This is the Cirno News Network with a technical update! Due to recent problems experienced by our reporters, I mean, technical difficulties, we will be forced to go off the air for the next few hours. We hope that you can go on with your life in the meantime without constant and important updates brought to you by your resident reporter-
Aya, get off the air, I'm going to have a few wor-
Ahem. Well, as I was about to say, thank you, and enjoy the-
I'm coming in there now! You better be off-
Dammit Momiji. This has been THE STRONG-
Two… One…
Now back to your irregularly schedu-
-TRANSMISSION TERMINATED-
So boring, sitting here. I wanna go do something. Where did Dai go? She's been acting all oddly recently. Giving me weird looks. I wonder why she's been doing that? I haven't been doing anything wrong, have I? I shouldn't have. After all, she's been taking care of me as long as I know, and I do my best to do as she says.
Maybe I'm not getting strong enough for her? She keeps on telling me what I can do. How I should become even stronger, so that I could be like her. I wonder why that is… Probably just to make sure I'm a good enough fairy for her! After all, she hates the other fairies that live here… I must be better than them to be her friend.
And the stupid lake won't freeze over! I want it to freeze over just by being near it, but it keeps on breaking up! Come on, freeze… I want you to get cold. Get solid. Come on now, little lake. Ok, not so little lake, but a lake all the same.
Wait, why is it rippling…
Hwah? Who's there? Come out, I know you're here! Are you the black-white? I tell ya, if you're gonna be fighting me, don't try sniping me from the trees again! That's not very fun at all! And then, how could I spear ya with my icicles if I can't see ya?
Oh, fine be like that. I'll just sit here, and make it cold. You'll have to come out eventually. Stupid human, thinking she can get away with sneaking up on Cirno…
No human? Or was human? Stop talking like that! You need to make more sense there! I don't want to be thinking too hard on that! Take it easy, whoever you are! Just come out, so I can be seeing you. A spirit? A little spirit? Oh, cool!
Yes, I mean that. Ghosts are so nice. Never are they warm. Nice and cool to have against! Wish I could go to the netherworld, where all the little ghosts are. I don't have to do any weird things then. Stay nice and cool. Keep my wings from melting.
Well, I could make the air around me cool, but where would the fun in that be? I like being able to stay cool while doing nothing! The more I do, the hotter I get. It's odd, isn't it? I make stuff cold, but I just get hotter in the process. It doesn't feel good if I do it too much…
I don't know why it happens. I think it's because I'm a bad fae. Weak. Like a fairy. Just a little piece of cannon fodder for the humans to shoot at. Oh, I try to e strong and all that, but it never works! I can keep trying to do so much, but it just hurts if I try and do it. So warm…
But Dai wants me to do it so that I'm better. Don't you know that? She keeps pushing me to do more and more… And it just makes me all warm. I hate being warm. But I like to make Dai happy. What do I do, ghosty? Maybe you can stay with me, and keep me cool while I try to make other stuff cool?
Awwww. You have other stuff to do? That makes me sad. I wanted a ghosty friend. I promise that I'd be a good fae! Not a weak fairy! And I can't even accidentally make an icicle fall on you as you're walking through the forest!
Well, I've never done that before….
Stop it! I'm not getting all blue in the face! I'm not blushing. Not at all! Stupid ghost. Just because I mention something, doesn't mean I've done it. I've thought of it, but that's just plans.
Can you play with me for a little while though? It won't take too long, I promise! I just want to have some fun… Dai doesn't play with me, at least with the fun games. Too busy trying to teach me to do this or to do that. Always trying to be proper, and all that. But what if I don't want to be that stuffy? I'm only sixty years old! I've got my entire life ahead of me! Why can't I play now?
Oh, well, I play with a few others when I have to… Umm… Well, you promise not to tell Dai if I tell you? She'll get mad at me if I talk to them. Says that they are trash, not worth talking too. I love Dai, but they seem so nice to me. And they're so fun!
You know the three fairies? Well, I sometimes go to see them, if I can. They live in the forest. At least, somewhere in the forest. I can't tell you exactly where. They keep on moving, ya know? Plus, they like to keep themselves hidden from others. Unless you're lucky, you'll never find them! Knowing them, they've already seen you. Have you ever woken up with your hair tied in knots before?They like to do that.
Oh, right, ghost! Sorry, I forget. You seem so alive. Hehe. For a ghost, you're pretty alive! It's funny like that. Why are you more alive than Dai? She always acts so frigid. Even though I'm the colder one! And you're probably warmer than me. Maybe it's probably some weird thing, how you act colder the warmer you are.
Why are you giving that bush over there a hard look? Even if it's wearing two hats, it doesn't mean it's done anything to you!
Huh. Ok. So it's a lovely bush. You're a strange ghost. But fun! Come on, you can play with me, yes? I want to go play hide and seek now. Can you find me, though?
Alright, human! I'll go run off. You just close your eyes, and you can find me. Well, find me after you open your eyes back up. I'm not stupid, ghost! You're the one who thought they would play hide and seek blind. Sounds like a brilliant idea!
Alright, I'm gone! Start counting! And in Japanese, I don't want to hear anything crazy. Weird foreign numbers. And start at twenty!
…Alright, I think I've lost that ghost. Hrm, let's see, I'm alright here in my little rock. Hehe, I do so love all these nooks and crannies. The fairies would never find me here! That one never stood a chance.
Oh, but this is getting boring. But that's hide and seek. I'll be able to find that ghost in no time! …Unless he becomes transparent. But that isn't allowed! I'll have to make that clear. No cheating; you have to hide like a fae could!
W-what? Is ok all you have to say? Wait, when did you find me? Aww, shucks, you gotta be kidding? How did you discover my perfect hiding spot? It would have been impossible to do that.
Is that your power? You are able to find people? No? Then what is your power? I have lots of them. I can make ice, I can fly, I can teleport… What do you mean, it's redundant? To teleport and to fly? Well, the first is more efficient, but the other one is much more fun!
Well, you would think so too, right? After all, you're flying right now. Well, technically, you're floating, but that's the same to me, far as I care. You're in the air! How can you not enjoy the feeling of it blowing your hair out? I mean, it's longer than mine, even! …Not that mine is that long, though.
Alright, fine, you win. Stupid. That didn't take very long at all! Well, I suppose it's your turn… You know the rules, right? Well, as best as a stupid ghost can know the rules.
No, I'm not turning blue again!
Fine. I'll start counting. Twenty… nineteen… eighteen… seventeen… sixteen… five… four… three… two… one… Alright, ghosty, I'm coming- Wuh? Wait, who are you? Why is the bush poking me? Stupid fairies, must be messing around with me.
But that took so much time. That ghost would have found a good spot by now. Curses! But we never said anything about flying. So, let's take off, now. None shall escape from mine eyes!
…Or they may. Dangit, been taking long enough. Where was that ghost? Better not be cheating… That weak. Don't care what Dai says about doing things the secret way. The direct way is much better! At least they know what their dealing with. And it's not fun when others are all sneaky. Why should I be sneaky when others are, and it hurts? Do I watt to make others feel bad?
Wait, I see now… Aha, I know what I was doing wrong! I was looking for a hat! The ghost didn't have a hat! Why would I be doing that though? …Well, everyone does wear hats… It would have been stupid if I didn't look for them!
Come here ya ghosty! I'm gonna tackle ya if you don't stop running! Oh, come on, don't keep doing that… fine! I'll get ya, so get ready- Wait, I went right through you. Curses… I forget about that. At least I feel cooler though!
Well, it is important to always look on the bright side! Sometimes, that's the only thing that gets me through the day… Eep, I said nothing! No, nothing! Not like anything would have happened to me! Nothing at all!
…No, Dai doesn't punish me because I fail! Much… No, not at all! I'm not talking about it, stupid ghost. If you want to keep at it, then leave! I'll just wait for Miss Letty to come down… Better friend than you are…
Well, you know she doesn't come down that much. She can come down in the summer, but she spends a lot of her time in the mountains. She says she has a duty to be better, to make up for what she's done. What would she have done, though? She's such a nice lady… And her hugs are always nice and cold.
Not bad cold, don't be stupid! She's the nice type of cold… Always so comforting. Plus, she can make the heat go away when she's around. She's the one who taught me how to keep cool, too! That's why I like to fly so much! My wings have so much surface area, that they cool faster the faster that I fly around!
Well, I don't know how it works, ghosty! It's magic, far as I'm concerned. But it does take the heat away. That's why I fly around so much. Not to mention that it's fun. You don't know what you're missing if you don't agree… Poor ghosty. One of these days, you will learn. You'll see what I mean!
Maybe I should introduce you to one of my tengu friends! Oh yeah, they're pretty nice! They love to fly, too. At least the feathery ones. The furry ones don't seem to like it as much. I had to fish one of them out of the lake just earlier. Silly wolf, trying to take a bath in the lake! But she was in such poor shape, that I couldn't let her go.
Dai didn't like it though, thinking I'm all weak for helping someone else for no reason. Why do I need to have a reason to help someone? I like it when people are nice to me, so I'll be nice to them! Even if they are a bit grumpy. But even the wolf couldn't stay grumpy.
Although she didn't want to play hide and seek. Poo.
Well, they wanted to ask me about something or the other, about using my name! And I hear stuff all the time. Nobody seems to mind it when I am around. They just keep talking and talking. I wonder why they do that. Isn't it rude to keep talking when someone is around to listen? Or is it the other way around?
Oh, is that it? I shouldn't do that, then? Unless I ask permission first! That will make everyone happy then, yes? Why are you laughing at me? Stupid ghost, what's your problem?
Oh, ok. So the tengu can teach me about that? Alright. I'll do that then! Once I can get away from Dai, at least for a little bit. And you say they'll do that if I tell them that it's for my payment? Ok, ghosty. You may be strange, but at least you're nice.
Perhaps you're not bad, after all. Are you sure that you can't stay with me and play some more? I'd like that… It'd be fun! And I hadn't even gotten to play with ice much at all! I can show you some pretty cool things, even if the heat gets to be too much.
Alright… if you say so. You've got to go? But where are you going, ghosty? …You're going into the mansion? Why are you going there/ That's a scary place… The maid is real scary. I don't' see her much, though. I'm glad, as she's very… very…
Well, I don't like her. The gate guard is pretty nice though. But she seems so sad. At least I can make her smile at times. I wonder why a mansion would have such a mean maid and a nice guard. Wouldn't guards try to scare away, while a maid would be nice to people?
That doesn't make sense, though. The mansion is weird… Full of scary people. Even though Dai likes them… She's never met them, but she knows what they can do. But maybe that's why she likes to trick people? I don't know. Tricks are fun, but they should only be good tricks. Not bad ones that can end up hurting…
But why would you want to go in there? Are you… are you wanted in there? Are you as mean as them, and have you been tricking me this whole time? Don't lie! I can tell if you're lying! Maybe…
Are you sure, ghostly? Am I sure? It could be so easy for you to lie. But you did play with me… The ones who don't play with me are not good ones. Except Dai. She is good. Right? She takes care of me…
Well, you're right, Miss Letty takes care of me too, when she's around. She even gives Dai some really weird looks at times… Is it normal for eyes to flash green? I didn't think it was… Well, the puppeteer's eyes change color, but they change to every color, not just green.
I like Miss Letty though. She does her best to teach me. I'm not the best at learning stuff, being a stupid fairy like Dai says. Not a good fae. Just a fairy. But I'm learning some! And Miss Letty takes her time… I think she's learning at the same time as I am though. She never goes much farther than what she tries to teach me. And she always has those books with her.
Well, I wouldn't say I've ever seen her with the that schoolteacher from the village. But she doesn't like humans that much… She never does try to go near them. And she always gets that guilty look when she looks at the human village.
Well, that's a stupid question! I love Miss Letty! How could I not like her? After all, I got her that pendant thing… I'm not sure what to call it, but she always wears it. What? You've met her! So you know what she's like. But why are you asking all of these questions?
You are a strange ghosty… But that's good that you know her! See, Miss Letty is nice! You agree, yes? Good for you. You are a smart one. Very smart. You should be proud to be so smart. Everyone likes Miss Letty, that is smart enough to!
Well, that didn't make that much sense, I suppose. Doesn't make it any less true! But, why do you say that? I mean, if you were just curious about her, you didn't have to say that you knew her… Wait, she really likes it? That's so… so…
So what if I am turning blue again! I've got somethin' in my eye, don't look at me…
Hrmph. Well, that's good that she likes it. I just wish I had Miss Letty to watch over me all the time. Maybe I could sneak off into the mountains. But then Dai would catch me. Bad things might happen then… Bad things… It makes me shiver… No, not from the cold! Stupid ghost…
No, I haven't told her. Should I tell Miss Letty, though? I don't want her to hate me. Not at all… Will she hate such a weak little fae that is like a fairy? You don't think she will care? Well, you're right, I'm telling a strange ghosty, so why can't I tell Miss Letty?
You know what? I'll do that, the next time I see her! I don't know when that will be… But I'll make sure that I do. I promise you, ghosty, that I will! Thank you for hearing me out! I just wish that I could hug you.
Wait, you can do that if I help you? How is that? Oh, into the mansion? Well, I could teleport you in there… But only if you come back! If you don't, I'll be mad, and we won't play hide and seek ever again! So, pinky promise? Good!
What is it, ghosty? There is another one on the cliff that I can play with? Really? Since when? I didn't think that any other ghosties lived around here… But ok, I'll go look for her! Maybe she can keep me nice and cool. That would be lovely. But as long as I listen to her music, and tell her how it makes me feel…? Ok, I can try that!
Ok, ghosty, I'm ready. Wait, what for? Oh, you're taking those three bushes? Huh. Why would you need bushes… Does the mansion need shrubbery? Well, they're small, and they don't look too expensive… Whatever you say, ghosty! Just, good luck.
And remember your promise!
A/N Alright, we're finally hitting the home stretch. And I finally remember to introduce a character by their name at the start, instead of putting it in at the end and making everyone guess! Not that I always forget to; after all, I do it on purpose sometimes. But occasionally I just start to write, and it keeps coming out without end.
As for Cirno, I hope I did capture her correctly. As I assume many do, I hate the idea of her being a aka. She isn't an idiot. She's just a child. And in my story… She's essentially the last bastion of innocence. But with childlike innocence, comes the insight that a lot of adults either forget, or ignore.
And yes, I'm setting something up to happen between Miss Letty and Dai. After all, I'm sure that you all remember our favorite Fae, along with the yuki-onna… And considering how jealous the latter are supposed to be, it would have happened sooner or later. Oh, and I always call her Miss Letty. Even when I'm not typing. I don't know why, but, just, Miss Letty!
Anywho, I can't think of anything else to say, so on to last chapter:
Anon E. Muss, there is gonna be plenty of time to take care of that. There are three sisters after all. And frankly, that isn't something he's well equipped to handle at the moment. It would take time to do something to help them, time in which the MC's body is decomposing nice and slowly. But the MC knows this; after all, why else would he send Cirno up to her? As to which sister, I'll point at my profile picture.
Also, thank you much on that. I've a few more chapters planned for this, then I'll shift back over to that for a while.
Anyways, let's see how many paragraphs can start with the letter a. Kidding side, please read and review as always, and until next time