakuya grabbed my arm.  "This way," she cried.

"Ah-!"  My concentration broken, I found myself dragged along as Sakuya ran after Tupai.  The little chupacabra ricocheted through the halls like the superball Flandre had bought once, with Sakuya dragging us in hot pursuit.  Vases wavered dangerously and fairy maids screamed and ran away as we scrambled through the mansion.

Finally the creature hopped into a room, forcing Sakuya to slow down and kick open the door fully.  With a grimace I stopped time, bringing the other woman's run to a halt.  "Oh.  Right," Sakuya said with a grin.

Sighing I untangled my arm from hers, then walked into the room and grabbed the offending pet by the scruff of its neck before restarting time.  The creature briefly struggled, then went limp like a cat would.  A strange reaction for a bloodsucker, but one that served me well.  "There.  Now to get the cage."

"It's with the mistress," Sakuya replied.  "Shall we join her."

I nodded.  "Yes."  It would be good to see Lady Remilia today.

We both stopped time again to escort Tupai back to Remilia's tea room.  The mistress was enjoying a book along with her tea it seemed.  That was good.  While Lady Remilia's antics when bored could be amusing, they were also usually quite demanding.  A good book could keep her for a week, reading and rereading.

I carefully placed Tupai into its cage while Sakuya took up a place opposite Remilia.  After I made sure the chupacabra's home was secured, I moved to Sakuya's side and let time resume.  "The situation is solved my lady," we said in unison.

"Ah, Sakuya and Sakuya," Remilia smiled and looked up from her book.  "Good work.  I hope there wasn't too much damage.  I heard an explosion."

Sakuya shook her head.  "That was Marisa's fault, Lady Remilia.  Tupai here just messed up one of the rooms a little."

Remilia blinked in surprise.  "Marisa?  You did properly scold her, yes?"  Apparently Sakuya had somehow failed to inform our mistress of the other intrusion.

"She was repelled with the proper amount of humiliation, though I focused more on making sure Lady Patchouli was unharmed," I stated.

"Ah, yes we wouldn't want Patchy to be too annoyed," Remilia replied magnanimously.  She was probably fully aware that Patchouli was annoyed anyway, but the mistress secretly enjoyed that.

"Do you need anything else, Lady Remilia?" Sakuya asked.

Remilia turned her attention back to her book.  "No, thank you.  Please continue turning guests away for the rest of the day."

"As you will Lady Remilia," we replied before stepping out.

Several feet down the corridor I realized we were walking in the same direction at the same pace.  It was something that happened occasionally, and it was always disconcerting.  "I'm capable of cleaning up the room Tupai messed up.  You should probably calm the fairies."

"Calming the fairies is most likely a job for two people," Sakuya replied with a wink.  "We should finish the cleaning first."

The explanation was nonsense, but I suppose it might be for the best.  I hesitated to imagine the stories she'd feed the little fairy maids.  Instead I turned my attention to the room as we entered.  It seemed there was little physical damage, other than to the bedsheets that the creature had punctured.  It was barely noticeable, but almost perfect wasn't good enough for the Scarlet Devil Mansion.

I pulled the sheets off the bed, then pulled out a new set from the rooms closet before starting to make the bed.  "What did you have in mind for handling the fairies?" I asked idly as I tucked in the covers.

"I was thinking perhaps we could use the good cop, bad cop routine.  Perhaps I could be the bad cop," Sakuya replied as she pulled out a clashing set of pillow covers.

I stopped and turned to face the woman.  "You have to know that I know you're doing this deliberately.  Why?"

Her grin widened.  "It's important not to take life so seriously, right?"

Something snapped within me at those words.  I reached out and cupped her chin, forcing her to look me in the eyes.  "It's not proper for someone who wants to die to smile like that."

Sakuya's eyes flew open wide at that, her smile vanishing in shock.  When it returned there was a sorrow there she'd never shown me before.  "Even if my life is an aberration, I made a promise long ago to enjoy the presence of those I love."  She reached up and stroked my cheek.  "Even if my smile is hollow, it has to hurt less then your mask.  When will you smile, Sakuya Izayoi?"

"When you finally smile for yourself instead of just for everyone else," I replied softly.

Her hand froze for a second, then slowly moved behind my head.  She moved forward slightly, her lips inviting me without a word.  And suddenly I understood what she, no what we both needed.

I let my own hand slip from her chin to her shoulder before drawing her into my embrace.  I started to take her lips, but she was faster, kissing me deeply, her tongue already searching inside my mouth.  She pushed me back to the bed, and I resisted only long enough to slam the door shut with a thrown knife.  It wouldn't be right to mar this by stopping time.

We clung to each other, kissing desperately, pausing only to gasp for breath.  Her hand found its way to my thigh.  Mine slipped beneath her collar.  I felt her soft back, marred only by the scar we both carried.

It wasn't enough.  We needed to be closer.  I tore off her kerchief and started on her buttons as she pulled off my skirt.  We pulled away each others clothing baring our true selves.  Our hands explored our bodies, rediscovering ourselves.  Examining every soft curve and jagged scar.  Showing each other that there was someone out there who understood and accepted who we were without reservation or explanation.

The climax was almost an intrusion into our desperate joining, but neither of us could pull away.  We were one in a way no other two people could be, and right now we were together.  The experience peaked, sending electricity through our bodies for what seemed like forever.  And then it was done.

I collapsed next to her.  The powerful need that had driven me was gone, though I felt relaxed.  Calm.  Sakuya slipped her arm beneath my neck and pulled herself next to me, but there was just simple closeness in the action, not desire.  I slowly exhaled then lightly brushed her hair away so I could see her eyes.  They were open, and while they weren't shining like they normally were, I could see there was no falsehoods.  I wondered what she saw in my eyes.

Whatever it was her smile returned.  She caressed my cheek and said quietly.  "Well, when people said learning to love yourself was a rewarding experience I didn't realize how right they were."

I groaned and flopped back onto the pillow.  Sakuya hummed in concern.  "Hm?  Was the joke really that bad?"

"No," I replied.  "It's just I wanted to use that joke.  Now I have to think up something else."

Her happy laughter rang sweetly through the room, and I allowed myself, ever so slightly, to smile.

Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #141 on: May 12, 2014, 07:29:04 PM »
Selfcest is wincest?
I have...a terrible need...shall I say the word?...of religion. Then I go out at night and paint the stars.

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #142 on: May 17, 2014, 11:51:39 PM »
...would that count as yuri, or selfcest, or...?

That did NOT go where I expected it to from the first part at all.
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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #143 on: July 09, 2014, 06:51:21 PM »
Something for Tanabata.  Perhaps my wish will make it into a basket somewhere...

--------

"Hinanawi Chikio!  Your actions are utterly unforgivable."

Tenshi snarled at the use of her old name, but she couldn't interrupt.  The person chewing her out was her dad's boss after all.  As meaningless as the term was for a group of people who didn't DO anything.

The old man stood and began to pace slowly as he listed off her faults.  "You've been using the Sword of Hisou for personal entertainment.  You have allowed the number of earthquakes to drop below their required number.  You've been out fighting and sometimes even LOSING to earthly beings.  And worst of all you allowed an oni to reside in heaven without even trying to remove her."  The man stopped and looked down at her.  "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I'm sorry about losing," she replied before muttering under her breath.  "The yama's lectures were way more impressive though."

The man's eyes shot open as he overheard her muttering, but he didn't say anything.  Invoking the Yamaxanadu's name was bad luck to those superstitious cowards, so he had to settle for scowling down at her.  Her parents were of course mortified, but that was a standard occurrence.

After a few awkward moments he folded his courtier's fan and struck up his 'magnanimous ruler' pose.  "I am a reasonable man however, and I believe I have decided on a fitting punishment for your transgressions."  He waved, and two servants came forward with a basket filled with paper slips.  "As you know tanabata was just a few days ago, and we celestials have a tradition of granting a few worthy people their wishes."  The man's smile widened.  "Since you've spent so much time with the earthly creatures, granting three of these wishes shouldn't be hard at all right?"

Tenshi groaned.  She tried to think of something worse than trying to play matchmaker to the residents of Gensoukyo and found herself struggling.  Still one of the things on that list was sitting here and listening to her dad's boss chew her out more.  "Sure, I'll do it."

The man blinked at her easy acceptance.  "Um, very well then."  He motioned the two attendants to bring her the basket.  "Make sure you do this properly.  The dragon palace will be evaluating the results this year."

She winced at the thought of another lecture if she screwed this up.  At least she didn't need to worry about being the worst performer.  There were plenty of lazy celestials who found 'no worthy wishes.'  Sighing she started looking through the paper slips.  There was a lot of the usual crap about 'finding a girl/boyfriend,' and 'making lots of money.'

At the next slip she paused, then slowly started to smile.  She'd forgotten something very important.  Maybe this work wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Alright!  Gotta go!  There are wishes to fill!"

----

Mokou looked over at her eternal rival.  She was honestly tempted to start a fight right then and there, but the bamboo forest was dry from the summer heat, and while the rabbits that had accompanied the princess out on her walk were already running away, they'd be back with reinforcements soon.

Instead she settled for distant politeness.  "Hello, princess.  It's not like you to go out without a guard or ten."

"Eirin was getting a little stifling.  I wanted to get out on my own for a bit."  Kaguya sniffed.  "So if it's all the same to you could we skip the usual festivities?  I'd really rather not have her think of more reasons to stay inside."

"So long as you keep her from shooting me when she shows up sure," Mokou replied.

The two stood there glaring at each other awkwardly.  Mokou had come to suspect that Kaguya enjoyed their violent murder fests as much as she did.  And she had to admit to herself that the long grudge that had motivated her wasn't burning as brightly as before.  But she really couldn't communicate with the princess per say.

Mokou's ruminations were cut short by a sudden downpour.  She sputtered as the foul tasting liquid drenched her from head to toe.  Across the way she heard Kaguya squawk in protest as a similar fate befell her.  Mokou looked up to see a smug looking woman in celestial raiments smiling down at them.

"Two wishes, fulfilled," the woman said gleefully as she struck a match.

Mokou had just enough time to register that the liquid covering her smelled suspiciously like gasoline before the woman dropped the flame.

The fumes ignited immediately setting both of them on fire.  In the part of her brain that wasn't screaming about burning to death, Mokou came to the sneaking suspicion that wishing that Kaguya die in a fire might not have been the best Tanabata wish.  Then again apparently her foe had similar ideas.

She was pondering what that meant from a moral standpoint when she finally managed to die.

----

Marisa ducked the sweeping laser from Patchouli's spell.  "Come on Patchy, don't get so worked up.  You have two of these anyway."

"It's the principle you thieving rat," Patchouli muttered darkly before sending more homing bullets towards her.

Marisa weaved through those and over a laser before raining down some magic missiles at the older witch.  "Sorry sorry.  It's just this one spell.  I'll return it when..."

Strong hands grabbed her from behind.  Marisa yelped, then flailed as someone pulled her off her broom.  "What the heck Sakuya, this is cheating!"

"Not Sakuya," Tenshi replied.  Marisa froze up.  She had no idea why the celestial was here, but she knew one thing:  This was going to suck.

Sure enough she was soon hurtling through the air towards a rapidly expanding purple figure.  She hit a soft object that "Mukyuu"ed rather loudly before the two of them slammed into the ground.  Physical wards were a very good thing she idly mused as her brain attempted to reboot from impact.

She'd just managed to recover enough to realize her face was buried in Patchouli's cleavage and begin to blush when the horrific snap of a camera shutter sounded through the library.  There was an excited flutter of bat wings, as a familiar familiar's voice calle out, "Excuse me Miss Patchouli, but I need to run an errand to Alice's~.  I'll be back in a jiffy."

Her face was burning as she pushed herself off of Patchouli to flop on the floor.  She managed to glance at the other magician long enough to confirm that Patchouli was blushing slightly as well, though probably not as bad as she was.  "Uh... truce until we stop Koakuma?"

"Truce until we stop Koakuma and kill that Celestial," Patchouli replied quietly.

"Deal."

----

Kotohime jumped as a bound youkai slammed into the ground next to her.  "Wha-!"  The self proclaimed police officer spun around looking for the culprit of this heinous crime.  "Who did this!"

Unfortunately the guilty party did not immediately come forward.  A shameful act that only added to their crimes, Kotohime mused.  Sighing Kotohime turned to the victim.  "Well I suppose we should free you."

The black and white haired woman who had been tied up muttered something into her gag and glared at her.  Kotohime frowned at the disrespect.  "Hey now, I'm trying to help."  She wondered if there was a law allowing her to arrest people for not properly thanking their rescuers.

Her response was only another muttering and an increase in thrashing from the bound woman.  "Hm..."  As the woman struggled in her bonds a thread of memory slowly began to surface.  "Ah!"

Kotohime looked over the woman again then scrambled over to where the bounties were listed.  There pinned to the wall was the face of the 'victim' framed by the words "Wanted : Alive but roughed up.  Seija Kijin."

It was too good to be true.  She grabbed the poster then ran over to place it next to the woman's face.  A perfect match!  "Aha!"  She jumped for joy, then realized that was improper for the face of justice.  "Ahem!"  She stood up straight then crossed her arms.  "You've been a bad girl haven't you Seiji Kijin!  I'm placing you under arrest!"

For some reason the figure looked slightly happier at her declaration.  Still that wasn't going to stop a true policewoman like Kotohime!  She slung the criminal over her shoulder and began heading to the main office.  This was going to be her biggest bust yet!

-----

Yuugi took a deep drink from her sake dish before looking over at the small woman who was challenging her.  "You really want to go one on one with me kid?  This isn't actually Gensoukyo you know.  If you want to go one on one with an oni for real there are consequences.  You lose and I get to abduct you."  Yuugi cracked her knuckles.  "Been a while since I abducted a celestial too.  I might get a little enthusiastic."

The girl hesitated at that and Yuugi let out a small sigh.  Too bad.  Yuugi had almost been looking forward for an all out drag out duel.  Still she waited.  Maybe the girl would have something to entertain her.

"Uh, well, I kinda know Suika, and she'd get mad if I killed you.  And I'm preeeety sure it'd be violating the spirit of the wish.  At least that's what the high ups would say."  Tenshi coughed.  "Also I have something I need to do after this.  Which I can't do if I'm abducted."

"Well that's kinda the point of abducting people," Yuugi said.  "But let's compromise.  I win you're mine for a week after a couple of days.  You win you get to brag about it forever and demand any one thing from me."

Tenshi bit her lip, then looked down at the slip and back to Yuugi.  Yuugi could almost see the gears spinning in the young celestial's head.  'The bet isn't that big.  And I can take an oni right?  Besides I can't back down from this...'  Yuugi had seen that kind of self deception over and over through the years.  Still her foe was a celestial this time.  If nothing else she knew the woman was tough.

Finally Tenshi smiled.  "Alright!  I accept.  Let's do this!"

Yuugi finished her drink then set her dish aside.  It would be terrible if the artifact got chipped after all.  "All right.  Let's see what you got."  Yuugi slammed down her foot, and the ground trembled.  "This cavern can take a lot of shaking, so let's cut loose!

---

Tenshi groaned as the water splashed on her face.  "What happened?"

"I punched you.  Repeatedly."

She groaned again as she recognized the voice.  Her eyes flickered open to see Yuugi looking down at her with a big smile.  The woman's shirt was dirty and there was a slight cut on her cheek, but from the pounding in Tenshi's head it was obvious who'd gotten the worst of the fight.

Tenshi pushed herself upright and looked around.  She was in the underground city, on a rooftop near the castle.  There was a party going on downstairs of course, but up here was sorta quiet.  The pounding in her head was even starting to recede.  Celestial healing was a nice thing to have.

She looked over at Yuugi and sighed.  "I don't suppose my great efforts mean you'll let me off without paying my end of the bargain?"

"Nope!"  Yuugi replied happily.  "It's no fun if nothing's on the line."  The oni tossed her a small pouch.  "But I'll give you these to finish your job properly."

Tenchi tentatively opened the pouch to find two uncooked beans.  Shrugging she ate them.  To her surprise her aches and pains started fading away.  "Wow.  They're like the peaches of heaven."

Yuugi laughed.  "Ah, so that's why you carry one.  Next time we fight you might wanna actually use it."  The oni's smile widened.  "For that matter you might wanna bring down a sack or two when you drop by to pay your debt.  Maybe we can make a proper drink out of them."

"Right."  Tenshi sighed and stretched as she attempted to get her bearings.  Her body was feeling better, which meant she could complete the final phase of her plan, which was...

She groaned again as she remembered what her final plan was.  "Why do all my plans involve me getting beaten up?  Maybe Iku was right when she said I was becoming a masochist."

"Sounds like you think you need some karmic retribution?  Try doing less evil.  Or caring less about being evil," Yuugi said.

"Hmph.  I'd rather be out and out evil then incompetent like the do nothings at the top," Tenshi muttered.  Shrugging she hopped into the air.  "Well anyway, I better do this fast before that crazy sun bird heads home.  She might be able to beat me in my current state."

Yuugi laughed.  "She might indeed.  That girl's tough enough to make me try a little in my fights."  The oni pulled out a sake bottle and started pouring.  "Have fun with your job.  And remember, be here ready to drink four days from now at sunset, or I'll go hunting for you with Suika."

"Nice to know I warrant you bringing backup," Tenshi sighed before flying towards the palace.

As she approached the building she tried to guess what would be the best way to break in.  The palace was huge, and filled with informants who'd reveal her arrival to the master of the place.  Worse as soon as she found her target a fight would break out.

In the end she decided on the brazen approach.  After all only the bird and the cat could possibly stop her.  She went to the front door, and knocked.

There was a long pause before the door opened revealing one of the two people she didn't want to see.  "Yeah, what is it sis?" Orin asked coldly.

"Greetings denizen of hell," Tenshi said in her best official voice.  "I'm here as a representative of the heavens to grant the wishes of honest people."

Orin slammed the door shut.

Tenshi blinked for a moment before hammering on the door again.  "Wait damn it.  I'm here to help your master, not kill her.  No one cares enough to make those kind of wishes about satori anymore."

There was a pause, then the door opened a creak again.  "Alright sis, I suppose I can let you in.  Especially since there's no way a mind like yours can actually kill a satori."

"Thanks," Tenshi replied with a roll of her eyes.  She didn't mention to the kassha that her sword probably could kill youkai protected with limited invulnerability.  It would give the wrong ideas about the visit.

The wisdom in her choice was quickly made evident by the twisting and turning path Orin took them to get through the castle.  There was no way Tenshi could have figured out where to look on her own.  In fact it took Orin ten minutes to locate Satori herself.  The underground youkai was in a sitting room reading when they walked in.

Of course as soon as Satori saw her the youkai's three eyes widened.  "Hm...?  Tanabata wish?  Perfect setup.  Wait- KIDNAPPING ME?"

Tenshi took this as her cue to blast the cat and grab her target.  With luck she'd have bought enough time to make it to the surface.

---

Hatate was busy looking through her camera for the best photos for her paper when a dark red catgirl burst through the door.

"That stupid celestial's kidnapped Satori and broken into the shrine and I don't know what she's doing but you better help out damn it!" Orin yelled at her while waving her arms fantically.

Hatate was out the door and halfway up the mountain before she realized she didn't have the foggiest clue what was actually going on.  Slowing down she turned to the kassha.  "Wait, WHO kidnapped Satori?  And which shrine?"

A white blur that she barely was able to recognize as Momiji flew past her towards the Moriya shrine.  Orin pointed after the wolf tengu.  "Tenshi and that shrine."

"Right."  Hatate returned to flying blindly into danger.  She'd beat the answers out of that blue haired nitwit.

----

Iku floated down before the masses of celestials.  She felt slightly nervous speaking to them, especially given she was lower ranked.  Still she was acting on behalf of the dragon palace, which meant they couldn't attack her for her words.  Probably.

"I have been sent to announce the findings of the dragon palace in respect to the Tanabata wishes," she stated to the crowd.  Most of them just nodded in boredom.  "This year we had more Celestials participate than ever before, due to the larger number of celebrants.  However the number of wishes granted was less than ever before."

She cleared her throat and the whispers began.  Usually that pronouncement was followed by a short disclaimer that the Dragon Palace didn't blame those responsible for not finding enough worthy celebrants.  The lack of that face saving statement was apparently noticed.

Iku continued.  "This year there was one person who's actions stood out more than others.  The dragon palace would require Hinanawi Tenshi step forward."

At this point the murmuring turned into a dull rumble.  Tenshi's family was not well regarded in heaven, and the eldest daughter's antics were starting to become famous.  The sneering grin Tenshi wore as she moved to the front of the crowd only intensified the muttering.

Iku coughed again and took a deep breath before continuing.  "Hinanawi Tenshi, your actions were some of the most shameful that the dragon palace has ever seen.  You killed two of your wishers, got involved in seven fights, started two major diplomatic incidents, and caused incalculable havoc in heaven's name.  Never before has someone brought so much chaos and mayhem to these proceedings.  The stain you've given to the reputation of the heavens will linger for decades."  Tenshi shrugged at Iku's pronouncements while the crowd began to either laugh or sneer at the young celestial.

"We find ourselves furious at your actions, and would punish you with our full might," Iku paused before finishing, "were it not for the fact you granted more wishes and spread more happiness than all the other Celestials combined."

Dumbstruck silence fell at Iku's pronouncement.  Even Tenshi seemed confused.  "Wow.  You guys were really that dull?"

Iku fought to keep from smirking as she finished the proclamation.  "Thus we are forced to, grudgingly, give you some manner of commendation.  Or in this case, pardon for your actions.  We merely demand that you pay your debt to the oni."

"That is all."  Iku closed the scroll.

Tenshi turned to the crowd.  "Ha!  I might be a failure, but you're all bigger losers."  She stuck out her tongue and then dropped through the clouds of heaven towards earth.

Iku took the chaos at Tenshi's passing to beat her own retreat, shaking her head all the way.  "What will we do with you eldest daughter?"

Still she found she was smiling as well.

---

Eirin finished writing down the medical data before looking over at her houseguest.  "I have to thank you for the help you've given me.  Reisen's a fine assistant, but I need her for my work.  Having her stay and help here would have set me back days."

"No no no.  I have to thank you.  After all it's not like you had a lot of reasons to trust me," Keine replied.

"Well given the circumstances I think we have the same goals for once," Eirin said.  "In fact I'd say there's no one in Gensoukyo I could trust more with this task."

Keine's response was interrupted by a pounding on the plastic tank.  Eirin turned to see Mokou and Kaguya both glaring angrily at them.  "Eirin Yagokoro!  As your princess I ORDER you to let us out!" Kaguya yelled.

Eirin shook her head.  "I'm afraid I can't let you out until I'm certain you've been cured of your terminal stupidity.  Don't worry.  I think it should be past in about a week."

"Come on Keine!  I told you the forest fire wasn't our fault!  You have to believe me," Mokou said.

"Actually it was your fault," Keine replied primly.  "Which is why I'm here to force you children to learn to play nicely together."

The two imprisoned hourai immortals growled then turned to plot together in the corner of their enclosure.  Eirin nodded happily and made a checkmark.  It seemed they were finally starting to learn how to work together.

It wasn't exactly how she'd hoped her Tanabata wish to go, but results were what mattered right?

---

Alice sipped her tea as the devil sitting before her sweated.  Finally she set the cup down and addressed Koakuma directly.  "I admit I'm mildly happy that Marisa and Patchouli are back on friendly terms after their last fight.  But I don't know why you think I'd pay you for the pictures you're using to annoy them."

Koakuma smiled.  "Well, I mean, I know that Shanghai occasionally pulls out a camera when one of my pranks goes really right and I based on that outside world manga you keep beneath your-" Alice ended the statement with a bullet to the demon's face.

After another sip of tea while Koakuma dragged herself upright, Alice said, "Once again, I don't know why you think I'd pay you for the pictures you're using to annoy them."

"I suppose you do have your own film," Koakuma sighed.

Alice sighed, but kept to her tea.  There were some battles that just couldn't be won against a devil.

---

Hatate shuffled the deck of cards as she looked around the 'safe house.'  "Wait, what do you mean you're stuck here for another week?"

Satori sighed.  "Apparently this whole mess officially broke the treaty the aboveground and belowground youkai have, so Yukari needs to gather all the youkai leaders together to sign it again."  Satori shrugged.  "The bickering shouldn't be too bad.  It just will take a while to get all the head youkai to admit its not a trap and gather together."

"Which also means I have to stand guard," Momiji said.

"Hm, I suppose it might be a nice vacation for you, especially since your girlfriend is also guarding us as a representative of the temple," Satori said with a smile.  Hatate also smirked as Sanae blushed.

Orin on the other hand was still frowning as her tails lashed.  "And me and Okuu are staying here as well."  Her eyes turned to Momiji.  "Not that I don't like you sis, but you're loyal to the tengu first."

Momiji nodded calmly.  "Absolutely correct.  I understand that your loyalty requires you stand guard as well."

"Unyuu," Okuu shook her head.  "All this guarding stuff is annoying.  Can't I just blow up the bad guys?"

Orin groaned.  "It's not that simple, birdbrain.  Just consider it a trip to the surface."

"Okay!" Okuu said.

Hatate started dealing the cards.  "Oh right.  Thanks for dropping by to warn me Rin.  I know you don't think highly of me so...."

Orin's tails lashed again.  "I still don't.  But I can at least trust you with Lady Satori."

Satori smiled as she looked between the two.  "Ah, it's good to see you two finally getting along."

Orin flushed a little, but her embarrassment was cut off as Sanae looked over at them.  "Wait, are you three really playing card games with a Satori?  How does that even work?"

---

Tenshi slammed down the rock before looking down at the little ghost.  "There.  That's high enough."  She frowned as the ghost seemed to waver.  "What?  Don't you trust me?  Come on kid this rock pile's taller than most trees!  Any taller and it'll start being a nuisance."

"It's sinful to ignore charity like that.  You should accept the woman's words."

Tenshi and the little ghost child turned to see Shiki Eiki hovering next to the Sanzu.  The ghost panicked and fled towards the shores where the ferrymen waited while Tenshi grimaced.  There was sure to be a lecture coming.  "Why'd you wander all the way out here, Yamaxanadu?"

"I was looking to encourage my subordinates to bring more souls, but when I saw you I decided I could spare a few moments to speak to you."  The yama gently landed on the ground before walking over.  "I've seen your recent exploits, and I'm not amused.  Why can't your acts of charity be more selfless, like what you're doing here?"

Tenshi rolled her eyes.  "Hey the work got done right?  I'm apparently better than the rest of those losers."

"Don't get too full of yourself."  Shiki slapped her rod into her palm.  "There are plenty of celestials who perform their jobs well, in addition to covering for the incompetence of their colleagues.  You just don't see them because you spend your time with the lazy layabouts.  Those who I have expressed my disapproval towards."

"Really?" Tenshi asked.  She'd never seen so much as a strongly worded letter.

Shiki glared at her.  "I don't send people up to heaven to collect your souls for my personal amusement.  I also don't triple the number of shinigami assigned to that task when I'm pleased with performance."

Tenshi winced.  "Oh."  She shrugged.  "Well most of them are total losers.  Getting rid of a couple hundred might be a good thing."

"Perhaps.  But I'm here to talk about you!"  Shiki Eiki poked her in the chest.  "While I find some relief that you're starting to develop a sense of responsibility, you still don't understand why your work is so important.  It is not enough that you perform good deeds for the earth.  The means with which you accomplish your actions are even more important!"

"I don't see why.  So long as it gets done right?"  Tenshi sniffed.  "Why should I do things the boring way if I can get the same results by having fun?"

"Then what is the difference between you and a youkai?"  Eiki demanded.

Tenshi blinked.  "Uh....  I'm a pure being of the heavens and they're a demon?"

"Wrong!"  Eiki smacked her upside the head.  "The difference is you are the embodiment of the Celestial Order while they are embodiments of chaos and whim!  The entire point of the celestial kingdom is to keep things running while serving as an example to the realms below!"

The yama began pacing.  "And that is the problem.  The heavens are still running, but it is a cold clinical effectiveness.  The people responsible for making the system good instead of merely competent are doing nothing."

Eiki sighed.  "Except for you.  You are defying the system, while performing its duties."

Tenshi blinked.  She had a feeling there was a lot more to this lecture, and it probably involved things that she was supposed to have learned a while ago.

But honestly, she didn't care.  "Yeah well if no one in the system can make it work maybe the system sucks."

Shiki Eiki, Yamaxanadu of Paradise glared at her.  "You know, you may become the first celestial who goes to hell after they die instead of just losing their self.  And the worst thing is I think you might be proud of that."

Tenshi turned away from the yama's judging gaze.  This nonsense was too much thinking for her.  "Yeah I am going to hell.  I owe Yuugi a week's worth of partying.  And since she wanted me to bring peaches I should start gathering them now.  Later."

"I'm sure we will meet again, Fallen Celestial Hinanawi Tenshi.  Quite certain.  Please try not to pain me too much with your actions," Eiki said as Tenshi flew off.

"Fallen Celestial," Tenshi muttered as she flew away.  "Well at least that sounds kinda cool."

She mulled it over a bit before tossing it from her mind.  She had more important things to worry about after all.  Like hangover cures.  There was no way she'd wind up sober during this week.

Third Eye Lem

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #144 on: July 09, 2014, 07:34:09 PM »
Nicely written! This short made me chuckle. It's nice to see Tenshi putting her prankster skills to good use. I also fully endorse the Kotohime appearance. :D

Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #145 on: August 13, 2014, 02:26:35 AM »
Catching up on things! Cute, silly, and the ending was kind of, "HMM ..."

Iced Fairy

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Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #146 on: April 07, 2015, 06:20:09 PM »
Judas Kiss

Yuki leaped over a wagon full of cabbages before ducking under a stall's overhang.  A horse headed demon followed quickly after her screaming "Stop her!"  Yuki flicked her fingers and sent a mote of white flame at him before dashing down an alley.  A dull explosion echoed behind her, but Yuki didn't stop to gloat.  There had been five of the bastards after her, and she was only certain she'd killed one.

'How the hell had her life come to this?' she wondered as she continued her zig zag escape down the back alleys of the city.

Ever since she was twelve she'd studied in secret the dark magic that she'd need to teleport to Makai.  Her home realm might talk about how it was a 'city of magic' but they banned any spells that manipulated the soul, and ruthlessly purged any magicians who learned the secrets of becoming a true magician.  Especially amongst the commoners.

Yuki had beaten the 'master magicians' and the odds.  She'd learned how to transmute souls, turned herself into an immortal magician, and fled to the welcoming world of Makai before anyone caught her.

Except Makai hadn't exactly turned out to be welcoming.  Apparently lesser demons were terrified of powerful magicians, since the greatest mages would occasionally use demons as labor or experimental materials.  And the more violent lesser demons retaliated by taking out their frustrations on weak mages.

Like Yuki.

She stopped as she turned down another alley.  The crowd had cleared out.  There were only a few cloaked figures, and they were all down the other branch of the junction.  This was a great place to use her better spells.  She began scribbling runes in the dirt.

She finished just as three demons whirled around the bend.  "There she is!" screamed the singed horse demon.

"Here I am," Yuki replied.  "And all of you lose."

The trio of demons hesitated.  "What?"

Yuki pointed to the ground.  "Well you're on the floor.  And the floor," she snapped her fingers triggering her spell, "is lava."

Heat washed over the area as the transmutation finished.  The three demons screamed as they sank into the glowing mass, one of them actually catching fire.

Yuki stepped back as the magma rapidly cooled.  Her summoned lava didn't last as long as the real thing, but when it came to killing people off it worked quick enough.  It left some nice obsidian too, but she didn't have time to harvest it.  She'd probably gotten them all, but she didn't want to answer questions about the lava flow in city limits.  Yuki turned and walked away.

As soon as she turned the corner she stopped and cursed.  This alley had been a dead end, and flying over the five story apartments would draw attention.  She'd have to backtrack.

"Well, well."  Yuki turned to see a boar headed demon step into the alley behind her.  "Seems you're trapped and out of tricks.  How about you surrender and I'll only torture you up a little for killing my friends?"

"No thanks.  How about I turn you to bacon!"  Yuki flung both her hands forward and snapped out her strongest spell.  Flames seared forth from her soul, coursing through her body to roar towards the pig headed monster.

The demon snapped its fingers and a pentagram of blood seemed to smear itself in the air between them.  Yuki's fire slammed into the barrier, and just stopped.

The young mage's mouth flopped open.  That was impossible!  Her flames should have done something.  She couldn't be that weak compared to the monster, could she?  Was she completely powerless here?

"And now our hunt ends, magician," the demon said as it stepped forward.  Yuki flinched backwards, bumping up against the solid wall behind her.  She was trapped.

As Yuki raised her hands futilely to defend herself as the demon closed there was a sharp crack.  The demon rocked forward, then collapsed on its face, bloody shards of ice jutting from its back.  The robed figure that Yuki had briefly seen was standing behind the dead creature, lowering their hand.

"Whoa.  Damn."  Yuki took a shaky breath and adjusted her hat.  "Thanks for the save.  That was some deep shit there.  That shield was insane."

The figure shrugged in reply.  Yuki frowned.  "Uh, sorry do you not speak Japanese?  Uh, maybe Latin?  Greek?  Atlantean?"

"Japanese is fine," the figure whispered in a soft voice.  The woman tugged her hood down lower immediately after.

Yuki smiled.  "Ah great!  Anyway that ice spell's gotta be something else!  How'd you break that shield?"  She paused.  "Oh yeah, no need to worry about me stealing it.  I'm a fire specialist through and through.  Though I do transmutation as well."  She caught herself and winced.  "Oh sorry.  I'm called Yuki."

The woman hesitated, then whispered, "Mai."  It seemed Mai wasn't a big talker.

"Mai, huh?"  Yuki started to hold out her hand, then stopped and bowed.  "Well, I owe you a favor for the help.  I don't got much to my name though."

Mai hesitated a moment, then stepped forward, her palm open face up.  "Sanctuary."

"Eh?"  Yuki looked at the woman.  "You running from someone?"  Mai shook her head, and Yuki felt embarrassed.  "Oh of course.  I forgot not everyone gets here with money people will accept.  Yeah sure, you can crash at my place."

"Debt repaid," Mai sighed.

----

The walk back to Yuki's apartment was quiet.  Mai hadn't seen fit to talk more, and Yuki was trying to avoid more attention.  This neighborhood was under the control of a magician, but her encounter this morning had left her more cautious than usual.

When they reached the building Yuki headed up to the third floor landing and unlocked the door.  "Here we are."  She stepped in and pointed out the rooms.  "Guest area's up front, kitchen's behind it.  Two bedrooms and the bathroom are off that hallway there.  You can have the front one while you're here.  Haven't had the time to dirty the place up yet."

Mai's lifted her hood slightly to look around.  "Big."

Yuki shrugged.  "The Lost Underground city of Dalmasure is a boring shithole filled with scum who can't understand true magic, but it does have a lot of gold.  And even better, rubies.  I'm doing pretty good for myself."

"Should have asked for money," Mai said as she stepped in.

"Hey, I'm not super rich now," Yuki protested.  "Magical research is expensive!"  She walked over to the kitchen and began unpacking her purchases.  "But having a roommate for a bit shouldn't be too bad."  Yuki looked at her new friend's ragged wardrobe.  "You might wanna wash that cloak though."  She didn't say it out loud but the garment was pretty ratty and Yuki didn't want it around the furniture for too long.

Mai hesitated a moment, then slowly nodded and for the first time, pulled back her hood.

Once Mai had probably been a fairly plain woman.  The jagged claw scars that ran down her face however had changed that.  From the way the old wounds widened, the veil-like air filter she wore probably covered the worst of the damage..  Yuki forced herself to not stare, allowing her eyes to flicker over the woman's dark eyes and short black hair, before returning her attention to the food she was putting away.  "Sorry.  Didn't realize you were still human.  That air filtration stuff has got to be super expensive."

"Yes," Mai agreed.  "But worth it."  Since the alternative was death from Makai's toxic vapors Yuki didn't doubt the statement.  Magicians and demons were actually empowered by the air, but pure blooded humans would slowly deteriorate over a couple of months.

"Oh hey," Yuki looked up again at her guess.  "I don't hear it muffling your voice.  That your own charm or built in?"

Mai pointed to herself, then looked around.  "Laundry?"

Yuki blinked.  "Oh sorry.  Laundry basket is next to the tub.  Tap actually works too so feel free to fill up there."

Mai nodded then hurried off to the bathroom.  Yuki shook her head.  What exactly had she gotten herself into?

-----

Yuki had put away all her shopping and started dinner when Mai returned, once again wrapped in her now cleaner cloak.  The woman hesitantly moved to sit at the table.  Yuki gave her a quick nod to tell her everything was fine, then turned back to her cooking.  "Glad to see you knew the quick drying charm.  Suppose you have to be a pretty hot hand at magic to get here at all as a human.  Not sure why you came to Makai before transforming though."

"Demonologist," Mai replied.  Yuki winced.  Demonology was frowned upon in... well every realm Yuki knew of.  Non demonic realms tended to kill demonologists to keep demons out.  Demonic realms looked upon people who could summon and control them as innately dangerous.  The later was usually safer for the mage, but only in a statistical sense.

"Wow.  Yeah I suppose that'd be a problem," Yuki gave the pan a final toss then set it aside to finish cooking.  "I thought Makai would be safer myself when the priests caught on to the fact that I'd transformed into a youkai, but it seems we were both wrong."  Yuki sighed.  "Well still better than being burned at the stake, I guess.  Even if I don't know why those demons are after me."

Mai shifted in her seat.  "Soulfire is dangerous to fallen angels.  Bounty."

Yuki blinked at the woman's statement.  "Eh?  You mean those assholes were trying to kill me because I have a magic that's slightly more effective against a fallen angel?"  Mai nodded, leading Yuki to groan.  "Just my luck.  Bet this is the only damn town with this problem too."  Mai shrugged.  "Well at least you were there to bail me out."  Yuki dished out two portions of her mushroom stir fry then walked over to the table.  "Thanks again."

Mai reached up to adjust her air filter then started eating.  Yuki frowned a bit.  "You don't have to hide yourself from me if you don't want.  I mean, I worked with fire a lot, I've seen a lot of burns.  Caused them too.  I'm not gonna judge you or anything."

It was hard to see through the shadows of the woman's cloak, but Yuki thought she saw a sad smile pass over Mai's face.  "I prefer it."

Yuki shrugged.  "'kay.  Anyway you never told me about that spell you used.  How'd you get it past that shield?"

"Single direction," Mai replied, leaving Yuki to smack her forehead.  Of course a directional shield would be stronger than an omnidirectional one.

The meal progressed along similar lines.  Yuki asked a question, and Mai gave a simple answer with as few words as possible.  Still Yuki found she liked it.  After two months of having no one to chat with in this strange realm, Mai's presence was still fun.

Still Yuki locked her bedroom door that night.  She couldn't trust her new roommate completely, no matter how polite the woman seemed.

-----

Yuki had been both curious and suspicious when Mai said that she should follow the other witch.  But the cloaked demonologist had stuck to the magician's quarters, and fairly busy streets.  Sure the buildings were run down messes, but that was common in poor areas of the city.

"Can you give me a hint about where we're going at least?" Yuki asked.

Mai held up three fingers, leaving Yuki to wonder what that meant.  Was it three minutes?  Three miles?  Some strange sign language symbol?

Three blocks later Yuki found out.  The dilapidated streeted opened up into a roomy square.  From a distance it might look like a quiet market, but in reality the stalls were just open fire pits with cauldrons and desks.  And the people walking around weren't merchants, but magicians, each working on their own experiments.  Yuki didn't see anyone really strong here.  After all strong magicians had their own labs to work in, but for someone like her this was a lucky find.

"How the heck did you find this place?" she asked Mai.  "This is great!"

"Luck," Mai admitted.  The cloaked witch began walking to where a couple of open spots sat, and Yuki followed along.

A few other magicians gave them looks as they moved to claim spaces, but it was mostly wary looks from people who didn't want trouble, rather than appraising glares.  Yuki did her best to keep her own eyes open, while avoiding glaring at any single magician too long.  "Wonder who set this place up," she muttered.

Mai pointed up at the wizard towers overlooking the place.  Yuki thought about it for a moment, then nodded in understanding.  The stronger wizards could keep an eye out for interesting spells, or possible threats if all the young mages worked here.  In addition it helped keep the wildly disparate group magicians as an equal force to the demon races.

Yuki shrugged.  "Eh.  Details don't matter so long as I can get my experiments going."  She pulled out her notebook and began looking over some of the spells she couldn't let loose in her apartment.  "Hey Mai, you have any salamander skins?"

Mai shuffled over from where she'd been working and pulled out a small pouch.

"Thanks."  Yuki smiled at her friend.  "You're a lifesaver twice over."

"No problem," Mai replied quietly before returning to her own work.

Yuki stretched and started her work.  It seemed like things were really looking up!

----

With a place to get her researching in gear Yuki found herself making great strides.  While she still couldn't test out some of her more explosive spells, she was making progress on her general transmutation efforts.

Mai became a near constant presence over the weeks.  The woman never said more than a single word if she could help it, and she occasionally vanished for a day here and there, but every night she'd arrive back before 10.  Even after Yuki gave the woman her own key.

It was about two months in that Yuki decided to give her new roommate her initial housewarming gift.  She waited until breakfast was finishing up then pulled a wrapped box out of the closet.  "Hey, Mai."  The other witch looked at her quizzically.  "Here.  Something for you."

Mai hesitantly took the box and opened it.  Yuki shrugged weakly as the ice witch pulled out a brand new air filtration veil.  "Sorry it's kinda generic, but I don't really know what other stuff you like.  Figure your old one's gotta be wearing kinda thin too so..."

With a small smile and a shake of her head Mai brushed off the apology.  "Thank you," she said.  Mai turned away for a moment as she changed her garb.  When she'd finished transfering the enchantments Mai took a deep breath, then smiled at Yuki.  "It's wonderful."

Yuki grinned in return.  "Awesome.  I knew I remembered the spells right.  That one should let you get a little more of the ambient magic, in addition to keeping out the poisons."

Mai nodded in response.  Then she stood.  "Back at five," she said.

"Eh?"  Yuki blinked at the strange statement.  "What are you gonna be doing?"

"Secret," Mai replied with a chastising wave of her finger.  And with that she slipped out the door.

"The heck does that mean," Yuki muttered before sighing and turning her attention to her runework.

As the day continued Yuki found herself looking at the clock more and more.  By four she had to force herself to stop counting the minutes and accomplish work.

When the door unlocked and Mai scurried in it was a relief.  "So how'd your day go?"

Mai shrugged, then walked over to the kitchen.  Yuki stood up and followed.  She really wanted to know what was going on!

The ice witch set a sack on the counter and started pulling out ingredients.  That wasn't too unusual.  Mai occasionally chipped in for supplies.  But the woman continued to pull out ingredients Yuki noticed something different about this set.  "Wyvern steak?  Sea salt?"  Her jaw dropped at the bottle Mai pulled out.  "Wha-!  Gold Mushroom Whiskey?!"  Yuki stared at the expensive drink.  "Where the hell did you get the money for this?!"

"Stolen," Mai replied as she finished emptying the bag and started sorting the ingredients.

Yuki shook her head at the feast.  "That's a heck of a risk to take."  The bottle drew her eyes again.  "But damn impressive.  Nice work Mai!"

Mai smiled, then shooed Yuki away from the kitchen.  "One hour."

"Alright alright."  Yuki stepped away and sat at the dinner table to wait.  As Mai began preparing the meal, Yuki pulled out a book.  "Thanks Mai."

Mai paused for a moment and shook her head.  "My thanks.  For everything."

Yuki felt herself blushing and hid behind her book.

----

Two weeks later things seemed to be back into their old routine.  Yuki was working on one of her experiments at the magician grounds, while Mai seemed to be working on some numerology formulas.

Yuki frowned at the grey powder that had settled at the bottom of the flask.  It was the right consistency and volume, but it was supposed to be blue.  "How the heck did that happen?" she muttered.

"In the name of Lady Shinki!"  Yuki jumped bolt upright at the proclamation.  Turning she saw several armed demons bearing the governor's seal pour into the area.  Magicians cursed and hurriedly brought their experiments under control as the demons began a sweep of the area.  Several looked as if they wanted to flee, but running was certain to draw attention.

"Who the hell are they looking for?" Yuki wondered.  They obviously weren't doing anything actually in the name of Lady Shinki, which meant they had to be working for the governor.

A blue haired woman in ash grey robes with wings of flame strode into the clearing and the guards snapped to attention.  "Did you find the culprit?" The woman asked.

"No, Lady Uzaiel." A demon replied.  "Perhaps if you could pick the woman out?"

Yuki slowly moved next to Mai and leaned over to whisper, "Who do you think they're looking for?"

Mai slowly shook her head.  Then she lifted her breathing mask, leaned over, and kissed Yuki on the cheek.

"Huh, what?!"  Yuki stumbled back in surprise.  Why had Mai done that?!

As Yuki's thought's spiraled around, Uzaiel pointed straight at her.  "That one."

Yuki could only gasp in confusion as everyone in the square wheeled towards her.  "Wait.  What's going on now?!  I didn't do anything!"

"Capture that assassin, in the name of Lady Shinki," the lead guard shouted.  With that Yuki's mind recovered enough to move.  She threw a cloud of flame before her then turned to run.

She made it all of five feet before a bolt of lightning slammed her to the ground.  The last thing she saw before darkness took her was a robed figure looking down at her guiltily.

-----

Consciousness returned slowly to Yuki.  At first she thought she might still be dreaming.  Her body refused to move at all.  Even her eyes seemed locked straight ahead.

Figuring out where she was with such limited vision was difficult, but the symbol of Makai gave her a good guess.  She was in the governor's palace, probably taken there by the soldiers.

Soldiers Mai had betrayed her to.

Yuki tried to look around for the treacherous witch, but her eyes refused again.  She couldn't even scream at her frustration.  All she could do was wait.

Fortunately her wait wasn't long.  Voices approached, along with many feet.  Her view wasn't the best, but she could tell armored soldiers had moved to flank her, before the fat form of the governor and the fiery winged demon that accused her came to stand before her.  "You're sure this is the one?" the governor asked.

Uzaiel sighed.  "Yes, I'm very sure."  The woman's words were accompanied by a small bag changing hands.

The fat governor grunted in happiness at the bribe, then turned to Yuki.  "Well then.  I guess I must begin the trial.  If you could give your accusation again Uzaiel?"

"This witch Yuki has been gathering power inimical to us demons in order to assassinate me and claim this city for magicians," Uzaiel stated.  "She seeks to establish a magocracy here in the heart of Makai."

"A terrible crime," the governor said with mock solemnity.  "Well then little mage, how do you plead?  Are you attempting to become queen of this realm?"

The icy grip of the mind control spell on her forced Yuki to speak.  "It is as you say."

"Well then," the governor shrugged.  "That was simple.  You are to be sentenced to death."

"By crucifixion," Uzaiel said.

The governor stepped back in shock.  "Wait now.  Aren't we taking the act a bit far?  People will talk...."

Uzaiel whirled on the man, her wings flaring.  "The act is the only part of this that matters little man.  You have your money.  Let me handle the rest."

It was nice to know the city was so corrupt they'd admit to bribery in public Yuki thought bitterly.

"Fine."  The governor threw his hands up and walked away.  "You are free to do as you wish.  Keep the blood on your own grounds."

Yuki felt chains slammed on her wrists, and she staggered forward as the magic binding her in place vanished.  "You sick fucks," she screamed as she twisted in the binds.  "I'll burn you all!"

Of course her flames didn't respond.  They'd obviously used magic dampening binds.  All her impassioned struggles got was a painful kick in the ribs.

"Come now," Uzaiel said gesturing to the two red scaled demons next to her.  "We've got much work to do."  The woman turned and opened up a portal before stepping through.

Yuki thrashed as they picked her up and dragged her along into the swirling darkness.

----

After three hours Yuki had run out of curse words.

Honestly she'd probably ran out of curses around two hours, but every now and then a gem she'd forgotten would pop up, so she'd kept up a storm of invectives to give herself time to think.  But the well had run dry, and her voice was hoarse.

The red scaled demons that had been guarding her didn't seem to care.  Yuki was honestly wondering if they were even sentient.  They looked too generic and seemed utterly uninterested in anything around them.  She expected creatures with intelligence to get bored or something.

She tugged experimentally at the chains fastening her to the stone altar.  Yuki had no idea why they'd chained her to this thing.  Maybe that's just where the chains where.  Unfortunately, they'd apparently had a lot of practice with chaining people here, because she couldn't find a single weak link.

After what seemed like an eternity, her captor finally returned to the room.  The flame winged demon waved her hands at the two demons who moved to flank Yuki.  "Good evening.  Yuki was it?"

"If you want to know my name, I'll be happy to burn it into your face," Yuki snarled.  One of the demons raised its fist and she leaned back glaring at the woman.

"Still spirited, that's good."  Uzaiel swiveled around a chair and took a seat.  "So Yuki, I must apologize for being such an... archaic villain here, but my colleagues inform me the ritual works much better when the victim knows what they're being used for."

Yuki spat.  "Is that so?  Then let me tell you exactly what I think of you and your shitty plans you pompous slimy arrogant-"

Pain exploded in her head as the demon slapped her.  "Gag her please," Uzaiel said, and the demons obeyed.  Yuki snarled at the cloth ball in her mouth, but she couldn't drown the other woman's voice out anymore.

"You see Yuki, I'm not one of the pathetic demons you're used to."  Uzaiel stood and began to pace.  "I'm a true devil.  A fallen angel, thrown out with that fool Samael."  She snarled and looked over her shoulder at her burning wings.  "And because of that I am cursed to forever have my beautiful wings engulfed in flame.  It is... VERY... painful."

"Normally this would be no problem.  Curing curses is easy," Uzaiel sighed.  "But we angels, fallen or otherwise have a problem.  For us there is no body and soul.  Our bodies are our souls.  It makes us hard to kill, and nearly impossible to eliminate.  But it means that this curse... this flame, is part of my soul."

The fallen angel walked over and placed her fingertips lightly on Yuki's chest, the touch making the magician's skin crawl.  "But, we true devils have found a way to get rid of our curse.  Your soul, little fire mage, is an eternal pyre.  Just like my wings.  Which means I can bind you to my curse for just a little bit by giving you a tiny fragment of my soul."

Uzaiel smiled and stepped back.  "Normally of course that would mean nothing.  You'd burn out and my wings would relight.  But if we had you play the part of Christ in a little blasphemous ritual, now...  well your soul would carry my curse to heaven!"  The devil's grin grew cold.  "Where those sniveling angels would snuff it out for eternity.  Unless I've vastly underestimated your piety."

She turned away.  "A bit rough on your soul I'll admit, but we all have to make sacrifices for progress.  You sacrifice your soul, I sacrifice some money.  It all works out in the end."  Yuki bit down on the gag in rage desperately trying to break something.  Anything.

A knock on the door caused Uzaiel to snap out of her gleeful spiel.  "Who the hell could that be," the woman muttered.  She waved over a demon servitor to open the door.

Yuki froze in shock as the demon opened the door to reveal a familiar cloaked figure.  Mai.

-------

Mai did her best to appear bold and confident as she walked into the fallen angel's alter room.  Sure she was afraid.  Sure she was in pain.  But fear and pain had been her life for all her life.  Today that would change.

The beautiful demon woman sneered at her as she walked in.  "Oh, yes.  The little Judas in this play.  What are you here for?"

"Reward," Mai said coldly, holding out her hand.  The deal had been for Yuki's soul.

"Reward?  Ha!"  The fallen angel strode up to her.  It took all of Mai's effort not to flinch back.  "You've got your reward.  Thirty coins, and you should be glad I gave you platinum, not silver."

Mai shook her head.  "That wasn't the deal."

Uzaiel snatched Mai's purse and threw it in her face.  Stars exploded in her head as the heavy coins hit.  She collapsed to the ground, whimpering as the platinum spilled on the floor.  "Deal?  You should be happy to be alive little demonologist.  If you have a problem go hang yourself.  It will help my ritual."  The demon snapped her fingers.  "Escort her out."

Mai pulled herself to her knees, a cough ripping itself through her aching throat.  She looked up, trying to regain her focus as her vision blurred in and out of focus.  The pain subsided and her vision cleared, and she found herself looking into the burning eyes of Yuki.  The one person who had trusted her.

And the one person she had betrayed.

She met Yuki's eyes without regret or apology.  This was what she'd struggled for ever since she'd learned how to enter Makai.  She would sacrifice anything and anyone for it.

The servant demon reached down to pick her up and Mai grabbed its wrist.  There was a sickening black glow as Mai used her demonic magic to steal the magic that enslaved it from  Uzaiel.  She looked up at the fallen angel.  "If you won't give, I will take."

Uzaiel shrieked and dodged away as the demon servant Mai had touched swung at her.  "Damn you!  You'll pay for this!"

Mai closed her eyes and sent out her consciousness from her body.  It was easier than usual, what with the preparatory rituals she'd completed.  Her will shattered the second servitor demon's and she took possession of its body.  With a thought she enslaved this one as well, then she leaned over where Yuki was imprisoned.  With a quick twist she broke the chain binding Yuki to the altar and scratched out the runes suppressing the fire mage's magic.

Yuki gaped in amazement as her right hand came free.  Mai took a moment to lean next to the other magician and whisper, "Her wings are her weakness."  Then she returned her consciousness to her body.

Mai's vision returned just in time to see her first stolen minion cut in half by a flaming sword.  The second barrelled into the fray, but Mai was certain it wouldn't last long either against Uzaiel.  Mai pointed at the demon woman and summoned her Stygian frost daggers, but Uzaiel waved through Mai's precise attacks without stopping.

Sure enough, in three strokes the fallen angel decapitated her servant.  With the crack of flaming wings Uzaiel flitted right before Mai, grabbing the witch by the neck.  "I'm not sure what you wanted with that girl's soul, but now you've lost your own.  You should have taken the money."

Mai's eyes began to blur again as the fallen angel choked her.  The pain in her head and her chest was starting to sap her strength.  She tried to lift an arm but failed.  All she could do was gasp for breath.  Had she made a mistake?  Did she guess wrong?

There was a wave of heat and the pain in her neck faded.  Her feet hit the ground but she forced herself to stay upright.  Blindly she triggered her master spell.  The spell she'd been working on for five long years.  She felt the dagger of energy appear in her hand and she swung it blindly forward.

Then the pain was gone.  She was looking down on the strange tableau like an impartial observer.  Uzaiel's face was open in an 'o' of surprise, while Mai's body had plunged a black dagger that shimmered like an oil slick into the demon woman's chest.  Staring at the scene from across the room Yuki stood stunned, residual fire clinging to her hands.

The dagger vanished, and with a wet tearing sound the fallen angel's bloody black heart slipped out of the wound.  At the same time Mai's heart emerged with a spurt of blood from the wound she'd given herself before she came.

The two hearts glowed, their beats slowly falling into unison.  Then in a movement swifter than sight Mai's heart plunged into the fallen angel's body, while Uzaiel's heart moved to her body.

Mai gasped and fell backwards.  To her dismay she saw her body fall backwards as well, screaming.  Then exaltation filled her.  She'd done it!

Her old body flailed around as flame started to creep over its back.  Not surprising.  After all the curse was part of Uzaiel's soul, and Uzaiel's soul was now in that body.  Her old body however was significantly less sturdy.  The ritual she'd performed before coming here had only partially mixed body and soul.  Just enough so Mai could change bodies.

Mai made sure to watch the dying angel just enough to make sure there would be no last minute heroics, then put the screaming woman out of her mind and walked towards the mirror.  She caught a look at herself and smiled.  "Beautiful."

Her new face looked back out at her, unmarked by any blemish.  In fact she looked prettier than she'd ever had before.  Her skin was inhumanly perfect, her features freed from the mistakes of genetics.  There had been some changes from Uzaiel's form, just because the souls were different.  She'd lost some height, and a small amount from the other dimensions, but she'd kept the blue hair, and her wings were feathery and white, untouched by hell's flame.

"Hey!"

Mai started out of her reverie at the voice.  She turned to find Yuki glaring at her, flames flickering in and out of existence around the fire mage.  The woman was furious, and Mai honestly couldn't blame her.

"Why?" Yuki asked.

"Fallen angels are rare," Mai said with a shrug.  She brushed her hair back, the smooth feel against her hand an exquisite bliss.  "I needed her weakened and off balance.  Then I could get my new body and become a true magician."

Yuki glared at her.  "So you used me to become a magician.  Was that always your plan?"  The flames swirled.  "Was it!?!"

Mai shook her head.  "We met by chance."  She stretched her new wings experimentally.  "But when I learned your powers, and why Uzaiel was after you... it was too good to pass up."  She felt her sentimental emotions welling up, and she crushed them.  "You were a good friend Yuki.  My only friend.  But I'm afraid I'm a bad friend."  Mai looked Yuki in the eyes.  "And I decided I would sacrifice everything to accomplish this."

"Sacrifice everything is it?"

A maid in a bloody red dress stepped through the wall.  Mai began to tremble as she recognized Yumeko, Lady Shinki's personal maid and enforcer.  "That's very noble," the maid.  "I know when I have to sacrifice my time around Lady Shinki I get ever so emotional."  Yumeko glared at her with murderous eyes and Mai froze in fear.  "For example when I have to scold a governor for taking bribes I find it just so hard to keep from murdering everyone responsible.  You must understand Uzaiel, don't you?"

The maid raised her hand and Mai watched in horror as swords began to form above Yumeko, all pointed at her.  She'd spent all this time, all this work, sacrificed everything that had meant anything to her, and here she was, still helpless at the hands of demons.

A blast of flame caused both her and Yumeko to snap out of their death trance.  "Sorry about that," Yuki said.  "But Uzaiel's dead.  Mai here stole her body.  And while she's a backstabbing treacherous witch, she's not actually guilty of any crimes against Lady Shinki."

"Oh I see."  Yumeko's rage and her swords vanished instantly.  "Well then, that means my work is done."  Yumeko looked around for any other victims, then brushed off her dress.  "Since Uzaiel was a criminal, you can keep all her stuff.  Though I suggest moving to Pandemonium.  Some of the more paranoid demons seem to think all magicians are out to get them, and this little farce does look like a magician set up a couple of demons for their own advancement.  Ignoring the fact that murder and bribery is technically illegal."  Yumeko sighed.  "I keep trying to fix people's attitudes, but it's such a difficult process."

The maid turned and began walking back out, ignoring the walls.  Just before she vanished she added, "You're lucky to have such a truthful friend Ms Mai.  Otherwise you'd have suffered an unfortunate end."

This time the words did sting.

Yuki walked over to her.  "Looks like this time you owe me.  Two, no three times over."

Mai looked at her with surprise.  "You still want me around?  Knowing what I am?"

"Like I said, you owe me," Yuki said.  "And yeah, while your treacherous little plan did nearly get me killed, you were planning on having me survive all along weren't you."

"Yes..."  Mai looked at the fire mage.  Was the woman setting her up for revenge?  Trying to steal the power she'd just acquired?

"Which means there's something resembling morals in your cold black heart."  Yuki pointed at her.  "And since everyone's going to hear that I was the bait in this little farce, I'm gonna need a bodyguard for a bit.  So you're going to do the job.  Three favors.  Three years and three days.  Swear it."

Mai relaxed.  For some reason being ordered to be good made her feel better about the whole deal.  "I'll stay until I've saved your life three times."

Yuki glared, then nodded.  "Fine.  Done."

Yuki reached out her hand, but Mai simply stepped up to the woman and kissed her on the cheek.  "So I swear."

---

'Shotglass' stared down at the inebriated ice witch.  She'd known for years that Mai would occasionally become talkative when drunk, but this was the first time the witch had ever spilled some of her history.  "Wait THAT'S how you got together?!  That's insane!  But, how..."

"How are we now good friends?"  Mai asked.  "I dunno.  Yuki's too nice."  She drained her glass again.  "And I guess I fell in love.  Or maybe she did.  A lot of stuff happened, it's complicated."

The demon bartender shook her head to try to clear it.  "So, why'd you ask for Yuki's soul anyway?  What were you going to do with it?"

Mai shrugged.  "Just asked because I knew Uzaiel would refuse."

'Shotglass' poured another drink.  "So... do you still owe Yuki?"

"Five now," Mai replied.  "She's so much stronger these days.  Honestly I wasn't that much better a magician.  Just more skilled at picking my fights."

"I see..."  'Shotglass' grabbed her own bottle.  Revelations like this required a drink.  "Do you ever regret it?  The betrayal that is?"

Mai hesitated.  "No."  She tossed back the glass again.  "I guess I'm still not a good friend."  The ice mage rested her head on the counter.

After a long pause she said, "But now I think I'd be willing to fail in my plan to make sure she survived."

'Shotglass' shook her head and filled the cup with something less alcoholic.  Magicians were as strange as any youkai.  Perhaps stranger.  Maybe it was because they were once human.


--------------------------

So getting a novel written is a lot easier then getting it edited properly.  Between that and trying to advance ESR I've been behind writing wise in everything.  But this idea bloomed in my mind, and in a fit of madness I managed to write it.  It's nice to be back in the game as it were.

Tsuken Yasashi

  • Student of War
  • Ready to start fightin' for real?
Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #147 on: April 07, 2015, 06:27:42 PM »
Why not turn this into a rough draft of a novel?  I've been wanting to put myself as a beginner editor for a looooong time in dojinshi novel writing!


Between Two Dimensions - Arc One Complete

"War is a grave affair of state; it is a place of life and death, a road to survival and extinction.  A matter to be pondered carefully..."  -Sun Tzu's Art of War

FinnKaenbyou

  • Formerly Roukanken
  • *
  • blub blub nya
Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #148 on: April 07, 2015, 07:13:25 PM »
Like I said before, I really like how your Mai ended up working out. She's a traitorous jerk but one who I can't help but enjoy. Great work as usual!

Re: Iced Fairy's Random Shorts
« Reply #149 on: April 08, 2015, 04:06:12 AM »
"Well you're on the floor.  And the floor," she snapped her fingers triggering her spell, "is lava."

You deserve praise for that line alone, but the rest of Yuki and Mai's origin story shows that you're still the best Touhou fanfic writer.   :)