/jp/ - Otaku Culture

Wow. These two really didn't get along. Maybe they were just too different. "No, I believe we are too alike." Lady Patchouli said, a rare smile blooming on her face.

"Just what do you think you're-" Satori tried, and was summarily cut off.

"I don't need to be a mind reader to know that he was thinking that we don't get along, and that it was mostly likely because he was wondering if we were just too different. Please at least try to pay attention to the signs in front of your two eyes up there, and not your one eye down here." She pointed first at Satori's head, then down at her third eye. "As I said, I believe we are too alike in some ways. Too many positives and things get repelled. No, I rather doubt we will see eye-to-eye-to-third-eye on most topics. It doesn't mean I cannot find some amusement in playing with her when I see her." What had she been doing, then? When I'd entered the clearing. "Testing a hypothesis of mine. I wanted to know if I could find a way to block the use of her powers."

"A failure, I should point out." Satori grumbled. "You cannot best my ultimate power."

"A failure is the first step on the path to a success. Do not try to belittle me, Satori Komeiji." Lady Patchouli took her teacup and magically stirred it, her finger causing the tea to swirl even though she hadn't actually put her finger into the liquid. "Now, I believe we all have better things to do. Ask him if he has seen your sister."

"Do not bring up-"

"Oh, just ask him, would you? Reiki, have you seen Koishi Komeiji today?" Wordlessly, I nodded. In the company of Hata no Kokoro.

"You have!? She's here!?" That got Satori's attention, and she shot to her feet. "I - I must excuse myself. Before she can leave, I must find her..." She shook her head and hurried out of the clearing.

"Well, that was rather easy. I'm a little disappointed, to tell the truth." Lady Patchouli spread her hands. I asked her if she was referring to Satori leaving. "No, not at all. Her mind reading." Patchouli indicated the seat opposite her that Satori had occupied. "Sit, and I shall explain." Wondering just what Lady Patchouli had done, I slowly sat down. "I asked her once it became clear that she was not leaving to test my mind. I have been working on a technique to construct a false persona in my mind. This, in essence, would allow me to throw it in the way of a mind reader's efforts. I wanted Satori Komeiji to test me." ...And? "And she completely fell for it. I have been to Switzerland, but it was the depths of Winter. I did go to the library, but only to check out a book within minutes."

Lady Patchouli's smile became more victorious. "She was successful in reading the wrong memories, and even then, she got several key facts wrong." I had a feeling that Satori was a little smarter than Lady Patchouli was giving her credit for, and I rather suspected that both of them had been lying to the other. Still, it wasn't my place to bring that up, so I remained silent. "Well, I can call this a successful day, at any rate. Perhaps I was wrong to deny your invitation in the first place."

Shrugging, I said that I was just happy she had come along. "Yes, well, the ceremony itself, despite the distractions of a certain amanojaku, were very enjoyable. You might consider getting into poetry in the future." I'd actually gotten into poetry in the past - In the sense that Lady Kasen had forced me to study some poetry...For reasons that I suspected had to do with Reimu. Lady Patchouli reached across the table. "May I?" She asked me, indicating my right hand. Slowly, I nodded and raised it, allowing her to examine my wedding ring. "White gold...And a purer gold, too...Excellent craftsmanship, and perfectly sized. Materials came from...Youkai Mountain, most likely. Yes, I think anyone would be jealous if they saw that. You'd fetch a fair sum in the Outside World for it." I would not be taking my wedding ring to the outside world to sell it, I stiffly told Lady Patchouli as a pulled my hand back. "Do not overreact. I am simply stating a fact."

I frowned a little, but nodded nonetheless. "Gold is an excellent material for my alchemy work. Perhaps I will have to enlist someone to fetch me some from the mountain. I could accomplish so much more if I had someone to do the legwork for me. I could see the hint, and was forced to say that my legs were already in service for someone else. "Ah, what a shame. You're a dependable sort, so you'd be perfect for sending up into the mountains, or down into the depths of the Forest of Magic in search for certain magical reagents." Sadly, she would have to keep looking. "Hmm..." Lady Patchouli hummed. "I wonder if Remi would be willing to take on a new staff member..." She was musing to herself, it seemed. I didn't really know what response I could give, anyway.

What I did know was that I pitied the fool who agreed to work under Sakuya Izayoi.

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