A/N: English is my second language, so leave your reviews if I've made some mistakes of some paragraphs, dialogues, or to improve them! Mentioning important lore facts about both franchise if I forgot them is also appreciated! I like to stay true to both fandom, but i won't promise that I'll stay dedicated for too long...! :)
"Why am I the one groveling here?!" Halting her head about to dogeza, an act of defiance towards her apparent Servant.
"Whose fault was it again that launched that orb in mach speed, right on point-blank range, and destroyed the entire place?" He scowled, pointing his thumb behind him at the trail of destruction from the orb. Making his master to sweat nervously.
"Really mistress, you almost annihilated both of us right then and there. And all I asked for is a simple apology. I would consider this punishment lenient enough as it is."
"But— it's not my fault..." Her Servant's eyes sternly bore into hers as if she were a disappointment. "Ugh— okay fine! It is my fault, but that stupid orb suddenly went crazy! It wasn't supposed to obliterate you; it was supposed to knock you out...! A-And above all, how am I supposed to act towards an apparently—dead stranger that suddenly manifesting out of nowhere?! You could be a vengeful spirit for all I know!"
"That's uncalled for, I haven't been acting all vengeful now, have I? In fact, I've been cleaning all these leftovers you've made ranging from paper drawings to wooden toys; I'm a completely functioning human spirit." He shrugged, "Besides, that is different from how vengeful spirit are when your out solving incidents, am I wrong, oh Eternal Shrine Maiden?"
There are actually several types varying from cunning and intelligent. It's just that vengeful-spirits are just commonly dumb in the Moonlight World, but he isn't about to throw away this advantage from her own inexperience.
"How... did you know that name?" She inquired cautiously, but was evidently shocked that a dead man known that title.
"About you're nickname? Let's just say I've read history of Hakurei being labeled as such," He professed. Indeed, finally using his Structural Grasp to read the history of another Mystic Code displayed like a decoration at the end of the living room.
The Gohei, the Mystic Code he difficulty analyzed because of the lingering Divinity storing it, lacked crucial information about her slice-of-life. Only showing her training and the exorcisms of yokai mentioning her title out of respect — or fear.
'So that's why I couldn't analyzed that orb the moment I laid eyes on it. It was a damn Divine Construct... Fortunately, that stick with decorations wasn't made by the hands of god, making it somewhat comprehensible. The moment it got blessed in its point of history however is where comprehension flew out the window. The most I could do is wade through its present history.'
He saw his mistress pass through that Gohei, and to be honest; It was too comically ruthless to be called exorcism — more like extermination.
As for her accusations, she's not too far off actually. He did try kill his self out of desperation with a different motive, but the act itself can be interpreted as vengeance in some way. Like seeking vengeance for being so stupid for example.
He's not gonna dwell on that though, his mistress needs a correction before he could lament on himself. Especially those seemingly Divine Constructs.
"And making your 'housekeeper' unconscious as your first line of thought is the last thing you should be doing. It is also very concerning." He deadpanned. "If I didn't know any better, I'd believe a paranoid homeowner with a gun would have resolved this more peacefully. Not whatever kamikaze stunt you just pulled."
It was true, if he hadn't redirected that bal— crystal orb Mystic Code and took it head on, it would've suddenly multiplied right at their faces with their sudden size increased. And based on the damaged done to the environment, him and mistress would've been squashed by those giant astralized colored Yin-Yang orbs.
"But, I, muuo...! Um, w-what's a gu—"
"Nothing too important for our current situation." He inwardly facepalms, putting his hands on his hips and frowned as if disapproving of her reluctance for forgiveness. "I'm disappointed. If you're that incapable from saying a simple apology then let's forget about it. In exchange, I want to know the logic behind your irrationality in forsaking your Servant. If not, then stay like that for the entire week."
"What?! But that's even worse!" That punishment was too much for a human being! She doesn't even know what he meant by logic. But she felt trepidation hearing it, as if he's trying to dig into her... past? It can't be—
"Too bad, it's non-negotiable. Forgiveness is no longer an option I'm afraid." He sarcastically declared mercilessly. "The consequences of your stubbornness I dare say, mistress."
She glared at him, and scoffed. She'll feign ignorance, thinking that he's not the boss of her or something. In the first place, they're in a master an servant relationship, meaning that he should be the one obeying her orders and not the other way around.
Still... It's weirdly nostalgic in someway. It's the reason she listened to his scolding till she realized she subconsciously followed his command. It was probably his snark that made her awakened from her trance-like obedience. It was just too out of place, but not unwelcomed.
However, there is no way she would obey under his tyranny! It felt unfair even if he made sense...! And it kinda hurt her feelings a bit, so she'll fight back. In addition, he was intruding her personal stuffs — he has no business meddling in it whatsoever...
"Feh... Like you can make me... Huh—?" She tried to move, but only a twitch struggled in her body. "I— I can't move?!"
Unbeknownst to the Shrine Maiden, six— and he honestly means six Black Keys were pierced into that child's shadow. Her head was able to move out of sheer willpower, but only a glimpse of the weapon behind her at the corner of her widened eye.
'That cheater!' Even though there wasn't anything to cheat. For only a child would hold the concept of fairness.
"Hmph, still clinging onto that childish pride of yours, I see. Suit yourself, see if your legs can survive the entire week." He jeered at her and turned around to presumably walk away. Although, he was just teasing the child as it was the only way for him to communicate with her.
"Wa—Wait! I— I thought I already told you why I did that!"
"You told me the sound of reason, you still have yet to tell me the your underlying passion behind that assault." He glanced behind, then sighed as he leaned at the wall. "If you still don't understand, let me rephrase it. Brief me an upbringing of your past to make you this foolhardy."
He stared at her carefully with his mistress glaring at him back. He didn't mind it and continued.
"While it's understandable children being impulsive — I'm inclined to think you're not one of them. I'm sure you're more responsible than you let on."
He really means it, just like how a magus commonly accelerates mental growth for the Heir of the Family, the same could be said for his mistress. How his mistress is already in her rebellious stage when she's not even in her early teens is already a sign she had undergone through mental mysticism of some kind.
It explains her good vocabulary and self-aware attitude, children at that age wouldn't normally care for such things. Or he could pass it off that she's a prodigy of sorts.
"Then you simply don't know me." She scoffed.
"Then do you prefer being the former, Mistress? Dear me, I suppose I can serve such master who is quite the spoiled bra—"
"—No! I'm not... Wait, you baited me on purpose!"
"I am unaware of what you're referring to. Forgive this servant for being so audacious." He sarcastically feigned ignorance. To which she fumed at his bold claim.
In the end, she is still much of a child.
How does he already know her specific age and information you may ask? You can thank the summoning's knowledge inputted in his head prior to being summoned. He also knows Gensokyo and it's landscapes, but that's about it really.
Master — Priority. Gensokyo — Eastern Reverse Side (not really). Location — Somewhere around Japan. Basically, the general information of this place; but for the love of Alaya, where is this Gensokyo located in Japan? He has not encountered such a place during his eternal deployments...
Not like he is going to remember each place he has been deployed too.
He is getting off tangent, so he finalized.
"I do hope for whole story for your behavioral upbringing, if you wouldn't mind that is."
"You've frozen me like this and you expect me to share my background with you? You're a blockhead, aren't you?" She seethed at him, sounding more like as a matter of fact than a question.
"Honestly, I'm more of a hypocrite than that, but I don't Intend to be overly invasive. However, your only option here is to tell me your side of the story so I can rationalize and resolve this n̶o̶n̶s̶e̶n̶s̶e̶ better. You don't want me to give you an unreasonable punishment because of your foolishness now, do you?"
"You're already given me that unreasonable punishment though..."
"It's disciplining."
"What's the difference?!"
He can't stress enough how he almost went back from his occupation without accomplishing anything. If anything, he considers discipline quite merciful.
"Nothing much, It's just the tip of ice berg that I can do if you prefer being that way." He said, "That being the case, I can minimize your punishment as long as you're being honest with me. Sounds invasive? Too bad, I don't want to die again."
He just doesn't want to go back being janitor
"Nggh...!" The Shrine Maiden struggled, finding hard to refute.
'Then you should have stayed dead!' She stayed guiltily silent, but a cruel opinion manifested in her thoughts; nevertheless, it is the line of thinking of a rebellious phase from a helpless Shrine Maiden.
"Besides, It's only fair for the victim to choose the perpetrator's consequences; an attempt for my human life is a serious sin for an Eternal Shrine Maiden, don't you think?" He smirked, really planning his mistress' punishment.
"Still...!" She really wants to rip that smile off his face, "Isn't this way too unfair?! It's my privacy you're talking about!"
"Not at all. Unless you've forgotten your severe sin as a Shrine Maiden, then I'm not hearing any of it." He sneered, so she cursed at him, in more childish ways than one. "You got an entire week at most — I'll even consider dismissing those Black Keys halting you once you're done humoring me. Other than those however, there's nothing you could hope to do to escape."
As he ignored her gibberish barrage, he also gave some thought with his settlement to his mistress. Wondering if it was too spiteful for him to do, or too demanding for her.
'It's pretentious to expect a reflection from a child immediately — more or less forced them out of it. However... as rash this may be, I need to know what triggers her buttons before I actually get sent back to Alaya. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, so I can't afford to make mistakes like this again. Just little information is enough.'
He side eyed her, not noticing him as she muttered in some kind of ritualistic incantation. However, he sensed no mana in them or even Od being utilized. Which is odd, considering magi needed energy for spells to operate.
Unless, It was a prayer instead of an incantation. A prayer is simply a message of request to a living Gods that doesn't utilize their own energy, but the Gods Divinity directly. The Gods simply grants them Divine Power if they favor the believer, or if lucky, an Authority to a Saint. Fortunately, If Gods no longer resides on the same plains as humans, then it's reduce to a mere incantation.
However, he's in the Reverse Side right now. Absolutely anything can happen, and he doesn't want to find out. She's quick-witted with her process, but not quick with her sudden thoughts to escape, he guesses.
He hastily approached her. Maybe covering her mouth with a Projected cloth. To her credit, she continued without hesitation as he walked towards her. Her bangs covering her eyes gives her a serious like vibe, and from his experience, it usually indicates anger or sorrow.
Considering she wouldn't stop muttering, she's most likely angry with him. So he'll have to diffuse this situation quickly.
'I often forget that I'm talking to a kid, it might be good sign to get to know her personally, but probably not a responsible manner. Honestly, a normal child is easier to get a read on. Too bad this is going to worsen our relationship.'
"jerk..."
Then he halted his hand in bafflement. Honestly, he almost tripped due to unexpectedness.
"Meanie... creeper... stalker... idiot..." She bitterly mumbled.
Hearing her, he almost facepalms, retracting his apprehension and dismissing the cloth he Projected. He's an idiot for thinking she's competent enough to break free from the Black Keys. She merely sulking insults targeted at him.
"I'm leaving. I'll be sure to cook up something up for you." He sighed, choosing to ignore her and turning around to walk away.
"Nitwit... How am I supposed to eat if I'm like this, mister... moron. Heh, you became my servant because you're stupid, right? I bet Aunt only hired you to see you get fired again..." She snorted, trying to think of a bunch of insults reserved for him.
She couldn't think of an insult, so she just came up with one out of spite. But wow, even she's impressed by how mean that was. But if it was enough to annoy him, then so be it. He deserved it anyway!
His smiled ominously as the corner of his lips twitched, patiently.
"Why of course the one taking care of you, my entitled mistress. I'm sure you have heard a babysitter before, no? That's what I am right now — I'm going to spoon-feed till you're belly is bloated. So for now, say "ahh" for me while the spoon becomes a bird flying towards your mouth, will you? Oh, no need to be embarrassed, little naughty children does it all the time. After all, you're no different from them."
Hearing his insults, she frustratingly inhaled and gave a glare. Was he implying she's naughty? The nerve of him... What was he going to do anyway? Hand feed her? It doesn't sound too bad, but why does it feel humiliating...! It was already insulting having a her legs planted like a flower pot, now she's being fed by him playfully this pitifully?!
Ah, so that's why it's humiliating, she's being treated like a baby! The ones they do when an infant refuses to eat porridge?! She would rather grovel for a week than not being treated with dignity as a proud Shrine Maiden!
"Alright! F-Fine...! I'll talk..." She hesitated but continued, "I, uh, listen here, alright! Just because Auntie Yukari sent servants to clean up this place doesn't mean I'll cozy up to them! Understand?! Yukari said it's only common sense to beat strangers down if they have malicious intent, so yeah— that's what I did!"
She narrowed, he noticed her eyes glistening. He thought it was her determination to refute him so he listened intently.
"You are no exception, mister meanie servant. I've had shares of traitors during my... training. It's not my first time either that some random became my supposed servant only to betray me for my orb... What makes you think you're any better, huh?!"
'I don't trust you.' Is what he got from her, he guesses. Although not straightforward to what she's implying, It was simple enough for him to interpret the message.
Then a single eyebrow rose in surprised, he just realized he said the exact same thing in her last statement to that Yokai earlier. The difference is obviously clear, he was collected while his mistress was more aggravated. But the thing is, mistrust is gained from deception, betrayals, and condemnation. He knows that better than anyone. Therefore...
'I see, it's like she said. She did experience something rough, and it might be still ongoing considering her age. I'm embarrassed, I can't believe I doubted a child's words even though they're terrible liars. No children would be this resolute in their words otherwise — that's just how honest they are.'
Well, it's not he will comfort her an answer.
He looked at her nothing expressive. Moments after, he closed his eyes and leaned to the fixed wooden piller he Reinforced. He did humor his thoughts to reply "so?", but judged it inappropriate considering his mistress is like Rin with extra steps. Adding to that fact that pissing off a child with immense power could literally annihilate him if triggered in some way.
Also, he was not that heartless.
"Sounds personal, but I suppose so." Indeed, he is no better than a simple backstabber for a certain Caster. While his plan had merit of achieving a win-win situation, it doesn't make it any less rotten.
Furthermore, he did it with an agenda. Caster was simply a throwaway key to his means. Nothing more — nothing less.
"I'm guessing this had something to do with your outburst?"
It explains her behavior, but to what extent however? One that attacks home Invaders the moment they acted? Understandable. However, intentionally knocking someone out that's been nothing but help is... still somewhat understandable. He wouldn't himself either, a person claiming that had connections with someone's aunt or something.
In actuality, he begrudgingly approves of her course of action. It's just that he's upset that he is the assailant of this turn of events. In the first place, was he really that suspicious?
His mistress bit her lip inwardly. Looking down and avoiding eye contact.
"Yeah— I, I won't drop my guard down just because you're being kind to me...!" she sniffled. Causing the guardian to twitch a brow. "I... I'm gonna... uweh... stop looking at me!"
'You got to be kidding me...'
Out of respect, he grimaced and abashedly averted her cries by resting his head upwards, saving that child's dignity. He felt like an ass for some reason; which he shouldn't be, since it was for her own good to instill some discipline and common sense in her — a sense of responsibility for her actions.
His mistress tried to sniffled quietly, barely noticeable to him. He could tell she was trying hard to hold it in; he gets it now — why her eyes glistened, it was not from resolution, but from her tears of childlike shame.
It seems his mistress is just a little girl after all.
He did always mentally mention that she was a child, but his psyche didn't really sink in with whenever they converse. Quite troubling since he doesn't know how to deal with this type of masters.
He thought it was the child's matured arrogance (mentality) that fooled him into thinking they would have complementary relationship, but it seems that wasn't the case. Maybe her past did impacted her accelerated mental growth? Just not in a failed experimental type of way, but moreso towards how she was treated.
'Despite how my she acts, she has those little quirks of Rin. I wonder if this is how Tohsaka acted during her childhood.'
The least he can do is sympathize for her. However, that is his only feelings he can extend to. She will have to become more thoughtful before the orb really kills someone...
He sighed, he carefully walked towards her and kneeled downed at her level. He patted her head and smiled. Reassurance is a child's best friend, after all.
"Hey, don't cry. Our situation is one thing, our past is another. But of course, I'll listen to you. I did start this, after all." He said, stroking her head with a reassuring smile. "Rest assured, I won't judge you or think anything bad of you, You can trust me. Can you tell me how you are treated?"
'Ah, I haven't been like this for ages, but I can remember bits and pieces to how I treated children at Middle East. I suppose this is one of those times where flashbacks from the past becomes relevant today.'
Her mistress moisty eyes squinted at him, clearly trying to glare at him for his sudden change of attitude... But quickly calmed with every stroke, wiping her nose and held-backed tears with the projected tissue on her hands traced by her Servant.
"I... I don't know how it started. But..."
It seems the first step of opening up to him has started. He'll have to sincerely listen from now on, and maybe they'll become a family in the future? Hah, a funny thought. Like that's going to happen.
Not realizing a tug of the corner of his lips raised, they simply sat next together on the Shrines entrance. Sharing her troubles while he listens. Winds seem to blow as if it was peaceful, despite the chaotic wreckage the surroundings are.
His got a lot of work ahead of him.