/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>44935615 (5/?)
As the village becomes a passing memory and the forest grows denser, Shanghai feels the dreadful feeling of unfamiliarity fade. Now it's just like when Shanghai goes to run errands for Alice. The only difference is that Alice forgot about her. No, that's silly. Alice loves Shanghai and would never forget about her. She just... knows Shanghai is a strong doll who can come home by herself! Flying a little prouder and a little faster, Shanghai resolves to prove her creator right.

Upon drawing near to her creator's home, Shanghai hears the clamor of battle and rushes forward. Entering the clearing she sees her creator battling with some sort of ghost. Her fellow dolls are being torn apart by the spirit's danmaku and Alice is clearly battered.

Wasting no time, Shanghai draws the razor blade hidden under her dress and charges her creator's enemy. She's able to get most of the way to her foe undetected before the ghost rounds on her and fires a burst of magic.

Upon realizing which doll was acting without orders, Alice begins to shout, "Not that one! Not that one! Not Shanghai!"

Confused but nevertheless devoted to her creator's will, Shanghai attempts to dodge the bolt. Unfortunately, she's clipped in the side and tumbles to the ground.

*******

Shanghai feels woozy as consciousness returns. Above her voices are bickering, though she struggles to make out what they are saying.

Focusing intently, she's able to parse, "Isn't... melodramatic? It's... doll... doesn't... bandages.... stitch... ze."

Shanghai feels vaguely annoyed by the person's words. She can't quite tell what they are saying, but Shanghai thinks it's something rude about dolls. Thankfully, it seems like another voice disagrees, "SHE's not just... doll... It's important... runes... can't discount... feelings."

The second's words placate you, but the dastardly first isn't done, "It's a doll, ze. I know you can make it do stuff, but they don't really have feelings, right? Weren't you complaining about them not being autonomous?"

As Shanghai's faculties finally return to her, she decides enough is enough by getting up and opening her eyes. Standing above the table she's resting on, Marisa and Alice are arguing. For some reason, Marisa is dressed like herself. However, that's not too surprising, because Marisa is weird.

Shanghai attempts to jump up and down her her hands outstretched to get their attention, but Marisa seems intent on distracting Alice with her stupid words. As she's waving her hands, Shanghai notices she has little bandages wrapped around her right side. She takes a moment to inspect them before looking back up to the bickering magicians.

Frustrated that they still haven't noticed her, Shanghai loudly (in relative terms) stomps her foot against the table. Thankfully, this grabs Alice's attention. Shanghai's creator turns to her and asks, "Oh Shanghai! How are you feeling? Are you alright?"

Shanghai nods enthusiastically before pointing back in the village and pointing her thumb down. Alice blushes at this, "Ah, you don't like the village? I'm sorry I left you behind. It'll never happen again."

Shanghai beams at Alice's words but remembers this something more important at the moment. Shaking her head, Shanghai tries again to motion toward the village before pointing her thumb down. Alice frowns before venturing, "It's not that you dislike the whole village, but there's something there you don't like?"

Before Shanghai could give another nod, Marisa interjects, "Alice, are you really doing this with your dolls? I know it's your thing, but..."

Shanghai cuts Marisa off by drawing your razor sword again. The mean witch raises her hands placatingly saying, "Alright, alright, you do you."

Shanghai turns her attention back to Alice and nods before rolling her shoulders back and walking in a circle flexing. To seal the deal, Shanghai pretends to pour tea and then stir a port. Alice raises an eyebrow at this, "You don't like Anon?"

Shanghai shakes her head emphatically before running in place, making an x with her arms, and pointing back towards the village. Alice ventures, "You don't like that place in the village because Anon can't leave?"

Shanghai jumps up excitedly while nodding. Alice's features soften into a smile as she says, "Don't worry, he won't be trapped for long."

A third voice suddenly replies, "Indeed, assuming you two do not slack off, he'll be a free man in no time."

Shanghai jumps as she realizes it's the evil ghost! She quickly throws her razor at the wicked spirit's stupid face, but the monster leans to the side to avoid it. Not even bothering to respond, the evil ghost turns to Marisa and says in a scary voice, "Marisa, where's my lunch? If I recall, I asked for it half an hour ago."

Marisa chuckles nervously, "Oh your lunch? Yeah... coming right up ze..."

With that, Marisa quickly flees and Shanghai is left wondering if the evil ghost lady is really that bad after all.