Koakuma was the first to greet me after crossing the portal to Patchouli's library, with the exception of two fairy guards posted at the dead end entry. It is those fairies' jobs to announce any movement in that area. That means I get an important sounding announcement whenever I show up. On the other hand, it means I can't surprise anyone anymore. Despite that fact, Koakuma was thrown off by my reason for stopping by. Once I showed Koakuma the pendants, she started hyperactively ranting about Patchouli's preferences in gifts and places of interest.
"Koakuma, relax! These are just the Dreamstones from yesterday!"
Koakuma misunderstood what the pendants were completely. When I think about it, I am giving an attractive piece of jewelry to a female friend of mine. I should clarify myself to avoid confusing Patchouli.
[BGM~ek_ReBed57g "Cercospora (Rewrite)"]
According to Koakuma, she is deeper inside the library; in a hard-to-find area with a single circular table. Patchouli told me one day that the area was specifically designed to generate the least amount of traffic. This would explain its lack of light compared to the rest of the library. The bookshelf closest to the table is sparsely populated with assorted books that Patchouli does not want to lose. The empty space in the area is also where she likes to conduct various personal experiments. Patchouli isn't too fond of company in this particular area, so I should make this quick.
"Well Patchouli, the jewel heist was a big success. I dropped all the guards, silenced all the bystanders, and hijacked all the loot in one fell swoop. Here's your cut of the profit as promised."
Patchouli examines one of the jewels then sends me a smirk that looks somewhat ominous in the dark. "I see. These pendants are the Dreamstones."
"Heh, yeah."
Somewhere along the lines of our relationship, Patchouli learn how to look through my troll sentences and understand the meaning behind them. Generally, only my best friends and family can pull that off on a consistent basis.
"Lucca did a fine job with the operation," says Patchouli, deciding to play along. "However, it seems like now we have a witness."
Patchouli just suggested that we're being watched. "You mean Ms. Izayoi? That's unavoidable. She's good at keeping things confidential anyway."
"Sakuya is not who I am referring to."
With that sentence, she prompts me to look directly behind me.
"I had no idea that you were a criminal mastermind, Mr. Starsky. Don't worry, though. Since you're Patchy's friend, my lips are sealed."
The voice came from the seat behind me that I thought was vacant.
"M-Ms. Margatroid!"
It keeps happening... For someone whose attractiveness stands out from a mile away, Alice Margatroid always manages to conceal her presence like a ninja.
"You're not very observant, are you..?"
There's that too...
"You always seem to catch me doing the weirdest things."
"And whose fault is that?" adds Patchouli.
"I don't mind. I could use another reminder to not get involved with you."
Unfortunately, this has become another part of my routine with Alice. She likes to point out the fact that I bug her. I learned not to let it get to me though.
"You sure?" Before I realize it, I take one of the neck chains and start tossing it up and down. "I've been finding a lot of neat things lately. Eventually, I may even get to pass some stuff around."
Just as I say that, the pendant I was throwing refused to fall down.
"I like the sound of that!"
And the reason for that is hovering directly above me. So much for this place being a low-traffic area. Patchouli frowns at the development.
"Marisa.. you snuck in again."
Marisa Kirisame hops off her floating broom and lands on the floor with a loud thump. The pendant I tossed up earlier appears to have ringed itself over the top of her large black witch hat.
"This time, I didn't even have to, ze! You might want to check on your guard."
The red jewel starts to dangle right in front of Marisa's face as she says that. it deters her attention as if she just noticed it.
"Sorry about that. I threw that at you by accident."
Marisa pries the pendant from her hat before replying. "No problemo! Heh, it's almost like this baby was looking for a new owner!"
"No shame whatsoever," groans Alice.
"What's the problem?" Marisa continues. "It looks like this guy's loaded with 'em!"
"Three of anything isn't loaded at all, you kleptomaniac."
"There are some guns that would invalidate that statement.."
Marisa examines the pendant further. I have three of those pendants, but I only have a use for two of them. With that being said, I don't simply want to give the spare away either...
"Actually... I don't suppose now is a good time to ask for a rematch?"
Marisa's eyes light up at my last word. She then points at me dramatically for no reason. "Aha! Now I remember you! Did you get any better since last time?"
[Fade BGM]
"Let's just say.. this won't be a repeat of the last time." I apply that answer while mildly gathering the energy that I recently practiced learning how to control. With a tight fist, I generate a subtle aura that is very easy for the naked eye to miss. However, the surge of energy is more than enough for the assembly of magicians to notice. Marisa lets out a wide grin in response.
"Y'know, I never did get your name."
"I'm just an everyday sightseer named Louis Starsky."
"Well then, everyday sightseer.." this 'Ordinary Magician' accepts your challenge!"
The Road Paved in Concepts: (3-5) Roses and Dreamstones are Red!
{Scarlet Devil Mansion: Magical Library Centre}
"This fight's gonna be first to two hits or first to bust up two Spell Cards, got it?"
According to Yukari, those are one of the more common rules for a quick duel. "All right."
Surprisingly enough, Alice decided to stick around and spectate along with Patchouli and Koakuma, who happened to be in the area. It almost seems like the Head Maid is visible down the far alley, but that might just be one of the random plants scattered around.
Memories of my first encounter with Marisa flood back to me. We met when I barely understood how to use danmaku or even the point of it. I just swung blindly and hoped for the best. Between then and now, I have a much better idea of what I'm doing thanks to Yukari and everyone around me. Just thinking about what I learned won't get me anywhere though.
"Let's get this started."
[BGM~Wvhc15Vrx38 "Graves of Being (Touhou 10 ReArrange)"]
And with that statement, I start my barrages by batting my staff to the ground and surrounding myself with the bright danmaku orbs that rose from the ground. This is my ammo, and ammo is made to be fired. The danmaku orbs I bat detonate into smaller spreads once they zoom closer to Marisa's side of the field. Some prism stars slip past my performance and attack me. I avoid them with moderate effort. Suddenly, Marisa mounts her broom and flies high into closer range with several liquid-filled beakers in hand. She chucks them at me one-by-one, each letting of colorful explosions once they touch the ground. After four of them explode, she digs through her pockets for four more. I ran away from them the first time but if she's going to do the same thing, I can try something different. I avoid the beakers by running closer to Marisa and then set my sights on a bookshelf near her. Once I confirm the fourth beaker will miss me I hop to the side of the shelf, focus my energy to my legs, and launch myself directly at her. She throws a few inaccurate star-shaped danmaku at me before I manage to land both my feet on the sweeping end of her broom.
"Interesting choice," Patchouli hums from ground level.
"More like pointless!" cries Alice.
"Regardless," adds Koakuma. "You seem entertained enough."
[Fade BGM]
As Alice falls silent, Marisa stands tall (though she is about four-to-six inches shorter than me.) She seems too surprised by my maneuver to notice my knees shaking.
"I feel like I'm fighting one of the gap hag's people," says Marisa. "You twirl and flip around almost as much as they do."
"I can't really help that. Yukari's motto was 'Spin to Win' for whatever reason." More specifically, Yukari convinced me that finding opportunities to spin with my release motions help with danmaku momentum and strength. "I'm starting to think that there's not much truth to that."
"Yeah," Marisa chuckles. "Gap Hag and logic are two completely different things."
"I found that out the hard way."
Marisa flies her broom to the top of one of the giant bookshelves and motions me to get off. I guess this narrow platform is where she wants to continue our duel?
"Still though. I can't go easy on you if you've been hanging with someone like her. That's something that I learned the hard way."
[BGM~avs0yOwJLKY "Dance of Witches"]
Once Marisa and I give each other space, Marisa starts her next attack by swinging the cleaning end of her broom down and calling a large danmaku orb from the surface and batting it at me with scary precision. I dash backwards to avoid direct impact. The orb barely misses and shatters into tiny stars that sprinkle around the area. The colorful sight almost distracted me to the point where I did not notice Marisa running towards me. She carries another luminous danmaku orb on her broomstick like a hockey puck.
"Heads up!"
She then launched it directly at my forehead. I barely managed to duck the projectile. I stand up and then stumble forward thanks to the orb's explosive finale. This narrow platform is making this fight harsh! More importantly...
"Those moves..."
"Ah, you noticed!" Why the heck wouldn't I? "Gotta be honest with ya, ze. I like your style! Mind if I borrow a move or two?"
"I do mind! Very much, actually!"
"Marisa wasted so much of her talent towards borrowing things that she managed to make an art out of it."
That sentence came from Patchouli, who hovered to my level along with Alice and Koakuma.
"What am I supposed to do if she keeps copying everything!?"
Alice sighs with a blank expression. "If all of your moves are easy to duplicate, then there is nothing that you can do."
"Then that means..." Something that should have been common sense! "Thank you, Alice. I get it now."
...
"Well done Alice!" grins Koakuma. "I couldn't have said it any better myself!"
"But that wasn't supposed to.. g-agh..!"
...
Marisa has her hands on her hip while tapping her foot on the surface. The confident expression on her face suggests that she thinks nothing of that brief intermission. Her grin broadens as I step forward.
"Hey-hey, welcome back! Glad you didn't give up! I can use some more moves to add to m-"
"I'll make you eat those words!"
"Huh..?"
No time to explain! It's time to charge forward and start up my new offense! I do this by rushing into melee range and launch a charged vertical strike. She parries with the thin end of her broom in the nick of time. Our weapons clash, and I press forward trying to maintain my small advantage.
"You wanna get up close and personal, huh..?" Marisa huffs. "Fine by me!"
Marisa Kirisame is a real prodigy when it comes to danmaku. She can even copy other peoples' attacks in some circumstances. A rookie like me can't hope to outplay someone like that in that field. The solution? It's to do the things that are my specialty! My proficiency with staves go way back - and Yukari's weird training methods have taught me many ways to combine what I know about danmaku with my staff mastery. Add that to the fact that I recently made a breakthrough in the agility department, and these are the results:
I have the upper hand on Marisa Kirisame in close quarters. The objective is to get at least one danmaku based hit in for a point, but Marisa is not making it easy. Her focus under pressure is very admirable as she is avoiding both my staff swings and my wisp-like danmaku sparks that are coming from our clashes. I manage to push Marisa back towards the middle of the bookshelf.
"Gotcha ze!"
TINK!
...And then she manages an upward broom swing strong enough to knock my staff clean out of my hands. My weapon soars high above her.
"I'm going to need that!" A part of me wanted to clear this challenge without summoning, but pride has no place on the battlefield. "Lyra, help!"
"I'm on it!" Lyra says moments after I lift her card up high. She tosses my weapon back at me before continuing. "Time for the cross-up!"
"Good call, Lyra." Marisa returns her focus to me just as I enter my low Passionate Squall stance with the tip of my staff drawing energy from the surface. "Let's do this! Starsky Special Attack:"
I charge forward while generating a medium-sized danmaku oval from surface friction. Marisa raises her guard, looking somewhat confused as to why I did not say anything after my subtitle. The answer to that is simple...
"Danmaku X-Strike!"
It's because I left that line for Lyra, who was mimicking my motion from directly behind her. Marisa only realizes this once Lyra reaches melee range.
CSH-BOOM!
[Fade BGM]
Lyra and I cross paths with Marisa standing at the dead center. Both our danmaku meet its target from the front and backside. And just to stay true to our rehearsed attack's name, we both angled our attacks so that the collision effect leaves an X-shaped pattern around the target. I was convinced that there would never be a good opportunity to use this silly technique, but the narrow battlefield was just wide enough to pull this off perfectly..
"That was..." Alice was the first to comment.
"A direct hit..!" And Koakuma was the first to finish. "Yay! Way to go, Louis!"
I look for Lyra through all the commotion, but oddly enough, she already recalled. Marisa relaxes her stance after recovering from the shock of the turnaround.
"Nice summon.." she says in a more normal fashion. "I kinda thought you were a mage back when I first met ya, ze!"
"I don't know enough about magic to be worthy of that kind of title." Let alone the first thing about magic...
"Well, you sure can control your magic flow as well as one!"
There are several reasons for that; some of which I have yet to figure out. Though now's not the time to start thinking about that!
"You having fun yet?" Because feigning confidence is very important!
"Oh heck yeah! I'm all turned on now!"
"I-Is that how you operate..?"
"You betcha!" Just as I start to wonder whether or not Marisa is joking, she lifts up one arm and generates a Spell Card. "That being said, I think I'm gonna let it all out!"
Patchouli examines the Spell Card and squints.
[BGM~_6L6E7TLy10 "Love Colored Master Spark"]
"I... should have had everyone relocate beforehand."
I considered asking Patchouli why, but then I took note of Marisa's Spell Card image. Its face looks like a frighteningly large ray of light.
"Love Sign: Master Spark!"
"So it's come down to this huh?"
As soon as Marisa's Spell Card activates, small light wisps begin to emerge from the space directly in front of her, to the end of my side of the bookshelf.
"It cost me a point to keep my position here," Marisa says softly. "But it was worth the sacrifice because now you can't escape!"
If these light wisps floating around me are anything like my attacks, then they are indicating the Spell Card's area of effect... which is the entire area where I'm standing! Just when that hypothesis sinks in, Marisa pulls out a gray, palm-sized hexagon from her pocket. She then grasps it in both of her hands and points it in my direction. The floating orbs of energy around me start to glow brighter.
"That move you pulled off earlier was pretty damn flashy.. but there's nothing flashier than pure light!"
Yeah... the experience of fighting on a two-dimensional fighting stage was lovely and all, but I think that's enough of this bookshelf. Geronimo!
VRRN-!
The Master Spark ray engulfs the immediate area as quickly as a freight train. Escaping the shelf altogether is the only option that makes sense to me! Luckily I've learned proper landing techniques due to all the random pitfalls Yukari made me walk through. I land in front of the spectator trio rather gracefully.
"That could've been much worse."
DONK!
Suddenly, a stray star-shaped danmaku from the giant attack clocks me on top of my head. Oh come on..!
"One point for Ms. Kirisame..." Koakuma says with unease. Alice quickly turns around and buries her face in her hands.
"Your attention span has not changed much, I see." Patchouli says this while a few cute giggles slip out of Alice in the background. "At any rate, Marisa activated a Spell Card. It would be wise for you to follow suit."
"Yeah you're right, and I know just the one to roll with." Marisa joins us at ground level just as I generate my Spell Card.
"Affinity Sign: Blissful Cosmic Collision!"
My Spell Card's activation quickly illuminates the area with similar tiny wisps emerging from the ground, only covering the high majority of the carpet we're standing on as opposed to a straight line. Marisa observes the area in astonishment.
"This just keeps getting better and better," she says. "How's this spell work?"
"This one took a while to figure out, even with Yukari's help. This card's power has two sources; my surroundings and my feelings for those surroundings. I had lots of trouble using this in the empty place where I trained, but Gensokyo is a different story. As for my feelings for Gensokyo... I'd say it's pretty significant."
Once I finish, I begin to twirl my staff as necessary for this technique to do anything. The orbs of light start to stack together on my command.
"That sounds an awful lot like my Love Sign," Marisa replies. "Now who's being the copycat?"
"Same concept, different name, I guess?"
"Heh." Marisa brandishes her grey hexagon artifact once more. (If I'm not mistaken, I think it's some sort of hakkero?) "Well then... we'll just have to see who loves Gensokyo more!"
The spectators scamper out of range while I swing down at my light orb at full strength. I only realized after doing so that this clash is incredibly risky. Marisa's invitation was exciting enough, but in the end, I'm challenging the most famous Spell Card I can think of head-on! And the most surprising thing about it is the fact I cannot feel Marisa's ray of light resist my attack at all. We most definitely clashed, though. Moments later, both of our Spell Cards dissipate at the same time. I got the memo only by applying too much force and falling over face first.
[Fade BGM]
"No way.. My Spell Card actually matched yours?"
"That's no surprise, ze." Suddenly, Marisa was in front of me offering a hand up, which I accepted. "Did you notice? Our magic is coming from the same source. It's mana - this land's raw energy."
[BGM~uBKJdlFLtFU "Eterna Forest"]
I take a moment to look at the aftermath of our contest. The library is a mess, both with scattered books and glowing orbs of energy floating around everywhere. Just like Marisa said, it's nearly impossible to tell the difference between her residue from mine.
"My source of energy.. is mana?"
"That is what I was starting to suspect from the beginning," says Patchouli as she approaches me. "However, your attacks have only begun to show a clear definition."
"Don't tell me you had no idea," says Marisa.
"Not really. I should've put two and two together once Yukari showed me that I can heal small wounds with the power I have."
"Ah yes," Patchouli adds. "That would be among the most practical uses of that category of magic. The essence of life is a very powerful source of energy to tap into, but I personally prefer more efficient sources."
"I still want to know how I'm even capable of this in the first place." Yukari dismissed my question by saying that I just have natural talent. That kind of answer only bugs me.
"Dunno ze," Marisa shrugs. "But I'd say the info I gave ya was a good start towards finding out. I should start charging for my knowledge!"
Speaking of fees... "Here."
I present to Marisa the very pendant that interested her earlier. Everyone blinks in disbelief.
"Huh..? You're still a point ahead you know?"
I thought we were tied for one hit and one Spell Card.. Perhaps Marisa did not see me get hit by that stray bullet? Either way...
"No one ever said this was a prize to begin with." Marisa's expression visibly thinks back until she realizes that I'm right. "It's just my way of saying thanks for the info. You really wanted this right?"
When I stretch my arm out towards her, Marisa reaches out reluctantly as if she were expecting me to psyche her out. She eventually grabs the item from me and lets out a wide grin.
"Aha! Lucky me! You know, you're alright, Louis. I'll remember this!"
After saying that, Marisa hops on her broom, flies to the top of a bookshelf, loads the back of her broom with a stack of books that were sitting there, and takes off. One of the books fall off the broom and Patchouli catches it with a blank expression.
"Louis.." Koakuma calls. "Are you sure that was wise?"
"What do you mean?"
Koakuma tilts her head and flaps her head wings. "Aren't those the same stones that you and Patchouli use to travel to those strange worlds? What if Marisa gets mixed up in all that?"
"Ah..." Somehow, I didn't think of that! It's not like Marisa knows anything about those portals to begin with..
Patchouli succeeds in balancing a book on top of my head before replying. "Of course Louis's only concern at the time was leaving a good impression on Marisa."
Huh..?
"Oho, so that was your plan!" Koakuma giggles.
"What a troublesome, typical boy," Alice sighs.
"Ah, I didn't plan anything except giving this back to you!"
Patchouli merely grins at how annoyed I am. Eventually she takes the pendant that I presented to her.
"Lucca really did do a fine job with these. I will have to thank her personally. Speaking of which, are you busy?"
"Not really, why?"
"I would like to accompany your travels for today, if you do not mind."
It's that kind of exciting announcement that can make my entire day. It's been weeks since I got to travel with Patchouli. I was getting worried those days were over.
"Y-You mean now? You have company over, though."
Alice shakes her head before replying. "If you're referring to me, I was just leaving. I have important things to do with my free time unlike some people."
Then why bother calling it free time..? "It was nice seeing you again."
"Y-Yeah." Alice's expression does not seem to agree with me. "See you later."
Alice took a bow and made her exit. Somewhere in the middle of my duel with Marisa, Patchouli planned ahead and grabbed the belongings she planned to take with her. All that's left to do is walk our way towards the dimensional portal placed in the library.
"I hope I didn't upset Alice too much," I think aloud.
Patchouli grins in response. "The poor girl does not know what to do with an oddball like you."
"She's only around when I'm acting weird, so it's no wonder I scare her."
Patchouli turns to me with one hand emerged in the portal. "Ah, well I would not worry about that."
As Patchouli crosses the portal, Koakuma thinks aloud.
"I think I am going to request a slightly larger dinner for Patchouli tonight."
It's just another day in Gensokyo, and another day for me. And for the record, nothing about that statement is a complaint.
Killing Time on the Road: Explanation
[BGM~Lj1MLNWWRms "End of Time"]
Lyra here with a brand new experiment! These segments will occur at random points in the story. And unlike Detours, all of these segments are guaranteed to be relative to the current plot! Those familiar with the 'Tales of' Franchise should expect a familiar vibe! I'm just trying to do what I can as the new assistant narrator so if this is too much of a pain, let a sister know!
Partners Once Again
LOUIS: Woohoo! The dynamic duo is back in action!
PATCHY: Louis, please lower your volume. Also stop generating weird titles.
LOUIS: Sorry, I'm just excited that we're traveling together again.
PATCHY: It really has been a while, hasn't it? You could say that I suffered a withdrawal from my old daily routine and needed a while to catch up on that and some additional research.
LOUIS: That's why I'm so excited that you're with me now. I'm not the same guy from before, so this should be a much different experience.
PATCHY: Based on your wording, this 'experience' you speak of may be even worse than before.
LOUIS: Hehe. Anything is possible, but I doubt that.
PATCHY: Let us hope not.
Patchouli-Sensei's Critique
LOUIS: So what did you think about that battle just now?
PATCHY: You held your own against Marisa quite well.
LOUIS: I was surprised too. That rematch went much better than expected.
PATCHY: Your non-spell techniques have improved in particular.
LOUIS: Yeah, I've been working on that most of all. One time Yukari pointed out that I would activate my Spell Cards too early in a battle. She helped me realize that Spell Cards are most effective as reserves. I didn't think about it, but it's sort of like that in the PC games too.
PATCHY: You lost me at your last sentence, but that is correct. Patience and timing are two factors that will help you succeed in Danmaku battles. However, it is safe to say that you are well past the need for lessons.
LOUIS: Ah no way! Your advice is always appreciated, Patchouli-sensei!
PATCHY: Mu-! Must you keep calling me that?
LOUIS: (She doesn't seem to dislike it, so...)
China MIA
!^-~-^!
LOUIS: (It's that feeling again.. like time has been distorted.. or frozen.)
?: Excuse me.
LOUIS: Wah! Ms. Izayoi, is that you?
SAKUYA: Yes. Pardon my interruption, but have you seen Hong Meiling lately?
LOUIS: You froze time just to ask that?
SAKUYA: ...
LOUIS: I haven't, actually. I still enter the mansion through the portal, so I rarely visit the front gate. Now that I think about it, I've never seen Meiling inside the mansion before.
SAKUYA: Ah.. Thank you for reminding me, Louis. The last time I remember seeing Meiling was yesterday evening. She was inside the mansion giving an evening report to Remilia. I recall them getting into an argument about Chinese proverbs and then Meiling set out towards Voile to look for a book on the topic.
LOUIS: So she headed towards the library and no one has seen her since?
SAKUYA: What if she... nevermind. Thank you for your time, Louis.
LOUIS: What time? You froze it, remember?
SAKUYA: Heh..
LOUIS: Cheer up, Ms. Izayoi. I'm sure you'll find Meiling in literally no time.
SAKUYA: ... I hope you're right.
!^-~-^!
LOUIS: (I'll keep my eyes peeled too!)
[BGM~rO2x1OqvOog "Melody of Profits"]
Ah, autumn... the season where Mega-Ultra-Chickens join Summoner's Rift and Duck Grabbing Dogs join the smash roster! There's quite a bit to look forward this year, isn't there? I guess this story counts on that list to a select few of you! Speaking of which, I think I'll take the liberty to replying to some of the reviews!
Illusion2438: Not bad, amigo! You got the reference in the blink of an eye!
Ziden115: Mark my words, good sir. This season will have at least two full-fledged Nintendo-based fixes this season! Keep reading on, and maybe a hint will be planted around here!
RandomNumbers523156: Your clarity suggestion is very much called for, and will be applied in future installments! One of these days we may mop up some earlier segments, but that may take a while!
Ninon Beart: My apologies! We opted out on Detours for 'Killing Time' this time! Next time will be different, m'lady!
That's about it for now! Hope there was enough hype in this installment! Join us next time on Project Concept Road: Together, We Ride with a New Maiden! If things have been feeling slow lately, things are going to start picking up from here!