dear_mun | (no subject)

(reply from suspended user)

I'm glad to hear it's so convenient. So, I think I'll start by asking you, since you're right in front of me... Where is it?

Hello again, Yukari-sama. It's good to see a human with the courage and gumption to bring you about. And, of course, if I may be of service in any way...

There you are; sure enough, a shikigami follows her master wherever needed. Whether or not it's good to be here... Well, make yourself useful and tell me what you think.

Tell you think about what? About this place?

Well, it has its uses.

What's with that tone, Ran? That's exactly what I meant. So share some of these uses with me. Yes, the uses found by exploring a myriad of potential worlds...

Pardon me, Yukari-sama. I meant no disrespect.

Let's see... Well, for one, you'll certainly meet a lot of interesting people. Perhaps even people from home you'd never speak to otherwise.

Really, now? Well, if that's what you have to recommend, there must be more to it than I'd have thought. I can't wait to find out what these people will have to offer me.

Where to begin? This "place" does seem to operate on rather limiting rules.

I have no doubts about Yukari-sama's ability to strike up a conversation with a stranger. You're going to simply pick the most interesting person, first, anyways, right?

True. There's really nothing you can do about that. But I was curious about what you were going to say, even if I wasn't going to listen.

[Ran, you poor thing.]

And as for the rules, they say they only exist to be broken. Oh, I'd even say I'm looking forward to this...

Well, what I was going to say was... be careful. This place brings out interesting people... but it also brings out dangerous ones, too.

I will take that into consideration. You wouldn't waste your breath on an unnecessary warning, I know.

But it's also the most promising thing I've heard so far. We know that interesting and dangerous are usually the same, don't we?

If you'll allow me to be honest, I often wish that was not so, for you.

... I worry.

Go ahead, for the moment. I wouldn't trust you as my servant if you didn't. But since you know that it is my place to decide what the limits are, I don't think we'll have any trouble.

I assure you, if anything were to happen, you would play your role in my defense without fail.

I used to have more faith in this, but...

Yukari-sama, the truth is, in this place, in all these "game" worlds... there are places I will be unable to follow you. I can be with you in spirit, but...

...I understand. Well, if it will help you calm down, I promise to be careful.

Calculated risks only, hm? There.

You must have been leading quite an idle life here up until now, to be so wound up... You really should learn to relax, Ran. I'll know what I'm doing when I decide.

I suppose... I will try, at least, Yukari-sama. And should fate allow as much, I will continue to follow you.

That's what I like to hear.

[She gives Ran a fond pat on the head. Of course, she's also planning to tweak fate a little. It usually just needs a nudge in the right direction, like a lost child.]

Now, have I heard everything I need to?

Edited 2013-08-23 21:32 (UTC)

That is all I am able to tell you.

Can't you just go back to bed or something? It's always a pain when you come around.

[ When Yukari shows up it usually means Reimu is going to have to actually do something. ]

One day, I really will have to teach you how to give a greeting.

[Well, of course. If Yukari has to move more than three feet, so does Reimu, or else it will ~~upset the balance of Gensokyo~~ be just so unfair.]

I just got here, and it looks like it will be a nice vacation. It's been so long since I had one, too.

I'll pass.

[ Lessons from Yukari? Sounds like work. ]

And you're always on vacation!

That's a very bold accusation, coming from you, Reimu.

[People in paper shrines shouldn't throw stones.]

[Brightly.] I'm sure you've been enjoying quite a vacation here as well, hm?

Edited 2013-08-23 23:08 (UTC)

[ It's not a paper shrine!!!

...Just don't lean on that support beam, it's sort of falling apart. ]

It's my job not to let you slack off too much.

[ ..Is it? ]

I'd rather just be at my shrine drinking tea with Marisa. But it's better here than on that island. [ She doesn't exactly love Amat. ]

Hmm, and to think I thought I was making things easier for you.

[Think about a Yukari who's awake for more than six hours a day. Really think about your choices, Reimu.]

You've taken on so many duties as a shrine maiden... Maybe you really did need that vacation.

And on an island? Those are popular in the outside world, you know. The witch would probably be jealous.

[ ...Reimu? Thinking about her choices? That doesn't seem likely. ]

Right now I just need a vacation back at my own shrine.

[ Everyday life can be a vacation as long as people don't start duels to gain religious followers or when weak youkai start to cause trouble and flip things. ]

...I don't want to talk about Marisa. [ Reimu's...in a weird situation with Marisa right now!! ]

[Well, Yukari can dream, can't she?]

Right. Sooner or later, without enough to do, life becomes boring for humans, doesn't it? Keep that in mind...

[It stands to reason that people with a finite amount of time would want to fill it with something, and there's a surprising amount of time that passes between complete societal upheavals.]

You don't? Hm, I'm surprised there would be anything to talk about.

[That was tempting fate, on the shrine maiden's part.]

So, why not?

[ Yukari does enough dreaming!! ]

What would you know about that? Only humans should know what it's like to be a human.

Because she...because she's married. [ And thus never going to reciprocate Reimu's confused feelings for the witch. Even after they slept together....... ]

I thought I said I didn't want to talk about it! [ And yet she still blabs every single one of her problems to her fairy godmother. ]

If you're thinking like that, you need to expand your horizons- Oh, did I hear right?

[If only Yukari would just wave her fan and... make the border of Marisa marital status change from "taken" to "single."

Sadly, the reaction that outburst gets is a barely repressed laugh and an arched eyebrow. She doesn't try to hide that she is very taken aback.]

I'd never have imagined her binding herself to another like that, unless her mini-hakkero looked good in a tuxedo. Yes, maybe then...

My horizons are just fine. What does that even mean, anyway? [ It sounds like something Reimu doesn't want to do either way.

Ideally, Reimu would rather Yukari just stop being so lazy and open a gap and take her home. ]

She's been on the island for years now. Married Alice and Patchouli.

[ Wait, she definitely said she's not going to talk about it! ]

So now that you're awake, what are you planning on doing?

Only that you need to train more, even on an island vacation.

[Since no convenient gaps will be happening, Yukari at least leaves Reimu's horizons at that, for now. That's a fair trade.]

Well, I might have to go take a glance at that for myself.

[She opens her fan, letting it flutter in front of her face as she muses. The way things are going, she could probably get Reimu to release all the details eventually, but she's curious and, as Reimu said, already awake.]

As long as it's not... both at the same time. I think I'd rather keep out of this, if it's gone so far.

I started to! [ Except, without divine protection, she's pretty damn useless. ] I run and do exercises every day.. [ For now.. ]

You can't. [ Reimu seems very stern on this. ] Even your powers aren't any use there. [ Not mentioning how much despair that brought the miko when she realized Yukari couldn't come to save her. And she's still mad at Yukari for that, however unfair that may be. ]

...Hm. Should I be glad to hear that you've found some motivation?

[On one hand, finally. One the other, just how bad do things have to get to force Reimu into regular physical training?

Yukari is one of the few people who would want an answer to that.]

My abilities are not all that I have. I might not be able to get there through the usual means, but... We're both here, aren't we?

[ So far she hasn't died, but being without an ounce of her protection or her power has left her a little unsure of herself for her first time in her life. ]

I'm always motivated..

[ Motivated to drink tea and sweep, and do no real work. ]

..Don't get my promises you can't keep, Yukari. [ Because she's already cried when she found out Yukari couldn't save her. ]

Edited 2013-08-24 02:41 (UTC)

Promises, what promises? That was a simple statement.

[She might have been willing to let this rest, but frankly, it's rare to see Reimu being so earnest.

Frustrated, yes. Willing to punch something to make it behave, yes, and the elder youkai can approve of such straightforward tactics despite all her machinations. But this is new, and Yukari does care, if only because the miko of the Hakurei Barrier isn't to be trifled with.]

If it concerns you that much... Maybe I gave up that previous line of questioning too soon. Just what has been going on this island of yours?

[ Of course, Reimu still herself deep down. Anyone who knows her knows that it's near impossible to actually get a real change out of Reimu. But forced into a situation filled with despair and tossing in plenty of uselessness...she's had to rethink some things. ]

I'm running a shrine dedicated to Amaterasu-ōmikami. I do nothing but fight with Marisa. I tried to fight someone and got humiliated. Mokou beat me up. I'm getting fat.

[ She can go on, but it's a lot of things that's making her not so happy sometimes. But she's still herself. She sits around drinking tea, begs for donations, and generally has little idea what's going on around her. ]

So it sounds like Marisa is the one getting the most out of this. Both married and having her spats with someone else...

[She says this with both a straight face and a perfectly serious tone.]

I will give you this: it doesn't sound like much of a vacation. It seems that Gensokyo's peace is an uncommon treasure among the worlds. You've been through quite a bit. Well, better you than me, isn't it?

[Don't mind her, she's just testing out a few old buttons. Despite what she said earlier, it's easy to forget that no matter how fleeting they are, humans are also stubborn. Though in Yukari's eyes, they're essentially helpless no matter what their surroundings in any situation, so maybe she shouldn't be so surprised no matter what Reimu has been through.]

[ Marisa ended up doing plenty of crying on her own end over Reimu's selfish actions. They might almost be even, but that isn't making their friendship any stronger.. ]

Marisa is...I thought we weren't talking about her?

[ And yet they keep coming back to the same topic. Reimu glares a bit at Yukari, thinking it has to be some sort of gap youkai trick, and not just a combination of Yukari's warm voice and Reimu's loudmouth. ]

I'd rather deal with a thousand Miko's and Byakuren's than be on that island.

I'll trade places with you if you want.

I didn't promise anything, remember?

[Yukari does keep an eye on Marisa - well, she keeps at least three eyes on everything, but Marisa more than some others, if only because not many humans can blow things up so efficiently.

That, however, is just something to keep Reimu from getting too comfortable while she pieces things together. If nothing else, the girl does seem to need a reminder of who is in control. However informal and lazy that control might be.]

It's a shame, but it doesn't sound like there'd be much in it for me...

[ One can only hope that Yukari keeps a watchful eye or four on nuclear reactor in the Underworld too. ]

I wouldn't trust your promises anyway.

[ Harsh, but Reimu's not exactly in the best of moods. ...Not that it takes a bad mood for her to lash out at people. ]

You're the one who said she wanted to see what it was like.

[How wise of Reimu. Maybe she is learning, after all.]

Hm, I'm hurt...

[No, not really. It doesn't faze Yukari, whatever the reason behind it, and she's mostly amused, given that Reimu's behavior is... just about normal. It seems that there was no cause for concern to begin with, but Reimu doesn't need to know what Yukari has been prodding for.]

It might be fun to take a peek, that's all. Trading places with you? I think I'll let you solve your own problems this time.

[There's no malice in that statement, but there isn't any kindness, either.]

[ Reimu? Learning? That doesn't seem to likely.

Even though she lashes out sometimes, Reimu thinks highly of Yukari. She thinks the gap youkai to be the strongest woman in all of Gensokyo, and when she found herself stuck on an island where death was a very real possibility, the first thing she thought was that Yukari would help her. ]

I always solve my own problems. And your problems too, you know.

[ Though, it's not like she really knows Yukari's extent of influence on any of the Incidents that occur. ]

...If you did show up, I'd let you stay at my shrine...if you needed it.

Of course. Generosity is only fitting for a shrine maiden.

[True, if a bit to the side of the point, especially now. Whether or not Yukari would take Reimu up on that offer would simply depend on the advantages, or lack thereof. It would be tricky, and more for the girl. Yukari likes to keep details to herself, and she wouldn't have qualms about arranging the space to suit her needs.]

That's why you're such a good problem solver. Always helping out others from the goodness of your heart.

[ Even Reimu knows that Yukari is poking fun at her, about that generosity comment. Reimu knows she's not quite generous all the time.

And she knows that offering anything to Yukari is practically giving the woman the go ahead to changed everything and anything. Giving Yukari an inch means she takes the whole world, declares it hers, and charges admission. Or something. ]

If you're going to make jokes about it then I won't let you have anything!

[No, that's exactly right, and an important part of her image. At the least, she wishes to be known as someone who can take control on such a grand level.

It's just no fun when Reimu calls her on her remarks, though. She sighs, pointedly exaggerating even the short sound.]

I was only trying to cheer you up, Reimu.

[That might be as much as half-true. Maybe.]

Whatever it is that gives you the ability to resolve things, be sure you don't let it go to waste.

[ Someone who can declare war on the Moon. Even if it turns out there's no real battles.

Despite thinking of Yukari as this near omnipotent entity, Reimu doesn't make any attempts to actually show any respect to her though. ]

If you're trying to cheer me up that makes me think you want something from me. What is it this time?

[ Yukari always has plans, and schemes, she knows that the woman must have something on her mind, though she will likely say she doesn't. ]

Of course I won't. That's why I sleep so much, so I can be plenty rested if something happens.

Hmm, what do I want from you? Nothing.

[She doesn't have to want anything, when she knows she can just take it.

...Not that this stops her from wanting things. From Reimu, though, she mostly needs the shrine maiden available for her duties. Yukari might be almost omnipotent, but part of the "almost" is the delicate arrangements that keep Gensokyo running smoothly, and Reimu's role in that is greater than she knows. To that end:]

I don't need to mention the consequences of sleeping while something happens, do I?

[To say that this is the pot calling the kettle black might be the greatest understatement in Yukari's lifetime.]

[ Reimu knows that Yukari can have whatever she wants. She just needs to open a gap and suddenly she could have an entire feast in front of her, or a billion yen. But there's one thing she can't have (or Reimu thinks anyway). Yukari can't just take people. She actually has to do work to convince Reimu to do something. ]

...You don't get to lecture me on sleeping.

R[ eimu knows full well how hard it can be to actually get in contact with Yukari when she's asleep. Instead she gets Ran, who keeps telling her that her Mistress will not wake. ]

Besides, if anything happens during the daikan, I refuse to help. [ That being the coldest part of the year. ]