Chapter 15: Meisuke and Convention

"Woah, this place is packed!" Meisuke exclaimed as she took in the convention hall and the throng shifting around it. "How does this place even function? There must be thousands of people out here!"

Tohru nodded, a wide smile on her face as she replied, "Yep! Summer Commiket always gets otaku super excited!" Placing her chin in the crook of her hand with a wink, she added, "Fans from all over come just to check this place out, so scoring rare goods is a serious game to us!"

Shaking her head at the comment, Meisuke replied, "Setting the obvious contradiction of the phrase 'serious game' aside, with this many people I doubt one or two will really make a difference." The dragoness grimaced as she turned to the hall once more, saying, "I can already feel the heat from over here. Do we really need to get involved with something like this?"

"Of COURSE!" Tohru replied with her fists clenched tightly, her brow furrowing in determination, "Takeshi needed our help today; we can't just abandon him!" She paused, glancing away with a small blush on her face as she added, "Plus, he promised me a copy of his circle's book if we helped out, and I'm not giving up on that..."

Glancing at said book clutched in the young woman's hand-undoubtedly an early bribe-Tohru read aloud, "'Grand Butler Fantasy: An Alternative Ribbon'? What's any of that supposed to mean?"

Her eyes aglow with excitement, Tohru replied, "Oh, it's great! It's an alternative take on the second Grand Butler Fantasia movie that's a lot closer to the books but really ties in all the doujins they've sold at the other Commikets! See, in the light novels, Sakomoto tells Anji that he loves Sebastian in the kitchen during the Christmas party, but in the movie..."

The dragoness groaned as her fingers found their way to her temples. She suspected she would regret asking Tohru about her prize well after they found Takeshi's booth.

...

"Man, it seemed crazy from the outside, but actually being in here is something else!" Meisuke exclaimed as they forged their way through the roiling mass of flesh and sweat formed by the barely contained crowds. "I haven't seen this much intensity and barely contained excitement since the 11th crusade! A hard shove and this crowd would probably storm the whole compound!"

Nodding in agreement, Tohru replied, "We've been waiting since last Winter for this, so of course we'd be freaking out! Pretty much the only reason the crowd's holding themselves back from bashing is the threat of getting kicked out!" For a moment, Tohru smiled considering this thought before her face fell into confusion and uncertainty as she wondered aloud, "Wait, 11th? Weren't there only... like... nine...?"

Her expression shifting to a sheepish, apologetic grin, Meisuke said, "Erm, different world, different history. Anyway, I'm starting to think it was better to leave Riko behind; she'd run off at the first chance she got and then get herself lost. And, knowing her, she'd act like she knew exactly where she was and would refuse to go with any of the staff to a lost child center."

"Yeah," Tohru muttered, reflecting on the contents of the book in her grip and its fellows all throughout the hall, "That's why we needed to leave her at home..." The worst part is that she wouldn't be shocked by it, she added to herself, she would just tell all of her classmates about it...

She shuddered at this thought before taking Meisuke by the hand and leading them through the sea of humanity.

...

The all-too familiar sight of the back of Takeshi's head brought awkward smiles to the pair's face as the gloomy man in question declared, "I would like to formally extend the warmest of thanks for your assistance in this matter. Service is the greatest ideal to strive for, and surely there is no greater praise I can offer to you than the observation that you two truly exemplify everything the word was intended to convey."

"I-it's alright!" Tohru replied, her smile wavering as she offered a half-hearted wave. "You're one of my best friends, so it's not like we could just leave you hanging, right, Meisuke!?"

The dragoness nodded, thumbing to herself as she said, "Yeah. I mean, it kind of sucks that your friends got sick and are missing out on something like this, but at least we can keep it from sucking for you, right?" Pausing to look around for a moment, she continued, "though I kinda figured you would've asked for Makoto's help before coming to us."

Takeshi straightened up out of his bow to adjust his tie-the dark, somewhat imposing suit a welcome if unusual change to his typical messy getup-before saying, "Takiya has taken the laudable path of the independent, establishing himself as his own circle and offering his own works for public review while simultaneously opening his heart to the criticism of the public." His eyes hardened and a dark shadow crossed his face as Takeshi concluded, "Truly the path of true creation never did run smooth. He will encounter many hardships, some nigh insurmountable, in his quest for doujinshi triumph. I wish him the best and expect the worst, but his perseverance despite my warnings indicates he possesses the qualities necessary for the former to occur."

A vaguely aggrieved frown on her face, Meisuke deadpanned, "Kind of a cynical outlook to force on a first-timer, isn't that?" After a moment, however, the dragoness considered the gaunt man's statement and said, "Wait, really? Makoto's making this 'Doujinshi' stuff?"

"Indeed," Takeshi replied with a sage nod. "Upon arrival at my doorstep, he has demonstrated an insatiable thirst for otaku culture and products. Given a few years and I'm certain he'll be able to surpass even I in ability to consume subculturally relevant materials." For a second one could almost swear a lone tear seemed to drip from his eye before a blink banished it from his countenance. "I could not be prouder."

"Riiight," Meisuke said, deciding against making her thoughts on that particular subject known. "Anyway, what do need us to do?"

...

"Guh," Meisuke moaned, shifting a sign in her hands to wipe the sweat that had formed over the last... was it one hour or two? She had already lost track. Man, I thought I had the mental fortitude of a 60 year old monk but I'm already starting to get worn down, the dragoness thought as she produced a water bottle from her pocket- and then, after glancing around to make sure no one was looking and casting a small spell, swapped it out for a can of beer. Commiket is no joke.

"Erm, excuse me, Miss?"

Jolting in fear and dread, Meisuke slowly turned to her left and began to say, "This, eh, it isn't what it looks like...?" She offered a small smile, hoping this would be enough to dissuade this newcomer from inquiring further and knowing full well it would not.

She was greeted by the sight of a man holding an expensive camera in his hand and a confused expression on his face. Seeing that the dragoness had noticed him, the man said, "Hi there! I'm sorry for surprising you. You see, I'm a cosplay photographer, and I was hoping to get a picture if you weren't busy, but I guess I was just bothering you. Sorry about that."

With a glance up at her horns and a glance down at her fangs and suit, Meisuke breathed a small of relief as she discreetly tucked her drink into her pocket, thinking, I guess it makes sense that someone would think that if they saw me at a place like this. It saves me an explanation, anyway. Coughing to dismiss the awkward atmosphere that was quickly forming, she said, "It's no bother, really. I was just a bit... distracted. I'd be perfectly happy to get my picture taken."

The photographer offered a smile in return, saying, "Ah, great, thanks! I'll come by later when you're free, alright?"

"Alright," Meisuke replied, rather pleased with how the conversation had gone... and with the fact that as soon as the photographer left, she could return to her beer.

...

Meisuke allowed herself a stretch and a satisfied groan as she collapsed into a nearby bench beside Tohru, both worn out by the past few hours' efforts. "Honestly," the dragoness began, "I thought we would be busy, but this is unreal! Sure there's some important stuff to these people in here, but it's crazy to think that fear of getting kicked out is all it's taking to keep this crowd in line!"

Giggling in agreement, Tohru replied, "Well, sure! I know I'd be crying my eyes out if I got banned before I could grab all the stuff I came for!"

A quiet, relaxed lull settled into their conversation before the butler fanatic shot up, saying, "Hey, I know! Let's go check on that friend of yours; I'm sure he'd be really happy to see us!" This said, she turned to rush off into the market, pausing only to turn over her shoulder at Meisuke.

The dragoness stood up with a sigh as she said, "Alright, alright, I guess it can't be helped. Let's go see how Makoto's doing."

"Yaaay!" Tohru cheered, taking her loyal friend's hand as she led them into the crowds.

...

"Hiya, guys!" Makoto enthused, seemingly completely unfazed by the total lack of any kind of line leading up to his table. "It's been a really nice day, hasn't it? I'm really glad Takeshi told me about this-I'm having a lot of fun!"

With a wary brow and a confused grimace, Meisuke noted, "That's a pretty bright smile for a ghost town like this, huh?"

Accepting this comment-and the offended slap Tohru delivered onto the dragoness's shoulder-Makoto replied, "Yep, seems that way, huh? I figure that it's pretty common for everyone to be ignored for the first time. I just have to prove that I'm worth everybody's time, and then humans'll start reading my stuff! I just have to stay patient."

Picking up a book of the dragon's table and beginning to flick through it, Tohru couldn't help but say, "Huh, this is pretty good for a first-timer. I'm kinda amazed you could do this well after just showing up. Did you do any drawing back in your world?"

"Nope," Makoto answered with a shake of his head. "Back in my world I would just sit on hoards of treasure in sleep. It's kind of a change to how I used to be, but it's a pretty good change, all things considered!"

As Tohru reflected on the idea of sleeping on piles of money all day every day, she quietly doubted Makoto's words.

...

Meisuke whistled as she looked over the passing crowd, taken aback by the sheer vibrance and spectacle of the display. "Man, there's all kinds of people here, huh?" She noted, taking another sip from her water-Tohru had stressed the importance of hydration over intoxication when she saw the beer can. "You'd be shocked at how many of these are from my world."

With a small, slightly embarrassed smile, Tohru said, "I think a lot of those guys are just showing off costumes from games and anime. I'm pretty sure most of them don't even know your world exist."

"Well, I guess that makes sense," the dragoness replied, a cheeky grin taking face on her face as she added, "I mean, I'm only dressed like this because I know how much you like it... It really wouldn't be that hard to disguise these horns at all~!" Pausing to chuckle at Tohru's immediate blushing and flustered protests, she continued, "But I mean that there are a lot of people actually from my world. Like those two over there, for instance."

"Huh?" The young woman said, slightly taken aback as she turned to glance at some sort of tall, slender man with pointed ears and a relaxed expression standing beside a woman clad in a pink dress and shawl with green hair and wings of a light green. "Woah, that's kinda cool; I didn't think someone from another world be all that interested in something like thi..." Her words ground to a halt as the full gravity of what Meisuke had said crashed down upon her. "WAIT, WHAT!?"

...

"Pardon me."

The inhuman pair of elf and birdwoman turned in interest to Meisuke, a vaguely curious look on her face as she asked, "Sorry, didn't mean to bother you. It's just... you guys have a very distinct look to you."

With a comforting smile and a gesture to the man at her side, the birdwoman replied, "Oh my, oh my, it's no trouble in the slightest! Would it be not too presumptuous on my part to assume you are a being such as ourselves?"

"You got me," Meisuke said, returning the smile before asking, "So what brings you guys here? I'm kind of surprised to see someone from our world in a place like this."

Proudly placing his hands at his hips, the elf answered, "Why, we're participating as a circle, of course! When we first came to this world, we were each a bit confused, but over time we relaxed and found ourselves enjoying this place and its works. Now we put together a doujin for each Commiket and come to display it to our fellow fans-although being able to relax and show off our true forms while we're here is a pretty good bonus!"

The birdwoman rolled her eyes at the elf's well-intentioned outburst before saying, "Oh my, oh my Arinedeel, it is most improprietous to bulldoze one who you've only just made acquaintance with such as our friend here with such monologues!" She wagged her finger at the elf as if to scold him before turning to Meisuke, her smile now a bit strained as she said, "Oh my, oh my, I apologize on my companion's half for his lack of restraint. He truly possesses a good heart, but he tends to express it without regard for time or place. He spake truth, however; we did come to indulge ourselves a bit and it is relaxing to spend some time in our true forms."

Her brow furrowed in thought for a moment before clapping her hands in restrained enthusiasm, saying, "Oh my, oh my! You should join us; it is most liberating. What brings you to this world, if I may be so bold as to inquire?"

"I'm a dragonnewt who got a bit lost. A dragonmaid, if you prefer." Meisuke replied without missing a beat. "I guess you could say I'm here for the same thing as you."

...

Tohru watched the exchange intently from afar as Meisuke and the pair said their goodbyes, returning to her mistress with a smile on her face. Unable to contain herself, the young woman waited only until Meisuke was in earshot before asking, "So how'd it go?"

With a noncommittal shrug and grin, the dragoness replied, "Eh, pretty well. They couldn't talk for very long because they had to get back to their circle, but I think I made a good impression. They didn't run off in fear, anyway-thought that's probably because I lied to them."

Blinking in surprise, Tohru repeated, "You lied to them?"

"Yep," she replied with a nod. "I told them I was a dragonewt-basically a sort of lizardfolk that isn't known for being extremely aggressive or anything like that. If I told them I was dragon they'd probably freak out and run for the hills with blood-curdling screams."

An awkward smile found its way on to Tohru's face as she contemplated what that would like before turning to look out across the crowds, saying, "So how many people are here from your world, do you think?"

The dragoness offered another shrug as she answered, "Who knows? I can't pick out all of them amongst this big crowd, but I don't think there's too many here. The ones who did come are probably just lost in this world anyway, so it's not like you can blame them for being a little... cabin-fevery. As long as they aren't disruptive, anyway."

"'Parents', m'lady? Oh! You would be meaning my progenitors! Nay, though they've not attended this event I am quite certain as to their present place of repose. Furthermore, I am not 'lost', as you say, for I am well aware as to my current place. Thus, while I am most humble apologetic for wasting your precious little time, I am unable to accompany you to this 'Lost Child Center' you are referring to."

"Like that, for instance." Meisuke said, slapping a palm against her forehead as she laboriously shifted her gaze to the source of the commotion in time to see Shouta-this time dressed in the garb of an ancient Pharaoh, from his golden gorget to his linen tunic all the way to a fabulous golden crown-being dragged rather unsuccessfully by a volunteer staff member.

Her awkward smile returning in full force as she watched this display, Tohru said, "I guess this is the part where I go grab him from the care center, huh?" before dashing off after the deceptively young dragon-god.

Meisuke watched this for a moment with a long-wearied grin before turning once more to the milling crowds, considering her own words.

I guess it's not awful to make a bit of a fuss, she thought, watching the occasional sahuagin or bunny schoolgirl pass by. I guess these things are sort of about the whole spectacle anyway. Maybe I should... loosen up a bit myself...?

She turned to where Tohru had run off, considering what the young woman would say if she had asked before shaking her head with a laugh. Tohru would be all for it, of course, she mused, her smile shifting ever so slightly to good humor. Heck, I doubt she would even mind if I went full dragon.

Her conversation with the elf floated up to the surface of her thoughts, and the dragoness's brow furrowed in contemplation. Well, maybe today I'll let up just a bit...?

...

Tohru rushed back with Shouta's hand in her own, saying, "Hey, Meisuke, sorry about running off like that. I had to tell those staff people that I was supposed to be watching over Shouta today for his parents when I lost track of him." Offering up a sheepish smile, she began to add, "Man, you should've seen the disgust in her eyes when I told her that I had taken a kid to something like thi-" before her words died in her throat.

Meisuke stood in... if not her full glory, then certainly as much as Commiket would reasonably allow. Her red wings unfurled from her back, each feather upon it glossy and perfectly groomed. A black tail at least three or four feet in length slipped out from under her suit jacket, ending in a tuft of reddish feathers. Her ears seemed to have been replaced with a small pair of softly swaying fins and frills. Even her horns and eyes and even her teeth seemed sharper, larger, better defined.

She looked, simply put, stunning.

After a long moment of shock, Tohru finally managed to stammer out through her blushing and fidgeting, "M-Meisuke! You-you're fantastic! Can I t-take a picture!?"

The dragoness blinked in surprise, expecting neither this reaction nor this question. She recovered quickly, however, and with a nod and a wink said, "Of course, Miss Tohru. I wouldn't be much of a butler if I turned down my master's request, now would I?"

Reciprocating the nod with gusto, Tohru flipped out her phone, carefully flipping through it and adjusting its settings until, finally satisfied, she snapped the picture.

As she did so, however, a number of shouts seemed to sound off, and a group of camera-wielding bystanders came rushing forward.

"Oh dear, oh dear," Meisuke muttered, thankful to the birdwoman for the phrase.

...

A final snap of the camera lens sounded, and its operator leaned out from behind it to reveal a somewhat familiar face.

"See? I told you I'd come back!" He said with a confident smile.

Nodding in agreement, Meisuke replied, "I guess you did." For a moment, she said nothing more and looked out into the convention hall with her brow furrowed in thought. After a moment she nodded, beginning, "Say, Mr. Photographer guy..."

With a blink of surprise at this unusual mode of address, the photographer replied, "Yeah?"

"This place is pretty crazy, huh?" The dragoness began, "I mean, everywhere I look, something's going on, and that something tends to be pretty wild, too." Glancing over the whole of the Convention Center, she continued, "People everywhere, pulling all sorts of stunts and working their hearts out just to show off their passion for the things they love." She brought her hand to her chin and began to stroke it before asking, "Do you think all humans are like this? Or, if they aren't, then what makes these people so special?"

The photographer took a moment to consider this statement before finally replying, "I don't really know... I guess I sort of figure that... everyone is like this, but isn't. People all have things they care about, and when dealing with those things they can go off the deep end pretty quickly." Pausing to shrug again, he continued, "Sure, everyone has stuff they don't bother to much with, but when it comes to something like this, they go all out. People care about what they think matters, even if it means they have to go a bit overboard. But, I mean, if they're happy this way, well..." The photographer offered a small thumbs-up, concluding, "It's a-ok with me, I guess."

Reflecting on the people she had encountered in this world and he own-Tohru, Takeshi, Makoto, Shouta, even Joui and the nonhuman pair she had met earlier-Meisuke began to nod in agreement.

"Yeah," she said, "I see what you mean."

...

Tohru smiled as she watched Meisuke return, a pensive look on her face as she asked, "Hey, Tohru, how'd everything go while I was gone?"

Giving a small thumbs-up-the gesture causing the dragoness's eyes to light up in surprise-the young woman said, "Everything went just fine! After you got dragged away, the crowds narrowed down a bit." With a small, somewhat sheepish grin, she added, "I think we might have you to thank for that, actually..."

"Hah... you're probably right..." She turned her gaze to a nearby window, a wistful glint in her eyes as she reflected over the past few hours. "Commiket, huh...?" After a few moments, she finally finished, "I think I had a lot of fun. Plus, I met some people who were kind of like us."

"Like us...?" Tohru repeated, blinking in confusion. "Like how?"

As Meisuke opened her mouth to answer, however, she stopped short as a shiver ran down her spine-a sensation Tohru seemed to experience as well. Turning to the source of the phenomenon, they found Takeshi standing before them, a wicked glint in his eye and a cruel smile on his face as he said, "Success... success..." He paused for a malicious cackle before continuing, "With the funds we acquired by today's efforts, we will be able to publish yet more doujins... And it is all thanks to you two! I thank and remind you that there will always be a place for you two by our circle's side!" He indulged in another round of wicked laughter before wandering away from them.

"I... don't think so..." Meisuke replied to his retreating back, adding, "I think I've had enough of this whole Commiket thing for a bit. Ready to go home, Tohru?"

"Yeah!" The young woman answered, a bright, cheerful smile on her face as she took Meisuke's hand.

...

Makoto quietly packed up his belongings, a contented smile on his face as he muttered, "None today either, huh..."

The cheerful dragon turned to fold up his table but stopped short, a wicked, violent aura oozing wickedness and gloom seeming to bear down upon him. His smile taking a bright, enthusiastic shift, he said, "Oh, hey, Takeshi!

For a moment the dark man said nothing, seemingly debating something within himself before his arm awkwardly, almost robotically shot out, a small stack of neatly lain bills in his clutch as he said, "One copy of First Butler's Paradise, thank you."

"Oh, come on, I couldn't make you pay for this," Takeshi began, reaching into a nearby box to produce the doujin in question, "I wouldn't even be here without you! This is the least I could d-"

"No." The man uttered a single, strong denial as his eyes narrowed. "You poured effort and passion into your work, and I stringently refuse to deny the value of that work and passion by accepting your product without compensation." Placing his money on the table, he said, "I would like to purchase one copy of First Butler's Paradise, please."

Shrugging with a small, exasperated sigh, Makoto took the money off the table, saying, "Really, this seems a little extreme, doesn't it? I mean, it's only some first-timer's work... it can't be all that good..."

With a vigorous shake of his head, Takeshi stated, "No. It is amateurish in some regards, but the overall quality is..." He paused for a moment as though unsure of what word to use before finally concluding, "Good."

"Heh," Makoto chuckled, handing over the doujin as he said, "I guess you would have to believe it if you're going to make a statement like that, huh?"

"Quite."

***End of Chapter 15***