"Oh, for the love of... what is this now?" Scáthach muttered, eyeing the mountain of parcels that had appeared outside her office door. She had barely set foot into the ancient history department at Trinity College before the sight of the colorful boxes and envelopes caught her eye. It wasn't as if she didn't have enough to do; finals were around the corner, and her students were already a handful without the addition of a surprise delivery.
"Looks like someone's got a secret admirer, Dr. O'Connell!" chirped a young intern as she scurried past, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"It's not my birthday, thank you very much," Scáthath grumbled under her breath. She had always been a creature of habit, and unexpected surprises rarely brought joy. She approached the pile with a sigh, her crimson hair tied back in a stern bun and her scarlet eyes scanning the labels.
"Ms. Noto?" she murmured, puzzled. "This is definitely not for me."
The name was familiar, but she couldn't quite place it. Then it dawned on her. Mamiko Noto, the Japanese voice actress who had brought her likeness to life in that absurdly popular mobile game about Heroic Spirits. The irony was not lost on her. Here she was, the legendary Scáthach herself, receiving gifts meant for a woman who only knew her as a character in a script.
Medb, her immortal wife of many centuries, sailed into the room, her pink hair trailing behind her like a soft cloud of cotton candy. She took in the scene with a mischievous glint in her golden eyes.
"Looks like someone's been naughty and ordered themselves a little something-something," she teased, her voice as light as the spring breeze that danced through the college courtyard outside.
Scáthach rolled her eyes and held up one of the larger boxes. "It's not for me," she said, her voice stern but with a hint of amusement. "It seems we have a case of mistaken identity. These are for Mamiko Noto."
Medb's playful smile grew wider. "Ooh, the voice actress of your digital twin? How utterly... modern. What a delightful mix-up!" She clapped her hands together.
Together, they began to open the gifts. Some were addressed to Mamiko Noto, while others were more ambiguous, simply addressed to "The Warrior Maiden of Dún Scáith." The contents were a wild assortment of anime merchandise, fan art, and letters of admiration, all addressed to the fictional heroine Scáthach had unwittingly become.
The two immortals couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. There were keychains, figurines, and even a life-sized plushie that bore a suspiciously less accurate resemblance to Scáthach's iconic battle armor. Medb picked it up and hugged it to her chest, giggling.
"You know, Scáthach," she said, her eyes gleaming with mischief, "I think you should keep this one. It's like having a cuddly version of yourself to take to bed with me."
Scáthach snatched the plushie away with a mock scowl, her stern expression cracking into a grin. "If you think I'm going to sleep with that... thing... you've another think coming, woman."
Their laughter echoed through the hallowed halls of the college, a stark contrast to the serious air that usually surrounded the stoic professor. For a moment, it was as if the weight of their ancient past had been lifted, replaced by the whimsical reality of the modern world.
But as they sifted through the gifts, Scáthach couldn't help but feel a twinge of something she hadn't felt in a very long time. A strange curiosity about this woman whose voice had captured the hearts of so many fans. She had always known her legend had inspired countless tales and interpretations, but to see it so vividly manifested in this deluge of fanfare was something else entirely.
"We should return these, of course," she said, her voice a tad too casual. "But perhaps... we should find out where she is. Maybe she'd like a little taste of her own popularity."
Medb's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh, what fun!" she exclaimed. "Let's play detective and track her down!"
And so, the immortal couple, with their storied past and unexpected modern lives, set forth on a new adventure, one that would take them from the dusty archives of history to the glitzy world of showbiz. Little did they know, this mix-up was about to turn their lives upside down in the most unexpectedly delightful way.
A month later, in the bustling heart of Japan, Mamiko Noto sat in her cozy apartment, surrounded by the comforting hum of the city outside. She had just finished a long day of recording for her latest anime role, her voice a siren's call to the millions of fans who adored her talent. With a weary smile, she approached the mailbox, expecting the usual bills and fan letters. But what she found was something far more peculiar.
Her eyes widened at the sight of a gargantuan package, the sender's address stamped with "Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland." It was almost as if the ancient world had reached out to her, wrapped in shipping paper and taped. Her curiosity piqued, Mamiko carefully sliced open the box to reveal a treasure trove of anime merchandise, all of it centered around the character she had brought to life: the Warrior Maiden of Dún Scáith.
Buried within the sea of glittering trinkets and plushies was a simple, yet elegantly crafted letter. It was written in a flowing script that seemed to carry the very essence of the ages, and as she unfolded it, she felt a strange warmth emanating from the parchment. The letter was from Dr. Scáthach O'Connell, or so it claimed. Mamiko's eyes widened as she read the words, her mind racing to piece together the puzzle before her.
"Dear Ms. Noto," the letter began, "I trust this letter finds you well. It appears there has been a most peculiar error in the postal service. We have received a plethora of gifts intended for your esteemed self. As a fellow custodian of history, I felt it my duty to ensure they reach their rightful recipient. Enclosed, you will find a small token of our appreciation for the joy you have brought to our lives. Yours sincerely, Dr. Scáthach O'Connell."
Mamiko's heart fluttered at the thought of receiving a personal note from her character's creator. But as she continued to read, she realized it wasn't from the game's developers, but rather someone claiming to be the actual legendary warrior herself. It had to be a prank, she thought, but the authenticity of the letter was undeniable.
Inside the envelope, she found a delicate Celtic brooch, its emerald stone gleaming like a dragon's eye. It was the exact replica of the one her character wore in the game. The accompanying note read: "A small token of our gratitude for breathing life into a tale long forgotten."
Her curiosity now a raging inferno, Mamiko decided to investigate further. A quick internet search led her to the profile of Dr. Scáthach O'Connell, a medieval history professor at the prestigious Trinity College. The woman in the picture bore an uncanny resemblance to the character she had voiced, with long, crimson hair and piercing scarlet eyes. It had to be a cosplayer, she convinced herself, but the line between fantasy and reality grew ever thinner.
Intrigued, Mamiko penned a response, her thoughts racing with excitement. "Dear Dr. O'Connell," she wrote, "Thank you for your kindness in returning the gifts. The brooch is exquisite, and I am truly touched by your generosity. I must admit, I am quite the fan of your... historical counterpart. It would be an honor to meet you in person, perhaps discuss our shared interest in the past?"
Weeks later, the email notification chimed on Scáthach's computer, and she opened it to find Mamiko's message. Her heart skipped a beat as she read the words of the woman whose voice had become so synonymous with her legend. It was a surreal moment, one that tickled her with a sense of destiny she hadn't felt in ages. Medb looked over her shoulder, her own curiosity piqued by the sudden seriousness in Scáthach's eyes.
"What is it, love?" she asked, her voice gentle.
Scáthach turned to her with a smile that was a mix of wonder and mischief. "It seems our little prank has turned into an international affair," she said, holding up the email. "Mamiko Noto herself has responded."
Medb's eyes widened, and she snatched the email from Scáthach's grasp. "She wants to meet you!" she squealed, bouncing with excitement. "This is too perfect!"
Scáthath's smile grew. "Indeed, it seems our modern adventure is just beginning."
The email exchange grew frequent, with both parties eagerly sharing their knowledge and experiences. Scáthach found herself drawn to Mamiko's vibrant spirit, a stark contrast to her own stoic demeanor. Mamiko, in turn, was enchanted by the tales of ancient battles and the wisdom of the legendary warrior she had only known through her scripts.
Finally, they decided to meet in person. Mamiko was thrilled at the prospect of connecting with the woman who had inspired her performance and learning more about the rich tapestry of Irish mythology that had captured her heart.
The day of the meeting arrived, and Mamiko stepped off the plane into the lush embrace of Ireland. She was greeted by a figure that could have walked straight out of the game's artwork: Dr. Scáthach O'Connell, tall and regal, with hair like a waterfall of crimson and eyes that mirrored a fiery sunset. Medb hovered nearby, her pink hair bobbing with excitement.
They met in the heart of Dublin, where the air was thick with history and the scent of rain-kissed cobblestones. The three of them sat in a quaint café, surrounded by the whispers of ancient secrets and the bustle of modern life. Scáthach listened intently as Mamiko spoke of her journey to become a voice actress and her deep love for the Warrior Maiden she had brought to life.
"It is quite an unusual feeling," Mamiko mused, twirling her spoon in a cup of tea. "To give voice to a legend and have it resonate with so many."
Scáthach nodded, a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "I can imagine," she said. "I've seen countless versions of myself throughout the centuries, but none quite like yours."
Medb leaned in, her eyes sparkling. "We thought it would be a hoot to send you those gifts and see how you'd react," she admitted, her laughter bubbling up like a spring. "But we had no idea it would lead to this!"
Mamiko's cheeks flushed pink, and she giggled. "Well, it's certainly been an adventure," she said. "And I can't thank you both enough for this... surreal experience."
The conversation flowed like a lively river, carrying them through tales of ancient battles, the trials of modern celebrity, and the peculiarities of life as an immortal. As the hours slipped away, the three found a kinship in the most unexpected of places.
The evening grew late, and the café emptied, leaving only the glow of the pendant lights above to cast shadows on their faces. Scáthach leaned back in her chair, a contented sigh escaping her lips.
"I must admit," she said, her eyes meeting Mamiko's, "you've given me a new perspective on my own legend. It's not often one gets to see themselves through the eyes of another."
Mamiko blinked, surprised by the admission. "You... you don't mind?"
Scáthach chuckled. "Mind? It's quite refreshing, actually. To think that my story still captivates people so much that they create games, write fanfics, and... well, send me birthday gifts."
Medb grinned. "It's like we're celebrities in our own right," she quipped, popping a sugar cube into her tea.
Mamiko felt a warmth spread through her. "If you're ever in Japan, you must come to a convention," she said. "You'd be the star of the show!"
The idea of the stoic warrior in a sea of flashing cameras and eager fans made Scáthach laugh. "Perhaps," she said, the possibility glinting in her scarlet eyes. "Perhaps."
As they parted ways, the air was charged with the promise of new friendships and shared stories. The legend of Scáthach had crossed oceans and centuries, and now it was about to take on a whole new chapter, one filled with laughter, friendship, and the occasional mistaken birthday gift.
A one-shot special about Scáthach's VA snce it's her birthday today. Happy birthday!