Chapter Three: Investigating the Abnormal
* The Hourai Clinic *
- Midday -
Eirin Yagakoro went over the lab results once again. Her intelligent silver eyes scanned the paper relentlessly, compiling the information, and staring at the words until they blurred and had no meaning. The great Brain of the Moon had discovered a most perplexing case that tested even her great intellect. An oddity that was curious even in Gensoukyo's craziest of standards.
She scowled at the report before tossing it back on her desk with a hint of irritation. She leaned back in her chair and pinched the bridge of her nose. Ever since she'd tried to solve the riddle of this new case that had shown up at her door, a migraine had slowly begun to develop behind her forehead. Never in her medical career had she been so...vexed. Despite this, she allowed her mind to wander, trying to piece everything together in the most logical form. About halfway she was brought out of her reverie by a sound at the very edge of her hearing. It sounded suspiciously like a certain someone crawling above the panels of the ceiling. A certain "Lunatic Princess" actually, if her intuition served correctly.
*Eirin: May I help you, my Princess?
*Muffled Voice: Mmm!
|Thump!|
The silver-haired physician smiled to herself, turning about in her chair, and looking up at a specific panel. It slid aside and Princess Kaguya Houraisan poked her head out to peer down at her. She pouted, massaging the crown of her head.
*Eirin: I'm going to assume you're bored? |Smirk|
*Kaguya: |Sigh| You know me too well, Eirin. Mokou won't play with me today so, I've been sitting about with nothing to do. I'm highly considering requesting that one of the kappas install a television set for the manor. Just for days like this.
*Eirin: Heavens, no good could come from that.
*Kaguya: So what's got you so engaged? I haven't seen you so focused in quite a while. What's on your mind?
*Eirin: Have you seen our new guest?
The princess slid down from the ceiling and floated gently to the floor.
*Kaguya: |Nod| The girl with the red hair, right? What about her? She doesn't appear to be from Gensoukyo. Another outsider maybe?
*Eirin: I believe so. The puppeteer and monochrome brought her in. They told Udonge that she just fainted after fighting some metal creature at Misty Lake. |Frown| I must ask her about that particular event once she wakes. But that is not the reason she intrigues me.
*Kaguya: |Tilts Head| She's the one on your mind? What about her interests you?
Eirin motioned to her papers.
*Eirin: In short, everything. I've been looking at her lab results for the longest, and no matter how many times I do so they never start to make sense. I've spent several hours of time corroborating the data with other notes and results from previous patients that have passed through here. The only conclusion I've seemed to come up with for her various oddities...well, it's unsettling.
*Kaguya: How so?
*Eirin: To put it simply, this girl, "Hinata Seijo", shouldn't exist.
... ...
... ...
...W-where...
...W-where a-am I? A-am...am I asleep?
|Throb!|
...Ngh...
*[Her]: G-ghhh...damn you...
Oh...its y-you... H-hello, n-nice to hear you...a-again...
*[Her]: Must...must you always...be so fucking stupid and...reckless...and naïve...
R-rude. M-mind your m-manners...you.
|THROB!|
*[Her]: I'll do what I damned well please. I'll also call you what I deem necessary, idiot girl. Why? Well, instead of allowing me to handle the previous situation, which I could have done easily, you decide to use a Life Force Conversion spell. That has to be one of the most dangerously reckless and idiotic things I've ever heard of anyone doing.
I needed a quick boost. Something that I could accomplish in my fragmented mental state. I didn't know any other spell that could have helped me at that time. It was either that or get sliced up into neat little "Hina-wurst" sections. No thanks. I'd rather take the risk of falling into a coma.
*[Her]: You would have died if it weren't for me. I saved you. Wait...tell me something, Hinata Seijo...are you suicidal?
W-what?! N-no...I- Of course, I'm not!
*[Her]: Really? Are you sure? I think you secretly might be. You just haven't realized it yet. Perhaps it's something you've internalized and have been carrying out subconsciously. That is the only way I can rationalize your constant and incessant need to put your own life at risk. Ah...it all makes sense to me now...
|Twinge|
Listen here, you! I-I'm in no way suicidal! I've been way too much hell to throw away my life now, especially by my own hand! I love myself more than you can imagine!
*[Her]: Can't I?
Grrr... You little...
Wait. Wait a moment. Wait just a damned moment! Why am I justifying myself to some random voice in my head who refuses to tell me who she is and where she comes from if it isn't just a fragment of my imagination... Until I get proper answers from you that aren't cryptic and nonsensical bullshit, I don't have any time for you at all! NONE, you hear me?! So unless you want to start talking, you annoying, riddle-spitting bitch, take the hint and leave me the hell alone!
*[Her]: ... ...Very well...
And then, I woke up.
*Hinata: |Sharp Inhale!| Ach!
Ah! So much stimili at once!
Bright lights! Strong smells of antiseptic and bamboo. A high-pitched, girly scream as I shoot upright-
|STAB!|
-and lay right back down as my chest screamed at me in pure agony. Owie...looks like my ribs are still either broken and/or bruised-to-hell...along with my wrist...
Mana and Malediction... This is like the worst day of my life...ever...of all time.
Eh? Also, where am I? Am I in some sort of hospital room?
*Young Lady's Voice: Goodness, you scared the living daylights out of me!
A-awoo? Who is- ah! Bunny!
*Bunny Lady: |Deep Exhale| Whew, when Master mentioned that you heal quickly, I underestimated her. |Shakes Head| A-anyway, you shouldn't be sitting up so quickly just yet. You've had a lot of bruising - especially around your midsection - and four broken ribs. Not to mention several abrasions and a wrist that was fractured in seven places. I'm surprised you're even awake considering how much anesthetic we had to give you.
*Hinata: Anesthesia tends not to work on me very well. For reasons...I have no idea.
*Bunny Lady: Clearly. Well since you're awake, I'm going to check your bandages now, if you don't mind.
*Hinata: Ah, sure. Just tell me what you need me to do, frau...uh...
*Bunny Lady (Reisen Undonge Inaba, Lunatic Red Eyes): Ah, sorry. My name is Reisen, by the way. |Bow|
*Hinata: 'Tis a pleasure. My name's Hinata but, I like to go by "Hina". |Bow|
Reisen goes about changing my bandages. I'm...asked to remove my...shirt (which isn't my original one, by the way)...
Ok...so I'm going to preface by saying, I'm not exactly...comfortable...with my body. Showing even a bit of skin under my neck is...nerve-racking to me. But this is for medical reasons...and this Reisen doesn't seem like the judging type so...I guess it's ok...
Oh, dear...
Deep breaths, Hina. Deep breaths...
|Rustle|
As Reisen goes about her duties, I notice a lot of things about her. She's quite pretty. Pale lavender hair (that's almost white), equally pale skin, and sparkly red eyes that make me slightly and oddly uncomfortable to look at for long periods of time. Also...
|Tingle|
...She's no typical youkai, as far as I can tell. What is this sensation she's giving off? It's so...hm...
|Twinge|
*Hinata: |Wince| Ngh...
*Reisen: Sorry, that isn't too tight, is it? You've still got a lot of bruising so, I don't want to wrap it so it never heals correctly. Despite this, you seem to be healing well. Can you take a deep breath for me?
She runs me through a series of stress tests. I only have about 85 percent of my mobility back. Which is a bummer. The entire (slightly uncomfortable) time is passed with Reisen doing the nurse-ly thing and making small talk. She informs me that I'm in a place called Eientei located in the Bamboo Forest of the Lost. It is housed by a wide cast of people including a lot of bunnies...which I love.
Then again, I've always had a sweet spot for tiny, adorable creatures. Spiders and dragons are my favorite though.
The doctor here, Miss Eirin Yagakoro, is apparently what many would call a "miracle worker" so, I have high, high hopes that she might be able to do something in regards to my amnesia. They were also kind enough to give me some replacement clothing while they repair and clean my regular attire. They left me my cloak though so, that's nice.
After she shares some stuff about herself, I decide to reciprocate. I inform her of the basics and clue her into my journey so far. For whatever reason, I find her to be remarkably easy to talk to. Perhaps its...
N-nevermind. I'm not going to entertain that chain of thought.
Once I finish my tale of the automaton, Reisen's expression registers shock.
*Reisen: This "automaton" you speak of, it doesn't happen to have a red metal cube inside of it, does it?
*Hinata: |Blink| Ah, yes. How did you know-
|Slide Clack!|
We were interrupted by the sound of the door sliding open.
*Marisa: |Grin| Yo, Red!
*Alice: Ah, Seijo-san. It's nice to see that you're finally awake. How are you feeling?
*Hinata: Oh, hello there! I'm a bit stiff still but, nothing too major to complain about. I want to thank you for assisting me back there against the automaton and bringing me here after I'd passed out. I owe you both my life.
*Marisa: Hey, no prob. Besides, it was a lot of fun, ze. It's not every day where you get to fight a killer robot.
*Alice: Next time - if there is a next time - you should resort to leaving things to other people instead of risking your own via a Life Force Conversion.
*Hinata: |Blush| Ah, you noticed that did you? What gave it away?
*Alice: You just did. At first, it was only an assumption.
Verdammt.
I'm about to respond when something clicks in my head.
I'd just been interrupted.
*Hinata: Oh! Miss Reisen! You were saying something about a red metal cube!
All the attention in the room went to her.
*Reisen: Ah, r-right! Well recently, the mansion has been visited quite frequently by strange metallic creatures but, we have no idea where they come from or what they want. We've had a few injuries regarding some of the inaba here but, only when they attempted to follow them back to wherever they came from or capture one.
*Hinata: Lemme guess, they're made up of a bunch of different metals but, mostly gold and the cube was kinda glowy when you removed it?
*Reisen: |Blink| Uh, yes. Though from what I've heard from your story, they aren't as large as the one from the lake was. The ones we find here are about the size of oranges and resemble spiders.
*Alice: They could very well still be from the same source.
*Hinata: I dunno... I would have to see the cores from both the one at the lake and these spider fellows. Did either of you happen to grab the lake core?
|Rustle|
*Marisa: Way ahead of you, Red.
I get the impression that even if I didn't need it she would have had it anyway.
Note to self: Keep an eye on this one.
*Hinata: Now, I just need to get another one to verify they're from the same creator. I'm not exactly privy to such magic but, I'm sure I can figure it out somehow if you two are willing to help.
*Marisa: Sure, I'm down. What do you need me to do?
Suddenly, both Reisen and Alice look incredibly nervous. This seems to be a very common reaction whenever Marisa announces something. Intuition tells me that this blonde lass is quite the troublemaker to the point where others are wary constantly of her actions.
*Reisen: Uh, p-perhaps we shouldn't do this here. We have a few humans from the village that we're treating in the next rooms over so...
*Woman's Voice: I'll have to agree with Udonge. I'm not sure I trust whenever you deal with magic, Miss Kirisame.
Ah!
Whoa! I didn't even hear this lady come in. Mein Gott, her appearance is what one would call "blinding". She gives off a more otherworldly vibe then Reisen does. It's similar to that annoying blonde lady from a few nights back but, more...elegant. Her red and blue outfit is odd yet, somehow works with her long, ethereal silver hair and blue eyes.
*Reisen: |Surprised| Oh, Master! Has your research been coming along well?
*Eirin: Not particularly. |Smile| Alice, it's a pleasure to see you again so soon.
*Alice: |Smile| Likewise.
*Eirin: I would say the same to you, Marisa but, your appearances here haven't led to the most pleasant results.
*Marisa: |Shrug| S'no big deal. I was only here to check up on Hina.
*Eirin: I'd appreciate it if you kept it that way. I've had enough trouble these few days to last a lifetime.
She then turned to me, her gaze meeting mine and bringing about the weirdest sensation of unease I've ever felt. As if she knew something intimate about me I didn't.
I'm...not sure if I like that.
*Eirin: |Nod| Hinata-san. It's nice to finally speak to you. I hear you have information on these things that have been terrorizing the manor.
Well, that's one way of putting it but, I've only been drawing on speculation based upon what Reisen had told me and of what I know in general about automatons. This I explained to her.
*Eirin: That may be so but, you know more about the situation than the rest of us. Though I'm eager to get to the bottom of why these things have been spying and injuring the residents of the mansion I can't, in good faith, ask you to do so while you're still on bed rest.
*Hinata: Are you sure? I feel fine enough to help.
*Eirin: |Quirks Eyebrow| Oh really? Ok then, take a deep breath for me.
*Hinata: ... ... ...
*Eirin: My thoughts exactly. You're of no use if you don't even have full flexibility of your body. Get some rest, kid.
|Sigh|
...Unfortunately, I see her point. I hate being confined to bed rest.
Marisa and Alice say their farewells, leaving me with the red cube (Marisa didn't seem all that pleased about it) and mentioning that they may be back later to visit if I'm still here.
They are both quite interesting people. Plus, they saved my life. I must invite them to tea one day.
After Eirin and Reisen leave, I'm stuck staring at the cube in my lap.
...And no matter how much I look at it...it still gives me that strangest case of déjà vu. I've...seen this somewhere before but, I have no idea where.
I will say...it feels like it's something personal to me.
...And...it kinda...makes my heart hurt...
- Night -
... ...
Hey.
... ...
Hey, you.
... ...
Don't ignore me. I know you're there.
... ...
...Fine then. I shall leave you be then. Auf Wiedersehen.
... ...
|Tingle|
*[Her]: |Sigh| What do you want, Hinata?
To ask you something.
*[Her]: You don't say...
Don't... |Sigh| You...know things about me that I don't, correct?
*[Her]: ... ...That depends.
On what?
*[Her]: I'm not sure of what you know and what you don't.
But...I thought you're in my head. Like a figment of my imagination or something.
*[Her]: Oh, I'm more than just a figment of your imagination. And while I do reside in your mind, I have no access to your memories.
...So, you're real...
*[Her]: That word means nothing to me. For what does it mean to be "real"? A hallucination may be real to one individual but not for the one who doesn't experience it. I simply exist. I think, therefore I am.
Then, how do I know you're not a hallucination I'm suffering thanks to my close encounters with death? A non-conventional way for my mind to cope.
*[Her]: If that was the case, you wouldn't exist, Hinata. You, yourself, wouldn't be "real". But that is all I will say on this topic for now.
Wuh-
But... Nevermind... So you can't help me figure out what this cube thing is and why it feels so familiar to me?
*[Her]: I never said I couldn't.
You can?!
*[Her]: But, why?
Pardon?
*[Her]: Why should I help you? If I remember correctly, you insulted me not hours ago and instructed that I never speak to you again...in more..."vulgar" terms.
I...I did...didn't I?
I...I'm sorry. I never meant to be so rude. I'm just having a hard time controlling my emotions. So much has happened in such a short period of time. I guess I just needed someone to vent it all on. Again, I'm sorry.
*[Her]: ... ...|Sigh| You never change. Throughout all these years, you haven't changed a bit. I accept your apology...like always.
You've known me for a while then.
*[Her]: ...You could say that.
Ah...that's something to talk about later. What do you know of the red cube?
*[Her]: It's a dynamic engine. How it works, I'm not sure but, it's powered mostly by magic and kinetic energy. It is used as a way to remotely power automatons for long periods of time. When two or more come into close proximity to one another, they tend to explode.
That's...a problem. It's probably why Reisen and Eirin didn't want us fiddling with it.
*[Her]: Indeed. If you plan on tampering with it, I suggest leaving Eientei for the duration.
Could I use the magic that emanates from the engine to track its owner?
*[Her]: ...Yes...but, it's quite difficult to accomplish. I'm not sure how you'd go about it. We'd need a skilled elementist at our disposal.
Hm...I'll take that into consideration. Thank you...uh... I...don't know your name.
*[Her]: You assume I even have one.
Do you?
*[Rhea]: ...I was once called "Rhea"...but, that was after I became what I am now.
Rhea. That's a nice name. I like that a lot.
*[Rhea]: I would hope so. For you were the one who gave me it.
What...what do you mean?
... ...
Rhea?
... ...
( A Few Days Later)
* The Bamboo Forest of the Lost *
- Morning -
... ...
*Reisen: ...
*Hinata: You didn't have to come with me, you know.
*Reisen: |Surprised| Ahn? What do you mean?
*Hinata: I mean, Frau Eirin sent me on this errand. I just thought I'd be going alone, is all.
*Reisen: Oh, well, I figured that you'd need help getting through the forest. It is quite easy to get lost here. And I'd be a bad nurse if I didn't give good aftercare, right?
*Hinata: |Smile| I suppose not, hahaha.
Eirin gave me the all-clear this morning, saying that I had healed almost 95% of my injuries. While I want to take credit for that, I think that Eirin's medicine was the most likely cause.
The only problem with that is the fact that I'm broke.
I have no money. And going to the doctor cost money so...here I am, delivering a crate of medicine to a nearby human village to pay off my debt. Thankfully, I can store it within my cloak. I'd hate having to lug this heavy thing around.
Also...
*Bunny Girl (Tewi Inaba, Bare White Rabbit of Good Fortune): That's all well and good but, I don't know why I have to come along, usa.
This one is interesting. She is remarkably adorable in appearance but...I can't help but feel that she is significantly older than she looks. It's disconcerting since she doesn't really act like it...it's just a feeling I have. For that reason, I've been addressing her as "frau". Mostly as a precaution.
*Reisen: Probably because Master and actually work without having to worry about a certain someone's pranks every half-hour or so.
*Tewi: Eh? I have no interest in bothering Master, usa. |Shiver| Especially not since last time. My tail still feels funny... |Glance| Hey, Hinata-san, you're a mage, right? You wouldn't happen to have a spell that makes time go by faster, eh?
*Hinata: Eheheheh...unfortunately not, frau. Messing with time is a big no-no where I'm from.
*Tewi: Oh? Where's that?
Are you just asking to make conversation or are you truly interested? Your tone suggests the former.
*Hinata: Germany. A land called Levanntry.
That got your attention.
*Tewi: |Surprised| "Germany"? You're a long way away from home, usa. There aren't too many western folk in Gensoukyo. Most of them live in that mansion north of Misty Lake.
*Reisen: You're referring to Remilia-san and the others, right? I forget the name of the land they came in from. Sakuya-san's mentioned it before but...
*Hinata: Sa-ku-ya~ Re-mi-lia~
*Reisen: Do you know them, Hina-san?
Awoo, did I say that out loud? Whoops.
*Hinata: No, not at all. I'm just trying to get used to saying names and such in Japanese. It's still all quite unfamiliar to me. Though, I will say that the name "Remilia" strikes a strange chord with me. It's a French name, ja?
*Tewi: I have no idea. Hey, Reisen...
Hm..."Remilia"...why is that name so familiar...
* The Human Village *
*Shop Owner: You have my gratitude for bringing this, young lady. My wife has been bothering me regarding this medicine for a while now. I can always count on Yagakoro-san to come through. Are you working for her, by chance?
*Hinata: Eheheh, not quite, herr. I'm simply returning a favor to work off my debt to frau Eirin.
*Shop Owner: Well I wish you the best of luck with your endeavors, young lady. If you're ever in need of anything, let me know.
*Hinata: Oh, uh, of course. Danke schön.
So.
My current quest log has been cleared for the time being and I have no idea of what to do now.
Reisen and Tewi have left me to do other things in the village...which is unfortunate due to the fact that I have no idea how to get back to Eientei or Reimu's shrine so...I'm kinda stuck here until I find someone who'll escort me back. I mean sure, I have a photographic memory (ironically) but, the damned bamboo forest looked identical no matter where I looked.
Not to mention...
*Shop Owner: Uh...miss? Is everything ok? You've been staring at the door for a while now...and your shaking.
*Hinata: I-I'm fine. J-just...s-steeling myself.
*Shop Owner: Ah...ok? Let me know if I can assist you in any way...I suppose.
Mana and Malediction, why is this happening to me?! This didn't happen when I entered the village! I mean sure I don't like open areas much...
I really, really, really, really don't like open areas.
Quite adverse to them.
Nope, do not want.
But, I've never felt like this before. I feel like I'm going to collapse by just being near the door leading..."out there".
Oh dear, I...I'm feeling v-very...faint...
|Tingle|
*[Rhea]: Hinata, listen to me. You're having a panic attack. Calm down. Take a deep breath. Focus your breathing like you're doing a concentration drill. It'll help.
O-ok...
*[Rhea}: Hmmm...your kenophobia seems to have gotten worse since coming to this strange land. Not surprising since you've spent most of your life underground.
But why is this happening now? I've just been a little frightened of going outside and stuff, I've never had a panic attack before.
*[Rhea]: Think about it - the previous times you've been outside it's been either nighttime or you've been under a tree canopy. As for why it didn't affect you much when you entered the village, you were too enamored by the actual village itself.
S-so what do I do? I can't go out there like this.
*[Rhea]: I...I can suppress the amount of anxiety you get from going outside. The only problem is that it won't work forever and eventually you'll build up what I can only describe as an "anxiety debt". It won't be pleasant later on.
I don't have much of a choice though. I have to leave this shop somehow.
*[Rhea]: Very well. Just know that your dreams tonight will not be enjoyable.
Mother of mercy, that sounded a little more menacing than it needed to.
A strange feeling washed over me and suddenly, I felt as though there was no reason why I shouldn't leave the building. That's handy.
Whelp, time to go look for two bunny lasses.
*Peddler: Textiles! Textiles! Get your textiles here!
*Fish Monger: Hey there, young lady! Are you interested in some fresh yellowfin tuna?
*Vegetable Saleswoman: Nonsense, Moriame! She's obviously the type to prefer a good vegetable hotpot! Come now, see what Mama Onishima has to offer!
*Hinata: A-ahahaha, I appreciate it but, I cannot take either of you on your offers. My apologies.
My word, I'd forgotten how lively this place was. It reminds me of the Great Marketplace back home.
Speaking of home. I need a more permanent place to stay while I'm in Gensoukyo. I wonder if there are places in the village that I can stay in. I mean, I'm human too...I think. I pass for one, at least.
Now...where would I go to find that out...
*Female Voice: Ah, Seijo-san. I see your up and about.
Awoo?
*Hinata: Oh hello, Miss Alice. How are you? What brings you here?
*Alice: I'm simply doing a bit of shopping. |Small Smile| I'm guessing this is your first time here?
*Hinata: Unfortunately. I was running an errand for Miss Eirin but, I've lost my escorts so... |Shrug|
*Alice: Then, do you mind accompanying me for a while?
Uh...
*Alice: I won't lie and say that there aren't any ulterior motives behind my request. I'm attempting to sate my curiosity about a matter most peculiar. I think that you may be of help to me.
Ah, I figured as much.
*Hinata: |Shrug| Sure. Ok. I'll request a favor in return, however. 'Tis the way of witches, is it not?
*Alice: ...I suppose it is. I accept those terms.
Alice and I spent a good while exchanging information. I'd been told by my father that this was common practice for mages who meet as comrades. Alice simply wanted to know a bit more about where I was from, while I inquired a bit more about how magic functioned in Gensoukyo.
In the end, we had found herself at a nearby food stand for lunch. From the moment I smelled what was on the grill, I had a sudden realization that I hadn't eaten in almost a week. Considering that most of my time has been spent unconscious, it wasn't that much of a shock.
By the Father, this smells like heaven~
|GGGGRRROOOOWWWLLLL!|
*Hinata: Ah! |Blush|
*Alice: Well, someone's honest. Get whatever you like. It's on me.
Ooooh, you blessed woman! I could kiss those beautiful lips of yours!
Eh...whoops. That came out wrong. Let's ignore that last part, shall we?
I ordered a bunch of food from a menu I could barely read (perhaps I need to practice reading Japanese while I'm here. Yay...more for the to-do list), almost so impatient that I nearly magicked the food to my plate before the cook even got a chance to finish his work. I managed...barely. But it was well worth the wait.
*Hinata: Mmmmmmmm~ "Oh mein Gott, ich glaube ich bin im buchstäblichen Himmel!" (1) By the Sight, are you married by chance, herr cook? If not, I will gladly marry you if you cook this magnificently all the time!
*Cook: |Blush| Gwa-hahaha! Sorry to disappoint you, ma'am but, I am happily married. But just for that, I'll whip you up some more, on the house!
*Hinata: Thank you so much!
*Alice: ...I would have never thought that someone of your size could put away as much food as you have. I'm impressed, Seijo-san.
I'm not sure if to take that as a compliment or an insult.
Either way, I'm just going to smile and keep eating.
*Alice: By the way, the thought just came to me - where will you be staying while here in Gensoukyo? Surely, you can't stay at the shrine. I've known Reimu-san for a long time and I know how she is about freeloaders.
*Hinata: |Glup| I've actually been thinking about that recently. And trust me, I'm not about to move in with Reimu. Nothing against her but, I've always preferred my own space. Hmm...I don't know. I've been considering trying to find out if the village has any houses available for me to buy. |Grimace| The only problem with that is the fact I have no money.
*Alice: Unfortunately, I don't see that happening.
*Hinata: |Quirks Eyebrow| What do you mean?
*Alice: While youkai are not unwelcome here, humans have a different opinion of such when one wants to move here. You'll be hard-pressed trying to find anyone here who wants to sell a house to you.
*Hinata: Do I look that in-human?!
*Alice: Not particularly. Your hair does stand out - there aren't very many red-haired humans in Gensoukyo - but, it's more of a feeling that I get from you. It's to the point where I'm sure a human would be uneased around you. A lot of the people living here are the descendants of powerful youkai hunters. They can pick up on that sort of thing.
A feeling, eh? Reimu said something similar. Maybe I'm not human after all.
Weird. And slightly disconcerting.
*Female Voice: I'll have to agree with Alice-san on this one.
Huh?
Oh, hey, Reisen! Nice of you to join us.
*Reisen: Did you find everything ok, Hina-chan?
"Chan"?
*Hinata: Yep. No problem.
*Reisen: Sorry to intrude on both of your conversations. I was checking to see if Hina-chan was coming back with us to Eientei.
This innocently inquisitive look of yours melts my heart, frau...however...
*Hinata: Probably not. I mean, I shouldn't, right? I've certainly overextended my welcome at this point. It would feel wrong to impose on you any more than I already have. I appreciate the offer though. Besides, I have to find a place of my own. |Frown| Unfortunately, it seems that it won't be likely here...
*Alice: Have you thought about building your own house or fixing up an existing one?
*Hinata: It...sounds as though you already have somewhere in mind.
*Alice: |Smile| Actually, I do. It's in the Forest of Magic midway between mine and Marisa's house. It's not much but, with a few touches, it could be a quaint little home for a while. Unfortunately, it doesn't have much a roof now so, you can stay with me until you feel it's suitable for you to live in.
*Hinata: |Blink| That is...might gracious of you, frau Alice. I think I'll take you up on that offer. It sounds like it'd be fun.
And I've never built a house before. That'll be a new experience for me. Plus, spending a few nights with Alice should prove...interesting. I still feel like she wants something from me, which isn't a bad thing. I'd just like to know what it is.
*Reisen: That's fine by me. I do expect you to return to Eientei for a check-up in the future, Hina-chan. |Bow| I'll see you two some other time.
|Rustle|
*Alice: We should also get going, Seijo-san. I'd like to show you the location before it gets too dark.
*Hinata: Oh, ok. |Bow| Thank you again for the food, mister! Once I have money, you can be sure I'll stop by again!
Both Alice and I left the food stand and begin to head to the village entrance. My anxiety has been slowly increasing and I fear that Rhea may not be able to help me for much longer. Perhaps we need to-
|Tingle|
Someone is watching me.
*Alice: Hm? Seijo-san? Why did you stop?
I glanced around at the crowd but found that no one was really paying me any attention. I'd get glances at my hair but, other than that, no one was focusing intently one me - unlike what I was feeling.
*Hinata: It's nothing. Just thought I forgot something.
*Alice: Ah. Well, we should get going.
And she just up and floats off the ground.
I forgot she could do that. If I remember correctly, didn't Reimu mention that a lot of people could do that here?
*Alice: Is something wrong?
*Hinata: ...I can't fly.
*Alice: That's...a problem I never considered. |Pause| Do you know a spell that can makes you lighter?
Why would... Oh! I see now.
This is going to be interesting.
*Hinata: |Smile| Frau, I like the way you think.
[Interlude]
* The Human Village *
A solo figure watched as the two mages conversed on the edge of town. They leaned against the slope of the roof almost casually going over the plethora of thoughts blazing through their head. They held up a silver pocket watch and clicked it open with a deep sigh.
Time. They were running out of time.
Why must it always come down to this?
Every scenario always came down to this.
Time.
But this time, it was easy. This time all they had to do was wait.
Wait and let time do all the work...
|Static|
~ Many Years Earlier ~
* Levanntry: Nicholas Wären's House *
- Early Afternoon -
|Clack! Clack!|
*Nicholas: Hina! Are you here? Hina?
*Hina: I'm here!
My father entered the room and frowned. His face was an interesting mixture of confusion and worry.
*Nicholas: Hina?
*Hina: Yes? Is something the matter, dad?
*Nicholas: |Stare| Are you feeling well?
Well, that's an odd question. Why would he ask that?
*Hina: Of course I am. |Frown| Are you?
He just stares at me before shaking his head and sighing.
*Nicholas: It's nothing. The council's been driving me crazy. Not to mention that I have instructors from your school pestering me about your incoming graduation.
I took a break from my school work, spin around, and face him. A stern look on my face.
*Hina: Oh? How so?
*Nicholas: You...you aren't going into any alchemical branch, are you?
This conversation feels familiar.
*Hina: Ugh, no thanks. I can't stand alchemy. I don't have the patience for it.
Though he tried his hardest not to, I saw all the tension in his shoulders vanish and his posture straighten.
*Hina: This...this doesn't have anything to do with...that picture you and old man Merlin showed me a long time ago, does it?
*Nicholas: No, it-
|BANG!|
*Hina: DON'T LIE TO ME!
Silence...
My father stares at me, bewildered. Almost as if he had never seen me before.
Wha-
Where did that come from? I've never-
*Hina: |Wince| D-dad, I-I didn't m-mean it... I j-just... I don't want to be in the dark anymore. Perhaps I shouldn't have reacted in that way but...I dunno, I just got so...angry... I'm sorry...
"Anger". That word is so strange coming out of my mouth.
Why?
What is happening to me?
"Do you not remember, thief?"
Remember what?
"Everything."
Dad plops down in the seat across from me. His initial shock had passed to the point where he now just looked weary. But the days where he didn't were getting few and far between.
*Nicholas: I understand and I forgive you, Hina-dear. You seem to be going through something I couldn't possibly comprehend. That is probably why you seem so different to me now. Regardless, I still love you. |Shy Smile| Which is why I, at least, owe you the truth.
|Static|
[Interlude End]
| End of Chapter Three: "Investigating the Abnormal" |
- Continue? -
AN: Holy crap, this took longer to write than I thought it would. Primarily because of procrastination and just a general lack of motivation but, nevertheless, here it is! I hope you all enjoy it! I apologize if it seems a bit slow, things will begin to pick up very soon. Maybe sooner than one thinks... Buts hold on to that thought till later on.
Have a good one. And stay safe out there.
Translations for German Text
(1) "Oh my God, I think I'm in literal heaven!"