Soliloquy of the Uncaught Tanuki Disguiser
I gazed upon the human that I agreed to help, Rain Nanase, as we approach our destination, the Hakurei Barrier which leads to Gensokyo.
She's a human with an interesting situation. As for what I would gain by helping her? Not that much but it's better to secure her future 'help' aside from that who would refuse to help the poor girl after hearing her dilemma?
As for how we faired when we set off? Well I've used my powers to transform her into a different person with clothes that would not get much attention. It's not that really hard for me to do that. But this human is too nitpicky when I first transformed her. Her reactions seem to be focus on how I changed her chest which I found funny as I gave her a big one instead of her regular 'small' size.
I was expecting her to be amazed and all but she seemed to be annoyed by that and remarked. "Your power is cool and all but do you really have to change the size of my breast? Like maybe you seemed to pity me and gave me the experience of having one... I do have one but... yeah no, they are heavy as hell! Change them back will you?" though she would not admit it, I can see her face is flustered by this.
I gave out a few laughs at how peculiar this human is. Of course I've changed them back to the way they are. Her personality reminds me of the Hakurei shrine maiden.
Back then when my friend Usami Sumireko called for my help by pressing that miniature statue I gave her I was shock when that happened as I would not have thought that she will press it. I have to leave Gensokyo quickly when that happened, because why would she press that when I specifically told her to do it only when needed?
To my surprise as I make my way to my friend's home. I hear strange rumors said by the humans concerning about an attempted robbery at a convenience store. When I heard that I only could shake my head to the actions of these humans. But when I heard that a girl dressed in unusual way stopped the robbery I could not help but be intrigued too.'
"I will have a look at that some other time." I muttered to myself as I near the destination.
It didn't take long for me to reach the door where my friend lives, after all I've been here a few times already.
I rang the so called doorbell that the humans use to call their attention when inside their homes. I still could not get the thought of who might that girl be... is she a resident of Gensokyo who can also leave as she pleases? Before I can answer my own thought the door in front of opened and the familiar image of my friend Sumireko Usami appeared before my eyes.
I can already tell she's fine by the look in her face but still why did she called for my help?
"You're here! I'm glad you came! Come in! There's someone I want you to meet!"
That cheerful expression of hers must indicate that something good must have happened to her. As to whoever this person she wants me to meet perhaps a new friend? No, she won't call me over such things...it must be something else. Nevertheless I will have my answer across this door.
My human friend here said that she told about Gensokyo to her new friend and about me as well, which I find odd but I trust that she did that for a good reason.
We entered and just a few moments of entering I can already hear the sipping of a tea. I wondered who could that be? And then I lay my eyes on a silver-white haired girl sitting on a table sipping her tea. The way she looks solemn highlights her beauty.
When I first saw her attire and the two swords, a set of katana or a daisho to be exact. I first thought of that half-phantom who resides in the Netherworld but upon closer look she's very much different as there is the absence of the other half which is the phantom itself and her black hairband which resembles a butterfly. Another is her heterocromia eyes consisting of red and green. She seems to be taller than me which I found surprising.
Then she greeted me in a way I found amusing. Though I have no way to know how exactly strong she is but her actions alone and the aura she gives are enough for me to say that she is not your average human to mess with.
As I get to know her, I found out she's a good human. I learned about her current situation and that she is responsible for subduing the robber in the convenience store. Even if it just a mere coincidence that The person I want to meet is right in front of me, I could not turn a blind eye to a person especially a good human like her. The favor part is just a big bonus, who knows when I'll need her help?
So I decided to help her out and smuggle her into Gensokyo. Yes, that's right smuggling her is the only way to get in. Of course I wouldn't have my name be dragged into this, so I'd told the two of them not to mention my name and that Rain herself got into Gensokyo by herself which doesn't sound promising but I already have that part of the story covered by making Usami say that she guided Rain.
Once we're there I'll have her do just as I instructed and leave the premises. I wouldn't want to be caught red handed by the watchful boundary Yokai.
As for how well she do in Gensokyo? Well I could say that she in for quite a ride. Just thinking about it makes me twitch in excitement. Let's just hope that she won't stirr to much trouble in her first day.
"Are we there yet? Just asking since you dispelled the transformation." Rain said as she looks around.
They seemed to be in a forest as to how they ended up here Rain herself doesn't know as she loss track of time when they were travelling but it seems like this is the way to the so called Gensokyo.
After a few walks they finally spotted a what it seemed to be a run-down shrine. It was very old and looks uninhabited. Before Rain could ask the yokai with her, Mamizou spoke.
"Alright, here we are. Remember our agreement about no word about me being involved." She said as she looks around seemingly looking for something.
"Right, I won't, still you being careful not to get involved seems like Gensokyo is a place not really open for outsiders like me." Rain said as she too examines the area and commented. "I have this feeling of irritation whenever I see places in a state like this especially a shrine."
Mamizou upon hearing this could not help but smile at her comment and she replied.
"Well you are not the first human-" she seems to have hesitated to continue what she is about to say.
"Nevermind that...about the state of that shrine I know that feeling too but let's move on because I'm about to open a temporary hole in the barrier." Mamizou said as her tone gets serious and continued.
"And after that you have to get in quickly, the next thing you should do is that you either go to the human village or the Hakurei shrine. I still don't know if something could happen when you pass the barrier either you end up back here or somewhere else so I apologise in advance. Alright, Ready? Go!" She said as somehow the area in front of her started to distort, meaning she already started.
Rain saw the distorted space in front of her and the words that Mamizou said is hard to follow but she somehow got the gist of it and without wasting time runs towards it.
"Good luck!" Mamizou said with a thumbs up and then quickly left just before Rain passes the barrier.
What happens next or from the perspective of Rain. What she sees is the distorting dimension in front of her as she passes through something like reality bending itself. The next thing she know she is somehow in a forest which made her think.
'The forest? Did I got send back? This feels like when I first arrive at the city... that sudden feeling of you just being popped in existence.'
There she takes a look around and having been standing there for a few minutes. Eventually her patience runs out and decided to walk in the direction she seemed to just randomly pick.
After a few minutes of walk she seemed to be visibly confused.
"I think I'm going around in circles here...haah...there's that odd mushroom again." Rain sighed as her eyes focuses on the unusual mushroom just ahead of her.
That's not the only mushroom she saw, there are countless others she spotted earlier.
'One, two, three, four, this forest has an unusual amount of mushrooms and I can already tell that they aren't the normal ones. Aw, crap don't tell me they are THE poisonous ones! Not to mention some of the ground are damp, my boots are getting dirty because of it, I need to get out of here...'
Rain still kept walking until eventually she spots a what seemed to be a giant mushroom.
"What the? That's one big mushroom, callling it now that this forest is not the same forest I was before." Rain said as she examines the giant mushroom in front of her.
"Odd, this is just the back of the giant mushroom and yet I already feel uncomfortable about it, perhaps it's the overall forest?" She said as she keeps poking the assumed back of the giant mushroom with her sheathed sword.
That is until the said giant mushroom moved that somehow startled her that leads to her making a cute girly sound.
"Eep! D-did it just moved?!"
Just as she said the grounds shakes around and this is not an earthquake but rather the movement of the giant mushroom that she keeps poking. Until finally the she sees the front of the giant mushroom which has a face that looks extremely pissed.
Rain gave a short chuckle at this and said "Uh-oh. I supposed you're pissed about me poking around. Might I interest you in a joke that might appease you?"
While clearly she should just run or fight she decided to talk the civilized way, as to why she did that, it could be either be she wants to befriend the giant mushroom or she's just being an idiot.
The silence likely means that the giant mushroom is saying "I'd like to see where this is going, go on." Which Rain obliged by continuing.
"Alright, here goes: What do you call a giant mushroom?" She looks at the monster mushroom that didn't changed it's facial expression, even so she still continued.
"The answer is! Hu-Fungus!" as she said that she lets out a huge laugh but it seems that she was the only one laughing at that joke.
The Forest of Magic
It's called the "Forest of Magic" because of the wide number of hallucinogenic mushrooms that grow here. Many magicians live in this forest for the sake of increasing their magical powers with these hallucinogenic mushrooms. The forest has areas of ground where the sun never shines, thus making them dark and damp for mushrooms to endlessly grow there.
It's a place whose true nature is clouded by strange rumours and weird happenstance. The forest's environment is extremely hazardous to both humans and youkai and both kinds typically also find the place uncomfortable. The spores of monstrous mushrooms dance about in mid-air and a normal human's health would worsen simply by breathing here, there are also the human-eating plants. Surely an inevitable, horrible misfortune will surely befall all who even think of trespassing into the forest.
A fine example would be the girl now running for her life after she pissed off a giant monstrous mushroom by poking it with her sheathed sword and to add insult to injury she cracked a joke about mushrooms that really pissed it.
"SHIIIIT! Guess I didn't tickled his funny bone! If it has one that is... that would explain the silence after the joke." Rain said as she runs away.
"I could try to tickle it with my sword but let's face it I'm the one at fault here."
As she runs away she encountered more and more of the said human-eating plants which of course she dodged without getting injured.
As the chase ensues she makes sure to look back and forth to ensure her safety. After she verifies that she is no longer being chased she exhales a sigh of relief.
"Now that was intense! Pretty sure I'm going to get squashed if there's not mushroom in here!" She made a mushroom pun which of course she is the only to laugh at as she is the only there but that also doesn't mean other people will laugh at such a pun.
After recovering from laughing at her own pun she notices that she is almost out of the forest and that there is house just outside of it. The house is a white European-style building that's small in size. There seems to be a table outside with two people.
One is sitting in a chair, she has a really long purple hair and also her eyes are purple, and has many ribbons tied to her hair and other parts of her clothing. She wears pink pajama-like clothing and a night-cap with a gold crescent moon on it.
The other is pouring her some tea using somehow flying dolls. She's a blonde with a short hair and a red ribbon running across the top. She wears a light blue top and skirt with pink ribbons tied at her waist and neck, and a pair of boots on her feet. She's also holding onto a big black book that looks like it's locked up with bindings somehow.
'What an unusual people, though who am I to judge since I too look unusual to the other people.' she thought.
Rain is overjoyed at seeing people again as it's better than those human-eating plants. She quickly approached the two people, while doing so she overheard their conversation.
"How's your magic research coming along?" The blonde girl asks.
The girl in the pajama clothes took a sip from her tea and then replied. "It's going steady that's what I would say but you know that thief always comes in and says she be 'borrowing' some books." she scoffs at the thought of the said thief.
The blonde girl chuckles and replied. "Ah, you know Marisa, she doesn't seem to be the type to listen to others. I'd even invited her to a tea party and sometimes she doesn't show up, just like this."
Both of them sighed as they talk about the person called Marisa. Just as the two seemed to start another topic they spotted Rain and the blonde girl called out to her.
"Oh, Youmu? What brings you here? Did you invited her Patchouli?" The blonde girl asks her.
The girl called Patchouli shakes her head and replied "No I didn't Alice, I thought you were the one who invited her?"
While the two girls consult each other. Rain on the other hand is yet again puzzled by people calling her the name Youmu.
'Youmu again... Do I really look like her or something? Better tell them quick before it escalates.'
"Ah, actually!" Rain said but it seemed like she was ignored by the two.
"Oh, this is definitely Marisa's doing, she likes to invite other people." The blonde girl called Alice said and Patchouli seemed to agree by nodding her head.
"Honestly... well since you are here come take a seat I'll serve you some tea, oh and help yourself to some snacks. I do hope she comes so I can give her a piece of my mind." Alice said as the flying doll helps her serve Rain some tea.
While they still haven't notice the misunderstanding. Rain herself is trying to let them know but they seemed to be rather pulled in by the atmosphere of the conversation.
She doesn't want to be rude so she slowly standed up to get the attention of the two and spoke up.
"Um...this tea is delicious and all but can you guys listen to me? I've been trying to tell you that you confused me for another person!"
The two looked at her with a confused look.
"What do you mean?" Patchouli asks.
"Look at me closely!" Rain said as she looks at the two intensely.
The two of them look at her for a few seconds and then they look at each other seems like they finally noticed it.
"Alice...she's right...why didn't you noticed earlier?" Patchouli said as she looks right back at Rain.
"Oh...come on, you also didn't noticed. Maybe it's because we're busy in our tea party?" Alice says as she too looks back at Rain.
"So if you're not Youmu... then who are you?" Patchouli asks as the two of them seemed to have shifted moods and became serious.
Rain having felt the sudden change of atmosphere, she sits down and started explaining.
"Now, now don't glare at me like that, I have no intention of fighting. I just wanted to know where am I? My name is Rain Nanase by the way, please call me Rain, no formalities needed." She said as she took a another sip of her unfinished tea.
The two girls seemed to be convinced by her actions and words and have calm down.
"Please to meet you, My name's Alice Margatroid and this here is Shanghai." Alice introduced herself and apparently the flying doll's name is Shanghai which waves at Rain.
"Just to let you know that Shanghai doll is controlled by Alice. So it's technically still her waving at you." Patchouli said earning a look at her fellow friend.
"Do you have to tell her that?"
"Saves her the time for asking you about it so I already gave the answer." She said while Alice could only pout at her.
That said she looks at Rain for a second and then spoke.
"I suppose I should introduce myself as well. I am Patchouli Knowledge, a magician that dedicates her time in magic research." Patchouli introduced herself.
"Just to let you know Rain, Patchouli has a weak body and asthma. So she's not that reliable in physical work." Alice said with a smile as she makes her payback from earlier.
"Geh, you..." Patchouli crosses her arms and decided to let it go.
Rain seeing the two interact commented.
"You two seemed to be close~" Rain said as she gave a hearty laugh.
The two hearing this made them go along with it as the tea party continues. They tell Rain about the Forest of Magic and more a bit of themselves like they are called Magicians and that this is Gensokyo.
"Ah, I see. Well it's my turn to have my story heard." Rain said.
Rain then tells her story of meeting Sumireko and her condition which Sumireko offered to help by guiding her on how get into Gensokyo. She also told the two about her encounter with a giant mushroom which leads to the present.
Both of the magicians seemed to be interested on how Rain managed to get in here but given to her memory problem they opted not to ask her more questions.
"I see, a human from the outside world. Maybe I should let Remi know about this, she might be able to help you." Patchouli said.
"I don't think that's a good idea. You know how Remilia thinks, besides Rain's a human you know? And you know what happens to outsiders..." Alice reminded her.
Rain felt like she heard a threat to her life as she is an outsider. So she asks.
"Could you tell me more about that?" She said as she looks at Alice with straight face.
"Well, you see humans from the outside world are not protected by our rules. To make it simple you could get attacked by a yokai and... get eaten." Alice explained.
Rain upon hearing that thinks this place is dangerous and her first hint is the human-eating plants she encountered earlier.
Still she brushed that aside and replied. "Well I'm not the type who just lets herself get eaten without fighting back." Rain said as she briefly touches her pair of swords.
"Well you do look capable of defending yourself." Patchouli interjects.
"You could stay at my place for the day if you want? I won't suggest coming along with Patchouli here, unless you want to get your blood sucked." Alice says as she looks at Patchouli.
"You always think like that, Remi would ask Sakuya instead of just doing it herself... though I myself is not sure if she won't end up like that." The friend of the said vampire said.
'Still the same outcome! And you being half sure doesn't help at all!' Rain thought and wanted to say but she can't.
"Hmph, it is what I think is true after all."
Hearing their conversation Rain already made up her mind.
"I think I'll take Alice's advice, no offense Patchouli."
The purple haired magician seemed to take no offense at this as she sips her tea. "None taken, if you ever want my help on other things feel free to see me. Just say my name and you be able to enter."
"Thanks, I'll come and stop by when I get the chance, that's a promise!" Rain said cheerfully.
"Umu, well I'll be going now, I still have something to do and it's not that good for me to stay outside for too long." Patchouli said as she began to float and lazily ascend.
Rain seemed to be surprise by this but she didn't fuss over it.
She and Alice waved good bye to her and the two are now left alone.
"I'm surprised you didn't react at her flying, Rain." Alice said as she tidies up.
"Ah, well I am but not that much. I mean what's more surprising? Seeing your new friend fly or a giant man eating mushroom trying to eat you for lunch?" Rain said as recalls that moment with the giant mushroom.
Hearing this Alice lets out a few laugh and said. "You're funny and interesting Rain, you are also quite lucky since Patchouli doesn't invite others to her library that much. Seems like you managed to interest her."
Rain wanted to know more about this Remilia but that would have to wait as getting to know how things work here is her priority for her safety. Can't get back her memories now if she dies, right?
A few minutes have passed since Patchouli have left them. Alice is done tidying things up and Rain is focused on what is her next step.
While she is busy mulling it over. That thought was interrupted when she notices a what it seemed like a black figure from the sky approaching them from the opposite direction where Patchouli left.
"Hey Alice, what's that?" Rain pointed to where she saw the black figure.
Alice who just came back from her house sighed as she saw the black figure and said to Rain.
"That's... Marisa, another magician but she's a human like you. I'll do the explaining so sit there and finish that tea." Alice said as she gets ready to meet the magician girl called Marisa.
In just a few seconds the black figure is slowly coming into shape and indeed it was a human girl and she seems to be riding a broom as a means to fly.
Descending slowly from her broom she landed perfectly and dismounted. Upon a closer look at the said magician has a blonde hair and yellow eyes. She wears clothes with a black and white color scheme, consisting of a black vest and skirt, white waist apron and undershirt, and a black witch hat with a white bow. Her hair is commonly braided on one side with a bow on the end.
"Yo, Alice! Just dropping by to say hi to my neighbor!" The human magician called Marisa cheerfully said.
"Marisa...You forgot didn't you? Patchouli just left a few minutes ago." Alice said with a disappointed tone.
"Eh? Forget what? Patchouli was here earlier?" She scratches her head at what Alice said but after a few seconds of thinking she seemed to have remembered.
"O-oh, the tea party...yeah...I forgot haha..." She said and somehow she finally notices Rain and immediately walk towards her.
"Wow! Alice I didn't expect you to invite Youmu." She said as she looks at Rain.
Alice sighed as Marisa didn't even bothered to let her explain. "Marisa...care to sit down and look at her closely? You really need to learn on how to listen to others."
"Yeah...yeah I've been hearing that lately and what do you mean look at her closely?" She fixated her gaze at Rain.
Rain on the other hand seemed to be annoyed at how other people are always mistaking her for another person.
"Youmu...again how many times I've been called that? Three or four? I've lost count since it's getting irritating... Look at me closely and tell me if I'm this Youmu you spoke of. I'm getting tired of this crap alright?" Rain said with an annoyed voice but her her body remained calm.
Alice seemed to be surprise at Rain's sudden change of personality while Marisa laughs as she finally gets what Rain means.
"Well now that I look closely ya only look like her at a distance but not up close. But I gotta say yer look cooler than her! And the way you talked reminds me of Reimu! Haha! Wait till she hears about this!" She smiled after saying this.
"Honestly... Marisa," Alice gave another sigh, "well I'll let you two talk, I'll be inside the house as I still have something to do. If you guys need anything call me." She said as she left the two alone.
If Marisa haven't come, the tea party would have been over the moment Rain have finished eating and drinking.
"There she goes..." Marisa said as she adjust her witch hat. "So tell me, cooler Youmu what brings ya here? I'm Marisa Kirisame an ordinary magician!" She said with her head held high.
Hearing this made a vein pop out in Rain's head as she replied. "Don't give people such weird names just after you meet them, I'm Rain Nanase, call me Rain, no formalities needed." Rain said while grabbing a dessert.
"Heh! Pleasure to meet ya! Rain! I'm guessing you're from the outside world and yer need help getting back?" The ordinary magician also took a dessert and quickly devoured it like there is no tomorrow.
With her mouth full she asked another question to Rain. "Sho? Whacha up do? chare to swhare-"
Rain's eyes twitch as she heard this and interrupted her. "Eat or talk just do one and not all at the same time! You ought to have good manners when eating you know?"
Marisa nodded and smiled at her which Rain found annoying like the witch is mocking her but decided to let it go with a sigh.
"First of all I came here voluntarily and I'll be staying here for a while."
This piqued Marisa's interest and after she emptied her mouth from the food earlier she spoke.
"I see, well let me hear more of yer story, it sounds interesting and fun!" She looks at Rain, her eyes filled with excitement and brimming with energy.
It's like telling a child a story or something that is what Rain thought.
Rain told Marisa what she had told Alice and Patchouli earlier about her memory problems and how she ended up here including her encounter with the huge mushroom monster.
"Oh man!" Marisa laughs. "I can't believe you pissed off a giant mushroom with that joke!" Her laugh is loud enough that even Alice yelled at her to keep it down.
"Hu-Fungus! Haha! I can't..." If she keeps this up she might die from the laughter.
Rain herself did not know if the magician is laughing at the joke or her pissing off the giant mushroom with such a joke hence she didn't laugh.
"Alright...enough laughing... I'm sure you understand my situation now?"
"Ok...ok just...just a second!" She said while still wheezing.
It took a few more seconds before Marisa regains her composure.
"I get your situation... but I don't know about who can help ya out with such a problem but yer welcome to ask for my help about other things!" Marisa smiled.
"Yeah thanks, by the way do you know where is the human village or the Hakurei shrine? I was told to go there for protection...well not like I can't handle myself but just in case to keep me out of trouble." She asked the magician.
"Oho! Good timing I plan to visit tomorrow the Hakurei Shrine! The human village is not far from here just fly out of here and you can already see it!"
"Uh...yeah just a reminder that I can't fly..." Rain reminded her.
"Oh... I do remember that Sumireko said that outside humans don't typically fly. Well we'll work about that some other time ze!" Marisa said.
"Uhuh some other time it is, that said will you give me a lift to the Hakurei shrine tomorrow?"
"Sure! You be staying in Alice's house for today right? Well I'd offer you a better place to stay which is my home!" Marisa proudly said.
It might be good timing as Alice overheard their conversation as she goes out of her house.
"Hey! You're stealing my guest Marisa!" She exclaimed.
Marisa raised her arms behind her in a laid back manner and replied. "Ehe! Just offering our good friend here a choice!"
Seeing the two bicker Rain interjected.
"Marisa, thanks for the offer but I already accepted Alice's hospitality first, it'll be rude to just switch you know?"
Hearing this Marisa gave up the idea.
"I see, well I do have to clean up my house if you do decide to switch which is a pain."
Hearing this Rain could not help but reply angrily.
"Then why the heck did you offered to let me stay in your house in the first place?!"
"Haha! I'd just figure I might get a free cleaning if you hopped in?" She winks when she said that.
Just before Rain could retaliate, Marisa said.
"Oh, it's getting late, I'll head home now, nice meeting ya Rain! I'll come pick you up in the morning!" Marisa said as she gets up from the table and mounted her broom preparing to leave.
"Just make sure you don't forget like you did here with our tea party." Alice said which made Marisa chuckle.
"Uh...I won't I promise." With that she starts to ascend and before taking off she said to Rain. "Hey Rain! Welcome to Gensokyo! You'll meet lots of weirdos here!"
Hearing this, Rain snickered and replied.
"Guess I already met one of them then." Rain replied with a smile.
Hearing this Alice also smiled and chuckled. While Marisa gave a grin to them.
"Woah! Hey! That was uncalled for! I'll get back at ya tomorrow!" She said as she took off while waving goodbye to them.
"Off she goes," Alice sighed. "Seems like you two are friends already, Rain."
Rain looked at Marisa's figure getting smaller over the distance and then turned to Alice.
"Ah, well you could say that, let's just hope she won't drop me while I'm hitching a ride with her." Rain jokingly said.
"Knowing her, she might do that."
"Wait-really?" Rain said as she flinched at the thought of it.
Alice seemed to be enjoying her company, with that she replied. "Well it is getting dark let's head inside. I'll take care of the left overs." She said as she instructed her dolls to clean the table and bring the used tea and dishes inside the house.
"Want me to help? I don't like the idea of me freeloading even if it just for tonight." Rain suggested.
"Oh thanks but you're my guest so let me handle it." Alice smiled at her.
"Right thanks for having me." She said as she slightly bowed her head to show her sincerity.
The two went inside the house and enjoyed each other's company especially Alice.
The inside of her house seemed normal and what would you expect. It's full of furniture like portraits and wall clocks. There's even a sofa and a furnace.
"I gotta say Alice, your house is very beautiful. Makes me feel like I'm home. Thank you again for letting me stay."
"Thanks, I rarely get any visitors here but you're welcome anytime you visit again." Alice said while giving a warm smile.
There they sat at sofa and gladly talked to each other.
As they talk Rain took notice of the doll latched in her shoulder it seemed to be resting.
"There, there little fella rest all you want, thank you for all your hardwork." She said as she gently pats the head of the doll.
Alice seeing this could not help but give an earnest smile at Rain and asks.
"You do know that Patchouli already told you about the dolls right?"
"I know...but I'd like to think that they too are alive, I mean what harm will that do? If my memory serves me right a puppeteer is the one that gives them life and it is their joy to do so." Rain said as she looked at Alice.
"Mhm, you are right. As a puppeteer myself I'm proud that I'm able to do so with that many dolls." She paused after that and looked at her own dolls before continuing, "But I have yet to reach the fruit of my research which is to create a sentient doll."
Rain looked at the doll collection and was astonished by their number and how well they are made.
"So many dolls, I wish I could get one but I can't since I have no place to put them." Rain said making Alice look at her.
"Do you really mean that?" Alice asks.
"Of course! They are well made and look good! Especially when you put them into action! By that I mean when you make them move and do those cute actions." Rain said still admiring Alice's doll collection.
Alice felt that her words are genuine and came from her heart. It was the first time that someone said that to her instead of being silent.
She can see the sparkles on Rain's eyes and this warms her heart.
As they were too absorbed in the atmosphere Rain casually asks. "Ah, care to tell me why you want to create sentient dolls?"
Alice somehow got silent after she heard Rain's question to which Rain seemed to realized know the weight of her own question after seeing Alice's reaction and apologized.
"I...I am sorry, I got carried away there."
Hearing Rain's apology seemed to have broken off Alice's silence for she replied. "Perhaps I could tell you even if we just met as I can already tell that I can trust you." Her eyes met with Rain seemingly serious about it.
"Eh? Really? You don't have to answer that if it is too personal." Rain said making Alice more sure that she can trust her.
"I don't mind, in exchange however you must promise me to keep this a secret." Alice said.
"Really? I promise I won't tell anyone else besides I'll keep it without such a promise. I mean what kind of friend would do that? Not me I honor friendship and promises. Well at least that's what my heart says even if my mind doesn't remember." Rain said as she perked up.
"I'm sure you're that kind of person Rain." Alice paused for a few seconds and then continued. "The reason I want to make the dolls be sentient and alive is that I want... company."
Rain hearing this thanked her for trusting her and said.
"A company? Ah, I think the right word is family?" She looked at the puppeteer and judging from her looks it seems like she was right.
After all it is reasonable after becoming a yokai magician who no longer ages. Alice herself has been living alone in this house for quite a long time and even if the dolls surround her and interacts with her that doesn't mean that she is not alone after all she is the one controlling them.
So Rain could actually understand what she meant by having a companion and by achieving her goal to make her dolls sentient they will be her family living together in this doll house happily.
The doll resting in her shoulder began to pull on her clothes like it wanted something, interrupting their talk but Rain didn't mind.
"Hmm? Oh you want something? What's that?" She looks at the doll and it seems it to be leaning its head at Rain which means it wants another pat in the head in which Rain obliged.
"You're quite the doll aren't you getting greedy huh? The other hard working dolls deserve some too you know?" As she said that Alice knew what she is talking about and just after that the dolls swarmed Rain which all wanted the headpats.
"Ahhha! Hey that tickles! One at a time girls! Oi! You already have yours!" Rain said as she gave a a hearty laugh.
Seeing this Alice felt her heart warm up at such a scene as it is something that usually doesn't happen.
"Alright you guys that's enough, Rain only has two hands and she must be exhausted so let her rest." Alice said and then the dolls obliged by letting go of Rain.
"Yeah, I do feel tired after all the things that happened today." Rain said as she looked outside and to her surprise it's already dark.
"Whoa, time really passes by fast if we're enjoying." Rain said.
Alice nodded and said "Well, better get some rest then Rain, I'll prepare dinner for us in the meantime. Oh, and if you like to take a bath feel free to do so. I have extra clothes though I'm not sure if they'll fit you. Don't worry about the laundry they will be good as new tomorrow."
"Sure! Thanks again for all your help! I'll take whatever you cook I'm sure it will be delicious!" Rain said while giving a thumbs up to Alice.
With that Alice's house is lively today and after taking a bath and changing to the clothes lend by Alice, surprisingly it almost didn't fit her much to her expectations.
Then they both enjoyed eating. Alice's cooking was great and she managed to eat all of them. After that Rain invited Alice outside to see the stars to which Alice gladly accepts. There they sat at the roof of Alice's house and enjoyed the view of the stars.
"Looking at the stars reminds me of something, I always feel happy whenever I see it, seeing the bright nature and sun makes me feel the same feeling. I don't know why but maybe I'll find my answer when I get my memories back." Rain said as she points at the beautiful stars.
Alice sitting beside her responded. "I'm sure you will, if you need my help don't hesitate to ask."
"I won't my friend, same goes to you I'll help out when needed." Rain said.
'Friend...' This word, the word Alice have not heard from others that she have helped back then. It fixated on her, the only reaction she could give is to smile genuinely.
They both smiled at each other and laugh. After a few more minutes Alice seeing Rain yawn made her say.
"Well, we should head back it wouldn't be good if you wake up late. Also, Marisa already gave the welcoming of you here but I'll give my own too."
She looked at her and paused for a second and with a cheerful smile she continued. "Rain, Welcome to Gensokyo."
A/N: There goes chapter 2! It was fun and heartwarming writing this. If you're wondering about that giant mushroom, Marisa already dealt with it after she left the duo. More miso soup for her, I guess.
As for Alice I always felt that she is lonely and needed friends. I like to see her research work out. But hey that gives me the idea for a horror plot. Ever heard of Annabelle? Ye, that one. I'm just kidding, that would be too much of a shock having to see your doll come to life and then kills you. Anyways, thank you for your continued reading! Hope to see you again in the next future chapters.