This is the Cirno News Network with a breaking news story! Trouble continues in the forest of magic as darkness has begun to envelop it! Resident youkai hunters were asked what they intend to do to solve the problem, but no positive answer was received. Once everyone's favorite workwolf nursed her wounds, we tasked her again with asking several resident youkai their opinion on the boldness of the youkai that must be causing this. Our workwolf reported that the first respondent merely glared at her with red eyes before kicking her out. Since then, we have carefully removed several splinters from fist-sized bruises on her body. Please wish her a speedy recovery, as there is always more news that needs to be followed!
Thank you, and enjoy the show. This has been THE STRONGEST! Now back to your irregularly scheduled.
Thieving Magician Maintaining Devilish Innocence
That shopkeeper needs to start paying attention to what is left on his counter. It isn't as if I took those items without paying for them. The offense that he intends by implying that I acted as but a simple thief… Bah.
Still, it isn't as if any of this is worth what he was selling. Trinkets that don't even work, and have no appreciable function. The kappa could probably explain the mechanical mechanisms, but that is not what I desire. I am still anxious to know how a shikigami could have been enchanted by nonmagical means to reside in one of these metal boxes.
Not to mention how it might serve another once it is bound. Tell me, what is the point of such an occurrence? I can find little. Still, it is something different, and deserves to be studied to determine if there is any chance that new magic has been created, and is useful.
Now, just to put it away before heading back home, and I can be on my way without any more interference from the interlopers. Just because I am in such a form, and I have not shown myself for over a decade, does not mean I am a danger to them or their livelihood. I can understand their being jumpy, though. Considering the other two of my kind that I know of, there is plenty of reason to be skeptical.
Speaking of others, who is this that approaches me down the dirt path? Not very common to see people treading this path. I suppose I shall take a gander, just to make sure. Perhaps they are someone new, and that I might learn something from them.
This limb shall do well enough. Nice and out of sight of them, and the sun. Hrm. Still approaching. Now to take a look at the rest of my loot. I mean, time to examine my purchase. More shikigami… Smaller ones, this time. Not to mention possessing a wide variety of numbers on them. An adding machine of some kind? Does seem to be the case. But why is it necessary to bind a magical creature in order to carry out the calculations? Are there not plenty of difference engines for such calculations?
Although, a proper engine is much larger than this particular one I'm looking at. A portable model, perhaps? I might see the benefit of such a thing to a shopkeep or someone similar. Even if it would be annoying to write down every single outcome, if only to compute them again. It must not have been too useful, though, if it was forgotten and lost in this land. Kinda like that brick that I found down on one of the shelves. I am unsure if it was a device for producing noise, an outside weapon, or a piece of construction material, but it certainly could be used as all of the above.
…What was that sound? That sounded awfully suspiciously like the tree was crack…ing… Oomph! Mein kopf… That hurt, quite a lot. And that whining noise isn't quite helping. If you could kindly stop, please, I'd much enjoy it.
Wait a moment. A whining noise? What could be causing that? Certainly does not sound like some kind of animal… Oh, I see! It's coming from the glowing end of the strangers arm! Hrm. Magical phenomena, or something different? Perhaps I can get closer and take a good look myself. Surely there is no harm that could come from that.
Oh, how lovely! That is indeed a wonderful demonstration of that blast of power! If I am correct… No, I do not believe it is what I am searching for. Either way, perhaps you could fire once more? I would appreciate having my suppositions confirmed.
Nnng… Whatever that is, it's certainly got some punch behind it. Although, I must ask at the large showing of hostility I am receiving from the three of you. What have I done to earn such actions? I know I am perhaps not the most normal of youkai, but I would appreciate it if you cease in your firing.
Thank you for that much. I assure you I do not mean any harm. I am but curious at the types of magical abilities that you might posses. …Especially after you nearly ripped my dress in two. Now, if you would kindly let me approach…
Oh. Well, now isn't this unique. Quite an interesting shield you have projected here. No words or motions that I know of needed to invoke it… Perhaps it is an ability that is intrinsic? Oho, and even as hard as I press, I cannot pass at all! Definitely worth additional study.
Although, I do understand if you do not wish me to come any closer. Especially as one of you appears to be a human. A logical fear, I will admit. You would not wish for me to suck your blood, would you? Bah, as if I would fall to such weakness and allow myself to feast on your blood. Delicious blood…
Well, I am a vampire, after all. Did you expect me to refuse saying as such? Would you expect a vampire to not enjoy the taste of it? It's the way we're created, after all. It's similar to how you crave sugar and fats. Do we need it? No. Can we be glutted by it? Yes. Does that mean we do not desire to have it? Not in the slightest.
…Of course, by continuing to talk about it, I am still unnerving you, am I not? Very well; I shall desist in such talk. Before we go any farther, let us exchange our pleasantries. I am Elis, ancient vampire and magician. Not to mention many titles that I have never bothered to actually use.
Well, simply put, I do not care for them. Or rather, I no longer do. This land does cause some changes in the psyche, especially after spending many a year being infected by its curses. Oh, yes, there are many curses that exist in this land. None greater of which is the curse of reflection.
I'll spare you most of the lecture, as it appears that you are busy heading somewhere. Or, I could always join you for a fair bit. I truly have nowhere I am headed towards. No destination in my mind, just the direction that my feet carry me. Perhaps that would be acceptable?
Most certainly! Your maid can keep the cannon pointed towards me. I am interested if I can detect anything intrinsically magical about the makeup of its beam. The first time I felt nothing, but the second, I could nearly swear that there was magic inside it. Perhaps long-term exposure will assist my senses in tuning in to its aura.
But before we go, I mustn't forget my bag of loot! Err, I mean, my purchases. Eheh, yeah. Purchases. That I made. With my own money. I'm telling you the truth! I didn't steal them! I simply took them, while leaving an equitable sum in their place. So, I purchased them. Even though they are a useless lot in my opinion.
Alright. Always awkward carrying a satchel such as this over my shoulder, but it shall do well enough. Will have to stretch out the wing later, though. The muscles will cramp up quite nastily if I leave it like this for too long. Oh, it'll take a few days to get real bad. But I'm speaking from experience here, so trust me. Don't let your wings ever get pressed up under a heavy weight. You'll regret it!
Oh, right. No wings. Sorry, so sorry. Can be a bit forgetful at times. Most youkai tend to have at least some wings of some sort. Granted, as fairies compose the vast majority of them, that's really not a fair thing to say. Especially as you are not a youkai in the slightest! Oh, trust me, you don't have the right smell. Although you do smell of something else… What is it…
I take it it's nothing good if you're blushing like that. So much blood… Ahem, right. Back on topic. I'll get back to reason I'm walking with you, shall I? Heh… Yeah. So, back to talking about Gensokyo's curses.
You realize, though, that by saying curses I do not mean simply those with a negative effect? Instead, I am talking about all such spells that can alter one's personality, good or bad, over a period of time. Well, you've a fair point. Anything that truly changes one's personality would indeed be a reprehensible thing. Or is it?
I know that fifty years ago, I would have taken you as easily as I could, in order to have a meal. Or was it five hundred? I am pretty sure it had a five in it. Or maybe it was five years ago that there was a five in it… Bah! Besides the point. But you realize how tasty of a morsel that you are. I am pretty sure it wouldn't take much at all to whisk you away before sucking you dry. Unless your maid is hiding more than I can see.
…Well, that does seem to be the case. That is rather big and nasty. How does she even fit it inside her. Wait. That's a mechanical… So you mean? Hrm. Very interesting. Oh, nothing at all, little human. Just some interesting thoughts running through my mind.
Let's ignore that for the moment, shall we? Instead, think of what this meeting might have been like had I remained the same. I was a very arrogant vampire back then. I'm certain you know what my kind was like. Very melodramatic, sipping chalices of blood while debating the nature of a man. Granted, that was when we weren't too busy drinking from the man, but I shall digress.
When I was on the outside, I barely paid notice to it. The years slipped by as if they were but hours. I suppose they still do, at times. No matter! Those times were filled with trivialities, with diversions from the life outside. At least, until it grew so much that I was forced to leave my home and seek safer ground. And what do I find, little human, besides this land right here.
My delusions told me at first that I could rule it. Still, I was younger then, and I was smacked down. I had no great inherent power like some of the more powerful beings in this land, so I could not resist against their wills. In turn, I was forced to return to more humble means, where I could sit and watch.
You know what shocked me, human? How stagnant we have become. How magic has become. Oh, I don't mean that magic itself had become stale, although I do believe it does have that air at times. I might have just become so used to the taste, and yearn for something new. Instead, the way we use magic has grown… Well, in fact, it hasn't grown. Not by any great leaps and bounds.
Have you noticed that it is all the same? Many beings seem perfectly satisfied with depending on their own intrinsic abilities. Like your shield's ability to prevent me from coming to close to any of you. Why would she need something better than that, when what she has is so powerful already?
Exactly. It's the same as all the rest. Not to mention the projection of magic has not changed either. Even the humans are starting to learn how to do it. Granted, a good deal of them are either infused with kind of great power, or have to use a trinket in order to do such a thing.
…Perhaps I am not quite accurate in my words, but the principal still applies. It has not changed; it has merely become more efficient. More accessible, but not more. I've found that my blood yearns for something new. Something needs to change, along with the rest of us.
That's why I've got my loot here! There are many things that the outside world could have created while we disappeared. Perhaps did not vanish as completely as we thought. Perhaps it is instead new and varied magic for us to learn! Exciting prospect, is it not?
Well, the only reason I brought these was because the shopkeeper had them labeled as some sort of outside shikigami. I thought that perhaps the ones outside had discovered some way to summon them. While energy intensive, the act of summoning one is not too terribly hard. You merely need to be powerful enough to keep them bound to this realm.
Which is why these things intrigue me! Such power should be quite obvious in the outside world. So why don't we know more than this? Is there a better way? Or have they developed something new, and it's merely a new name?
Well, I certainly don't mind if you take a look at them, not at all! Just remember to give it back… Erm, nothing! Didn't say a thing! Nothing too important, at least. So, what do you think? Do you see anything different than what I saw?
Eh? Just a bunch of computers or calculators? Doesn't sound very magical. What are they supposed to be, then? Worthless outside junk that nobody uses any more, I take it? Dammit, I had thought there would have been something useful in there. But why was it called a shikigami? Why not just call it otherwise?
Mmmhmmm. Yes. Is that so? Indeed. Well, that was quite the dissertation, maid. I… shall keep it all in mind. Still, that seems a bit beyond me. A counting machine which is used for simple tasks? I can see why the original word was reused for it. Still, to be misled by a translation error. How pitiful. I'm sure that someone could use these. Perhaps I'll sell them to a kappa.
Well, if you're so insistent on us not doing that, I'll agree. I'm just going to need to find someone to dump this on. I paid good money for it! Well, yes, I looted it, but I paid for it all the same. So it is my loot, you know?
What's wrong, though? You seem edgy. Well, still troubled even though I have a giant cannon pointed at the base of my spine. What's the problem? Well, yes, I am a vampire. Yes, I do find the idea of my drinking your blood appealing. So, what's the problem?
Vampire troubles? Which vampires have you run across? I don't know of any others in this land. In fact, the only other one I do remember is the one guarding the lake of blood. Lucky bitch. Having all of that to drink… Course, it didn't do much good for insanity. And do remember that I can hear you. I'm not insane, either.
Am I?
Never mind that! Never mind. Just thinking out loud. Nothing more than that. Still, what kind of vampire troubles have you had? I don't suppose a human such as you has bothered to visit the lake of blood? The residents of that lake do not typically take any pleasure with visitors, unless you happen to catch them in a good mood.
Oh, you got to meet Elly? Without her eviscerating you? Hrm. Better than my first meeting with her. Wait! Don't give me that look! I was only eviscerated a little. Yes. Just a little. Well, the answer is obvious. I can take a blast from energy easily, but blades can still do the trick. Especially to an expert. Wait, there's no need to take that into note!
So, unless you're going to continue offending me, can I get that answer from you? Some vampire in a mansion stole your body and threatened to enslave your life? Are you sure she wasn't just trying to marry you in some convoluted fashion? A lot of young youkai have such odd ideas about the human customs, after all. …Really? A vampire that old, and I didn't notice it? I suppose I must not have really noticed the years going by. Odd.
Well, I suppose I do get a bit out of it at times. But you're making me out to look so bad! Really! I just get distracted easily by new ideas. Not shiny things. Shiny magic maybe… But not shiny things! Hrm. I should learn some magic to create shiny things, if that is the case.
Well, my loot is shiny enough, if that's what you're asking. But you're distracting me again! Sheesh, shouldn't even bother listening to you. I suppose your vampire thing didn't go too well, though. After all, you've still got those bite marks on your neck. Those do heal poorly if you don't have them treated correctly.
Yes, you do have them. You don't remember being bitten? How odd. All the vampires I've met tend to dislike biting someone that's asleep. Isn't quite as visceral, if there is a word that could possibly describe it correctly. Oh, right, you did say your body was stolen. Well, that vampire must have been pretty desperate to go for such a snack. It was good of you to allow her to borrow it!
Well, of course I know she is a girl! Haven't you realized the odd… discrepancy? Well, I'm glad you've bothered not to tread, but you have to have noticed the peculiarity. But it's something that you don't want to think any more, do you? Just be careful! Don't want to be falling to any curses!
…Unless the curse isn't a problem? It's hard to tell. If it isn't, you really should dress better.
Right. Ahem. No, I'm not following you for any specific reason at all. Besides the point that you're interesting. Oh, yes you are! Don't deny it! Who else could have a maid and a floating bronze thing following them! Well, say you are usually following the maid because she is less capable of dying, but that is still the point. Unless masters now follow the order of maids? That would certainly be a large change.
No, I certainly will not just give up an opportunity! Think of all you could see! I'd love the chance to observe magic that is unknown to me! Just stop being logical about it. I could go and see myself, but I'm sure that I'll find something by sticking with you. Even if the only thing you have going for you is luck.
Bad luck is perfectly fine, too! In fact, it may work out better that way! The best stuff is found by going through the most crap. I definitely have a lot of experience with that sort of stuff. Even tried to sneak into heaven a few times. Thought there might be some sort of artifact of power up there. But I don't think I got on anyone's good side by doing that. Even Sariel. I take that back. Especially Sariel.
That's the spirit! Just because you are being hunted by one vision of death doesn't mean you can't add another to the list! Relax, though. Unless you help me do something insanely crazy in the pursuit of magical innovation, you shan't have any troubles. So I'll just keep following along, if you don't mind! No harm done, aye?
…Well, I'll take silence as a yes! Good, good. Although, I should tell you about the idea I'm having about this spark of magic inside the magical contraption that was pointing that cannon in my back. Why did she stop, anyways? And why are you in such a hurry?
Well, I suppose that they must have been busier than I thought! Pity. Just have to keep quiet for now. Share the rest of my observations later, and see how the other curses affect them. I just hope that we'll get to that destination they are traveling so quickly to soon!
My wings are starting to ache…
Elis has joined your party. May God have mercy upon your soul, your sanity, and your purse.
A/N Howdy all once more! Finally got this one done. It's been sitting here staring at me for a while, so I finally just put it into high gear and got this one out. Kinda surprised myself how it came out, but I think it's acceptable.
Really, though, there was little for me to take Elis in the vampire way. Not to mention there's little indication of what she is. The old vampire haughtiness wouldn't do it. Plus I have plans for our one remaining vampire… So, I took her the magician route. And did her magician self shine through. Almost reminds me of a certain other magician, save for the experience, and the forgetfulness.
To be honest, I plan a lot of these out, but some I just let write. Elis was a little bit of both, so I'm hoping she turned out well in your opinion. Although it may be random, I will point out that all of the other teammates have come up in random occurrences. Still, any critiquing is most certainly welcome.
As to last chapter: That is the plan, Mr. Muss. What story would we have without that occurring, though? We'll just have to hope they are. What could possibly be able to defeat them, as long as they are ready?
Oh, and if you're getting tired by all the old folk, don't worry! Gonna be a lot of Windows for a good while after this!
Digressing from that easily refutable rhetoric question, I shall stop my blathering. Please read and review as always, and until next time!