...I'm not happy.
Yukari: Why? I would figure you would be happy about getting a new chapter out.
Well yes, I'm happy about that. But I'm upset at how long it took to get this chapter out. I wanted finished and out withing two weeks, not over a month. It's so frustrating! -sigh- Anyway, before I say anything else, I want to explain why I'm so late. It turns out I am developing Carpal Tunnel in my wrists, and trust me, it is not fun. It's kept me from writing for a long time, and I'm sorry about that. Most likely I will be having problems with it from now on, so writing will be difficult. Just a heads up. However I will not, in no circumstances, abandon this story, so don't worry about that. :)
Onto other things! I like how everyone is speculating on how things are going to go. It lets me know I have your attention, and trust me, I will have all questions answered by the time this story ends. I won't leave anything hanging.
Next thing, I noticed how bad my first dozen or so chapters were written! It made me wonder how I even got readers in the first place. So in addition to this update, I went and edited chapters 1-11. Though I doubt anyone who has read this far will care, but that's a thing.
Anyway, that is enough of me rambling. You all waited this long to read, so here you go. I apologize if this chapter seems off, I had difficulties with it because...well yeah.
Touhou belongs to ZUN. He's a one man wonder!
Chapter 21 – The Festival Part 1: Prelude to the Show
Somewhere, far from where most humans are willing to travel, sits a young looking girl under the shade of her favorite outdoor patio. However, if one looks deep enough into her blood red eyes, they would see that she has far more experience within her than any normal girl would have, and the way she would glare at someone would be enough to intimidate all but the strong willed, or the foolish. This all will lead someone to believe she is not in fact a little girl, but one of the many supernatural beings that exist in Gensokyo.
That, and she has a pair of bat wings sticking from her back. That didn't give her away at all...
This regal looking girl, who is known by many as Remilia Scarlet, remains unmoving as she sips her suspiciously, deep red tea, and on a normal day she would be overlooking her garden to try to relieve her boredom. This time however, she happens to be looking over the latest piece of scrap paper the tengu has delivered earlier. She normally doesn't give what Aya puts in these things a second thought, but this time there happens to be something...interesting.
"Sakuya."
"Yes, Remilia-sama." Not a second after the vampire called for her servant a maid appears besides her, holding onto a pot of tea in case her mistress needs it.
"Do you recall the festival that takes place in that drawl village?"
"I do. The summer festival the humans throw every year. It is supposed to happen soon if I recall correctly."
"Good. I've come across something interesting about it, and I will need you to go there to...observe for me." Remila's blood red eyes move to the steely grey ones of her faithful servant, hiding interest under a layer of authority. "You are to remember every detail that happens there, and report back to me when you are done. Am I clear?"
"Yes, my mistress."
The Human Village, a normally peaceful and cheerful sanctuary for all the humans that live in the wonderland known as Gensokyo. When you take a look around as you walk down the streets, you can always see the friendly residents conversing with each other politely and cheerfully while they go about their business, and the children playing games with each other like it was the most important thing in the world to have fun. All together it gives you the impression of a small town you could find in the countryside in the outside world.
That is not how things are in the village right now. As I proceed to walk down the path that is more crowded than usual, my senses are assaulted with the noises of many people talking at once and stalls calling out for potential customers, and the smells of many foods being cooked at grills and eaten from all around me. Coupling that with the fact everyone around is wearing more festive clothing and the various attractions, there is only one possible reason why all of this is happening.
Yep, the festival is in full swing now. Geez, I have never seen so many people on these streets for as long as I have been here! Where did they all come from? Were there really that many people living here?
My pondering proves to be cut short when I feel an incredible amount of pain rushing up from my foot, causing me to yelp out in pain. Staring down at the source of my displeasure, I discover there is in fact another foot jammed on top of it, the pressure all centering to the middle of my shoe. Just as I spot the offending limb, it quickly retreats back from whence it came, which just happens to be the person the foot belongs to. "Oh no! I am so sorry, I wasn't paying attention and...Tadashi-kun!"
Following my gaze upward, my eyes flash past a familiarly patterned blue skirt, then a blue blouse, until they rest on the concerned face of one specific school teacher. "Hey there...ouch...Keine. Enjoying the festival?"
"Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I?" The naturally over protective teacher asks, spotting how I am shaking off the pain from my foot, literally.
"Naw, it'll be fine. I've had much worse, trust me." I wave off her concern, putting weight back on my foot experimentally before satisfied with the results. "So what brings you here?"
"I'm looking for Mokou." She replies honestly, making me cringe at the name. "She set up a grill for the day here, but I haven't found out where."
I still don't like that hothead. I don't think I ever will, even if I fireproof everything on me, including me.
"What about you Tadashi-kun? Are you all set for the Prismrivers' challenge?"
I remain silent for a moment at the mention of the poltergeist, recalling the promise made around a week ago. The day after I met them, I ended up having to ask Keine about the upcoming festival, considering I didn't even know when it was going to happen. When she asked me why I needed to know, I ended up telling her about my supposed challenge with the musical trio. After that, word somehow ended up spreading around, something that I still haven't figured out exactly how it happened, though I have my suspicions that it involves a certain annoying gap user and a nosy tengu. Of course, this also resulted in everyone I know finding out. Needless to say, all of them showed much interest in the fact I am about to face off with the sisters in a battle of musical fury, with them stating they will be there to witness the spectacle. ...Well, nearly all of them.
I still haven't seen Alice since she made my outfit, and that in itself is weird. I wonder what she has been up to? It's not like her to not at least pop in on me. I hope I'll run into her soon.
"Tadashi-kun? Is everything all right?" The silver haired woman in front of me asks worriedly, breaking me from my thoughts.
Quickly remembering what she asked earlier, I give Keine a cocky smile as I adjusting the strap holding Arashi to my back. "All set! They won't know what they were dealing with until it is too late."
"I am glad you have such confidence. You are going to need it." She replies, smiling at my enthusiasm. "So, what are you doing now?"
"Just wandering around, looking at the attractions and trying to run into people I know. I still have time before those sisters arrive."
"Well then, I hope you enjoy yourself. I need to go find Mokou now, so if you will excuse me." With a quick wave, the schoolteacher jumps back into the flow of the crowd, quickly leaving my eyesight.
With nothing to do again, I resume my walk through the village, occasionally stopping at a stall or two to observe the activities being offered to the public. I even stop to chat with some of the villagers, who have come to know me quite well nowadays. Of course they also wish me luck for my challenge later, not being exempt from the gossip mill that seems to run quite fast.
Heh, I remember when I was a complete stranger to everyone here, just another outsider drifting into town. But even then, everyone was awfully nice to me, so I suppose nothing really has changed, has it? Well, almost nothing. I...whoa there!
My thoughts gets interrupted when a gang of kids zip in front of me, causing me to stop in my tracks to let them pass without me crashing into them by accident. Watching as they run down the road, I notice that they are heading towards a small crowd that is down a ways, surrounding a theater like stage set up on the side.
Huh, I wonder what is going on over there? I don't recall that big stage being there before. Oh! Maybe there's a play starting!
Rushing over at the prospect of entertainment, I reach the edge of the crowd that is paying undying attention to whatever is up there. Just as I arrive, the curtains on the stage pull back, revealing whatever that has been hiding behind it. When a lone figure from behind steps foreword, I am left flabbergasted who it is.
Standing right in the center of the stage, showcasing a very elegant smile, is the unmistakable figure of the Seven Colored Puppeteer herself. She is wearing a different set of clothes than I normally see her in, although they look similar to the norm. The most noticeable thing is that her current top leaves her shoulders completely bare, unlike her normal one with the white sleeves. Her usual shawl is currently missing, but she still wears her pink neck ribbon that is normally over it, having it tied directly to her neck instead. In addition to this change in attire, she has added long, white gloves to her arms, which travels on up past her elbows. All together, the change in looks gives her a different presence, one that attracts more attention to herself.
I gotta admit, she looks pretty good like that. But what is she doing up there anyways? She usually isn't one for showing off.
Just as the question is asked inside my head, Alice spawns several of her trademark dolls out of nowhere, having each of them circle around her. The dolls themselves seem to have also made a costume change, each in a finer gown than the usual dresses they wear. Then, on the puppeteer's command, each of the dolls pull out a variety of weapons, ranging from swords, to spears, to lances, to hatchets, startling me from where I'm standing.
What happens next leaves me absolutely and utterly breathless.
With no less than complete concentration on her actions, Alice begins to elegantly sway her arms and body in intricate motions, like some form of complex dance. In response to her motions, all of her dolls begin to spin and sway high above and around her in a hypnotizing pattern, each of them wielding the weapons in their hands with complete control. It's like watching a flawless ceremony of dolls as they surround the puppeteer in a swirling vortex, the blonde herself twirling with her creations, like a queen amongst her subjects.
So beautiful... I never knew Alice could do something like this.
As I continue to watch, finding myself further engrossed in the display I am being treated to, I feel an unexpected tap on my shoulder from behind. "I figured I'd find you here sooner or later."
Quickly twisting around, I find myself in the surprising company of Reimu, with Marisa trailing behind her. "Hey Dash, how's it going ze?"
"Ah! Reimu, what brings you here?" I reply cheerfully, tearing my attention from Alice's performance for the moment.
"What, don't I get a greeting too?" The monochrome witch complains, pouting slightly besides the shrine maiden.
I let my eyes fall upon her for a brief moment, my expression neutral, before I talk to the brunette again. "Like I said, what brings you here Reimu?"
"Hey, don't you ignore me!" The blonde human fumes, causing me to almost break my poker face with my deliberate teasing.
"For the festival of course. I need to take a break from my duties every once in a while." The miko explains, giving me a friendly smile. "Besides, I wouldn't want to miss a chance to see you play with the Prismrivers."
"Heh, I figured that's what it was." I chuckle humorously, before finally letting myself acknowledge the witch. "That goes for you too Marisa?"
"Oh, now you will talk to me. Well you can forget it!" She huffs bitterly, turning her head away from me.
I laugh for a moment at her reaction, Reimu joining me at her friend's attitude, before I smile kindly at her. "Okay, maybe I took it a little too far. Sorry about that."
"Nuh uh, I'm mad at you now. You don't deserve to talk with me."
"Alright, fine with me." I shrug with indifference, before turning back to the spectacular show Alice is putting on.
"She's pretty amazing, isn't she?" Reimu observes from besides me, watching the dance of dolls herself.
"Very."
"She's been practicing all week." Marisa informs from behind us. "I tried stopping by her place before, but she just chased me off. She was really into it."
So that's what she's been up to, huh? I suppose that makes sense.
"I thought you said you weren't going to talk with me?" I question the witch, not letting my eyes drift from the stage.
"I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to Reimu." She huffs again, coming up with an obvious excuse.
"Right..." I drawl, not believing her a bit.
"Can you two stop bickering? She's almost done." The shrine maiden quips, causing the both of us to be silent.
True to Reimu's word, Alice seems to be finishing her performance gradually, slowing the pace of the dolls spins until everything finally freezes. To wrap things up, she commands each of her dolls to form a proper line in front of her, before giving the crowd a graceful curtsey as she makes her dolls bow with her. All at once the crowd, along with Reimu, Marisa and myself, give a round of applause, showing our appreciation to her show. With everything done, Alice calls all of her dolls back to her, making each one disappear by some unknown means, before walking to the back of the stage and disappearing from view.
"Hey, I'm going to go congratulate her. You two coming?" I ask, already slowly making my way through the dispersing crowd.
Marisa, already forgetting she wasn't going to talk to me, begins to follow me. "Yeah, of course we-"
"Actually, we have things to do. Why don't you give her our regards?" Reimu suddenly declines, placing a hand on Marisa's shoulder to hold her back. "Besides, I'm sure you would rather talk to her by yourself, right?"
"What are you going on about?" I look at the shrine maiden weirdly, before just shrugging as I walk away. "Well, whatever. I'll see you two later then."
"Why'd you do that ze? I wanted to go see Alice!" Marisa complains to her friend as the male guitarist is out of sight, pouting as she crosses her arms in irritation.
The shrine maiden only laughs quietly to herself at the complaint, before giving a reply. "What, you're telling me you don't see it Marisa?"
"See what?"
"...Never mind." Reimu sighs at her friend's ignorance, before glancing off to her side. "So what brings you here...Sakuya?"
"Huh?" The witch tilts her head in confusion at the weird question, until she spots an all too familiar maid in blue and white right besides them. "Oh, hey Sakuya! Didn't see ya there."
"I have been here for a while now." The silver haired maid replies. "To answer your question Reimu, I am just doing a task for my mistress."
"Oh? And what could possibly catch Remilia's interest?" The shrine maiden asks suspiciously.
"Nothing that should concern you." Sakuya bluntly replies, causing Reimu's eyes to narrow. "I would not worry, I do not think the mistress is planning anything. She just seems rather bored lately."
"When someone gets bored in Gensokyo, things often get out of hand quickly." Reimu retorts, before shrugging to herself. "...But I'll trust you on this one. I know you're not one to cause trouble."
"Thank you for the complement." The maid replies coolly.
"Hey, loosen up you two!" Marisa laughs between the two. "We're at a festival after all, we're supposed to have fun ze!"
"She has a point." Reimu concedes, letting a smile settle on her face. "Will you be sticking around for the main event Sakuya?"
"Of course. I'm allowed at least a little bit of enjoyment after all." The maid lets a refined smile slip, before quickly hiding it again.
"So, do you know about what is going to happen here soon?" Marisa asks the maid, wrapping her arms behind her own head in a relaxed way.
"Relatively. The poltergeist and the outsider are going to perform, correct?"
"Yep, it's going to make a good show. I'm curious of who is going to do better, they both are pretty good." Reimu ponders.
"Who knows? We all know the Prismrivers are popular, but Dash has become quite popular too. Not to mention his Aura Songs are just something else." The witch thinks aloud, rubbing her chin in thought.
"Sounds like something to look foreword to. In the meanwhile, I have other errands to run, so I will meet you then." Sakuya then turns away from the incident resolving duo, promptly strolling off.
"Geez, she's as sociable as ever." Marisa deadpans, watching the maid walk off.
"That's just how she is, we both know that." The shrine maiden waves off. "Anyway, she has the right idea, no use just standing around here. Let's go."
"But I still want to see Alice! Why can't we see her?" Marisa pouts childishly.
"Because she's probably busy seeing Dash right now, that's why." Reimu chuckles thoughtfully to herself, walking away towards a food vendor. "Now hurry up, or I'll leave you behind."
"Fine, fine." The monochrome witch follows after the red and white miko, mumbling to herself as she does. "...I still don't get it though."
Finally breaking free from the dispersing crowd, I walk around the stage until I find myself on the other side, searching for any signs of the puppeteer. The search doesn't take long luckily, as I spot her standing distractedly by herself, not far from the back entrance to the stage. As I approach, I see that she is busying herself by adjusting one of her doll's dresses, which I assume to be Shanghai. "Yo, Alice!"
Her head whips around at the sound of my voice, and the neutral expression she normally has at any other time immediately changes to a cheerful smile. "Tadashi! So there you are, I was wondering when you would show up."
"So you were expecting me, were you?" I joke lightly, standing right in front of her.
"Of course I was. I would have been disappointed if you didn't come." She replies honestly, as Shanghai comes to hug my neck excitedly.
"Aw, so you missed me then?" I tease playfully, patting the doll next to me on the head. "That's so sweet of you."
"And why would you say that?" The doll maker huffs. "You just happen to make good company is all, it has nothing to do with missing you."
"Such hurtful words! Then maybe I should just leave you be, if this is going to be my welcome." I claim playfully, turning to start walking away.
"Wait, hold on!" She quickly pleads before I do anything else, having Shanghai pull on my shirt collar from behind. "I was just joking, so could you please stay? I haven't seen you in over a week, so..."
"Well, if you insist, who am I to refuse?" I chuckle out, turning back to face Alice. "So then, that was quite the performance you did up there. When were you going to tell me you were doing that?"
"Oh...sorry, I meant to tell you before. It just ended up slipping my mind is all." She explains, recalling her doll back to her to continue fidgeting with her dress.
"I wish you did tell me, I almost missed it." I pout playfully, before switching to a wide grin. "But wow, I had no idea you could do something like that Alice. It was really amazing how you controlled all of those dolls like that at once, and so flawlessly too!"
"Right, I'm sure you're just trying to flatter me." Alice dismisses swiftly.
"Honestly! Nobody besides you could possibly put on a display like that. In all of my travels, I don't think I have ever seen anything even remotely like it."
"Yeah, yeah..." She continues to ignore my praise, this time turning her head away from me.
Geez, what's with her? I don't know why it is so hard to believe. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough?
"Alice." I attempt to have her look straight at me by holding her shoulders, but the puppeteer just hides her face by sending her gaze downwards instead. "I'm being serious here. I was completely mesmerized when I was watching you earlier. What you did, it was a thing of beauty, and I won't soon forget it."
Silence follows afterwords, with me holding her at arms length while she continues to stare at her feet. Just before I am about to give up though, she speaks up in a soft voice. "...Do you...really mean it?"
Sighing lightly from how difficult she is being, I simply smile at her, despite the fact she probably can't see it. "Of course I do. We're supposed to be best friends, right? That means being honest with each other. Now will you please look up at me?"
I'm able to get a nod from the doll maker, indicating she heard me properly, and when she looks up I see an interesting sight. Her face is dusted with a bit of pink, from embarrassment or something else I have no clue, along with a deeply grateful grin as her green eyes shine at me. For some reason, I feel my breath hitch at the mere sight of her expression, and my gaze is unable to leave hers. "Thanks Tadashi, it means a lot to me to hear you say that, truly."
Finally letting my hands release her shoulders, an act that felt oddly awkward for me at the moment, I return her smile with one of my own, itching the back of my head out of nervous habit. "No problem, though I don't see the big deal about it..."
"It is! At least, to me it is." She admits, laughing awkwardly to herself. "It's just, every year I do a puppet show like this for the festival, trying to show the magnificence of my dolls..."
That was a puppet show!? It was more like a ceremonial war dance, or something like that. Talk about downplaying it much.
Alice continues with her explanation, regardless of my inner retorts. "...But lately, I've been feeling like less and less people come to watch me during the festival. It's been making me feel as if my performances aren't as good as I believed them to be. That's why I didn't believe you at first, I honestly thought you were just trying to cheer me up because my show was so bad."
"Honestly, I can't believe you would even think that. Haven't I always told you to have more confidence in what you believe in?"
"Yeah, I know. I suppose I need to remember that more often, huh?"
"You better! I can't always be giving you a pep talk you know." We both laugh lightly at the situation, with Shanghai just holding her hands to her mouth in a mock giggle.
Soon, we both calm down from our mirth, allowing Alice to speak. "Anyway, I suppose that's that. So what are you going to do for the rest of the festival Tadashi? Something fun?"
Wait, she doesn't know? I thought everyone knew what I'm going to be doing, it's the freaking main event for crying out load!
"What, you haven't heard?" With a shake of her head, I proceed to wonder how she didn't hear about it one way or another, before deciding to just inform her myself. "Well, later today I'm going to play for the village..."
"Oh, well that makes sense." She nods in acceptance, smiling up to me. "It's a good idea actually-"
"...Along with the Prismriver Sisters. We're going to compete against each other actually, using our music."
"...Ah." Alice's smile remains, however it is obvious it is a bit more forced. "So you met with the poltergeist, did you? And challenged them?"
"Now Alice, I know what you are thinking..."
"Do you now? So you know that I am not very happy about this?" At this point the doll maker's smile drops, making way for a reprimanding frown. "I know I told you before not take anymore risks, but maybe you didn't hear me clearly enough the first time."
"Now hold on!" I swiftly hold my hands up in front of me, trying to calm her down. "I wasn't in any danger when I met them, honest! I was with Mystia when they showed up, and she made sure I wasn't going to be hurt."
"So... They didn't want to attack you?" She asks tentatively, apparently not willing to believe me just yet.
"Well, they did want a spell card duel...but after they learned that I can't use spell cards they weren't interested in fighting anymore."
"That's good." Alice breaths out in relief, before switching to a confused facade. "But that still doesn't explain why you are going to play with the Prismrivers."
"It's an alternative we decided on." I explain, now that Alice has calmed down a bit. "You see, the reason they wanted to duel with me was to determine who the better musicians are, me or them. But since that was the case, we came up with this instead. Better to determine who is the best with our music rather than with danmaku, in my opinion." My head tilts on its side at my last sentence, confusion resting on my face. "...In fact, I'm still not exactly sure why they wanted to duel me in the first place."
"That's how things work." Alice chuckles. "Shoot first, figure things out later. Even I have suffered from this fact before."
"It's ridiculous if you ask me." I complain. "Anyway, that doesn't matter now. I'm going to have to head to the village square soon; that's where we are going to face each other. I'm still not sure when they are going to arrive, so the sooner the better."
"Well then, let's head over there." The puppeteer suggests, walking up besides me. "I'm not going to put on any more shows today, so I might as well come along."
"Great, I would like some company as I wait for them. Let's go then!" I start walking away from behind the stage, but before I make it very far I get startled by the sudden appearance of a rip in space right before me. "Whoa! What the?"
My obvious confusion is answered right away, when the figure of a certain gap hag strolls out from within the gap, parasol and all. This is normally enough to irritate me, as I currently would rather not deal with Yukari at the moment, but I hold my tongue when I see she isn't the only one exiting the portal. In fact, there are two unfamiliar figures exiting right behind the meddling youkai.
The first figure to leave the void is someone who gives me an otherworldly feel, a feeling that is easily cemented by the fact she is floating rather than walking. She has short, wavy pink hair, and lively maroon eyes. Her clothing looks very high class, consisting of a unique light blue and white kimono, with a dark blue trim and sash, and white butterfly patterns decorating it. A similarly light blue mop cap rests on top of her head, but unlike the past mop caps I have seen before, hers has a weird white triangle with a red spiral sitting on the front of it, along with a white veil in the back. To finish the look, she has black shoes with white socks, and has blue ribbons decorating her shoes, collar, and arms.
The second girl has a similar feel to the first one, but not as apparent. Her silver hair is just short of reaching or shoulders, and is cut evenly around her head, with a black ribbon tied off center to her hair on her right. Her eyes are a deep blue, and seem to be incredibly focused, giving her an intimidating and serious gaze. Her clothing is pretty simple, consisting of a dark green vest with a white shirt underneath and a black ribbon tied at the collar, a dark green skirt that reaches past her knees, and black shoes and white socks. Her green clothing is decorated with white, ghost like patterns, with the skirt's hem being lined with them and her vest having one on her breast pocket. The last, and maybe the most apparent, thing I notice about her is that she has two swords strapped behind her; one a katana, which has a flower tied to it, has a cherry blossom design on the handle, and an odd, white tail attached to the end, and the other a simple looking wakizashi.
Once the two are settled in front of me, I notice one more detail; there are wispy white things flouting along side them, with the pink haired woman having multiple smaller ones and the green garbed one being in the presence of a bigger one.
"Hello Dash-kun. I hope we aren't interrupting anything?" Yukari greets, tearing my attention from her two guests.
"Would you leave if I told you yes?" I respond quickly, but the grin she is giving me tells me otherwise. "...I thought not."
"My goodness, I don't know why you're so hostile. I just wanted to see what you were doing after so long, is that so bad?"
"Knowing you, you probably been keeping tabs on him." Alice retorts without missing a beat, keeping her gaze on Yukari's company. "Yuyuko-san, Youmu. What brings you to the Human Village?"
"Same reason as you Alice-san, we're here to enjoy ourselves." The pink haired woman replies, unfolding a highly decorated, violet fan to hide her face much like I have seen Yukari do so many times before.
She acts a little like Yukari... Oh, please no! Don't let this woman be a second gap hag! I'm not sure if I could take it!
"...Well that, and I wanted to meet the outsider that has got Yukari so interested." The flouting woman's maroon eyes shift onto me, twinkling with a curious glint to them. "And I must say, I am not disappointed, though he looks differently than how I remember him back a Reimu's party."
"It's the clothes." I reply simply, giving her a polite smile. "Tadashi Rizumu, at your service."
"Yuyuko Saigyouji of Hakugyokurou. A pleasure to meet you Dash-kun." She replies with a formal bow, before indicating to her companion. "And this is my gardener, Youmu Konpacku. Now don't be shy Youmu-chan, say hello~!"
"Yuyuko-sama..." The sword wielding girl sighs, before stiffly bowing to me as well. "Hello Dash-san, I hope we get along."
"Uh...sure." I reply hesitantly, before shooting a smirk at Yukari. "So, you have been talking about me, have you?"
"In passing." The life hacker states, looking away disinterestedly.
Like I believe that for a second. What have you been saying about me you damn gap hag?
"But honestly..." Alice speaks up, crossing her arms. "...Should you just be goofing off like this Yuyuko-san? Don't you have the Netherworld to manage?"
"But it gets so boring~!" Yuyuko complains childishly and giving off a pout, much to my surprise. "Besides, since my dear Prismrivers are playing here with Dash-kun, I thought I would watch."
Her Prismrivers? Now that's interesting. So I assume Yukari and her are the reason the three went looking for me? Seems legit. Wait, what did Alice say?
"...Netherworld?" I utter dumbly, staring at the flouting woman.
"Yuyuko-sama is the head of the Netherworld, and with it all the souls who have taken up residence there." The girl named Youmu informs dutifully.
"Wait so does that mean you two are...?"
"Ghosts?" Yuyuko asks innocently, finishing my sentence. "Why yes, yes we are! Well I am, poor Youmu-chan is only half of one."
"Yuyuko-sama, you know I am a half phantom!" The sword girl complains to her master heatedly.
The bubbly ghost stares at her gardener in shock, until she starts wailing over to Yukari, completely shocking me with her attitude. "Waaa~! Youmu yelled at me!"
"There there Yuyuko, I'm sure she didn't mean to." Yukari coos to the ghost, holding her to herself like a child.
Wait, how is it possible to hold a ghost? I am so confused right now!
"W-Wha? Yuyuko-sama, please behave!"
As all of this is taking place, Alice and I stand idly by watching everything unfold, with my mind currently crumbling. "...Is this...normal?"
"Unfortunately, yes." The doll maker confirms. "Despite being in charge of the Netherworld, Yuyuko-san is a bit of an airhead."
"Can't any of the higher powers in Gensokyo ever act seriously?" I ask, feeling my eye twitch at the craziness of it all.
Alice holds her chin thoughtfully at the question, before shrugging. "Not as far as I know."
"Great..."
Almost instantly, Yuyuko recovers from her tantrum, conversing with me again like nothing has happened. "So Dash-kun, how will you think you will fare against my dear Prismrivers?"
"I plan on outdoing them, that's how I'll fare!" I boast confidently. "If not that, I'm at least going to put on a good show."
"That's a good attitude to have." She agrees, looking me over with interest before spotting my instrument on my back. "Oh, is that what you use to play your music? I never got a good look at it when you played for everyone."
"Yep." I confirm, slipping Arashi off my back to display it to her. "This is Arashi, my trusty guitar. I go nowhere without it."
As soon as my stringed instrument comes to full view, her bubbly face leans down to look at it with barely contained excitement. For a second, I thought I saw her smile slip, but she leans back before I can comment on it. "That is a beautiful instrument. And you say you take it everywhere?"
"He literally does." Alice states, nudging me with amusement. "I've honestly never seen him without it. It's like it is apart of him or something."
"Interesting..." Yuyuko places her fan in front of her face again, looking at me intently before chuckling to herself. "Well then, it's best I don't keep you any longer Dash-kun. The Prismrivers will be here soon, and you don't want to be late when they arrive."
"Oh yeah, that's right!" I exclaim, slipping Arashi back onto my back hurriedly. "I better get going then. That is, if that is everything you need of me?"
The target of my question is Yukari, who just waves her hand at me in a shooing motion. "Yes, that is all for now Dash-kun. Yuyuko just wanted to meet you before you begin, and that is done now. We can speak later."
"Joy..." I do little to hide my disdain, before I start walking past the group, with Alice in tow. Well then, it was nice meeting you Yuyuko-san, Youmu-san."
"The pleasure was mine." Yuyuko comments serenely, in a huge contrast to her earlier childish self.
With greetings passed, I start making my way to the village square in a slightly hurried pace, with Alice strolling right besides me. After we are a safe enough distance away from Yukari and company, I finally let a small laugh leave me. "Well, that happened."
"So then, what did you think?" Yukari inquires her long time friend, sitting on one of her many gaps.
Yuyuko continues to flout in place, a look of contemplation on her face as she stares at where the outsider walked off not to long ago. "He's a very unique individual. I see why you are so interested in him Yuakri." She turns in place at the statement, looking at her servant. "What do you think Youmu?"
"He doesn't seem that interesting." The silver haired girl replies bluntly. "If anything, he isn't arrogant like most outsiders are, so that is something."
"Oh, come now Youmu. Is that all you saw?" Yuyuko asks with a brow raised. "I thought you, if anyone, would have a chance to see it."
"See what Yuyuko-sama? He looks like any other outsider." Youmu asks confusedly, not sure what her mistress is indicating.
"Yes Yuyuko, what did you see?" Yukari asks interestedly, giving the ghost her full attention.
"Why, the very thing you wanted to find Yukari." Yuyuko states, waving her fan in front of her face, regardless if the slight breeze it makes has any effect on her.
"Oh?" The elder youkai sits straighter, looking more interested than ever at the topic. "And what would that be?"
"Something I'm sure you wouldn't find, regardless of how hard you looked." The pink haired ghost hints, before her expression falls into a serious gaze. "Although, I doubt it is something even he knows."
"No surprise there. He didn't even know he had an ability before he arrived here." Yukari chuckles at the thought, before noticing her friend's seriousness. "...You are saying there is something else?"
"There is." The ghost princess admits, turning to her friend curiously. "So, just curious...he has absolutely no talent with magic or anything like it?"
"Nope, just the run of the mill outsider." The blonde confirms. "...Well, as much as one with an ability can be. But why do you need to know that? Just tell me Yuyuko."
Yuyuko stares off distantly at Yukari's words, thinking deeply about something. "Not yet... I'll tell you about it after the show is over. For now, just let him have his fun." As the ghost princess looks back at Yukari, the youkai's eyes widen when she sees the solemn look in her friend's face. "If what I think is true, he isn't what you originally thought he was...and that he has gone through much in his life."
Yeah... I'll just let you think about all of that for a bit. -laughs evilly- Review on what your thoughts are on this chapter, because I know I left a lot of questions. Things are really going to get crazy, and that's how I like it. Prepare yourselves!
I know most of you expected the Prismrivers to come up in this chapter, but like I said, I had to split the Festival into parts. They will be in the next one, honest! Just hold tight until then. Now if you will excuse me, I need to rest my wrists. I really pushed myself on this one...
Yukari: You're an idiot.