Chapter Four: On the Horizon
[Interlude]
* The Sanzu River *
- Noon -
The crystal-clear waters of the Sanzu flowed gently around the small wooden boat that knifed through it at a leisurely pace. It's pilot reclined lazily inside, her long body stretched fore-to-aft as she chewed absent-mindedly at a sprig of wheat. She moved the oars of the boat with tiny movements of her finger as if she didn't have a care in the world. Which, in all honesty, she didn't.
Soul traffic to Higan had been very sparse lately. Komachi Onozuka had only ferried about a handful of spirits in the past few weeks. While she preferred days like this when she didn't have much to do, the lackluster soul traffic was somewhat concerning. Her superior had questioned her about the state of Gensoukyo but, she couldn't give her anything worthwhile of note. Things in Gensoukyo had been relatively quiet. There hadn't been an incident in months. Something was going on but, nothing could be explained at this point in time.
A tingle ran down Komachi's spine. She instinctively grabbed the handle of her scythe and sat up. Peering over the edge of the boat, she scanned the shore of the river. Her senses told her that there was someone at the shore but, they weren't a spirit. Oddly enough, she felt as though some sort of threat was approaching. She scanned the shore carefully. She caught glimpse of a figure staring out over the river and frowned. A tall, pale youth seemed to be completely lost in his own thoughts on the river's edge. Oblivious to everything else around him, Komachi went completely unnoticed as she sailed up to him.
*Komachi: Hey there.
The ice blue eyes of the stranger flitted to her and back to the river.
*Skälid: I almost crossed this once...or a variation of it. I honestly never thought I'd see it again.
*Komachi: |Frown| "Almost", you say? Were you close to death and saved? I'm surprised you came back to such a place.
*Skälid: |Shakes Head| I never made it across. |Sigh| Unfortunately, where I'm from, those who practice dark magic thought that cursing the crypts where they were buried would be a great idea. I hit the unlucky jackpot and was buried in one of those crypts. Therefore, here I am.
The shinigami eyed him a while. Now that she considered it, this man did reek with the stench of death, and whenever he exhaled it was visible in the air, like condensation on a cold winter's day. His chilling ice blue eyes found her again, his gaze questioning.
*Skälid: You...you're a Reaper, aren't you?
*Komachi: |Shrug| Sure, but, I'm just the ferryman. I take spirits across to Higan. Sorry, whoever you are, I can't help you across. You're no longer dead. You're something (She made a little motion with her hand)...in between, as far as I can tell. The best advice I can give you is to wait for whatever it is that brought you back to wear off. That or find yourself a priest but, that might be rather unpleasant for you.
*Skälid: |Sigh| A man can dream... Alas, I do have a debt to repay so, I suppose I must continue on with...whatever my existence is.
*Komachi: So what brings you here. Something tells me it's not just to reminisce on old times.
The pale youth took a deep breath. He gripped the handle of the zweihander strapped to his back.
*Skälid: No. No, it was not. The Master has sent me to learn something from this.
With one fluid motion, he unsheathed his greatsword and swung it at the shinigami's neck.
[Interlude End]
* Forest of Magic: Old Cabin *
- Morning -
[Knock! Knock! Knock!]
... ...
[Knock! Knock! Knock!]
... ...Eh?
There...there is someone...at the door...
*[Rhea]: |Yawn| Yes...yes, indeed there is. You should do something about that, Hinata.
Sure thing, miss, but can you help me find my arms and legs, please?
*[Rhea]: I-I beg your pardon? Hinata, are you feeling well?
Huh? Of course, I am. I just need to remember where I put the muffin farmer I hid yesterday now that the monkey isn't here anymore.
*[Rhea]: W-what?! I-I don't... Oh...I understand now. Hinata, give me control of your body.
Why would I do that, Miss Crabtree? I haven't got the great chair thief yet.
[Knock! Knock! Knock!]
Oh yeah. She's here! I should go to meet her!
|Rustle|
*[Rhea]: Hinata! You're not thinking straight! Listen to me!
Why wouldn't I be thinking straight? Should I be thinking curvy? You're not making any sense, Prince Madame.
|Clack!|
*Marisa: Yo, Red! I'd heard from Alice that you moved into this rickety old place. |Glance| Gotta say, I'm impressed you ended up doing so much to it in so little time, ze. No furniture but, hey, you just got here. Other than that you're quite the busy girl aren't ya, Red?
*Hinata: |Woozy Smile| Yeps, I'z endeded doings a lot of cents I wantets to be staying here a will! Rhea sayses I cannot think strai buts I don belief her!
*[Rhea]: |Sigh| I was trying to save you from this... I warned you about burning yourself out, right after the fear suppression I had to use on you the day before. But no, you had to fix up this place instead of staying with Alice an extra day. Foolish girl...
*Marisa: |Frown| Are...are you alright, Hina? You seem...kinda loopy, ze. And who's "Rhea"?
*Hinata: |Nonsensical Gibberish|
*Marisa: Hm. I think you should sit down. Here, I'll make you something to drink.
*Hinata: Eheheheheheheheheh~ Ooooooooookaaaaay~
So...I don't know exactly what happened between the moment I passed out from exhaustion last night to the point where Marisa ended up in my home but, Rhea tells me that I shouldn't worry about it. Which is going to make me worry about it even more because the amount of amusement on Marisa's face is criminal. I just know I've made a fool out of myself somehow.
I try and hide my shame by burying my face in my mug. I couldn't help but grimace at the taste. Whatever Marisa put in this drink was doing great at helping my magic regenerate but the taste is so foreign to me I had a hard time keeping it down. It was kind of Marisa to do this so, I'll ignore the taste for the time being.
*Marisa: |Impish Smirk| Feelin' better now?
*Hinata: |Blush| A little, thanks. (I buried my face in my hands) I don't know what's wrong with me. I got a burst of energy and motivation yesterday and decided to repair the bulk of the cabin and work on a few ideas I got from Alice using magic...overnight...without sleep...until sunrise. I burned through nearly all of my magic and I think I may have short-circuited my brain. Hence the reason I was so loopy when you found me. |Grimace| Sorry about that, by the way.
*Marisa: I figured it had something to do with magic, ze. If you drink all that potion then you should be fine. It'll cost ya though. The stuff I used to make it ain't cheap.
*Hinata: Very well. I may have something around here that I can give you in compensation. What's in this anyway?
*Marisa: Some über-rare mushrooms I found growing around the forest. The ones that grow around here have magical properties, ze.
*Hinata: |Stare| ...So...you just stewed a bunch of random toadstools you found growing in the woods? Isn't that dangerous?
*Marisa: They were rare. And they aren't poisonous...I think...
...Well, that's good to know. I love that uncertainty in your voice, fraulein. I'll believe you if I don't become horribly ill from this a few hours from now.
*Hinata: So what brings you this way, meine Freundin?
*Marisa: I came to see if you'd made any progress in tracking where that red cube-thingy came from.
*Hinata: Ah, the engine. Unfortunately not. It's beyond my power at the moment. Why do you ask?
She reached into one of her many pockets and pulled out a dynamic engine, twirling it on the tip of her finger. It was a smaller one and looked to be in poor condition. Had she thrown this thing into a fire?
*Marisa: Found one of those spider things from Eientei in my house, ze. It was rifling through my things so I sparked it out of instinct. Was hoping you could do something with it.
She tossed it to me.
*Hinata: |Sigh| Entschuldigung. I'm sorry. My abilities are limited when it comes to this sort of thing. To trace the energy this cube emanates, I need the help of a powerful elementist. I'm not that kind of witch, unfortunately. I'm a-
|Throb!|
*[Rhea]: Don't. Say it.
*Hinata: |Twitch| -different sort.
*Marisa: An elementist, eh?
|Rustle|
Eh? Why do you stand so?
*Marisa: |Grin| Hey, Red, you up for a little trip?
*Hinata: |Blink Blink| Uh...sure but, why? Wh-where are we going? (She's already up and heading for the door) H-hey! Where are we going?!
As to why we were flying over the Forest of Magic, I'm not sure. I was just surprised and proud of myself for actually flying. Alice attempted to teach me how to the other day but, after a frustrating amount of time later, found out that it was nearly an impossibility. Something about how my magic worked in this strange land prevented me from flying on my own power. Perhaps I would get used to it at a later date but as of now, I needed external help. Hence why I proceeded to nearly work myself to death yesterday on this little stop-gap. Surprisingly, it worked! Mostly...I think... Well, it seemed to be working well so far... I'm just not sure how to properly fly using this method.
*Hinata: W-w-whoa! Nghhh!
*Marisa: Hey, careful there, Red. Sure you can fly that thing?
*Hinata: U-uh, yeah. I think. Sorry, I never tested this before now. Still kinda working out the kinks.
*Marisa: I'm impressed, ze. What you did was pretty clever. I would have never thought to enchant a cloak so that I could fly. That said, I still prefer my broom.
*Hinata: I considered a broom first but, I didn't want to be too cliché. |Wince| Ach, no offense, fraulein.
*Marisa: |Smile| Haha, none taken. Why use a cloak in the first place?
*Hinata: I found out that I can't fly under my own power for some reason. I don't know why but, it's probably due to how my magic works. As to why I chose my cloak instead of something else... |Small Smile| This cloak means a lot to me. It was made by my Gran a long time ago and passed down to me through my father. It's made out of enchanted spider silk, which makes it easy to add and remove different enchantments. It's kept me warm and safe for a long time.
*Marisa: How long is "a long time"?
*Hinata: I'm...still not sure.
Marisa let the conversation drop, no doubt feeling my discomfort at the topic. I don't like being left in the dark about things. Especially when that something is locked away inside my own brain. It's frustrating and a little disheartening.
We flew silently over the Misty Lake where I spied Crino and Daiyousei playing with a few other fairies and youkai I didn't recognize. I had half a mind to fly down and say hello but, my curiosity had locked me into finding out where Marisa was taking me. If it put me closer to discovering the source of these automatons then it is my number one priority. Plus, I'm not entirely sure how to land. A problem I never considered until this point. Verdammt, this is awkward. How am I going to...let's not worry about it right now.
*Hinata: So tell me: where are we going? I don't think I've been this way yet. This fog is nearly impossible to see through, even with my lantern.
*Marisa: You said you needed an elementist, right? Well lucky for you, I know someone who is a specialist, ze. We're headed to the Devil's Mansion!
The..."Devil's Mansion"?
*Hinata: That sounds like...a lovely place.
*Marisa: Don't fret the name. It's only called that 'cause of the person who owns it. It ain't too dangerous.
*Hinata: And this elementist...are they a friend of yours?
*Marisa: Huh? Friend? Oh, sure. Of course, they are.
Uh oh. My self-preservation skills are going off.
*Marisa: |Grin| Just make sure you stay by me and fly fast, ok?
Oh, by the Mother, I think this fiendish girl is leading me to my death. Why does going here put my life at risk?
We kept flying for a while longer and reached the edge of the lake where the mist suddenly decided to clear. Then, I saw it. I'm pretty sure my mouth fell open at the sight of the massive castle that stood in front of me. It's oppressively western in style. Victorian, I think the style is called. It reminded me of the Great Library but, more..."home-y". Massive iron gates surrounded the perimeter of a magnificently kept garden that I'm pretty sure is larger than my old house in Levanntry in regards to the surface area. And...it looks familiar. Not like I've been here before...more like I've seen it in a book or something.
Huh.
*Marisa: Eh? What's goin' on down there?
She pointed to a location near the mansion's entrance. It looked as though three people were in a heated conversation with each other. I recognized Reimu immediately but, the other two I had never seen before. Just from her body language, Reimu did not look happy as the two were seemed to be preventing her from entering the mansion's gates.
*Hinata: |Glance| We should probably see what's going on.
*Marisa: Huh? We're still trying to get into the mansion, right? We should keep going, ze.
W-what?!
*Hinata: |Blink| Wouldn't we do that by going in through the front gate?
*Marisa: Pffft, where'd you hear that nonsense? I do this all the time. We'll be fine.
I'm glad we cleared that up...
Deep breath in.
Let it out.
*Hinata: U-u-um, let's not. You may have a prior relationship with these folks but, I don't and I'd rather not be killed. It's only like my fifth or so day in Gensoukyo and I've come into contact with death way too many times than I can count. Please allow me to abide by my manners, fraulein.
*Marisa: |Shrug| ...Suit yourself.
We floated down to where the trio stood and landed ("I didn't fall on my face! Yay! I did stumble a bit though.") a few meters away from them.
*Hinata: Hey, Reimu!
*Reimu: Oh, Hina, it's you.
*Marisa: Oi, Red-White, I'm here too.
*Reimu: |Glance| Are you even allowed around here? Don't you get into trouble every time you come here?
*Marisa: Not every time. |Frown| Geez, what pissed in your porridge today?
*Reimu: I need to speak to Remilia about something but- (She jutted her thumb at the two near the gate) -these two refuse to let me in. For what reason? I was about to find out when both of you showed up.
*Silver-haired Maid: Ah, so I see the rat has shown up. Looks like I have my work cut out for me today. |Sigh| It's just one thing after the other today.
*Marisa: |Wave| Hey! Sakuya! China! Nice to see you two again!
*Red-Haired Lady (Hong "China" Meiling, Chinese Girl): |Wry Smile| Uh, Marisa-san, today might not be a good day to drop in. While I'm glad you actually used the front gate, things are a little tense right now with everything that's been-
*Silver-haired Maid (Sakuya Izayoi, Perfect and Elegant Servant): Meiling, you're running your mouth again.
*Hong: |Wince| Ah, sorry, Sakuya-san.
*Sakuya: Ojou-sama is declining any request to meet her at this current point in time. We recently had a few..."nuisances" pop up that have placed her in a foul mood.
Reimu frowned and turned to Marisa accusingly.
*Marisa: Oi...what are lookin' at me for?
*Sakuya: No, this one wasn't the cause. This is a matter that is far more perplexing.
*Reimu: You say that but, you still haven't given me a straight answer.
Sakuya opened her mouth to say something but was silenced by the sound of a shrill siren-of-sorts going off. She shot a look over to the girl named China.
*Sakuya: It's the alarm. That sounds like it's coming from the eastern side of the mansion.
*Hong: |Nod| Yes, ma'am.
The tall gatekeeper flashed us an apologetic smile and ran off to deal with whatever it was that was happening.
*Sakuya: |Bow| Terribly sorry, Reimu-san and...
She stared at me for a long while. Oh, did she just notice that I was here?
*Hinata: Uh, hi, sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I'm Hinata. Marisa brought me along to speak to someone about a problem we're having. |Bow| Sorry if we're being a bother, frau.
*Sakuya: |Blink Blink| "Frau"? You're German?
...Wait. What?
|Booooooom...|
*Marisa: That sounded like...
*Reimu: ...and explosion? Yep. From the eastern side of the mansion.
*Sakuya: |Frown| Meiling should be back by now... That is worrisome. Pardon me but, I may need your assistance in this matter.
*Reimu: Does this have to do with the "problems" you've been dealing with?
*Sakuya: Unfortunately so.
*Reimu: |Deep Sigh| Geez, what a pain. I was supposed to be taking it easy today. |Glance| Can you fight, Hina? Last I heard you were holed up in bed.
That's a good question. However...
*Hinata: I can hold my own. Just lead the way.
Sakuya nodded and led the three of us through the mansion's gates. I'd honestly underestimated how large the place's garden is. To walk from one side to the other would take about ten minutes but, then again...I'm short so walking anywhere takes me a while.
We reached the other side in a little less than a minute or so thanks to being able to fly, and...
...Well, let's just say things weren't looking so hot for this part of the garden.
*Hong: Grah! Yah! Hi-yah! Why. Won't. You. Guys. Stay. Broken!? Hi-yaaah!
|Clang! Bash! Bang!|
She seems to be holding her own alright but, I can tell the fight is taking its toll. No matter how many she defeats, more keep showing up from...somewhere... I'm not sure how but, they keep just "appearing" out of thin air.
As for what "they" are... I think they're automatons but, they aren't ones I've seen before. They look almost skeletal, thin frames and heads not-unlike skulls. And unlike the others, these don't give me that peculiar feeling of déjà vu from earlier. No, these are entirely alien to me.
*Reimu: What the heck are those things?
*Hinata: Oh, right...you've never fought one, have you? Uh, they're basically magically animated constructs made of metal. Hard to kill but, not impossible. These are a bit different from the ones we've seen though.
I dropped down in front of one of the automatons and reached into my cloak to summon my lantern. By the time I had it out, my spell was prepared and my hand extended towards my target.
*Hinata: [Ignis Pila]!
|Ka-boooom!|
One of the frames caught the fireball head-on and was knocked off its feet, exploding into large metal pieces. The other deflected a bolt of lightning with relative ease, expelling a blast of steam. The other automatons seemed to realize that other threats had arrived and moved into a more defensive formation.
Reimu and Marisa paired up with a series of attacks, that I have to admit, were gorgeous to look at. Each of them had a rainbow of projectiles that shredded the automatons with colorful ease. Sakuya was hard to look at. Not that she was bad or anything or doing something wrong or wasn't insanely pretty in a cold, marble-like way but, I...couldn't...see...her most of the time. One moment she was standing next to me and the next she was like fifty feet away. It was quite jarring, to be honest. Just what ability does she have to move around like that? She attacked with such an efficiency with her knives that I could have easily pegged her as a professional killer. Who knew that someone so pretty could be so dangerous?
*Hong: Heads up!
|YANK!|
*Hinata: W-whoa!
H-holy crap! I almost just got decapitated! How did-
|Clank! Clank! Clank!|
O-oh... The pieces are coming back together... This changes things.
*Hinata: Ok, so, they aren't breaking like they normally do. Is this normal?
*Sakuya: No, this is new. The ones that attacked before stayed down once we broke them.
*Marisa: So how're we going to deal with these?
*Reimu: Easy, just keep breaking them every time they get back up. That simple.
*Marisa: |Smile| You're soundin' a lot like me, Reimu! Let's do this, ze!
The fight continued much as one would expect. We knocked down the majority of them and they would get right back up not minutes later. After about twenty or so minutes of effectively slapping them with wet tissue paper, the gears in my head began to turn.
I leaped up and landed neatly on top of one of the automaton's heads. I slapped my hand down on its head, my palm charged with power.
*Hinata: [Glacies - Solidare]!
|Crack!|
I kicked off of it as the automaton was quickly encrusted in a thick layer of ice. It struggled to reach back and grab me but, halted in place almost immediately.
Hey! It worked! Now for the others!
*Hinata: Hey, hey! Distract them for the moment so that I can freeze them! We won't be able to destroy them the way we could the others!
I didn't wait for the others to respond, rather I decided to take the initiative leaping from construct to construct blasting them with as much ice magic as I knew. It's not something I am particularly skilled at but, my limited knowledge should've sufficed in keeping these nuisances immobile for a while.
Before I knew it, I'd tapped the last automaton, watching as its movements slowly ground to a halt. I scanned the area around me for any remainders and glanced at my lantern. My heart sank in dismay as the blue flame puffed out and the lantern went dark.
Whelp, that's a little heartbreaking...now the only magic I can do will have a fifty-fifty chance of blowing me to smithereens until I can find a suitable fuel replacement for the oil. |Sigh| I can't catch a break...
*Reimu: Good thinking with the whole freezing them thing, Hina. So, are these the problems you've been dealing with, Sakuya?
*Sakuya: In one regard, yes. These, however, are new. The others didn't really put up much of a resistance. |Pause| Hm...
*Hinata: ...You think they were just scouts, don't you.
*Sakuya: |Stare| ...You...you're quite perceptive..."Hinata-san", was it?
*Hinata: Ach, just "Hina" is fine. I've always been like that and besides, it just makes sense. The real questi0n is-
*Marisa: -why they're scouting the place out. |Glance| I don't know about you, Reimu but, this feels to me like the beginnings of an incident, ze.
An "incident"? The way she said that sounds like something rather serious.
*Sakuya: An incident, you say? If I'm not mistaken, the last one had to do with the Earth Spirits Incident, correct? Could we have something new so soon?
*Reimu: ...I can't say for sure but, this does feel like the start of something big.
*Marisa: All the more reason to find out the origins of these things, ze. That's why Hina and I originally came here.
*Reimu: Ah, so you came to talk to the Unmoving Great Library, huh? Is that wise?
*Hong: Hahaha, Reimu-san has a point! I don't really know Hina-san that well but, I wouldn't want her visit being cut short due to collateral damage.
Mother of Mercy...whoever the hell we're meeting must not have the highest opinion of Marisa. I'm kinda glad we had to deal with this first. Had we gone through with her original plan to just waltz in my life would have been in peril...again!
*Marisa: |Frown| Eh? Is she still mad about that missing grimoire? I didn't have anything to do with that, ze! I mean...sure I was there when it vanished but, that doesn't mean I was the one responsible!
*Sakuya: But would it be wrong to assume you're the culprit?
*Marisa: I will respectfully decline to answer that. |Grin|
*Reimu: That being the case, I'll head down to the library with the both of you.
*Sakuya: I'll have to inform the mistress but, I'm sure you'll be welcomed in. These invasions have been grating on ojou-sama's patience so she'll jump at the chance to be rid of them. Meiling, could you do something about these "things" in the meantime? I'm sure one of ojou-sama's pets can find some use for them.
*Hinata: Oh! Actually, leave one of them for me, please. It'd help with my research and the investigation.
*Reimu: You're going to carry that thing around?
*Hinata: 'Course not.
|Rustle|
*Hinata: I've got my lucky cloak for that. I've stored stuff much larger in here.
Ah...have I said something weird? Did my Japanese screw up? Why are you giving me these strange looks?
*Sakuya: Very well. Now, if you all will follow me, I will escort you to the library. And for you, Hina-san, may I formally welcome you to the Scarlet Devil Mansion.
* The Scarlet Devil Mansion: Voile Library *
- Midday -
My brain is having a hard time comprehending what was going on inside of the mansion. I was used to seeing places that defied what normal people called "the laws of physics" but, this was just insane! The interior of the mansion was way, way larger than it should be. It was slightly unsettling but I suppose I could ask Sakuya about it later. We'd been guided through the main foyer of the mansion and I'd immediately got the sense that I shouldn't be here. Something old lived here but it was hard to pinpoint what exactly it was..but, by the Mother, it was making me uncomfortable. We crossed through what appeared to be a relatively average-sized library considering how large of a mansion it was. We should have seen who we're looking for by now...
*Marisa: Thinkin' this place is pretty small, yeah?
Am I that easy to read?
*Marisa: Don't worry, this isn't even a fraction of how big this place is.
*Hinata: I...don't see how that could be possible.
We continued through and down another set of stairs and passed into the main area of the library. And to be brief...Marisa was right. Oh, by the Sight, was she right.
|STAB!|
*Hinata: Nghh!
*Reimu: |Frown| Hina? What's wrong?
*Hinata: N-nothing. Just a headache. Don't worry about me.
And the fact that this place reminds me very heavily of Levanntry. The library's design and scale were uncannily similar to Levanntry Great Library. The crisscrossing pathways, shelves-upon-shelves of books, the semi-dim crystal, and candle lighting, and even the runic symbols that decorated some of the walls.
It reminds me of the first time I met...the first time I met...
|Pang!|
*Hinata: |Clutches Head| Ngh...ow... Why does this keep-
*Reimu: Are you sure you're ok, Hina. You're looking kinda pale...even more so than usual.
*Hinata: Eh? U-um...I'll talk to you about it later. Let's just keep going.
Before we continued off, I caught glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye. I glanced over but, only saw a fleeting shadow disappear into the darkness. I extended my magical senses but, didn't feel anything out of the ordinary. Then again, I was next to Reimu, her aura of holiness, and this odd feeling in the air, so I can't really rely on them. I did sorta get the hint that it was some kind of youkai. I'll ask Sakuya about it later perhaps.
*Hinata: Anyway, where is this person we're looking for? How are we supposed to find them in this massive place?
*Marisa: It's Tuesday, yeah? She should be somewhere in the northern section, ze. Magical History and Theory.
*Sakuya: The fact that you know that concerns me, Kirisame-san. |Sigh| No, not today. Patchouli-sama has been engrossed in researching these strange mechanical beings for the past few days. She's been sleeping in the Cryptobiology section ever since. If you simply want to wait here while I go fetch her, I will not fault you. |Glare| However, I will remind you that while you are currently a guest, I will not hesitate to remove you should you prove a nuisance, Kirisame-san.
*Marisa: Nah, don't worry. I'm kinda getting invested in this, ze. Can't see how this all turns out if I get thrown out.
Sakuya looked inwardly impressed by her statement and simply nodded. Then, within the time it took me to blink, she vanished. A strange sight that aroused a feeling deep within me. A stirring of sorts, almost magical in nature.
Huh.
*Reimu: So, she's gone and it's later. What's going on with you, Hina?
*Hinata: |Blink| Awoo? What do you mean?
*Reimu: |Quirks Eyebrow| You look like you've seen a ghost. And you clutched your head pretty suddenly back there.
*Marisa: It had nothing to do with those mushrooms earlier, did it?
*Hinata: Nein...I don't think those affected me too heavily. |Glance| No, that isn't something I want to discuss, Reimu. |Sigh| I think...I think my memories are coming back. Something about this place reminds me a lot of home. It wasn't much but, I got the impression that I left someone behind. Two people...who I think I cared about greatly.
*Marisa: Family maybe?
*Hinata: |Shakes Head| Nein...friends, I think. Close friends. But, I can't remember what their names are. |Wince| Ach, it's nothing to be concerned over. The good news is that I don't have amnesia. My memories are just...uh..."suppressed", is the word. The bad news is I'm not sure what's suppressing them and what I can do to stop it. I may just ask Doktor Yagakoro when I go back in for my follow-up.
*Marisa: |Smirk| "Friends", eh? Sure they're just friends?
*Hinata: Hm...I'm not sure. I'll let you know whenever it comes to me.
*[Rhea]: Completely glossed over that, didn't you?
Awoo? What do you mean?
*[Rhea]: ...Nevermind. Ignore me.
Ah...ok?
*Reimu: That's good to know. I wasn't lying when I said I wanted to hear more about where you're from. If you remember something else then feel free to stop by the shrine. You'll have to bring your own food and drinks though.
*Marisa: Bring enough for the both of us, ze!
*Reimu: |Frown| Who said you were invited? Don't you mooch off me enough already?
*Marisa: |Frown| Of course. We're friends, aren't we? |Grin| Besides, I won't be eating any of your stuff. I'll be eating whatever Hina brings!
*Hinata: Fine by me. I'll bring a cake or two with some tea. I'm pretty good at baking sweets.
*Marisa: Sweets, eh? I think I found my new best friend, ze.
*Reimu: |Rolls Eyes| I'm sure Alice will be heartbroken.
Almost seven minutes had passed since Sakuya left to go retrieve...whomever we were here to see. I'd occupied myself by grabbing a book that caught my eye and plopping down in a comfortable reclining chair. I really must ask where they get furniture here in Gensoukyo. I am in dire need of them since the cabin's old furniture was rotted beyond repair. Not to mention, I need a few materials to patch up the remaining holes in the roof.
Oh, dear...I have a lot on my plate, don't I?
I let out a deep sigh and shut my book. I moved to place it next to another pile I saw just lying around-
-and completely destabilized the tower next to it.
The tower lilted to one side, the structure's center-of-balance carrying it in my direction. My heart sank to my feet seeing the mass of tomes aiming to burry me under dozens of texts. I reacted on instinct.
*Hinata: [Gelare}!
My magic exploded out of my hands and held the falling tower in place. Just like that. No backlash. No self-detonation. Nothing but, what I had intended it to do. All without my lantern.
Huh.
Didn't expect that to go so smoothly.
Phew...
*Grumpy Voice: May I ask what you're doing to my things? I'm not in the best of moods, right now.
*Marisa: Hey! There she is! About time, ze!
*Hinata: Ah! Sorry! I promise, I really didn't mean to-
I spun around to look into the eyes of a drowsy-looking violet-haired mage. One who wasn't much taller than me and dressed in quite the peculiar way. One that was...all...too...recognizable...
...Wait.
...Oh.
...Oh. My. God.
Ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod. Oh my goooooood. Oh my god.
*Hinata: |Frown| F-Frau Patchouli!? Like the Frau Patchouli!?
*Violet Mage (Patchouli Knowledge, The Girl of Knowledge and Shade): |Frown| Do I know you?
Oh my god, I can't believe this is really happening! By the Maker, it's really HER!
*[Rhea]: Hinata, calm down before you start to hyperventilate. I know you're excited but-
*Hinata: U-um, I s-suppose not but, I'm a huge fan of yours! I've read like, all of your thesis on magical theory and evocation! I was there when you visited Old Lady Hollyfell! Be it, I was still pretty young at the time but, I still remember that day!
*Patchouli: |Stare| You're from Levanntry.
*Hinata: Ja, I'm a graduate of the Academy there.
A look crossed Miss Patchouli's face that was frustratingly difficult to read.
*Patchouli: Well...that is something we can discuss at a later date. (She glanced around and her expression soured the moment she saw Marisa.) Mind telling me why you let a rat in here, Sakuya?
*Reimu: Don't worry, I'll vouch for her while she's here, Patchouli. We actually need your help with something.
*Patchouli: Do you? ...I hope you realize I'm very busy at the moment.
*Sakuya: Well, they claimed to have something that may assist in your research, Patchouli-sama. I would have turned them away had I not believed it to be true.
I suppose that's my cue.
|Rustle|
*Hinata: It seems as though that this place isn't the only place dealing with automatons. While I'm not sure if the ones here are of the same make, I'm sure that these cores should help lead us to their creator. I would have done the dissection and tracing myself but, my knowledge of elemental magic is...lacking. I -uh - also wouldn't place two of these things too close together. From what I've been told, they tend to explode when too close to each other.
*Patchouli: So you're familiar with these types of automatons? |Mutter| I could've used you here sooner. |Mutter|
She took the cube and stared at it for a while, muttering something under her breath at a speed that impressed me greatly.
*Patchouli: I see why you'd need my help. The layers of protective wards on this are numerous and infuriatingly complex. It'll take a while to remove them... (She looked pointedly at Marisa) I may actually need your help with this. Your..."brute force" techniques may be of use to me.
*Marisa: Oh yeah? It's rare to hear you ask for my help. This is pretty serious.
*Patchouli: |Scoff| Just consider yourself lucky I didn't throw you out the moment I saw you. (She turned to me) And I'd like to continue our previous conversation...what was your name again?
*Hinata: Ach, I don't think I ever said. |Bow| My name is Hina Seijo...well, it's Hinata but, I like to go by Hina. No real reason really...I just think it sounds better shorter... |Blush| I'm rambling, aren't I? I'm gonna shut up now. Lead on, Frau Patchouli.
Don't give me that look, Marisa. You act as though you've never had someone who you've idolized in your life.
*Reimu: Hm. I guess that's settled then. Hey, Sakuya, mind if I wait until Remilia wakes up? She should be up pretty soon, eh?
*Sakuya: ...I suppose that wouldn't be a problem. I could prepare some tea if you'd like?
*Reimu: Sounds great. I'll be upstairs if you need me. Please keep her out of trouble, Hina.
I'll do my best?
*Patchouli: Sakuya, please bring some tea down for us as well. This might take a while.
[Interlude]
* Scarlet Devil Mansion *
- Late Afternoon -
The mistress of the Scarlet Devil Mansion woke up in a very irritable mood. To be fair, she'd gone to sleep in a similar state. Not that anyone could blame her. It'd started off with a small altercation with her younger sister which had quickly (and very nearly) escalated into a full-on brawl, then she'd been tormented by nightmares that had prevented her from getting a full day of rest, and finally she had to deal with the frequent incursions of metal annoyances that had been plaguing them for the past week. All of this served to whittle down her patience until she was sure she'd snap at the next person to speak to her.
|Knock Knock Knock|
*Sakuya: Ojou-sama? Are you awake?
*Remilia: So what if I am?
|Click|
Sakuya entered her room and shut the door behind her. She eyed her mistress' small form, noticing the tenseness in her shoulders and the subtle growl in her voice. One of her finely manicured nails gouged a scar into the arm of her chair as she tapped her finger. Remilia turned her ancient ruby eyes to that of her maid, half-glaring at the silver-haired girl. She would have to approach this matter carefully.
*Sakuya: You seem very agitated. I'm assuming you didn't sleep well today either?
*Remilia: |Growl| What do you think? |Deep Breath| No. No, I did not. That dream I've told you about before is still pestering me. It's not even that bad of a nightmare just...unsettling. |Growl| And by God, it's going to drive me absolutely batty!
*Sakuya: What is it about, ojou-sama?
Remilia was silent for a while. Her expression screwed up into one of perplexment. She stood from her chair and paced the foot of her bed.
*Remilia: |Frown| I'm...not sure. I seem to have forgotten what the specifics were but, I feel as though it had taken place sometime before we arrived in Gensoukyo. Which isn't strange in itself but... No. No, it does not matter. The only problem is the fact that it persistingly keeps me awake in the morning.
Sakuya opened her mouth to comment but, ultimately stopped herself short. Sure she was concerned with her mistress' overall health and mood, but Remilia might not have taken it well if she'd attempted to sympathize with her. As well as she knew the vampire, her actions when she was upset were far from predictable. The best option was to simply remain silent so, she simply followed Remilia down the hallway.
*Remilia: |Sigh| Perhaps a walk through the mansion will do me some good or, maybe I'll visit Flan today and have a nice little tea date. I've been neglecting my role as an older sister as of late.
*Sakuya: Ah, I'd forgotten to mention but, Reimu-san and a few of her friends have stopped by assist Patchouli-sama with her research.
*Remilia: Reimu's here, you say? (She floated above the ground a little) That's a pleasant surprise. Let's go meet her, shall we? I'm well aware of the fact that she doesn't like to wait.
It didn't take long for them to reach where Reimu had been waiting. The extra pep in Remilia's step certainly helped with this. For reason unknown to Sakuya, ever since the Red Mist incident her mistress had formed a sort of affection towards the Hakurei miko. It may help to improve her sour mood. Something that Sakuya was entirely thankful for.
The shrine maiden looked up as they entered and quirked an eyebrow.
*Reimu: Looks like we showed up at the right time. Normally I'd have to wait another thirty or so minutes before you wake up.
*Remilia: |Smirk| Well, it's good to see you too, Reimu. I was surprised to hear that you had dropped by. To what do I owe this honor?
*Reimu: ...Eh...I can't just say that this is a social visit, originally it was but...things have changed. It has to do with the attacks you've been having.
Remilia's expression grew serious. She glanced meaningfully at Sakuya. The silver-haired maid noticed this and gave a bow before disappearing. She took a seat across from the shrine maiden, her head resting on her hands.
*Remilia: I don't suppose you have any information regarding those metal brutes.
*Reimu: Not really. My first time seeing them was today. I had no idea what the hell they were until Hina told me.
*Remilia: I'm guessing you've not had the same problems at the shrine.
*Reimu: Not in the slightest. My intuition sorta brought me this way. I was just coming to see what you knew.
Remilia made a noise and reached her hand out. Almost at the same time, a cup of tea appeared in her hand with Sakuya materializing seconds later. Remilia took a sip of her tea and sighed.
*Remilia: You know about as much as I do. They just started showing up and causing havoc. At first, they were just harassing the gatekeeper but, they progressed to attacking the maids tending to the garden and even (She gritted her teeth) spying on me in my own bedroom. I mean the nerve of these things!
*Sakuya: The damage hasn't been great but, they've shown up every single day now. I wish we knew what they wanted or who was doing this so I could put an end to it. |Sigh| Alas, I am at a loss.
*Reimu: It seemed like Patchouli was pretty stumped as well. I'm hoping that Hina and Marisa can help her figure this out before it becomes a major problem.
*Remilia: |Frown| Marisa is here? And Patchy is working with her on a problem? Empty night, have we entered the end-times? And who is this "Hina" person you mentioned?
*Reimu: She's a newcomer to Gensoukyo. She's a witch of some kind that dropped in a few days ago. It's more like she dropped on me but, being as she probably weighs no more than ten stone it didn't hurt that bad. |Grimace| Left me with one hell of a bruise though...
*Remilia: She sounds interesting... Tell me more...
*Reimu: You certainly don't sound interested. Anyway, she seems to know a lot about the problems you've been having so she's down in the library helping Patchouli. Strangely enough, they may know each other.
*Remilia: What? But that doesn't... You said this girl is a witch, yes?
*Sakuya: I believe her last name is "Seijo". I think she may be from Germany.
*Remilia: Are you absolutely sure about this, Sakuya?
*Reimu: Why is this such an issue?
*Remilia: ...Sakuya, I'd like to see this girl. I will see her at once.
*Sakuya: A-Ah, of course, ojou-sama. Right away.
Remilia leaped up from her seat with purpose. Reimu joined Sakuya as they followed quickly behind her.
*Reimu: You wouldn't happen to know what this is all about, would you?
*Sakuya: If I had to guess, it has to do with your witch friend's origins. I had a suspicion regarding it but, I didn't want to bring it up at this point in time. Did she mention the location in Germany that she was from?
*Reimu: Eh..."Lev-an-something". Supposed to be like an underground...mage lair.
*Sakuya: So she is from Levanntry, how interesting. Then, it really isn't surprising she knew Patchouli-sama. What is odd is that she came here when she did.
*Reimu: And why is that? I didn't get much from her when she stayed at the shrine. She's suffering from memory loss and judging by the state of her clothes when I found her, she'd just been attacked.
*Sakuya: Given where she's from, I'm not surprised. The location once known as Levanntry was almost completely and utterly destroyed from the reports that Patchouli-sama has received. Out of the thousands of mages that loved there, no one was thought to have survived. |Frown| Or so we thought.
Reimu silently gauged the maid's expression for a moment, her mind quickly shuffling and filing away the information that was given to her. It was quite the revelation concerning the newcomer to Gensoukyo. It was information that could potentially reveal why she was in the state she was in when she arrived at her doorstep...for better or worse. Something about Hinata Seijo didn't..."feel" right; perhaps this was the reason...
No, that she thought about it more, if Hina was suffering from a lapse in her memory as she claimed then, this would be her first time hearing about this.
This wasn't going to be pretty.
Reimu was brought out of her reverie outside of Patchouli's study. Inside she could hear the sounds of active spells and a noise that sounded like tinkering metal. The air of the library seemed charged with an almost visible presence: a sure sign that powerful magic was being used in the vicinity.
*Hinata's Voice: "Bei der Kabbala, warum muss dieses Ding so schwierig sein?" (1) Marisa, could you come over and check my work? Perhaps I'm not doing this right but, this ward is being uniquely stubborn.
*Marisa's Voice: Eh? Oh wow, this is some complex stuff. Whoever made this really knows the subtleties of warding, ze. You should be fine as long as you keep diverting power to the other areas of the ward's structure.
*Hinata's Voice: That's what I was thinking. It just seems to be taking too long. Maybe if...let's go with this approach. It might speed up the process, ja?
*Marisa's Voice: Tch, it's a bit risky...but, it is possible. Yo, Patchouli, what do you think?
Remilia didn't hesitate to enter the purple mage's study as if she owned to place; which, in all fairness, she did so, Reimu couldn't fault her for that.
*Remilia: Patchy~ I'm coming in~
*Patchouli: Remi, we've been this before: you can't say that after you've already walked in. It defeats the purpose. (She turned back to her book) Now, are you going to be long? We're busy.
*Remilia: I've come to greet our new guest. Don't worry, I'll let you get back to whatever nebulous thing you're researching.
*Sakuya: We're sorry for the interruption, Patchouli-sama.
*Patchouli: |Mumble| You shouldn't be the one apologizing. |Mumble|
Remilia shot her best friend a sly look and floated towards where the other two girls were working. Both of them had their backs to them, heads bowed over as they conversed.
*Hinata: Well, that doesn't look quite right. Perhaps that wasn't the...uh, shortcut we were looking for.
*Marisa: |Sigh| Back to square one. Unless you just want the main spell to do its work, ze. Thirty-six hours isn't too long a wait.
*Hinata: |Exhale| Hmph... it seems that is our only option at this point. I'm all out of ideas. Hey, Koaku-
*Remilia: Ahem~
Both girls started slightly before spinning around to face them. Hinata's bright red hair was easily more frazzled than Reimu had ever seen it and her face was smudged with a layer of dirt and grime that nearly masked her freckles. Marisa faired similarly to the point where even the ribbon she wore in her hair was a darker shade of green than normal. A kind of wild excitement and curiosity was in their eyes, something that Reimu had associated with a mage in their natural habitat: poking and prodding at the newest object to catch their interest.
She was glad to see it wasn't just a Gensoukyo thing.
*Sakuya: This is her, Ojou-sama.
*Remilia: I see...
*Marisa: Eh? What's going on here, ze?
*Reimu: Typical vampire nonsense.
*Marisa: Ah, I see. Sounds about right.
*Reimu: So, Hina, this is Remilia. She owns the mansion and- |Blink| Hina? Are you ok? You don't look too hot.
It all happened in a matter of moments.
Hinata's face went through a range of emotions as her eyes found Remilia. First, there was interest, then perplexment, before going completely blank, and finally morphing to outright horror. Her large amber eyes grew even larger as all the blood left her face. She let out one shuddering whimper as a warning.
And she screamed.
[Interlude End]
* Scarlet Devil Mansion: Voile Library *
- Evening -
I remember that moment clear as day.
The blood that painted the ground, splattered haphazardly as if flung from an eccentric artist's paintbrush. The horrible smell of filth and iron stinging my nostrils. The sound of a thick liquid, repeatedly hitting the ground in a slow, steady tattoo.
Those horrible, horrible red eyes.
Please don't see me.
Please don't see me.
Please don't-
N-no. H-he can s-see m-me.
I-I'm going to d-die.
*[Rhea]: Hinata.
H-he's going t-to kill me l-like he did th-the others.
*[Rhea]: Hinata, come back. You're not in any danger.
N-no, I'm g-going to d-die. H-he's going to k-kill me.
*[Rhea]: No, you are safe. You escaped. Remember? You got away.
I...got away?
... ...
R-right...I d-did get away.
R-rhea? Wh-where am I?
*[Rhea]: Open your eyes. I'll guide you through it. Just remember, Hinata. You are safe.
*Reimu: Hina. |Snap Snap| Hina, you're zoning out again.
*Hinata: |Blink| A-ah...right. I, uh, apologize for my...actions, Frau Scarlet. That was very rude of me. |Bow| Please allow me to repay you in some way.
The lady of the mansion eyed me with those terrifying eyes of hers. Perhaps it's my fear that plays a role in this but, I'm unable to read her expression. Or maybe this Remilia Scarlet was just hard to read in general. Most red-blooded vampires were.
Sakuya is also staring at me, her expression remarkably cold. According to Reimu and Marisa, whenever I screamed, I instinctively lashed out with my catchpole. The four-and-a-half foot pole of metal wasn't the best at channeling spells that weren't defensive in nature or close-combat oriented so I didn't cause too much damage. That didn't mean escaped a scolding from Miss Patchouli. But I can guess from Sakuya's sudden coldness towards me, I came close to harming her (creepily young-looking) mistress. Not that I could really help it. Especially with such a strong memory resurfacing.
Cold, dead, red eyes.
The strong smell of blood.
Bodies littering the ground around me.
The beast.
Hunting. HuntingHuntingHuntingHuntingHUNTINGHUNTINGHUNTING!
*[Rhea]: Hinata!
Ngh...th-thanks...
*Remilia: Hmph, it's no matter. You've been helping Patchy solve our problem so, that counts for something. However, I wouldn't let it happen again if I were you.
*Hinata: R-right. Duly noted, Frau.
*Reimu: What was that all about? One moment you're fine, then next, you're screaming and throwing magic left and right. You almost took my head off with that staff of yours.
*Remilia: I, too, would like to know why you found the mere sight of me so frightening.
They're all expecting me to answer.
Deep breaths...
*Hinata: Perhaps...perhaps it's my memories returning to me but...I had a...bad experience with a vampire when I was younger. I'm not going to go into detail since I don't recall all of the details. It...left me with a mental scar and a lot of trauma. |Blush| And I don't have the strongest grip of control over my emotions so...I lashed out in reflex.
*[Rhea]: Hm...if only they knew why you are the way you are.
*Hinata: |Frown| What's that supposed to mean?
*Reimu: We didn't say anything. Are you sure you're alright?
*Hinata: Oh, uh, please ignore me. I was just talking to myself.
*[Rhea]: Which is somewhat true.
Damnit. Quiet, you! You're making me look like a crazy person!
Reimu gave me a look that clearly said she didn't believe a word of it but didn't persist with any questions. Normally, this would bother a sane person seeing as someone they called a friend didn't trust what they've said but, I've dealt with this before.
It's safe to say I haven't had the most healthy opinion on relationships. Not that I've had any that I can remember clearly.
*Remilia: |Smirk| So tell me, how does it feel to be one of the last of the magi alive from Levanntry?
*Reimu: What the hell, Remilia?!
*Sakuya: Ojou-sama, is it wise to simply reveal that bit of information without warning. We've seen how volatile her moods can be.
Ow. That hurt. That wounded me.
*Hinata: It's not new news to me. Frau Patchouli informed me of Levanntry's fate. |Shrug| It's not that big a deal, to be honest. Levanntry never really felt like home and I'm pretty sure I don't have any family so the fact that it's gone doesn't affect me much.
*Reimu: What about your dad? You mentioned he might be looking for you.
*Hinata: Right...I did say that, didn't I? I was mistaken. Papa has been dead for some time now. |Frown| I'm not sure we even found out why it was he suddenly fell ill... |Shakes Head| Nevermind that, I'm here now and that's all that really matters to me.
*Marisa: That means you're staying in Gensoukyo?
*Hinata: I'm afraid I still can't answer that for sure. Nein, give me a bit more time and I may have one for you then.
*Patchouli: If you're all done, we still have quite a bit of work to do and it gets no easier from here.
*Remilia: Oops, Patchy's annoyed. We should get going, Sakuya, before she gets more ornery. (She stood from her seat and stared at me for a while) You're an interesting person, Hinata Seijo. I feel as though we shall converse later in the future. To assist Patchy in her endeavors, I will allow you to stay in the mansion for the time being. Sakuya will show you to your room if you so choose to stay.
Without a word or even a glance back, she left the room. Almost immediately I felt my anxiety fade away. I don't like this feeling. I generally like everyone unless they give me a reason to. The fact that I feel such an adverse reaction towards her is...unsettling.
*[Rhea]: Should you get over your fears, perhaps things will be different. It's something we can focus on at a later date.
*Sakuya: Though she neglected to say so, the offer extends to you as well, Reimu-san...and to you as well, Marisa-san. As long as you are on your best behavior.
*Marisa: |Grin| You won't have to worry about me, ze.
*Reimu: Hm...I might take you up on that offer. I'll have to stop by the shrine to see if my freeloader showed up but, I don't mind staying the night.
Your "freeloader"? What could you possibly mean by that, dear Reimu?
*Sakuya: Now, Hinata-san, whenever you're ready I will show you to your room.
Am...am I capable of staying under the roof of a vampire? Well...I suppose I do need to help out Miss Patchouli...
Why do I feel like I may regret this decision?
*Hinata: O-oh. Ok. We can go right now if you'd like.
*Sakuya: Very well. Please follow me, Hinata-san.
I find it curious that some people choose to refer to me by my full name even though I asked them to call me Hina.
*[Rhea]: They're just being polite. You're still a new face to the lot of them so, it would be impolite to simply call you by your nickname. They'll come around...I think.
You know, Rhea, you convey a lot of emotion through your words even though your tone suggests otherwise. It's...nice...and startlingly familiar.
*[Rhea]: ...I see.
Rhea? Is something wrong?
*[Rhea]: No...I'm...considering some things. I may go over them later with you.
Oh. Ok. Keep me posted then.
After a shorter walk than I expected, Sakuya saw me to the room I would be staying in.
|Shiver|
She's...staring at me.
*Hinata: Frau Sakuya, you're still on edge about me, aren't you?
*Sakuya: ...You are eerily perceptive, Hinata-san. I'm still trying to judge whether or not you are a threat to ojou-sama.
*Hinata: |Wry Smile| Funny, I'm still trying to judge whether or not I'm in danger by staying under the same roof as your mistress. To soothe your worries, I shall make you a promise. As long as I am a guest in this mansion you have nothing to fear from me. (I traced a violet circle in the air with my forefinger) I promise this on my power. If you know anything about magi, that is the most sacred and binding promise I could make.
Oh, that eased the tension in her shoulders. She smiles at me in a way that makes her look a lot younger than she is. She can't be that much older than me...can she? Then again, her mistress does look like an eleven-year-old. I shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
*Sakuya: Very well. I will take you for your word, Hina-san. Ojou-sama has no interest in harming her guests, I can assure you of that.
Ooh! She called me Hina!
*Hinata: |Deep Breath| Danke schön, Frau Sakuya.
(Later)
- Night -
*Hinata: "Kisokusei o obiteiru noni~ furari furari to naze ka kawasare~ aranu tokoro e watashi o ugokasou to suru~ Sono ugoki o ou ga amari ni~ tsui okiru 'jiko' no kazukazu ni~ kono kokoro wa fundo no iro ni somatte iko no~ Sou yo ato sukoshi no tokoro de~ sono sugata o kaenai de~ Aa ―― mamanaranu omoi to take~!"
*Hinata: "Uruwashi no bentoraa-"
|Tingle|
Someone is near me.
...!
*Remilia: |Smirk| I was wondering who was up here this late at night. I would not have pegged you as a singer by just the looks of you. You have a lovely voice, girl.
*Hinata: ... ...
*Remilia: Still warry of me, I see. Calm yourself, you need not fear my fangs as a guest in my home.
*Hinata: ...No offense but, I have a bit of a hard time believing that. It's nothing personal just...you know...
*Remilia: There's more to that story than what you're letting on. The expression you have when you look at me isn't simply one of fear. No, there's a deeper emotion there...one that speaks of rage.
*Hinata: ... ...
*Remilia: That vampire murdered someone dear to you, didn't they?
*Hinata: ...Ja. He did. It wasn't directly though. From what I recall, it was through his actions that my Gran was killed. I'm not sure of the whole story but, she was killed in her home by a wolf-like compatriot of his. I just happened to be visiting at the time but I only caught...the end. I ran and the vampire chased me down, mowing down everyone in his path to rid himself of the only witness. Had it not been for Old Man Artaxerses and my Papa, I would have died.
*Hinata: My Gran meant the world to me. She made and gave me my cloak. |Stare| So yes, merely seeing another vampire both enrages and terrifies me.
She looks at me a moment. I'm honestly surprised I managed to remain so calm as I said all this. I guess that now that the shock of that memory being unearthed is over I can manage how I feel about it better. That's good to know. I just wish I could stop the twitching anxiousness in my fingers.
*Remilia: If you're expecting me to apologize for something I didn't do, then you're sorely mistaken. I have never been to Levanntry and my relationship with my kin is almost nonexistent. I cannot be blamed for something out of my control.
But I wasn't-
I...did make it seem that way, didn't I?
*Hinata: Nein, I just wanted you to know the whole story. I'm not foolish enough to seek forgiveness from those not involved. That never ends well for either party.
*Remilia: Ufufufu~ You're wise for one so young. Though...I suspect you not to be much younger than I.
*Hinata: And how old is that?
*Remilia: |Scowl| Don't you know it's rude to inquire about a lady's age?
*Hinata: |Shrug| I answered one of your questions, it's only fair that I get one of my own.
*Remilia: Hm...very well. I suppose you have a point. I am at least five centuries of age...|Smirk| ...and still young.
*Hinata: |Frown| How old do you think I am?! I'm only seventeen! ...I think.
*Remilia: |Wags Finger| Uh-uh-uh, a question for a question, remember. But since you are my guest, I'll let you know that your eyes bespeak of someone who has lived centuries themself. Keep that in mind, little red witch.
...She just walked away.
Leaving me with a terrible feeling in my gut and more questions than answers.
|End of Chapter Four: "On the Horizon"]
- Continue? -
(AN: Hm...I've been gone for a while, haven't I? It's sixty percent my fault. Procrastination. Gotta love it. But I did have a problem with my laptop's keyboard so, I'll give the other forty over to it being fussy. I've also been playing through my second playthrough of Fire Emblem: Three Houses so that took up a lot of my time.
Yeah, me trying to make excuses aside, this was an interesting chapter to write. I found myself going off on tangents a lot so I hope this isn't too drawn-out or boring and keeps you all engaged. The next chapter will have a bit more action and will most likely introduce my favorite character in the series who will have a formative impact on our main heroine.
I will say that I have got a lot of my motivation back and the next chapter will come sooner rather than later. Not weekly but, most likely within the next two weeks. I am working also on my own original stuff so, I can't fully commit to this without getting burnt out. Why? I'm weird like that.
Tell me what you think; thanks for the reviews, favorites, and follows; and please, please, please stay safe out there.)
Translation of German Text
(1) "By the Kabbalah, why does this thing have to be so difficult?"