"So, you're the group that wants to visit Eintei, eh?" Mokou said as she sized up the two that wanted to go visit the hospital in the massive bamboo forest. "Can't say that'd be the first destination for most outsiders. Granted, usually those that come in injured don't live very long."
"Outsiders?" Himeko questioned.
"It's the term we use to classify people not from Gensokyo." Mokou explained as she lead Himeko and Bronya into the forest, deviating from any possible trail. "Though with all the nonsense that has happened recently, it's really been hard to deal with all this stuff. Now I know why all the damn youkai hate thinking like humans do. It hurts ya brain if you do it for too long."
"Bronya does not understand." Bronya said as she "floated" after her. "Mokou said it was a pain, but never stated what the source of said pain was."
"Whatever. It's probably not going to matter." Mokou brushed off any concern the two had. "Seriously though, what's going on? Even I know there's trouble if a battleship landed here."
"Apologies." Himeko said. "We did not mean to cause trouble-"
"Yeah, yeah. I know." Mokou reassured. "I've lived enough to recognize troublemakers when I see them. Well, we're here." The white-haired girl gestured towards the circle shaped entrance that lead into a courtyard where a traditional Japanese-style building stood. Himeko, deciding not to waste time, immediately began making her way in.
"Oh, yeah, be careful of-" As Himeko put one foot in the entrance, the ground beneath her collapsed, dropping her into a pit that was clearly dug there with the intention of having someone fall into it. "-traps." Mokou let out a sigh and cursed "Dammit Tewi."
"Don't tell this is some sort of worthiness diviner, so only people with certain qualifications could get over without falling." Himeko shouted from inside the hole.
"Oh no!" A red-eyed, purple-haired girl with with rabbit ears came rushing over, bending over to help Himeko out of the hole. "I'm so sorry. One of the rabbits here likes pranking people. Usually it's me who's the target, but since you came without a prior appointment, so-"
"It's okay, I understand. Just let me-"
"Lucky Kick!" A much shorter girl with rabbit ears popped out of nowhere, kicking the other girl into the hole along with Himeko, then scurrying away.
"...What did Bronya just see?"
…
"Sorry about the incident earlier." The head doctor, Eirin Yagokoro, said. "I'm afraid we have some rather mischievous residents here."
"It's alright." Himeko reaasured. "I'm made of some rather tough stuff. It's going to take more than just a light fall to end me."
"So a little bit of time is worse than a fall then? Good to know." Eirin commented, writing down some notes on a clipboard. She didn't even give the major time to respond on that comment before she continued. "So, about Yukari. Well, I can't say I know much. If anyone would actually figure out the whole scope of what Yukari is planning, then she doesn't deserve the reputation she has."
"So, this is a dead end?" Himeko asked.
"Not necessarily." Eirin corrected. "If you want, I would have no problem extending your lifespan, along with restoring the other girl's usage of her legs and brain."
"... Bronya thinks that sounds too good to be true."
"Yes, of course I'm not going to offer it for free." Eirin said. "Let me think. A reasonable price would be … maybe 100 years of service. No wait, I forgot. Human lifespans are much shorter than ours. Maybe 50 then. Actually, since I'm feeling a bit generous, how about 20?"
"... You happen to have any sort of strong alcohol with you?"
"Yes, we do in fact." Eirin answered. "We have some Waning Moon Wine. Straight from the moon itself. It's made by fermenting a Lunar Rabbit's blood for a hundred years. The taste is quite sweet and a favorite amongst the locals. I can sell you one at about 5 years of your life a bottle."
"You know what." Himeko said, raising a hand to her forehead to hide the frown. "Forget I ever asked." Himeko got up to leave, deciding that this was a wasted trip.
"Well, sorry." Eirin's voice stopped the leaving major. "But in our policy, life extending and limb revitalization are some rather expensive treatments, so do understand. It is not something that can be cured by the technology here."
"And not anywhere else either." Himeko commented.
"Well, yes, I suppose." Eirin said. "Now, after everything is over, there is a chance my mood might be better, and you would find me much more … generous in terms of treatment costs. However, being doctor aside, there is someone I feel is part of this conspiracy that Yukari has cooked up. I suggest you take her along. Reisen! Bring Patient 746!"
"Yes Master!" The purple-haired rabbit girl rushed off, bringing back a woman with white hair and blue eyes who, despite being in a hospital gown, walked with unmatched grace. At least by non-Gensokyan standards.
"Hello Patient 746. You are hereby discharged." Eirin said with no emotion.
"Why? I've been here for almost 15 years, so why now?" The woman asked.
"Because our resident gap hag has set some plots in motion, and they involve you." Eirin wrote a note, sealed it and gave it to the woman. "Follow these two back to their ship. I'm sure you'll find quite the surprise there. And send the vampire girl my regards."
"You sure I'm fine. I mean, I-"
"Please, you are seriously underestimating my talents." Eirin said. "I could save even if you were bombard with an uncountable number of nuclear missiles, and heat and radiation left you only with a hint of life. I can regrow people's limbs in a matter of days, with no side effects. Do understand that my abilities are beyond your comprehension?"
"Okay then." The woman apparently gave up on trying to argue with the doctor. Instead, she chose to greet her new would be companions. "So, who are you?"
"I'm Murata Himeko, and this girl is Bronya Zaychik." Himeko said.
"Well hello Miss Himeko and Miss Zaychik." The woman responded gracefully.
"My name is Cecilia Scharic."
