It was a beautiful day with not a cloud in sight, and within the Cotes Ward, overlooking the river running betwixt the Ophiuchus Tree and the Forest of Airaisal, was a grove dyed with the full brilliance of autumn. The trees were a menagerie of red, orange and yellow— their vibrant colors burning brighter here than any other location within the city of Spirale. Truly, this spot was the epitome of fall.
And beneath those warm hues were a myriad of attractions. From the multitude of food stands came the scent of delicious mushroom skewers, roasted chestnuts, potatoes, fish, dango and so on— while already there was the sound of laughter from the various festival games being held nearby, coupled by the voices of hawkers selling their wares to those interested.
Opposite to this by the river were countless red picnic blankets with people already seated down at them and enjoying themselves, and a currently empty stage nearby…
A clamor would suddenly rise, however. Coming down through the entrance of the fair grounds were a line of people— all carrying a festive mikoshi, decorated with a throne on it’s backside. As they cheerfully moved forward with the palanquin, the festively dressed employees of Big Dipper would turn it around and set it down on an empty platform at the northern point of the grounds, just underneath a conspicuously dead tree…
Then, without warning— an ominous green door would manifest from behind the throne, visible to all. And as it opened… Okina would appear from within.
“Welcome, everyone~” The god would cheerfully announce, having been tossed a microphone. “I am Okina Matara— executive director of Big Dipper Talent and host of this event! Thank you all for taking the time to come here today.”
“Otsukimi is an occasion meant to bask within the glory of the harvest moon while enjoying the fruits of the autumnal season… and though the moon may yet be up, I can promise you a moon like no other! So until then— eat ‘till you’re full! Play to your heart’s desire! Cheer for the performances we’ve got set up for you, and enjoy this divine gift of the ultimate autumnal display! Embrace it!”
The goddess pauses as an applause forms after her words. Closing her eyes, she rises slightly into the air— looking back at the dead tree behind her momentarily.
“So what’s there to wait for?! I hereby announce that this Hidden Fall Otsukimi—” The barren tree sitting behind the god would flourish to life before everyone’s eyes, immediately proceeding seasonally through it’s spring and summer lifetime before bursting with the color of autumn “—Has officially begun! Haaahahahaha!”
It was unusual for a week to pass without a word or a visit.
And yet, he hadn’t questioned it.
She was ever busy, ever moving here and there through the wards, from the forests to the scrap yards, always with an eye on the road before her. Though often she had her frustrations and longed for stability, Raine was always on an adventure in one way or another.
And he would always remain the opposite. Yet, even with his hesitance, she still would reach out and speak with him, ask him to accompany her on whatever errand she had thought up, and would indulge her whims. Not because he felt he had to. But because, even despite the enjoyment he felt simply remaining within the confines of his store, he liked it.
Or, more specifically, Rinnosuke liked being with her.
Which is always why Kourindou felt just a tad lonelier without her presence. ... It was an odd feeling, really. For once, it felt like the man had something he lacked whenever she wasn’t around. And after he realized just how long it had been, that feeling truly began to gnaw at him. ... Surely she was alright, of course. Why wouldn’t she be?
After all, if she was frustrated or upset over something, she’d have let him know... right? That’s what he hoped. And while a part of him was alright with thinking just that...
It wasn’t really enough to sate that feeling. And so what other choice did he have but to reach out to her? Seated in his chair, the warmth of the furnace comfortably easing the man’s body, Rinnosuke carefully scrolled down the list of contacts. As always, there were too many names. Some he recognized, although most he had no recollection of.
And yet, as he searched for that one particular name...
“...?” He reached the bottom. Dead end. Had he missed it somehow? Scrolled by too fast, maybe? “Hm...”
Sure he could have just looked at their previous messages, but oddly, it seemed they no longer existed. However, he didn’t think much of it as he scrolled up through the sea of names on the small, illuminated screen, as a sudden chill began to creep into his body.
Up, up, up... down, down, down... up and up and up... down and down and down... that’s funny, wasn’t it? Normally it didn’t take him this long to find her name.
It was like...
— No.
Surely he was just missing it, somehow. That’s all.
... And yet, as the minutes would pass, Rinnosuke’s repeated search would continue to bear no fruit. That’s odd, wasn’t it? It really was almost as if she just...
— Stop it.
Idly, the man sighed. With a shaky hand, he’d set his phone down on the table, unable to look any longer as a bitter feeling began to well up in his chest. ... These phones weren’t all that reliable. Perhaps there was just some sort of issue. That’s all it was, right?
Never mind her name not showing up. Never mind the ominous eclipse which had passed by earlier. It was simply some sort of mistake.
... And yet,
why was he shivering now?
Why was he biting his lip, hard enough to draw blood?
...
Aah. Right. This was inevitable, wasn’t it?
People have come, and people have gone. It was something that was bound to happen someday. And yet... I wonder. Did I not ever consider what I would do if it happened to her? ... Of course not. I hadn’t even considered it. Perhaps if I had, I would have had time to prepare for... a situation such as this. And yet... and yet...
A hoarse cough escaped his throat after he inhaled just a bit too much smoke, stabbing the cigarette butt into the ashtray on his counter and soothing the burning in his throat with the burn of alcohol. The shop, which normally would still be open by this time, was locked shut. Yet it’s owner was ever in the same place, with a haze clouding his mind. He would go tomorrow, to her house, to see for himself...
But he didn’t have to. Because as much as he wanted to cling onto the hope that this was some sort of mistake, no matter how much he deluded himself, Rinnosuke knew better.
And yet... it really wasn’t fair, was it?
With Laika in his arms, the man stared up at the wooden ceiling above him, eyes misted over as the dull pain in his heart, and that ice-cold chill which had only grown colder remained with him.
Whenever Rinnosuke was hurt, his way of dealing with it was to indulge and forget. But this time, the half-human knew he wouldn’t be able to do either. Not for her.
And while a part of him could find some sort of happiness for this situation, in that she was probably back home now with those she loved... it wasn’t fair for him. He loved her too, after all. He knew how selfish that thought was, yet Rinnosuke couldn’t care less as the cigarette butts grew in number, and as the bottle of sake reached it’s end.
...
Raine was ever on an adventure, and Rinnosuke was where he always was. But this time, she wouldn’t be able to reach out to him. ... He just wished he had gotten the chance to tell her, for the last time, just how much he loved her and loved their short time together.
“Raine. I just... I hope... you’re happy...”
Quietly letting those words slip from his mouth, the man’s vision would blur from alcohol and tears... and pass out not too long after, Laika still in his lap, refusing to leave him alone.
“It’s already just about autumn... thank goodness.”
“The city is already less noisy as well, what with most of those celebrations now gone. It’ll be a nice reprieve before those winter festivities start up again...”
“Well, y-yes. I also…had something I wanted to discuss if that’s…not a problem.” Oh, this shopkeeper really hated his guts. He couldn’t say that he blamed him. Qifrey actually found him quite intimidating, after that magic item he used last time to knock him over. What more could he do if the witch managed to upset him this time?
“I’ve come in search of a camera and hopefully your expertise. Contraptions are much different here than in my own realm, so I would like to know more about how they all work before making rash decisions about them. You see, in my own plane they were never made without magic. I’ve been told that photographs could be very helpful for furthering medicine…or just keeping as treasured memories or being intended as artworks. So I decided I would like to try it for myself.” He still had to be very careful about how much he said. He couldn’t want his own magical methods being discovered by anyone outside of his own realm.
The witch made sure to keep his hands entwined in front of him to instill some kind of trust that he meant his words.
“There is one other thing I was curious about, though. About this area that you work in.”
Fortunately, if there was one thing Rinnosuke liked to do, it was explaining his merchandise. What better way was there to flaunt his knowhow, after all?
“Hm. I suppose it’s no wonder you reacted so strongly last time then, in regards to the printers I have...” The man mused, rubbing his chin as he let go of Laika, who plopped onto his desk. “I’m not sure if you’re aware, but magic doesn’t seem to be all that common in other worlds. It’s common in mine to an extent, but even then, cameras are manufactured via man-made, non-magical means...”
“And whoever told you that was correct. But they’re also useful for keeping records, documents such as newspaper articles, and even for advertising... but, regardless of how you intend to use it, I’ll be happy to show you. Let’s see— I should have one over here...” He couldn’t help but see Qifrey as somewhat of a boob. It was this, and the ensuing sense of superiority towards the other, which made Rinnosuke relax somewhat.
Though he was yet to be put in an entirely good mood, it was a far cry from the hesitation he held for the other just moments ago...
“Let’s see here... hm? Oh, you’re curious about the Mistwood?”
In all honesty, the half-elf was far more absorbed by the craftsmanship of the furniture than she was with the banquet laid out on the hall-length table in the center of the room. She had to slow herself so that she wasn’t literally dragging her date along. Seeing him so awestruck was adorable, for lack of a better word. She wouldn’t dare say that to him however, or else it bruise his ego. Instead she placed a hand over her mouth to hide the grin tugging at her lips.
As another group of stragglers came scuttling in, the guests’ attention was focused on the dragon clearing his throat at the top of the stairs. He puffed out his chest. A man holding a wooden spear at the bottom of the staircase clacked the weapon against the ground and announced for everyone to take their seats. The banquet would soon be starting. A number of castle servants were already busy laying down platters of appetizers. The dragon began descending the stairs to sit (if you could call it that) at the head of the table on a grand wooden throne.
The seats near him had already started filling up, as to be expected of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. However, a part of Raine was glad that she wasn’t given much of a choice but to pick a quieter spot near the end of the table to eat. She knew she would have spent far too much time trying to speak to the dragon or study him, which would not have been a very kind thing to do. Even if Rinnosuke had the same sense of curiosity as she did.
To prod his pace along just a little, Raine would remove her hand from his and instead start gently pushing him on the back towards the empty section of the table.
“Ah, it’s starting! Let’s hurry before we can’t find a set of adjoining seats.”
While Rinnosuke had still planned on following through with his own itinerary (granted, most of said plan was up in the air considering Rinnosuke himself had no idea what would go on in the castle), it was genuinely hard not to feel marveled by seeing the famed king of the forest in person. He was a majestic— regal even— creature. Far unlike the dragons of Japan, however, that much was for sure.
He’s pushed along to his seat quite easily, but it was hard for him to pry his eyes away from the king, and were it not for Raine’s insistence he likely would have been standing there, mouth agape. Fortunately he sits himself down as soon as he snaps back to his senses, rubbing the back of his head apologetically as he nods to Raine.
“We’re a tad far back, but I’m just glad we got a seat at all. Looks like not everyone else could...” Glancing back to the door, it seems there were a handful of people who were being told they had to come back again. The two of them really did make it just in time, it seems. “Well. Their loss, I suppose.”
Perhaps that was a bit callous to say, but as large as this hall was, evidently they couldn’t seat everyone. But now, with everyone at their seats, the dragon at the opposite end would clear his throat. His voice was rough, yet shockingly charismatic— with a touch of ego evident in his tone as he welcomed everyone to his dinner, reminding them all how rare such an opportunity was. Despite this, he bade them all to enjoy the opportunity, and without further adieu, their three part dinner would be served.
Specifically served by whip-like vines and branches, descending from the ceiling each with a covered golden platter before laying them down before each guest.
And with a flourish, the food was revealed: a butternut squash soup, with a tossed salad with juicy ruby red tomato slices and mozzarella, with glasses of water and wine laid down moments after. The presentation was certainly fit for a king, and soon enough their appetizer would be followed with a hearty rare steak (with horseradish on the side), fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes, and even brussels sprouts as well. And to cap things off, a delectable flan would be served— with refills of everyone’s drinks granted here and there whenever someone asked.
Finishing his food, the man leaned his head back. He could hardly eat the flan he’d been given, and let out a soft sigh. “Phew... that was more than I was expecting.”
Kay’s ears flick in curiosity as she looks over his cart. He’s got a lot more stuff than her… as of right now she’s just got a bracelet that she thought was cute, and a little horse toy for Link.
“Wow!” Even if most people didn’t find it impressive, Kay loves stuff. And if he thinks it’s important enough to get it, that’s good enough for her! “I don’t even know what most of this is!” She picks up the iron, turning it around in her hands before placing it back in his cart. There’s a lot of stuff she doesn’t recognize in general, but her homeworld was lacking a lot of the modern inventions Spirale has to offer.
“What are you going to do with all of this stuff, mister? It’s kinda a weird decorating style for your house, but I guess everyone’s sense of style is different.”
…big words from the kid with the hideous scarf.
“I’m not surprised. Most of these are antiques, after all.”
To be frank, he wasn’t entirely expecting the other to take an interest in what he’d found— so that’s why upon the other’s earnest curiosity towards the items he’d picked out, the man would find himself pleasantly surprised.
She might not have any taste in scarves, but Kay at least had a discerning eye.
“First of all, they won’t be decorations. These are going to be merchandise,” Rinnosuke exclaims, smirking proudly. “I’m an antique salesman, and a lot of the wares here are absolutely perfect for my shop.”
“They’re practically giving away some of these items with how cheap they are, so clearly they don’t see the value in them. I, on the other hand, do.” Not that most anyone else but himself would buy any of these intricacies to begin with.
He can’t help but smile at the banter– he’s missed being part of a team like this. And while Raine looks like she’s had quite enough of her father’s jokes, Regal finds it all quite endearing. Despite everything that’s happened, and everything that has to happen, he thinks that Raine and her parents make a wonderful team.
“We have made it this far,” he says, glancing at the others one by one. “There is no doubt in my mind that together we will be able to face whatever comes our way. But if this is to be the final assault, everyone stay on their guard.” They’ve each proved to be trustworthy to fight beside– and though he can’t imagine what might come after these skeletal beasts, he trusts each of them to handle themselves in the coming fight.
“Rinnosuke, good luck. Be safe, and keep them safe.” He’s not sure what more he can say that hasn’t already been said by Lloyd and Raine, and he doesn’t want to be patronizing– in fact, he admires the man’s dedication to Raine immensely. They’ve only known each other a short time, but Regal has a great deal of respect for him already.
“Are you ready, Raine?” He moves to her side. “For both the battle, and what comes after.” He’s not sure how she’ll have to say goodbye to them, and he doesn’t want to push it if she doesn’t want to think about it just yet. but he wants to make sure she knows that all three of her companions will be there to support her, whatever happens.
@otherworldly-healer
Raine gave Rinnosuke a troubled look as he gave her a thumbs up. He was clearly…uncomfortable. Scared. Overwhelmed. She wished that she could say more, but she kept feeling her words fail her probably because she felt the walls of mist closing in around them. She could feel herself shrinking back thinking about what little time her parents had left in this realm, even if she still tried to act strong regardless. Always on cue and brimming with optimism, Lloyd knew just what to say to alleviate that stress for her by piping up. She gave her student a soft smile, hoping that he would understand it as a silent ‘thank you’.
The last question Regal asked stung like a dull knife wound. That was the trouble of being surrounded with people who knew you well–how easily they can tell when you are pushing yourself past your limit. After she said her piece to her parents she’d tried to numb her heart to keep pressing forward. She’d been able to do that by focusing only on the battles– on the threats that loomed beyond the veil of mists. She refused to look at her parents while she answered his question. It was cold. It was cruel. But if she kept seeing them as little more than ghosts of the past she could keep herself together. “…Hah…I’ve never had much of a choice, have I? Let’s get going.” She inhaled a deep breath. “I know what has to be done.”
No doubt the look on her parent’s faces were aghast or devastated by those few words, but all she could do was turn to face the end of the road and keep walking forward. Virginia clutched the fabric of her coat and bit her lip, a quiet sob stifled in her throat. Raine knew from reading her mother’s diary two years ago just how much it had hurt her to have made the choice she did. As for Kloitz…his countenance was regretful, but as he followed his daughters brisk movement forward he recognized it as the stride of a hardened soldier. He understood.
So the group pushed on. There was a small clearing that was visible, guiding them towards the boundary, but this area seemed far less densely forested. It was eerie and empty. No more waves of beasts threatened to flank them from the sides, but up ahead they could hear distant crashing and snapping of branches. The boundary got clearer–it appeared as a dense and sinister wall of dark gray clouds that extended into a lighter gray sky. There were no birds or signs of wildlife around the immediate area. It was quite literally a dead zone.
Then came the sound of something slicing through the air, a rush of wind, and large footsteps approaching. Raine held an open hand back before Rinnosuke and her parents to instruct them to step no further, and when she turned around she was surprised to see a familiar creature. The swords cut through the mist first– four separate styles of weapons. When it emerged from the boundary it stood at least eight feet tall. It was a large skeleton with horns protruding from its head, and bones colored a dark black, as if it had been lying dormant in soot. This was the Sword Dancer, or at least a creature the Stars had constructed that looked like the real thing. But this one didn’t have a tail or wings, luckily. It was made to resemble the weakest of the three iterations of the creature.
“Tch… you again?”
Behind her Raine could hear her mother yelling “No!” in distress. Kloitz had to hold his wife back and she reached her arm forward. The elf struggled against his grip but ultimately relented when Kloitz told her that they should trust in their daughter’s strength. Her father could recognize that this was the same girl from Heimdall, her resolve, and curiosity, her quiet contemplation, and above all how she could keep brushing herself off time after time.
But what he could see that his wife couldn’t…there was so much they would miss in her life. They didn’t actually know who she was anymore, not truly. To him, there was some wonder in that. To Virginia that manifested in distress and fear. She couldn’t see the woman as anything but that playful and innocent forest child that she had to protect.
“How much longer are you going to have to fight, dear one?” Kloitz mused.
“Remember that this one swings in one fluid motion! Disarm it or try to flank it!”
@helpingthelongrain
“... No thanks are necessary. I’m just doing what I can,” the man would exclaim to both Lloyd and Regal, smile still awkward as he gives them a nod.
The kindness from these two was almost a bit overbearing, if he was being honest. But it was nice as well, he supposed... and made him steel his resolve. They were simply sentiments he wasn’t too used to receiving. Regal’s words gave him a momentary pause, however— and after, he answers him with the same faux-confidence. “I’ll do my best. Thank you...”
Be safe and keep them safe. Right.
As they were the ones taking care of the heavy lifting to come, it was them who would need the luck, but he’d accept it nonetheless. ... With how seasoned they were, perhaps they didn’t need it. Himself, on the other hand... well. No time to doubt his mini-hakkero now.
The look Raine gave him, however... “I’ll be fine. I promise.”
And those would be his last words to her as for the meanwhile, Rinnosuke remaining relatively quiet as they continued on... save for a response to the occasional comment by Kloitz. Virginia, much like Rinnosuke, seemed a tad less conducive to speaking at the moment— so the half-youkai couldn’t help but wonder if this was her husband’s way of trying to lighten the mood, as he was attempting before. Unfortunately, the mood would only grow heavier. Just as heavy as the footsteps of the monstrosity before them, which lurched it’s way out of the boundary. His own reaction, by comparison, was... of partial confusion.
“A gashadokuro...?” No, maybe not. But as intimidating as it was, the vague similarity to the skeletal youkai was enough for his reaction to be a touch more focused.
Quickly turning, Rinnosuke exclaims to Raine’s parents, “Let’s put some more distance between ourselves and that thing. Raine and them can handle it.”
He had little doubt that the half-elf could, as they could likely tell by the confidence in his voice. ... Still... idly, he’d glance back over his shoulder at the group. If things came down to it, he just might have to...
It wasn’t as if she was expecting a direct answer, but in the end she was just left somewhat confused. Raine watched as he reached to entwine their hands, and then her gaze drifted back up to his face. She waited for him to finish speaking and then remained quiet for a moment longer. It had been a long while since a partner looked at her like that. With warmth. It still surprised her each time.
“…Rather not say, hm?” She raised an eyebrow. Favorably could mean just about anything, but she figured it was best not to press him lest she look silly for being too forward. She hadn’t missed this part of dating– the uneasiness, the constant uncertainty of how to act or trying to figure out what the other was thinking. Before she would have felt like hiding away from these feelings was much easier.
Easier…but ultimately meaningless.
“Alright. Let’s not be too hasty to go inside though, I would like to reach the end of the garden first.” Her world didn’t have all of these chimera creatures and even if they weren’t the real thing…they still served as an interesting study! The half-elf would lightly pull him along to each natural sculpture that caught her eye making passive comments, mostly rhetorical, about the creatures depicted.
She would have liked to stay longer, but the smell of the feast emanating from the castle and the guests filtering in told her that it was about time to begin. They followed behind a small crowd after exiting the garden. When they reached the door to the castle, Raine was awe-struck by how large everything was built to be. This really was like Vinheim. It was difficult to find something on to focus on…that was until he appeared around a corner, ready to announce the start of the impending start of the banquet. “Oh my…there’s the dragon! Up the stairs!”
The surprise on her face... he wasn’t sure if it was good or bad, but regardless, he didn’t want to play his cards in full, yet. “— Right. ... This certainly continues on, doesn’t it? I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a large garden as this before...”
He’d nod and the two would move on— continuing to banter alongside Raine’s speculations towards the various sculpted beasts. Though he wasn’t as interested in creatures per say, it certainly was just as impressive to see how detailed and delicate the garden’s topiary attractions were. It’d be nice if his ability could tell him the names, but...
Well, sculpted plants are still just plants, ultimately.
Still, Rinnosuke was just happy that Raine was having such a good time over all, his own momentary hesitations aside. For sure, it all impressed him as well. And having control over wood certainly must have made cleaning this up all the more easier... aah, what a convenient-sounding power. Not that it would help with Kourindou’s mildew.
They carry on, and eventually enter the building proper. The absolutely scale of everything inside was practically dizzying— but again, it only made sense. Still... he felt quite short by comparison. It was an odd feeling, being in the home of such a gargantuan being. The half-elf’s words catch his attention, however, and quickly his gaze shifts.
“So that’s the dragon...” He blinks, staring at the creature with wide eyes... before Raine’s words fully register, and he quickly responds, “... Oh— yes, er, let’s go!”
And with her taking the lead, the merchant quickly follows suit, shuffling behind the excited half-elf at a reasonable Rinnosuke pace.
梨花 Rika suddenly clapped both of her hands over the top of her head enthusiastically. “Nipaa! Don’t worry about me, Rinnosuke-san! I can take care of myself, honest!” After all, she’d been doing it for the equivalent of decades. She’d learned to live with no shortage of caution, though her recent realization about the identity of the culprit in Hinamizawa’s redux had shaken her a little.
“Even in Hinamizawa I was living independently, so I’m not inexperienced when it comes to this kind of thing. I’m also the head of my family, so I understand the value of information!” Plus there was her position as Oyashiro-sama’s miko. She just had a lot of responsibility for an eleven year old. Even if she wasn’t mentally eleven.
“Of course, my village was so small that there might be more people at this barbeque than I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s strange being in a place that’s so busy.”
It seemed like, above all, Rika had a decent head on her shoulders. He was almost reminded of a younger Marisa... but being the head of her family, at such an age? No wonder she sounded so confident. She must have been capable indeed.
The man nods, though he’d still worry a little regardless— but that wouldn’t prevent him from taking another proper bite before speaking again.
“I’ll take your word for it, then. However, it is quite different, isn’t it? The village I lived by was relatively big, but... certainly not to this level.” Even his faint memories of the cities from outside Gensokyo long ago were hardly comparable.
“It’s why I opted to live outside of the city, myself. That way I’m afforded some peace and quiet... perhaps you’ll adjust to it better than I have, Rika-chan.”
He had seen this coming, and he would respect the shopkeeper’s wishes by stopping dead in his tracks at the front door. He kept his hands visible, clasped in front of himself to appear even less threatening. To an outsider it must have been a riot to see a man so towering quaking like a chastised puppy. “O-Okay! I’m terribly sorry!”
He frowned at the small robotic dog. The witch couldn’t blame him for being so protective of it, but his heart was also heavy to think just how poorly their first impressions had been. He had been scared, confused, and distrustful of this city. He still was, really, but now that he was assured that the Brimmed Hat witches were not the ones responsible, he felt slightly more calm about this demiplane. There were still a great many threats, but he had come to learn that there were just as many well-meaning people as there were dangers on the horizon.
“I am not here to steal anything. I’ve gotten currency now and I would like to purchase something, if mostly to make up for how I had acted when I first visited. I promise you that I mean your canine contraption no harm and you no ill will. I truly cannot apologize enough for the trouble, but I will try.”
The witch took a few tentative steps forward, then bowed his head slightly. “I do not wish to force you to change your mind about me, but I do feel terrible about before. I sincerely apologize. I may not be able to explain myself but I would like to make up for it.”
Purchase something, he says...
The fellow seemed apologetic enough, though Rinnosuke still found himself somewhat annoyed as memories of that day were stirred up in his head. “... Mmh.”
“Fine. If you’re here to make amends by buying something, then far be it from me to prevent you to do so.” And though he wants to keep holding Laika, the dog was too busy squirming in his grip— and would wriggle thusly out from his arms. Hopping onto his desk, the robot dog stretches.
The man himself would sit slowly back down, not taking his eyes off of Qifrey even as he settled back down. Folding his arms, Rinnosuke would sigh once more.
“... Well then. I’m assuming you had an item in mind to buy, then?”
“Astute tastes. You’re unreal,” Raine rolled her eyes and snorted a laugh. Sometimes the things he came out with were too comical. Dragons are the pinnacle of refined taste? Because they chose the same area of the city to live, that just so happened to be where the man himself frequented? If his ego got any bigger it wouldn’t surprise the professor if he began to say that he was a trendsetter and the dragons were merely trying to copy him. Ridiculous. They lived around these parts because it had the most natural life, the only parts of the city with a large enough forest to be isolated.
He was awfully hung up on that, wasn’t he?
“Romance is something created with the heart, not the mind, Rinnosuke. If you feel that it is, then it is.” At this point she had just been scared that she had forced him to be in this relationship. He had said that he liked her, but it was still hard to tell whether those feelings were romantic after all, or whether he was just fooling himself into thinking it was. She had made the first move each time. Confessing to him, kissing his cheek, and telling him that she would wait for him to be more comfortable before she took another step. But…after this much time she wondered. Was he ever going to kiss her?
“No bundle of flowers or candles lit will mean a thing if the heart isn’t committed. I likely sound harsh but… let us just say that men have tried to court me enough times to know when they are being genuine and when it is all for show. A formula, even.” Raine let go of his hand to walk around one of the topiary sculptures. The plaque aside this one noted it to be a “Hydra”, a many-headed monster of the sea. She took a leaf in between her fingers while hidden behind the sculture to feel its waxy surface, and then reemerged from the other side. “But I have never known you to be anything but genuine, so I dare say it is. So tell me…hm?” She approaches him once more and taps a finger to his nose. Perhaps being a bit more direct, though in romance that was never quite her style, would serve best here?
“How do you hope this date will end?”
Created with the heart, not the mind... surely that was true. Yet didn’t the mind have a good part in it as well? Then again, when he first realized he had feelings for the other, he hadn’t noticed. It really was more just... a feeling, until he realized. Hmm.
“Is that so...” He murmurs, rubbing his chin as he watches the other walk about.
That’s right, she certainly was more experienced than he was in this regard. She’d clearly have seen this all before, then. “Hm?”
“How I hope it will end...?”
Rinnosuke paused.
“W... well. Favorably...? I mean I had in mind, er, a way as to how it might end, but...” He looked embarrassed all of a sudden, and his nose twitches at the tap against it. That’s right, even despite it all, he still had a plan for how things tonight would go. And, of course, he’d thought about how their date should end too... but it was still far along from that point.
Still. The man knew his feelings well enough, now. Rinnosuke Morichika was doing this with both his heart and mind in the same place. Gently, he takes her hand again.
“Ahem. ... I’d rather not say it out loud. Or else it would spoil things, I think.” Expression easing, the man smiles down at Raine. “... So for now... come on. This still is only the start of the date, after all— so let’s go inside. I think I can already smell the food that they’ve prepared... but we can take our time getting there.”
His coworker intimidated him quite a bit. So full of energy to go out and explore this city and its branches that she didn’t seem at all deterred by the dangers lurking in long abandoned areas. He knew she too must have been weakened in her abilities, and yet she always seemed to be on the move. They had spent the entire two-hour break between classes discussing her research, it was as if no time had passed at all. As a fellow scholar, Qifrey always admired such dedication and passion towards one’s interests. She showed him some photos of plants and herbs she had taken for reference while she was mapping the area around her home.
She described how the photo was taken, and it sounded a bit like this contraption held some of the same terrifying repercussions to his magic system that a scanner and printer would have…but he had to admit seeing a camera used for something that would further medical knowledge…it couldn’t be all bad, then, could it? So when asked of where he could acquire such a contraption, she mentioned a few pawn shops in Fibbonacci ward, a technology shop in the mall of Golden that students might frequent, as well as one situated in the Mistwood.
This shop, Kourindou, was one that he had visited before and had avoided since. He had accidentally gotten on the wrong side of the owner when he had taken his robotic pet instead of the contraption that he meant to take. He wished that he still had the ability to erase someone’s memory to start over, but it was much too late now, and he had to fess up and make amends.
So he stood outside of the shop today, twiddling his fingers to plan how he would show the other that he was no threat today. Qifrey took a deep breath and he stepped through the door, holding up his hands anxiously with an apologetic look on his face.
Up until now, Rinnosuke didn’t have too many customers he had to worry about. Perhaps it was simply the fact that the individuals brought here often were respectable enough to not need to be concerned towards— or at least, the ones who came to his shop were.
It’s why bad apples were easy to recall. But in Qifrey’s unfortunate case, it would’ve been hard to forget about the man regardless.
That’s why, when the behatted man dipped his head into the store and raised his hands, the merchant made a similar motion while adjusting the hands of a grandfather clock at the side. He’d step back, raising both hands— and point with his right.
“It’s YOU!” He’d declare, before jogging awkwardly to his desk and snatching Laika, whose tail had been wagging while she was about to jump off and greet the other. Standing behind his cluttered counter, the man pointedly exclaims, “That’s far enough.”
And Rinnosuke stares at him.
“...”
A moment passes, and while peering over at the other... he’d find himself sighing, holding Laika up and close to his breast. The nonthreatening gesture was obvious enough to him, yet still, the man relents with caution.
“... Yes, you can enter. Provided you’re not here to steal my pet, or anything else for that matter, Kourindou is open to all. Are you here to apologize?”
As much as she didn’t like the idea of Marisa going off and getting into dangerous situations all by herself…Raine had to admit that they were kindred spirits. Always seeming to run to a place that seemed interesting and new, exploring and bringing back things that everyone else might consider junk. Though she very rarely seemed to be around when she was visiting the Mistwood, and she still had yet to discover where in the forest her shop was. “Marisa…hm. I do wonder what she’s been keeping busy with lately.”
Though their magic systems were classified in a bit of a different way, the half elf remembered that they were not too dissimilar in what they encompassed the first time he told her this. Raine places a finger on her lip in thought and then snaps her fingers as if in irritation. “That’s right, the Librarian is there too.” Though…. the librarian and the dragon that was said to fly across Cotes weren’t the same being, were they? “Dragons would be hard to miss with so many people building their properties across dangerous parts of the city, someone would have run into one by now. But… the same thing happened with Yesteryear, hm? It seems to have been all but abandoned to time. Perhaps that is the case with the dragons as well, and only the most stubborn have stayed.”
Raine’s bottom lip would twitch as she tried not to laugh at his graceless attempt to explain his intentions for the night. “Romantic? So very straightforward of you to point it out like so, Rinnosuke. I was wondering when you might try whisking me off of my feet.” Oh, but she shouldn’t poke too much fun at him, should she? He was trying. “It is nice to be doing something different. However, if you’re trying to follow a script here tonight I would prefer you didn’t. It’s charming enough that you’re putting in such effort to impress me. Relax your shoulders a bit.”
She didn’t want to feel as if she was forcing him to show her affection after all. They took their last step on the stone pathway before getting to the garden stone gargoyles and different beasts were trimmed into the shrubs that greeted them.
“As much as I would like a romantic dinner it would not mean a thing if you were too anxious posturing to enjoy it yourself, don’t you think?” She places her free hand on her hip and arched an eyebrow, a smirk slowly forming.
“With that girl, who knows. Probably piling more junk while experimenting... though, I can only wonder how much magic she can manage here.” He’d never asked... or, rather, he’d never thought to. Mainly out of respect for her pride.
“Yesteryear... I’ve been meaning to visit it sometime, if I’m being honest. And anyways, I can see why they would choose to live around these parts. Dragons have astute tastes,” Rinnosuke exclaimed with confidence— if only because the Cotes Ward and the Mistwood were also to his tastes. And surely a dragon could tell that these locations were ideal to thrive in...
It was partially a thought born from his ego, but inwardly, he held quite a bit of respect for them. It showed somewhat, with how carefully and highly he’1d spoken of them up until now.
Having grown silent to study one of the nearby creatures sculpted via leaf around the serene garden they found themselves wandering through, her words would catch him by surprise— though he’d smile awkwardly as he realizes she’s teasing him.
However, Rinnosuke’s quick to shake his head at her next words. “N— no. It’s true that I had some inspiration for tonight, but...”
“I’m enjoying myself, believe me. ... I... suppose I could relax a bit more, however...” She wasn’t wrong per say, after all. “But if I’m being honest, just speaking with you like so has been relaxing enough.”
梨花 Rika maintained her slight smile, even if within she was hanging off the man’s every word as if she were listening to a lecture. It was a mask she had long become accustomed to wearing if she ever hoped to defeat fate itself. “The pain lingers even after dying? That sounds sad…” She’d only recently realized what it was like to remember the pain of your own death thanks to Hanyuu’s gift. She hated it.
“Mii! Of course! I’m sure I’ll be fine! There’s nothing here that would try to hurt a little girl, I’m sure!” Even though she wasn’t sure. She’d been through so much that it lingered. The idea that she could be subjected to that same hell, even here. She didn’t want to put Rinnosuke off any more than she already had though.
He seemed wise. He reminded her of some of Hinamizawa’s elders. “Sorry for asking something so scary!”
Even Rika’s reaction was something of a surprise. She was quite the cheerful girl, wasn’t she...? Even to something she initially found scary.
Perhaps he was just that reassuring?
“Er... right, of course. Still, just... be careful,” Rinnosuke exclaims with a hesitant laugh, before clearing his throat. “Anyhow, there’s nothing to apologize about. Information here is important to have, and the fact that you can handle such a mature topic like that is, if anything, a sign that you’re quite strong.”
“That being said, I’ve been here a decent while, so I’ve grown quite knowledgeable of this place. I’m happy to answer any questions you might have at all.”
Her character aside, the man couldn’t help but feel partially worried for her. Rarely did he see children brought to this place, and as hardy as they were, this was a situation that was hard for anyone to handle. He certainly had it rough himself...
Every year, Kay always makes it a point to hit up the No Place Like Home Decor market. Last year she found a pin that was important to her, and she’s interested to know what could be there this year.
Instead she’s found, well… a lot of junk. Some of it has other people’s names, some of it’s unlabeled, but mostly it’s a bunch of weird things.
She holds up a horribly patterned scarf, and a bunch of weird metal things. Tools, maybe?
“What even is all of this stuff?” She proceeds to put the terrible scarf around her neck, turning to the guy next to her.
“I haven’t found anything good at all yet, have you?”
“Hmmm...” Holding up an antique clothing iron, Rinnosuke would casually set it in the small pushcart he’d brought with him. He had come here for just about the same reason Kay did— but as always, his eyes were also on the prowl for merchandise. “Hm?”
Blinking, the man turns— looking at Kay with some surprise.
“Me? ... Of course. There’s plenty of interesting pieces here, after all,” Rinnosuke starts, pushing up his glasses. “Such as... well, here.”
“Just take a look.”
Gesturing grandly to his cart, in it... was what evidently looked like mostly junk. Books, various objects, a couple pieces of art, and other such curiosities lie haphazardly organized in a pile. It really didn’t seem all that impressive at all.
梨花 “Mii… Rinnosuke-san? You mentioned that you’ve been here a while, right? Are they true? The rumours that if you die, you come back to life?” It definitely wasn’t the kind of question someone might expect an adult to ask, much less at a BBQ event like the one taking place in the City of Glass, but it was one Rika asked while still playing up her child persona nonetheless. This summer festival provided a good chance for her to gather information. The more of that she had, the better.
“I heard some adults talking about it and it sounded a little scary!” She had to justify bringing it up somehow. It wasn’t like she could disclose her history to strangers. Not when she was still making sense of this Fragment. Sitting at a table across from him, where they’d met by coincidence, she was struggling to eat a hamburger much too big for her hands. “I think it was just a rumour though…”
She hoped it was. How many times did she need to experience death to no avail?
Rinnosuke nearly chokes on his steak. Up until now, he and the girl before him had only had exchanged a few small conversations of nothing too important, so hearing that was a bit... of a surprise, to say the least. “Y-you heard of that, hm?”
It really wasn’t too surprising that she had heard, of course, but... being asked that point blank by such a young child, the man couldn’t help but frown slightly.
“... Mm. Well...” With a conflicted face, the half-youkai sets his utensils down and rubs his chin. “... I suppose there no sense in lying about it.”
“It’s no rumor. Those who lose their life in this place return the next day... usually with some residual pain, I believe.” He’d pause, quickly trying to think of a way to not make the other upset. “Er... but if you’re careful like I am, you shouldn’t even need to worry about such a thing, Rika-chan. This place is... usually safe.”
