Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Louise looked around, panic slowly building.

Everything had stopped. The smug expressions of her classmates frozen in monochrome, Mr. Colbert looking on kindly. There was no sound except her breathing, no movement but her.

Had her summoning really gone that bad? Granted, there was no explosion, but it was like time itself had broken. Was she really that much of a screw up?

But before she could break down in panic, an unknown voice sounded out in the silence. “Good afternoon, Miss Vallière.”

“Who's there!?” Louise said, whirling around, both relieved to hear somebody else's voice, and frightened, as she didn’t recognise it.

Then a thin horizontal black line appeared in the air, before splitting into a gaping maw of swirling black and purple, filled to the brim with unblinking red eyes, and tied at either end with cute red ribbons.

Then a pair of hands appeared at the bottom lip, before a strange woman pulled herself up. She floated out of the strange void, before sitting daintily atop it. She wore a large white dress, with an odd purple tabard decorated with unfamiliar designs. She wore a light pink mob cap tied with a long red ribbon over long immaculate blond hair, that reached well below her waist.

The woman pulled a fan out from behind her, and gently started fanning herself. “Well, since you so rudely asked, my name is Yukari Yakumo. Wonderful day, wouldn’t you say?” She was smiling mischievously.

Louise managed to pull herself out of her shocked stupor. “Wonderful day- WONDERFUL DAY?!” Louise said hysterically. “How is this day anything close to wonderful?!”

“Well, we are here, the sun is shining, and we have our health.” Yukari said.

“All the colours are gone!” Louise screamed, tears forming in her eyes, “And nothing is moving! “This has got to be the biggest screw-up of my life!” she wailed.

“There there, don’t cry, you didn’t screw up.” Yukari said. “You actually did well.”

“I-huh?” Louise said, caught off guard by the praise.

“Your summoning actually went off perfectly, if it wasn’t for someone interfering, you would have gotten the familiar you so dearly wished for.” Yukari said.

“Someone… interfered? but who-” Louise stopped as realisation dawned.

“Why, myself of course.” Yukari said, smiling mischievously, before reaching down into the void underneath her.

Louise stared for a moment, before she raised her wand. “How dare you! Why I should-”

But her wand was plucked from her hand, as Yukari’s arm reached out of another strange gap that appeared to one side, before withdrawing.

“Ah-ah-ah.” Yukari said chidingly, straightening up, and shaking Louise's wand in her free hand, like one would shake their finger at a disobedient child. “Let's keep this civil, shall we?”

Louise stared dumbfounded at where her wand had been, before looking back at Yukari. “Wh-why are you doing this?” She was trying to remain strong, but it was hard to hide the quiver in her voice. Whoever this woman was, she seemed insanely powerful, considering she had stopped the entire world.

“Relax, little Louise, I mean you no ill will.” Yukari said.

“Then why?” Louise said, slightly emboldened, but still guarded. “And what are you, I’ve never seen magic like this!” She gestured to the frozen world.

“Well to answer your first question.” Yukari said. “You see, little Louise, I come from a land far, far away. As far away as the furthest star, yet at the same time, as close as a turn of the head.”

“Wha-” Louise began.

“I’m not finished.” Yukari said. “As I was saying, I am somewhat of an overseer of my world, a guardian in some ways. Regardless, its people are under my care, whether they know it or not. And therein lies the problem. When some young girl from another world tries to take one of my people away, to be forced into a life of subservience... Well, I can’t have that now can I? I would be failing in my duty, do you not think?”

“People?” Louise said, confused “Why would my Familiar be a person?”

“How should I know?” Yukari said, shrugging innocently. “But a person is what your summons reached for.” Yukari said, “And this is precisely why I intervened.”

“But, but…” Louise, trying to think of a counter argument, before settling on denial. “No, no, you’re lying. No way you could interrupt something like the Familiar summoning ritual.”

“I’ve interrupted the flow of time, why would some dinky little ritual be a challenge?” Yukari said, raising an eyebrow.

“But… But… How?” Louise asked again.

“Back to this again?” Yukari said. “Very well. As I said, I am Yukari Yakumo, The Border of the Phantasm. And my power lies in the spaces between spaces. I manipulate boundaries.”

“Boundaries, what do you mean? I’ve never heard of that.” Louise said.

Yukari titered. “Of course you haven’t, my power sits well outside the points on your little pentagram, as well as in between them.”

Louise’s hackles raised, “But thats-”

“Heresy yes, burn the unbeliever and all that.” Yukari said dismissively. “You and I are the only people here and conscious, and I have your weapon, I wouldn't raise a fuss if I was you. You’ll only waste your breath.”

Louise silently brisled.

“But shall we get back to the topic at hand?” Yukari said. “Mainly the one about your familiar.”

Louise jerked in realisation. “Right, give me my Familiar! I need it or otherwise-”

Yukari held her hand up again. “Do not worry Little Louise. I understand your plight, I may have my duties to my own people, but I am not so heartless to leave you to be a victim of your own flawed class system.”

Louise bristled again, but as the woman in front of her seemed to have the key to her future, she kept her pride in check.

“So I have a little proposition for you, little Louise.” Yukari said. “I will not let you take a denizen of my land against their will, but if one were to come with you of their own free will, then I will have no objection whatsoever.”

“What do you mean?” Louise said. “How will that happen?”

“Simple!” Yukari said. “You come back with me to my land and find one.”

“What!?”

“I’m offering you an opportunity no other mage of your world has gotten, to go and find the perfect partner for yourself, and take as much time as you need in doing so.” Yukari said, clapping her hands enthusiastically.

“What do you mean?” Louise said, still confused, and affronted. “If I can’t summon it through the ritual, then I will have failed anyway. I can’t just run off and find one!”

“Why not?” Yukari said, smiling smugly. “None of these people are going anywhere, and they will continue not to as long as I bid them not.”

Louise remembered her frozen classmates. “Wait you mean-”

“I have strengthened the boundary between now and then, preventing the passage of time.” Yukari said. “From now to the minute I release them, they are trapped in the moment. Meaning you have... ah-ha… all the time in the world to find your familiar, and to their eyes, it will simply be the familiar you summoned. They will be none the wiser.”

“But what about ageing?” Louise pressed on. “I can’t just run off for however long I like. If I do, won’t I be older than when I left?”

Yukari clapped again. “I thought you were a clever one, well caught. But do not worry, I have synchronised you to Halkeginian time, as long as time does not advance here, you will not age.”

“That sounds way too convenient.” Louise said, suspicious.

“It is, isn’t it?” Yukari said, giggling.

“How can I trust you?” Louise said.

“How you do is no business of mine.” Yukari titered. “But if you don’t want my very generous offer, I can always just leave. Then time will continue, there will be a puff of smoke, and it will be just you, your classmates, and no Familiar.”

“Urk.” Louise grimmanced in realisation.

“So what will it be, Louise?” Yukari said, fanning herself. “Come with me, or stay?”

“...I just have to come with you?” Louise said.

“That's all, come with me, and find your familiar and convince them to be your partner, no strings attached, take as long as you like.” Yukari said, “you have my word, as much as its worth.”

Louise sighed in defeat, “What do I do?”

Yukari settled on the ground, and the gap opened up to the size of a large doorway. “Why, step this way of course.” Gesturing to the opening. “Down the rabbit hole and straight to wonderland.”

Louise stepped forward tentatively, until she was right in front of the eye filled abyss.

‘ Is this really such a good idea? ’ Louise thought, ‘ is this woman really telling the truth, or… ’

“Oh, come on, hurry up.” came a surprisingly familiar voice behind her.

Louise turned around to see the face she sees in the mirror everyday. “Trust me, it will work out, just keep an open mind… oh and do try not to do anything stupid.”

“Wha-?” Louise baulked.

But was interrupted by Yukari putting a hand on her shoulder, and slipping Louise’s wand back into her pocket. “Shhh~ spoilers.” Yukari said smugly, stepping back, before her double pushed her into the abyss. The last thing Louise sees as the gap closes is Yukari and the other Louise waving her goodbye, with smiles on their faces.

After what felt like a solid minute of tumbling through the swirls of eyes and colours, She was caught in the arms of Yukari.

Louise didn’t give Yukari a chance to talk. “What was that?”

“That was you of course.” Yukari said, putting Louise down and giving her some space. “Although it would be more accurate to say that will be you, in the then.”

“But, but... what?” Louise, confusion on her face.

“A lot can happen in a moment after all.” Yukari said. “But back to the business at hand.” She clapped her hands once for emphasis “Now before I send you on your merry way, I have to lay down a few ground rules.”

“Wha-Hey, you said there were no strings attached!” Louise said hotly, anger overriding confusion.

“Did I?” Yukari said, looking genuinely surprised, but recovered quickly. “Well regardless, these are more guidelines than anything, hardly anything to get worked up about, shall I continue?”

Louise crossed her arms irritably. “...Proceed.”

“Well, as you know, you are looking for a Familiar.” Yukari began. “But there are certain groups of individuals that I have disavowed from being taken. The first group is those that are important to the balance of the land, Mainly Reimu Hakurei, Marisa Kirisame, and myself.” She gestured to herself, “There are some others, but you will probably know them when you meet them.”

Louise nodded slowly, looking confused again.

“Next on the list, is that you should not poach someone else's familiars, shikigami or servants, at least without express permission from both the individual, and the master. This list includes my own servant, Ran, and her servant Chen.”

A woman and a girl appeared briefly, but disappeared before Louise could get a good look at either.

“Third, no one from the human village, or humans in general for that matter.”

Louise sighed, well that probably rendered the other two rules redundant, not that she minded, taking a person seemed weird to her in the first place...

“And last on the list… No dumb animals.” Yukari said.

“Wha- But you said no humans!” Louise said, confused and annoyed.

“Tut tut, There you go jumping to conclusions.” Yukari said. “You will be surprised how many people in my land are not human, Louise… Myself included.”

Louise blanched. “You mean-”

“Oh and here is your stop.” Yukari said, clapping her hands, and cutting off Louise.

Louise managed to look behind herself, and see another opening. It seemed to show a stone pavement in the middle of a grassy field from uncomfortably high up.

“Have a nice trip~” Yukari said. Causing Louise to turn back frantically.

“Nowaitdon’tyoudare-” was all Louise managed to say before Yukari pushed her out the gap.

Louise screamed as gravity reasserted itself as she fell backwards to her doom.

But before she broke her back on the stone path, a pair of strong arms caught her in mid air with a resounding ‘Oof!”

“Dammit Yukari, stop dropping random people on me!” came the voice of her saviour.

Louise looked up to the face of the person holding her. She was a strikingly attractive girl with brown-black hair, with sidelocks in odd red tubes, a giant red ribbon in her hair. A frown was on her face as she stared into the now empty sky, before looking down at Louise, with a look of what might be concern.

“You okay kid?”

Louise could only nod mutely, still winded from the fall.

The woman sighed, putting her down, feet first. Louise stumbled a bit, but with the brunette's help, she managed to stay upright.

“Sorry, that damn gap hag occasionally pulls stunts like this. Name’s Reimu Hakurei. Who are you?”

While catching her breath, Louise examined her saviour, recognising the name from that Yukari womens briefing, one of the ones ‘important to the balance of the land’. She certainly stood out, she had never seen such odd attire, a long red skirt that went below the knees, with a matching sleeveless shirt, with a ruffled white collar with red trimmings and a yellow ascot. Her ‘sleeves’ were detached and tied halfway up her upper arm. They were white, incredibly large, with red trimmings. Combine this with the aforementioned head decorations, waist length hair, and her respectable stature, meant she should have no trouble holding people's attention.

“My name is Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière.” Louise managed after catching her breath.

“Weird name.” Reimu commented, making Louise Bristle somewhat. “By the sound of it you’re an outsider, aren't you?”

“I suppose so.” Louise huffed irritably. “You see-”

“Thought as much.” Reimu said. “Don’t worry, give me a few minutes and I can probably send you home, wait here.” Reimu turned and walked to the strange looking wooden building.

“No, wait, you can’t!” Louise said, on the verge of panic, “I can’t leave yet!”

Reimu stopped, and turned back to face her, eyebrow raised. “And why not?”

Louise looked Reimu up and down, before sighing. “Well, you see…”

And thus Louise explains how she came to be here.

And where Louise's adventures in Gensokyo begin.

Chapter Text

“Aren’t the brightest, are you?”

So blunt was Reimus words, that Louise was struck dumb for a few seconds.

Reimu had sat Louise down on the steps of the strange building near where Louise had landed, and had been sharing this odd green coloured tea with her while she told her story, which Reimu had apparently been drinking before Louise had arrived. She had just finished telling her the events that lead to her to be here, when Reimu hit her with that bombshell.

Then the indignation came. “H-how dare you! I had no choice-.”

“Oh you had a choice, you could have chosen to not listen to the shifty gap lady that speaks in riddles, but that's not why I’m calling you dim.” Reimu said dryly. “Did you even stop and consider what Yukari was asking you? Come to a new land and find a familiar?”

“W-what did you mean-”

“Where are you going to stay while you are looking for this familiar?” Reimu interrupted her again.

This question floored Louise, “Umm, well...”

“And what about food? Do you have any local money? Or skills in hunting or foraging?” Reimu pressed on mercilessly.

“Uhhh…”

“Did you even think of asking for a moment to pack a change of clothes?”

Louise stopped trying to talk, and elected to just stew in her own embarrassment and shame.

“Can you even defend yourself? Gensokyo is not the kind of place you can just wander about.”

“I-I’m a mage you know, I’m not some weakling.” Louise said, trying to regain her dignity after the verbal thrashing she just received. “I am the third daughter of the Vallière family.”

“Oh yeah, you did say that didn’t you?” Reimu said, “But that name doesn’t really mean much to me, what can you do?”

“I’m sorry?” Louise said. She understood her family name wouldn’t mean much in a different land, it's understandable, but she was annoyed at the phrasing.

Reimu then asked the question Louise was dreading. “How good are you at magic?”

“Er, well…”

“In fact, show me.” Reimu said, standing up. “Come on, I’d rather not damage the lawn.”

Reimu walked a few paces, noticed Louise was not following, rolled her eyes, walked back and pulled Louise to her feet. “Come on, I don’t have all day.”

Louise stumbled a bit, “I don’t see why I have to prove myself to-” Louise tried.

“Well you do.” Reimu said. “Because you ain’t setting foot out of the grounds until I can confirm that I’m not sending you to your death. The minute you arrived on the grounds of this shrine, your life became my responsibility. Got it?” before leading Louise across the grounds towards the trees that surround the lawn.

Louise was led reluctantly, but she picked up on a word there. “Shrine? This is a shrine?”

“Never seen a shinto shrine before? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, who knows where Yukari gets you people.” Reimu said.

“Shinto?” Louise said, getting a sinking feeling.

“My Religion,” Reimu said, confirming Louise's fears. “This is the Hakurei shrine, and I am it's Miko, or Priestess if you prefer.”

“Brimir, I don’t suppose anyone here has even heard of the founder.” Moaned Louise.

“The who?” Reimu said. “Kami, You’re not one of those monotheists are you? I get real tired of being called a godless harlot. I have a god, just not yours, I am in no mood for a theological debate, I’m not particularly good at them, and they piss me off. Now if you please.”

Reimu stopped leading Louise and pointed out a tree. “Alright, show me what you got. A few spells will be enough, no need to show me everything.”

“Errr…” Louise hesitated, trying to think of a way out.

“You do have magic right?” Reimu said.

“Yes!” Louise said immediately.

“Then why are you hesitating?”

Louise stared at her feet, realising there was no way out of this. “...I can’t cast properly. I have never cast a successful spell.”

Reimu stared at her weirdly. “...Then how are you a mage?”

“I have magic.” Louise sulked. “I just can’t use it properly.”

“Can you demonstrate?” Reimu said, hands on hips.

Louise sighed, before taking her wand out of her pocket, and aimed it at the designated tree. “ Fireball. ”

As expected, the tree exploded, without a hint of fire in sight. A moment later the top half of the tree crashed down, having been separated from the bottom.

“Not bad, but it was no fireball, does this happen every time, or just attack spells?”

“Every time.” Louise said glumly.

“...Are you sure you don’t want to go home?” Reimu said.

“Of course I want to go home!” Louise snapped. “But I can’t go back until I get my familiar. Otherwise my life will be over!”

“If you go running around Gensokyo without a means of defending yourself, your life will be over anyway.” Reimu said, before sighing. “But fine, I’ll just treat you like any other non magical outsider who decides to stay, and take you to the Human village.”

“But I do have magic!” Louise exclaimed indignantly.

“I never said you didn’t, but in its current state, you might as well not.” Reimu said. “Besides, you need somewhere to stay, and I can’t afford another freeloader. I’m sure someone in the village will be willing to put up with yo-… I mean put you up for the night.”

Louise ground her teeth. This Reimu girl was really rude, Louise didn’t care how important she was, there was such a thing as manners.

“So anyway, get over here, I just gotta give you a blessing before I take you to the village.” Reimu said.

I don’t want your so-called gods blessing!” Louise snapped.

“Whether you want it or not is irrelevant, either I give it to you or I send you home.” Reimu said, crossing her arms. “I’d prefer the latter, but here we are.”

“Why?!” Louise groused. “What is this blessing and why do I have to have it?”

“It's a blessing of protection, and it's to prevent me from finding you half eaten in a ditch the minute I take my eyes off you.” Reimu said with disarming bluntness.

Louise Recoiled. “Wh-what!?”

“Well you see…” Reimu began, before suddenly she lifted her palm, and a strange patterned orb appeared floating above it, and she lobbed it right over Louise's

 head with a blur of speed, impacting something behind her with a meaty *thwack!*

It happened so fast that Louise could only flinch. She whirled around and saw what appeared to be a small blonde child laying face first on the grass, with the strange orb orbiting around her in the air.

Louise tried to see if she was alright, but was stopped by Reimu putting a hand in front of her. “Hold up, I wouldn’t get too close if I was you.” She said walking past.

“Why did you-” Louise said, but was cut off again.

“I’ll explain in a minute, it will be a good educational moment, to show you just how out of depth you are.”

The prone girl suddenly sprung in Louises direction, and she caught a glimpse of some very sharp teeth, before Reimu swatted the girl out of the air by smacking her head with a long stick with a string of papers tied on the end. Louise didn’t remember her holding that a moment previously.

Reimu bent over, and lifted up the girl by her cheek. “Louise, this is Rumia, Rumia, this is Louise le something something something, and what might I ask were you trying to do on the shrine grounds?” She said with faux sweetness.

“Shwe ais an-” the girl tried to say, but Reimu holding her cheek made it rather difficult, so Riemu let go, and she tried again. “She is an outsider! I’m allowed to eat those!”

Louise nearly fell backwards with shock.

“Not on Shrine grounds you're not!” Reimu replied hotly, “what were you even thinking! I am standing right here and you thought that would be ok to just take a bite out of her? I know you are stupid but this is bad even for you!”

“I’m allowed to eat outsiders.” Mumbled Rumia, sulking.

“Sh-she was going to eat me!?” Louise said unfreezing, and pointing her wand at the child.

“And this is exactly why you need my blessing of protection.” Reimu said matter-of-factly. “And put that away, I’m standing right here.”

“Why are you ok with this?” Louise exclaimed.

“I’m not, that's why I stopped her, she isn’t supposed to attack people at the shrine.” Reimu said.

“But she is allowed to attack people?!” Louise exclaimed, increasingly hysterical.

“Not in front of me she is not.” Reimu said. “But in general, outsiders are considered free game as long as nobody is around to stop you.”

“What, so people just eat other people as long as they are not from around here?!”

Reimu sighed. “I hate having this conversation… Did Yukari tell you anything about where she was sending you?”

Louise glared at Reimu and the currently sulking Rumia. “Only that my Familiar was here.”

“Of course she leaves the difficult explanation to me.” Reimu grumbled. “This is Gensokyo, the eastern wonderland. Humans make up roughly 20 percent of the population. The rest are youkai.”

“Youkai?”

“Monsters, demons, fae creatures, basically beings that are magic in nature. And some happen to eat human meat, like Rumia here.” Reimu said, tapping the small blond on the head with her stick. “It's not cannibalism, as most youkai would be downright insulted if you call them human.”

“And you let them?!” Louise said.

“No! How many times do I have to tell you?” Reimu said indignantly, “I don’t let them eat people, just like I’m doing right now, not letting Rumia eat you!”

“But, but-” Louise said, but Reimu finished the thought.

“Why am I not bothered by the thought that they eat people? Well I’d be lying if I said it didn’t, at least a bit.” Reimu sighed. “But Gensokyo was made for the youkai, this is their land, and they very much outnumber us. Yet we co-exist, because they need us, and in some way we need them too. I’m not going to lose any sleep if some strange guy I’ve never met gets eaten, not when it means that the people I do know are not starving to death because of it. If I never met them, it's not my problem.”

Louise stared at Reimu, not really sure what to think, or even how to unpack that.

“And seeing as you were dropped right on my doorstep, you are my problem, which is why I need to give you the protection blessing.” Reimu continued after a brief pause.

“Wait, why? What has that got to do with anything?” Louise exclaimed.

“Everything.”  Reimu said. “The blessing is tied into the protective magics of Gensokyo, on top of making you harder to kill, it will also inform me or others if you are in mortal danger, or the spell card rules are being intentionally violated, and we can rescue you. Plus, it will surround you with the magics of Gensokyo, marking you as something other than an outsider, meaning that Youkai will know they are prohibited from killing you.”

“Oh…” Louise said. “Is there any other way?”

“Well you can let me send you home, that's always an option.” Reimu said, before sighing again. “Look I get it, you are hesitant to take a blessing from another ‘heretical’ religion. But this is the only way I can keep you safe outside of being your bodyguard, and I have better things to do then follow you around. So if you want to stay, you get the blessing. My house, my rules.”

Louise sulked, “...Alright, but under protest.”

“Noted, now get out of here Rumia. Go bother Wriggle or something.” Reimu said, pulling out a square piece of paper from her sleeve.

“Okay~” Rumia sung, all traces of her earlier pout gone, and she flew away, her arms spread to either side.

“Did she just-”

“Fly, yes, people around here do that.” Reimu said, walking behind Louise. “Now hold still.”

Louise tried to turn but Reimu scolded her. “I said hold still, I just gotta find the back of your neck.” So Louise just looked ahead and stewed on her bizarre day.

“You seem to know her pretty well.” Louise said, as Reimu tried to part Louise's mass of pink curls.

“Rumia you mean?” Reimu asked, “She’s been hanging around here since I was a kid. She’s an airhead, and as thick as a house brick, but she’s not bad once you get to know her.”

“You mean, apart from eating people?” Louise said irritably.

“The worst she’s ever done to me is nibble. Didn’t even draw blood.” Reimu said. “That's just the kind of place Gensokyo is, and you’re gonna have to get used to Youkai if you ever want your familiar.”

“What do you mean?” Louise said.

“Well, weren't Yukari's conditions basically ‘not human’ and ‘not animal’?” Reimu said, finally finding Louise's neck. “By the sound of it she expects your familiar to be a youkai. This will sting a bit by the way.”

Louise’s eyes widened in realisation as Reimu placed the paper square on the nape of her neck. “Wait she wha-AUGH!”

‘ That was more than a bit. ’ Louise thought groggily as Reimu helped her up.

“Huh, guess you are pretty magical, I usually don’t get that kind of reaction.” Reimu said. “Anyway, grats. As far as any passing youkai are concerned, you are now a citizen of Gensokyo, your only concerns now are fairy pranks and being scared to death.”

“Thanks I guess.” Louise said, still slightly dazed and trying to get her mental faculties back to speed.

Before Louise could properly process it, Reimu had brought her back to the steps and put the weird tea in her hands again. “Take a breather for a bit, then we’ll go down to the village.”

“Yeah. Okay.” said Louise, stewing in her own disjointed thoughts.

Apparently it was about an hour trip on foot to the human Village, which had given Louise plenty of time to stew in her thoughts, but there were questions she felt needed to be asked, and despite Reimus rudeness, she might be the best person to ask.

“Excuse me… Miss Hakurei?” Louise said, not sure how to address her.

“Just Reimu will do. You haven’t been particularly respectful so far, no need to start now.” Reimu said casually.

“Well neither have you.” muttered Louise.

“So what’s on your mind.” said Reimu, unphased by Louise's comment.

“H-how would I go about getting a youkai familiar?” Louise asked, uncertainty dripping from her voice.

“I’m afraid you're barking up the wrong tree, I’m a priestess, not a magician.” Reimu said, but noticed Louise's dejection, and sighed. “But I suppose I know enough about youkai to give you a general idea.”

“There are many types of youkai, but as a rule, youkai are fiercely individualistic, and very proud. They are generally stronger than humans and they know it, so they won’t accept subservience easily. So you will have to convince them that you are a worthy master.”

“How do I do that?” Louise asked.

“Well for a start, you have to be able to provide for it. Many youkai have… unique dietary requirements.” Reimu said.

“You mean humans don’t you.” Louise said, looking green.

“There are many youkai that don’t, in fact one of the most numerous single species of youkai are mostly vegetarian, the Youkai rabbits.” Reimu said. “But that's not the only weird diet, most demons require a bit of your magic to sustain themselves in the mortal realm, some youkai eat dreams, and other weird stuff. Food aside, some youkai might also require some sort of material compensation like gold or similar wealth.”

Louise grimmised, it was better than human flesh, but the talk of demons and gold is leaving a bad taste in her mouth. Why is she the only one who has to deal with this kind of stuff? The rest of her classmates just got animals.

“However, all that is secondary to the most important part.” Reimu said, catching Louise's attention again. “You’ve got to get their respect. And for that, you’ve got to be strong, strong enough to make them fear your strength, even a bit.”

“Strong enough to fear...” Louise said, mostly to herself.

“It’s always worked for me.” Reimu said, shrugging.

Louise looked at Reimu, but didn’t really see any arrogance in her demeanour. Not for the last time, she wondered how strong Reimu was.

Then she thought about the obvious problem. “How strong do I have to be to impress a youkai?”

“In your case, try a fairy.” Reimu said, “They can occasionally be bribed with sweets.”

“Hey!”

“And here we are.” Reimu said, stopping suddenly, causing Louise to stumble.

Louise was so absorbed in her own thoughts and the conversation that she didn’t notice them approaching a simple stone and wood wall, with an open gate large enough for two carts to pass each other comfortably.

A man leaned against the wall, with an odd spear like weapon, with what appeared to be a curved blade on the end.

“Afternoon Miss Hakurei.” The man said, nodding to her. “Who's the pinkett?” Louise could swear there was a hint of accusation in his voice.

“The is Louise le something or other.” Said Reimu, annoying Louise to no end. “Don’t worry, she’s human, she’s an outsider intent on staying.”

The man nodded. “You’ll want Keine then, You’re in luck, she just got back from the bamboo forest. Need a hand?”

“I know the way, thanks.” Reimu said, walking through.

Louise looked around as they walked in the gate. It was a rather humble sort of place, the buildings being made out of wood and paper, with people dressed in rather simple but colourful clothes that Louise had never seen before. Louise assumed these were the commoners of the land, and seemed to be rather well off if the wide range of colour is any indication.

“Watch that guy by the way. His mother has been bothering him about finding a wife, and he isn’t smart enough to know when he is batting in the wrong pitch.” Reimu said.

“O...kay?” Louise said, looking back at the guy. Before deciding to change the subject. “So who is this Kiene person?”

“Well, for the most part she is the teacher for the local school.” Reimu said. Making Louise raise her eyebrows. “But she is also the village's guardian, and the most respected of the village elders. We kinda have a thing going where I bring any non magic outsiders that decide to stay to her, and she helps them get situated into the village.”

“But I’m not going to stay here forever, just until I get a familiar.” Louise said.

“Yeah, however long that takes.” Reimu said.

Louise had no response to that.

Louise sat on her knees as she waited for Reimu to finish talking in the other room. It's only been a few minutes and already she was getting pins and needles, why did this house have no chairs?

Just as she was nursing yet another tea, Reimu and Kiene returned to the room.

Keine was a tall mature woman, with a motherly figure, and waist length blueish-silver hair. She has a rather sensible blue dress and a quite frankly ridiculous hat. However despite her odd choice in headwear she carried herself with a serious air, feeling like a particularly stern teacher, which fitted, as apparently she was one.

“Ok, Now I’ve talked to Keine and she has agreed to let you stay. But on a few conditions.” Reimu said.

Louise had a feeling she wasn't going to like this.

“Now, as you are a magician, with rather unusual circumstances. You will be living with Kiene directly, as it would be unfair to expect anyone in the village to handle you.” Reimu said.

Louise didn’t like the implication, but held her tongue.

“That said, I will not allow you to freeload.” Keine said. “While you are staying with me you will work to earn room and board.”

Louise Grimaced. “Are you saying I have to work as a servant?”

“Beggars can’t be choosers.” Reimu said, bending forward to get in Louise's face. “And what's more, you will treat Keine with respect. You may be some big noble where you are from, but here, you are just a girl who Keine is letting stay out of the goodness of her heart, and if I hear you are causing her any trouble. I will come and send you home. Got it?”

Louise shrunk under Reimu’s glower. “Y-yes.”

Reimu straightened up, the steel in her gaze gone. “Good, I’m going back to the shrine. I’m now behind on my chores, and Marisa’s picking me up for drinks later. Can you take over from here?”

“Very well Reimu, don’t worry, I’ll take care of Miss Louise.” Keine said.

“Thanks.” She said, heading for the door, before remembering something and turned back. “One more thing Louise, if you ever decide to give up, just come up to the shrine. Other than that, see you round.” She then left for real.

Louise fumed. That Reimu woman seems to do nothing but look down on her.

“I wouldn’t let Reimu bother you. She means well, but that girl spends far too much time around Youkai for her own good.” Keine said, catching Louise's attention, “Youkai respect her forceful personality and sharp tongue, so she’s never really had a reason to filter her speech.”

“But she’s a priestess isn’t she?” Louise said. “Shouldn’t she be used to dealing with people?”

“Not really, while she is a Miko, she never completed her formal training, and her shrine gets barely any patrons outside of festivals.” Keine said.

Louise could only stare dumbly at Keine.

“I am dead serious.” Keine affirmed.

“And she is one of the most important people in Gensokyo?” Louise muttered, more to herself.

“Yukari told you that I presume?” Keine asked. “She is not incorrect, despite her easy going nature, Very few people have done more for Gensokyo than Reimu Hakurei, which is impressive for one so young. But that is neither here nor there. Reimu gave me an abridged version of your circumstances, but if you wouldn’t mind I would like to hear it from your mouth.”

Louise thought about it, and decided that there was no real point in hiding anything, as Reimu had said, her social status didn’t mean anything here, and they were going to work her like a commoner so what did it matter if they knew she was a failure. So she gave a more complete version then she gave Reimu, including why it was so important that she get a familiar.

“I see,” said Keine. “Well, I’m afraid I can’t help you much with your quest, but provided you are willing to put some work in, I’ll be providing you with food and a futon. Also, should you wish to learn about Gensokyo, there are few more knowledgeable than me, and I am personally acquainted with all of them.”

Louise was grateful, Keine seemed far more polite then Reimu already. Louise thought it wise to reciprocate. “Then I will be in your care.” she said, bowing her head.

“Very good.” Keine said. “Now if you don’t mind, I need to ask a few more questions. First, are you any good with housework?”

“Umm… no. Back at home the servants did that.” Louise said, suddenly feeling nervous.

“Hmm, shame. That would have made this simpler if you could directly contribute to the house's upkeep.” Keine said. “No matter, are you experienced in any form of manual labour?”

“...I can ride a horse… and I can knit.” Louise said, really not liking where this was going. 

“Oh dear.” Keine said, shaking her head. “Never mind, I’m sure I’ll find something to do with you…”

Chapter Text

Two months.

Two months.  

Louise has been stuck here for two months. Stuck doing household chores. Stuck running around performing whatever arsenine odd jobs the village needs her to do.

And no closer to getting a familiar. She still has no idea how.

She was tired, sore, and grumpy. But she wasn't going to complain.

They might send her back if she did.

“Good work today.” Keine said, passing Louise a cup of tea. “You’ve been working hard recently.”

Louise just nodded, and sipped her tea.

“I need to prepare my lesson plan for the following week, but feel free to take the rest of the day off.” Keine said, standing up.

Louise nodded again, stewing in her thoughts.

Keine sighed. “I’ll be in my study if you need me. Although I might suggest taking a walk, to clear your thoughts.”

Louise considered this, before saying, quietly. “I think I will, thank you.”

Louise gets up, and walks away, Keines worried eyes following her out.

Louise quietly walks through the human village, some people walking past tip their heads respectively, and wish her a good day. A pair of children run past laughing. Louise barely noticed, so lost in thought.

Two months, and no progress, she doesn’t even have any idea where to begin, what questions to ask. How does a failure like her have any chance of impressing a monster, even if it was one in human shape?

If she keeps going like this, will she ever go home?

Louise made a decision.

She needed to see Reimu.

Travelling up to the shrine was a quiet, lonely experience. No wonder so few people in the village make the trip.

Louise leaned on the Torii gate to catch her breath. The climb alone was quite exhausting too.

Finally calming her breathing, she walked toward the shrine proper. Now that she was here, and less was going on, she noticed how lonely the small shrine looked in the large clearing surrounding it. She wondered what it was like living here alone.

She saw Reimu sitting on the front steps, with a tray next to her, with a small tea set on it, four cups and a teapot, and a plate of some sort of biscuit. She hadn’t really acknowledged Louise approaching, rather, she was looking out over the valley, it seems from up here, you got a rather good view.

“Hey.” Reimu spoke softly. She looked different today, she didn’t seem to be as irritable, in fact she looked downright serene as she watched the slowly sinking sun. “I thought I’d see you sooner or later. Tea?”

“Yes, thank you.” Louise said, accepting the proffered cup, and sitting down next to Reimu. Her throat was parched from the walk, and she had gotten used to the taste.

They sat there in silence for a while, just drinking tea. Louise had come up here for a reason, but she didn’t really feel like breaking the atmosphere, after the hectic two months she has had.

Thankfully Reimu decided to speak. “So Louise, ready to go home yet?”

Lousie shook her head. “No, not yet.” There was a pause, before Louise asked. “Reimu, are you strong?”

“Yeah, pretty strong. For a human anyway.” Reimu said. It wasn’t a boast, just a fact, like someone talking about the weather.

“Is it possible for you to teach me?” Louise asked.

“No, at least not in the way you are thinking.” Reimu said. “I’m not a magician, I’m a priestess, my powers are spiritual, and require my god's blessings to harness. I can’t help you unless you are willing to spend years training as a miko, and even then, I can’t guarantee you’d be as strong as I am. I was born powerful, my bloodline has a special connection to my god, and I’m rubbish at teaching.”

Louise nodded. She supposed it was too much to hope for.

Reimu stood up. “but I think I have another way to help you. Come on.”

Reimu started walking away, and Louise stared dumbly, before scrambling to her feet, and following.

Reimu led her past the shrine, and into the forest beyond it, before immerging in another clearing.

This one looked like a fierce battle had raged here long ago. Felled trees half rotten, half a dozen rough stumps, craters and divots that the grass had reclaimed, cracked boulders, and rubble covered in moss. Louise wondered what happened here. And as a second thought, she wondered why Reimu took her here, as Reimu had stopped, seemingly taking a moment to survey the space.

But before Lousie could voice any of these questions out loud, Reimu pointed out a nearby stump. “Hey, can you blow that up?”

Louise looked at the offending stump, before shooting a questioning glance at Reimu.

“Just humour me.” Reimu said. “It will make sense in a minute.”

Louise looked at the stump, then back at Reimu, before pulling her wand. “ Fireball .”

In an instant, the half rotten stump was reduced to mulch, distributed evenly around the neat new hole in the ground.

Reimu nodded. “Alright, good, now do it again with… that log.” Reimu said, pointing out a large piece of fallen timber.

Louise looked hard at Reimu, who only raised her eyebrow. Louise sighed and blew it in half.

“Alright, now, bare with me here, I want you to think about something that's been bugging you recently. Like really been irritating you.”

Louise had no idea what Reimu was up to. But did as instructed. Focusing on the odd local clothes she now had to wear, as her academy uniforms skirt had torn while ferrying tools for some builders last saturday.

“You got it?” Reimu said, and Louise nodded. “Great, now blow up that tree.”

Louise didn’t even bother to question Reimu this time and soon another fallen tree graced the clearing.

“Good, now that one. But this time Imagine the face of someone you really hate is there.”

Louise thought really hard, while a lot of people had been bothering her, that one drunk old carpenter who called her some unrepeatable things was the one that came the most readily.

There wasn’t much left of the tree that time, just the canopy coming down with a crash.

“Now what is this all about?” Louise asked, finally having enough.

Reimu didn't answer directly. But instead, “First, how do you feel? Any better?”

“Any better?” Louise asked. Before realisation dawned, and she suddenly realised what this clearing was for.

And it seemed to have worked, at least a little bit. It wasn’t much, but she felt her frustration had receded, just a little.

“Yeah… a bit.” Louise finally said.

Reimu nodded. “Good, now I’m gonna give you some privacy. Just come back to the shrine when you are finished.” Reimu said, before walking back through the trees.

Louise watched her go. Before looking around the clearing. With her new knowledge, it suddenly looked different, even somewhat familiar. A small part of her wondered if she should be doing something like this, if it would be proper.

She looked down at a nearby stump. And for a moment, she could have sworn she saw a smug blonde woman smirking at her. The stump exploded.

She looked to the left, that tree reminded her of a mocking classmate, it soon followed the stump. A pair of rocks suddenly resembled an annoying Germanians insufferably large tits, and she felt no amount of satisfaction in watching them reduced to rubble.

From there it only escalated, trees fell one after another, boulders crushed, logs detonated, and when she started running low on willpower, she resorted to her fists and feet, tearing up grass, kicking up dirt and rocks, until she was sore all over, and then she just lay down sobbing. She didn’t really know when she started crying, but cry she did. She cried about how unfair this was, why did she have to work so much, try so hard, and yet never get anything in return? Why did she alone have to go on a quest to prove she is worthy of a familiar? Why did everything always happen to her? Did the founder despise her? Did she displease him in some way? To heap so much misery onto a single girl seemed to imply so.

The sky was orange by the time she ran out of tears, she lay on her back panting. She left tired and sore, even more so than before she started, but this time it felt good. A strange sort of contentment spread through her.

She struggled to her feet. And clutching the stitch in her gut, she limped back to the Shrine.

Reimu was back on the steps again, and passed Louise a fresh cup as she sat down.

Reimu let Louise just sit there drinking for a few minutes, just staring into the setting sun, before speaking. “I figured you needed that, it felt like you had a lot bottled up.”

“Do you do that a lot?” Louise asked.

“Used to.” Reimu said. “I went there whenever it got too much.”

“When what got too much?”

“Everything.” Reimu said. “Whenever I got sick of being the Shrine maiden, sick of the ungrateful villagers, sick of being poor, sick of being alone, getting no help, no respect, and most of all, just sick of living up to everyone's expectations. I wasn’t really a happy girl growing up.”

“What changed?” Louise said.

“I did.” Reimu said. “One day, I just decided to stop living to please others. And I went and found some friends who cared more about who I am rather than what I am.” Reimu then turned her attention to Louise. “So who are you living for? Why are you trying so hard?”

Louise was taken aback by the question. Even more so when she realised she couldn’t figure out how to answer.

Reimu sighed. “I feel I should apologise. I think I misjudged you when you first arrived. I honestly thought you were just some stuck up brat that Yukari had dropped on me for the sole purpose of irritating me, this wouldn’t be the first time she has done something like that. I figured you’d give up within a week.”

Louise didn’t know what to think of this, so she let Reimu continue.

“I still think you are a bit of a brat.” Reimu said, making Louise scowl a bit, but not much. “But I didn’t figure you to be such a hard worker, you took everything Keine dished at you with a stiff upper lip, without a word of complaint, for a whole two months. If that ain't admirable, I don’t know what is.” This turned Louise's scowl into an embarrassed pout.

“If you were trying to prove something, you almost certainly did. But maybe it's time to consider just going home.” Reimu said. “I know most of the small fry around here, I can help you pick out an easygoing fairy or a weak youkai so you don’t have to go back empty handed, but…”

“Reimu.” Louise said, surprising the Shrine maiden by cutting her off. “Thank You, I really mean it. But I don’t want to just settle for something, and I don’t really want pity. I’m not ready to go home yet.”

Reimu’s brow creased, a little bit of her irratility surfacing. “I’d hardly call a Fairy ‘settling’. They are still pretty tough by human standards. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone here, least of all me.”

“This isn’t about proving it to anyone else.” Lousie said. “This is about proving something to myself, I… I think I want this all to be worth something. I don’t just want a familiar, I want to be strong. I want to wear my family name without feeling like I’m embarrassing it. I want to be more than just a ‘zero’. I want to be proud of myself, even just a little. Yukari says I have all the time in the world… and I think maybe I should use it.”

The words had come so easy, as if something small and stubborn in her had died, or at least had been temporarily silenced by the companionable atmosphere of the shrine. ‘ Maybe I had needed that outburst more than I thought. ’

“I know I’m being selfish. I’m taking advantage of your kindness, and Keines.” Louise continued. “But… Can’t I be selfish? Just this once, about this little thing?”

Reimu looked at Louise, as if she had seen her for the first time. Before chuckling softly. “You know, I just keep being wrong about you. If you keep this up, you might start impressing me. But I see what you mean, and I’m the last one who has any right to call someone selfish, so just do what you want. I guess I’ll just have to catch you when you stumble.”

“Thank you-” Louise began, but Reimu wasn’t finished.

“But tell me… How exactly do you plan on becoming strong?”

“Errrr…” Louise hadn’t really thought that far ahead.

At Louise's embarrassed expression, Reimu laughs. “Well, I’ll tell you what. I might not be able to help you, at least not directly. But I know someone who can.” She said, immediately getting Louise's undivided attention.

“I have a friend, a real good friend, a magician who specialises in hopeless, selfish girls like you...” Reimu said, making Louise pout again. “...on account of being one herself. She’s currently busy with some sort of weird project or other. But when she’s done, I can introduce you.”

“Reimu… Thanks.” Louise said. ‘ Maybe Reimu isn’t the only one who has misjudged someone. ’

Reimu looks out to the sunset again. “It's getting pretty late. You should be getting back. Spellcard rules or no. Gensokyo isn’t the kind of place you want to wander around after dark.”

“Right.” Said Louise, trying to stand up, only for her body to remind her how sore she is.

“...Are you gonna need a hand?” Reimu asked, as Lousie struggled to her feet.

“...Maybe.” Louise said, her cheeks colouring with further embarrassment.

Without so much as a warning, and with an indignant squark, Louise was picked up Bridal style.

“Hold on.” Reimu said, before flying off with a terrified Louise in hand.

Louise returned to Kiene preparing dinner.

“Ah, you’re back.” Keine said, turning to face Louise. “I take it you had a long walk- Dear Kami what happened to you?! ”

Louise looked down at herself, and only then realised what a mess she was. Her slightly ascue Yukata was covered in Dirt and grass stains, her hair was tangled and frizzy (although without her usual hair care products, it had already been below her usual standards), and she was very unsteady on her feet, both due to her exhaustion, and her impromptu flight down.

“Oh, nothing, I just went to visit Reimu and I ended up letting off some steam. But yes, The walk was good, I… managed to get some things off my chest.”

Kiene looked confused for a moment, before realisation dawned. “Ahh, I see… Well go and wash up, and put on a fresh Yukata, I will probably have dinner finished by the time you are ready.

Louise nodded, and made her way deeper into the house.

A few minutes later, Louise was considerably cleaner, and had joined Keine at the table where they ate dinner in companionable silence.

“Louise.” Keien said. “If you don’t mind me asking, how much longer do you intend to stay?”

Louise swallowed her mouthful. “I… I think I will be staying for quite a while longer, I’ve decided not to leave until I am strong enough to earn a familiar of my own. I’d hate to impose on your hospitality…”

“No need to be so reserved.” keine said, “I decided to lodge you, and you’ve been very tolerant for someone of your upbringing. I know this hasn’t been easy for you.” Keine thought for a moment, before asking. “How do you feel about having a place of your own?”

“I- wait, what?” Louise said, nearly dropping her chopsticks (she has nearly got the hang of the fiddly things).

“You see, there is an empty house in the village outskirts. It belonged to an old woman who died with no immediate family, and willed it to me. It's been abandoned for about a year, so it needs a bit of fixing up, but not a lot. If you are willing to help with repairs, I see nothing wrong with letting you use it for the remainder of your stay.” Keine explained.

“I… don’t know what to Say.” Louise said. “But… why?”

“To be honest, I probably would have suggested this sooner, but considering you lacked life skills, I wasn’t comfortable with you living alone until now. Which is why I was so insistent on having you take part in chores.” Keine said. “Now I know you have the skills to live alone, and some work experience, I feel like now would be a good time.”

“While I won’t force you, if you are truly more comfortable staying here. But considering the nature of your quest, having a place of your own means you will have a lot more freedom. The home is also remote enough, so you can work at your own pace, and have dealings with youkai without worrying the villagers, while still being close enough that I don’t have to worry about your safety.”

“You will have to do all your own chores, and you will have to work for spending money rather than room and board. But apart from that, you will be free to attempt your quest without worry or interruption.” Keine finished her rather lengthy explanation. “Of course I’ll probably check in periodically to make sure you are taking care of yourself, but I’m just a worrywort like that.”

‘ You know, maybe I misjudged you too, Keine. ’ Louise thinks. “Thank you. Keine… I mean, for everything.”

Chapter Text

“Oi, Bring over t’ toolbox over there for me will ya Lass?”

“Coming!” Loise called back, hefting the large worn looking metal tool box and carrying it across the Porch.

It was a few days later, and a couple of village craftsmen, under the supervision of Keine, were putting the finishing touches on the house repairs for what will be Louise's new abode.

“Been a might bit more cheerful these past few days, hasn’t she?” Said the Foreman, one of the Village's senior builders.

“Well, this is going to be her home. Thank you for doing this, Banko.” Keine said.

“Think nothin of it, Someone like you could do with asking a favour or two more often.” The old Builder said. “Still. Sure she will be right on her own out here? Town Watch doesn’t usually patrol out this far. Old Chorei was right batty to live this far out of the village.”

Keine frowned. “I shouldn’t need to remind you not to speak ill of the dead.”

“No disrespect meant of course, lovely woman for an outsider, may she rest in peace.” The builder said quickly, waving his hands placatingly, for a brief moment transported some decades back to when he was a snot nosed brat facing down the glowering disapproval of the half-youkai school teacher. “It's just… Well you know how these outsiders can get, far too eager to get mixed up with all kinds of… err, wrong folk.”

Keine sighed, wanting to refute it, but couldn’t for the simple fact that is the exact reason she suggested Louise live out here in the first place, as her quest required her to mingle with what many in the village would consider ‘wrong folk’. In fact, considering who Reimu plans to introduce her too, she’s probably going to be having tea with the devils across the lake by the end of the year.

Knowing Louise's culture and upbringing, she might even end up preferring it.

Instead she said. “Don’t worry I made sure she was as ready as she needed to be, I have full confidence that she will be fine-”

There was a crash, followed by a sheepish cry of “Sorry!”

“…”

“...”

“Good work, lads. See you in the Bar for a job well done.” The Foreman, having concluded the final pass, gave a green light, with the surrounding builders and carpenters giving a cheer.

As the builders all packed up their tools and materials, Louise surveyed the repaired house. Typical of the local architecture, It was extremely rustic for Louise’s highborn standards, wooden frame, paper doors, Next to a very large thicket of bamboo, and surrounded on the other two sides by rice paddies. A large and venerable looking Japanese maple sat in one corner of the yard with a small storage shed in another. Nevertheless, she found herself feeling uncharacteristically proud, it may be very much below her ordinary means, but, at least until she went home, it was hers. She found herself smiling without really meaning too.

As she was taking it in, she was approached by one of the Junior apprentices. “Hey there Louise miss, we are all meeting up for celebratory drinks, you coming?”

Louise's smile turned a little awkward. “Oh er, No thanks, I’m pretty spent, I’d rather just enjoy my new home.”

The Apprentice shrugged, “suit yourself.” before walking off to join the other tradesmen as they readied to leave.

Soon it was just her and Keine, Enjoying a quiet cup of tea on her new porch.

“You could have taken the offer, you know? They can get a little rowdy, but they are good people. Any reason you didn’t?” Keine asked.

Louise gave a derisive sniff, although she wasn’t meeting Keine in the eyes. “While it may not amount to much here, I am the third daughter of the Duke and Duchess Vallière, and that comes with certain standards of behaviour and conduct, and that does not include getting rowdy in the local tavern like a common labourer.”

Keine however, didn’t buy it, and sighed. “That sounds more like an excuse than a reason.”

Louise still avoided Keines gaze.

“I understand, your upbringing makes it hard to mingle with people below your social class,” Keine continued, “But you are going to be here for a while, and you will have to get over the awkwardness eventually, or I’m worried you might end up like Reimu, or Marisa.”

That did get a look out of Louise, giving her a look of confusion. “What does that mean, what's this about Reimu… and whose Marisa?”

Before Keine could elaborate, a familiar red dress touched down in Louise's new yard, and Reimu glanced around the property appraisingly.

“Nice place you got here. Big house, nice area.” Reimu said, sitting beside them, and pouring herself a cup. “Plenty of room for a garden too, you might want to start growing your own vegetables.”

Louise made a face, “I’d rather not, thanks.”

“She has a point Louise. Growing your own food will save you a lot of money in the long run.” Keine said. “The less money you have to spend on groceries means less work you will have to do around the village. You are living on your own now after all.”

Louise pursed her lips even tighter, now caught between having to do garden work to feed herself, or having to do extra manual labour for wages.

“I don’t know how to grow food though.” Louise said, perhaps in a last act of defiance to her seemingly inevitable dirt filled fate.

“That's alright, we can teach you.” Reimu said. “I also have a vegetable patch up near the shrine… I kinda need one considering how stingy everybody is.” The last part was a barely audible grumble that Louise failed to understand.

“I am also well versed in gardening, and will be happy to show you the ropes.” Keine said, giving Reimu a look somewhere between pity and resignation.

“Well… fine, I’ll be in your care.” Louise grumbled.

“Good choice, although I didn't come here to subject you to gardening.” Reimu said. “I came to tell you that my magician friend has finally finished with her little misadventure, and is willing to meet you to try and figure out your magical deficiency problems. We can go see her now if you want.”

That news, rather than excitement, filled Louise with indescribable amounts of anxiety. Ever since Reimu promised to introduce her to her Magician friend, the past few days have allowed her doubts to come home to roost. How many times has some new magical tutor arrived, promised to finally rid her of her magical woes, only to give up and abandon her, after writing her off as a failure.

How does she know this friend of Reimu's, who she hasn’t even met, will be any different?

“Reimu… are you sure she will be able to help? Others have tried before, and…” Louise couldn’t finish the sentence, afraid of vocalising her fear.

“No clue.” Reimu’s response was blunt however. “But regardless you are the one who doesn’t want to go home until you are strong enough to get a familiar, and it's not as if you have any better ideas. Unless you have any other plans on how to spend the rest of the afternoon, we might as well get it over with, before she gets caught up with any other shenanigans for who knows how long.”

Reimu’s response was fairly disarming, and Louise almost felt indignant with how her fears were so completely brushed aside. It was a fairly stark reminder that nobody in Gensokyo, and Reimu especially, expected anything out of her at all. Her name, title and lineage meant nothing to The Shrine maiden. Here, in Gensokyo, she would never be called a failure, because she had no expectations to fail in the first place. 

It was simultaneously comforting and infuriating.

“So you wanna go or what?” Reimu asked.

“...You know what? Sure, let's go.” Louise said, with an annoyed frown. 

Annoyed at what specifically, she wasn’t sure, but she supposes trying and failing is better than sitting here feeling preemptively sorry for herself.

“Getter get going now then,” Reimu said, standing up, “you can’t fly, and it's a bit of a walk from here, best not to waste daylight.”

“I suppose I should take my leave as well.” Keine said, also standing. “Take care, the forest of magic isn’t the safest on foot.”

“Don’t worry Keine, we’ll manage, I know what I’m doing.” Reimu said.

“Thank you again for your help, Keine.” Louise said, also standing up.

The pair then departed from Louise's new home, Reimu leading them away from the village, in roughly the same direction as the shrine, but instead of the paved road leading up to the shrines steps, they took another path between the fields and rice paddies, approaching the wall of trees that marked the boundary of the villages farmlands.

“Does this friend of yours live near the woods?” Louise asked.

“She lives in the woods, and pretty deep in at that.” Reimu replied. “I did say it was going to be a bit of a walk.”

“Don’t suppose a horse is out of the question?” Louise grumbles.

“If you can find one, you can keep it.” Reimu said dryly. “Last I checked the village doesn’t have much in the way of horses, only one village in Gensokyo after all, so not much demand for transport. Cattle also make for more economical draft animals, and most people who live far outside the village can fly pretty easily. So there isn’t really much in the way of demand for them.”

Reimu turned thoughtful. “For that matter, do we even have wild horses? I can’t recall ever seeing one… not that I’ve looked that hard.”

Louise just grumbles some more as she resigns herself to further walking.

The Forest of Magic, as Louise understands it is called, is a strange, ethereal place, perhaps fitting the name.

It is strangely quiet, the sounds you would expect from a forest, like bird song and the sounds of insects, were absent or strangely muted, with only the creak of swaying branches to keep them company.

Peering through the tree’s, off the beaten path, Louise caught glimpses of luminous mists, unidentifiable shapes moving under the darkness of the canopy, and caught hints of distant childish laughter.

And Mushrooms, many many Mushrooms, of all shapes, sizes, luminosity. Some that seemed to bounce to some unseen rhythm, others turning to face them as they passed, and some with what she swore in the dim light were grinning faces, filled with teeth.

“Watch yourself, don’t stray from the path now.” Reimu said.

Louise shook herself, pulling her eyes away from a mushroom with a strange spiral pattern which she had been until then struggling to look away from, and unknowingly been slowly drifting towards. She hurried to catch up to Reimu.

“This place is very strange.” Louise said, walking closer to Reimu almost subconsciously, the forest putting her on edge.

Reimu scoffed. “That's an understatement. Even by Gensokyo standards this place is weird. So much so that even most Youkai are uncomfortable. Between the rather unique denizens, the clouds of poisonous spores, and the predatory nature of some of the fungi and flora, I’d go so far as to call this place one of the more overtly hostile areas in Gensokyo.

Louise walked even closer. “And your friend lives here?”

Reimu shrugged. “To some people, like a magician who values their privacy or wants to practise magic in peace, being in a hostile environment is more a positive than a negative. Besides, the dense magic and the abundance of magical regents make it an ideal haunt for magicians, or so I’m told.”

Louise was starting to wonder if she really wanted to meet anyone who would consider these conditions ‘ideal’.

Before any new doubts could make their nest between her ears, they arrived in a wide clearing, with a large house, which quite apart from the homes she has seen in the village, resembles the dwelling of a particularly well off commoner back home, albeit extremely timeworn, and so overgrown with creepers and shrubbery, that it was hard to distinguish from the surrounding forest. A wisp of smoke curled out of the chimney, which appeared to be tinged blue unless Louise's eyes deceived her.

Surrounding the home on either side of the dirt path leading up to the door were various piles of what to Louise's eyes were junk and detritus, that the forest floor were making spirited attempts to claim.

Louise followed Reimu up the path, eyeing the half rusted metal and rotted wood arranged haphazardly among other less identifiable rubbish. Surely this couldn’t really be where Reimu’s friend, the one who is supposed to teach her, lives?

“Hey Marisa!” Reimu calls, startling Louise, “You in?!”

As if in answer there was a muffled swear, and then a sudden, slightly muted ‘BOFF’, and a column of electric blue Smoke, filled with golden sparkles, erupted out of a nearby open window.

There was a sound of heavy boots, and then the door burst open as a girl with a large pointy hat ran out, accompanied by another cloud of blue smoke, coughing and spluttering. The girl ran clear of the door before flopping dramatically down onto the grass spread eagle coughing out the last few dregs of blue smoke from her lungs.

She lay there for a moment, breathing heavily, and staring up into the sky, until her view was eclipsed by Reimu leaning over her. “You good?”

“Hey Reimu, wassup?” She said nonchalantly, as if she hadn't just escaped smoke based asphyxiation.

“You have the most uncanny timing, that's what's up.” Reimu said, offering the prone girl a hand, which she took.

After pulling the girl to her feet, Reimu said. “Anyway, I came to introduce you to the girl I was telling you about. Louise, this is Marisa Kirisame, Magician. Marisa, this is Louise Something something Vallière.”

“That is Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière.” Louise corrected testily.

“Something like that.” Reimu said dismissively.

Louise bit back a retort and instead chose to examine Reimu’s friend as she dusted off, and found herself with a few more fresh doubts. The girl before her, Marisa, certainly didn’t come off as a skilled magic teacher, indeed if it wasn’t for her large hat, The girls frilly white apron and her white and black attire made her look more like some serving girl, and a particularly scruffy one at that, what with the mysterious stains, and soot marks visible on the aforementioned apron.

But as she fixed her golden eyes, and tossed her vividly yellow blond hair, she shone a grin that no serving girl would dare wear. “Nice to meetcha, Louise, as the Shrine Maiden said, I’m Marisa Kirisame, Ordinary Magician, just Marisa though if you don’t wanna fight.”

Louise wondered if that was a joke.

“Errr, You're a mage?” Louise asked tentatively, trying not to offend, but couldn’t help but ask.

“Eh, Mage, Magician, Wizard, Witch, whatever you wanna call people who fling spells around and dress fashionably, that's me.” Marisa said proudly. “Why, expecting something else?”

“Well, its just… You are not a Noble are you?” Louise said, almost feeling stupid to ask.

There was a moment of silence, before Marisa tilted her head. “Do I… Look Noble to you?”

“Well err… its just…” Louise said, feeling more foolish by the second, and realising that she may be a victim of her own assumptions. “Its just where I am from, Mages are of noble blood, so I kind of assumed… But I am gathering that this might not be the case here…?”

There was another silence, and Reimu and Marisa exchanged glances.

Then they both burst out laughing.

Louise flushed red as Reimu doubled over while Marisa fell back on the ground.

“You, Nobility?!” Reimu cackled, holding her stomach, “Could you imagine?!”

“Common as muck, me!” Marisa said between bursts of laughter, rolling on the ground. “Although maybe I should go to her home! If Magics all it takes they should crown me royaltee-hee-hee-hohboy!”  

If Louise could get any redder, she’d be a tomato.

“Would her highness, consider letting us into her royal abode.” Reimu said, wiping a tear from her eye as once more helped Marisa to her feet, her laughter under control.

“You may, such distinguished guests are more than welcome to my palace.” Marisa said, putting on fake heirs, as she then walked back to the still open door, waving her hat to clear the last wisps of blue Smoke, followed by Reimu.

Louise honestly considered just going home rather than deal with the embarrassment and disrespect, but as that would result in having to go through the dangerous forest alone, she reluctantly, and grumpily followed them in.

Inside was once more not exactly what she would have expected from a mages home. Barring a clear path from the front door to and into the house, almost every surface and unused bit of floor was piled with yet more stuff, albeit with much more apparent care than the junk outside.

Pots, Jars, scrolls, furniture, tools, some weapons, various potted fungus and plants, and other less identifiable objects were stacked with the meticulous yet haphazard care of a madman, but all other things paled in comparison to the amount of books and scrolls dispersed among the clutter.

They were lead into a Kitchen which while being less cluttered then the rest of the house, still had piles of mismatched jars containing a myriad of unidentifiable substances, pots of varying degrees of sootiness, and one very sooty cauldron above a choked fire that was still puffing out dregs of blue smoke.

To Louise, this place felt less like somebody's home, and more like the place where somebody kept their stuff.

With a wave of Marisa’s hand, remaining smoke quickly flowed out the still open window as if being sucked out, leaving the air clear.

The display of near effortless magic did mollify Louise somewhat. At the very least, this girl knew what she was doing when it came to magic, even if she lacked in tact, or home decoration skills.

Not long after they were seated some mismatched cups were placed in front of them, and tea was swiftly served.

As much as Louise enjoyed a nice cup of tea, she was starting to wonder if tea was Gensokyo’s national pastime with how ready Marisa was to serve guests.

“So Louise,” Marisa said, after they had all taken their first sip, “Reimu has given me the low down as to your issue, and I as I understand it you have a little bit of an Evocation Dysfunction Disorder. No matter what spell you try and cast, it simply explodes, often in your face, is that correct?”

Louise nodded, not really trusting herself to speak right now.

“Care to demonstrate? out the window if you will, I happen to like the stuff in this room.” Marisa said, gesturing to the open window.

“Alright.” Louise said, standing up to stand beside the window, so as she doesn’t accidentally miss and blow up the wall, her accuracy is not all that great after all.

“Fireball.” she intoned, causing a random tree to burst into splinters.

She turned to Marisa, but rather than watching the explosion, she was instead staring rather intently at Louise, with a thoughtful expression.

“Again?” she asked.

Now a little curious, she complied, and another tree fell beside the previous.

This time Marisa was watching the explosion, rubbing her chin. “One more time?”

With another failed fireball, Louise noticed that Marisa had been watching her wand specifically that time.

“And every spell you cast ends up like that?” Marisa asked for clarification, “Do you have any other ranged spells you can show me?”

Louise nodded. “A few.”

She then pointed her wand again and said. “Windcutter.”

This of course resulted in another detonation.

Marisa seemed to think about it for a moment, her foot tapping.

“Alright, I think I got a theory.” Marisa said, returning to her seat.

“Already?” Louise said, failing to keep the incredulity out of her voice.

“Well I can’t say for absolute certainty, as I never met someone with magic exactly like yours. but it looks like some form of elemental misfire, if you ask me.” Marisa said, waving her hand, in a circular motion. “By the way, you can sit down now.”

“Elemental misfire?” Louise asked, doing as instructed. “What is that?”

“Simple, if a mistake in elemental casting results in you using the wrong elemental mana in a spell, it results in an elemental misfire, causing the results to come out messy, or wrong in some way.” Marisa explained. “Like if you used water mana in a firespell, would probably result in a burst of boiling water and steam, or a sad puddle of lukewarm water depending on the quantity or quality of the mana.”

“I’m using the wrong elements in my spells?” Louise asked, crocking her brow. She couldn’t help but feel a little sceptical, as that would mean that she had been since her childhood, casting every single spell wrong in the exact same way, which she didn’t think was possible based on how many different books, techniques and teachers she had. Not only that, but her explosions are so lacking in any distinct qualities like the aforementioned examples that she feels there must be some mistake.

“Yeah, it's a little weird,” Marisa said, as if reading her thoughts, scratching her head, “as far as I can tell the mana is already wrong before the spell is even finished constructing, and I can’t find anything off with the materials or construction of the wand that would result in any elemental biases, which must mean that the problem lies with your mana specifically… Hey could you tell me a little bit about how the magic works where you are from, I feel like there is something here I’m missing.”

Louise, feeling terrified at the idea that the problem was something wrong with her ‘mana’, which she can only assume is that the locals call their willpower, she hurriedly explained the magic culture of Halkeginia, about how there are five primary elements, mostly Fire, Water, Earth and wind, along with some hybrids like ice, and lightning, and that every person had specific elemental affinities, that means that no matter what, they will always be better at those elements then others, and how mages affinities are ranked by dot-line-triangle-square in ascending strength.

She was just explaining Magic's relation to the nobility and the founder Brimir, before Marisa said, “Alright, I think I’m getting a better picture here.”

Louise felt like holding her breath, her personal demons whispering in her ear, telling her that Marisa is going to give up on her like all the rest.

“Ok, so your magic system is almost entirely elemental in nature, and every kid with magic gets some kind of affinity for one or more of these basic elements assigned randomly at birth, correct?”

“Well not entirely random, as while not consistent, there is a good chance that strong elemental affinities can be inherited-” Louise said, starting to ramble.

“Don’t worry about that,” Marisa said, waving the correction off. “As I was saying, despite these elemental affinities, most people are still capable of doing lesser spells in other elements, despite it being way harder, and the spells way weaker, right?”

Louise only nodded this time.

“So the way I see it, is that probably every magical person in your world, has at least a little bit of these basic elements mana in them, and they use these exclusively to cast, and even when casting elements out of their primary one, they still have enough of that mana to make the spell work.” Marisa explained. “Because of this they never learned how to fully invoke mana from the environment, or transmute their mana from one type to another before casting.”

Louise Perked up as the rejection she was dreading never came, although her brow still furrowed in confusion. For everything she was expecting, it wasn’t this kind of breakdown, and what did she mean by invoking, or transmuting mana? Her dread was being replaced by curiosity, and even, from the depths of her mind, the tiniest glimmer of hope.

“But in a way, they never needed to, their magical genes gave them enough of each of these four basic types that they didn’t need to work on first principles, and thus no spells were ever made that did not rely on one or more types of this elemental mana… at least until you came along.” Marisa said, pointing at Louise. “Now you also probably have an inbuilt mana affinity, but due to some quirk of your magical inheritance lead you to have none of the others, meaning that when the spell fires off, it has nothing but your primary affinity, resulting in a misfire every single time.”

Louise was staring at Marisa wide eyed, but there was one detail that niggled at her. “But I fail at every spell in every element, what is my Primary affinity if not Earth, Water, Fire or Air?”

“Now that is the last piece of the puzzle.” Marisa said, drumming her fingers on the table, “Now we could try spitballing with other elements not native to your magic system… But if I recall, you said there was a Pentagram of elements, five. Yet you have yet to name the fifth, is there a reason for that?”

“Oh sorry,” Louise said, “The Fifth is not often counted as it has been lost since the time of the founder. The final Element is void, and is said to be the element wielded by the founder Brimir, and that all the other elements are in some way derived from it, and it is his blood and that of his followers in our veins that grants us magic.”

“Lost since the founder eh… Meaning that there aren't any spells known, and nobody to teach them…” Marisa said, rubbing her chin, and her mouth slowly twisting back into a grin. “I think I’ve figured out your element Louise.”

Louise was not so stupid as to miss what she was implying. “You can’t honestly be suggesting-”

“Congratulations Louise, you are most probably a void mage!” Marisa cheered.

“Impossible!” Louise shouted back, a little more forcefully than she intended, and dialled back a little. “I mean… The Holy void is the element of our founder, our god. To suggest I am a void mage is to declare myself his equal, which is nothing short of Heresy.”

Marisa however was unmoved. “Hey, if the shoe fits. If your peoples magic affinities are entirely bloodline based, then it's much more likely that you are a throwback then a complete mutation.”

“I mean… I sort of see the logic… but…” Louise said, “but… it just can’t be.”

“Alright, let's put a pin in that thought for now,” Marisa said, holding up her hands in surrender, “You came here to help you learn to cast, not have a crisis of faith, so first let's confirm that is indeed an elemental misfire.”

“How?” Asked Louise.

“Simple.” Marisa said, lifting a finger. “Dancing lights.”

Louise watched surprised, as the air filled with hundreds of tiny little glowing sparks, drifting this way and that, swirling around one another. emitting a soft glow. She hadn’t even used a wand, and once more she was casting spells effortlessly.

“This is the dancing lights cantrip, and despite its name, it is a spell that lacks any elemental affinity whatsoever.” Marisa explained.

“But that's impossible.” Louise said, agog.

“Maybe to your backwards ass magic system, can I continue?” Marisa said. “As I was saying, it lacks any elemental affinity, and more importantly any elemental dependency , and therefore no way to have an elemental misfire. Meaning that this, regardless of your element, should be one hundred percent safe to cast.”

With a snap of her fingers, the particulates vanished. “Ready to cast your first spell?”

“Errr…” Louise said, suddenly extremely anxious. Whatever happens here, could potentially make or break her in the eyes of Marisa, “Maybe?”

“Good enough, let's get started.” Marisa said, clapping her hands.

In the end, it took half an hour.

Marisa Whistled, “Hey not bad for your first attempt.”

Louise was somewhat floored as the expected explosion did not occur, and with Marisa’s words of encouragement, she gently opened her eyes which she had closed shut with anxiety.

And saw her first ever spell.

There wasn’t as many as Marisas, and hers, rather then glow, seemed to be tiny black motes, that seemed to absorb light.

But they were there. No explosion, no other problems like failing to cast at all.

It had worked.

“Hey, are you ok? I would have thought you’d be more-and okay hug it is.” Marisa said, as she was suddenly embraced by the Pinkette.

Louise buried her face into the Magicians chest, so overcome with emotion that she couldn’t do much more than cry into the embrace while mumbling thank you over and over into the fabric, All thoughts of decorum and station forgotten while her thoughts were filled with nothing but her first ever spell.

Marisa, looking more than a little awkward, patted her on the back, while looking at Reimu for backup, who had moved to the rather worn couch after the tea had run out, and had been watching the whole exercise with detached amusement.

“Don’t look at me, you are on your own.” She said, having sprawled across the couch like a reclining roman emperor, feeding herself rice crackers she procured from somewhere.

“Traitor,” Grumbled Marisa, before continuing to try and calm down Louise from her emotional overload.

A few minutes and a calming cup of tea later and Louise, a little embarrassed by her outburst, but still largely over the moon about her new success, was now more than ready to eagerly hang off her new mentors every word.

“Alright, now that we’ve confirmed it is a misfire issue, not a more general casting problem, we are back at the issue of affinity.” Marisa said. “And it's worth saying that whatever your affinity might be, it is overwhelmingly strong, as the dancing lights cantrip is not supposed to be dark like that. In fact you may lack any un-aspected mana at all.”

This was a little disappointing to Louise, as even if it was successfully cast it was still somewhat wrong, but Marisa wasn’t finished.

“However, it does give us a hint as to what your elemental affinity is.” Marisa said. “And pretty much convinces me that my original guess is correct, void. As void means absence, hence the dark lights”

Louise was still somewhat nervous at thinking herself as a void mage, but was less inclined to interrupt Marisa.

“Which does leave us with an Issue, as I do not know any void spells.” Marisa said, scratching her head.

‘ Ah, there is it, the catch ’ said Louise's doubts.

“Yeah, my specialties are primarily Alchemy, light and Love magic, so not sure where to start with something as esoteric as void.” Marisa said apologetically. “So at best we are gonna have to get a little creative.”

Something stood out from that explanation. “Excuse me, did you say light magic… Did you say Love? There shouldn’t be any elements beyond the five…” She caught Marisa’s amused expression and Reimu’s eyeroll, and remembered that the spell she just cast shouldn’t have even been possible by her understanding of magic, let alone all the things Yukari had shown off. “At least, so I was led to believe.” She finished lamely.

“You really just need to accept that your people's understanding of magic is fairly basic compared to ours.” Reimu said flatly, but then gained a thoughtful expression. “It does remind me though, that apart from Yukari you really haven't seen much of any Gensokyo magic, you’ve been mostly in the village since you got here. Maybe a little demonstration might help ease her worries?”

“Sounds like a plan, give her a little bit of a taste of what's coming.” Marisa said, standing up. “Let's step outside though, I just repaired the roof like last month.”

Louise, curious, and even a little eager, followed the two older girls outside and into the clearing.

“Alright Louise.” Marisa said, turning to face her now that they were outside the house. “Let's start off something simple, yet flashy.”

She hovered up into the air, confirming Reimu’s assertions that flight was apparently common, and held a small rectangle aloft. “Magic sign ~ Stardust Reverie”

All at once the sunlight seemed to dim as seven complex yellow coloured magical circles lit up around Marisa, twirling around her releasing what seemed like hundreds of rainbow coloured stars that spun out into a kaleidoscopic cat's cradle of movement that Louise struggled to follow.

This was possibly the most complex spell she had ever seen, nothing, even the powerful works of square class mages paled to the magical finesse on display here.

This was no spell, it was art, pure and simple.

So awestruck was she, that it took her a few seconds to notice the red tint that appeared whenever a projectile approached her and Reimu, and she glanced around to notice eight papers covered in unreadable Japanese text that hovered in a rough cube around them, and whenever a projectile looks like its about to hit them, the cube materialises blocking the shot.

Reimu, catching the glance, said. “It’s not really magic, but I’m quite good at barriers.”

After the spell died down Marisa landed in front of them. “That is what we refer to, as a spell card.” Marisa said, pulling another out of her sleeve.

Louise looked at the card, and while the name she could read, this one being called ‘love sign ~ Master Spark’, the rest was covered in a dense script that Louise could not make heads or tales out of. However, she could feel the power radiating from it.

“This is a method devised here to store complex spells to be cast in an instant, just add magic.” Marisa said, “Usually less powerful though, unless you are willing to splurge for some really good quality magical inks, papers and regents, so they are mostly used for Danmaku.”

“Danmaku?” Louise says quizzically.

“Its a type of magic duelling that is the official method of conflict resolution and entertainment in Gensokyo,” Reimu chimed in, “Formalised by the spell card system imbedded into the barrier, and reinforced by various protective magics, like the ones I put in you when you first arrived. Its kinda like a magical tag, you have to try and hit your opponent with your spells while avoiding theirs. There is a lot more rules and subtleties, but thats the basic outline. The Spell that Marisa just fired, while impressive, is a toned down version of the real version, with less harmful projectiles to fit in with the rules. They sting, but not a lot.”

“Oh…” Louise said, both a little embarrassed of her awe in what was basically a step above a fancy lightshow, and trying to process that that was a toned down version of a real, apparently much more dangerous spell.

“Yup, Basically what Reimu said.” Marisa nodded to the explanation, “And we will probably be teaching you some of that later when you get to grips with your magic some more, after all, you seem like someone who might get in more than her fair share of trouble, and not know Danmaku… well you won’t get killed per say, unless you meet a very powerful youkai with a deathwish, but a bored youkai might make you their plaything for a while.”

“Plaything, what do you mean by ‘plaything?” Louise said, sounding nervous.

“It can vary, but the nature of spell card rules is primarily a compromise between youkai and humans, many youkai need to cause fear or mischief by nature, So some leeway had to be given to allow that, while guaranteeing the safety and lives of the humans of the village.” Reimu said. “So it's mostly whatever they think they can get away with. Your life won’t be in danger, nor will they grievously injure you, at least not intentionally, but...”

Louise shuddered. “Right, so Danmaku is important.”

“Yeah don’t stray too far from the village alone without at least being somewhat proficient.” Marisa said, “That said, your goal is not just to live in Gensokyo, but to impress someone into agreeing to be your familiar, correct?”

Louise nodded, although her mind was still somewhat preoccupied with wondering what youkai might do with her should she be caught alone, her thoughts drifted to Rumia, the only Youkai she has really encountered so far (although she is not sure what Yukari is), pinning her to the ground, those bright red eyes and sharp teeth grinning down at her.

The youkai’s face then gaining a saucy, almost sultry quality, before she started leaning in-

Louise, cheeks flushed, waved her arms to chase away the delusions. ‘ Where did that come from?! ’ she thought in a panic.

She was aware of Reimu and Marisa looking at her with raised eyebrows.

“You done?” Marisa asked.

“Err… sorry. Got lost in thought for a moment.” Louise said, getting even redder.

“Ehh, it's fine, now where was I?” Marisa said, holding her chin in thought, before snapping her fingers. “Right, impressing Youkai. Danmaku will be fine for holding your own, you might even hook a few easily impressed lesser youkai or fairies, but if you want to get someone even remotely impressive for your Familiar, you will have to show some genuine power or skill.”

With a quick murmur, the tip of Marisa’s finger lit up, and with a sweep of her hand, a thin beam erupted and severed the canopy off the top of a tree, igniting a few leaves it passed through.

Now Louise was impressed in a completely different way then before, that was some scary cutting power for seemingly such a simple spell.

“That was a simple light spell, beamcutter.” Marisa said, and this…

With a Flourish, Marisa held a small octagonal block, just big enough to fit snugly in Marisa’s hand. With an uncharacteristic reverence. She held it up to her face, clasped in both hands, and, eyes closed, started murmuring too low to hear.

All at once, Louise felt a change in the air, the light of day seemed to once more dim, throwing Marisa into sharp relief as she was illuminated by a soft glow. The frills and fabric of her dress started to flutter despite the spell seemingly stilling the wind around her. Louise could feel the power radiating off the self styled witch like a blazing fire. It felt like the world itself held its breath as Marisa prepared her spell.

Then Marisa’s eyes shot open, her golden eyes blazing, and with a manic grin thrust her hand forward, bracing her arm with her free hand, clasping the octagon.

“...Is Love sign ~ Master Spark!”

The world erupted into searing colour as a huge beam, big enough to consume a wyvern whole, shot from the octagon in a wave of brilliant white light and noise, rainbow light dancing around it like a corona. The Beam shooting off into the distance, disappearing into the forest, the distant crashing of timber adding to the indescribable droning sound of the spell's passage.

And as sudden as it had started, it had stopped, the beam diminishing into a thin line before vanishing entirely, leaving only wisps of rainbow to slowly dissipate into the air.

Louise glanced down the alleyway of the beam's aftermath, and beheld a path of destruction.

The ground just before Marisa was gouged into a shallow trench, leading up to the edge of the clearing, where it became clear that Marisa had angled the beam slightly upwards, as the trench got shallower before giving way to scorched roots, then Stumps that got progressively taller until it reached stripped and scorched canopies, before eventually leading to undamaged tree’s beyond.

Louise wondered numbly how far it would have travelled if Marisa hadn’t adjusted her angle.

“Now I’m not saying you need to be able to do that.” Marisa said casually, as if she hadn’t just levelled an entire stretch of woodland. “Not everyone can be me after all, But it should give you a sort of upper benchmark of what kinda things people are capable of around here. If you plan on hooking a powerful familiar, it's this kinda thing you will be measured against.”

Louise nodded in a daze. She could almost feel her self imposed hurdle grow higher and higher.

“Just so you know.’ Reimu said. “Marisa is crazy powerful for an ordinary human, nobody's in their right mind is gonna measure you to her standards. Hell, even being half as strong would be wildly impressive for most youkai. So don’t worry too much about that.”

A small comfort, but Louise would take it.

“Yeah, don’t sweat it.” Marisa said, ruffling Louise's Hair, freeing her from her daze. “I’m sure with my help, we’ll make a magical powerhouse out of you yet. Provided you are willing to put the work in, at least.”

“I thought you said you couldn’t help, due to not knowing void spells?” Louise said, fixing her hair.

“Hey, I said I didn’t know any void spells, but I did not say I couldn’t help.” Marisa chided. “I said we will have to get creative.”

“While my knowledge of void is void, my proficiency in spellcraft is not. With a bit of time, practice and lateral thinking, I’m sure we could put our heads together to piece together a spell or two.”

“M-making spells?!” Louise said in surprise. “You can make new spells?”

Marisa shrugged. “Why not, somebody had to at some point, and I made most of mine.”

Reimu snorted. “The ones you didn’t steal at least.”

“Ah-ah, I didn’t steal them Reimu.” Marisa said, waving her finger. “I study them, recreate them, and design my own variants based on my skill set.”

Louise was still a little sceptical on the idea, and it must have shown on her face, because Reimu said. “Look at it like this Louise, you said that all your spells were either created by the ‘founder’ or are modified from his original spells correct?”

Louise nodded.

“So this guy, the original void mage, must have either taken them from someone else, or made them himself. So what's stopping you, also a void mage, from doing the same?”

“But that would be elevating myself to the level of the founder!” Louise said, with a tinge of hysterics. “That would be-”

“Heresy right?” Marisa cut her off, amused. “But seriously, apart from being the only void mage, and founding the kingdoms, what made him so divine in the first place?”

“Err… well.” Louise stuttered, not really expecting a theological question. “W-well he is said to have performed many great feats…”

“And how many of them were the product of his void magic?” Marisa continued to prod.

“Ummm…” Louise thought really hard, before giving up, theology not really being her area of study. “Probably… most of them?”

“In that case, what's there to worry about?” Marisa said, throwing her arm around the pinkettes shoulder. “If his magic is what made him divine, then as a void mage, you are basically divine yourself, so what's wrong with elevating yourself a little?”

“Well, It still wouldn’t be particularly… propper…” Louise said, but the little devil on her shoulder was already whispering into her ear. After all, if she is a void mage, she is already one step below Brimir, then what's wrong with putting a tiny toe into his domain? The little temptations swirling around her head proved too strong for the erstwhile zero, dangling the magic she had been desperately craving her entire life.

“But… I suppose there would be no harm in… experimenting a little bit.” Louise said, dry swallowing. “I will be in your care, Marisa.”

Marisa grinned, and slapped her on the back. “Thaaaat's the spirit! I’m sure with a bit of blood sweat and tears, we will make you into a void mage this founder guy would be proud of!”

Marisa then started back towards her house, dragging Louise. “Now the first thing would be to try running you through more non-elemental spells first, after all, your magical control and spell construction is probably abysmal thanks to your lack of actual casting experience. Once we get that up to snuff then we can start puzzling out the void element…”

“Have fun you two, have her home before dark.” Reimu said, watching with amusement as the Little Pinkette was dragged into Marisa’s home with a face wondering what she was getting into.

Chapter Text

Louise gripped her wand tightly, glowering down her new foe with steely determination.

With a flourish, she sent a black bolt down range from the tip of her wand with a screech of eldritch power, followed by two more in quick succession.

The first completely whiffed, the second managed a glancing shot, while the third actually managed to be a direct hit, knocking it off the fence.

With a sigh, Louise went over to pick up the fallen rock, and place it back on top of the fence along with the rest of her impromptu targets.

“Not bad,” Said Reimu from behind her, making Louise jump, “for a former magical no hoper.”

Louise turned to look reproachfully at Reimu, who continued. “You probably gotta work on your accuracy mind you, you could probably take someone's eye out if you aren’t careful.”

“When did you get here?” Louise asked.

“Just now.” Reimu said. “On that note, you might also need to work on your situational awareness.”

“Ha ha, very funny.” Louise said sourly, “What do you want Reimu?”

“Rude, I’m here to make good on my promise to teach you how to garden.” Reimu said, walking past Louise towards the house.

Louise grimaced. She was never particularly keen on the idea in the first place, and now that she finally had spells she could cast, she was eager to keep up her magical practice to make up for all the control she lacks, due to years of miscasting.

“Come on Louise, need I remind you that I’m doing this for you?” Reimu called over her shoulder. “Unless you want to keep being the village's odd job girl, or beg for handouts from Kiene, let's get this garden going.”

“Fine, fine, you made your point. “Louise grumbled, falling in behind Reimu.

“There, I knew you were a smart girl.” Reimu said.

“I could do without the patronising, Reimu.” Louise grumbled.

“And I could do without the stalling, so let's get your big girl skirt on and get on with this.” Reimu shot back.

“You can really be infuriating, you know what?” Louise said.

“So I’m told,” Reimu said, “But enough banter, let's get started.”

Reimu stopped in front of the reasonably sized garden plot left behind by the house's previous owner. The plot had been long claimed by overgrowth during the house's disuse, and despite being cut back and trimmed down during the renovations, there was still a carpet of weeds and stems over the small field.

“Well step one of gardening, is to remove anything growing there that you don’t want to.” Reimu said, pointing at the plot.

Louise glanced at the mess, and couldn’t help but groan, knowing exactly what that implied. “Ugh, weeding.”

Weeding was one of the many jobs she had performed at Kienes' behest during her… life training, she supposed it could be called. And out of all of the odd jobs, it was one of the most tedious, time consuming, and strenuous. Long hours scraping around in dirt, tugging out plants by the roots, finger pain from digging in dirt, blisters even through gloves, scraped knees from kneeling on the hard ground, and aches in her back from spending so much time bending over.

Her expression turned dour as she overlooked the task ahead of her.

Reimu gave her an encouraging pat on the back, “Well, better get to it.”

“Aren’t you even going to help?” Louise said, although she feels like she already knows the answer.

“I’m here to teach, not help, it will be good practice.” Reimu said shamelessly.

Louise’s grumbling intensified.

“That's the spirit,” Reimu said, giving her another pat on the back, and walking towards the house, “I’ll go brew some tea.”

“Yeah, help yourself.” mumbled mockingly under her breath, before retrieving some garden tools Kiene had donated to her, along with some sturdy gloves, and got down to work.

As she pulled out weed after weed, She let her mind wander.

She wondered dourly what her classmates would think of her right now, the proud Duchesses daughter on her knees digging in the dirt. Perhaps they would think it an appropriate position for a zero like her.

She stopped mid weed pull.

Except… she wasn’t a zero any more, she had casted a spell, several even.

She pulled her wand out of her pocket and examined it critically.

Admittedly they were not very impressive spells, a few cantrips and a basic weak projectile, but spells nonetheless. And according to Marisa, they will be the foundation of her future spellcasting, to help build the skills she never had a chance to learn.

Marisa even said she was a particularly quick study.

She couldn’t help but wonder… what would happen if she were to try and cast fireball now…

At this point Reimu stepped out, carrying a tray with a teapot and several mismatched cups “Teas done… how are you going out her-”

“ Fireball! ”

The former and future vegetable patch exploded in a cloud of dirt, pelting the house, shed, and both girls in clumps of dirt and loose greenery.

Reimu looked down at her tray and her prepared tea, now with added dirt and weeds, and sighed.

“The tea was done.”

She then gave Louise a flat look.

Louise looking more than a little sheepish, nevertheless gave a weak defence. “Well… most of the weeds are gone?”

“So there are,” Reimu said flatly, “along with most of the actual plot.”

Reimu, fresh cup of tea in hand, sat on the porch as she watched Louise separate the Loose dirt from the weeds with a rake, before sweeping the mostly de-weeded dirt into the crater where her garden plot had been.

“Look, I don’t blame you for trying to take shortcuts,” Reimu said dryly, “all I’m saying is that could have done with a liiittle bit more thought.”

“I did think,” Louise said grumpily, although her cheeks were still red from embarrassment, “I thought that either the spell would work and burn the weeds, or it would explode and I’d at least have less weeds to worry about.”

“Do I need to remind you that your spell failures were caused by elemental misfire?” Reimu said, “Considering you haven’t mastered your element yet, the chances of an actual fireball at this point was pretty much next to none.”

Louise didn’t really have a response to that, and just kept sweeping.

“Your potency has gone up at least.” Reimu said conversationally, "That explosion is more intense then they were before.”

“Really?” Louise said, perking up and looking at Reimu.

“Yeah, at this point you could really do a mischief with those things, make sure to be careful where you point these things from now on.” Reimu said, taking a sip. “Don’t want any more accidents after all.”

“Yes Reimu.” Louise said, returning to sweeping with a pout.

“What exactly happened here?” Kiene said, having just entered the property and surveyed the mess.

“Louise blew up her vegetable plot because she didn’t want to weed.” Reimu said helpfully.

“Of course she did.” Kiene sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“I wouldn’t put it quite like that…” Louise grumbled.

“And what are you doing Reimu? You are supposed to be helping her learn how to garden.” Kiene said.

“I am,” Reimu said, sipping her tea, “I’m supervising.”

At Kienes disapproving stare, Reimu said. “In my defence, she only has one yard broom.”

With that, Kiene could only sigh, and pick up the rake Louise had been using to separate the weeds. “I’ll help you put the dirt back Louise, and then if we have any more time today we can get started on planting.”

Eventually, with Kienes help, most of the scattered dirt was returned to the crater, and the rest of the afternoon under Kiene and Reimu’s tutelage and a bag of donated seeds, she made a start on her future vegetable patch.

How anyone could stand doing this for a living was beyond her.

I have combined two chapters into one, because I felt bad how short this chapter was. Assume some time has passed…

Spotting a Familiar red ribbon below, Marisa touched down on the road outside Louise's cottage, to where Reimu was leaning on the fence, looking in.

Dismounting her broom and settling in next to the Shrine maiden, she asked. “Whatcha looking at?”

Reimu nodded her head forward, and Marisa followed her gaze to Louise, who was on her porch with a small bowl of rice, and a single carrot, and glaring out at the few green buds in her garden, as if trying to make them grow faster out of sheer willpower.

“Now that's just sad.” Marisa said. “What’s gotten into her, she short on cash or something?”

“She’s got some reserves, but she’s currently trying to make them last.”

At that Marisa raised her eyebrow? “Why? I know she doesn’t have a job per say, but she’s basically functioning as the village dogsbody right now. Can’t she just… I don't know, earn some more?”

Reimu gave her a side eye. “Marisa, what time of year is it?”

At Marisa’s nonplussed expression, Reimu rolled her eyes and pointed out to the nearby rice paddies.

Marisa glanced up, and saw several people wading around in the muddy water.

“Ohhh…” Marisa said, lighting up in comprehension. “It's time to plant the rice.”

“Yup, and Louise knows it too.” Reimu said.

“Wait, so are you telling me that she is trying to wait out the rice season by eating frugally?” Marisa asked incredulously.

“Yup.”

“I feel like a broken record here, but… why?” Marisa asked. “They always need extra hands during planting, It's hard work, but it would probably be good money for her.”

At that Reimu shrugged. “Something about wading around in knee deep muddy water doesn’t agree with her, apparently.”

Marisa thought about it for a minute. “So… She is she trying to wait it out because its less awkward than outright refusing the job and asking for something else?”

“Pretty much.”

Marisa raised her eyebrow again. “Do you think that will work?”

“Probably not.” Reimu said, shrugging again. “I kinda wanna see her try though.”

At this, Marisa shook her head. “Poor deluded girl.”

At this point, Louise looked at them with a scowl on her face. “You do know I can hear you two right?”

“Oh dear, it appears we’ve been caught.” Marisa said casually.

“That we have.” Reimu said, also unruffled.

With a Huff, Louise said. “You know, if you are going to sit and judge me, you might as well come and do it to my face.”

At that, Louise and Marisa exchanged glances.

“Fair enough.”

The pair having now joined Louise on the porch, joined her in watching the distant workers hunched over in the rice patties.

After a moment of companionable silence, Marisa spoke. “You know, it isn’t really that bad-”

“No.”

Undeterred by the interruption, Marisa continued. “I’m serious, I used to do it all the time when I was a kid, the whole village chips in, it's traditional.”

“Then why aren’t you helping?” Louise shot back venomously.

Marisa shrugged, “I’m not part of the village anymore.”

This did manage to detract from Louise's grump, and looked up Marisa quizzically. “Why not, you are human… aren’t you?”

“Human as anyone.” Marisa said, “and it's a long story, not worth talking about.”

“I’d recommend dropping that topic.” Reimu advised.

Louise wisely did so, and instead went back to the original topic. “Look it might be a little hard to for you to grasp, but I was born the daughter of a duke, and while I have had to lower myself a lot recently in order to survive in Gensokyo, the thought of wading through filth like some country hick, is just one step too far. No matter what happens, I have my dignity.” Louise almost spat.

After a few moments, and with a lot less venom, Louise added. “Err… No offense.”

Marisa shrugged. “None taken.”

“I don’t know Louise,” Reimu said, “Sitting on your porch nursing a bowl of rice in between bites of carrot isn’t exactly what I consider dignified.”

“Well… It's the principle of the thing.” Louise mumbled into her carrot, ignoring her stomach growling in agreement.

Over Louise's pink head of hair, Reimu and Marisa exchanged glances, and Marisa gave a look that said ‘let me handle this.’

Then with an exaggerated stretch, Marisa put her hands behind her head. “Weell, if that's how you feel about it, I guess there's not much we can do.”

Immediately Louise was suspicious.

“I suppose you will be cutting down on your diet a lot huh? Gotta make that money last.” Marisa continued.

“Thats… what I’m doing.” Louise said, giving marisa the side eye as she continued eating, trying to quell her rebelling stomach.

“I just hope it won’t negatively affect your nutrition.” Marisa said casually, hiding the beginnings of a smirk.

“Nutrition?” Louise said quizzically, being unfamiliar with the word.

“What, you haven’t heard of it?” Marisa said in mock surprise. “Food contains a variety of Nutrients that keep your body and help it grow, hence why it's important to eat a variety of food.”

Louise’s chopsticks paused in front of her mouth

“In fact…” Marisa said, lining up the killing blow. “A lack of nutrition during maturation, can lead to stunted growth .”

Louise's hands start shaking.

“I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this…” Louise repeated those words like a mantra, as she, knee deep in muddy water, angrily thrusted the rice seedlings into the ground, one after another.

Reimu, once more leaning on a nearby fence observing with Marisa, said with a snort. “She’s going to curse the harvest at this rate.”

“Eh, she’ll get over it.” Marisa said dismissively.

They watched a few moments longer, during which Louise got her foot stuck and fell on her arse trying to pull it loose, before Reimu asked. “Isn’t he already like sixteen-”

Marisa hushed her. “Let the poor girl dream.”

Chapter Text

“I need a horse.”

Marisa and Reimu looked up from their tea, and raised their eyebrows.

“Where did that come from?” Marisa asked.

“You still on about that?” was Reimu’s response however, remembering one of their previous discussions.

The rice planting season was long past, and with the return of normalcy had seen the trio of Reimu, Marisa and Louise relaxing, enjoying the warming weather at the shrine along with a pot of, you guessed it, tea.

Louise had, until that moment, been spacing out, while the witch and miko had been having an extended and rather inane conversation about fishing. It had been during a lull in that conversation that Louise had blurted out that rather odd non-sequitur.

Louise, realising that she had accidentally spoken out loud, coughed awkwardly, and cleared her throat. “Err, well yes, what's wrong with that?”

“Ehh, nothing wrong… but why, though? Not like you really need one.” Marisa said.

“Yeah, while you aren’t a tengu, your flight is enough to get you most places without issue.” Reimu said. “Why bother with a horse now?”

“Well, I’m still not very fast…” Louise said weakly.

The pair gave her very dubious looks before she growled, “Okay, fine so I don’t need a horse, but I want a horse. I in fact quite like riding horses. In fact I very much enjoy it, thank you very much. It is one of my few hobbies, and one of the few things I can claim to be good at without qualification, so why shouldn’t I want one?”

Marisa held her hands up defensively, “Fair enough, you made your point.”

There was another moment of silence as Louise huffed to herself.

“Thats all very well,” Reimu said, breaking the silence, “but where exactly do you intend to find one?”

“Well if you must know,” Louise said, still a little huffy, “Miss Hana told me that her son had spotted a horse a few days ago, up on the hills around the cattle pastures.”

In fact Louise had been internally debating whether or not to pursue it until now, which had led to her initial declaration.

Reimu frowned, seemingly in contemplation.

“Have you ever broken in a wild horse before?” Marisa asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Well… not really, but I’m pretty good with horses.” Louise said hesitantly.

“Do you really think that’s good enough to tame a wild animal like that?” Marisa pushed on.

Louise, once more getting defensive, said, “Well… You never know until you try.”

She stood up. “In fact, I think I’ll go try now. Who knows, maybe it will go well.”

‘ That would show them, ’ she thought as she started stomping off.

“Hey, before you go,” Reimu called out, stopping Louise who turned back quizzically, “Just wondering, she did say it was a single horse right, not a herd?”

“I think so?” Louise said, before taking off in the direction of her home.

The two thought for a moment, before exchanging glances.

“...I’m gonna tell her,” Reimu said, going to stand up.

“Don’t,” Marisa said, pulling her back down. “It’ll be a good learning experience… and it’ll probably be funny.”

On the edge of the hilly pasture land of the human village, where field gave way to meadow and meadow gave way to woodland, a single horse stood under the shade of the treeline, the light breeze ruffling its mane as it stared majestically over the village below.

It was quite a large horse, of no identifiable breed. Its powerful let lithe frame gave way to thick furred hooves, giving it the appearance of a charger awaiting war. Its coat was black but for a white crest on its chest, forehead, and its speckled white rump. On top of that, despite having no obvious signs of ownership, its coat appeared well groomed and cared for.

Then, quite unlike a horse, it sighed.

“What's your problem?” came a voice from further under the treeline.

The horse turned to see a familiar woman approach. She was a rather thickset woman with generous curves especially in the hips and bust, and seemingly quite proud of that, as she wore a cow print shirt in-tied shirt, with matching short shorts, both clearly in distress by the sheer amount of meat crammed into them, a cowbell attached to a choker around her neck clonked as she walked. Her inhuman nature was given away by her cow horns and big black cow ears in contrast to her white hair, as well as the same coloured tail that swayed behind her rump.

The horse stared at her for a moment, before there was a shift and where the horse stood was now a tall athletic looking girl, towering over the rather more stocky cow girl, with black hair in a loose ponytail, as well as an actual pony tail sticking out of the back of her poofy looking tracksuit pants. Her modest breasts were covered in a sports top, that also showed off her washboard abs, and like her companion her ears, which her that of a horse, poked out of her hair.

With another sigh, she sat down on an old stump, and stared wistfully down at the village.

Then discarding any sense of dignity she threw her hands in the air, and in a petulant whine said “I wanna be pampered!”

“Oh this again.” the cow girl said, rolling her eyes. “Give it up already Haru, no human in the village is gonna take in a random youkai horse.”

The horse girl, Haru, flopped on her back in a mini tantrum. “No! I want a nice clean stable, a pasture to call my own, someone to give me brushies whenever I want and all the oats I can eat!”

“And I want a certain idiot to read the signals and fuck me already, but we can’t all get what we want,” the cow girl grumbled, pulling on her all too tight neckline.

“What?” Haru said, pausing in her tantrum.

“Never mind.” The cow girl said. “But seriously, The Human Village barely tolerates even the most harmless youkai — what makes you think they are going to let a freeloading horse youkai mooch around?”

Haru pouted. “I could always pretend to be normal, you know, like how that rokurokubi Sekibanki does, they put up with her don’t they?”

“Well yes, you could…” the cow girl said slowly, as if speaking to a child, “except that there isn’t really a demand for horses in the village.”

She shook her head. “Face it, you are stuck out here with the rest of us small fry.”

“Easy for you to say Rina, you have a job., the Horse girl mumbled reproachfully.

The cow girl, Rina, shrugged. “Not my fault there is more demand for dairy cows than draft horses.”

Her gaze became lidded. “There is a demand for draft horses in dairy cows though.”

“Excuse me?” Haru said, looking up.

“Oh nothing,” Rina said, airily. “Besides, It's nobody's fault but yours that you are jobless, when you keep turning down jobs from the grassroots network.”

Haru groaned. “But they keep offering me heavy lifting jobs. I’m not meant for backbreaking labour, I just know I’m destined for the sheltered life of a horse girl's pampered show pony.” Her eyes turned glittery and wistful. “I can see it now, pleasant sunday rides, doing tricks at shows, endless brushies and snackies, and baths, with the really good shampoos…”

Rina scoffed, interrupting the horse girls daydreaming. “Alright, first off, there is absolutely nothing ‘dainty’ about you, you are a pillar of muscle with abs you can grind meat on and thighs that can crush watermelons…”

She paused to wipe drool from her mouth.

“... And second, you are no thoroughbred showpony, you are the equine equivalent of a mutt. And third and finally, there are no horse shows in Gensokyo.” she concluded.

Haru could only pout.

Rina shook her head. “Seriously, why don’t you just give up on this silly little fantasy and just move in with me already, plenty of room for the two of us, and I’ve only got a few more mortgage payments before it’s mine outright. The network is very generous when you are willing to play ball.”

Still pouting, Haru gave her the side eye. “You’d make me work though.”

“I’d make you work something, that's for sure.” the cow girl said breathily

“What?”

“What?” the cowgirl said innocently.

Haru then caught something out of the corner of her eye “Someone's flying over here!”

Quickly, they ducked further under the canopy and shifted.

By the time the visitor got near enough to see, there was only a horse and a big black cow gently grazing on the meadow.

Now Louise would be the first to admit, at least in the privacy of her own head, that she was somewhat impulsive, and her on the spot decision to seek out the rumoured horse today was probably not the most well thought out.

With that in mind however, even she was surprised to have found it so quickly.

And what a horse it was.

In her eyes, the massive horse was a seemingly perfect specimen, large and muscular, yet lithe enough to probably get an impressive top speed. Not only that, but despite not being as large as some species of draft horses, from Louise's lacklustre height, it was huge, putting her in mind of one of her family's warhorses.

Before now, Louise had been mentally preparing to accept any old nag just for a chance to ride again, but this blew even her most optimistic expectations out of the water.

The horse, as if knowing it was being observed, took a moment to flick its mane majestically.

Louise decided then and there that she had to have it.

Laying down the things she had been carrying on the grass, she equipped herself with a small bag full of carrots, and slowly approached the horse, careful so as not to startle it.

The horse continued to graze as if it… or she, as a quick glance at the undercarriage confirmed… had not noticed her approach, or at least didn’t acknowledge her beyond a glance.

Alright, so far so good, it seems to be fairly comfortable around people. Reimu had told Louise that occasionally forgotten objects, animals and even very rarely people wander in from the outside world, so perhaps this horse had once been domestic. If so this might be Louise's lucky day.

When she was close enough, she gently proffered the carrot.

The horse, making a show of giving it a sniff, before helping herself to the carrot. While it ate, Louise risked petting it on the snout.

After finishing the carrot, and eyeing the bag Louise had, it gave a playful nudge on the shoulder with her nose.

Giggling, Louise said, “Friendly girl aren't ya?” before offering another carrot.

The horse whinnied, and started munching.

Giving it another pat, she wondered aloud, “I wonder who would let such a fine horse just wander around…”

Giving her another carrot to keep her occupied, she quickly ran to grab the rest of her things.

Meanwhile while her back was turned, the horse gave the cow a smug look.

The cow rolled her eyes, and continued munching on grass.

Louise approached again, this time holding a blank and some pieces of rope.

After further carrot bribes, Louise threw the blanket over the horse’s back, and tied it around the barrel. She then used the rest to make a makeshift bridle and coax it onto the strangely pliant horse.

While occupying the horse with yet another carrot, she set about mounting her. However, she was halted by the reminder that this horse is pretty huge, and she was quite small, and her makeshift saddle lacked a stirrup. How was she supposed to mount her?

This dilemma continued for a few seconds before remembering that ‘ wait, I can fly now. ’ and quickly floated up onto the horse’s back.

Bringing herself to rest, she tensed, but a moment passed without the horse doing anything.

“Huh, I would have thought that you’d kick up more of a fuss about being mounted…” Louise said, confused.

The horse, as if just remembering that itself, started huffing, and shifting around a bit, stomping her hooves, although not too violently.

Louise quickly leaned forward to make soothing noises, and to offer yet another carrot, making the horse calm down quickly.

Louise, straightened up, scratching her head at the delayed reaction. “...maybe she’s a little thick?”

From behind her, the cow nodded, and the horse stomped a hoof petulantly.

“Well, let’s see how she moves.” Louise said, grasping her makeshift reigns, more than a little nervous. It’d been a long time since she had last tried riding bareback, and this was with a completely new, and at least partially wild horse, which might have no training.

Not only that but this was a much larger horse then she was used to riding, indeed, it was hard for her to get the correct knee grip for bareback with her shorter stature.

Nevertheless, she managed, and with the knowledge that thanks to her flight, she is unlikely to be trampled underfoot, she gave a gentle squeeze with her carves.

To her surprise, the horse broke into a gentle trot.

She tried to steer with her bridle, and the horse responded easily enough, turning where she directed without issue.

And with a tug on the reins, the horse came to a stop.

“I guess you have already been trained… Pretty well too.” Louise said, giving the horse an encouraging pat on the flank.

She idly wondered how the hell someone managed to lose their horse so badly that they ended up in Gensokyo of all places.

‘ Oh well, mine now. ’ Louise thought smugly.

Without further ado, she directed the horse down the hill and towards the nearest road, eager to show off her new horse to Reimu and Marisa.

The cow watched them go impassively.

A chicken walked up beside her, before it too became a small girl, with bright red hair, and a white hoodie dress combo. “Aren’t you jealous? A little human girl just went and stole your future stud out from under you.”

“She’ll be back.” Rina said, before shifting herself, her expression unimpressed.

As she returned to the stump the horse girl was sitting on earlier, the chicken girl followed behind her. “Doubt it. She’s been wanting to be a pet horse for so long, probably longer than she’s been a youkai. I’d think it would be a while before she shows her face around here again.”

“I’ll give her three hours tops.” Rina said, sitting down on the stump and pulling out a nail file, “I’ve seen that girl around before, and I know what company she keeps.”

Haru, who was currently running on autopilot, happy to let her new rider steer her and not really paying attention to their destination, was currently on cloud nine.

They had all been so dismissive of her and her dreams, and yet here she was, being ridden by the horse girl of her dreams, who had come from on high to sweep her off her hooves. She trotted along as proud as a peacock.

A part of her itched to show off, to let her rider know just how amazing of a horse she had found, but she restrained herself. Not only would it be the fastest way to out herself as a youkai, but considering she was being ridden bareback, it would probably be hard for her rider to stay seated should she really cut loose. Nothing could make a worse impression for a new rider then being left in a hedge a few miles behind her.

Still, as she started to come down from the clouds, she was a little confused, as she was pretty sure this wasn’t the way to the village. If anything she thinks they are heading away, not towards.

She also notices that she was walking on paved ground, and she struggles to think of any roads outside the village that are paved…

Except it was not just paved road, but paved steps , she noted with mounting anxiety.

…And was that a red arch she passed under? She hasn’t been a youkai for long, but that was setting off alarm bells in her mind as she is sure she has seen them before, and not in a good way.

Her anxiety turned quickly into horror however when she finally crested the top of the steps, and framed by yet another arch, was a shrine.

No, not a shrine… The shrine.

For the first time up close.

And the first time, face to face with both the Black and White Magician, and the Red and White Miko, sitting on the shrines steps, sipping tea, and regarding them with amusement.

Louise dismounted smoothly, and tied her new horse’s bridle to the torii gate to stop it from wandering off.

She offered it another carrot, but it didn’t seem to be hungry anymore, so she gave it a pat on its damp nose, and then strutted off across the shrines courtyard, getting ready to gloat.

“See? I told you I could do it.” Louise said proudly, standing before the pair.

“You certainly did something, that's for sure.” Reimu said, dryly.

Louise, ignoring the sarcasm, started to gush. “Not only did I find her, but she’s possibly one of the prettiest I have ever seen, as well as healthy and strong. I can’t wait to put her through her paces.”

Marisa was struggling to withhold her laughter at this point, the corners of her mouth twitching.

Oblivious, Louise continued. “On top of that, I almost can’t believe how obedient and responsive she is. I barely have to move and she does most of the work for me.”

“Uh-huh.” Reimu exclaimed, barely listening, seemingly looking at something behind Louise.

“Ohh, I can’t wait until I get her the proper equipment, then I can ride her all day long.” Louise said wistfully.

At this point, Marisa lost it, falling off the shrine steps in a fit of laughter and giggles, “Oh-hohoho m-my god, I can’t… I can’t,” she wheezed between peels of laughter.

Louise was caught off balance by the outburst, asked, completely befuddled. “What? What did I say?”

“Well, first off all, phrasing.” Marisa said, still snickering, and pointing behind Louise, “And second, I think your...  ‘horse’ has different ideas.”

Confused, Louise turned around.

The horse was no longer there.

Louise, shocked, ran over to where the horse had been, only to find her blanket neatly folded on the pavement, where she had left her. On top, was also the makeshift bridle, as well as a small note right on top of the pile.

Upset and confused,  wondering if her horse was being ransomed or something, she picked up the note. However, what was written there was no ransom note.

The page was covered front and back with a nearly illegible scrawl seemingly composed of multiple apologies, begging for forgiveness and pleading for the writer's life. It was smudged and damp in several places in what looked like tear stains.

Now completely nonplussed, as she tried to decipher what had happened, she felt a hand on her shoulder.

She turned to see Reimu, her face somewhere between pity and amusement. “You see Louise, what you had found was not in fact a horse, but a horse youkai .”

Rina, still working on her nails, and idly wondering if she needs to make an appointment to get her hooves looked at yet, and lamenting how much a pedicure cost when you had hooves.

Her ears then twitched, and slipping her nail file into her pants pocket, she braced herself as best she could, and opened her arms invitingly.

Just in time to receive a ballistic, bawling horse girl, arriving so quickly and forcefully that Rina was lifted into the air, off the stump and slid on her back several metres across the soft grass.

After getting a moment to get wind back in her lungs, and to be thankful for all her extra chest-padding, or that might have bruised a rib, she gently embraced and patted the horse girl as she buried her head into her cleavage, and curling up on the much shorter cow girl’s lap.

Then, in between sobs and whinnies, and muffled by Rina’s chest, she cried. “Oh it's terrible. sh-she took me to the shrine, a-a-and the Miko was there, and the M-Magician… and i thought I-I was gonna diiiie~” she took a moment to blow her nose on the cow girl’s shirt. “But now… now they knowwww a-and because they know they are gonna hunt me down and exterminaaaaate meeeeee!!!”

She then broke down into wails.

“There there~ You’ll be fine, nothing will happen.” Rina said soothingly, rubbing her back, and making cooing noises into her ear.

“Bu… bu… But the Hakureiiiiii!” she wailed.

“Don’t worry, everything will be fine.” Rina soothed, “You hadn’t even done anything yet. It doesn’t violate spell card rules to try and mooch off humans. And besides that, you are far too insignificant for the shrine maiden to bother hunting you down.”

Haru lifted her face from her fleshy hiding place, her face full of hope — and covered in snot. “R-really?”

“Of course,” Rina cooed. “You wouldn’t even warrant a proper spellcard duel in an incident.”

Haru, slightly placated, rested her head on the cow girl’s thoroughly soiled chest and shirt, and quietly sniffled and whinnied, as the cow girl gently stroked her hair, and made more calming noises.

The chicken girl, who had watched the whole thing with a mixture of disturbed fascination, spoke up. “Dear kami, you are like her mommy.”

The cow girl licked her lips, and purred. “Oh, I know~ ”

“...You're sick, you know that?”

“Hush, or it will be yakitori for dinner.”

Reimu and Marisa stood outside of Louise's house, with Marisa calling, “Come on Louise, it’s time for Danmaku practice!”

“Go away!” came Louise's muffled response.

“It's been over a day, you can’t keep hiding in there forever,” Reimu called back.

“Seriously, you don’t have to be so embarrassed, it was an honest mistake, we’ve mostly stopped laughing now, honest!” Marisa said

“It was humiliating!”

Reimu rolled her eyes, although there was no way for Louise to see it, and said, “Look, you aren’t the first person to ever be tricked by a youkai, it's literally what they do! Quit with the pity parade already, it's gone way beyond being funny, it's starting to border on pathetic!”

That got a response, as after a series of angry stomps, Louise threw open her paper door, and glowered at Reimu. “Who are you calling pathetic!?”

Reimu smirked. “Well not you apparently, considering you finally opened the door.”

Louise, realising how easily she was played, swore under her breath.

“But seriously though,” Marisa said, “it's honestly not that big a deal. Youkai live to cause a little mischief, and this is just your first time being caught out. Mistakes happen, don’t beat yourself up about it.”

Louise glanced between them, and took a deep shuddering breath. “... Alright fine, you made your point, let's go practice.”

“That's the spirit! Get yourself ready and then we’ll head out.” Marisa said.

But a few minutes later as they made ready to fly off, Reimu couldn’t help but add. “Although if you ask me, you are missing out the opportunity for a potential familiar.”

“No,” Louise said tersely.

Reimu, who had started smirking, continued. “Come on, you were so impressed with how big and strong she was. Pretty too, if I recall.”

“Enough, I don’t want to hear it.”

“I believe obedience was also used, and how eager you were to ride her all day long.” Marisa added, with air quotes.

“I’m leaving,” Louise went to turn back to her house, but was picked up under each arm by both girls, and carried away.

“You said you had stopped laughing!” Louise said indignantly.

“Come on horse girl, practice awaits,” giggled Marisa as they took off with their reluctant passenger.

“I have been lured out under false pretences!” Louise cried out at the injustice. “FALSE PRETENCES I SAY!”

Chapter Text

Louise stared balefully down at her little garden. The garden had been coming along pretty well for some time now, with most of her plants having put out plenty of leaves, and some were well on their way to fruiting.

However not all was so rosey, as it was also clear something had been chewing holes in her garden's precious foliage.

Reimu gave a whistle. “Looks like something's been hungry.”

“Indeed, it looks like the insects have been busy.” Kiene said. “I apologise, we probably should have warned you about this sooner.”

Louise seethed, how dare these… literal insects profit off all her hard work and labour, this was her garden!

“How do I get rid of them?” she said venomously.

“Well, I suppose we need to go and get some pesticides from the herbalist.” Kiene said.

“Actually… I would recommend against that.” Reimu said, “There is a reason Wriggle hates the village after all, and she has a lot of friends in low places. Considering Louise is going to be mingling with a lot of youkai in the future… probably weaker ones if we are being realistic… best not to burn any bridges if we can avoid it.”

“Oi.”

Kiene frowned. “In that case what do you recommend?”

Reimu shrugged. “Search me, I use barriers in my garden, so I can't offer much in the way of advice.”

“Reimu, are you telling me you use your divine power to keep insects out of your garden?” Kiene said flatly.

“Hey it works, it keeps the bugs, fairies and other pests out, and it keeps the peace.” Reimu said, shrugging again.

“Could you put some barriers over my garden?” Louise asked, while filing away the name Wriggle for later.

“Well… I could…” Reimu said, rubbing her neck.

“But you aren’t.” Louise finished, flatly.

“Look, I have to regularly maintain my barriers,” Reimu defended, “ and that's a lot of time and effort. My time isn’t cheap, you know.”

“Yeah yeah, all that tea won’t drink itself.” Louise said dismissively, honestly, she still wasn’t even clear what Reimu’s job was beyond ‘priestess’, just that everyone seemed to insist it was important.

“Look at it like this,” Reimu said, "It's better to be able to work out your own solutions to these kinds of problems, rather than depend on someone else.”

Marisa then touched down in the yard. “Hey guys… jeez, who died?” Marisa said, catching the rather dour mood.

“Louise's Plants are being eaten by bugs.” Reimu said.

“Ah, gotcha.” Marisa said, before joining the semicircle. “So what's the game plan?”

“Well I suggested pesticides,” Kiene said, “but Reimu said that might cause problems with the youkai population.”

“Right, right, Wriggle.” Marisa nodded in understanding.

‘Seriously, who is Wriggle?’ Louise thought.

“And my method isn’t really viable for Louise's garden,” Reimu added.

“Because you are stingy with your warding talismans, yes.” Marisa said, nodding again.

“... and so we are currently at a loss on what to do.” Reimu continued ignoring the interjection.

Marisa thought for a moment, before whipping her hat off. “I think I might have something that will help…”

She reached deep into her hat, far deeper then Louise would have thought possible considering the dimensions of the hat, and after rifling around a bit, pulled out a glass jar, with a lid full of holes.

“Here we go.” she said, before popping the lid, and upending the bottle over the garden.

Louise then found herself staring at a pile of confused looking, oddly Lanky insects, causing her to reel back in shock.

“What the hell Marisa!” Louise said, indignantly getting in the Magician's face. “I want to get rid of insects, not add them!”

Marisa laughed, “And that's what these little guys are for, here look.”

Marisa then picked up one gently, and put it on her Open palm, and showed it to Louise. “This is a praying mantis, and these are carnivores, as in they only eat other insects.”

“...It does?” Louise said, looking at the strange insect, which waved its strange arms at her as if to ward her off.

“Yup, and they are voracious little hunters at that.” Marisa said, putting the insect back in the garden. “They will hunt all the little leaf eaters in your garden no problem.”

Louise watched as the insects began roaming around her garden patch. “Will they just hang around?”

“Some might, although probably most will wander off in search of more food if they run of prey, or get preyed on themselves by birds.” Marisa said.

“So that is only a temporary solution then.” Louise said, surprising herself by feeling a little disappointed, as the idea of insect guard dogs were starting to appeal to her.

“Perhaps,” Marisa said, watching one fly away, “you could always catch more though, not a bad way to spend an afternoon if you ask me.”

“If you are looking for something more permanent though,” Marisa said, “you could always dig a pond.”

“A pond? Why?” Louise asked, perplexed.

“Simple, Frogs.” Marisa said, “Dig a nice pond near or in your garden, properly line it to stop water escaping, plant some pond plants to keep the water clean, and find yourself some tadpoles. With some protection from predators, they would be much less inclined to wander than mantis, and will eat plenty of insects.”

Louise could only blink, but Marisa continued.

“Of course if that isn’t your jam, there are also many different types of plants that act as natural insect repellent. Plants like Lavender, Catnip, Lemongrass, mint, rosemary, basil, along with a few others, disperse a few of them through your garden will lower the insect problem drastically. Quite a few of them are also pretty good kitchen herbs as well, making them a worthwhile addition to the garden regardless of…”

She trailed off as she noticed Kiene and Louise's wide eyed expressions, and Reimu’s smug grin.

“Forgive me for staring, I just… wasn’t aware you were so knowledgeable of garden and herblore.” Kiene said.

“Ehh, yeah…” Louise said, nodding. Honestly taken off guard, as Marisa always came off as someone aloof and carefree, as opposed to learned, magical proficiency aside.

Marisa coughed awkwardly. “Well, yeah, you know, you pick up a few things here and there…”

Reimu then sidled up and threw an arm around Marisa’s shoulder. “Oh don’t let this girl fool you, this girl is quite the studious girl, despite her devil may care persona.”

She poked Marisa in the cheek, “If you wanna embarrass this girl, all you gotta do is expose how much of a hard worker she is in company.”

“...Shut up Reimu.” Marisa grumbled, pulling her hat low to hide her face.

While Marisa’s solutions were all interesting, Louise didn’t really feel like spending time each day catching insects, and it was the wrong season for frogspawn, so digging a pond with summer around the corner was just asking for more insects, not less. So Louise had settled on the herbs, as while it meant she’d have more garden to maintain, it should be the most useful option, as much as an ornamental pond appealed to her.

This meant going into the village to buy some seeds, with Kiene volunteering to go around some of the housewives to see if any would be willing to donate some grown herbs to her garden to get her started, while Reimu and Marisa were pressured by Kiene into preparing some more garden bed to plant them in.

“My look at you.” Cooed the lady who ran the produce store, in the village, as she handed over the seeds. “I remember how grumpy you were about helping with the weeds when you were staying with Kiene. But we’ll make a green thumb of you yet.”

Louise blushed a little, as she was reminded of how into this gardening thing she was getting, a little disturbed about how much she was looking forward to her insect free garden, the future possibility of the frog pond, and even having access to all these herbs.

She also flushed because the lady, who someone had probably told her her name at one point, but she had forgotten and was too embarrassed to ask, was a tall husky woman, a muscular frame with lots of padding and generous assets, that combined with her more mature air, came off as warm and inviting rather than infuriating like certain Germanians she does not care to mention. Even the way she talked down to her felt more comforting than demeaning.

She shook her head. ‘Focus! What are you even thinking about? Focus!’ she willed her mind to stay on the task at hand rather than… wherever her mind was going.

She must be relaxing too hard. Without the constant pressure to succeed academically and her family's honour on the line, her brain keeps wandering to strange places these days, fixating on girls' figures… that she might want for herself one day… yeah, that's right, when she finally hits that growth spurt, she wouldn’t mind a build like that.

…

She wonders what her hugs feel like.

“Are you ok dear?” The lady said, tilting her head.

“Oh, sorry!” Louise said quickly, flushing even harder. “Just thinking about… where I’m gonna plant these is all.”

“Ah, of course, I can relate to that. Sometimes my mind wanders home before I even leave the shop.” The woman said, laughing. “Be careful though, don’t spend too much planning that you forget to be doing. Don’t want to miss the here and now because you get too fixated on the when.”

“Ha, bet that's not all she was thinking about.” Grumbled a voice behind her, before Louise could respond.

The woman looked over Louies’s head with a frown. “Now you be nice.”

She glanced behind her to see a crotchety looking old man, giving her a look of contempt.

“You know she’s been hanging out with the mad hag in the forest right? And that lazy youkai miko.” The man grumbled, saying miko like he wanted to spit. “I bet this girl's already got her brain addled with sorcery, bet she can’t even think right.”

Louise blinked, what is this guy even going on about? Mad hag? Youkai Miko? Addled with Sorcery?

“Hey now.” The Woman said chidingly. “They have names, I’ve known Reimu and Marisa since they were knee high. They might have their… quirks, but they are good girls, deep down.”

“Bloody disgraces is what they are.” The man grumbled some more, “too good for us decent folk, they gots to cavort with all the creatures and creeps out in the woods, turning their back on the village.” he then glared at Louise again. “And this girls goin right after ‘em, you see it all the time in outsiders, village life too good for ‘em, they gotta play with witchcraft and dark arts with unpleasant folk out in the sticks.”

“Thats enough of that.”

At this point, Keine stepped in, a tray full of small potted herbs, and frowning in the man's direction.

“Oh, it's you.” The man grumbled, but Louise noticed unlike with her and the lady, he was avoiding eye contact with Kiene.

Kienes' eyes narrow. “Yes, it's me. And I’m quite sure I taught you better manners than that.”

Louise watched in fascination as the old man, shrunk a little under the glare the teacher was giving him. Despite not even looking half his age, she scolded him like one would a child.

“Reimu Hakurei.” She said slowly and deliberately, the word Hakurei making the man flinch. “Is a fairminded and respectable young lady, who carried a lot of responsibility from a young age, due to the premature death of her mother, with minimal help from the village. Whose unbiased treatment of nonhumans upset those who think a Hakurei should put the interests of the village above all others, despite that kind of thinking is what led to the early death of both her mother and grandmother, and led those people to shun and isolate her.”

Louise stared at Kiene, Reimu had mentioned she wasn’t a happy kid growing up, but this…

Kiene wasn’t finished. “And Marisa Kirisame is a bright young girl both in mind and disposition, with an endless curiosity and love for life. But was prevented from exploring her interests in magic by her community and family. She was forced to make a choice between being safe and being happy, but that should have never been a choice in the first place.”

Not allowed to study magic? Is that why she lives out in the woods?

She loomed over the old man, who almost cowered under her glare. “So is it not fair for Reimu to find friendship with youkai who respect and value her, or for Marisa to cherish her own freedom over the needs of those who do not even attempt to understand her? Perhaps it was the village who turned their back on them first.”

The man grumbled some more, but seemed to have nothing really to say. Even the shop lady shifted uncomfortably.

Then Kiene, as if nothing happened, turned to Louise. “Sorry for the wait, are you all finished here?”

“Ah… yeah.” Louise said, holding up her shopping.

“Good, lets go, if we hurry, we’ll have enough time to plant all these before the end of the day.” Kiene said.

She nodded to the shopkeeper. “Have a good day.”

“O-oh, you too, miss… I mean, Kiene.” the shopkeep said, nervous.

“See you.” Louise said, before following Kiene out.

They walked out of the village in silence, it wasn’t until they passed the gate that Kiene, with a sigh spoke. “I take it you have questions?”

“I mean, I had hints,” Louise mumbled. “But, Reimu and Marisa… they aren’t exactly well respected in the village, are they?”

“Well it depends on who you ask…”Kiene said delicately, “But yes, a lot of the older people in the village, especially those who grew up with Reimu’s mother, or grandmother, have expectations about how a Hakurei should behave, that Reimu does not care to meet. And while magic is not uncommon in the village, in fact some of it is so common we forget its even magic, Magicians are viewed with distrust, a necessary evil to some, a threat on par with youkai to others, so many don’t look kindly on Marisa’s decision to leave the village to become one.”

“In honesty, I do see their concerns,” Kiene admitted. “Reimu’s views on things are quite warped by the company she keeps, she is so used to the company of youkai, that what she thinks is fair is skewed, and she has little patience for the villages politics, preferring strait forward brute force approaches to most of her problems. And Marisa apprenticed under a vengeful spirit who had sworn vengeance on the humans of the village… They say Mima has mellowed out a lot these days I hear, although I’ll believe it when I see it… nevertheless she shunned most human contact until she had finished her apprenticeship. So it is not wholly inaccurate to say, she turned her back on humanity for a time.”

“I myself would like nothing more for Reimu to take her job as the balance of power more seriously, and take the time to listen to the villagers' concerns, rather than wait for me to come and nag her about them…”

‘Balance of power?’ Louise thought. She still has no idea what Reimu’s actual job is, and the more she learns, and the more she has to compare it to the girl who seems to have way too much free time, the more confused she gets.

“... And I do wish Marisa would stop avoiding her family, it's been years, and yet she still refuses to even entertain the idea… and her father has made no efforts to bridge the gap on his end either.”

“Didn’t her family stop her from learning magic? You mentioned it in the shop.” Louise said.

“Well, yes, her father among them.” Kiene said, but sighed. “He had his reasons, but it's not my story to tell. I will say while he was trying to act in what he thought were Marisa’s best interests… But I’ve never quite forgiven him, for years, every time I stepped into the classroom, her empty desk broke my heart again and again… Her father is a stubborn old fool, and his daughter takes after him in all the worst ways.”

There was a pause.

Louise after a moment, asked. “But if you think all that… Why did you react to that man like that? By the sound of it, you even sort of agree with some of what he was saying.”

“True, his feelings were not totally unfounded, no matter how vile he worded them.” Kiene said coldly. “But no matter my feelings, I will not allow people, who don’t respect them, made no effort to help or understand them, or acknowledge all they have done for Gensokyo, to treat them like… that. Especially a bitter old man who has wasted his potential and has fumbled every opportunity he was ever given.”

“I understand that I may appear… critical of Reimu and Marisa at times, and it's true they rarely, if ever, make an attempt to meet the people of the village half way… but that's a two way street. Reimu, forever teetering on the edge of poverty, probably only saved by her ability, has every right to feel bitter and unappreciated by the village, the fact that she was settled into a mild indifference is if anything a sign of how mature she has become. And Marisa… well, she grew up being told exactly what people think about people like her, in her eyes, why shouldn’t she spend time with her peers over the villagers, even if most of them are youkai.”

“... And what about me?” Louise asked hesitantly. “I mean, while he was very rude about it, he was right about me. I am learning magic, and going to be interacting with a lot of Youkai… Will the village treat me like that too?”

Kiene gave her a sympathetic look. “Some people will unfortunately, of that there is no doubt. Its part of the reason I suggested giving you a place out of the village, so you can practice your magecraft without scrutiny.”

Louise stewed on this. All her life, magic was something aspirational to her, the very symbol of nobility, something she lacked and dearly wanted. The idea that magic, or at least magical practitioners, were distrusted, even outright shunned here… It was possibly the biggest culture shock she had experienced since Rumia threatened to eat her.

“Its also why I encourage you to spend time with the villagers.” Kiene said, catching Louise’s attention. “Not everyone thinks like him after all, a part of Reimu and Marisa’s problem is that they barely interact with most of the villages besides grocery shopping. Nobody really has the chance to get to know them unless they go out of their way to seek them out. I hope that by letting people get to know you as a person, it will be harder for people to degrade you unchallenged, even when your magical background becomes apparent.”

Kiene gives Louise an encouraging smile. “There will always be people like that old coot, too comfortable in their ways and to whom hatred comes easily, but I ask you not to give up on human connection too quickly, for there will also be people who will take the time to get to know the real you.”

“I see…” Louise said, pondering her words. “...Thanks for always looking out for me, Kiene.”

Kiene hummed. “Well, I am a teacher. It's my job to try and bring out the best in people, and help them become all they can be.”

Louise nodded, thoughtfully. ‘...I could have done with a few more teachers like that growing up.’ The closest she had was Colbert, a good man, but could do little for Louise beyond kind words, patience, and a lot of leniency in grading.

Kiene then smiled cheekily. “I should probably mention that most of what I said about the villagers opinion’s are very much the older generations. Those girls are very popular with young people... To an almost problematic degree.”

“Eh?” Louise exclaimed, thoughts derailed by the odd turn the conversation had taken.

“It starts off fairly innocent, Marisa is very popular with the children, and they always get excited when the Ordinary Magician swings into town, on her broomstick with her hat full of tricks, fireworks shows, inspiring words and a bright sunny smile. and Young girls look up to Reimu as an… Aspirational figure, a cool beauty, so noble and refined, the pinnacle of femininity…” catching Louise's expression she clarified. “Most don’t really know her that well, and most are two starstruck to actually strike up a conversation. Anyway the problems start when they start becoming… aware of them… as women.”

Louise got a feeling this was going to get really weird really fast.

“Now with all I said above, it should be no surprise that they end up as quite a few peoples first crushes, but quite a few don’t really grow out of it. Reimu and Marisa have topped the charts year after year for most desired bachelorette poll, ever since they were old enough to be included in the voting… and even in the Bachelor polls for one year until the organisers banned them from being picked, as it defeated the point of their being separate polls.”

“What?” Louise exclaimed. “But… but they are girls?!”

“Even so, apparently some girls, and even some boys insisted that Reimu and Marisa were husband material, not wife material.”  Kiene said, shaking her head fondly. “Honestly, what will they think of next?”

“Waitwaitwait, why are they even polls in the first place? Who is even keeping track of this stuff?” Louise said, red faced.

“Oh The Tengu papers up the mountain started it, but it has since been taken over by an independent body, or shadowy cabal as some people call them. To avoid certain Journalists… creative liberties.” Kiene said.

“But why though?!” Louise stressed.

“I think the more appropriate question is why not?” Kiene said, amused. “And that's not all they poll. Reimu has consistently placed high in the polls for ‘I want them to step on me,’ or ‘wants them to look at me like I’m trash’ which both have some very stiff competition, while Marisa fans seem to pull in several directions, like ‘want to spoil them’, or ‘want her to visit me in the night and ravish me’ polls. Although confusingly both of them also tend to be very high in the poll for ‘secretly a bottom, probably’ which contrasts with-”

“OKAY, SO HOW ABOUT THESE HERBS HUH?!” Louise said loudly, face almost glowing red. “YUP, CAN’T WAIT TO GET BACK AND PLANT ALL THESE HERBS, LETS TALK ABOUT THE HERBS FOR MY GARDEN AND NOTHING ELSE!”

Kiene giggled, glad to distract Louise from the rather heavy topic, it's better for Louise to not have to dwell on such thoughts, they will only hold her back from her goals, and the last thing Kiene wanted as a teacher to do was get in the way of Louise's mission and personal growth.

Unfortunately Kiene hadn’t taken into account how distracting her distraction might be.

When they got back to Louise's cottage, they found Marisa and Reimu, who were just finishing the expanded garden bed, and due to the warm day and the sweaty work, both had dressed down a little, Reimu having removed her sleeves, and knotted her skirt up high, showing off her legs, while Marisa had stripped down to her blouse and bloomers.

Louise stared as Reimu, standing upright, threw back her hair while wiping the sweat from her brow, causing her long brown-black hair to billow majestically, the flung sweat glittered like diamond dust in the sunlight, while glancing in their direction with her Garnet eyes. All while Marisa, Fanned herself with her hat, causing her sweatdampened blouse to ruffle, giving little glimpses  down her neckline as she had undone the top two buttons, flashing them one of her big sunny smiles-

Louise immediately slammed her head into the wall of her house. Unfortunately what she had seen could not be unseen.

‘WHY DID SHE HAVE TO TELL ME THEY WERE HOT!?’ Louise screamed in the privacy of her own brain, as a concerned Kiene, Reimu and Marisa ran up to her in alarm.

Now Louise had two more targets for her “Envy”. Her brain is now going to have to work overtime to prevent Louise from getting “Distracted”.

Chapter Text

“Get up Looser! We’re going to the library!” Were the words shouted by Marisa as she burst into Louise's living room.

Louise looked up from the book Marisa had lent her, her brow creased with mild annoyance. “Hey Marisa, would it kill you to knock?”

Over the month she has known Marisa, she has found her initial awe for being the first magical tutor who only didn’t give up on her, but succeeded in teaching her magic, had faded as she spent more time in her company.

She didn’t dislike Marisa per say, and the gratitude was still there, but The witches total lack of tact, decorum, or any sort of manners, often grated against Louise's sensibilities something terrible.

However despite Marisa’s antics having reduced her admiration into mere tolerance, Louise still respected her enough as a teacher to put her book down and give her her full attention.

“...And what's this about a library? I didn’t think the Village had a library.” Louise asked after Marisa’s words had sunk in properly.

She was aware the village had a bookshop, and apparently The Hida family had quite a collection of literature, but that was not open to the public to her knowledge.

“True, nothing really suited to our purposes at least, but that is only the village. The library we are going to is located in the Manor House across the lake.”

This netted a raised eyebrow from Louise. She was aware of the lake, as that was where most of the village's fish apparently came from, but she had never felt the need to venture that direction, being on the opposite side of the village from the Shrine, Forest of magic, and her house. “A manor house?”

Marisa nodded. “Yup, a real impressive old western style one too, owned by one Lady Remilia Scarlet. Her resident Magician has a massive collection in one of the wings.”

“Excuse me, can you clarify, Lady?” Louise said, wondering if she misheard.

“Oh yeah…” Marisa said, rubbing her chin in faux thought, “She is apparently some kind of noble isn’t she? Always putting on airs, banging on about her family name and ancestry… Bit like you actually, maybe you’ll get along.”

Marisa then walked over and pulled Louise onto her feet. “But enough of that, come on let's get moving, times a wastin’.”

As she was forcefully lifted upright, she was forced to take in her somewhat dirty Yukata, with dirt and grass stains from working in the garden this morning.

“Waitwaitwait,” Louise cried as she was dragged to the door, digging her heels in, “I am in no state to be visiting foreign nobility, I am a mess, I haven’t even done my hair this morning! At least Let me get changed! Marisa! MARISA!”

After a quick redressing, some general freshening up, and a short flight, a rather impatient Marisa led her, flying high over the village, to the edge of the rather aptly named Misty lake.

Which was where Louise got a first glimpse of the so called Manor, and it did nothing to sooth her rather tense nerves.

The place was an impossibly grand structure that could even challenge the grandest of dukely estates back home, with large grounds, a colourful sprawling garden, and an imposing size, crowned with its own clock tower of all things, and the entire building dyed in various shades of deep red.

Whoever lived here was no lowly baron or upstart count, whoever lived there was someone of high birth and grand means.

The pair touched down some distance away from the front gate, where an indistinct figure seemed to be standing guard. Marisa tucked her Broom into wherever it goes when she isn’t using it, and Louise took the moment to pat down her academy uniform, which she had had repaired a while ago, and was honestly the highest quality clothing she currently owns.

Uniforms count as formal wear, right?

As she fussed with her clothes, Marisa was giving her a strange look, matching several glances she had given her on the way over.

“What?” Louise asked, a little testy.

“You know, you might want to invest in some bloomers if you are going to fly around in a skirt that short.” Marisa said.

Louise blinked owlishly, before her entire face flushed beet red and she pushed the front of her skirt down in embarrassment.

“Too late for that, we are already on the ground.” Marisa said cheekily.

“Tell me sooner next time then!” Louise shrieked.

“I could have… But I wasn’t going to wait around for you to find a pair of bloomers you obviously don’t own.” Marisa said smartly. “Also because it's funny.”

“MARISA! You are the absolute worst!” Louise said hotly.

“Chill out, I made sure to fly high enough so that nobody saw anything…” Marisa said placatingly, “...probably. Besides, we are here now, just avoid flying above head height as much as possible and you’ll be fine.”

Louise, finally getting her blush under control, vowed to do just that, flying low, if not outright walking home after…. whatever this is, is done.

“Anyway, if you are done, let's get on with it.” Marisa said, walking off.

Louise started following, but then noticed that they were not in fact heading to the front gate, but rather walking a wide arc around the front gate, and gatekeeper.

“Isn’t the gate over there?” Louise asked.

“Sure, but Meiling can be a little intense for first timers. Besides, the front gate is more symbolic than anything, what with everyone being able to fly and all. Follow me.”

Marisa then powered off, leaving Louise to scamper after her.

They passed the left corner of the wall, and rather than another gate like a servants entrance perhaps, like Louise was half expecting, Marisa stopped at an unremarkable stretch of wall.

“This is as good as any, follow my lead.” and once more before any questions could be asked, Marisa hovered over the wall.

Louise hesitated, but Maria had yet to have led her astray before now, so after glancing around to make sure nobody was watching, held her skirt down both front and back, and hovered after her.

After landing on the other side, Louise was relieved to see Marisa standing by the large front doors as opposed to standing next to a window or something.

Hurrying over, she tried to ask a question, but was hushed.

“Ok, let's just take a peak.” Marisa said, pushing the door open a jar, peering in. After a quick glance, she beckoned Louise, and slipped in.

Once more forced to follow, and previous relief extinguished, she entered through the gap, door slowly closing behind her.

Out near the gate, Meiling snapped her head up from her standing nap. “Huh, wazzat?”

She glanced around, for a brief moment something felt like a stranger… as well as… Marisa? And behind her?

She glanced back to see the doors closing.

She thought about it for a moment, before shrugging. Not her business after all, she is the Gatekeeper after all, and they didn’t go through the gate. And thus went back to her nap, waiting for the late evening to when it was safe to work in the garden again, and perhaps get a lecture from Either Sakuya or Patchouli.

Life is good for Meiling.

The entrance hall beyond the doors was large and ornate, much like you would expect, yet lacked the more gaudy decorations of the nouveau nobility, having a deep class and history.

It was also deeply and oppressively red, from the Carpets to the wallpaper, the soft lighting making it almost glow ominously. Everything from Rose pink to deep burgundy. Even the wood accents were red tinted woods, and metal fixtures were made of polished copper.

It gave Louise deep feelings of foreboding, for reasons she couldn’t quite place.

It was also quite empty, as aside for herself and Marisa, there was nobody in sight, which was all but confirming a growing suspicion. Even if this was somewhat of a informal visit to see the resident magician (that in itself was a novel idea for Louise, but as she now understood that mages and nobility are separate in this culture, the idea of having one on retainer made enough sense to her), Surely if they were expected there would at least be a Butler or maid to receive them.

If they were expected.

“Coast is clear, let's get moving.” Marisa said, forging ahead as if she owned the place.

Louise, unable to stay silent as she caught up to Marisa peering around the corner, asked. “Marisa… are we supposed to be here?”

At this moment, as if the gods themselves were answering her question, a fairy, dressed in maid attire, halfheartedly dusting things in a way even Louise knew was wrong, drifted around the corner, humming out of tune.

She froze however when she caught sight of Marisa and Louise.

Then taking a deep breath, screamed “MARISA IS HERE, BATTLESTATIO-!” before she popped with a *Pi-chuun* as a Star shaped projectile smacked her in the face.

Louise's jaw dropped, eyes wide.

Not because of the fate of the Fairy, because by now she is well aware of both the simultaneously fragile yet wholly immutable existence that is a Fairy, but rather its reaction to Marisa.

“Marisa… Are we breaking and entering?!” Louise said, bordering on hysterics.

Marisa’s only response, smirk on face, was “Kinda.” Before grabbing Louise by the arm, and quickly mounting her broom, shot down the corridor like a bullet, dragging Louise along for the ride.

She watched them speed down far too long corridors that don’t feel like they would even fit in the Mansion, along various twists and turns through various corridors. Passing various Fairies whose surprise at their sudden arrival was short lived as they met the same fate as the first.

The journey came to an abrupt stop outside a large ornate door, which Marisa kicked open with a dynamic dismount, flinging Louise through with the momentum, and slamming the door behind them with a spinning kick behind them.

Louise slumped arse up on the floor where she had been flung, trying to stop her head spinning, and trying to keep down a panic attack.

“Hey, you good?” Marisa said, poking her with her foot.

“You know what, No!” Louise said, shooting up, powered by indignation, “No I am not ‘good’! Because someone said that we were visiting a library in the house of a noble, and somehow completely failed to inform me that we’d be breaking in!”

“Well, duh, obviously,” Marisa said matter of factly, adding to Louise’s irritation, “you wouldn’t have come if I told you.”

“Of course I wouldn’t, because I’m not a criminal!” Louise shrieked back at her. “In what possible way is this okay?!”

“It's fine, It’s fine, we are only here to do a little reading and borrow some stuff, nothing against Spell Card rules.” Marisa said, patting her on the back.

Further venomous retorts died in Louise’s throat as a new voice entered the conversation.

“As I believe I have said many times Marisa, borrowing implies an actual intention to return it.”

Louise's head shot around trying to find the voice, but froze as she finally beheld the room they were in, eyes wide.

They were on a third floor landing on what appeared to be a five story room, with a massive dome above letting in a dim golden light, and among the various landings, catwalks and balconies… were books.

A seemingly endless forest of massive bookshelves barely falling short of scraping the ceiling filled edge to edge with books. They seemed to go along forever until they disappear into the gloom on the far side of the room, where she could see no sign of the opposite wall.

She had suspicions on the corridors outside, but there was no way this room could even fit in the mansion, let alone the wing.

Her slack jawed awe was cut short, when the voice spoke again, and this time Louise located the source, a woman floating above them with purple hair, eyes and dress, who was looking down at them with disapproval.

“It seems the cats are once more not doing their job properly, as they seem to have missed both a rat and a mouse.” The Woman said, eyes full of scorn.

“Hey Patche.” Marisa said airily, making Louise doubletake with an incredulous expression.

Louise, then shook herself, and tried to apologise. “Er, Miss? I am sorry, you see-”

The woman raised a hand to silence her. “No need to explain, I overheard enough to understand the situation, Marisa lured you here with false pretences. Please be assured I will be using my softest boots when I kick you out… That is, after I deal with the primary interloper.”

She then turned to Marisa. “That said, good morning Marisa, I don’t suppose you are here to return any of your overdue books?” She said, her voice laden with sarcasm.

“Maybe one of these days.” Marisa said dismissively. “But nah, I’m actually here to get some reading material for this girl's magical education.”

“Leave me out of this!” Louise shrieked.

“Hush now Louise,” Marisa said patronisingly, “As your current tutor, I have nothing but your best interests at heart.”

“...You are tutoring?” ‘Patche’ said, eyebrow raised, and gave Louise an appraising expression.

“I don’t know this woman, I disavow any association!” Louise said emphatically.

“Ouch.” Marisa said jovially, before turning back to ‘Patche’ “Anyhoo, I don’t suppose you’d be willing to let us browse for a bit would you?”

“What do you think?” She said flatly.

“Thought not,” Marisa, mounting on her broom, and drawing a deck of spell cards. “Enough talk, have at you!”

As a curtain of bullets manifested, ‘Patche’ immediately drifted backwards to make distance, while also conjuring several floating books around her. “I hope you are ready to pay your overdue fees when I introduce your face to the floor!”

Louise could only watch blankly as the sudden danmaku battle that had erupted receded into the distance as the two combatants ducked and weaved through the forest of bookshelves, as well as each other's spells.

Now that she had a moment to herself, she was surprised at the general lack of hostility from the other magician, who seemed more irritated than angry. Indeed, if comparing it to her own home, if someone had broken into the Vallerie estate, beaten up several servants, and then challenged her mother to a friendly magical duel for the right to take some books. They would probably get thrown into the dungeon for the sheer cheek alone.

“This might take a while, would you like a seat while you wait?”

Louise nearly jumped out of her skin and whipped around.

Standing behind her, was a tall curvy woman with violently red hair, eyes, and dressed in a smart suit jacket, matching skirt, and white blouse.

Louise was prevented from her kneejerk reaction to well endowed redheads (although the woman was nowhere near as blessed as zerbst), by the lighter skin tone, and the baffling bat wings sprouting from her head and lower back.

Almost mute with confusion and shock, she took the hand of the most obviously inhuman being she had encountered thus far, as she was helped off the floor.

“This way please.” The woman said with a smart little curtsey and an impish little smile, before leading her down a nearby flight of steps and across one of the ornate catwalks, to a cosy little lounge area right up against one of the colossal bookshelves.

“Feel free to take a seat.” the woman said, guiding Louise into one of the sinfully soft plush armchairs.

“Wh… who are you?” Louise said, finally finding her voice. “And why are you being so accommodating? Didn’t we… you know, break in?”

The woman gave an impish giggle. “Oh wow, you must be new around here.”

She gave another curtsey. “You may call me Koakuma, I am something like the librarian around here, pleased to meet you. How long have you been in Gensokyo?”

“Ehh, a few months?” Louise said, a little put off. “Why?”

She also privately wondered what kind of name is ‘little devil’.

“Oh no wonder.” Koakuma gave a short laugh. “To answer your original question, Marisa breaks in just about every week, usually to ‘borrow’ something, to collaborate on some project or other, or just to annoy Master. Master was honestly starting to worry if something had happened to her when she hadn’t shown her face for over a month. I think she looks forward to it honestly.

She then made a shush gesture. “Don’t tell them that though, it will get right to Marisa’s head, and Master might have to punish me.”

Louise, now more than a little baffled, said. “So they are just fine with her breaking and entering every week? Is this sort of thing just… fine in Gensokyo?”

Koakuma tilted her head. “Wow, you really are new here, aren’t you?”

“To answer your latter question first, while The Human village has its laws and rules, outside and in the various youkai haunts, the only rules we follow are the rule of the strong… and spell card rules of course. Although depending on who you ask, and your thoughts on the Shrine maiden, that's basically the same thing. Hence, in this Mansion, the only law is that which the Mistress decrees.”

Louise stewed on this for a moment, before her brain caught on something important.

“Wait… Youkai Haunt?”

To this Koakuma really laughed. “You really have no idea where you are, do you?”

“Apparently not.” Louise grumbled, wondering if it was worth attempting to throttle Marisa later.

Koakuma then seemed to notice something to one side, and curtseyed again. “Welcome back master, will we be having guests for tea?”

The Woman called ‘Patche’ and apparently Koakuma’s master, floated down from above looking thoroughly winded, and landed in an armchair. “Not *huff* one *wheeze* word.” She panted, sulkily.

Now that she was less stressed about pissing off the woman, she had the chance to actually examine her. The dress she wore was quite frumpy, looking more like bed or loungewear, with the matching mobcap, what seemed quite popular in Gensokyoan fashion, being adorned with ribbons and a moon ornament seemed almost out of place in the outfit that clearly prioritised warmth and comfort over any kind of practical or stylistic choice. And now that she was slumped in a seat, it was easier to see the contours of her body under the dress, showing a rather generously proportioned chest (louise's inner soul burned with jealousy as they might even be bigger than Kirches), and a slightly paunchy midsection that spoke of a very sedentary lifestyle.

Marisa also arrived as well, touching down, looking quite ruffled, but otherwise quite lively and chipper, unlike her opponent. “Hey Louise, getting to know the help?”

“Marisa,” Louise said, while still trying to digest all the information she has been given, “is every book I’ve been reading been stolen from here?”

Marisa waved her hand. “No, no, not at all, some were hand me downs from my former master. The rest were borrowed-”

“Don’t let that rat fool you.” Patche said, having gotten her breath back, although she still looked very worn out, “It's only borrowing if you actually intend to return it, which she most certainly does not.”

“I do too intend to return them.” Marisa said indignantly. “...I’ll just do it when I’m dead.”

At Louise’s incredulous expression at the sheer audacity of that sentence, Marisa added defensively. “What? I’m a human, she will outlive me by centuries, at least.”

“On that note, perhaps it is time for you to introduce me to your new… protege? Since I have thoroughly failed to kick you out?”

Louise opened her mouth to speak, but Marisa spoke before her. “Louise, this is Patchouli Knowledge, the Resident Magician of the Scarlet Devil Mansion, and her Familiar, Koakuma. Patche, Koa, this is Louise Front-coil le Blank de la Valliere.”

“Excuse me?! That is Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière.” Louise said extremely indignantly.

“Sorry, sorry.” Marisa said, not sorry.

“Charmed.” Patchouli said, with mild amusement at the exchange. “So what do I owe the pleasure of your company, beyond the usual reasons I suppose. I was unaware Marisa had started taking on Apprentices, especially one so obviously highborn.

“Ehh, I wouldn’t quite call her my apprentice.” Marisa said. “She comes from some other reality, which still has magic, and was suffering from some acute spell dysfunction, which I’ve been helping her through.”

Louise gave her a dirty side eye, and decided to give her own explanation. “I wouldn’t put it quite like that, but yes, I am a mage who until recently has been struggling with her spellcasting, to which Marisa has been offering assistance, and I have been making good progress with her help.

Marisa whistled, “Wow, you get really stuffy when you think you are among your peers don’t you?”

Shooting her another look, Louise said, more scathingly. “Showing respect is the least you can do when you have been an unwitting accessory to breaking and entering, Marisa. On that note, a little warning would have been nice that we were going to a youkai library in… what did you call this place again?”

“The Scarlet Devil Mansion.” came yet another new voice.

Louise turned to see a small girl, accompanied by a silver haired maid, approach regally. “A charming little name coined by the locals for this, my humble abode, named for its Mistress, Lady Remilia Scarlet.”

The girl gives an enigmatic grin. “A pleasure to meet you.”

Louise stands up and curtseys, “Greetings Lady Remilia, my name is Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière, I am sorry for arriving unannounced, and uninvited.

Remilia actually looked taken aback for a moment, as if not respecting such a polite greeting, and Louise took the chance to examine her more fully. The small girl was pale, extremely so, with light blue hair, with the barest hint of purple tinge, and she dressed in a pale pink dress with a matching cap. However the most eye catching detail was the bright red predatory eyes, the large batwings projecting from her shoulders… and the nearest hint of fangs.

Despite her childish frame, everything about this girl screamed ‘Vampire’ very loudly.

The urge to throttle Marisa grew.

Remila rallied quickly to her brief surprise and spoke once more in a confident tone that did not match her apparent age at all, “My my, such manners. It's not often guests show such courtesy.

Remilia then planted herself in a seat, somehow managing to do it in a dignified way, despite the chair not being made by someone of her stature.

With a clap of her hands, she said. “Sakuya dear, fetch us some tea please.”

The maid, Sakuya, bowed. “At once, my lady.”

And then vanished.

“Where did she-” Louise tried to ask.

She then reappeared with a tea tray, which she placed on the low table, in between all the chairs.

“...How did she…” Louise said stunned as she was handed a freshly brewed cup of tea, which to her further surprise was not green tea either.

Looking very smug, Remilia said. “It is right to be shocked, It is rare to find help as good as my dear Sakuya.”

“You are too kind my Lady.” Sakuya said, handing Remilia own cup, after stirring the contents of a tiny red vial into it, which Louise tried not to think about and failed. “I only endeavour to serve to the best of my abilities.

“She has time powers,” Marisa said between sips, “She can stop or alter the flow of time around her, it's how she made the tea so fast.”

“Well yes, there is that.” Remilia said, with a pout, slightly put out.

“Wait, she can what? Is that even possible?” Louise baulked.

Remilia giggled. “If you are still asking questions like that, you must be new here.”

Louise was getting really tired of hearing that.

Still, she does realise it was a stupid question, considering that stopping time was literally her first exposure to Gensokyian magic.

“Yeah, she’s only been here a few months, and has been sticking around the village for the most part.” Marisa explained. “She’s barely met any of the usual suspects yet.”

“...What usual suspects?” Louise said slowly, narrowing her eyes.

Marisa just gave a dismissive wave. “Later.”

There was a moment where everyone took a moment to enjoy the tea, which even to Louise's refined palate, was the best tea she had ever had, and it wasn’t even close.

“So Miss Vallière, what brings you to this delightful little realm?”

Louise paused for a moment to contemplate the question. “Do you mean… beyond the obvious?”

“Yukari?”

“Yukari.”

Louise then wondered why she hasn’t seen the woman since she got here.

Remilia waved her hand. “Yes, while the mechanics of your arrival are fairly obvious, I am more interested in the whys. Yukari, despite her… proclivities… rarely does things for no reason, even if that reason is more often than not to annoy people. And I doubt you would still be here if it were only to ruin Reimu’s day.”

Despite the casual aloofness of the question, Louise detected a certain eagerness in the tiny Vampire, reminding her of how her fellow female students, specifically the more gossipy ones, tended to feign disinterest, even when they were clearly slavering at the bit to get the new juicy tidbits on who is having an affair with who.

Despite this, Louise decided there is no harm in indulging Remilia in this instance, and quite novelly being the one sharing the stories, rather than simply being the subject of them, recounted her story once again and how she had come to Gensokyo.

“...And now Marisa is helping me learn how to use my magic properly, which is how we ended up here, today. Although I assure you I would have been far more reluctant had she informed me we were breaking in.” Louise concludes, Remilia, having largely forlorn her mysterious, dignified air, was hanging onto her every word like a child being read a story.

“At this point we have largely confirmed it's an elemental misfire problem.” Marisa added, “However, assuming she is a void mage-”

“Which is still unconfirmed.” Louise adds quickly.

“-Which is still unconfirmed,” conceded Marisa, “it means beyond the basic non elemental spells and cantrips I have been teaching her, we are struggling to progress further. On top of that, Louise's mana pool is almost entirely aspected in this element as far as I can tell, and it almost seems to be resisting any attempts to be converted into other mana types, meaning that until we get a solid grasp on it, any advanced casting, elemental or not, is going to be difficult.”

Patchouli, who had mostly been enjoying her tea while listening impassively to Louise's story, now looked somewhat intrigued, her earlier annoyance seemingly gone as she pondered this. “An interesting problem to have, while she is not the first to have an aspected mana pool, it is usually later in a magicians career, should they favour certain elements over all others for an extended period, not at this early stage. I assume that is the reason for coming here today then? To try and find any similar magics to this mythic ‘void’ magic?”

“Got it in one.” Marisa said, shooting some finger guns in the purplettes direction.

Patchouli, rather than acknowledge the gesture, turned to Koakuma. “Koa, browse the shelves, and bring me ‘Zarec’s guide to oblivion’, ‘Beyond the sky: the great emptiness’, ‘Applied magical mathematics volume 4’, and that one extremely scorched Grimiore, the one where half the book is dedicated to explosion magic. In addition, have a browse for any books that might be relevant.”

Koakuma gives a snappy salute, “Right away master.”

Louise looked as the woman floated away, disappearing into the forest of shelves. “Is she able to find anything in here?”

“If I am honest, she is the only one who still can… barring a week's provisions and a map.” Patchouli said wryly, smiling briefly at her own joke. “But despite her being my familiar, she is currently bound to the library itself, meaning she can remember, and locate any book, old or new, that is present or added to these shelves, and track any that have been removed.”

“Oh that reminds me, I had been meaning to ask.” Louise said. “While I am still building my strength, and do not intend to attempt to gain a familiar just yet, I am still curious, and as you are the first I have met to have a youkai familiar, I’d like to ask you for advice.”

“While I am more than happy to advise you, I do not think I would recommend a familiar like Koakuma for a novice such as yourself, she is a contracted devil after all, and such beings are risky even for a practised practitioner.”

“To clarify, a devil? As in a Demon?” Louise asked.

Patchouli nodded. “I know very little of your world's magical culture, but in this one, it is not uncommon for powerful magicians to summon and bind devils and demons as familiars. Either powerful ones for magical boons or to aid in battle or defence, or weaker ones to perform simple tasks or menial labour. In return, the demon is given a portion of the users mana or spiritual power for the duration of the contract. On that subject, these are usually limited in duration, as it is unwise to get used to a demon's presence, for they can be deceitful and treacherous.”

Patchouli then gave a slight smile, which was surprisingly fond. “There are exceptions of course, like Koakuma, she has been in my service for many years, and whose loyal service has more than earned my trust, despite her more impish tendencies.” Her smile turned to a frown. “But do not use her as an example of her kind, for the majority of demons are treacherous by their very nature.”

Louise was a little disappointed, but still thanked Patchouli for her advice.

Koakuma arrived back, carrying a fat stack of books in her hand, which she dropped onto the table, making the tea set jump. “Here we go, the books you requested master.”

She also picked a few off the pile. “I also managed to find a magical treatise on the magical properties of vacuum, ‘Frank's frank guide to literally black magic’, and grabbed a few mundane science textbooks on space, astrophysics, and related subjects.”

“Good job Koa, well done on being thorough,” Patchouli said, floating one of the books down to give a quick scan.

Koakuma silently preened at the praise.

After her quick scan, she placed the book back on the pile, and said. “These books should help you with your studies.”

Louise, taken aback, couldn’t help but ask. “Is it really alright to take these?”

Some of these books looked old and very valuable after all, and she was still somewhat baffled by the treatment she was getting as an interloper.

Patchouli shrugged. “Well Marisa did beat me, and if I let her do the searching herself she would only make a mess.”

“I… I am still not sure how this is alright.” Lousie admitted. “Just for us to force their way in like this.”

Patchouli considered this, before sighing and pinching the bridge of her nose. “Honestly, I wonder this myself sometimes. If it were anyone other than Marisa…”

After Patchouli left that hanging in the air, Louise turned to Remilia, whose home this was, so wouldn’t this also bother her?

Sipping her tea, Remilia said in an aloof way. “Well, Marisa’s assaults on the manor do have a way of livening up an otherwise dull day. I can always rely on her to offer some quality entertainment.”

Louise blinked owlishly. “Entertainment?”

Remilia’s grin accentuated her fangs. “When you live to be over five hundred years old, You’d be starved for amusement too.”

Louise choked on her tea, and once more looked Remilia up and down with wide eyes.

For some reason, the fact that Remilia was five hundred years old, with those… proportions, filled Louise with a profound sense of despair.

Remilia, as if sensing her thoughts, pouted. “It's not polite to stare… and my eyes are up here.”

Bonus:

“So when do I return these?” Louise asked nervously, as they were getting ready to leave. Not wanting to earn the same ire Marisa has.

Patchouli however said. “Just bring them back when you are done with them.”

Louise blinked. “But what about-”

Patchouli held up a hand, “the fact that you are concerned about returning them already puts you above Marisa. I have more than enough books to read, I am not going to miss a few books for a few months, years or even decades. Besides…” and at this point Patchouli smirked. “If I do end up needing them, I can always send Koakuma to Marisa’s place while she is out to steal them right back.”

Louise blinked, but put like that, suddenly Patchouli and Marisa’s relationship suddenly made a lot more sense. Hardly worth getting worked up about stolen property when you know where the burglar lives.

Chapter Text

I am taking a small break from releasing for the next two-three weeks.

Had a rough time recently, I got a little too ambitious and started writing three chapters a week, which worked for a while, and I was pretty proud of myself. but I think I stressed myself out trying to keep it up and fell off a little bit, and ended up with a bunch of half finished chapters.

And to top it off, I had to take a few days off writing, because our Family dog died, Eccles. He was was old, and he had a lot of health problems, He died on Halloween, I had to dig the grave. It sorta took the wind out of my sails a bit (even thinking about it now makes me feel teary). I still tried to write things this week, but I barely finished a chapter.

I'm not taking a break from writing, but I'm taking a break from releasing, to take the stress off a bit, top up my backlog, and do some editing, Since even for me, I've been getting sloppy (I'm currently investigating getting an editor, to take that off my workload so I can focus on the writing part).

Sorry about this, Hopefully I'll be back, bright and bushy tailed in a week or two, and we will resume with the scheduled release of Youkai of Grudge and Silent Daughter.

This is a Temp chapter, and will be deleted after the break.