/jp/ - Otaku Culture

"Ah, there you are, Patchy! Why, when Sakuya told me that you'd actually left of your own volition, I-" Patchouli caught sight of Remi as she rounded a corner, her arms spread wide and a smile on her face. Unfortunately, it was the third time she'd heard this line today, so she had little patience for it.

"Yes, yes, Remi. I left of my own free will, I performed several important tasks, and I returned unharmed. Anything else you wish to comment on? The weather, perhaps?"

Remi raised her hands in surrender. "My, my, such a temper. I surmise that I am not the first to make this comment, hmm?" She lifted her cap from her head to run her fingers through her hair. "Though, speaking of the weather, I do find it rather cold for my liking. Is there any chance of a new Scarlet Mist blossoming any time soon?" Patchouli raised an eyebrow. "Just joking. I saw your new project in the library. Quite the spectacle, I must say. Breath-taking, even."

"And unfinished, thank you very much. No, I cannot explain it. My apologies, Remi." Remi merely nodded in understanding. "I fear I may need to apologise for something else, too. Part of my work today required me to seek out a certain individual."

"Is that right? Well, I do like a lot of individuals. Do I know this one?" Remi's smile widened. Patchouli suspected that she was about to wipe said smile away.

"I had to seek out Yamame Kurodani. While I was there, I made her aware of the need to remodel the library." She waited a moment for her words to sink in. "I may have also mentioned that money was no object. As a result, a Kurodani will be appearing here before long."

Remi did frown, but not for very long. "Ah, I see...Well, I wish you'd let me know beforehand, but what's done is done. I knew that fixing that mess wouldn't be cheap, anyway. We'll just have to show her as much hospitality as we are capable of doing. Maybe she'll even give us a discount.” Remi smiled slightly, but it was a short-lived smile. “Perhaps you should talk to me before making a decision like that, next time. Now, I'm afraid that I'll have to be off, Patchy. Sakuya's been begging me to review the Solstice celebrations for days."

"Truly a nightmare, Remi. Try not to bite her head off. Figuratively or otherwise." Remi laughed slightly, then placed a hand on Patchouli's shoulder.

"I'll have to keep that in mind for the next time you offer up all of my money, my dear friend." And with that, she continued to stroll down the hallway. “Do try to make it a little less soon, won’t you?” She called back, disappearing around a corner. So, she was a little bit annoyed. Not particularly, and she'd be over it in a day or so, but still. Patchouli began heading toward the library again, and on the way, she thought about what Meiling and Yamame had said.

She knew what she could use. She knew what would meet the criteria. Even so...It was hard to do. But when compared to the alternative of letting Sekai die, it wasn't difficult at all. Patchouli Knowledge took in a deep breath, then reached up and pulled the crescent moon from her hat. It was metal, and surprisingly weighty. She'd forgotten since she'd gotten used to the way her hat felt with it on.

Remi had given it to her. A long, long time ago. It was a thing of beauty, and Remi had said that it was a symbol of her trust in Patchouli. That she could handle the library and that she would always have a place at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Patchouli had since thought of it as a turning point in her life. There was the period before Remi had given her the crescent moon, and the period after. Patchouli had worn it ever since. It was her most precious possession. In her eyes, it was what symbolised home.

It symbolised the life she led. And that, more than anything she could think of, was the spark of life she needed for Sekai's body.

There was little room for self-doubt in her mind. Little room for the luxury of sentimentality getting in the way of what needed to be done. That crescent moon meant a lot to her, but it meant nothing in comparison to Sekai's life. Patchouli might not have been a mother, or at least not a traditional one, but in this, she suspected that she was no different from Yamame Kurodani.

Patchouli Knowledge squeezed her hand around the crescent moon. Patchouli Knowledge reflected on what it meant to her. And then, Patchouli Knowledge dropped it into the bag with the rest of the ingredients.

Anything for the child.