Oblivious presents...

A Fatal Frame/Rozen Maiden Fusion.
(He does not own any of this even though he wants to.)

Manikin: Chapter 1

"This place will be gone soon."

A pale young girl with sleek, black hair in a bobbed haircut named Amakura, Mio whispered into her twin sister's, Amakura, Mayu's, ear as she embraced her gently from behind. Though Mayu favoured a brown Chinese style blouse while Mio preferred a brown, open top dress with black suspenders, they both were wearing crimson, butterfly shaped ribbons. Even though they were alone, Mio favoured the feeling of warm closeness to her twin sister that was brought by her whisper, as she was doubtless Mayu felt too. They both sat alone in the middle of a flourishing forest within the wide girth of a long dried tree stump. It was a place of promise; where they would meet if either of them got lost in the forest; where they promised… that they would always be together.

"Remember how we used to play here?" Mayu replied in question as she held Mio's hand, feeling the warmth of her body on her upper back. Mio remembered. She remembered how her childish abandon had cost her sister a healthy leg, regretfully. Mio's arms left her sister as she turned around and cast an eye toward the moss covered trunk of one of the nearby trees. It was sunny in the forest; the brilliant sunlight was shining down through the verdant canopy like golden lances… just like that day.

"How's your leg?"

"It hurts a little, but I'm fine." A reassuring smile spread across Mayu's face. Even though Mio's back was turned to hers, she felt her sister's unease lessen a little. Mayu knew that even though Mio tried to be strong for her, she was but a teenage girl herself. However, she loved her sister for her kindness.

It was then she heard a voice, followed by a fluttering in the corner of her eye…

That time… they were running through the forest, Mio was in the lead, motioning playfully to her sister, who was having difficulty keeping up. The canopy was thick, so even though it was midday, shadows abounded upon their path. The only sounds that could be heard within the dark forest were the sounds of their shoes traversing the well threaded dirt trail, along with their voices; one spurring onwards, one pleading for rest. It happened quickly, obscured by the shadows was a steep slope by the path, which took Mayu by her unawares, quickly swallowing her in darkness… it was lucky she had enough energy to scream.

"We should get going now… Uncle Kei will be worried." Mio said as she broke out of her reverie, turning to face Mayu. Except that where Mayu was supposed to be was only empty space. Mild shock gripped Mio. Lost as she was in guilty contemplation of the past, she had not noticed her sister slip away.

"Mayu…? Mayu!" She turned fast enough to glimpse Mayu disappearing into a clump of tall bushes, appearing to be chasing something. Mio called out to her, a note of desperation in her voice. Not waiting to see if she was heeded, Mio immediately gave chase, not without a sense of nostalgic irony.

Away Mayu ran, weaving and leaping past and over dense undergrowth and thick roots, completely fixated upon her quarry, deaf to her sister's calls. Mio pursued her hurriedly, but her lead was great… and she couldn't fathom since when her sister could move so fast.

The canopy was fast becoming heavy, and Mio's sense of irony was fast becoming one of dread. Amidst her hurry, Mio noted that Mayu was entering a part of the forest that Uncle Kei had warned them not to enter. However Mio would not leave her, not again.

Rei Kurosawa, freelance photographer, compressed the shutter button on her camera. A flash of light illuminated the twisty mass of thorny rose vines creeping across a decrepit brick wall. The vines were in bloom; deep crimson roses abounded upon the wall, filling the vicinity with their sweet perfume.

Rei was on work, she was commissioned with the job of covering notable sites in the area that would be flooded once the dam was completed. It was rare for the papers to commission such an important task to a freelancer instead of one of their own. However, she still enjoyed the taste of Koshi Hikari.

She surveyed her surroundings. Whoever owned this manor loved roses. Almost every inch of the perimeter walls she had bothered to inspect so far were completely covered with the creeping rose vines. That was not all; she had passed rose bushes of several varieties, including strawberry in the sizable courtyard in front of the main building. They were all remarkably healthy, considering how this manor was supposed to be abandoned. She remembered attempting to grow roses once, it was disastrous. She had only tried to do so because he had said that they were pleasing… she remembered how his kind eyes looked upon a bloom in his hand and told her in a gentle voice how it reminded him of her. He would have liked this place. If only he could come… if only.

Something about the manor brought back memories, even though this was her first visit. Perhaps it was just the scent of the roses bringing them back. Rei shook herself out of her daydream, there was still so much ground to cover. With one last shot, she considered the garden completed, and set herself along the gravel path, which was overgrown with creepers and weeds, towards the manor's entrance. The clouds above were gathering menacingly, a blast of thunder shouted out their intent, she could not stay outside even if she wanted to. The fresh smell of an approaching storm was in the air.

"Yuu…"

She restrained herself from picking the unusually red strawberries that she passed on her way; there was something about them that she could not put a finger on, a nagging at the back of her mind. Perhaps it was the fact that there were absolutely no animals helping themselves to the fruit. There were none in the area for that matter. There was something wrong with this place, this assignment.

Miku Hinasaki, intern, stood in the dimness of the manor's atrium. She had done a little research on the manor they were investigating. Apparently it was old, very old, changing ownership a number of times in the past. Of course like any old place, there were a number of rumours surrounding it. Rumours may sometimes contain a grain of truth in them, but sometimes, rumours were just that; rumours.

Miku was a girl who could be likened to a lily, pure and sweet, yet resilient. After Rei's loss of her fiancé, Yuu Asou, who took in Miku, Miku took it upon herself to do what she could to ease her pain, doing the household chores, assisting Rei with her work… since she herself knew the pain of losing loved ones. Rei was like a big sister to her, there to support and protect her if need be.

She was hoping to discuss the manor more thoroughly with Rei, who should be arriving any moment. For the moment, rereading the research notes she had gathered would have to do.

(The Manor of Roses)
An ancient manor rumoured to be located somewhere in the German countryside with origins stretching back to the medieval period. It is purportedly the dwelling of a genius doll maker name Rozen, whose dolls were said to be blessed with the gift of life, how exactly he was said to have achieved this is still a subject of debate among folklorists. There are many dark rumours surrounding the manor, tales of grisly murders and necromancy abound. Many have tried searching for it but it has never been found. The manor is considered an urban myth.
Was this indeed the Manor of Roses? The courtyard definitely seems to suggest that. Could they really expect that they were the first ones to enter the manor? How did those rumours come about then? The place also seemed strangely well kept, despite its seeming state of abandon. Something did not add up. Miku looked up when she heard the dull sound of footsteps upon the parquet flooring approaching her at a steady pace.

"Oh Rei? The equipment has been set up, we can start anytime." Said Miku as she turned back, but the footsteps had already continued into the next room. Rei was in a hurry it seemed… then she noticed something. The entrance doors were closed, how did Rei get in without opening them?

"Rei?" Miku called out. It was then the main doors creaked heavily as they opened, imparting light into the darkness of the entrance hall as Rei Kurosawa, wearing a lace bound sky blue blouse and black jeans entered, apparently relieved she had beaten the rain.

"How did you know I was coming?" Rei asked inquisitively, not comprehending the look of bewilderment on Miku's face.

"I thought you already came in…" Miku said, unsure of herself. Perhaps she was simply thinking too much she thought. Besides, there could have been no one else in the area, at least there should not have been anyway.

Rei raised an eyebrow as she sized Miku up, positive that this was the first time she set foot in the place. Rei had some idea of Miku's sensitive nature; perhaps they might capture a ghost on film yet. The entrance hall was wide, carpeted in white, with embroidered walls that were cracked and peeling in disrepair. It housed an ancient looking upholstery couch, flanked by an umbrella stand. On the opposite wall was a sizable opening into a bar counter. A bar right at the entrance hall, very handy, thought out arrangements no doubt. It was hard to see into the room beyond the bar counter because of the lack of light, however she could make out the tinted figures of wine bottles and glasses of various shapes and weight. She cleared her throat; she wouldn't mind sneaking a whiff of the finer stuff...

"I shall be inspecting this area." Rei said in a business like tone, gesturing to the bar. "Go ahead and explore a little first, I'll catch up."

Miku nodded affirmatively, oblivious to her Mistress' intentions. Rei loved that about her; she was such an innocent little girl. As the two of them went about their designated intents, none of them noticed the main doors closing silently… and locking. None of them knew that that was the last they would see of each other in a long, long time. Cheesy I know.

Miku ascended one of the legs of the central staircase, which branched into two flights, between which was a large thinking man statue, carved out of black marbled rock. The mansion was as silent as a tomb, and about as dark as one.

The beam of her torch passed over the torso of what looked like a wax figurine dressed in white ritual robes, standing at a wall in front of a banquet table. She was in a dining room of some sort. Many of the household items, furniture, vases, statues, were still intact, many of them old enough to be antiques. Miku felt the wastefulness of letting such artefacts be washed away in the flood that would soon cover the area, but that was checked by the inherent respect she had for the manor's former owners.

"Hrmmm... Riesling ice wine, 1984…" noted Rei as she perused the label of a wine bottle under the illumination of her torch. Roses and wine, Rei had a feeling she might miss this place. Rei uncorked the bottle, and her sense of smell was powerfully assailed by the fruity yet complex smell of honey, peaches and lychees, and within the sweet scent was a mature flavour of sophistication she could not quite put a finger on. She was no expert on German wine, but even a novice like her could tell she was holding liquid gold.

Though she knew, that no matter how many glasses she downed, no matter how drunk she got, she would wake up the next morning, desiring the taste of his lips, a taste that was sweeter than any wine, a taste she shall never again sample. She corked the bottle and placed it on the counter as if it already belonged to her. She should go look for Miku.

Miku inspected the gloomy room she was in by the beam of her torch. The room's walls were splashed with bright colours, though deteriorated after many years. Playing blocks stood in one corner of the room, half build and half scattered. Toys were out of their chest, left lying on the floor. She could also make out sheets of paper lying on the floor, marked by haphazard crayon scribbles. She had entered what looked like the room of a young child, except that in its centre was an altar decorated with long burnt out candles and various ritual implements, enshrining an ordinary looking polished leather bound suitcase decorated with burnished gold details and an insignia of a rose, in front of what looked like the profile of a coffin. A journal besides the suitcase caught her eye, she opened it…

(A Pink Journal)
3rd day. 3rd Month. Clear.
Hinaichigo is the fifth Priestess!
I love strawberries! I also love my sisters! Today we're just starting to live together after soooo long. Hina is sooo happy since Hina won't be alone anymore Shinku is bossy but nice, Suiseseki tells me interesting and frightening things, and, takes my things sometimes, Souseseki is her sister she's really smart Suigintou is scary :O, and she makes Shinku mad sometimes, but she's really funny XD.

I love strawberries!

An odd arrangement, all things considered. Miku's curiosity of what was within the enshrined box was quickly overwhelming her…

"All alone again… I… am all alone again." said a voice that spoke on the very edge of hearing. "That's horrible, leaving me alone like this… in this dark place… letting me waste away. Come with me… you're lonely too aren't you?" Miku's fingers slowly fumbled the faded gilded latch on the box.

"Miku? You there?" Rei's voice called out from the corridor. There was no reply.

"That's strange…" She thought aloud. As much as the rational side of her wanted to believe that Miku was safe, the utter silence and the encroaching darkness that was penetrated only by the meagre light of her torch was not doing much help. Rei quickened her pace, the atrium split into many sections and she'd have to check all of them fast.

She soon reached the dining room just up the forked staircase. A brief perusal did not uncover anything of interest, until she saw a strange looking statue in white robes standing in a corner. Crimson strings were hanging out of white cuffs around its wrists and ankles. Its skin was a little pale for a wax figurine, which are usually coloured, yet its features looked too real for a carved statue. She walked up to it, her torch illuminating its pasty visage, its eyes were closed, and up close she could see the wrinkles and creases defining the face. Slowly, her fingers moved towards it, withdrawing as soon as she touched it… it was soft, and bitingly cold. The cold seeped slowly into her body like the horror that was seeping slowly into her heart.

"This place…"

Rei was in a jog now, though it had only been a moment since she started, her breaths were more slightly more laboured than usual, and the cold seemed to be like a virus that persisted and multiplied... and the air seemed to be getting heavier for some reason. Her ears were pricked for any sign of Miku, but all she could hear was the sound of the old floorboards creaking as she made her way through the manor.

Just then, she heard a muttering coming from a room with its door slightly ajar. Her pace slowed to a cautious walk as she peered through the crack that was the doorway. It was hard to see inside because the vertical crack was thin, but she could make out an adult man who had his back turned towards her… she scrolled her vision to the right… he was dressed in white robes and holding something heavy in his right hand… she scrolled right a little more… it was a big, gigantic meat cleaver... which was dripping some dark liquid. He seemed to be worked up about something, breathing heavily and muttering something to himself.

"Mor… lood… or… sa...ices… ou… wo… ge… ay…"

Rei turned off her flashlight and took a few quiet steps away. The fact that the man inside that room did not know she was outside the room was the most important fact she cherished at the moment. A part of her entertained the possibility that the man inside that room was a sane man who got lost in the woods and somehow ended up deep within this manor… carrying that massive piece of metal all the while. She hung on to a sliver of security that her stealth ensured that it was impossible for him to see her within the darkness. Sound was the only way he could detect her presence… and the only way that she detected the hinges of the door before her creak eerily open.

"He can't see me… He can't see me..."

"More blood… More sAcRIfIceS…"

His voice was getting louder, but she could hear no footsteps. Where were his footsteps? Rei wanted to scream, but she gathered her willpower into a tense knot, and resisted, as screaming would give away her position. She continued her extremely quiet retreat backwards and away from the pungent irony smell that now pervaded the corridor.

"YOU WON'T GET AWAY!"

The voice was now right before her. As a last, desperate measure, Rei grabbed her camera and activated its flash, aiming where she thought his face was, hoping to stun him long enough to make her retreat. A bright flash of light momentarily filled the corridor, soon returning it to a state of deeper darkness. The man shouted out in fury and surprise as Rei dodged his misguided slash and dashed around him, attempting to spear his belly with her shoulder to disorient him further… and passed through cold air. Either the man was insanely quick or…

Too engrossed with getting away then wondering just what happened, she ran off into the darkness of the corridor turning on her flashlight only when she felt around a corner. Another corridor later, she passed a room with its door slightly ajar. It was emblazoned with intricate roses, coloured deep crimson, joined by vines of deep emerald. She took the chance.

As Rei pushed the door open, a burst of stale air met her nostrils, mixed with the smell of roses not unlike the ones she had found outside, though the smell here was tinged with iron and sweeter for some reason. Her torch lead the way as she entered, its narrow column of light doing little to assuage the darkness in the room or the growing trepidation in her heart.

"Miku?" She tried. When it was apparent no answer was forthcoming, she entered, cautiously, closing the door quietly behind her and locking it. She could not help but wonder how long it would stand against a cleaver the size of a man. Miku… she had almost forgotten about her after that close brush. She hoped dearly she was alright, anxiety now adding to the dark fear in her heart.

The room was well furnished with good taste, whoever owned the room could very well have been a lord or a lady… who had a thing for the colour red. There was bed in the corner with crimson blinds flowing from its ceiling, and the window frame opposite Rei was carved with intricate floral designs. Rei would have loved to open it and dispel some of the darkness in the room, but they were tightly barred, and she would not want to attract attention. There was also a bookcase beside the doorway, crammed with German books of unknown subjects. Then there was the altar, box, coffin and all. Rei approached the altar, which was covered with the bare stalks of the long dead roses that once covered it. The petals had fallen, carpeting the altar surface and the floor around it black, except for a barely discernable shade of burgundy.

"Roses have always smelt sweeter in death." Rei found herself whispering to no one as she absentmindedly picked up a crimson coloured journal beside the wooden box with the gilded rose insignia. She flipped to the first entry, reading by the light of her torch.

(A Crimson Journal)
6th Month. 1st day. Cloudy.
I am Shinku, the fifth Priestess of the Rozen Maiden. Today a new servant has been assigned to me. His name is Sakurada, Jun, an insolent little urchin. Just when I lost my last diary too, bad luck really comes in droves. At first I thought Hinaichigo was playing the fool again, however as far as I can tell she knows nothing. She is as transparent as an early spring stream, so I would not fear any deception from her. I just will have to bear the trouble I suppose, and teach that upstart servant some manners.
Rei, struck by a stray whim, decided to read the last entry.
(A Crimson Journal)
12th Month. 12st day. Rainy.
I am Shinku, the fifth Priestess of the Rozen Maiden.
Today is a glorious day, but perhaps it is an odious one. Today is the day I shall give my life for the completion of the Rozen Maiden series, the day of the Cutting Ritual. The sacrifice of ones life to protect her loved ones, is it not something to be proud of? Roses have always smelt sweeter in death. Then, why is my heart crying? Crying for those I will leave behind? Because I will never tell him how I feel?
Rei's head was feeling light. Perhaps it was the air getting still heavier, and the rosy perfume of death around her, but she could have sworn she was looking for something important just now. Whatever it was, she would try to remember it after she had a look at what was inside the box, for some reason she just had to take a look; she was curious.

She fingered the cache and it came open with a smart click; it had not jammed even after all these years. The hinges whined as the box was opened for the first time in ages, revealing…

"A doll…?"

It was not just any doll; it was a masterpiece of a doll… not unless a way was found to shrink a person. Rei held the dolls limp body up to get a better look, the style looked Victorian. The doll was female, a lady with skin of creamy white, and much of what she wore was a deep, velvety scarlet. There was a large bonnet, affixed with two roses at each end, upon a head of golden blonde hair, whose two pigtails and sideburns came down in elegant locks, spiralling halfway down. The bodice of her red dress hung down to her elbows, covering most of her sleeves. She also was wearing a huge, emerald green ribbon on her neck, with a third rose sewn into its centre. A wave of girlhood glee threatened to rise up in Rei, before it was mercilessly crushed by presence of mind.

Rei noticed a gilded key with a hollow centre lying in the velvet padded box; it was probably there to wind some mechanism. Rei quickly located a hole in the dolls back and tried the key… it was a perfect fit. As her fingers were about to muster the strength to turn the key, Rei hesitated. What would she set into motion if she turned the key? Should she stop? What on earth was going on in this manor? Should she get out of here? What about Miku? Did she leave the car's air conditioning on?

"What the heck."

She turned the key, several times, and then took it out. She sat the doll down and stared at her with her torch shining on it… and the doll… sat there… looking pretty. Rei started wondering if she turned the key the wrong way when the doll shuddered… then convulsed, with the mechanical sounds of cogs and gears clashing. A glow of ruby light emanated from the dolls still limp body as it levitated in mid air for a few moments before landing on its feet. Then her sapphire blue eyes opened in a squint.

She looked at Rei as she lifted her tiny hand to block out the glaring light. Rei looked back, hand still grasping the flashlight.

"Is this some sort of joke? Did you wind me?" the lady doll questioned, a note of annoyance in her voice.

Rei took an instinctive step back. It spoke. Dolls do not speak.

"I… err…"

"Well?!" the doll demanded.

"Y-yes. It was me."

"Turn that thing away, you're hurting my eyes. Heavens sakes! You would do well to mind your manners."

"I… I'm sorry…"

Rei lowered the beam to the dolls legs, the fact that she had just apologised to a doll wreaking havoc on her already wrought mind. She must be going insane, was this the manor's curse?

"I don't believe we have introduced ourselves... I am Shinku; the Fifth… Doll of the Rozen Maiden Series."

"I… am Kurosawa, Rei… a Freelance Photographer."

Rei's social logic was running on autopilot for the moment, her mind had latched onto something. Shinku… was that not the name of the Shrine Priestess in the diary? Just what sort of life did she lead?

"It seems we're still in the manor… this might be troublesome. Holie!"

When Shinku spoke the last word, a tiny scarlet ball of light arose from her suitcase, flitted around and stopped, hovering in front of her.

"Go, find out about my sisters and the state of the bindings."

There was a moment of silence as Rei watched the ball fly toward the door and underneath it, the reality of it all taking its time to sink in. When she looked back, she noticed the clear blue eyes of Shinku staring straight at her. Those eyes looked fierce and sharp, almost as if they were piercing the surfaces of Rei's eyes and looking straight into her mind and soul… that was dying from her lack of him…

"You are truly helpless… like me." Shinku said finally.

"…Huh?"

"Human? Show me your wrist."

Rei's nervousness not fully abated yet, she did so, wondering about the dolls assessment of her. She may very well be right. Shinku took her hand in both of hers and inspected it.

"As I thought… this is not good." said Shinku, her tone grave.

Rei was puzzled until, by the light of her torch, she noticed the tiny thread burns around her wrist, from which a crimson thread was hanging off… like the strings of a puppet.

"This is Puppet Masters doing."

As soon as Shinku finished her statement, black feathers fluttered mysteriously down from above as slow and heavy footsteps could be heard outside the door. Rei looked up quickly above to find the source, but all she saw was wooden ceiling.

"So she's already here. Really. There was not even time for tea."

The heavy footsteps continued as Rei walked tentatively over to the door, followed by Shinku. As she got closer she could hear murmuring, a girl's murmuring. Was it Miku?

"Human?"

"I think I might know her."

Rei undid the lock and slowly opened the door, her foot ready to bar it at a moments notice. The light of her torch fell upon a red butterfly ribbon on a brown Chinese style dress, worn by a girl with black hair in a bobbed haircut; she was not Miku, but she seemed human. Rei opened the door to admit her.

"What's your name?"

Mayu Amakura did not reply, looking up at Rei with serene, unblinking black eyes. She raised her hands to Rei's shoulders, as if to hug her, before she put them around her neck, and tightened her fingers. Mayu took a step forward, driving her thumbs deeper into Rei's throat. Rei could only choke with shock and surprise. The girl was strong for her size, so Rei could not break free… if this continued…

"Human!"

Rei flashed her camera again, which seemed to daze her if not shock her, loosening her grip enough for Rei to push her away. The girls touch seemed to impart coldness into her body that sapped away the warmth of life. As Rei retreated, Mayu stepped into the room as the door closed itself behind her.

"Hah hahahaha…"

Mayu was laughing, a laugh that was as smooth as silk, yet mercilessly cruel. It was a laughter that sent shivers down Rei's spine and dread into her heart.

"It's been a long time… Shinku. I was literally counting the hours…"

"Suigintou…"