/jp/ - Otaku Culture

"It's not a concern, keep observing and report any changes." The slamming of a door punctuated the end of her statement.

Matara Okina lorded from her mobile throne in her Land of the Back Door. One of the great Sages of Gensokyo, now reclining back pinching the bridge of her nose. "What is that accursed woman thinking…" Okina mused to herself, idly playing with a wooden playing piece carved and painted in the likeness of the Youkai of Boundaries. Her eyes scanned over a map of Gensokyo and the territories of several factions before setting the piece back onto the village, right next to one in the likeness of a kitsune and a plain looking man.

While not officially called an "Incident" it would soon grow into one. At first it started as a way to get back at Yukari and knock her off her high horse, but now became more than that… much more. Thanks to Mai and Satono—her lovely Douji—she's aware of the sudden increase in visitations to Eientei. Worse still, the reports from the Zashiki-warashi say there's a boom of simultaneous pregnancies in the Village, some of whom are married women. Oh the delicious scandals unfolding! Resting her cheek in her hand, a crude smile formed on her lips: "I'll have to hand it to her for upping the ante." The army of half youkai about to be born is a big problem, but the faces Yukari will make when this blows back into her face will be worth all the trouble.

No plan ever survives first contact with the enemy and Toutetsu alone is no longer enough to bring this "Hakurei Shrine Experience" down. Okina was still soured about her failure keeping Yukari distracted—though in hindsight—tea over a game of Mahjong wasn't the most intellectually stimulating to keep her busy. Nevertheless—looking over the menagerie of pieces in this great game Okina grimaced at the lack of pawns on her side. When going against another Sage there's no room for error, and merely her Douji and Toutetsu made up her ranks. Ran would have been nice to have as a strong pawn on the inside, but Toutetsu spoke of some sort of blackmail preventing the Shikigami from aiding in any meaningful capacity. She's almost certain Yukari was leveraging Ran's own Shikigami against her. Could she can get Toutetsu to bring the bakeneko here for safekeeping and 'cut the leash' so to speak? As for Anon… he's no good as a pawn but rather bait. Yukari's fixation on him will be a lovely weakness to exploit. Really? What's so good about this human? Okina remained puzzled to that end.

It was time to pull in some favors. Moriya Shrine was the most likely candidate as they are the only faction with playing power untainted by Yukari's scheme. Her own reservations aside for their disruptions to Gensokyo's balance, the leverage they could provide was insurmountable. Toutetsu vouched for Yasaka Kanako's strength from their fight during the Black Water Incident, and as for the Moriya Goddess herself: Okina has no doubts to the power of one of the Old Gods. The Green Miko on the otherhand is the weakest link of the trio and the most susceptible to Yukari's "antlion trap." Powerful allies for sure, but can she coax them into an alliance of convenience?

Before she knew it the answer clicked into place. A common thread amidst all of this is Anon, and it goes without saying that removing him from the equation would crumble Yukari's playpen like a house of cards. From the rumors she's heard the Shrine had an interest in Anon as a potential marriage candidate after his original marriage fell apart. In that case, their interests align for the time being. Best of all, if she plays her cards right then Moriya owes her a favor. Matara Okina you've done it again! Perhaps when this is all over she can find out what it is about Anon that had Yukari act out like this.

Okina wasted no time in her preparation and stuffed the rolled message into an old sake bottle leftover from the last 'Girls Night'. Kanako should recognize this brand—and she should after she brought it from her personal collection. A small door opened to her side and the bottle was unceremoniously tossed through Sanae's back-door. Only briefly hearing a smash and a surprised shriek before it closed. Bringing another door into view, Okina flung it open to reveal a startled Satono. "Oh Satono-chan~! I need you to do a little something for me~. Make your way to the Moriya Shrine and get an answer from them, then prepare arrangements to bring them here, you got that?" A cheery voice chimed back. The door flicked shut and Okina was left with her thoughts again. If it comes down to it then she'll make her appearance in the Front-facing World personally. "Now then. Your move Yukari-chan."