Chapter 20
Taylor was standing in Yang's little garden with a little ray of the morning sun shining through the gap between residences around it. Her eyes were glaring at the improvised dartboard made of painted rag and wooden frame hanging on the wall bereft of vegetation a dozen meters away was a red bullseye on full display. Her dominant hand gripped on the parasol which stabbed into the ground, while another was balled into a fist with acupuncture needles poking out between her fingers ready to be thrown.
Without any signal, the maid flicked her hand and let the needles fly while her face grimaced as if in pain from an invisible wound that suddenly opened by her action.
A soft 'thud' echoes as the needles found their marks. But to the maid's disappointment and pained expression, only a couple of them struck the bullseye while the rest were embedded outside it.
Instead of moving to retrieve the needles, the maid tightened her grip on the parasol and leaned on it for support. Her frown deepened as if her last action has caused immense pain to her. Her legs quakes but she refused to kneel or drop to the ground.
After what felt like an eternity for the maid, her apparent pain seems to subside. She slowly made her way to retrieve her tools but stopped with the voice of an old man chirping from behind her.
"You're a bit too early today." The old man walked closer to Taylor while his almost shut eyes surveyed the result of her practice; "Still, mind filling out this old man why you started throwing acupuncture needles around like that for the past month?"
Taylor sighed as she turned to face Yang; "You know?"
Yang tapped his right ear a bit for emphasis; "I was an assassin before. The skills I've learned are still with me." he paused slightly before adding with a shrug; "Situation awareness goes a long way to aid you in this line of work after all."
The silence staring didn't last as Taylor waved her hand and telekinetically pulled needles back into her hand before she wiped and disinfected them with another application of fire magic. After that was done, she approached Yang and asked; "May I brew you some tea first?"
"That would be nice. But I'd rather get the breakfast first. It's too early for tea after all." Replied Yang, his tone sounding as if the discussion never happened at all. But Taylor knew that the old man only wants her to calm down and tell him on her accord, and she was grateful for this understanding old man.
One quiet breakfast later and after Mao went to man the clinic's counter, Yang asked Taylor to help him take care of the herb garden in the backyard from ridding weeds, trimming branches, and harvesting herbs for later processing.
The leisure pace of their works helped ease her mind and before she knows it, it was already close to noon when they finished and she had to start cooking lunch. Still, Taylor was proud of herself for finishing it in time despite the time limit.
It wouldn't be until after lunch that Yang and Taylor finally got to continue their conversation from the morning thanks to the slow afternoon with no patients of that day. And as usual, it was Yang who opened up first; "So, about this morning and many mornings prior, what makes you decided to pick up throwing needles, hmm?"
Taylor was silent for a while, but before she could respond, Yang took an accurate guess; "Is this related to Yuuka's gift and your attempt at mastering it?"
A nod from the maid; "I heard that this kind of practice helps with focusing one's mind."
"So does every task and work like what you did in the clinic…" Yang responded and reiterated; "…so why needle throwing in particular?"
"…"
The silent reply prompted the old man to chuckle; "I've said it before that I won't judge your life choice, did I not? Even if you're pursuing this to complement your expected art of parasol combat, I wouldn't judge you for it."
Though the 'parasol combat' sounded quite silly, the seriousness of the delivery would've made Taylor laugh if he wasn't talking about her. Thus, she could only admit the truth; "It is as you say. Are there any tips or some pointers for this?"
Yang's smile turned into a frown as he answered with arms folded over the table; "I'm sorry to disappoint you about this Taylor. But from my personal experience, needle throwing is mostly for a distraction, not a tool you should rely on to stop your foe if that's what you're aiming for."
Taylor was surprised that Yang's reasoning was more than just disagreement with violence and his reason was sounded, but Yang wasn't finished yet; "After all, the art of acupuncture requires a precise application of force on the specific spots to yield the desired outcome. You cannot control the needle once thrown, and you also cannot control the reaction of your target. Your projectile will just be a nuisance than an actual threat."
It was obvious from the start, Taylor mused inwardly as she recounted the times her needles veered off-course, struck with little force that couldn't pierce the bullseye. Even two strikes today were more luck than her skill.
"And then you're also holding that parasol, fighting against its attempt to turn you into a rabid animal during practices." Yang calmly responded as if discussing the weather and not a potential rampage of a magic-wielding berserker under his roof.
Taylor wasn't sure if it was confidence in her skill, or it was because he trusted his oath sworn sister will keep things under control despite the latter rarely stepping foot into this abode to check on him in person?
"Shinki deemed my progress on it to be acceptable enough to practice outside of her castle." Taylor replied honestly before adding; "But I guess Haku watching us may have something to do with that."
Yang gave her a silent affirmative nod before adding; "Practicing in a safe environment is good and all. But sooner or later, your skill will be put to the test in the real world if you insisted on going down that path." He looked nostalgic at the next sentence; "This reminds me of when I was young."
The brief silence was broken a few moments later by Yang who spoke up with a frown; "My advice about focus on one thing at a time still stands, Taylor. Because that's what I experienced to be the most effective." he sighed; "But that doesn't mean you cannot do multiple practices at the same time. Different people, different affinity, so to speak. Just be especially careful when it comes to something like this all right?"
Taylor wanted to assure the old man that she had everything under control but held back as she reflected upon herself and what Yang was saying while staring at the empty cup in her grip. Was her recklessness got the better of her again? And to her silent cursing, she concluded that she did in the month leading to today.
The lesson about mind manipulation with Shinki the first night came to the forefront of her mind once again, 'Slowly boiling the frog' or so she said, it seems that said method not only applies between 'Master' and their victims but also to someone trying to convince themselves to gradually become reckless and disregard all cautions to the wind too.
'It seems that my focus is misplaced.' Taylor frowned at the conclusion she came to, yet part of her didn't want to admit it and thus argued; "I think I'm past the point of doing meditation to control my weapon now."
Yang frowned before responding; "Mind is a subject which other people will have a limited way of understanding. If you cannot understand yourself, then who can?"
Taylor was skeptical to that claim which was expressed almost immediately after with a quip; "You and Shinki kind of reading my mind for the last five years makes me doubt it."
Yang responded with a laugh; "That's from experiences of interacting with people over one's lifetime. And even then, it's not always correct."
He paused and tried to lift his cup to drink again before Taylor stopped him. As he shot her a questioning look, she explains; "It's cold already. Let me heat it."
Pointing her finger at the cup without any chant or flash of light, and the tea was steaming once more. Yang didn't look surprised at all at this antic as he remarked; "I've been wondering if re-heating like this will worsen its taste…"
He took a sip from the now steaming cup and then dismissed his earlier remark before Taylor could respond; "But who am I to judge? This old man isn't a tea enthusiast or gourmet. Effects on health are what I am interested in, not taste."
That remark made Taylor smile a little. But that smile became cheeky when Yang suddenly asked; "By the way, how about you show me your progress in Tai Chi I taught you?"
The old man was quick to notice her smile and laughed. He placed his cup down before kindly reiterating one of his lessons; "Practice it at your own pace, Taylor. Just do not forget the basics and one day you'll develop a style that best suits you."
Taylor let out a sarcastic remark; "I'm juggling between working as a maid and a doctor while studying needle throwing, magic, medical, mental defense, and martial arts simultaneously now."
Yang's smile didn't faze as he address her grimaces with common sense; "You should prioritize one subject at a time. A reminder that I didn't learn all the skills during my youth and many were picked up as I lived on. You have a life ahead of you, don't rush it."
"But you started your study before your tenth birthday while I started mid-teen." Taylor grumbled at the obvious; "You have more time than I am."
"Better to excel at craft and art you determined to be important than being mediocre at everything."
Taylor's expression was still mutinous despite knowing that he was right. Time isn't something she or anyone could magic up and she should focus on mastering what's important first, which means training her mental defense and trying to master the parasol while keeping her medical and housekeeping skills sharp.
"I'll go and help Mao outside." She spoke her decision and made her way to collect the cups to wash. She wanted some time to think about what they discussed.
However, when she finished cleaning and was about to go to the clinic, Yang stood up and moved surprisingly quickly for an old man and block the door leading to the clinic. His eyes squinted at her as he asked with serious concern; "Do you think your mind is cleared enough to perform your duty should the need arise out there?"
Taylor replied with a serious expression on her face; "After all I've been through and everything you taught me; I will not disappoint you." and then she left to do just that, knowing that action speaks louder than words for people in this household.
Despite the fear of Yuuka's inquiry on her lack of progress in taming the cursed parasol and wielding it as a weapon, Taylor couldn't avoid seeing her during the monthly purchase of essential plant seeds for Yang, or ingredients for the Pandemonium castle. She was tempted to take up Shinki's offer of letting Yumeko buy the goods in her stead, stating that it was the head maid's duty before her taking it over after becoming a new maid here.
In the end, she couldn't take that offer, because she thinks that it'd give her situation away immediately.
Surprisingly enough, Yuuka neither asks nor mentions anything about her ongoing quest. All the conversation they struck was on the common topics; from how Yuuka managing her garden to how Taylor and her coworker/teacher spent their purchases, or even swapping news and occurrences in Makai and the 'Eastern Wonderland' or as Taylor learned the name of recently, Gensokyou, which is another Realm that Yuuka anchored frequent from her pocket dimension abode.
Taylor still couldn't erase a dreaded feeling like Yuuka knows more about her progress but pretended to not care, however.
But that peaceful day came to a sudden end when the green-haired demon in human guise called Taylor when she was about to leave her vending stall and make an unusual request;
"May I see the gift that I gave you?"
The innocent tone and the caring smile on Yuuka's face did nothing to stop the panic inside Taylor's mind. Only her training and her voice of reason stopped her from falling on instinct and trying to get as far away from the woman as possible, knowing that doing so would immediately set off the monster in disguise that something was up.
While Shinki, Yumeko, and possibly Haku, wouldn't let Yuuka do any harm in here, that primal fear still grips her heart as she tried her best to not let the panic show on her face while facing down the monster in front of her and thinking of the way to ask for help.
"Little one, I'm neither a man-eater, nor I am that easy to anger." Yuuka spoke up as if she knows what the 'little girl' in front of her was thinking and almost make Taylor jump. But she paid the rapidly paling face of her conversation partner no mind as she insists; "So, can I see it now?"
With no way to delay further as far as Taylor could see, a ripple formed next to her free hand and she hesitantly pulled the cursed parasol out of it for Yuuka to see.
Despite months of training, the parasol remains pristine as if it had never been used as a weapon before thanks to the fact that it was more of a living plant than an inanimate object and can self-regenerate from magical energy poured into it every time Taylor pulled it out to practice. That was the only thing closest to the success Taylor had since trying to tame the thing, at least according to herself.
Yuuka didn't take the parasol from Taylor and chose to stare at it for a moment before shaking her head. Taylor stole a glance at Yuuka's expression while preparing to run if things go south. However, her preparation wasn't subtle enough as Yuuka mirthfully called her out on it a second later; "I've said many times before and I'll say it again; I did not live for this long by becoming enraged at the smallest offense, little one."
Taylor decided to bow her head slightly and preemptively admit what she perceived to be her failure to Yuuka before the latter could say another word; "I'm sorry for not meeting your expectation, Ma'am."
The elder's lips tugged upward slightly before she looked around; The market square was as busy as ever and since she didn't flare her power this time around, no guards nor that troublesome fox were approaching the duo either. It was perfect for anything to happen to the poor maid standing in front of her… if Yuuka ever took offense that is…
But then again, feeling fear roiling out from the maid was quite entertaining for someone of her nature, so she let the little one stew for another minute. And then, when she seems to have enough and about to run, yanked her back to reality with a sweet voice and innocent smile; "What are you talking about, Little one? Is there something you want to tell me?"
The rapidly paling face of the girl in front of her almost elicits a laugh from Yuuka, but she stopped herself from laughing out and waved her hand; "Perish your fear. I'm neither disappointed nor angry…"
She paused a bit and then gives an offer; "How about we meet at a later date where you calmed down and safe? Like at Shinki's castle tomorrow afternoon?"
Taylor was surprised at the offer, but suspicion kicks in and she couldn't help herself but ask, albeit with slight hesitation; "What do you have to gain from this? What are you planning?"
Yuuka winked at that question; "Now that would be telling. But are you underestimating your mistress and your senior a bit too much? That you'd think that I can do anything I wanted to in their home when I never try anything even out here?"
Taylor wanted to argue, but she shut her mouth, not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, and decided to give Yuuka a nod; "Thank you for your consideration. I'll take my leave now."
She tried to not look hasty when walking away, but despite the poise and grace of her steps, Taylor found that she moved faster than normal still as she made her way back to Shinki's castle, completely forgotten her ability to fly in the rush to get the news to her mistress and senior.
A day later and Taylor found herself nervously standing in front of the castle gate waiting for Yuuka to appear. She occasionally glanced to the side observing her stoic senior who stood beside her as a 'welcoming party' as if to gauge the reaction, but her expression remains impassive throughout.
Since Yuuka didn't give the exact time she'd arrive, they had been standing there for at least an hour by now. The night shift town guards had already reported in and swap with the day shift while they waited. A few greeted them while on their way. Although no one dare to ask who they were waiting for, the tension in the air around the duo was more than enough to make everyone understand that whoever they are, it's above their pay grade and there was nothing they can do except for some encouraging words exchanged.
Taylor appreciated the encouragement, but it was a little uncomfortable when she remembered that these guards are capable of sensing if something was off without outright mind reading and began to wonder if her training up to now was useless after all.
"It's hard to stop what isn't there, Taylor."
Yumeko suddenly spoke up, drawing Taylor's attention to her as the next shift of guards was out of earshot.
A glance from the golden eyes on Taylor's face, and the head maid continues without waiting for a question from her junior; "You just spoke your doubts out verbally a moment prior. I'd have to be deaf to not hear it when being so close like this."
Embarrassment showed up on Taylor's face as she averted eye contact and mumbled; "Sorry."
Yumeko shook her head; "There's nothing to be sorry about." she then explains; "As you know, the guards were trained to read your mood and reaction to spot unwanted guests, is it not logical that they can use that skill to sense when one is troubled too?"
Taylor couldn't refute Yumeko's reasoning the more she thought about it. But before she could continue her conversation, she and Yumeko sensed a ripple of magical power in the air a few steps in front of them, and then there was a flash of light upon which Yuuka, still clad in her usual red and white dress, appeared out of thin air.
"I hope I'm not keeping you two waiting for long, am I?" The demon in the guise of a green-haired maiden greeted them with a kind smile, parasol in her hand with its handle rested on her shoulder as if trying to paint a picture of a proper lady. But from the expressions on Taylor, Yumeko, and even the guards at the castle gate, they were not buying it.
Seeing the look the 'welcoming party' gave her, Yuuka huffed; "Dear, if you make a face like that, no one gonna visit, you know?"
Instead of engaging in a verbal spar, Yumeko merely bowed while silently signaling Taylor to do the same; "We'll take that for later consideration. But now, please follow us, we have to keep a schedule."
Yuuka made a dramatic sigh in response; "Never going to light up at all huh? But by all means, lead the way."
And so, Taylor and her senior took off into the castle with their scary guest on their heels. Their paces were quick but not hasty. The corridors were mostly empty of the usual fairies to which Yumeko quietly explained that their instinct told them of the danger Yuuka could pose and thus they were hiding from them for now.
Taylor wondered if she should take offense that the fairies were considering her a non-threat enough to prank or to be terrified that Yuuka was still way, way more powerful than she thought if the fairies' avoidance of her was any indication.
They made their way not toward Shinki's room, but to the tower where Taylor used for training as Shinki had instructed the day before. Taylor couldn't fault her logic for choosing this place considering what's going to be discussed.
As they appeared on the top floor of the tower, a white table was seen set up next to the parapet which give a nice view of the town during the daytime. Snacks and tea sets were set up in record time thanks to the two maids while Shinki and Yuuka exchanged a simple greeting. However, before the two maids could take position standing behind Shinki, their mistress asked them first, specifically to Taylor;
"Join us, my child. Is this gathering not having you as the main participant?"
Yumeko glanced meaningfully at her junior, but she was still hesitant until her senior verbally said it with an assuring smile unlike the tense walk earlier, which probably because of a presence of a being that could help them should things get ugly; "This's your matter. Your spot on the table is a must. Just leave the services to me for today."
Taylor sat on the last seat at the table which put her next to Shinki and opposite of the enigmatic monster-teacher… she wasn't sure what to call her anymore, while Yumeko casually served everyone their tea and biscuits.
It felt like she was a child sitting with their parents while meeting with a teacher, and she wasn't going to complain about it.
Five minutes later, Taylor's portion was left untouched because wasn't sure if she should take the treats or not considering her station, while the two overpowered individuals were casually sipping their drinks and enjoying the treats with occasional small talks unrelated to the matter at hand.
Only when Yuuka downed the last drop of her cup that she finally begins the discussion;
"Still, considering the gift that I gave this little one here…" Yuuka started, her eyes glanced over Taylor briefly before settling on the still smiling Shinki opposite of her; "I expected more interventions from you. What gives?"
If Shinki took offense then she didn't show it on her face at all as she replied; "The matter of heart and soul is something that other people will be of limited help. And besides…" She sent Taylor an encouraging smile; "She's not a child anymore, I believe in her that she'll rise to your challenge on her own with some pieces of advice."
Yuuka let out a soft chuckle; "I've said this many times before; for a deity, you're far too soft and too stingy with powers." She paused to savor the look of confusion on Taylor's face before continuing; "Other deities will just bless their chosen with powers and then call it a day, not having them go through studies and learning like this!"
Taylor turned to look at Shinki who shook her head at Yuuka's statement; "Powers shouldn't be gifted or blessed, it should be earned so that the wielders have time to hone their skills and understood the weight and responsibility they must shoulder for obtaining one. You, of all people, should understand this."
Yuuka laughed at Shinki's reply while Taylor looked alarmed at her reaction. The laughter died down soon after as Yuuka composed herself to retort back; "And look at yourself; created by those old gods with all the powers that gods born of beliefs nowadays could only dream of, and yet you turned out fine!"
Taylor wasn't surprised about Shinki's origin given that she once talked about it, but the choice of word from Yuuka left her wondering if she intentionally misuses the word or not.
And Shinki's response afterward didn't shed any light on the matter either;
"If that's true, my… 'relatives' would still be around."
"They failed a test of character." Yuuka replied while nonchalantly waving her hand; "I think the humans have this proverb that described it well; 'Judge not a character of a man from how they treat their superior, judge them from how they treat the lesser one.' isn't that right?"
Taylor couldn't help but agreed with Yuuka, but just like any other argument Shinki being part of, she never fail to impress with some insightful opinion that also correct from a certain point of view;
"You cannot expect newborn babies to have a conscience to use their powers responsibly. Their survival instinct could only help so far before they became drunk with powers and destroy themselves and everything. As the Yama would've told you; reincarnation with memories of the past is an exception, not the norm."
In response, Yuuka gestured toward Taylor and brings them partially back to the topic they wished to discuss today; "But here's the exception as you described, is she not? Then why is it that you not bestow her with powers and be done with it?"
It was at this point that Taylor felt the need to speak up, but to defend her mistress' opinion or just to share her 'personal experience' which contradicts Yuuka's opinion of 'blessed people with powers instead of teaching them is better' she wasn't entirely sure; "From my experience, even fully grown adults can be irresponsible when given powers more often than not too."
Yuuka's and Yumeko's eyebrow rose a little at Taylor's argument, while Shinki's had a knowing look on her face. It was obvious to Taylor at this moment that Yuuka somewhat deduced that she was a reincarnated soul, but she didn't know the full story of it... for now…
Their guest didn't dwell on it and put them back on track in her next sentence; "So, since your progress seems a bit too slow for my taste…" she paused, and then quickly dispel the forming misunderstanding when she saw that Taylor seemingly shrunk at what she perceived as a disappointment; "…Relax, little one. Your parasol told me how you tried many things all for the sake of dominating it. But since you didn't have much success, I decided to give you a hint, or a quiz, or somewhere between..."
Taylor wasn't sure what was this monster was trying, but seeing that Shinki and Yumeko didn't react to her negatively, she decided to trust them that it wasn't dangerous and let Yuuka continue;
"Well, here's the question~," she said in a sing-song voice which immediately cause Taylor to tense up and listen attentively; "…Is it the body that affects the soul? Or is it the other way around?"
Taylor somewhat understood what Yuuka wanted to say; Despite she has seen proof that the afterlife and reincarnation are real, parts of her 'upbringing in the modern society.' is still influencing her thought and ideas, making it hard for her to separate what she feels and what her body feels from one another.
"My mind manipulation power isn't up for snuff you know?" Yuuka spoke up as Taylor was contemplating the question, interrupting her thought as her attention was back on the demon again; "Memories and experiences imparted in my gift are real, but the bloodlust and urge for violence was augmented from the chemical in the parasol absorbed through your skin."
At that, she shot Shinki a mocking glance; "Truly you have grown sloppy, letting this slip your mind. Or was it intentional to let the little one learn by herself?" Without waiting for a reply, Yuuka continued as her attention turned to Taylor; "Truly, are you sure your confidence isn't misplaced upon your pupil to let her learn by just offering advice here and there?"
If that was a taunt directed at her, it was surely very effective as Taylor's eyes narrowed down considerably while glaring at Yuuka. It was only by Shinki's presence reminding her of the reason she asked for a meeting in this place that she held her mouth shut while calming herself down.
"No one is the same." Shinki replied; "And matter of body and soul like this is something that one must face alone. For no one can help to strengthen them but themselves."
"The problem is that this girl's mindset is that of those from the world that dismisses and forsake the supernatural wonders as delusion and that science is the end all be all to everything." Yuuka pointed out, her tone changed toward malice directing at the ignorant people worlds beyond; "Those fishes in the tiny pond, thinking that the 'Rules' and 'Physics' they defined means that they already unlocked all the secrets there is of the universe. And I fear that this little one is still polluted by them."
The exposition from Yuuka stung Taylor, she knows that she came from the outside where scientific knowledge reigns supreme and anything that does not conform to it is viewed as superstitious nonsense. She thought that belief should be gone after over five years of living in this land full of wonders, but Yuuka's opinion renewed her doubt.
"And again, this's the one that she has to realize by herself, not anyone trying to force her to change her belief." Shinki calmly repeated what she told Taylor when she began this lesson months ago; "Whether or not this will lead to her success or failure remains to be seen."
Taylor felt encouraged by the trust placed on her, but she held her tongue as she felt that speaking up to assure her now will be but an empty boast. However, Yuuka seems to notice and calls her out on it; "Why not say something, little one? That face you make tells me that you are thinking of it. Assure your mistress and me that you won't disappoint us? Or are you going to say that the burden is too much to bear?"
Shinki once again placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed it. As Taylor turned to look at her, she offers her advice; "Although there's a saying that one shouldn't make a promise they cannot keep, saying that promise out loud can also be seen as a sign of commitment with the world as a witness that you will do your best to live up to your words."
Taylor felt the heat upon her as Yuuka's red eyes stared at her in anticipation. Her hesitation was shown clearly on her face, and that probably the reason for the next words from Yuuka;
"I have asked you before, and I am going to ask you again; what good does your strength be if you're too afraid to face the challenges present to you? Hearing your own words, aware of the people and the world witnessing your proclamation can be a good motivator you know?"
Taylor briefly wondered if this was about trying to convince oneself that they could do something so they ended up succeeding in it. But when she considered what they were discussing about, this was probably one of those skills which required such thinking in the first place.
A realization hits her; this wasn't a discussion at all; Yuuka was trying to give her a helping hand! Just like how Shinki and everyone tried to help her before. Only that the presence of power she felt from the woman clouded her judgment and blinded her until now!
Taylor chuckled in her mind before she looked straight at Yuuka and said with a voice filled with confidence, both to sweep away her doubts and for the world to be the witness of her promise to the people she respects;
"Whether it will take months or years, I will not let you down, Ma'am. I. Will. Succeed!"
In the end, there wasn't a choice at all. There's only one path to take if she wants to succeed, not just this challenge but others beyond, going forward…
Author's Note: I have no excuse for not updating this story for so long. A joke about "Forgotten Password" aside, I forgot that I have account on this site at all. So, eh... don't be surprised if I posted a couple more chapters to catch up with what I posted on Spacebattles. Which isn't much, I assure.
Constructive criticisms are welcome, as always.