/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>47215067 82

The air is still, dead one could say. Frigid, stagnant it seeks to steal away any warmth it comes into contact with. Luckily, Mima’s warmth cannot be stolen.

At least in theory, it shouldn’t. Temperature is not something that matters to a vengeful spirit. Neither the fires of Sanjiva nor the frost of Arbuda should give one pause, so why is it that she clutches her cloak so tightly?

It matters not, she is for the most part fine and not many could say the same if they were in her position.

The far more pressing issue, though she hates to admit it, is boredom. In the evening she had her hands full with the flood of refugees fleeing the village. At night, she kept herself entertained with the trickle that approached her shrine. Now as the moon has passed its highest point, she sits alone keeping vigil.

Logically, she should be fine to head inside. It is exceedingly unlikely that anyone will arrive until sunrise and even if they did, someone would be around to let them in. Despite this, she remains.

Perhaps it is diligence, a devotion to her would-be followers that pushes her to endure the cold. Perhaps it is pride, a stubborn unwillingness to call it a night. Perhaps she simply enjoys the peace and quiet.

Does the reason even matter if the end result is the same? No, the result always speaks louder than the intent. No matter how just the cause, it is damned if brings only pain. In that way, she-

The past is dead and gone. She’s analyzed her past deeds a hundred times before, dwelling on them changes nothing.

…

She thinks she prefers the wind. Sure it may make things colder, but at least it wouldn’t be so unbearably quiet. A howling gale would be something at least, far better than nothing.

An exterior door somewhere in the shrine slides open. In the following moment, there is silence until-

The snow compresses under a step with a crunch. It is not especially loud, but it’s made noticeable by virtue of the total silence otherwise.

The first step is soon joined by many others. It is not especially fast, nor is it painstakingly slow.

Mima isn’t certain which extreme she’d prefer. On one hand, she’d like to do away with the anticipation and see to whatever it is that’s occurring. On the other, as boring as these late hours are it’d be nice to savor the suspense over time so that the night feels just a little bit shorter.

Mima’s desires ultimately do not matter as the steps lead the mysterious figure to her at their own pace. The girl in question is Murasa, she’s staring at Mima from the edge of the veranda.

Mima waits for a moment for the girl to speak, but nothing comes from it. She clearly wants something but is hesitating for one reason or another. Once more it seems she must play mentor.

Patting the floor next to her, Mima commands, “Sit.”

The girl obeys, taking the spot next to her. Still, she hesitates, fidgeting slightly, and does not speak.

It’s strange, she is normally a rather lively girl from Mima’s experience. What could be bothering her to such an extent? “You’re troubled. What is it that’s eating away at your mind?”

Murasa coughs, “I-It’s nothing like that, I just want to put my thoughts in order. We’ve never talked alone.”

Mima wasn’t aware Murasa had any desire for a private conversation, though she supposes the topic is rather obvious, “We have similar natures.”

Murasa nods, “Yeah, Ship Phantom and Vengeful Spirit.”

Mima briefly considers pushing the conversation along but decides against it. Murasa is the one who sought this conversation out and she certainly is not pressed for time.

The Ship Phantom is quiet for a time before suddenly asking, “You’ve killed people before, right?”

Mima isn’t surprised, that is after all the unifying trait before the two races. Both are spirits with a murderous streak, “Quite a few in my time, but that was a long time ago.”

Murasa is neither shocked nor upset as others in this new Gensokyo might be. “It felt good?”

Mima nods, “It was euphoric for a time.”

Murasa stares at Mima closely, searching for something. “But you stopped, on your own accord?”

The last part was hastily tacked on. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to infer that Murasa had less choice in the matter. Byakuren forced her perhaps? Eh, there’s no point speculating when Murasa will likely reveal that soon. Mima nods, “The Hakurei maidens, the ones before Reimu that is, definitely were… quite insistent that I stop, but it was entirely my own decision.”

Still looking for something, Murasa prods Mima along, “Why did you stop?”

Mima shrugs, “Would you believe me if I said I was bored?”

That grabs Murasa’s attention.

>>15387487
>and coming back as a vengeful spirit
as far I'm remember that spirits in particular are a threat for youkais and humans both alike, so maybe the real deal is avoid mima 2.0, village edition and we knows how powerful the resentiment could be, principally if that was a core source fot an spiritual being

>pic somewhat related