| ~Hakurei Shrine~ > Kosuzu's Grand Bookstore |
| A New World: Book 1 Completed |
| << < (5/13) > >> |
| Kasu:
Uh-oh. Things are gettin' kinda messy aren't they? |
| Dizzy H. "Muffin" Muffin:
Yeah ... Y'know, that's basically how I imagined Lunarian marriages: arranged, perfunctory, and distant. I guess it was pretty much a reasonable, logical conclusion ... |
| Iced Fairy:
--- Quote from: Kasunagi-no-Tsurugi on July 05, 2010, 08:21:55 PM ---Uh-oh. Things are gettin' kinda messy aren't they? --- End quote --- Just as planned. --- Quote ---Y'know, that's basically how I imagined Lunarian marriages: arranged, perfunctory, and distant. I guess it was pretty much a reasonable, logical conclusion ... --- End quote --- Yeah, I think that crossed into my personal canon when I realized that Toyohime managed to hide the famed Urashimako in her house for three years. Admittedly she's probably got an impressively big house, but you'd figure if she had a close relationship with her husband it would have been a little difficult. |
| Dizzy H. "Muffin" Muffin:
Quite so, now that you mention it! Of course, y'know, what's three years to the eternal Lunarians ... Also, I'm imagining Sareseno as looking like Credo from Devil May Cry 4, except with short black hair. |
| Iced Fairy:
Renko's worries had returned by the time breakfast was served. It didn't help that the only person there was Juri, who was rather quiet. She just brought in the food, stood aside while two dolls dressed as fairy maids served it, then bowed and returned to the corner. Mary had attempted some small talk, but the meal was still quiet. After they finished Juri bowed again. ?Now that your finished I'll send for Huian. The lady of the house wishes regrets she can't see you out herself, but she tends to sleep with the dawn. Is there anything you need to retrieve, or anything you wish to do here?? Renko and Mary shook their heads. ?No I think we're ready.? Juri paused for a moment then asked, ?I don't suppose you've reconsidered my Lady's offer? I believe you two would make a fine addition to the household.? ?Er, I think I want to see if I can get a job closer to my degree before I give up and become a maid,? Renko replied. Mary smiled. ?And I want to see the village in person.? Juri sighed. ?Very well. If you two do change your minds please speak with me or Huian when we're at market.? ?Sure.? Renko had no idea what could make her change her mind, but the offer was nice. The door opened and the silver haired woman who had first greeted them entered. ?Ah, hello again.? She bowed. ?I'll be escorting you to the village, so you don't need to worry about an incidents on the trip.? ?Thank you,? said Mary. The two girls followed the gate guard to the front of the mansion. As Renko walked out into the bright Gensoukyo day her worries began to fade to the back of her mind. Now that she was thinking a little more clearly she could see the beautiful garden, composed entirely of natural plants. And beyond that a real forest. The air was heavy with bird song, none of which the two girls had heard before. Renko looked up at the sky. ?Is that a crested Ibis?? Huian nodded. ?Yes. They taste pretty good with red miso.? ?You eat them?? Mary asked in shock. ?But there aren't any in the outside world...? Huian shrugged. ?They're very common here.? The gatekeeper then turned and began walking down a very faint trail. Renko and Maribel shrugged then moved on. As they progressed through the woods they started trying to guess what the natural plants were. Sometimes Huian would casually toss out an answer, but most of the plants were very similar to their genetically engineered counterparts in the outside world. Eventually though they passed a patch of plants with spiky fruits that had them stumped. ?I think it's a western plant,? Renko finally said. Maribel frowned. ?Maybe. But I have a feeling we should know it anyway.? ?It's wild cucumber silly,? said a light voice from just behind Renko. The two girls turned to see a short girl with green hair and two gossamer wings flying in the air. The fairy smiled at the two, then blew past them in the blink of an eye. Renko gasped and tried to catch her dress as the blowback lifted her skirt. Maribel was in a similar predicament. Huian of course, who was wearing pants, simply watched the fairy leave with a slight smile. ?How did you like your first fairy meeting?? Renko laughed. ?She was interesting.? Huian shrugged. ?Yes. That girl is fairly harmless. Don't think all fairies are though. And definitely remember that could have been a youkai. It's good you're having fun, but don't get overconfident. I'd hate to hear you got eaten.? That brought the girls back down off their high. They continued down the trail in silence. After a few moments Huian looked back again. ?Sorry for killing the mood there. I just thought it was a good idea for you to know the ropes. Today I'm here, so for now take it easy and enjoy the trip. You won't get to enjoy wandering the woods like this anytime soon again.? Huian pointed at a vine. ?Oh right, that there is kudzu. You misidentified it last time.? ?I thought Gensoukyo had mostly rare and extinct plants,? Renko said. ?Well they have to have some of the common plants, otherwise there would be nothing to eat,? said Mary. Huian nodded. ?Yep. You'll see some more familiar types when we reach the farm lands. Which should be pretty soon....? Sure enough after one or two more bends in the path the woods cleared up a lot and the three girls looked down upon the human village. It looked mostly like an archaic village, but there were a few buildings that looked like they'd escaped from France or Holland. The grounds around the village were mostly farms, many flooded for rice cultivation. After a few more moments the two outsiders realized the village was much bigger then they'd first thought. It contained several large houses, and it looked like there was at least two markets. ?Hm... How do they feed all the people? It doesn't look like there's enough farms here for this big a village,? Renko asked. ?Maybe if this were a modern farm, but with normal tools...? ?Well some of the houses are empty, but we mostly make do with magic to boost harvest yields,? said a laconic voice. Renko looked over to see a woman in a workers shirt with long white hair stand from behind a rock. Renko was about to greet the newcomer when Maribel suddenly jumped backward in fright. ?You!? The next second was a garbled mess. Renko was turning to her friend, when suddenly their guide appeared next to the woman and ran her through with a sword she produced from nowhere. Instead of screaming or anything however the woman merely looked bored. Then Renko was holding Mary's shoulder and they were both staring at the blood. And then their guide and the woman started talking casually, as if nothing had happened. ?I told you this would happen. Why do you have to stab me every time we meet out here?? ?It's the only way I can be sure it's actually you Mokou. I'm not handing over my charges just to anyone who can throw up an illusion of you. It would anger my mistress and shame me as a guard.? ?Fine fine, but could you at least stab me in the head? That way there's less blood on my shirt.? Renko decided she and Mary needed to sit. Mary didn't resist. ?Oh right. Sorry. I'll send money for a new one...? ?Nah, it's cool. I'll just use this one for my next princess meeting.? The white haired girl looked them over again and shook her head. ?Anyway, don't worry about me. The name's Fujiwara no Mokou. I'm sorta one of the village guards.? ?You got stabbed,? Renko pointed out mildly. ?Yeah, I can't die. It comes in handy sometimes.? Mokou frowned and looked closer at Mary who was still trembling. ?Wait, have I seen you before?? Renko looked at her friend. ?Are you okay Mary?? Mary took a few deep breaths. ?The bamboo forest...? Huian flicked the blood off her sword. ?Oh yes. That young lady apparently was here in dreams before.? ?Aha!? Mokou looked pleased. ?So that was you all those years ago. I was a little worried you'd gotten eaten. I'm glad you made it out.? Mary took a few more deep breaths to calm herself. ?Um... I'm sorry for treating you like a monster. It's just you were terribly frightening at the time.? ?And your reaction here is kinda scary too,? Renko muttered, looking at the blood. Mokou shrugged. ?Sorry. I was never really good with people.? She made an attempt at cleaning off some of the blood but only managed to smear it around some more. ?Er... Anyway I can take you the rest of the way down to the village. Keine's still in class, but recess should be soon. I'll take you there.? ?You aren't really going to walk in on a classroom full of children in that shirt, are you?? Renko asked in disbelief. Mokou considered it for a moment before sighing. ?Eh, true. I guess I'll stick to guarding then.? She waved before heading back to her sitting place. ?If you could, tell Keine I'll be back for supper. I imagine I'll see you then.? Renko stood and dusted herself off before giving her escort a sheepish grin. ?Um sorry about that.? Huian shook her head. ?It's alright. Mokou can be disturbing at times, and my trick to figure out if she was in fact Mokou would be shocking to most people. I'm more surprised at your friend's reaction.? Renko frowned and looked over at Mary who still looked a little shaken. Feeling the gaze of both people on her she blinked, then stood up. ?I'm sorry. It's my eyes. I... can tell her life is limitless. Without boundaries. It's... frightening.? ?Hm...? Huian considered the matter. ?While I hate to be so callous, I suggest you get used to it. There are many things in Gensoukyo that defy limitations and boundaries. Mokou is one of the safer ones, for humans anyway.? Huian started along the path again. ?Anyways, we should get to the village. Recess can't last forever. No matter how much the kids may want it to.? |
| Navigation |
| Message Index |
| Next page |
| Previous page |