Chapter Text
A walk to clear the mind. Such things never worked. Not for Kaguya. Her mind needed to be occupied, and while walking occupied her feet plenty, it did nothing for the mind. Perhaps it worked for Eirin, or perhaps it was just standard doctorly advice. No matter. Her thoughts demanded an audience, and she was in no position to refuse them this. They were the usual ones that plagued her Sunday evenings. The caustic, rancid thoughts churned into existence by loneliness. Perhaps not loneliness? Eirin and Udongein were good company, make no mistake. Something was off; however, she wasn’t sure what. Kaguya shoved her thoughts aside for a moment, deciding to indulge in the experience of the walk. Fallen leaves and dried undergrowth crunched underfoot, and waning sunlight broke through the shade, illuminating the forest path she’d chosen to stroll. Her shoes clacked against pave-stone. The calls of migratory waterfowl could be heard. A songbird chirped here and there as well. They’d be much louder come spring, but for now, they merely punctuated the soundscape. It was a nice evening, though it was cold for October. A chill breeze accented the bitter cold. She sighed, shoved her hands into her coat, and kept walking. Not much was to be done until she was home. Luckily, she had already turned back towards Eientei. Perhaps Udongein could light the hearth once she arrived. Maybe she already had and was sitting near the fire with a warm drink. Kaguya thought of tea as another gust of wind chilled her.
To try and ignore the cold, she focused on the sound of her footsteps.
Tip, tap, tip, tap.
Then, she heard a second set of footsteps. Heavier footsteps. They clopped against the pave-stones just ahead, around the corner. Kaguya stopped. A conversation seemed appropriate. Her senses had nearly run out of other distractions. The first thing she saw of the other walker was a pair of tall boots. Then she looked up and saw a mop of blonde hair.
“Oh, uh, Good evening.” The girl said.
“Good evening,” Kaguya replied. She curtsied, then studied the girl's face. She was familiar. Kaguya couldn’t place her face, but she knew it.
Kaguya realized the other girl was studying her the same way.
“Forgive my forwardness,” Kaguya said. “Could I have your name?”
“Alice Margatroid,” Alice replied. “Yours?”
“Kaguya Houraisan.”
The pair stared at each other for a moment longer. Then they both had an ‘aha!’ moment.
“Wait, you’re the princess from that time Eirin made that pointless fake moon?” Alice said.
“In light of recent events, I would hardly call it pointless. But that’s essentially correct, yes,” Kaguya agreed. “You were tagging along with Kirisame that night, I recall.”
“Yes, the lack of sunlight was rather concerning.”
“I suppose it could be,” Kaguya said.
Alice nodded. They stared at each other for a moment.
“So, where are you heading?” Kaguya said, maneuvering out of the awkward pause.
“Oh, I’m just returning home. I had to see Miss Eirin for something, and uh, decided to take the scenic route home.”
“The forest is quite lovely today,” Kaguya felt the breeze dig through her jacket. “Slightly cold, especially for early October; however.”
“Yeah, the wind’s bad today,” Alice agreed, adjusting her scarf. “Say, if you’re cold, then my home isn’t too far. How’s tea sound?”
Tea sounded warm.
“That would be nice,” Kaguya said. “So long as I’m not disrupting anything.”
“Oh, it’s fine,” Alice said. “I’ve run all my errands already.”
“In that case, lead the way,” Kaguya said.
Their walk led them through a portion of forest Kaguya had tread earlier. Margatroid had evidently tread it many times, for her steps all landed on well-worn stones and deep bootprints.
“So, Margatroid, do you visit Eientei often?”
“Often? Yes. My visits aren’t usually very long, however.”
“I see,” Kaguya said. “Why is that?”
“I mean, it’s mostly because Eirin’s my doctor, not my friend. Not to sound too, erm, blunt.”
“No, no, I understand. Eirin is an acquired taste, certainly. I wouldn’t want to linger either.” Kaguya said. She chuckled. “Especially after one of her more doctorly lectures.” her inner voice finished.
“I’ve told you about myself, but what brings you out?” Alice asked, leading the way up a small, steep hill.
“Ah, I just felt like getting some fresh air,” Kaguya replied. “Sometimes the air in Eientei feels a bit stale, so I go for a walk to alleviate the issue.”
“Couldn't you just open a window?” Alice asked.
“I could do that, yes, but then I wouldn’t get to go on a walk.”
“I suppose not,” Alice said. “We’re here.”
Indeed they were. The western-style house stood in a small clearing, flanked by several old pine trees. Kaguya wondered who was older, herself or the trees.
“Did you hear me?” Kaguya was snatched out of her mind by Alice.
“Sorry, I got… distracted,” Kaguya said. She blushed.
“My house is a bit of a mess,” Alice said. “I haven’t had the time to clean it lately, so just shove past anything lying about until we get to the kitchen.”
Kaguya laughed when they entered the house. The mess was barely a mess. There was an odd snarl of twine near the door, a fork embedded in the ceiling, and a doll’s head lying on the floor.
“Looks like you’re being haunted.” Kaguya laughed.
“Just wait until you hear how that happened,” Alice said. “Ridiculous.”
“Possession? Or maybe pyrotechnics?” Kaguya asked.
“I tried to teach Marisa how to control one of my dolls,” Alice said as they stepped into the kitchen.
“Control one of your-” Kaguya cut herself off. Alice flicked her wrist, and several dolls emerged and began preparing a pot of tea.
“That’s useful,” Kaguya said.
“Let’s just say Marisa didn’t really get the idea.” Alice grimaced as she cleared off the table. “Her, erm, lack of precision led to that… situation,” she said.
“Well, at least she didn’t do too much damage,” Kaguya said. “Say, what are you brewing?”
“Chai. Is that okay?” Alice asked. “I just don’t feel like green or plain black today.”
“That sounds lovely,” Kaguya said. She hoped Alice wouldn’t end up being the sort who overcooked her tea. Only one way to find out.
“Cheers,” Alice said.
“Cheers,” Kaguya said. She took a sip. The vanilla and cinnamon were potent, aggressive, almost. She took another sip. Much the same as the last, with a little more nutmeg.
“It’s very good,” Kaguya said. “Makes matcha seem a little plain in comparison.”
Alice nodded. “This is a really good batch of chai.” She smiled dreamily at nothing for a moment.
Kaguya was going to say something but elected to merely observe her for a moment. Alice’s fingers tapped absently against the table. There was a rhythmic quality to it. Her hair was fuzzy today, but that could have just been from being wind-tossed. She took a sip of tea. Kaguya did so as well. Come to think of it, the vanilla was a bit too prominent.
“Margatroid, your hair looks nice today.”
“Oh, thank you. To be honest, I think the wind did more to style it than I did today.” She laughed.
“Likewise,” Kaguya grinned. “I usually try to preen myself well, but walks in the wind render that sort of activity pointless.”
“I’d say wind makes most kinds of activity pointless,” Alice said.
“Mm, indeed. Everything except sipping tea and conversing, I’d say.” Kaguya said.
“Lighting the fireplace is also a good windy-day activity,” Alice said.
“Are you offering? Kaguya asked.
“Why not? It’s too cold in here,” Alice said, getting up from her chair. “Come on.”
They moved from her kitchen to her sitting room. Alice puttered about for a few minutes tossing firewood and kindling into the fireplace, then used a bit of newspaper to light it. While she did this Kaguya had settled herself in the comfiest-looking of Margatroid’s armchairs. Alice settled into the one beside it
“Say,” Alice said. “perhaps I could try and teach you to control the dolls?”
“Ah, thank you, but magic isn’t my area of expertise. My talents lie… elsewhere.”
“Fair enough, I’m just looking for an excuse to have you over for tea again.”
“Again? But I haven’t even left yet.”
“That’s hardly relevant,” Alice said, ‘Eventually you’ll need to go home, and so eventually I’ll have to concoct a reason to talk to you again.
“How about next time you have to see Eirin, afterwards you come to speak to me. I’ll let Reisen know it’s okay for you to enter our residence.”
“That would work.” Alice agreed.
With that worked out, they spent the next half-hour going on tangents, before Kaguya excused herself and took her leave. As she left, Alice said.
“Be seeing you, Kaguya.”
“Of course. Until next time, Margatroid.”
“Be seeing you, Kaguya,” Kaguya muttered once the door closed behind her. Earthlings were so… familiar. They had only meaningfully spoken to each other this one time, and yet Margatroid was already using her given name.
“If only I were so bold.” She chuckled to herself. Not as though she was in a hurry. Perhaps that's what it was. It was haste, not familiarity. Lunarians had time to dawdle, as the undying rock they squatted on was as unchanging and stagnant as themselves. Or perhaps Alice was just friendly, and she was overthinking those four words. It could be both, it could be neither.