Woot! Fourth chapter! Actually, by the time I was uploading this, I had already written chapter seven so…

Anyway, Patchouli enters the scene and I have to tell you, I really enjoyed writing this chapter. For whatever strange reason, I portrayed more interaction between her and Marisa than the one on Alice x Marisa.

I fee like I've betrayed Alice somehow but… eh… Anyways, enjoy.


Ch. 4: Two girls and a library

Marisa stepped into the dimly lit, stuffy library. Before her, what seemed like endless miles of book shelves stretched into the stale darkness, everyone of them neatly, fully occupied with books. Hidden amongst the labyrinth, a small light could be made out, and Marisa started to walk towards it. She knew she was getting closer to the person she was visiting as the air started to change. If it weren't for the gloomy setting, the new air would have easily been reminiscent of the pureness of spring.

At the centre of this magic bubble of fresh air stood a large, majestic oak table, and next to it, nestled in an equally majestic oak chair, was a petite figure hidden amongst frilly, purple pyjamas.

Marisa approached the figure and smiled. Patchouli was asleep, her head resting on tome she had been reading. Stroking an errant lock of Patchouli's long, violet hair, Marisa chuckled softly as Patchouli reacted to her touch and said, "Well, looks like she's not available right now. She looks so peaceful when she's asleep."

And with that, Marisa proceeded to systematically rob the book shelves.

"…" A vein twitched in Patchouli's temple. Sitting up abruptly, she turned to Marisa and snapped, "You really are hopeless aren't you! Spoiling such a nicely set up atmosphere like that!"

"Ooh! Is this a catalogue on rare magic beetles- Wow, so that's where you find these…"

"Yes, it is a catalogue on magical beetles, and the book itself is as equally rare as the beetles in catalogues so don't spoil-"

"And this! Quick and easy curses and hexes. I always wanted a book like this…"

"I thought you already had five off those-"

"This too! Patchouli, I envy you-ze! Could I borrow it for a few decades-"

"Marisa!"

"Yes princess?"

"Marisa, please, for the last- wait, huh? P… Princess?" Patchouli stammered immediately forgetting what she was originally mad at. That anger had been replaced with a new one.

"Princess?" Patchouli repeated. "M…Marisa! Don't just call people titles like that! It… it annoys me!"

"You mean embarrasses you-"

"Annoys me!" Patchouli reasserted, wheezing a little.

Marisa chuckled. It was not every day one could see the usually placid magician so worked up, and so quickly too. Marisa was secretly a little proud of what she had done.

"T'ch, what's so funny! Really, Marisa!" Patchouli frowned. "I've been more tolerant of you so-called 'visits' and still you insist on being so ill-mannered!"

"You mean it's not bad manners to pretend to sleep when guests arrive?" Marisa countered.

"Huh? I wasn't…" Patchouli's face reddened a little. "I mean, I had only just woken up and…"

"And let me stroke your hair…"

"No! I… Marisa, I had only just woken up!" Patchouli vigorously presented her case.

"Haha, I geddit, I geddit…" Marisa tried to placate a cutely infuriated Patchouli.

"Anyway, if you knew I was awake, why did you act the way you did!" demanded Patchouli. "You could have at least greeted me."

"And where's the fun in that?" Marisa asked, setting down a pile of randomly picked books on the table, and sat herself next to Patchouli. "It was much more fun to spoil the atmosphere and annoy you-ze!"

Patchouli gazed at Marisa, an exasperated look in her eyes. Sighing, she said, "I give up. Change of topic, what brings you here? And I hope you have returned the books from last time."

"Don't worry, I placed them back in the selves-"

"I was also talking about the books you took from me the last few months past, not just those from last year," Patchouli said tersely.

"Well… I still need them-ze… Lemme hang on to them for a bit longer, please Patchouli?" Marisa pleaded. "At least I started returning some of them, so you can't complain."

"Marisa," Patchouli sighed again. "What's the point of hanging on to things that you don't need? That obsessive compulsive behaviour of yours is truly a disorder Marisa."

"But I like hanging on to your stuff-ze!" Marisa quipped. Patchouli's face reddened a shade more.

"In any case, I really need them this time. You see, Alice-"

"Alice…"

"Uh, Patchouli?"

"It's nothing," swiftly recovered Patchouli. "You were saying? Wait, let me guess, you're helping out with her research."

"Yup."

"Automated, living dolls."

"Yes."

Patchouli and Marisa looked at each other. "As always," they said simultaneously, giggling.

"Well, determination and drive are hallmarks of being a great magician," said Patchouli. "I too have several subjects I've been working on for decades, with little progress." She looked over at Marisa, "Since you're here, why don't we just chat and see if our discussions can help shed light on any of them?" invited Patchouli.

"Sounds boring…"

"I'll extend the loan on your books."

"Sure, why not!" grinned Marisa, doing a complete turnabout.

Patchouli sighed a third time. This girl, she really can be amusing. Charming too…

Patchouli signalled for her youkai handmaiden to come to her side.

"Koakuma, Marisa will be staying for the evening, would you please bring some tea for the guest? Now then Marisa, where should we start?"


Where should we start indeed?

Well, the next chapter will be one of the first "branch" developments that will not be focusing on Marisa as the main… eh… heroine? Something like that. Hope you've had an entertaining read thus far, and expect a little bit more interesting stuff the next time round.

Till then.