/jp/ - Otaku Culture

The night is going well. Lyrica and I are playing off each other's rhythm while Merlin and Lunasa are putting out a new, strange melody that nobody here has every heard. The crowd of Tsukumos, Inchinlings, ghosts, and the odd human are absolutely enthralled at the complex, yet elegant music wafting through the halls of the Inchling Castle bar. For this one, shinning moment everyone here has forgotten about the all that business with Yukari that seems to be over shadowing everything, freed and joyous. But none of this was the reason for my excitement.

It was this woman, a mysterious blonde who sat alone at the bar gazing at me, gently tapping a gloved finger to my rhythm. Something about that spoke to me and I was keen to figure out what.

"I haven't seen you here before. First time?" I asked, approaching her after the set.

She smiled warmly and spoke carefully, deliberately, like her words were meant to be enjoyed at her pace. "True. I've visited this castle once before, but I never knew it had a place like this."

"Well, we'll have to make up for lost time then." I said, waving to the bartender, a small inchling.

He nodded and through an intricate series of pulleys, tracks, and ropes, prepared two drinks for us, which he pushed with the precise amount of force needed to propel them on a quiet track to myself. I picked up the drinks and handed one to the lady, a gloved hand slightly brushed my fingers as she took it, lightly sipped her drink, and smiled.

"A sour drink for a first meeting, how bold." She remarked.

I chuckled. "We don't specify drinks here. The Inchlings serve us whatever they brew and refine as a point of pride. They do a good job."

"You do as well, Raiko-kun. Good alcohol is wasted without ambiance." She commented, slightly swirling the drink with her hand and leaning closer.

I felt myself blush a little, I've had my share of fun with men and woman from the crowd, but something about this woman was different. Her black kimino was pleated with a red carnation pattern and had white frills emerging from the edges which, rather then hide her figure, only served to outline it, her blonde hair was tied into a long pony tail that flowed naturally around her neck like a small animal, upon her right wrist sat a bracelet that seemed to be made up of large prayer beads which had a subtle red hue that mirrored her eyes, and her smile, it was so gentle yet something about it excited me.

"Seems I'm at a disadvantage. Would you do me the honor of knowing your name miss?" I asked.

"Gako" She said playfully, empathizing the two syllables.

"'ko' for both of us? Must be fate. Is that what brings you here?" I ask.

"Something like that. I need some information about Tsukumos, I hope you don't mind me 'fishing' you out." She apologized.

"Your company is payment enough I think." I say.

"Thank you, then let me ask the most frightening first, are there any Tsukumos that are weapons?" She inquired.

I thought for a moment. "That's a dangerous business for beautiful ladies like yourself. A few may have existed according to legends, but I've never found any in my time. I'm not sure if such a thing is possible."

"Oh? Why not?" She asked.

"It's about practice. A Tsukumo forms within a tool as it exercises it's purpose over and over again. Blades and the like for killing wear quickly upon use and Gensokyo is too peacefully a place for a serial murderer." I casually joke.

"I see, then if one couldn't be formed naturally, could one be born from another Tsukumo or, perhaps the pooling of powerful magic into one place?" she asked.

I take a sip of my drink and lean a little closer. "For the latter, the miracle mallet's power is what caused me to gain my freedom at first, until I found another source of power, but that was still supplied by the passion of drummers. As for the former, such a thing is possible, if the partner's personality allows for it. Maybe if you married a cunning swordsman who's life was filled with conflict, but Gako is so peaceful, I don't think even the cruelest swordsman could sully you!"