/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>44934368 (4/?)
Seeming to have worked up the nerve to speak, Alice asks, "S-So to uhh what do I owe the pleasure? N-Not that I'm upset you're here or anything."

Without an ounce of shame, Mima replies, "You see, when I was cleaning Marisa's house I destroyed a lot of junk and anything filthy I found. It turns out that in doing so I wiped out a lot of Marisa's supplies and equipment, so now I need to use your stuff to teach her."

Alice turns and gives Marisa a venomous glare, "Was a book on galvanized dolls included in the stuff you had to destroy?"

Indifferent to the plight of her apprentice, Mima shrugged, "Probably, I didn't look too close at the moldy books."

While shrinking away from Alice's evil eye, Marisa cries out, "That one wasn't moldy ze! I set it aside and there was only that one time I accidentally left a mushroom on it... a-and that one time I uh... that wasn't enough to make it moldy ze!"

Anger seems to give Alice a backbone as she slowly states, "While I would be happy to loan you whatever you need, your apprentice is in my debt. I must ask, that you offer some collateral so that she does not run off and steal more of my belongings."

Mima frowns, "Well, I am a bit short on everything at the moment. And my apprentice is always short, but that's beside the point. I'm afraid I did destroy most of what she could offer, assuming you'd accept her junk. If I.O.U.s are off the table... I could always include you in the lessons."

Alice perks up at that, which is unsurprising given how jealously the more powerful beings in Gensokyo hoard their secrets. Cautiously as if trying to not alert Mima that her offer was too good, Alice asks, "You would instructment me? I'd be learning your thaumaturgical foundations alongside your own apprentice?"

Mima nods nonchalantly, "Yeah. I mean I would take you on as apprentice if you'd like. I have one caveat though."

Alice tries and fails to keep the excitement and desperation out of her voice as she asks, "Oh?"

Mima answers, "Do you have a room to lend Marisa? If we are going to use your equipment and facilities we might as well all stay here. I of course don't need a room on account of the... y'know." Mima gestures at her ghostly appearance.

After a moment of hesitation accompanied by a sideways look at Marisa, Alice nods, "Alright. I suppose that will make things easier. I'll accept if you make sure she isn't rummaging through my belongings while I'm not watching."

Mima pretends to consider for a moment before replying, "Ehh, I never agreed to that. In return for such a request, I demand you make a maid outfit for Marisa."

Marisa does a double take before exclaiming, "What the hell ze?! I never agreed to-"

Mima shuts her down with a flat look, "You don't have to agree. You've brought this upon yourself. While you are not acting as my apprentice, you'll be acting as my servant. That should teach you not to slack on your studies while I'm not around."

Alice seems to run the gamut of emotions before finally setting on embarrassment for some reason, "I uh... I... I was actually thinking about something similar so I... I already have a dress for her."

Marisa stares at Alice before asking, "Why... Why... How do you even have my measurements?"

Alice deadpans, "You haven't grown an inch in any direction since the last time you had me make your clothes."

Marisa erupts in fury, "That was ten years ago! I've grown! I've grown a bunch! Just ask Rinnosuke! He takes my measurements every year and I'm still growing!"

Mima refrains from informing Marisa that she looks the exact same since the last time she saw her. Instead, she allows herself to delight in the convenience of Alice already having a dress ready. Why in her mind the only way this could get any better is if...

As a dangerous smile grows on her lips, Mima says, "Alice, go show Marisa the dress and her room. After that, I'll assess your capabilities outside. You may prepare your dolls if you wish. A word of warning, however, don't use any you'd get upset over losing. I can only hold back so much after all."

Alice gives a terse nod before dragging Marisa upstairs. Faintly, Mima can hear Marisa showering Alice with various warnings about her abilities. Normally, Mima would feel annoyed about her apprentice spilling her secrets. But, if it means her apprentices might get along, who is she to complain?

********
>>44935190
Yuuka was something I was considering (after I realized I needed to continue the story), but >>44935580 has sold me on that idea.