/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45400457 (36/?)

The unthinkable has happened, Shanghai is bored of her spinny chair. It was something for those brief moments of downtime in the chaotic rush while the departments were being formed. She’d almost never be able to reach max speed before a doll would come in with some problem. Now, she has more than enough time, but she just… doesn’t.

It’s sad. When she lacked spins she truly desired them, but now that she has an abundance of spins she feels no urge to spin. In theory, she should be happy that each department is running so smoothly that they don’t ever need her help, but what is a foreman to do when her dolls don’t need her anymore? She’s made herself redundant.

Logistics, Personnel, Operations, Security, and the Executive. There was a time when these were just loosely defined teams of dolls. She’d have to resolve fights, organize a chain of command, and remind dolls which department they were in. She’d even pitch in sometimes so that a teatime rush could be completed right before noon, or help paint a particularly tricky section of the shrine. Theoretically, she could still get involved, but that’d require pushing another doll out. There’s never a need for a quick-thinking boss or even an extra set of hands as it seems like there’s always a doll who has been preparing for that exact moment. It would be wrong to deny them their place in the sun.

Still, that reasoning is the reason why she’s lethargically spinning in her seat with a sporadic kick here and there. She’s in this state when a doll hurries into her office. Immediately straightening up, Shanghai tilts her head at the doll. In response, the doll hurriedly waves her over.

Following the doll, she soon sees a great commotion near the entrance to the Shrine. There’s a considerable number of security dolls and cottage dolls crowding around Alice who's talking to Big Sis.

As Shanghai draws close, Big Sis turns to her and says, “There she is. Hey Shanghai, we were talking about… actually, Alice should be the one to explain it.”

Alice hums, presumably in agreement, “We are throwing a party for Hana, Anon’s daughter if you’ve forgotten, and I was going to visit him and potentially take his doll along so she can be there in his place. Would you like to come?”

Is that even a question? Shanghai nods enthusiastically before perching on Melancholy’s shoulder.

Alice smiles, “I imagined you would. I’m sure he’ll be quite happy to see you again.”

As Alice and her escort begin flying to the village, Big Sis says, “You never did answer my question, Alice. What’s your interest in Anon?”

Alice shifts so neither Shanghai nor Medicine can see her face as she replies, “Well, the entire point of this alliance is to help Anon. So it should be rather obvious.”

Medicine shoots back, “It is rather obvious, but I want to hear you saying it. Now when you say help him, in what ways? This seems a bit beyond just helping Marisa break him out for some magic secrets. What’s the real reason?”

Alice begins to cough, worrying Shanghai greatly until her creator regains her composure, “He’s… He doesn’t deserve this. No one deserves this.”

Medicine looks a little sad at that so Shanghai gives her a hug. With a noticeably less sad but still serious tone she says, “I can understand that much at least. No one should be treated like a toy, not even a human.”

Not even a human? That would… that would imply that humans are worth less than other people, which is ridiculous because everyone deserves respect and fair treatment unless they are stinky idiots like Rumia. To show her displeasure, Shanghai hits Medicine, but Big Sis doesn’t seem to notice as she continues, “But still you were about to say something else, what do you think about it?”

Alice sounds guarded as she replies, “I don’t know what you’re implying, but Anon is a kind man who was placed in awful circumstances. Despite his circumstances, he tries to help anyone he can. He is a remarkable man.”

Medicine replies, “So a remarkable but tortured soul who needs a caring young witch to help him with his trauma. Of course, if anything happens from there, well…”

That doesn’t sound like a bad idea. If they could get a caring young witch to help Anon, he’d be happier and she could use magic to protect him. Still, Shanghai can’t think of any young witches in Gensokyo. If you got rid of the young requirement (which doesn’t even seem that important of a requirement to Shanghai), Alice would fit the mold perfectly. Shanghai needs to tell her!

As Alice glances over, Shanghai excitedly points at her, hoping that she’d get the message. Unfortunately, Alice must not have understood her as she turns away with a huff and the rest of the trip goes by in silence.

>>44616109
Aren't Alice's dolls just objects without agency? They may seem independent but that's just Alice's talent for puppetry.