This is the Cirno News Network with a breaking news story. Marisa Kirisame was seen entering the Scarlet Devil Mansion earlier today, and has not been seen since. When ace reporter and company namesake Cirno made her way past the gate guard to observe the mansion, she heard various odd noises coming from the Library. All that ace reporter Cirno could make out were a lot of groans, and occasional exclamations of 'ze' and 'mukyu'. This has led her to believe that the Mansion has imprisoned Kirisame, somehow, and is proceeding to torture her. We here at Cirno News Network will continue to broadcast this injustice until the witch has been freed from her captor's grip.

Thank you, and enjoy the show. This has been THE STRONGEST! Now back to your irregularly scheduled fic.

The Great Unmoving Library

Hrmph. A visitor? What was Sakuya thinking, allowing one in here? I told her I was not to be disturbed today. I've important work to be doing. Work, which should not be interrupted by the inanities of a random visitor.

I see. So you came here seeking me out? How unusual. I'm surprised Remi even let you into the mansion. She's never been one to play second fiddle, not even to her oldest friends. Sad thing, at times, but that is her. What more should one expect from a vampire half a millennium old? No, do not answer that. It was rhetorical.

Hrmph. I suppose I'll answer the questions. At least you're not acting like that damnable tengu. Oh, how I'd love to catch her on a good day. Perhaps on a Saturday, when I can catch her with the very Earth and constrain her. Nothing that wind can affect. Then, maybe I'll give her my own interview. It could prove beneficial. I've not been able to personally dissect a tengu before, so it would be an enlightening experience.

Oh, do not worry. I've seen the innards of humans plenty of times. I do live with two vampires, after all. After all these years, it would have been impossible not to. Besides, I'm quite similar enough to your species, especially compared to other youkai. There is little I don't know about humans. And what I don't know, I can always learn by reading, so there is no need.

Ah, I see. You wish to discover what I am? Well, if it is discovery you want, I will direct you through the stacks. I can trust the way is mostly clear? Ah, instead, you want me to tell you. Pity. One truly learns more by discovering it for themselves. I suppose that life for your kind is short enough as it is, so I will take pity just this once.

I am a magician. By profession, and by species. What could that mean? Many things. You must understand one thing though, and that is the difference between a youkai magician and a human magician turned youkai. A human magician, through their studies, will often metamorphose into a youkai. Depending on the power of the human, and how they focus their studies, they can break through at a relatively young age, perhaps even still while in their teenage years. In doing so, they become true youkai, and all that implies. Wingless flight, extended lives, superior strength and endurance. Granted, not the kind of strength and endurance even a weak beastly youkai would have, but still it is a noticeable increase.

True magicians, or rather, natural magicians, are created with a purpose. We are not so much youkai with a predilection towards magic, as we are magic incarnate in the flesh. Take myself, for example. I was born a natural magician. But are you aware of what that means? It does not mean I was born from a womb, for I have no parents but magic. Instead, I was created around an idea, an image. I was created for this library.

I am not known as the Great Unmoving Library for no reason, after all.

It might be better to explain the reasoning behind it. Or perhaps I should just explain Voile. This library has existed for centuries, even before I was born. It had begun as a small collection of literature by Remilia's ancestors. This was as far back as millennia ago that this began. Over time, the library grew, from a single bookshelf, into rows of stacks. This family, full of magic, scoured first Europe, then Asia, and eventually even Africa for books. While not all were magicians, all were exceptional. For every one that was added that expounded on magical theory, a dozen were added in other literature.

Eventually, as man grew more intelligent, books on science and books on philosophy began to be included. The family grew stronger and stronger along with Voile, their personal Library of Babel.

I'm afraid you know what happened in the end.

I still had not been born that day, and I will not share what little my friend has confided in me. But on that dark day, the proud family was wiped out, except for two. I hope you are intelligent enough to be aware of what wiped them out, and what became of the last two. Nonetheless, it happened that the library sat for the longest stretch of time without a new book added, without even the shelves being dusted.

Decades passed as the library waited for its owners to return. Until one day, they did. Battered, tired, and toting a new guard and maid, its halls were occupied for the first time in half of a century.

Of course, that isn't to say that Remilia gave more than a cursory check, as she had other business to attend to first. Yet, as she placed her feet on the dusty floors of the library, she lingered for just that one moment. At the table where she once read as an innocent child, she stopped, and wiped clean a spot to set down a book. The first book this library had seen in ages. Even though it was slightly stained with blood, pages dog-eared and in some cases wrinkled, it was still new. New knowledge. Something that had been denied this library a long time.

When she returned a week later, she found me sitting in her chair, reading that book.

I still remember that face she made. Indeed, it was the first face I'd ever seen, human or not. The bemused glance, as she witnessed a complete stranger sitting at her table; indeed, one sitting at her seat, reading her book. It quickly shifted to anger, demanding to know who I was, and why I was sitting at her table. Who was I to enter into her mansion without permission.

Frankly, I had no answer. Who was I? I had did not exist a week previously, and I was unaware of when I had been formed. Or why. Had the magic in this library finally reached critical mass? Had they brought home a trinket that provided the catalyst for my synthesis? Was magic simply happy enough to see them again, after so long, it provided me to serve the library?

It's a question whose answer I still seek.

Lost in my thoughts, I nearly had to be slapped back out of them. That was when I told her that I truly did not know. I had just existed, picked up a book, and began reading as if I had done it every day of my life. For truly, I had. Nonplussed, she could only stare at me. Pulling me down to her level, she searched, piercing red eyes gazing into my soul. Highly romantic notion, as I still am not aware of whether I have one… But such was the case.

Eventually, she deemed me to be telling the truth, and declared she would give me a name. Since the only desire I had at the time was to read, I would be given the surname of Knowledge. Simple, like her own family name, but no less accurate. Turning to the book, she placed one pale finger on the first entry. A plant. Nowadays known as Pogostemon cablin. More commonly known as Patchouli. This would be my first name. So she had written in my fate.

Don't believe that just because I had no purpose, that I was truly ignorant. When I was incarnated, I had the total summed knowledge of the library within me. It took me months to truly understand that, and months more to actually incorporate that knowledge. It did not help that the whole time, I was trying to fulfill my search for information, for data, for knowledge.

I suppose it took me a few years to truly understand what I was, though. I knew I was alive, and I was in the loose employ of a vampire, but those were simple things. However, as I understood what I knew, and how it matched up with what my library contained, it became obvious what I was. When I cast my first spell, I will admit that I almost giggled. Almost.

After the first spell, the rest were learned in no time at all. Spells of power, spells of skill, spells to heal, spells to kill… anything and everything this library contained made itself known. The combined knowledge of a hundred magicians. Still, I found myself wanting more. I devoured all the books that Remilia could find, that Sakuya could steal. I grew along with the library, as it transcended the physical bounds and grew vertically, stacks of books piling stories above the ground.

Still, that is how I began my own downfall. Decades of no activity more strenuous than flying a book to and from the shelves while having tea with Remilia took its toll on my body. My muscles atrophied to the point where I could hardly carry a book, and my lungs became too weak to even allow me to speak. I could not die, as magic itself sustained me, but I had no supernatural endurance or constitution.

It was in those dark days I was glad to have befriended the elder vampire. Sakuya was cold as always, only serving me as I served Remilia, and Meiling was rarely seen indoors, especially in the library. But our talks, over the years, gave us both stability. She helped guide me when I was lost initially, a newborn thrust into this world. In turn, I held her a few times when the facade of a powerful lady broke away, revealing the child that she was forced to eternally remain. With what I knew, I was able to regale her with tales of her ancestors and their deeds, which she had either never heard, or had forgotten over her first century. And she came to me for help with the hardest of the dark magics. Fire, blood, and death all came to easy, but she lacked substance and background. All of which I was only happy to give.

Going slightly off topic here, I suppose. Nonetheless, it was her that took the time to nurse me back so that I could stand and walk once more. It was her that helped me rediscover that voice, nearly lost to me. And it was her that helped me to summon that little devil to help me with my tasks. While not truly needed, it gave me time I could spend on other tasks. Honestly, it was an excuse by Remilia to summon someone, or something, to look after me.

I suppose it worked. While I've never truly recovered, I've not suffered from a relapse that great in the centuries since then. And occasionally, when I have the free time, I allow myself out of the library to do something quaint. Such as walking about the mansions. Or perhaps the gardens, if I am feeling particularly adventurous.

I suppose I've drifted from the original purpose of this discussion, haven't I? I suppose I should just summarize the salient quantities. I was created by the library and magic, to serve the purpose of gathering knowledge, both magical and not. I discovered that I was immortal, and yet still vulnerable to the least of humanity's foibles. I do only have a body made of flesh, eve if my spirit remains indomitable.

That truly is a youkai magician's lot in life. We are created with a purpose, and we carry it out. I do wish there were others of my kind currently active within Gensokyo, as I would love to examine them. Discover their purpose.

I know of a few others whom used to exist, but have since disappeared. Two of them were in Makai, the World of Demons. From what I've spoken with my familiar, it was the same world from which she was summoned. However, since shortly before I arrived in Gensokyo along with Remilia and her mansion, Makai was sealed. Rather, I suppose it was resealed. Nonetheless, Makai has not been accessed since that incident. Koakuma claims that the world still exists, but has simply been rebuilding. Considering the reports of what its ruler did, I suppose that would make sense.

Sadly, it means I know nothing else of these two magicians, even their names. Koakuma was unaware of them, and sending her back over that border between the worlds just to discover their identity is both inefficient, and would induce the wrath of the shrine maiden. Which is something I would not care to repeat. On top of that, even if I discovered their purpose, it could possibly just be related to the city, as the entire city was created by one woman. Truly, it could be enlightening, or it could be an exercise in wanton futility.

There is one other magician. Or rather, there was. When she's not thieving from me, Marisa has told me stories of times before our arrival here, which included stories about this interesting child magician. Hundreds of years old, and yet still never grew up, as she forgot her memory every year. This was a curious anomaly indeed. What purpose could magic have in creating a magician who had to relearn magic, on top of everything else, on a yearly basis?

It didn't take me to remember that we were not all created to be like myself. Not all magicians were created to take the sum of knowledge, magical and mundane, and to create wonders. No, instead, this little magician appeared to be created in order to recreate magic. To push new boundaries in what is known, instead of retreading the same formula over and over. Marisa did share her concerns with meabout how happy that girl was with her lot. How carefree she was! She did not understand a true magician acts with a purpose. We may be flesh, but we were created with a higher calling. As long as she could act it out, she would be satisfied. While maybe sad to a human's eyes, it is everything to us.

Speaking of that girl, she is yet another anomaly. Truly, she is a human not even twenty years of age, and yet she is able to match wits in a duel with anyone in this land. She wouldn't last long in a fight; indeed, if the Young Mistress truly was angered with her, much less Remilia, she would be quickly killed. But that was the reason the spellcards were introduced. It wouldn't do for flower youkai to just walk up and tear someone to pieces, or for the satori to invade the minds of their foes. They would be nearly undefeatable, if they were allowed to ensnare ones mind.

Still, that girl has promise, even if to fulfill that promise she must steal from me. It's annoying, but I do not truly blame her. Why? For obvious reasons. For all my bluster about the library, I am not literally a part of it. If she steals the books, it does not cause me any undue harm. And while truly irksome, she is as apt to steal book as I am to read one. It is simply in her nature. One that can be changed, perhaps even die down with age, but still just as much a part of her. She is quite aware that she has an open invitation to study here. While I do collect knowledge, it is not my intention to hoard it, like a common rat. Yet, she still cannot help herself, although she has toned it down. Perhaps when she eventually ascends to become a true magician, she will cease her actions. Until then, I will endure.

Besides, it is enlightening to see the girl work her magic. Simple reactions, powered by mushrooms and sheer force of will, create some of the most powerful spells I have seen, especially from a human. Maybe not with the sheer destructive power of the Royal Flare, but her Sparks are focused and overwhelming to one not expecting them. True, I believe her magical knowledge is woefully lacking. But she strives to correct that problem herself, through her trademark thievery. Were I a mortal magician, youkai or not, I would resent her for it. However, I am sure that you are aware by now I am no normal magician.

I suppose that answers your questions? At least the initial ones. I am sure you've got more you wish to ask me. Perhaps I will tell you some other time. As for now, I honestly should get back to my work. I've talked enough today, as it is. I wouldn't want my lungs to give out, would I?

I suppose you may consider yourself welcomed back. Although, if you want to discover anything about the other residents of the mansion, you should ask them yourself. As much as I enjoy sharing knowledge, it should be sought out yourself at times. Especially if you wish to ask them their history. Now shoo! You should be gone by the time Remilia arrives for tea. After all, you do not wish to upset her by sitting in her chair?

Yes, you're in that chair. Don't look so pale, she won't suck all your blood out, if she finds you. Just enough to leave you alive. Now, don't run through the stacks, you might knock over the books. When you come back, remember to bring some howlets' wings, along with a fillet from a finny snake.

You see, I'm running low, and need to commune with a certain evil spirit. There is a little bit of knowledge I wish to gain from her. And you know by now, nothing will stop me from gaining Knowledge.

A/N Hello all again! I'm here with another update for this series, this time staring everyone's favorite sick witch. I wrote at the same time of chapter 7 of Shoals, so I just wanted to wait a bit and space postings out.

As for the story, I wanted to write a different Patchouli. She's known to be a born magician, unlike Alice, Marisa, and Byakuren, but what does that mean? Of course, it could mean simply that she was born from magician parents, but there is a bit of logic missing from that. After all, if one can ascend to youkai magicianhood in a multitude of ways, then how can you reliably produce a true magician? Of course, this is assuming that different methods produce different types of youkai.

Instead, I wanted to try the idea of magic literally creating Patchouli, giving birth to her itself. It would explain how weak she is compared to the others (even considering her illnesses), and why she seems so obsessed with reading. Well, aside from calling her a bibliophile. (It also explains why her last name is so appropriate)

Also, it gave me the opportunity to recall some of the PC-98 characters. Yuki and Mai I had actually forgotten about myself, and I had no real way of incorporating them into the story. Ellen, however, was part of the plan from the beginning. It was interesting thinking about why magic would create another magician to live like that. Also, guess whom Patchouli was trying to summon at the end. One guess only. Like you'll need it.

And, to end this long author's note, I will say two things. First, these one shots are not necessarily in the same universe. I'm not quite writing these to mesh; instead, I'm writing to explore alternate interpretations. Secondly, I was a bit unhappy with how I wrote the backstory, and Remilia's role. However, I'd rather post it and get feedback on how it reads instead of obsessing over it. This whole thing is just a side project, after all. Anywho, as always, please review! All feedback is welcome.