Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Hakurei Shrine~ => Patchouli's Scarlet Library => Topic started by: Smallfry on March 03, 2011, 12:57:19 AM
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What is left, when reality has been broken?
I awoke. My eyelids felt as though they were made of lead. I managed to lift my arm after much effort. It was grueling, but I had slowly climbed to my feet. I peered around the room I was in. The world was spinning in a dizzy haze. Or maybe that was just me. The room was mostly empty, except for a desk covered in dust. I then realized I was covered in dust as well. I glanced up, and the ceiling was gone. The sky blanketed with gray clouds and smoke billowing from places I couldn't see. I shuffled towards the door, which had been left ajar. It led me to a long hallway, with some parts of the wall missing. I gazed outside, into the once great metropolis that I called Home.
Bodies lay everywhere, most of them weren't even fully intact. Some were charred, unrecognizable piles of flesh and bone. Chunks of buildings littered the streets. Fires had wracked most of the department stores, some still ablaze. I stumbled down the blackened street, somehow maintaining consciousness in the darkness of the day. And then, I was falling. Falling into oblivion. Literally, I was falling. The ground beneath me had disappeared. Around me I could see eyes gazing from every direction, some big, some small. This strange world was coloured an odd purple. I closed my eyes out of fright. Suddenly, I stopped falling, landing on something soft. I opened my eyes slowly, and peered around. I was in a traditional Japanese house.
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Oh, I almost forgot. My name is Takeda. A normal 15 year old boy. With a normal life. Now I find myself when the world has ended. Well, it doesn't appear to have completely ended. I'm here in someone's house, with the breeze-
"Would you kindly get off me?!"
I heard someone's voice beneath me. It sounded like a aggravated woman. I rolled off of her onto the floor, and sat up.
"I wish Yukari-sama would take more care into where she spawns those infernal gaps," She mumbled. I found myself staring at her odd presence. She was a tall, slender woman, wearing white and blue robes, and there was.......several fox tails behind her. I kept staring as she turned around and walked out of the house. Could those have been real?
"Ah! Ran~! We have a visitor~!" Came a delighted woman's voice from behind me. It wasn't the lady with the fox tails. I turned around, and saw a beautiful woman in an elegant white dress with a strange orange banner running down the middle. She carried a parasol and wore a pink cap, with flowing blond hair underneath.
"Uhhm...H-hello. My name is T-Takeda.." I began, still trying grasp the situation. "W-Who are you?"
"Oh! How silly of me~! My name is Yukari Yakumo~! Please try to remain civil in my home. Ran is....irritable today."
She was acting like nothing was wrong. As if she was oblivious to the carnage that happened outside. "Maybe this isn't the right time, but I have a small question." I began.
"Oh? Do ask."
"Uhhm...Where are we?"
"Oh! How silly of me~! We are in Gensokyo!"
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"What is Gensokyo?" I may as well have been talking to a lobster.
"Simple. It's Gensokyo," Yukari began. "The place where you came from, known as the outside world, is where most of the humans live. The rest of us stayed in here when the Barrier was created."
"The rest...of us? Do you mean, you aren't human?"
"Of course not! Do I look like a human to you?" Yukari sounded offended.
"Yes..yes you do." Aside from her extravagant dress, she looked like any other person.
"I am not a human, fool." She suddenly sounded serious. I jumped back a bit. "I am far superior than a human."
"I've got another question." I began getting nervous. "How did I get to your home?"
"Such is my great power. Look behind you." I slowly turn my head to look behind me, and Yukari was standing right there. I quickly turned my head back, and there she was again. "Ah, such fun, confusing the humans. Don't you think so, Ran~?" Yukari said in a playful voice. There was no reply. "Hm. She must be playing with Chen."
I glanced around the house. It looked like a home, to say the least. A small kitchen unit, a table, and a television were all the things worth noting. And then it dawned on me. What am I supposed to do now?
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(Please respond with thoughts and comments)
I had only been here for 5 minutes, but I never thought about it. What am I going to do now? There isn't any possibility of going back home, even it was still there.
"Excuse me, uh, Miss Yukari?" I might as well ask.
"Mm?"
"What...am I supposed to do now? I mean, I couldn't possibly live here. Is there any place I could go?"
"I could send you to the Shrine..." She muttered. "Yes, that will have to do." A line appeared beside her with a ribbon on each end. It widened to look like an oval shape. Inside it looked like an empty void with the same eerie eyes I saw earlier. "Go on."
Well, what have I got to lose? I stepped back, ran forward and jumped headfirst into the strange gap. The feeling that I had felt earlier of being watched by millions of eyes was upon me again. I shut my eyes and wished it would be over soon.
It seems my wish was granted, as the next thing I knew, I was on solid ground. Opening my eyes, I saw that I was outside. I could only see a little storage hut to my left. I got to my feet and turned around. There was a woman clad in red and white garb with her armpits showing asleep on a bench, snoring loudly.
"Hnnmmgh...Suika....Geddoutta the sake...." She mumbled. She must be dreaming. Maybe I could take this opportunity to look around. I crept towards that storage hut I mentioned earlier, and inside was a sight I thought shouldn't be possible. Enough sake to knock out an elephant 7 times. Just what does this person do all day? Drink nonstop? Well, I guess it would be awful boring being a shrine mai- Just then I heard a noise. It sounded like it came from the other end of the hut.
"H-hello?" No reply. "Is..is anyone there?" A soft giggle came from behind me. Slowly I turned around, the sight surprised me greatly. A little girl with long orange hair holding what looked like a drinking gourd was in front of me. There was something amiss about her though. Horns. There were 2 horns protruding from the top of her head.
"Hi there, kid! What are you *hic* doing here?* She sounded intoxicated. It must be all this sake.
"I....don't really know." It was all I could say.
"Well *hic* then, let's get ye sorted out with Miss *hic* Reimu over there. The sleepy *hic* head that she is."
The next thing she did was unbelievable. She threw her drinking gourd at the woman sleeping on the bench, and hitting her square in the face. I braced myself.
"....Zzz.......hnn....wha?" That was not what I expected. She groggily sat up, and gazed at me in a haze. "...Hunh? Who...Who are you?"
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(Seriously guys, please respond. I want to know what you think!)
"Nnngh... Suika? Is that you?" She asked, still half asleep. "Were you in the sake again?"
"No....I'm not-"
"Still so drunk you can't remember who you are, eh?"
"What? I've never drank in my life-"
"That's a vicious lie! We've gotten drunk together so many times....." There was no stopping her. "You know what? I'm just going to pound you again!"
"Wait! Wait! I'm not who you-" It looked too late. She pulled out what looked like a trading card, and floating orbs of light gathered around her.
"Dream sign! Fantasy se-"
"I'M NOT SUIKA!!"
The orbs disappeared, and we just stood staring at each other, dumbfounded by what I said. "My name...is not Suika." I said this a bit quieter.
"....Hm... I see. From the outside are you?"
"I....I guess. I was told this is... Gensokyo?"
"That's right. How did you get here? Wait, let me guess. Yukari, right?"
"Yes.. that was her name. By the way... who are you?"
"Reimu Hakurei. Usually it's me you'd see first when you try to come here. But, if she was behind it, that would explain everything. Come inside, have some tea. Let's talk."
She was being very open about this, and I wasn't about to complain. She invited me inside the shrine and I told her about who I was, what had happened, and how I got here.
"Takeda, hm? You say the outside world is destroyed?"
"Yes, that's correct. Everything was in ruin. Lifeless bodies were everywhere. It was pure luck that I happened to fall into a portal." And then the question hit me again. "What am I going to do now?
"Well....I know someone who might like some company. Follow me." She sat up and began floating. All I could do was stare at her, dumbfounded. Did the laws of nature mean nothing here? "Oh, how could I forget. You're from the outside world. I suppose this means I'll have to teach you how to fly."
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Hmm. Seems good so far. Any chance we'll get Takeda to tell us more about his backstory?
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Hmm. Seems good so far. Any chance we'll get Takeda to tell us more about his backstory?
Of course. I'm building up to that. He hasn't had any reason to share personal information with anyone just yet.
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Please dont tell me that he'll be... "in romance" with one of the main characters.
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Please dont tell me that he'll be... "in romance" with one of the main characters.
Well, it won't be a "main" character, so to speak... :3
EDIT: I actually hadn't thought about that until you posted. So, it's your own fault if you don't like it :]
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So long as it isnt the usual "OMFGSADOMACHOSIMRAYMOOOOOOOOOOOO" Or shit like that.
Anyways, keep it up, lest you wanna get smacked.
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So long as it isnt the usual "OMFGSADOMACHOSIMRAYMOOOOOOOOOOOO" Or shit like that.
Anyways, keep it up, lest you wanna get smacked.
I don't even know what you said there. Probably better that I don't... Anyways expect a new entry tomorrow sometime, or maybe even today.
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(Keep responding guys!)
"Teach me...how to fly?" It's as if she had spoken a different language. Maybe she did.
"Yes, teach you how to fly. Did you mishear me?" She acted like she was going to teach me how to ride a bike or something.
"But....How is that possible?"
"It isn't normally. But, the laws of nature are a bit flexible here. Ready to learn?" I had nothing to lose, so why not?
"Yes, ma'am."
"Alright! Now we're talking!" She suddenly got more energetic "You ever hear of that old saying 'Mind over matter'?"
"Of course."
"Right, well that applies to this as well. Close your eyes...... Breath slowly....In.....Out...... Imagine yourself soaring above the clouds..." She zoned out and began daydreaming. Right, here goes.
Closing my eyes, I pictured myself flying like a bird, diving and twirling. My breathing, and as a result my heart rate, slowed down considerably. It was if time was standing still. There was nothing left any more. No birds, no trees, no shrine, no Reimu. Just me, and the open sky. And then the unthinkable happened.
A feeling of weightlessness fell over me. I could no longer feel solid anything under my feet. I pictured myself going higher, and faster, and then the wind began to blow my hair around. Out of curiosity, I opened my eyes, and found I was several meters in the air. Instinct told me to panic, and I said 'No you'. I tried leaning slightly, and I began moving forward.
It really is a strange thing, moving forward without effort or consciousness controlling you. This Gensokyo is a wonderful place. After flying around in circles for a small while I attempted to settle back on the ground. Of course, I hadn't figured out how to land yet, and crashed right into the ground throwing up a cloud of dust. Coughing loudly, I stood up to find Reimu had collapsed with laughter.
"Yes it was very funny." I said, rolling my eyes. "Now, you said someone would like some company?"
She managed to calm down enough to get a reply out. "Oh right. *giggle* Yes. *snicker* Follow me." She wafted up and floated off. After a few seconds of effort, I managed to do the same.
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This seems interesting, but I would have thought people who strayed into Gensokyo are sent back. XD
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This seems interesting, but I would have thought people who strayed into Gensokyo are sent back. XD
Well if that happened there'd be no touhou fanfics, eh?
Iirc its canon that reimu hasnt had experience with people coming to Gensokyo, so from there its free for writers.
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This seems interesting, but I would have thought people who strayed into Gensokyo are sent back. XD
Now, that's only if you try and go through the Hakurei Shrine. Yukari is a sneaky little buggar and doesn't like following rules.
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(Please, if you like this story, leave a comment or suggestion!)
Well, this wasn't what I expected. We were only flying a few feet off the ground, for my sake, but it was better than walking. The one occasion we needed to fly higher was when we had to either navigate through the treacherous passages of the mountains, or just go over them. I was bored, so I flew up higher, just above the trees to get a good look. The passing ground below us changed from a sunny, green meadow dotted with trees to a darker, mystifying atmosphere.
"Almost there!" Reimu pointed out, yelling so I could hear her over the wind. "I have to ask one thing though! Do you like mushrooms?" What kind of a question was that?
"Not really!" I called back.
"Well you better learn to like them! 'Cause here we are!" She touched down as a bird would touch down on a branch. Gracefully. I, on the other hand, still haven't mastered landing, and ended up face first in the mud. Climbing to my feet and wiping the mud off my face, I could hear more laughter, which I chose to ignore.
In front of me was a small house. It looked as inconspicuous as a house could get, except for it's location. In this dreary, dank, and eerie forest, it was the only sign of civilization. Reimu walked up and knocked on the door. A young looking woman with short blond hair dressed in what could pass off as a blue and white night gown and brown boots opened it.
"Yes? Oh, hello Reimu. Is there something you need?" Her voice was soft and high.
"Not this time. I've got a friend here without a place to go." Reimu answered.
"Oh? Well I'm afraid he can't stay here." She started to look nervous.
"Playing with dolls again?"
Her face turned bright red. "What?! I...No!....Fine, he can stay here." She gave in. "I just hope he doesn't expect to live here without doing some work."
Reimu turned around to look at me, and seeing my approval, she said "Can he move in right now? He hasn't got anything except the clothes he's wearing."
"I guess." She moved aside and gestured for me to enter. "Will that be all, then?"
"Yes. Thank you, from him, and me." She flew off without another word.
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The house looked as normal inside as it did on the outside. Again, without the location in mind.
"Go on, look around." She said, with no detectable emotion. I entered the room to my left. Rows upon rows of books lined each wall. Some of the titles were Japanese, some were English, and some were written in languages I didn't recognize. Greek and Hebrew maybe. "This is the library," I jumped as she spoke. "As you can see, most of my books are here."
I continued into the room adjacent to this one. It looked as any dining room would. A wood burning stove (Haven't seen one of those in a while) A small table, and a window looking out into the murky forest. The shelves held various spices and herbs, and there was a bucket containing a large amount of mushrooms.
"I eat those for every meal. Good nutrition if you cook them up right. But, if you do it wrong...." Her voice trailed off. "Never mind, lets continue."
After the last room, we came to a small hallway which broke off into 2 rooms.
"The room on the left is yours. It's where she used to stay..." Her voice trailed off again. Is she remembering one of her family perhaps?
"Who?" I asked, more out of curiosity than confusion.
"Oh? N-no one.." She blushed, and tried to change the subject. "There's some extra blankets in the closet over there. Excuse me." She gave a slight bow and walked into the room on the right, closing the door behind her. The room wasn't spectacular, but it will do. A medium sized bed, a small window looking out into the gloomy forest, and a dusty chest with a silver lock on it. What could be in there?
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(I'm going to write this every time if I have to. Please, respond!)
I stared at the chest for a long time, trying to imagine what could be inside it. It doesn't look like it had been opened, or even touched in a very long time. I eventually decided that it was no use to just sit and think about it, so I decided to ask about it. Getting up off the bed, I shuffled over to the other room. I was reaching for the knob, when I could hear something. A woman's high pitched voice sounding very depressed. I manage to get bits of information by hearing through the door, and between her occasional gasps and sobs.
"....sa.....Why did you have to leave so soon?" It was clear she was sad about something. I couldn't make out the name she mentioned. Even though I felt bad about eavesdropping, I continued listening. "It gets so lonely here...and now I've got a permanent house guest....Sleeping in your room! Still..it's better than being alone, but it's just not the same without you..." I heard a slight tap and then the heavy clunk of her footsteps coming towards the door. Nearly tripping over myself, I stumbled back into the other room as fast as I could. Sitting back down on the bed just in time, she stepped into the doorway.
"I'm going out to gather some mushrooms." She began. "Don't break anything, Ma-" She stuttered and blushed. Then she turned around and quickly ran out the door. What was that all about? Peering out into the hall and seeing she was gone, I seized the opportunity to look for the key to this enigmatic chest. Slowly opening the door, I gazed around. This room wasn't much different that other one. This one had a closet, which subsequently was locked like the chest in the other room. I opened the dresser, and found several pieces of lady's underwear. I closed it immediately, blushing all the while. She was letting me live here, I could at least have some decency. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw another chest similar to the one in the other room. I was reaching for it, and I heard the front door opening.
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oh damn shits bout to go doooown
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(Keep replying please!)
"I'm back...." I heard a voice from down the hall. My heart started beating faster. "I forgot to..... bring my.... hat." Then the clunk of her heavy footsteps started growing louder. Thinking quickly, I dove under her bed. My heart was almost like a rubber ball, bouncing back and forth in my chest. I remained perfectly still, not daring to let out a sound or move an inch. Hearing a rummaging noise, I managed to move just enough to get a view of what was going on. She was kneeling in front of the very same chest I was about to open. Her head was hung low and she was sobbing again. She stopped after a while and clunked back outside.
"Um..I'm leaving again." After the door was shut, I climbed out from under the bed. That was unnerving! Now that she was gone again, nothing stood between me and the chest. reaching for the chest once again, I grasped the lid. It was a lot lighter than it looked. And inside the chest was......nothing. The chest was empty. What a disappointment. I sighed deeply, and decided I need some sun.
Walking outside into the forest still held a mysterious atmosphere. The sun was warm, and the ground moist. But something felt amiss. As if there was an unseen presence. Glancing around, all I could see was trees, trees, a clothesline, and more trees. Huh. It must have have been nothing. I walked back inside, and decided to explore the house some more.
At the end of the hallway was a door I hadn't noticed before. I tried the knob, and it opened with a creak. Inside was a sight that I couldn't believe. Shelves piled high with dolls. Some were dressed in extravagant clothing, which appeared to have been sewn by hand. In fact, all of them looked completely homemade. This was getting creepy, so I closed the door and trudged back to my room. Along the way I began feeling dizzy. I was probably just tired, and decided to just lie down.
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I wonder if Yukari has something planned and is watching him in the forest...
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I wonder if Yukari has something planned and is watching him in the forest...
Ah! I hadn't thought of that! Thank you very much!
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"........eda.........." In the depths of my unconscious, I heard a far away voice. It's like it was calling to me....
".....akeda..." There it went again. I wonder if it will leave me alone so I can go back to sleep.
"Takeda!!" My eyes jolted open and I sat up in a flash, panting heavily. My entire body was slick with sweat, and I could have sworn my head was being hit with a hammer.
"Oh, you're awake!" A strange woman was kneeling beside me, tears streaming down her face. "I thought.... I thought you would never wake up!"
"....Wha....Where am I? This doesn't look like my house..." And then I remembered. The apocalypse. The shrine. Here. "....Oh." It was all I could say.
"How are you feeling? Does it hurt anywhere? Are you having trouble breathing? Are you-"
"Stop! Please, that's enough!" She was talking way too fast. "I'm...fine...." And then I fell back onto the bed.
"Eeeek!" My vision had blurred and I saw her run out of the room. Staring up at the ceiling in a haze, I felt a slight tingling sensation. My vision suddenly cleared and my headache was gone.
"Ohh..... What happened?" I said to no one in particular.
"You were feeling the effects of magic poisoning. Didn't Reimu tell you that this place is dangerous?!" Come to think of it, she hadn't.
"No, she didn't..."
"You're lucky I came home when I did. Otherwise..." Tears started forming in her eyes. She muttered something under her breath. "No.. I can't lose another one..." She walked out of the room, her head low again. Huh.
Feeling alright, I sat up again. It's only been a day, and I've gotten sick. Whatever she used, it sure worked. I didn't feel tired at all. Perhaps, I owe her for more than just a place to stay.
Even though there was no one around, I could still feel someone here, as if they were watching from the shadows. I'm going to be a bit more cautious from now on.
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The next few weeks passed by without incident. Every day was pretty much the same. Wake up early, harvest mushrooms, fend off a wild beast, go to bed. We usually ate the mushrooms we harvested. We were eating silently one morning, and then it had occurred to me. She has never once mentioned her name. Deciding now was as good a time as any, I spoke up.
"Hey...have you ever told me your name?" Hearing this, she froze up immediately.
"That's because...I....You see......I didn't...." She suddenly got up and ran to her room crying. I really do wonder why she does that. Could It have something to do with the chest? I silently followed her, and stood just out of sight listening. It was a cowardly thing to do, but I wanted to listen first. Lucky for me, she left the door open.
"Oh Marisa....What am I going to do?" Who was she talking to? Was asking her name really that bad? "I just wish you were back here....everything could be normal again." Who could she be talking about? It must be related to that chest. I'm going to need to get it open, and expose this secret. But how?
The day returned to normal, and we were out harvesting mushrooms. A wild beast appeared, which was nothing unusual. I took out the magic flare, just like every other time, and started it up. A brilliant blue light shone, scaring the beast away. I was staying out later than usual, and the sun had set. I was all alone. Or, so I had thought.
On my way back to the house, I heard a rustling in the bushes. Just the wind. I picked up my pace a bit just to be sure. A low growling could be heard from the darkness. And then I realized. The flare had gone out. Flares can only be used once, and then they need time to recharge. I had heard a thump behind me. Hastily turning around, there it was. The very same wild beast from earlier. What were these called? Youkai. They were called youkai. Resembling humans, except a little less human-like. They were like wild animals, hungry for human flesh.
Backing up slowly, my heart pounding all the while, I attempted to make it slowly back to the house. Another thump behind me. Another youkai. Big surprise. This one looked more like a bird, with gigantic wings growing out of it's back. Then a thump on the left, and a thump on the right. Great. I'm surrounded.
"And just what do you think you're doing?" Someone yelled from the darkness, in the same high pitched voice. We all turned to look at once. I didn't think she knew I was here. Well, I'm not complaining.
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*Expects Rumia to appear and "save" him and a "BAD END! PRESS R TO TRY AGAIN?" sign while the IWBTG music plays*
I like how your story is coming along, really interesting imagining the possibilities and all if I could be in his shoes...
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(If there's anything you'd like to see changed, please tell me right away)
It was all I could to stare. Being this far out in the forest, I hadn't expected anyone to find me. And yet there she was. Staring back at the group of youkai surrounding me, with a look of fierce determination. Either got worried about me, which makes no sense, or she was just bored. The latter seems more likely.
Their attention now focused on the silhouette in front of me, the youkai proceeded to advance. Not even batting an eye, she rose her hand, and an army of small figures rose out of the shadows. I guess she was controlling them. I wanted to try and go back to the house, but I could just stare. Her elegant arm movements.....
My thoughts were scattered when a bright light followed by a blast of air and an ear shattering sound occurred. Was that an explosion? Then another. And another. What the crap is happening? Well, the explosions had stopped, and there was a cloud of dust and smoke hanging where everyone was. When the smoke cleared, there were red smears, and the occasional foot. And there she was, lying on the ground, motionless. Blackened by soot and dirt, her clothes torn and bloodied, she was barely recognizable.
Run. That's all that was going through my mind. Run, and get her back to the house immediately. I put my arms underneath her limp body, and lifted. She weighed a lot less than I thought. Before I knew what was happening, I was sprinting back to the house, full throttle, no brakes. I was a decent runner back in school. I could run faster than all my friends, which was a nice thing to have in a pinch, such as now. Not knowing how long I had been running, the house came into view, and I slowed to a jog.
Kicking the door open, I hurried to her room and threw her on the bed. I went back to the kitchen, frantically looking for something, anything that could help. Then, I remembered her saying something in the forest today. This one is Habaru Canofus. The healing mushroom. The smell alone is enough to bring someone back to consciousness. I keep a few of these in the kitchen, just in case. I wracked every shelf and container I could find for one of these.
In an act of desperation, I decided to check the least likely place. The bottom of the mushroom bucket. Digging through to the bottom, there it was. So small I would have missed it otherwise. I can't believe my luck. Without another thought, I snatched it up and almost flew back to her room. She hadn't moved at all. I scratched the surface with my fingernail, and a pungent smell arose. I put it near her dreary face, and waved it around. Her eyes twitched. Oh my god, it must be working. She opened her mouth and let out a sigh.
"Haahh....I'm tired..." She must not be aware of what's happening.
"Here, eat this." I thrust the mushroom close to her face. "It's good for you." Without hesitation, she opened her mouth, and I laid the mushroom on her tongue. She began chewing, and then swallowed. She let her head rest on the bed again, and began to snore. Out of curiosity, I looked down at an open wound on her left arm. Before my eyes, it closed up like an eye shutting, leaving no trace a scar was ever there. I can't believe it. I might have just saved her life.
Feeling immensely confident, I strode to my own room, climbed into bed, and drifted off instantly.
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(Please, post your opinions!)
Waking up to sunlight streaming in is wonderful, isn't it? But waking up to find my room in disarray isn't as wonderful. The dresser was knocked over, the drawers all over the floor. I had learned how to sew, and had made various shirts and pairs of pants. These were everywhere, on the bed, on the floor, and some were missing. I had noticed most of my bed sheets were on the floor, as well. But, what really caught my attention, was the chest in the corner. The lid was wide open. I had actually forgotten about my original quest to try and open it. But it was open, right in front of my face.
Wasting no time, pushed aside my covers, and walked to the chest, full of suspense. Inside was the mystery that taunted me for weeks. And inside was.... a black witches hat. Was this a joke? A Halloween costume? I didn't get it at all.
"So." I was startled when a voice sounded from the doorway. I thought she was asleep. "You've found it. I had hoped to keep that a secret."
"Keep what a secret? A tacky Halloween costume?"
"What's...It doesn't matter. You don't understand do you?" She asked with a cold expression.
"Understand what?" I really had no idea where she was going with this.
"Very well. Come with me." She motioned with her hand to follow me into her room. I did as she asked and strolled casually into the other room. Sitting down on her bed, she picked up a picture frame, and stared at it for a moment. She pointed to a woman with flowing blond hair wearing a black dress with patches filled in with yellow and green cloth. "Do you know who that is?"
"Of course not."
"It was someone very dear to me. Almost like family...." Her eyes began to turn red. Tears welled up and streamed down her face. "Sorry....It's just too painful to relive....Do you have any idea what it's like having something taken from you?!" She suddenly spoke harshly. I actually hadn't thought about that.
After I woke up on that fateful day so many nights ago, I hadn't given it much thought. I had lost everything, and everyone that I knew and loved. No parents, no friends, no creepy guy who delivers the newspapers. Nothing at all, but the good fortune to be transported here. Without myself knowing it, I broke down and tears poured from my eyes like a salty fountain.
I just sat there, my hands buried in my face. I have never actually cried in front of someone before, but the realization of the truth was too much. I could actually feel a hand moving gently on my back, attempting to make me feel better.
"So you have then, huh?" A quiet voice began, a trace of sympathy could be found. "Reimu had said you were from the outside world. How exactly did you happen upon this place?"
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Wait wait wait, So what happened to Marisa? I doubt that anything could take her down, but it couldn't be of old age due to Reimu still alive and kicking... Hmmm.
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Wait wait wait, So what happened to Marisa? I doubt that anything could take her down, but it couldn't be of old age due to Reimu still alive and kicking... Hmmm.
Reimu is the guardian of the entrance to Gensokyo. You can't have believed that wasn't some age defying magic or some other junk, right?
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Nope.
I would assume the Shrine Maiden of Paradise had to give birth eventually.
Though I will believe this is about 2 or 3 more generations down, With the girl being named Reimu. That or you could just make it so that Marisa just disappeared instead of dieing.
If you choose the former, Do you have any plans to include the 10D characters?
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Nope.
It's the same Reimu, and I'm not revealing anything about Marisa until later. And no, it isn't a few generations down.
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So I explained to her the whole story. Waking up in a ruined building, meeting Yukari, going to the shrine, and flying here. I told her how it was only today when I realized I had lost everything. All the while tears were streaming down my face, and her hand was moving in a loving motion on my back. And then, I remembered the question. During a long period of silence, I spoke up.
"You still haven't told me your name." I spoke timidly. Her hand stopped moving for a second, and started moving again.
She spoke without hesitation. "Alice Margatroid." I finally knew who she was! This would make things so much easier going forward.
"Alice? Do you remember waking up feeling a little strange today?" She doesn't seem to remember what happened last night.
"Yes, I felt a strange tingling in my left arm. I had a headache too. Why?" Nope, she doesn't remember.
"You saved me from being killed by causing some explosions and injuring yourself. I had to carry you back here and find one of those healing mushrooms. I had to turn the kitchen upside down to find one. There was a really nasty opening on your left arm. Whatever that mushroom was, it sure worked." She studied my words, and her face blushed bright red.
"I... didn't go back out..... to save you.... I went to save the...mushrooms..." She then got up and stormed out the door. I could hear the front door slamming. She certainly didn't act like she went to save the mushrooms. Hm... I wonder... Could she..? Nah, that doesn't seem likely. But... No, it's just not right. But maybe..? No! No it isn't!
After knowing what was in the chest, I needed to find out who the woman in the picture was. And so, I began a new quest, to find out more about Alice's past.