"You can put those pots over there Shion." With Shion as an extra hand the workload got easier. And little by little she seem to get less boney and sickly looking. It's certainly a change for the better. Mom had something planned for us so we had to finish organizing the greenhouse. With the ring of the bell we made our way back home.
"What exactly will we be doing?
"Don't know."
"How...What the hell is this?" We made it back to the house. Where Iku and mom were waiting for us. Iku look at us intently while smiling.
"Today is the day Eldest Daughter." Of?
"That would be?" Iku spins around and strikes a pose with a raised finger to the sky.
"Magic schooling!"...Magic what?
"No, I refuse."
"You need to learn to control your powers properly Eldest Daughter. That goes for the rest of you."...What? Don't tell me the four of us are learning. Medicine look smug.
"I'm pretty certain I don't need this so I'll..." Medicine was stop by Mom blocking her path.
"Yuukarin!? Come on! It's boring and tedious!"...Oh my god, are you actually telling me that she didn't train her magic at all? Medicine groans as she goes back to our side.
"Ummmmm...This, includes me as well?" Both of them nodded. With that Iku took the reigns of this...training?
"Now the first thing about magic is?" She points an Tenshi.
"You can't make me-!?
"Answer or I'll tell your father you disobey his direct orders." The hammer came down this time as Tenshi had her mouth agape.
"Alright, magic is a tool and how we use it is dependent on our abilities and prefer natures." A very robotic sounding answer from Tenshi.
"Very good, the second?"
"With magic being our tool we can specialize in two categories. Offensives, and defensive. How we achieve this is up to our imaginations. In other words go nuts."...That wasn't the most helpful, although Iku was beaming from ear to ear at Tenshi's answer.
"And the third?"
"Our bodies can only produce so much magic before we exhaust ourselves. As we get older and more experienced we can do more with our reserves. If we run out of reserves we basically pass out on the spot to recharge." That one, I understand it's like a hidden stamina bar except you can throw out lasers and teleport with it.
"The final take on magic so far?"
"We must be careful of causing catastrophic magical mishaps by going against our in born elements and traits. If we're not born with the desire ability it's best not to force what you can't get." So in other words, boost your strengths to lower your weaknesses. I'm now seeing why Mom kept to gardening cause her entire abilities are around plants and earth magic, despite the fact that water compliments her traits she can't produce water. So I have to find my own limitations even with my strengths. This was helpful and informative.
"Now then, produce a ball of your prefer element." Sounds simple as we all held out and open hand and produce our elements. Tenshi's was earth, Shion's was air, Medicine's was poison, mine is lightning which seem to surprise Iku.
"My, more thunder users and it's an unique color. Fascinating. Now then focus on the opposite of your prefer element the best that you can." Sounds...?
I can't actually move earth cause nothing is happening except this shearing...PAIN!?
"VENUS!?" I crash down hard my knees and eyed my hand...The skin was being pull off...what the fuck? So I can't just will earth wait that's...iron? Why did it produce metal?
"Earth and Metal are pretty close and your blood is fill with iron."
"There are some caveats to the rules. Higher educated or mainly magicians can access all forms of magic with enough time. However, gods and youkai though strong are usually stuck to their prefer elements." So this is consequence of going against my preferred elements? In all honesty I prefer water,wind,lightning, and fire over earth and metal. Makes sense why I can't use those elements.
"There are work arounds; such as using your abilities to temporarily access other elements." So if I knew the actual atomic scale I could just make earth metals? I finally could stand again despite my bleeding hand.
"A more practical demonstration would be..." That's the Hisui.
"The sword bestowed by the celestials can cancel out anyone's ability including its weilders." Why would you want to do that?
"Not many have the ability to shut down other's skills. It's a dangerous world and those with enough cunning will hide this trait." Like when I spar with Astergo. No wonder they can't keep track of him. Iku put away the deactivated Hisui to then put up a sphere of energy.
"Next part is practicality. The main shapes of danmaku are?" There's a class for this? What, do you teach the village girls to defend themselves? Medicine steps in to answer.
"Squares,spheres,rectangles, and triangles." Medicine had a very proud expression on her face at answering as mom gave her a small golf clap.
"Please do not coherse family to do that. However, you're correct Medicine and we've chose these shapes because?"
"They're simple mathematical origin to base our skills therefore it's easy to create danmaku." Oh so they're a base formula to create whatever complexities the user chooses to make.
"Correct. However, that is not the only function of using shapes."
"Danmaku must be easy to recognize, and hard enough to dodge within sequential patterns so that it is a fair game for all who play it." Iku and Mom produce a hollow our sphere before one became a flower and the other a fish.
"The only thing holding us back is?" They both toss their respective demonstrative danmaku to bursts into a colorful rainbow of bullets around us.
"IMAGINATION!" Iku couldn't hold her excitement as she laugh heartily at the display.
Very...wondrous, beautiful even. I see why they called it the beauty of bullets.
"That's magic as a crash course and the basics of Danmaku. Now the rules in magic duels are?...Shion would you like to answer?" Shion blink and had a surprise looked to her face.
"I'll...try." Iku and Mom nodded.
"...Danmaku duel rules are as follow... We, declare the duel. Then if our opponents accepts we produce 5 spellcards, and use non spellcard danmaku between each Round... If we or our opponents fail in stopping the others barrage we lose the round. If we run out of spellcards on either side the duel is over and we go our separate ways. Finally, we do not kill under any circumstances as that is heinous and beneath ourselves as beautiful maidens of this plentiful earth...I think... that's all miss?"
"Just call me Iku, Shion and yes you're correct. I don't really have the time to teach more,however, this is also a good time for...new spellcards!" Iku handed out to Tenshi and Shion each 5 blank pieces of paper.
"Finally, thank you mo- Iku. I mean Iku!"
"I can...have these?" Iku happily nodded.
"Yes, however, only you can decide what is on them. I'm sorry Venus, there is not many ways to keep men in our little game. I'm certain you know the history of trying it out before yes?" Yeah, I'll just be more careful with how much power I use around you.
"Oh one last thing, magic is about having fun and keeping you safe. Do use magic responsibly during a duel or you'll might scorch the earth or blast a hole in a certain mountain." Iku looks at Mom as she tried to give Iku an apologetic stare. Iku sighs before waving good bye to us.
"Sooo, the next step is...DUELING! COME VENUS IT'S TIME TO SHOW YOU HOW WE SETTLE SCORES PROPERLY!' Medicine is...very excited by wanting to cause nonlethal damage to someone.
"It's payback time celestial. Imma make you regret everytime you attacked us." Tenshi focus her energy into her cards and soon 5 pictures and names appear on the cards.
"There's another thing about spellcards. They regenerate after a duel. Any not use are hold onto."
"I'm winning whether I have my sword and keystone or not. I'm still the child of the sky and I'll always come out on top doll." There it is, the ego. Shion huddle next to me while she tried very hard to send magic into a spellcard in prayer, but all that happen was exasperation in fruitless fruition.
"How...Do you do this...awww." Her groan was heard by everyone. Tenshi got her attention.
"Don't worry, the cards aren't broken. It's because you don't have the conviction to make your cards yet. Without a free mind. You can't build one. Also." Tenshi looked at Medicine.
"Do you accept this spellcard duel psychopath?"
"Damn freak of nature. I DECLARE A SPELLCARD DUEL IN THE NAME OF THE CELESTIALS DOLL!"...Whoa the sky change from darken grey clouds to clear blue above us. I don't even know how that's...possible.
"Perfect the new declaration fixes the old issue?" Issue being what?
"The weather always stood against fighting fairly so Reimu began trying to fix the visibility for the inexperienced it also helps those that engage with it regularly." Thanks Tenshi, of course she knows this considering our past engagements. You have no idea how terrifying it was to see a laser split the very ground you walk on.
We watch as they took off into the air.
"OH RIGHT! BARRIER OR TIME LIMIT!?" What? So that's actually a thing.
"Barrier is so much more fun doll!" So, they're trying to spell break eachother? This sounds more like an actual game than I thought. We watch as they both summon a blue barrier kinda similar to one I saw from my bracelet.
"Ok! I'll go first doll!"
"BRING IT PSYCHO!"
CELESTIAL REVERB: EARTHERN DAUGHTER
Talk about ego the whole place is fill with keystones, yet they're hollowed out and red in color. Tenshi put her hands together and slowly pull them apart, and from the empty space a replica of Hisui's bladed flames appear. Is that even fair? She then cuts one of the keystone and in turn they shatter into colorful pieces. Medicine seem surprise, as she stuck out a hand and began firing a endless sea of purple bullets which Tenshi began dodging herself.
"COME ON! YOU GOTTA DO BETTER THAN THAT!" They began laughing? Even from down here it's an oddly joyous occasion to see the colors fly by and how creative the girls can be. Though it didn't take long for Medicine to spot an opening and caught Tenshi dead on even among all this chaos.
*BRRREWWW*
That's the sound of the entire particle show to stop. Tenshi seem alittle more scratch up.
"MY TURN NOW!"
POISON BEE:
Is that...making flowers? Albeit it's slow, but around Tenshi were bullets that were making a flower shape before converging on Tenshi prior locations as she move around she sent wide flaming swings at Medicine. While the element would be a disadvantage. Danmaku regardless of what they're made of is design like a spice it's meant to be pretty not powerful. However, Tenshi didn't watch where she was flying and hit a stray bullet into her chest.
*PICHUUN*
They...actually make that noise?
Medicine pump an arm in the air in celebration with a very elated smile.
"YEAH, SUCK IT! THE EARTH WINS AGAIN AGAINST STUCK UP GODS AND CELESTIALS! HAHAHAHA!" Tenshi emerged outta of the dust cloud with an annoyed expression. I check on Shion to see her... WOAH!
"YOU CAN BEAT HER TENSHI COME ON!" Shion was happily jumping up and down with a big grin on her face, and Mom had the somber smile I'm used to seeing as she observed the spectacle. Today was warmer than usual, so I didn't have to be huddle up to as much.
"YEAH, YEAH! I GOT THIS!"
KEYSTONE BOMBARDMENT:REPLICA RECITAL
Again with the rocks only these were aiming for Medicine at a speed much faster than the others. Each rock when missing their target would crash into eachother in brilliant yellow sparks. The scatter projectiles were practically random in pattern beyond the first step. I could see that Medicine couldn't keep going or get a clear shot at Tenshi and...
*PICHUUN*
"YEAAAAH!"...My ears Shion. She's tiny but really loud when she's allow to be. I could taste the smugness from Tenshi.
"Yep, I still got it! Show me what the Melancholy poison doll really can do!"...Something tells me this will get heated soon.
SWEET POISON: LVL 1
Tenshi move away from the purple clouds that started to form around her. In tandem with the white projectiles that follow her every so often. However, every time Tenshi swings her replica hisui it destroyed the projectiles and cut a clear path to Medicine.
"OHHH CRAP!"
"GOTCHA DOLL!"
Hisui's Revenge: CRACKPOT SLICE
*FWUUUUSHHHH*
*BRREEWW*
Was that a bomb!?
Tenshi made a wide area effect cut that destroyed every projectile except the purple clouds and caught Medicine breaking her barrier in the process. They're pretty even now. Even with all the explosions and abilities the fact there is still grace in these attacks makes it more like a dance than just pure power. I think I get it now. It's not a lack of imagination for guys. We just have a habit of going overboard and that can potentially hurt the girls for real. I can see that they both were smiling even with their intense focus.
"It's a fun game, when you can play it." I look over at Mom who decided to speak up.
"OK, GIRLS! THAT'S ENOUGH FOR TODAY LET'S EAT!" Medicine and Tenshi had disappointed expressions on their faces as the floated down. The effect soon faded and the sky return to it's slightly gloomy grey overcast.
"Aw, but Yuukarin it was a tie."
"Sure, but I'm certain I'd win."
"In your dreams sky chicken." Tenshi seem to get red in the face at that.
"Girls, nows not the time. Get inside, and warm up.
"SHE STARTED IT!" In unison, again. They really do think alike and act just as childish. Although, anyone can see that Shion is back to struggling to send anything onto her spellcards.
"Please...Work!" Tenshi sighs and taps Shion's shoulder to get her attention. She looks up from her depressed state.
"You can't force it. When the time comes the cards will activate." That is some vague advice.
"When will the cards be usable?"
"Don't know."...How does that help her?
"Spellcards...Reimu forgot to tell us that or anyone for that matter how they respond to our magic. Eventually the cards pick up our personality traits and soon bind to create our set of five. You can try to force it if you really want spellcards. Don't recommend it though. Ends pretty badly."
"Then how did?"
"As I said, you must be certain of yourself and have the confidence to use spellcards. A clear mind and strong conviction makes the spellcards and unfortunately Shion. You don't have both." Shion looked distraught at that and began shaking.
"Shion...Come here." Surprisingly, Tenshi was offering an hug and Shion took the offer. The silent tears she withheld for awhile finally came down.
"Things, will get better. You've got me and I've got you and nothing will ever harm you again." Well, she has us as well. Shion tears still showed, but she has stop crying.
"So, ready to eat? Shion nods.
"Good cause I'm starving after that duel. So quiet boy. What did you think of that little display of magic?"...It was stunning, a rainbow of colors and the techniques fit the people behind them. Something about that was so, natural.
"I think he loved it. Probably not as much as he loves his girlfriend." Do I like watching danmaku more than Satori...I don't know it's really tough to say that a game I can't play is better, than the woman I'm with whom I saw naked and slept in the same bed together. Gee what a tough call.
"The menu today is fried rice with Japanese pepper curry." The only one to make a disgusted face was Tenshi as she has an aversion to spicy foods.
"You can starve celestial." Out of spite we watch as she took a huge portion of rice and curry a took the plunge of bad ideas. Like a child her face was stuffed and red from the seasoning. It's red pepper flakes mix with...dried rose petals for that aromatic taste. It's interesting what someone's face can be when they're this vindictive just to prove they can be like the rest of us here. She swallowed and it was hefty amount. She couldn't hold her calm demeanor as she runs to get water from the sink. The rest of us lightly laugh at this little display.
"Its...not...ugh forget it." She went back to the table to nibble away at her meal with newfound reluctance. She'll get use to it.
"Those aren't even hottest peppers that Yuukarin serves." Yeah I remember the small bushel of ghost peppers she keeps near her bed. Hard to believe Mom eats those. Of course the astonished look we got from Tenshi told us everything.
"Please, my mouth can only take so much torture."...phrasing.
"Anything else you want us to do yuukarin?" We have alot of time today to do what exactly? Mom put on a thinking pose before getting the figurative light bulb light up.
"While, I'd love to keep you all here. Something came up so you're all going somewhere special for the rest of this week."... Hold on. Like a field trip or something?
"Where are we going Yuukarin?"Mom looks at me and purse her lips before sighing.
"The mansion near the Misty Lake is where Venus will get more practical skills to help him." Everyone stop eating to look at...
"WHAT!" We said in unison at Mom. She seem very sorry to say it yet something about this makes sense. I still haven't interacted with the rest of the factions that much and given the owners of the mansion. I'll get practice in without issues.
"B-But the...vampires"
"I don't think you thought that through Yuuka."
"Do you want your son to die!?"
"NO!" This shut up the rest of the protest.
"I put alot of thought into this. Venus can handle himself quite well. However, he hasn't the understanding like ya'll do. He'll be taught around a magician."
"What about Alice?" Medicine brings up a good point. Mom shook her head.
"Not good enough. Alice has only been a magician for about 20 years and she's still much too young." Or she doesn't want me to be too close to home. Not that it matters as most places are pretty close. Patchouli though, it makes the most sense. Her knowledge will be helpful and I need to get some reading in for once. My trait is also closer to Patchouli's than Alice so we'll share a common ground.
"And we're going?"
"To Eintei to help the sick. Take the herbs I've prepare and grow some at their greenhouse they've just built." This actually has a dual purpose. It'll take Tenshi's and Shion's mind off the harsher stuff we've been dealing with. Medicine will be there to help too. However, this means I'll actually be alone with only the mansion's hospitable hosts to help me.
"Its only for this week." But...I don't want to actually leave you here alone...
"Yuukarin." Mom looks at Medicine.
"Selfish mother."
"Medichan, I thank you all for helping. It's time you learn other skills I can't provide. Momma will be alright."...No you won't. It's crazy to ask me to leave you alone like this...I...NO!
*CLATTER*
"BAKA OKAASAN!"
"Venus? Sweety I'll promise it'll be fine. You need this to be ready."...
"We can't win brother."...Sister...Fine. I sigh as I felt the frustration I felt from before. I went outside to think. Because, after all of this. It's like leaving the nest except you're being push out of it with love and care. That love I haven't felt in long time. After I cool down for a minute I went back inside. I just, want to say it to her properly.
"Aishite okaasan?"...Mom run into my arms and cried.
"I...I...I loved you so much...nothing is gonna change that...Now be strong and show them what the Garden of the Sun truly is."...It felt nice to finally fully say it even with my limited vocabulary. To feel her warmth like it was our first day.
"Jeez, drama queens much?" The unison deadpan stare directed at Tenshi. She flinch at the sight.
"Ok. I take it back. He's definitely your kid with that stare. We both couldn't help but laugh at that.
"Now, get ready for your week long trips everyone."
*Clap* *Clap*
Well that was the sign to hurry up. Found whatever spares we all had and began organizing for everyone. Tenshi's dress from Iku, a spare heavy wool dress for Shion. A...It's a doll kit? I watch as Medicine rush over to take it from my hands. Yep, that's definitely your's.
"You might need to start looking like you're from the mansion too. Don't ya think?"...Mom held unto the suit I wore to the festival. Yeah, knowing whom I'll be around for awhile; gotta keep that immaculate image alive or they'll be laughing stocks...or they won't care given their nature.
"Anything else?" Spare cash?...nope still have my share on me...snacks? I ran over to the baskets and took the leftover sunflower seeds.
"Of course. Can't keep him too far from mommy can we?"...I wish you was drop from heaven as a baby Tenshi. I watch Mom smack Tenshi in the back of her head.
"Sunflower seeds are good thinking snacks and help blood flow. It's the perfect food to take while learning something new." Given the fact that Mom grows flowers she would know of this stuff alot better than me. However, this was something I already knew. I just really like sunflower seeds.
"Do take care everyone. Have fun ya'll. I'll be waiting." Great... time to meet my new house mates. Today is a good day for flying.
"AH! WAIT VENUS!"...I just got off the ground. I glided back down to Mom. She had something in her hands.
"Here, it's a little gift, but when people see it. They'll know you're from the garden." She reveals a steel polish necklace with the only thing really interesting is the sunflower pendant attach to it. Thank you.
"Now...go before it gets too late." Right, right. I waved at her a goodbye and headed off towards the mansion.
Didn't take too long to see the scarlet color building past the mist. It's huh, alot bigger than I thought. There's a pathway covered in thin iced and snow. I was near the gate and like with the guards of the village. It's best to be polite. I could see Meiling looking at the sky leaning on the right side of the brick wall that surrounds the premises. Her eyes landed on me. Clearly confused to see someone that wasn't trying to enter via flight. She huff as she got off the wall.
"What is it this time? Another trick from the fairies?"...I don't know. I thought Patchouli would've said something or even Remilia.
"You want to go in kid?" A good question as I nodded to her. Her confusion didn't cease. Instead she held up her hands to stop me from going further.
"It's dangerous you know?...Wait...if he's silent...he's." Are the gears turning now? She slaps her head and goes into a comforting smile.
"Ohhhhhh. So you're Venus?"...Yes, I am.
"Ok, Remilia mention that we would have a week long guest from the Garden. I thought she'd meant Yuuka, but that's not possible." Yeah, if I wasn't inept to magic I wouldn't be here. She sticks out a hand to shake mine. A very...western thing to do. I returned the favor and shook her hand. Very...firm.
"I'm Hong Meiling. The gate guardian of the Scarlett estate. Please, enjoy your stay sir." She quickly opens the gate enough for me to walk by and quickly head inside the Vampire's abode. The doors are quite larger than necessary especially with how tiny the hostess are. They both only come up to my chest last I remember.
"Oh right, from that door you head straight to meet Remilia, left is towards Flandre's room. Right is the viole. You best go see Remilia first kid." Thanks Meiling. I open the doors and head inside.
...There is so much red. It's a sea of crimson embroidery. There's steps that lead to the main room with the same giant doors. I breathe in and out to calm myself. Strong of body, but not of mind really. Extravagant to the extreme degree. I do recognize the wood used though, it's dark wood. Talk about extremely tough material. I hurry along to meet the Vampire again. Would she recognize me without the mask? Taking the brass handles a pulling the door outward to the main room that was much to large to be like this normally. There's the titular Vampire. Her eyes glow slightly as she study me approaching her.
"This was the child Yuuka wanted to be taught magic by my dear friend?" She leans forward before rising from her seat and putting her hands to her chest, elbows out and spread out hands...how...charismatic.
"I'm Remilia Scarlett, daughter of Vlad Tempest. As long as you remain here Son of Yuuka. You followed our rules. I care not for what your mother's rules. So you best be on your best behavior to show us that the Garden is one to trust." Right, mom is also counting on me to show that the Garden is a respectable place. I give Remilia a bow and was about to go.
"Hold on. While under my protection a fee is needed. Just a little of your blood." I didn't care as I show my neck out to the Vampire. She's a light drinker anyways. She seemed surprised at my nonreluctance even as I got closer to her position. I knelt to her height and waited.
"That was quick. You're not even afraid are you?" It helps when I can just hit you with water at anytime you think you can get frisky with me. She licks her lips before biting into my neck. Yeah, I barely feel it. I do feel some of my blood drain. Just a bit though as she quickly lets go. I adjusted my shirt to hide the mark. It already heal the four holes closed.
"You're blood is quite...tangy. Like some sort of metal is in it."... Good to know I taste like nickels and iron.
"Sakuya."
"Yes, milady?"...I would be more surprised if I didn't see her come up behind me when I enter this room. Her stop time vs my Full Jirai...I wonder which would conquer in that theoretical.
"You may lead our guess to his room. Oh and Venus." Now you say my name?
"Do enjoy your stay here at the Scarlett Mansion. We hope to be as accommodating for you to be comfortable here. Maybe a night with Sakuya even?" My first eye twitch in this new body. That, deaden me inside. Sakuya on the other hand while all prim and proper had a blush on her stoic face.
"Follow me please." Well, that was really neato. I only now could see as I'm following the maid, her white hair is short except the two frontal side braids. While definitely elegant she looks like she's in her teens. We would probably be in two different classes or something. We stop at a random door.
"Do understand my Mistress is a bit of a trouble maker. You're one the few that have enter here on their own volition. We'll come get you tomorrow for Ms.Knowledge's teachings. Oh...your partner for duels is Flandre."...See not so bad... I can...
...
...
...
I'm so fucked.
Author notes: Something different then standard. Treating magic like a science. I want reasonable limitations so that things are kinda fair for everyone. Except magicians as they're whole thing is fucking the system. We're at the classic piece fanfic story with this. As for Vector...Maybe we'll do rated M side story to all of this to feed this narrative. It definitely won't be in order. In fact that is what I've been working on was side stories. They certainly will need the main story for context. But, if you like this I'm certain you'll like the more saucy and angsty writing of that one. What else is in store? Don't know I never thought I'd get this far with a self insert found family story about one of the most powerful youkai in Touhou.