Flowers, flowers, all around.
The vast majority are the sunflowers, which rank among my personal favorites.
That's not all there is to the Garden of the Sun, but it is the prominent middle section that everyone recognizes. Around the large section of sunflowers are other, smaller fields of various flowers, planted in simple patterns.
The whole place is very well maintained, if I do say so myself. It's what I take the most pride in. It's the culmination of my love for the flora.
Of course, I don't tolerate disturbances to it. The most common offenders are fairies. Sometimes, they act as pollinators, which is excellent for the health of the flowers, but most of the time, they are pests who try to pick the blooms or otherwise bring harm to them.
Every once in awhile, a human from the village will wander through here. I typically shoo them off with magic; not aimed at them, really, just a few centimeters away from their face. Simply a warning, although threatening enough that it seems like I'm actually going to attack. They seem to misconstrue the meaning, though; they think I'm actually trying to hit them, and miss on accident.
That's silly. If I really wanted a target dead, I wouldn't miss.
It's been awfully quiet today. I haven't even heard a fairy incessantly shrieking as it plays with a friend. I do, however, hear a soft humming, a song, coming from somewhere to my right.
I wonder what poor fool I need to drive off today? Another insolent human?
Let's see… blonde hair. Not Marisa, though, this one doesn't have an obnoxious hat on. She's looking out over the flowers, with her eyes closed. It seems as if she's enjoying the warmth of the sun, which I can appreciate. Alright, no magic - I'll talk it out this time. Someone who knows how to savor nature doesn't deserve savagery.
What's she got there? A doll? She's clutching it tightly as she continues to hum the song.
Something about her feels familiar, but I can't place it. Have I seen her before? Why would I remember this girl in particular? Surely I've met hundreds of blonde-haired girls before, what sets this one apart?
If I can't remember, I'll ask.
I stroll up to her leisurely, and still she doesn't see. That song that comes from her, it's so sweet. It's filled with a tender emotion, like reminiscing over the past, but with a sad tone. It's a nice little tune, fit for a dream or vision of a past worth remembering, but one that has vanished.
"Excuse me," I murmur to the girl, standing just an arm's length away, "but who might you be?"
"Oh. Sorry."
Hm. She doesn't seem much for conversation.
"I'm Alice Margatroid. I was just on my way back to my house in the Forest of Magic when… wait. You're… Yuuka, right?"
Alice, hm? I can't place it, but that name…
"Oh, sorry to intrude on your garden… I should be going, shouldn't I?"
She sounds timid, or perhaps just reserved. I'm too curious to let her go so easily, though.
"Hold on for a moment, if you would. I think I know you, and if your face is telling the truth, then you know me too. But from where…?"
Alice is already trying to walk away, but she stops moving. She doesn't even turn back. She just turns her head to a profile view, from my, perspective, and looks down.
She takes an audible breath, like an exasperated sigh. "Of course you wouldn't remember me. I suppose you don't really care at all, do you?"
I'm taken aback. Timid wasn't the right word, that much is certain. She now seems bothered, but not really angry. Perhaps she just doesn't respond well to social situations?
"If you actually want to know…"
"I do."
"...You came into Makai a while ago, and stomped your way through so many people's homes - my home - with not even a care. I tried to protect it, but you swatted me aside! Then you fought Lady Shinki and…!"
She abruptly stops and turns, looks at me with an odd expression. I'm simply listening to her story, smiling - it's bringing back memories of an event I had forgot happened. That's what is confusing her, likely. The smile, I mean.
"I remember now. That was before Spell Cards, as I recall it. I had a destructive battle with that Shinki. She called me a human. Honestly, the nerve! ...But, as I was saying, there were no Spell Cards, so we used… rather destructive magic. I remember much of the place getting hit with our magic, and there was considerable damage."
Alice doesn't look very happy to have these memories come back. I have to salvage this conversation somehow, now; I am the one who went and dredged up a clearly painful past to sate my own curiosity. I may enjoy teasing or threatening others, but only as banter. I don't intend to hurt.
"It is… regrettable, my actions. I was uncaring."
Alice isn't listening. "I came back. I wanted to get revenge on you, I was forced out of Makai, my home. I did something I swore I'd never do, used my Grimoire, and you still treated me as beneath you. You again defeated me and left me there. I hated you. You took away Makai. You took away Yumeko. You took away Shinki!"
I've really gone and done it, haven't I?
Alice looks visibly upset now, and just sullenly walks away.
Hm. I don't feel very pleasant, suddenly…
I haven't felt this bad in a long time. I really don't know what to think. Something about her is different than the villagers. They hate me because I may possibly hurt them, but that's not much of a reason, so I ignore them. But this girl, Alice? I actually hurt her, and she hates me for it. It's an odd sensation, and not one that sits well with me.
I guess I'll apologize, but I don't know where I could actually find her to make amends. She said she lives within the Forest of Magic, but that's not much of a clue. However, I believe I know someone who could help.
Two consecutive days visiting the shrine. It will certainly be odd, I suppose. But unlike yesterday, I'm here on business today. No donations.
Reimu is sweeping the grounds today as I ascend the stairs to her shrine. She does an obvious double take when she first sees me, but composes herself.
"Yuuka, back so soon? I, uhh… don't suppose you have another donation?"
I shake my head.
"What's with that look? I don't think I've ever seen you looking sad."
"I've said and done some unkind things to someone. And I don't mean the usual beating someone in a fight." I pause; I don't really want to dive too deep into it. "Is Marisa here?"
Reimu shakes her head. "Just left. Suika's drunk up on the roof, though."
"Hm. Would you happen to know the way to the home of an Alice Margatroid?"
"Alice? Well, I guess I could show you… but I'm kinda busy right now."
"Don't tell me you'd actually prefer to be sweeping the grounds here than flying around across Gensokyo."
Reimu smirks knowingly. "You got me there. Fine, I guess I'll show you, for a price." Naturally, a money making scheme; I shouldn't have expected anything less from the queen of pocket change. I guess I have a bit to spare, though, so I'll let it slide. "But don't be too slow, you hear? I know you have a tendency to move at a snail's pace."
Reimu doesn't hesitate to leap up off the ground. She doesn't even put her broom away - she just leaves it there, laying on the pathway. And she wonders why she doesn't get many donations! If you aren't going to take pride in your own home, you shouldn't expect to get many visitors. I personally would keep the Garden a little more unruly if it stopped people from trespassing, but that wouldn't stop the fairies, and it would bother me more than anyone else.
Oh, well. I join Reimu in the air. As I rise to her level, she darts off in the direction of the Forest of Magic, and I follow with a sigh.
Alice's home is a Western styled cottage in a small clearing in the Forest. It's a quaint little place. If one could call a house adorable, this one would qualify.
I don't think the upcoming interaction will be very nice, though. I imagine it will get rather ugly, in fact, despite my best intentions.
I mentally prepare myself for whatever is about to transpire, and knock on the door. After a moment, Alice opens it up, with a pleasant expression.
It melts away just as soon as I lay eyes on it and she lays eyes on me, though.
She quietly beckons me in. "...Yes, yes. Please, make yourself at home…"
She gestures to a cushioned seat, while she takes a seat in another, all-wooden rocking chair. She's nervously fiddling with a strap on that book she holds. Is that the very same book she used to fight me so long ago? With the "ultimate magic," and all that?
It wasn't as fearsome as she made it out to be, then, but still a massive step up from our first meeting, where she didn't use it and was easily defeated. But if she's grown at all since then, then the magic in that grimoire may actually pose a threat to me. Not that I'd admit that to her.
The house is… somewhat plain. I honestly expected the home of a magician to be much more ornate, or filled with various magical instruments. But, it feels almost empty, with basic furniture.
That, and the magic dolls. They're everywhere, performing menial tasks, like dusting the table in front of me, or washing dishes. Speaking of, there are… a lot of teacups there, being cleaned off.
Was she having a tea party?
I decide to bring it up. I want to work up to an apology naturally, rather than suddenly spitting it out; I need to be friendly, make some small talk, get her to warm up to me a bit.
"So, Alice. I notice there are a lot of teacups being cleaned by the dolls. Did you have someone over recently?"
She looks uncomfortable, shifting ever so slightly in her seat. "No. I don't get visitors very often. The location, and all."
"Then why have you so many out? Don't tell me you've been downing that much tea recently?"
"That's not it, either."
"Oh?"
"You're really going to make me say it, aren't you?"
I nod, with a playful grin. Looks like I'm putting her on the spot, but hopefully she interprets it as friendly teasing. She'll have to get used to it, if I'm going to be speaking with her.
"I was having a tea party, with the dolls…"
"Ah, that makes sense. How did you give them life? They move so fluidly!"
"...No. I control them all."
That's odd. Now why would she…?
"So you made the dolls have tea with you? Were you playing tea party? As in, the kid's game?" I giggle aloud at the thought. A powerful magician, and she plays tea party with dolls like a little five year old? That's ridicu-
"Yes…"
Oh.
The look on her face says it all. I keep hitting the sensitive topics, and this time, I laughed at her for it? This… isn't going how I planned. I guess the slow, friendly approach won't work now. I'll just have to come out and say it, it seems.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to suggest… I'm sorry. For that, and for making you remember a painful past earlier."
Alice looks down at her lap. She's grimacing, she doesn't believe me.
"I was rude about it. I was trying for friendly conversation - both times - and I suppose I messed up. I want to make amends, Alice. I don't like the prospect of causing actual, emotional pain to others. I tease, and I show off my power, I maintain the image of an imposing yet graceful woman. I inspire fear, as youkai do, but I don't actually want people to hate me. I don't want enemies."
She looks up at me again in an accusatory manner. Won't she listen?
"I apologize. It was… uncouth of me…"
"Stop." Alice finally speaks, looking fit to burst, with reddening eyes. "You don't mean it. You don't feel bad for hurting me, for taking them from me!"
"But-"
"You just want to feel better about yourself. You feel like you've done something wrong and it makes you look bad, and you can't have that."
"Alice, I…"
"Don't say a word. Yuuka, you need to leave. Now."
I'm frozen in shock. What happened to the soft-spoken Alice? Have I made it worse? What should I do? I genuinely want her to feel better, because I wronged her… right?
I decide I'm not giving up yet. I plant my feet into the floor and grit my teeth.
"Alice. I genuinely, completely feel terrible for what I said. I don't want to hurt you. I don't want you to hurt, not by my hand. I want you to realize that."
"Prove it," comes the response, "by leaving here, now."
"I can't show you I actually care if I can't talk to you. Please! I'm sorry!"
Alice wordlessly makes a slight motion with her hands. In that instant, a multitude of armed dolls rush up around her, gazing into me with unmoving eyes. Those eyes, each pair carefully painted on by Alice, look ablaze, alive, dancing and livid with wrath.
"Yuuka, don't make me say it again. You're not going to help. I get it, you really want to try. But you know, I've heard about you from Marisa and Reimu, and I've seen you myself. You're uncaring of others. You've shown as much before, in Makai. For what possible reason would you start being kind now?"
"Conscience."
"Then you're only proving my point. Goodbye."
Alice uses her dolls to prod me out of the door, and slams it behind me.
What did I do wrong? I'm kind! She's got it all wrong. She's got me all wrong. I want to help her. I want to make up for my mistake, can't she see? Why is she angry at me? I take time away from my flowers to be with someone, and this is my reward?
Alice must not be thinking straight. It would be obvious to any observer - I'm not being self-centered! She's choosing to ignore me!
These thoughts swirl in my head as I fly the way I came.
I didn't mean to! It's not my fault she didn't understand what I was saying! It's her own fault, her own problem. If she's going to be the one who won't listen to anything others say, she doesn't deserve sympathy.
Flowers would never do that. Flowers are always gentle, always serene, always obedient. Flowers can't get mad at me. People are bothersome. They try to resist me. They won't let me do what I want, they're too caught up in their own selfish ways. They're too stubborn, but flowers? They are yielding, and easy to manipulate. I can control flowers, but not people, and I can't stand it when I'm not in control.