/jp/ - Otaku Culture

>>45832773 (52/?)

Shinki levitates a chair over near the doorway to lean back on with her arms resting behind her back, “Well, Sariel and I drew up some magical circles (self-destructing ones so no risk of those being found) that’ll cause a big ol’ stone dragon maw to rise out of the lake and the sword is going to be sticking out of the dragon’s mouth. It’s going to look really cool. Oh and uhh there’s going to be a tablet saying something along the lines of ‘you who is worthy, claim my blade and with it slay the usurper. With you, I shall forge a new pact yada yada’. The reason it took so long was that we had to mask the mana so it feels like the Dragon God’s magic and that really wasn’t something we wanted to half-ass.”

Sariel helpfully adds, “Shinki also insisted on twisting the sword’s appearance so it looks more ‘dragony’.”

Shinki nods, “That too.”

Again it’s quiet until Yuuka lets out a little giggle. Said giggle quickly turns into a laugh, though no one else shares her particular giddiness. Finally, Yuuka recomposes herself, “That… That is going to drive Yukari insane. With how she schemes and fixates…”

Mima concludes, “She’ll be off chasing the illusion of dragons, thereby splitting her attention between her enemies, real and imagined.”

Alice adds, “That’s not even considering the effect the words will have on the sword. Such a provocative statement is going to spread a rumor, and a sword that grows from emotions and souls is going to be extremely sensitive to such things.”

Lunging from her chair (which somehow returns to an upright position despite how far back it was leaned), Shinki grabs Alice and strokes her head, “That’s correct! I always knew you were a smart cookie.”

Alice of course squirms and complains, but Shinki refuses to let up. At least not until the complaints shifted to something about people approaching. Upon registering that it wasn’t just another pitiful attempt to escape cuddles, Shinki lets go of Alice. The dollmaker falls, comically flailing her arms and screaming, before hitting the ground with a groan.

As Alice lies on the floor, Yuuka shooes the dolls gathering around her and demands, “Who’s approaching the cottage? Are they servants of Yukari?”

Sitting up while rubbing the back of her head, Alice replies, “No, it’s just Kosuzu, Aunn, and the rabbits.”

Looking down at Alice disapprovingly, Sariel leans over to Shinki and whispers, “I think you dropped Alice too much as a child and that’s why she’s like this.”

Shinki whispers back, “Drop her too much? No, she was the one we cuddled the most. If anything it’s the opposite problem. Though maybe letting her change her name to a storybook character she liked and pretty much assuming their identity has a part to play.”

Either not noticing or not caring about Shinki and Sariel’s sidebar, Marisa says, “Tewi and the kids? What business could they have here? I know she said some stuff about Hana being family or whatever, but do we really buy that ze?”

Mima replies, “You can never quite tell with her type, much less her. That being said, I would say it’s feasible for her to be on Yukari’s payroll. Welcoming her with a kiss certainly fed into Yukari’s plans. As for her words to Hana after Yukari left, they could play into a greater scheme to warp Hana from both sides. Let us not forget her present to Hana, she’s certainly not concerned with Hana’s purity. Still, even if she is a double agent, her true allegiance will always remain with herself.”

At the mention of Tewi’s present, Yuuka face sours. In a dangerous tone, the Youkai says, “Perhaps it’s a good thing she’s visiting, I have words I would like to share about appropriate and inappropriate gifts for a troubled youth.”

Marisa cuts in, “I certainly agree with the sentiment, but perhaps we should be focusing on what to do. If she might be a double agent, should we hide anything? Say the Goddess and angel ze?”

Mima nods, “That would be wise, Shinki if you would?”

Shinki raises an eyebrow, “Just me? Is my companion for whatever reason not worth addressing? What are you saying that she’s just window dressing? A little bit of eye candy that will just go along with whatever I say?”

Before Mima can apologize, Shinki adds, “Well you’d be right, c’mon let’s go.”

The subsequent hardest strike of the staff of the day (and trickle of blood that accompanied it), was well worth it to see Mima’s deadpan. Still, Shinki couldn’t enjoy it for particularly long before Sariel angrily dragged her upstairs.

Figured I should get this out before I can rewrite it. The rest of it should be done by Friday.