~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore
Frame of the Undying Fortitude (finished)
An Odd Sea Slug:
?GRAAAGH! Dammit, where could it have gone??!? yells a fatigued, asthmatic female voice.
The voice was inside a large library? What a great library! The vastness of this place is so great, it would be quite difficult to properly describe. Located underneath the great mansion in the mountains, this dimly lit magical library was the final word on where to find all the data on anything you desired, from magic to dating advice, to ancient stories.
This was Voile, the great library of Gensokyo.
But on this night, all was not well. The normally quite library was quite noisy this night. But what was causing such an uproar? It was impossible to tell with all the chaos around. Fairies dressed like maids flew to and fro like raging bees, carrying books and rummaging madly through the vast collections of the library. The panic was so great, that many books ended up on the floor, creating a massive mess.
?Out of all the books I could?ve allowed to slip from my grasp? NO EXCUSE AT ALL!? yelled the enraged female again.
The voice belonged to a somewhat short Youkai girl that looked to be somewhere in her teens. Her skin was quite pale, maybe more so than Alice?s. Her clothes consisted of rather loose looking purple night gown-like attire with purple shoes, and a poofy purple hat complete with a cresent moon decoration on the left side. Her hair ?tied into semi-long ponytails that hung over her shoulders using red and yellow ribbons- was purple was well. Even her eyes were purple! Her clothes also consisted of many ribbons, all red or yellow in color. The ribbons gave off faint magical aura?s almost as if they were feeding ?perhaps even amplifying- her power?
?Miss Patchouli, please?!? pleaded her assistant.
A familiar with brown, semi long hair, brown eyes, and bat-like wings on her back with two smaller ones coming out of her head. She was clad in a black and white dress with white sleeves, and was carrying several books as she desperately pleaded for her Mistress to calm down.
The purple clad Patchouli, took out her rage on a nearby standing shelf- sending a destructive blast of yellow energy at it. A hole was blown into it, in addition to it beginning to fall. Thankfully, a good number of fairy maids saw what their Mistress was doing, and caught the shelf before it could fall and cause a devastating domino effect.
The winged, book carrying girl put a hand on her Mistresses shoulder.
?I beg you Miss Patchouli, please calm yourself! It isn?t good for your health if you become too worked up!?
?Ko? Koakuma?? wheezes Patchouli, who is now having a hard time breathing. ?You?re? ?right??
Patchouli slowly returns to the ground, sitting at one of the many tables of the library. She then took a few moments to calm herself down so she could breath more easily.
?Koakuma? I?m going to tell you something of utmost importance. Listen to my instruction carefully, as if your life depended on it.? spoke Patchouli in a calmer and lighter, but still dead serious tone.
?Of course Miss Patchouli.? responded Koakuma.
?I should have told you this earlier? The book we search for is a book containing many dark secrets. For the simple, it is a series of indecipherable riddles that are foolish. For the intelligent, they are the collected knowledge of secrets that could very well shake Gensokyo. If we don?t find it, I? ?all of us? ?all of Gensokyo could be endangered. The secrets come in the form of poems and songs that can either benefit Gensokyo, or cause great harm should it fall into the wrong hands.? explained Patchouli.
?I?ve worked my hardest to find the requested volume, but after searching every last corner of this library, and the mansion we have failed to locate it.? replied Koakuma regrettably.
?I promise to reward you for your diligence at a later time Koakuma. Now tell me, is it true that the library was raided by the rabbits of Eientei last night??
?That is true Miss Patchouli. What is also true is that the one named Marisa Kirisame broke into our library yet again a few hours later, and made off with more of your texts.?
?That means it could be in the hands of either Eientei?s princess, or the black white witch??
Patchouli stared dead into her assistant?s eyes.
?Listen to me closely! You are to send out the maids. Have them target the annoying black white along with the mansion of Eientei. I do not care what you must do, just retrieve the book from whomever it is that has it!? ordered Patchouli.
?Forgive my hesitation Miss Patchouli, but such an operation would require a great number of warrior maids from the mansion. The young mistress and head maid surely would not be ple-?
?I don?t give a damn about what that spoiled blood sucking brat or her useless lapdog think! If they are displeased, I will gladly deal with them myself! You have your instructions Koakuma!? interrupted Patchouli in a darker tone.
?Of course Miss Patchouli. I?ll engrave your directives into my very heart!?
Koakuma bowed to her mistress, then quickly flew off to begin her mission.
I have never once seen Miss Patchouli so serious throughout all the time I have served her! It would seem this book is far more important than any other in the library? Failure will not be accepted! Surely, I must complete my task as if my life depended on it!
This is Gensokyo. Many strange things happen here. Nothing is in harmony for long here.
?What?ll happen if someone with a dark heart figures out the texts??? asks Patchouli to herself as she puts her hands together, and toward her mouth. ?Unacceptable??
It is quite clear now. A new phantasm has begun?
[Spell Break]
An Odd Sea Slug:
[Second Spell]
A welcoming sun rose on a brand new day throughout Gensokyo. The singing of many crickets was gradually replaced by the chirping of morning birds. People stepped out of their homes while still clad in sleeping wear to welcome the newly formed day, anticipating what life would bring them. It would seem as if history itself had already forgotten the struggles of the previous late night?
Inside a fairly large, wooden, dimly sunlit bedroom, we can see a man appearing to be in his mid to late twenties sitting of the left side of a large bed, clad in nothing but blue and white striped boxer shorts. He was a 6? 2?, well built, muscular man with short silver hair that got particularly thick between the eyes, and stuck upward in one particular place. His eyes were an odd golden color, not too dissimilar from that of Marisa.
He silently yawned a bit before doing just a small hint of stretching. He then looked to a very small drawer on the side of the bed, to find his small glasses with semi-circular lenses lying next to a very strange, hat-like object that looked like a building of some sort. The object had a somewhat large red ribbon on top of it, in addition to having red glyphs on the front. It looked sort of like an elaborate bento box?
The man grabbed his glasses and slipped them on, before yawning a bit again and musing to himself.
?Mourning already?? Slept right through my proverbial watch. I was supposed to open up shop at least fifteen minutes ago by my estimate??
Now came the sound of a female voice.
?Mmm??
The man looked back, seeing a woman appearing in her early to mid twenties, with long silver hair with light blue highlights. She was still sleepily under the white bed covers, with only her head, her right arm (which was over the covers) and a small part of her bare back visible.
?Keine? Are you awake already?? asked the man.
?Hmhm? Good mourning to you Rinnosuke.? said Keine drowsily.
?It would seem I slept in just a bit. I?m heading out now to open the shop. Is not today your day off from giving lessons at the school??
?Indeed it is.?
?Ah? You just rest yourself then.?
The man named Rinnosuke leaned back and gave Keine a soft kiss on the cheek.
?See you later.? said Rinnosuke with a slight smile.
?Take care.?
With that, the man got up grabbed some elaborated multi colored clothing and left the room. The woman named Keine adjusted her position slightly. It was quite comfy bed? She felt herself returning to a state of peaceful slumber. This morning would allow sleeping in since she had the day off from her job as the Human Village?s school teacher, the most famous teacher in Gensokyo? Or would it??
Her brown eyes suddenly snapped open as she realized something that she was supposed to do this day? She sat up, covering herself with the bed sheets.
?That?s right? I am to spend today with Mokou.?
She was looking forward to sleeping in, but she did not want to take any chances of being late. She always did like being prompt.
?Guess it can?t be helped??
With that, she emerged from the bed and walked to the door, whilst covering herself with the bed sheets, yawning somewhat loudly as she went.
***
The sun was now fully up over a crystal clear sky over the ancient bamboo forest of Gensokyo. All the dangers of night were past, leaving one free to frolic inside it until either nightfall, or the content of one?s heart.
Keine walked on a laid down trail in the forest, now clad in a blue, short sleeved dress with eye-like patterns at the bottom. The dress also had a small red ribbon below the neck. Her hair had been fixed up as well, two thin parts of going over her shoulders, no different than Kaguya?s style aside from the shorter length. The odd, hat-like object on Rinnosuke?s drawer was indeed a hat. Keine now wore it on her head, somehow keeping it on without it falling off (which one would think would happen?). She had on brown shoes with ankle long white socks, and was carrying a white bag.
An odd thing happened as she walked. Every now and then she would wince as if in pain, then massage her lower back?
??Sore?? she would then whisper to herself.
It wasn?t long before she reached the river bank where she could see Mokou ?the same eternally young girl that saved Wriggle and Mystia from Kaguya the previous night- lying the ground while fiddling with a piece of grass in her right arm. By chance, the blue haired girl peered to the left to see Keine waving to her happily. She sat up, smiled, and returned the wave.
Keine walked over somewhat quickly and sat right down on her knees, as if eager to do so.
?How are you today, Mokou?? asked the silver haired one.
?Hm? Same old, same old. I?m still hangin? around here doin? my usual routine. My martial arts trainin? ya know?? responded Mokou, now sitting all the way up and facing Keine.
?Of course. It would not surprise me one bit if you were just as diligent as you ever were.?
?Gotta keep strong if ya wanna survive on your own out here!? said Mokou, flexing a muscle.
?Ah, that reminds of something I wanted to ask you: have you been eating well??
?Wha??! Hey, there?s plenty of good food around here! I can find anything I desire here, as you well know??
?My apologies Mokou? I just worry about you is all. You live out here on your own.?
Mokou blushed a bit, and turned away a bit.
?Hey? You? ?really don?t have to worry about me, Keine? It?s not like I?ll??
Mokou was surprised to see Keine giggling a bit.
?H-hey, what the hells so funny, huh?!? demanded Mokou holding up a fist.
?Forgive me Mokou. I know it isn?t my place to ask such things of you, but sometimes you naturally get worried for someone when you care very much for them, you know??
?Whoa? You ain?t gonna get all mushy and use the ?L? word are ya??? asked Mokou cautiously with a very nervous look.
?Fear not, you know I won?t. You really hate that.? laughed Keine before letting out a wide yawn.
Mokou calmed down a bit, and crossed her arms, looking at the yawning Keine closer.
?Err? You get enough sleep last night??? asked Mokou.
?Oh? I was up a little late last night?? said Keine innocently, tilting her head. ?T?was one of those nights where you have trouble getting to sleep? How about you??
?Hm? I actually didn?t have any trouble sleeping actually. It came quite easily as a matter a fact?? replied Mokou, scratching the side of her head with her left arm.
?Highly productive last night, I see?? observed Keine.
?Ah, you know how I can be? I work hard.?
A few moments of complete silence followed. Keine, though still looking a bit tired maintained her warm smile.
?You were fighting with her again weren?t you?? she asked.
?Nothing ever escapes you, does it??? said Mokou, smiling a bit while scratching the back of her head.
?I am among the wisest in Gensokyo. Not much can escape me.? reminded Keine.
Mokou knew that was the truth. She knew that Keine was a Were-hakutaku and not a full human (though currently, she is in human form). As the wisest of the half-beasts, she uses her knowledge and keen judgment to teach at the school, advise rulers, and even fairly judge matters. She could tell whether or not Mokou was recently in a fight from a mile away. It pained her to see the Mokou and Kaguya fight so much since she treasures humans and think they should be protected at any cost. Mokou can be very defensive at times, and even hard to deal with at certain moments, but Keine was most understanding, remaining calm, even in the times when Mokou demanded that she left her alone, threatening her with pain if she didn?t comply.
Basically, she was a good friend. Mokou only wished that she could be around forever?
?Well then, shall we eat?? came Keine?s voice suddenly.
?Uh, wha?? said Mokou, snapped out of her thoughts. ?Umm, yeah! I?m sta-?!?
Mokou stopped herself, and began blushing heavily, holding a very embarrassed expression. Crap!
?I see. You really weren?t getting enough to eat lately as I thought.? said the smiling Keine, tilting her head again.
Me and my big trap! thought Mokou, crossing her arms. ?Okay so it?s been a little hard to find food around here without approaching the nearby villages??
?You?re pretty worn out as well. I knew it from the moment I saw you today?? continued Keine.
Ohhh no? Make her stop? Make her stop?!
?Stiff, slower than usual movements likely do to soreness, lowered concentration, freshly mended clothes, the fact that you acted as if you wished to hide something from me, and of course??
Keine stopped, and pointed her right finger at Mokou?s torso. Mokou instinctively looked down at her stomach. And wouldn?t ya know it, as if on cue?
*GERRRRROOOOWWWWWWLLLL!!!*
??you have quite the active appetite.?
Mokou held her stomach with her right hand, slowly looking back up embarrassingly at the still smiling Keine. She watched as Keine opened the bag she had been carrying with her, revealing a white lacquer bento box with a blue top. Mokou accepted it with a shy ?thank you? and opened it, revealing a very tasty looking spread that consisted of traditional Japanese sea food (including sushi), along with rice balls and Wasabi sauce.
?But why only one? You gotta eat too, don?t y-??
Mokou stopped herself mid-sentence, watching as Keine happily removed her large, elaborate hat, and set it upon the ground in front of her. She then actually opened the hat, revealing a spread for herself! Naturally, Mokou stared at the sight with a very prominent ?WHAT THE HELL?!? expression on her face.
Keine just looked at Moukou innocently.
?What?? she asked.
?No, um, nah, ah, ner, er, nothing?? stuttered Mokou, moving her red eyes left and right rapidly.
After a few minutes of eating, Keine and Mokou had both finished, Keine putting her weird hat back together, and placing it on her head again. Mokou waited few minutes, seeming to think about something?
?I wonder? Keine, there something peculiar that I must ask you??
?What do you wish to ask??
?Do you know? Anything involving fireflies and night sparrows???
?Uhh? I understand not of what you mean?? replied the understandably confused Keine.
?Ah? Nevermind?? said Mokou suddenly. I?m probably thinking too much of this. Kaguya was probably just using them for sport. Either way, one who is an enemy of Kaguya is the friend and ally of myself.
She decided to change the subject.
?So how are things going with Rinnos- UWAAAAAAH?!?
Mokou was once again dumbfounded as Keine had once again taken off her hat and opened it? ?revealing to now be a portable make up set, complete with mirror. Keine once again looked at Mokou, raising an eyebrow.
?What?? asked the teacher innocently.
Mokou just grumbled to herself, whilst face palming in disbelief.
?Nothing?? sighed Mokou.
Keine began applying a specific powder to a greeting card, one meant for Rinnosuke judging by what was written on it. Mokou?s face had an expression of ?What is it that you?re doing???, but she didn?t ask. But this didn?t stop Keine from answering, apparently knowing what Mokou would be thinking.
?I?ve noticed that Rinnosuke really takes much delight with this specific fragrance. He said it?s ?like the freshly bloomed flowers in Paris on a spring day.? I did some research and realized that ?Paris? is a large city of the outer world, said to hold the power of ultimate romance.? she explained.
?I see, it pleases him. Keine Kamishir- No? Keine Morichika. Ah, I?m still having trouble remembering, apparently not quite used to it even now. It must be a weird, perhaps difficult transition? Being married and all?? mused Mokou.
?It wasn?t as difficult as I thought it was going to be, but it was still pretty tough at first. But now things are going fairly smoothly. Its really great living with Rinnosuke. One can never have too many companions? Speaking of which??
Keine put back on her hat, then briefly got up and sat back down right next to Mokou.
?Mokou, I can?t thank you enough for being there on my wedding day. Even if I only saw your actual face for but a fleeting moment, it really made me happy. The flowers were quite beautiful.?
?Um?? Mokou puffed her cheeks a slight bit whilst blushing and looking away a bit. ?Your? ?welcome, Keine.?
?That?s the thing that makes you as likable as you are Mokou.?
Mokou glanced back at Keine, raising an eyebrow.
?Despite your limitless amount of time in life, and all the abuse that you went through because of it, and all the countless battles with Kaguya? ?you continue to be a nice person to people, although you even now have trouble trusting them.? spoke Keine warmly.
?But you are one I trust, right??? inquired Mokou, now looking at Keine normally.
?But aren?t I the only exception?? inquired Keine back, smiling.
?Hm? You are??
?Mokou? There are more people other than myself that will understand you out there somewhere. Even when Gensokyo is at its grimmest, a good soul can still be found somewhere. But you must look for yourself if you want to find them. And when you do look, you must look with great effort.? encouraged Keine. ?And above all else? ?stay who you are.?
?Who I am???
Mokou held up her open right hand and looked at it.
?Please? ?no matter what happens? ?will you please stay the nice, likable person you currently are?? asked Keine.
Mokou closed her fist, and smiled to Keine.
?If I can do nothing else, I?ll do just that! I?ll do it for you Keine!?
?Hm? Thank you Mokou.? said Keine happily. You?ll never know how much that means to me?
?You?re welcome Keine.?
Keine giggled a bit before gazing at the sunny Gensokyo sky like Mokou was doing, letting the calm wind blow against them.
An Odd Sea Slug:
***
Slowly, the girl?s eyes opened, the blurry image of a wooden ceiling greeting her. The room was sunlit and warm. Clearly it was daytime, perhaps early morning. As her senses slowly returned to her, she realized that she in some kind of house?
The boyish night bug sat up in the futon she?d been laying in. She realized that she was in pajamas, and under blanket covers. She checked herself, realizing that she had bandages wrapped around various parts of her body including her head. Someone had cleaned, and dressed her wounds. It wasn?t long before she was seeing clearly again, though she still appeared somewhat tired.
Where am I??
Looking around, she could see that the house was quite a mess. She saw the two girls from last night as well, still clad in the same clothes as when she and her friend first met with them. So they had chosen to save them? The seven colored doll user was sleeping with her head down on the desk to her right, while the black white witch slept on the bed directly to her left. The witch laid in a rather sloppy fashion with most of the covers kicked off of herself at some point. She snored loudly in the most peculiar way as well?
?ZZZZZZZZZzzzeeeeehhh? ZZZZZZZZZzzzeeeeehhh??
It was actually cute in its own way? ?even though it was a little weird as well. Upon looking directly to her right, and downward, the night bug could see her night sparrow friend. Relief swept over her entire being as she realized the night bird had survived her injuries as well. Although thoroughly bandaged up as well, she was sleeping peacefully and quietly. One thing of interest however was the odd device applied to her broken right wing. The insect had seen them on humans before, but only now realized why they where used over regular bandages. It was made from some hard looking material along with a wooden frame.
Out of curiousity, the girl looked behind herself. She found the ruined clothes of herself, and her friend lying folded upon a chair. Both sets of garments were marked with blood, dirt, and grass stains, along burn marks from magical attacks that landed directly. Many holes and tears could be seen as well, all evidence of the battle last night. The insect girl needn?t look at the ruined garments, or her dressed injuries to be reminded of last night?s battle however, as the memories were still fresh in her mind? That dastardly princess would no doubt come for them again? She HAD to figure out why! But she didn?t even know how to begin to solve this mystery?
She sighed silently to herself, resigning herself to the fact that there was little she could do to change the situation at the moment. Since she didn?t want to wake anyone, and needed to let her injuries heal, she decided to kill just a bit of time by writing her thoughts? Wait?
The book?! Did it survive the battle??!
Alarmed, the youkai girl hurriedly, yet silently rose from the futon, turning around and rummaging through her tattered clothes. There was great relief when she found the book in one piece. Crumpled, and now tainted with green blood stains, but her book of thoughts had somehow survived, along with the pen she had been using. Another sigh of relief followed this discovery. Settling back into her futon, she opened to a blank page, and began writing her most recent thoughts?
I begin my thoughts today with a bit of a heavy mind? Last night was a dreadful night wrought with dire combat. As I wrote earlier entries of this book during the previous night while at the lamprey stand owned by my friend Mystia, I found myself approached by the Princess of Eientei, Kaguya Houraison. She showed me a strange poem that I believe went something like this:
When the stone is set and the moon is high?
People shall rest, none shall die.
When the mind is set and the heart is bold?
Many forbidden tails be told.
Many may unlock the secret, many may not?
But only one shall awaken the sleeper, like boiling water in a pot!
When the song is sung, and the fireflies dance?
The one who seals shall break many a romance.
And the one who unseals the sealer shall put one she sees forever in a cold trance.
That then shall be the very last dance.
Is the music ready? Are the dancers in place?
Sing and shout! Feel a peaceful feeling with grace!
One line that strikes me is this one:
When the song is sung, and the fireflies dance?
Kaguya attacked us without mercy in order to weaken us, and take us away with her. I believe this line may have something to do with her reasoning for attacking us. Even so, the poem does not really give any clues to what it refers to.
The girl briefly put the pen to her mouth before beginning again.
Surely it involves Mystia if it refers to singing and dancing. Those are two of the things she absolutely enjoys most, but especially singing. It there weren?t music in the world, there?d be no Mystia. Our battle with Kaguya was a difficult one, and was very quickly apparent that we were no match for her. It was only the intervention of a one, Mokou of the Fujiwara clan (human) and her gifts of vitality and bombs that allowed us to escape.
We now have been taken in by the two magicians living Gensokyo?s dreaded forest of magic: Marisa Kirisame (human), and Alice Margatroid (youkai). I?ve heard things about these two, but my first in person meeting with them was last night- such an unfavorable way to meet them? It?ll no doubt pain Mystia?s heart to realize she has been saved by a human. Do to something that happened to her past ?something I?ll refrain from writing here- she is very distrusting of humans. However, she often exacerbates her own situation. She uses the mesmerizing powers of her songs, along with her ability to cause night-blindness to lure humans away either to prank them, or to hunt them when she does not need to do so. Her situation isn?t going to get any better with such actions. I really wish she would refrain from such behaviour, because she will only hurt herself in the end. Oh? And she has quite a bit of an ego, so her pain will be worse still when she awakens?
Now the night bug clutched her book and pen tightly as a pained look entered her face.
Alas, we would not be in such a situation if we were stronger? Perhaps I could?ve even protected Mystia? But I simply lacked the power I needed at that crucial moment. Still, I fought as hard as I could. Kaguya repeatedly told us to surrender, but I denied her. Surrendering was pointless. We would probably be tortured in any case. Does one take pain and torture immediately during a critical moment, or wait till later, waiting for the inevitable? Still, I wish I was stronger? Kaguya and her rabbits will try again. And next time, we may not be able to escape?
The girl finally finished, and closed her book. She wondered very much what was awaiting her and her friend in the near future?
Another fifteen minutes passed?
The girl now heard rustling to her right. The night bird was finally waking up. She groggily rubbed her eyes as she peered upon her friend.
??Wriggle???
Wriggle Nightbug smiled to her companion as she looked back.
?Good morning, Mystia.?
An Odd Sea Slug:
?We live?? Where???
Mystia stopped herself as she groggily remembers the events of last night. A bitter expression entered her tired face.
?I? We? ?were saved by humans? Weren?t we??
Wriggle shook her head before pointing at the sleeping Alice.
?Look at her carefully. Do you not sense her magical wavelength?? asked Wriggle.
Mystia hesitated for a moment before partly sitting up and taking a look at Alice. She focused hard on her for a few minutes.
?Oh? Yes, now I can see it too. Her wavelengths are that of a youkai.? she observed.
?You see? There is a fellow youkai here you can perhaps trust, Mystia.? pointed out Wriggle.
?But? A human and a youkai together??
?Tis not the first time you encountered such a pair. Why are you still bothered by such a notion?? asked Wriggle curiously.
?I?m unsure? It just seems? ?odd to me?? answered Mystia, sitting all the way up while looking downward.
Mystia waited a minute or two before changing he answer.
?Humans and youkai are always fighting each other, right? Youkai feed upon humans, and humans protect themselves by exterminating youkai. So how is it that humans and youkai can also live and work together peacefully at the same time, should they desire?? asked Mystia.
Wriggle turned away from Mystia for a second to think, before smiling warmly at her.
?Love.? she answered simply.
?Love???
?The putting aside of all hatred and differences, the helping of those who may have wronged you or are lower than you? Its love. At least I think so.? explained Wriggle.
?Love between humans and youkai?? Are you saying these two who rescued us are together as they are because of love...?? asked Mystia, not sure of what she was feeling.
Wriggle closed her eyes.
?Love is patient, peaceful, kind, understanding, humble, holds no grudges, forgets past mistakes? It can even end wars, reconcile feuding couples, mend broken friendships? Love is an odd thing, but so wonderful as well.? explained the night bug.
Wriggle opened her eyes to find Mystia blushing a slight bit. Wriggle had explained love in the manner she did due to knowing something more about Mystia? As she explained, she remembered that Mystia lived a fairly lonely life, save for her. The only thing that Wriggle knew that Mystia ?loved? for certain was singing. For her there was perhaps nothing else? But there was a very substantial difference between loving ?something? and ?someone.? This begged a question? One the now blushing and nervous looking Wriggle thought she should bring up? But before she could utter a word, it was brought up for her!
?Wriggle?? Do you? Do you love me??? asked Mystia nervously, unable to look at Wriggle, who?d broken out into a cold sweat immediately.
?Gwa?! I-I-I-I? ?uhh?!?
By now, both their faces were redder than the reddest of tomatoes. The two stammered mindlessly, speaking over each other!
?Y-y-you see W-Wriggle? I-I?m asking this of you b-b-because?!?
?W-w-w-wait Mystia?! I-I-I was? ?going to? ?y-y-you know? a-ask??
?Hold on?! ?I was wondering if? ?you? Wait, what??
?Y-you s-see, I-I-I also going to see if? Who??
The two girls looked at each other with very wide eyes to compliment their red faces. The stare down continued for nearly ten seconds before both girls looked away, and downward.
?Um? L-l-l-let?s forget it for now?? suggested Wriggle awkwardly.
?Y-yeah! We?ll speak about it again later!? replied Mystia.
An awkward silence followed?
Dammit Wriggle, what are you doing?! You completely botched that! thought the night bug to herself.
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I have to try again! I have to ask Mystia this question! No more failure! Do or die! resolved the shy night bug in her head.
What is this?! Cowardice is unbecoming of someone of my ability! I must do this now! resolved the shy night sparrow in her head.
With fire in their eyes, the two swiftly turned to face each other again?
?MYSTIA, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO ASK YOU WAS?!?
?WRIGGLE, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO ASK YOU WAS?!?
??nnnn, do you love me???
The two girls nearly leaped out of their own skin as they suddenly found themselves covering one another?s mouths, reddened faces and surprised looks galore! They almost immediately realized what they were doing, looking down at one another?s arms. They quickly covered their own mouths, as they now sat next to each other.
??Ooohhhhhh, yeah? I love you too, Reimu??
As it turns out, the source of the voice none other than Marisa, who was sleep talking dreamily with a very wide smile. With their mouths still covered, Wriggle and Mystia briefly glanced at each other, then back at Marisa. The witch was also starting to change positions frequently.
?Ohh? Oh, yes? Yes? Uhhhhhh? Ohhh Reimu, you?re so WONderful!?
What the??! What was she dreaming about?? Wriggle and Mystia slowly uncovered their mouths giggling uneasily while looking VERY nervous. However, Marisa?s feelings seemed to change the longer it went on?
?Hunh?? H-hey, watch that? No? Cut it ou-OW! Hey, cut it out Reimu! That really hurts! Stop it with the Gohei already?!?
?WAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH?!?!? shouted the two youkai girls.
Wriggle and Mystia now found themselves covering the mouth of Marisa, not wanting to hear any more. However, their action? ?ended up causing her to opening her golden eyes.
?Ah?!? yelped the two youkai before returning to the floor, certain they?d been spotted.
Marisa waited a few seconds before letting out a wide yawn, whilst stretching out her arms. She then sat up, turning her head towards Mystia and Wriggle slowly. The two were sweating buckets now, still looking nervous and giggling uneasily as Marisa groggily starred at them?
An Odd Sea Slug:
?Oh man? Morning already??? said Marisa rather casually before yawning a bit, and getting off the bed and streching. ?I see you two made it through the night!?
The dumbfounded Wriggle and Mystia only nodded in response while giving Marisa an ?Okaaaayyy??? expression.
Hold on? Did she really sleep through all that?? thought Wriggle to herself.
?Heeeey? Ain?t ya gonna say somethin??? said Marisa, raising an eyebrow.
?Uhh? What is there to say?? said Wriggle, scratching the back of her head.
?Maybe ?good morning, how?d ya sleep?? The usual old fair as always, ya know??
?My apologies. It would seem the blows to my head have caused me to forget my manners. Y-yes, that is it!?
?Whatever?? shrugged Marisa.
Whether Marisa knew it was a lie or not was unclear. She simply got up, went over to the still sleeping Alice? Wriggle and Mystia instinctively covered their ears. Marisa looked at them again.
?Why the ears??? she asked puzzled.
?Wait? Do you not intend to put your mouth to her ear and yell ?wake the hell up??? asked Wriggle.
?Naah? Not today. Besides, I know something that actually works better?? answered Marisa with a wide, sharp toothed smile.
?Uhh??? wondered Mystia.
Marisa put her mouth to Alice?s ear?
?Boo.?
?NYAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!? hollered Alice as she was jolted awake, her arms in the air.
Wriggle and Mystia were most glad that they chose to keep their ears covered? Several of Alice?s weapon wielding dolls frantically flew into the room to see what was wrong, but soon figured out what happened, staring at Marisa angrily.
All that racket we made, and THAT is what woke her up?! She could even sleep through my loudest singing, couldn?t she?! thought Mystia.
?MARISA WHAT THE HELL??!? demanded Alice.
?I need ya to get your ass outta that chair. We need to change their bandages, and do somethin? for breakfast, ze.? explained Marisa frankly.
?Who said anything about YOU being my personal alarm clock?! I was going to have my dolls awaken me at a specific time!? chided Alice as she rose from the chair.
Marisa just looked at Alice strangely, raising an eyebrow.
?Are you sure you?re a Youkai??
?It shouldn?t at all surprise me that you have the gall to ask me something like that after perpetrating such actions!?
?I have the gall to do a great deal of things. Tell me, would YOU have the gall to do the same to me as I?ve done to you?? asked Marisa with an evil smile.
?You know full well I would, and I do!?
?Maybe one day? Not today though, ze!?
?You?re saying I?m a coward, aren?t you?? asked Alice, now looking truly angry.
?So nice to see Alice?s brain working! It brings so much joy to my heart!? spoke Marisa sarcastically, cupping her hands melodramatically below her neck.
?THAT DOES IT?!?
Alice looked around, and stopped an odd object she could use? She grabbed an odd, orange colored wooden stick with a red, semi-dome shaped ending that looked like it was made from a soft material, possibly rubber (it was a plunger) that happened to be in her arm range.
?Bleh, so that?s where I hid that weird hat I fou- whoa?!?
Marisa was interrupted as Alice leapt at her, slamming her to the ground, and shoving the plunger into her face! The plunger naturally stuck to Marisa?s face, the witch finding herself struggling to get both it, and Alice off. Alice on the other hand kept pulling and pushing the device, causing Marisa?s face to be sucked!
?Mmmmmpphh! Mmph, eph, mmph!?
?I knew this would work the moment I saw it! According to the Kourindou description, you use this device to clean the malicious words out of bad mouthed people like you!? gloated Alice.
(Kourindou- The store of many unique goods owned by Rinnosuke Morichika. It primarily sells items from our world- the outside world. Rinnosuke has the ability to instantly know the name of items, but his descriptions of them are always woefully incorrect. Apparently, Alice didn?t catch the name of this particular item.)
As the two wrestled on the ground, Wriggle and Mystia glanced at each other, fearing more and more for their own personal safety (and sanity) with each passing moment? They hadn?t noticed, but the dolls were watching the ?battle? right by them as well. Eventually, Alice pulled so hard, that the plunger?s handle detached from the cup, sending her wobbling backwards in surprise (causing her to raise her arms up high as well)! Marisa wasted no time removing the cup, revealing a very evil looking sharp toothed smile (along with a temporary facial ring). With lightening speed, Marisa lunged at Alice, pinning her against the desk as she administered armpit tickle torture!
?WAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! C-C-CUT THAT OUT!? begged the uncontrollably laughing Alice.
?Say it?!? ordered the still smiling Marisa.
?N-N-N-N-N-NEVER! DAAAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!?
?Say it?!? said Marisa again, adding power to her ?attack?, almost sending Alice to the ground.
?ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! MARISA I-IS THE Q-Q-Q-QUEEN OF THE F-FOREST, AND OF MAGIC! N-NOW S-S-STOP T-TICKLING MEEEEEEEEAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!? laughed Alice, her eyes tearing up.
Marisa finally relented, satisfied. Wriggle and Mystia didn?t notice, but the dolls looked quite sad that their Mistress ?lost? the ?fight?. Alice continued laughing for a few minutes after the tickling ended, her face VERY red and drenched with sweat.
?Alright, I?ll just??
?W-wait?? gasped Alice as she struggled to calm herself down. ?Th-this makes us even! We need a tie breaker!?
?A whaaaaaaa??? groaned Wriggle and Mystia at the same time, raising eyebrows.
?Hm, you?re right? Name the game!? said an eager Marisa.
?Rock, Paper, Scissors! Best three out of four!? said Alice, finally standing straight up.
?You?re on!?
Wriggle and Mystia just quietly watched, never having even heard of this game.
?ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!?
?ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!?
Alice had scissors, while Marisa had rock.
?Rock beats scissors!? smiled Marisa.
?There are still two rounds left!? reminded Alice eagerly.
?Then let?s do it!?
The second round began in earnest?
?ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!?
?ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!?
Alice had rock, while Marisa had paper.
?Paper beats rock!? smiled Marisa.
?O-o-o-one more time!? stammered Alice nervously.
The final round?
?ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!?
?ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!?
Alice had paper, while Marisa had scissors. Alice stared at her hand in disbelief.
?Naaah???
?And, scissors beats paper! You?re really losing your touch Alice! Soooo predictable?? sighed Marisa with a triumphant smile.
The two spent the next few minutes staring each other down with aggressive looks, Marisa looking evil, devious and confident, and Alice looking flabbergasted.
Wriggle and Mystia glanced at each other and whispered.
?Do you think they always do this??? asks Mystia.
?I?m unsure of that, but I do know that I?m questioning whether or not we should stay he-??
Now Marisa and Alice were suddenly arm in arm!
?Friends forever!? they said at the same time, smiling happily.
Wriggle and Mystia just stared silently.
?Hm?? Oh, this is just something we do to keep each other in check!? explained the smiling Marisa. ?Helps me keep the doll humping child next to me on the level!?
?In return, I can make sure this back-stabbing b***h of a witch stays out of trouble, and stop her from stealing my stuff!? added Alice, also with an oddly happy smile.
?Whaaatever you say?? says Wriggle.
?Alright, that?s enough playing around.? announced Marisa, much to the relief of Wriggle and Mystia.
The witch girl suddenly began walking up to the two of them.
?Time to change those bandages of yours??
Wriggle almost immediately noticed the crouched down Marisa going to change Mystia?s bandages first.
?Wai-?!?
Mystia rather quickly back away from Marisa, swiping her left arm at the witch (not hitting) while letting out a hiss.
?D-d-don?t touch me, human!? ordered the visibly nervous night bird.
?H-hey, what is this?! I try to help you out, and this is how you repay me?? pouted Marisa, standing back up and placing her hands on her hips.
Alice put a hand to her pale head depressively.
?Not surprising? She doesn?t trust us. Considering what happened to her last night, I cannot say that my mind wouldn?t be in similar state?? mused the doll maker.
?Y-you can touch me? But n-not her!? spoke up Mystia to Alice, pointing at Marisa.
?Mystia?!? began Wriggle, a little angry before Marisa got up and turned to leave.
?Pscht. Suit yourself? Guess I?m making breakfast?? said Marisa, closing her eyes and walking out of the room. ?Racist bird-brain??
Alice watched Marisa leave before sighing, and walking up to Mystia, sitting down on her knees, and starting to unravel her old bandages.
?Um? You know, Marisa really isn?t all that bad of a person, and??
Alice was stopped by sharp, dark looks emanating from both of her fellow youkai.
?Oookay, she has severe character issues!? said Alice, smiling nervously as a very large sweatdrop rolled down the side of her head.
The two returned to calmer expressions. Alice quickly returned to a more serious expression.
?But? When you really get to know her, she is a very interesting companion, quite loyal as well! Can?t believe I just said that??
?But what you say is odd? Weren?t you two arguing quite a bit just now??? asked Mystia.
?Oh, that?s just something we normally do. All friends will do it eventually.? explained Alice.
?All friends?? But Wriggle and I have known each other as friends for sometime and have not argued over anything at all.? said Mystia.
?Well as said, it eventually happens. When it does is merely a matter of time. And whether the friends stay together after such an argument may perhaps depend on whether or not they were really close to begin with, or perhaps the very reason why they argued. You say you two have known each other for sometime. I?ll tell you that nothing will happen early on, but it will in time.? explained Alice.
?Huh?? said Mystia.
?But you and Marisa seem to argue quite fervently? Yet you remain friends??
?What I just explained applies to us? Quite a bit!? said Alice, smiling uneasily at the irony of the last sentence. ?I really don?t want to admit this? Please don?t tell anyone? Marisa and I fight quite often. However, the frequency of fights in a group of friends varies like the shapes of mourning clouds, really.?
Working carefully, yet fast, Alice finally finished unraveling Mystia?s bandages. She was handed a fresh roll by a flying doll dressed in a western style nurse uniform complete with a white hat with a red cross. Alice now began applying the new bandages.
?So then? Would you say Marisa was good or bad?? asked Wriggle.
Alice her words carefully.
?Don?t we all have our flaws?? We?re all bad in someway, whether human or youkai. The thing is to not to let the bad part come through when possible.? answered Alice.
?That sounds hard?? says Mystia.
?And it truly is. But when something is hard, one must work harder!? Alice spaced out for a second, realizing something. ?Oh? That is something Marisa once said to me, during a bad time in my life not long ago... Quite ironic, no??
?Very much so.? chuckled a smiling Wriggle a bit.
Alice chuckled back before noticing the silent Mystia, clutching her futon?s sheets, looking downward as if thinking deeply about something. Alice hesitated, but had an odd feeling that she should say something more?
?I believe what I am trying to say is that, not all humans are bad.? spoke Alice.
?And not all youkai are good?? admitted Mystia, remembering her own wrong actions against humans in the past without looking at Alice.
?Um? Yes? ?this is correct.? said Alice before hesitating briefly. ?Tell me: what would you have done if I were a bad youkai??
Mystia was silent for a few seconds.
?I honestly do not know.? she finally said.
?That?s why you should be careful before saying who?s right or who?s wrong, or if a particular race is better than another.? responded Alice, her eyes closed. ?I know that from personal experience??
Alice finally finished bandaging the night bird. Wriggle listened to every word carefully. Was this not something she was writing about earlier?? The night bug only wished that Mystia didn?t have to learn this lesson after such a harsh battle however? Maybe now Mystia could learn to be more trusting??
?Well? All finished! Now your turn.? said Alice shifting over to Wriggle before realizing something. ?Ah?! We never had proper introductions!?
Wriggle and Mystia goinked in surprise, realizing the same thing.
?How silly of me! You may call me Wriggle Nightbug. I know it?s a funny name, but it suits me well, don?t you think?? introduced Wriggle, smiling.
?Um? I?m Mystia Lorelei. Pleased to meet you.? said Mystia, looking upward in a somewhat shy manner.
Alice smiled as she stood up and put a hand below her neck.
?I?m Alice Margatroid. It is a pleasure to meet you both. Now we have introduced ourselves properly.?
?And that is indeed a good thing.? said Wriggle, smiling warmly.
Just then, Marisa happened by, carrying her broomstick and going out the front door.
?Hey! I?m Marisa Kirisame! Don?t ya forget it, ze!? said the girl with a wide smile before walking out the door (the mark from the plunger was already gone?).
?Um? Where are you going??? asked Alice.
Marisa turned back again, holding the same smile as before.
?To get breakfast!? she said simply as she stepped out the door.
The three youkai girls sit still for a few seconds, staring at the door as it closed before Alice turned back to face her new friends.
?You two don?t think?? she began.
??that she left to get breakfast for only herself?? added Wriggle.
??without taking us along??? finished Mystia.
Within seconds, the new bandages Wriggle needed were forgotten as all three of them opened the door to have a look outside. Alice?s head poked out first? Then Wriggle?s under hers? Then Mystia under hers! They all simultaneously looked to the right? Then to the left? ?and found Marisa (who was not too far away) carefully positioning empty tofu buckets underneath specific spots underneath a nearby fairly large tree with scuff marks on the side, as if it were hit hard by something repeatedly? Marisa referenced a sheet of paper she had with her as she finished her positioning.
?Hm? Alright, if my calculations are correct, then they?re all in the right place.? said Marisa with a smile. ?Only thing to do now??
?What?? began Alice.
??is?? added Wriggle.
??she doing??? finished Mystia.
They got their answer as Marisa picked up her broomstick?
?HYYYYYEEEAAA!?
?and smashed the broom end right into the tree?s scuff mark. Amazingly enough, the broom didn?t break! But was even more amazing is that oranges began falling like rain into the buckets! Within seconds, all nine of the buckets around the tree were completely filled with oranges! Not a single one fell to the ground!
Alice, Wriggle, and Mystia all gawked at the sight as Marisa picked up one bucket with her right arm, and put her left hand on her hip.
?Heh, heh! Marisa Kirisame does it again!? exclaimed the witch before turning around.
Upon spotting the other three girls, Marisa blinked awkwardly a few times. The other girls followed suit.
?What?? asked Marisa.
?Uhh?? began Alice.
??ehh?? added Wriggle.
??Nothing?? finished Mystia.
Marisa simply tilted her head while raising an eyebrow, wondering what they were staring at?