FOREST OF MAGIC - SELECTION 2: [Post-Selection map screen Blurb 2] Marisa was still nice enough to take me back to the Village herself when all was said and done. Maybe it wouldn't be the worst idea in the world to give her my regards for that... [Fade to black] [1.2.0 - Forest of Magic, Wooded Thickets, afternoon] It's a good thing the weather's been nice enough for this, I couldn't imagine how doomed I'd be if I got caught in some kind of downpour here but I'll take a mild breeze over that much any day. My second time through the Forest of Magic doesn't feel nearly as harrowing, though my trek through its many interconnected pathways doesn't feel any less winding either. If it was nighttime, some of these dead ends could easily wind up as someone's downfall. Or a perfect hunting spot depending on the race in-question. It's probably a much different story for the people and creatures that live around here though anyways. Makes me wonder how long it'd take to get used to these conditions, running through all this could very easily be a nightmare either way. There have to be some people in the Village that'd have enough in them to try a life here for themselves, if they didn't know any better, but it's not as if there's some huge pressure for Villagers to start setting off to settle in one of the most notorious Youkai hotspots in Gensokyo. That would require the kind of change a valley like this surely hasn't seen in generations and I somewhat doubt it's a change many would be scrambling for either way. There might even be more fools like me out & about if that was the case. Still, the sights are as refreshing as ever but I'm traveling with a bit more purpose more than anything else this time as well. In spite of the obvious labors still involved, it does feel good to be out with proper intention. And enough water. It's gotten easier to understand the kind of general landmarks one might be after in a place like this now that I've had some much-needed experience, as well as how others could be living here in their own ways, but that's not what's important right now. Right now, all I'm after is returning some simple hospitality to an Ordinary Magician that was at least kind enough to help me out a little. It was pretty simple to roughly judge where it must've been from the last time I was here, with my hunch only confirmed as I happen upon the sign I've been looking for. Didn't even take me a full hour to get to this time either. The Kirisame Magic Shop was only about 1200 shaku away, though it had to be a miracle that a simple wooden sign like this was still standing in these conditions. I take a moment to refresh myself before continuing onwards. Shouldn't be long now. It's been a good few years since I've felt inclined to pay back any perceived dues towards anyone in particular, a trait I assumed I'd somewhat grown out of by now, but something about Marisa Kirisame felt different to me. The time between this visit and the last has only allowed me to look back on that day more & more. It's the little details that keep circling through my mind, the signs that a girl like her has much more going on than she'd might enjoy letting on. Most of the time anyways. Sure, she lives as honestly to herself as she can, but everyone has something they keep to themselves. That isn't to say Marisa felt sinister in any overt sense, she has been at the forefront of many an Incident after all, but it's obvious enough she has her own morals and standards to abide to compared to most other humans around. Getting to more formally visit that Magic Shop of hers wouldn't be so bad, though it'd be anyone's guess as to whether or not I could even make it that far with a trip like this. If she turns me away then that's that. I'm certainly not perfect but giving my regards at least seemed like a fairly harmless idea... at the time. ... Am I even dressed alright for this? Maybe I could've gone with something a bit more than- Ah, never mind then. Looks like I don't even have time to dwell on that right now anyways. [Fade-in; Ext. - Kirisame Magic Shop, afternoon] There's no way this could've been anything else besides someone's long-neglected estate before Marisa managed to come along. Then again, she's lasted as long as she has for a reason. Even if last time with her didn't go quite as expected, it's clear Marisa's a girl who can handle herself in her element just fine. If I do wind up shopping here eventually then I'll have to figure out what would even be in my interest before I start bumming around the place, wouldn't want a total repeat of Suzunaan. All I need to do is knock and talk. I don't need to waste time if she doesn't have any to spend and then I can move on with my day Couldn't be simpler. But why doesn't it ever feel that way when the time comes? My nerves don't need to be so worked up over something small like this... I get to the front door of the place and can nearly hear her grumbling to herself on the other side. The kind of mumbled rambling someone might make if there was something daunting to take care of that wouldn't be easy to get through. 'Will do anything'... except sort what junk is strewn around the front of the place I suppose. That sign practically looks like it's been laying on the ground for years. Maybe she's in the middle of restocking inside? Hopefully a mild intrusion won't be too unbearable. I knock only to hear a gasp of surprise and the muffled impacts of various scattered objects clattering over each other. The concealed commotion almost makes the next few moments seem like a struggle for Marisa, but her boots finally stomp themselves over just before the doorknob starts to jiggle. No turning back now! [Marisa enters] (MK:) "Welcome to the Kirisame Magic Shop! Our stock is in some mild disorder at the moment but if ya don't mind the—" (MK:) "Hey, wait a second here... don't I know ya?" (MK:) "[Anonymous], right? I ran into ya just the other day?" I wasn't expecting her to outright forget what had happened of course but the acknowledgement still leaves my throat dryer than I'd like it to be. "*ahem* Yeah, that's me. Glad you remember, hope you aren't in the middle of anything too... " A quick look behind her from where we are in the doorway erases any doubts I had of the situation and then some. Whatever order the front space might've once had has now been completely disassembled. It's not like she was tall enough to conceal much from where I'm standing anyways, especially without her broad hat on. There's a clear space in the center of the many piles where she had to have been just a second ago, complete with its own trail of scattered destruction on its way to the front door. How long has she been at this..? It's hardly even midday, she'd be lucky to have this done in one night alone! "... important?" (MK:) "No, nothin' urgent anyways. Need somethin' from me then?" (MK:) "If yer buyin' then you've finally decided to start shoppin' at the right place~!" "Actually, no. If anything, I'm only stopping by for a quick chat." (MK:) "Oh. Really thought I'd finally get a decent customer today, so much for that." "Look, I really won't take up much time. I just wanted to thank you in person is all." (MK:) "Thank me? All the way out here just for somethin' like that?" A shrug is all I can offer her in return. I have the free time for it and this is how I'm gonna use it if I'd like. (MK:) "And what exactly would ya be thankin' me for then?" "For taking me home the way you did mostly, and being so tolerant of a near stranger despite the risks I guess. This whole 'wandering' business isn't exactly common stuff for me and running into you was as much of a surprise as it could've been." (MK:) "Fair enough I s'pose. Better than you comin' out so far just t'grovel." (MK:) "It's really no problem, not like it would've been totally fair a'me t'leave ya for dead or completely on yer own, but this is still an extra leap ya didn't have t'take." (MK:) "Ya really had nothin' better t'do with yerself on a day like this?" "Maybe not... but I didn't want to keep lingering on delivering such a message either. Face-to-face communication in moments like this is important." When I have the capacity for it anyways... (MK:) "I get where yer comin' from , just seems a tad... ehh, what's the word... " (MK:) "Unorthodox! That's the ticket, but maybe that's somethin' I should be expecting more outta ya from now on. Heh." I glance off to the side and falter a bit on impulse. It's one thing to be the one making those kinds of decisions yet it never gets easier to hear that reality echoed from someone else... "It's just fortunate of me to have made it back to the Village in one piece is all, thanks to you. As long as that's understood then that's enough for me. I got here on my own safely enough, I should be able to make it back unscathed. I won't keep you from your organization day." (MK:) "Now hold on just a second here." Guess she didn't even want to bother waiting for me to turn around this time. I continue standing at the door while she seems to carefully consider what to say next to herself, or maybe if it was even a good idea to verbalize whatever she had in-mind. Either way, the way she fidgets with the door on its hinge while she thinks is honestly pretty cute. (MK:) "If ya ain't here t'buy, then I can at least make this trip a'yers more worthwhile overall. For the both'a us anyhow." (MK:) "Care t'step inside, Field Boy~?" 'Field Boy'? If that was coming from anyone else besides Marisa... "Sure, but only if you promise never to call me that again." She snickers as she finally properly gestures me inside. My first time inside her house... [Fade-in; Int. - Kirisame Magic Shop (messy), afternoon] and it somehow seems even worse in here than I would've figured out there. All things considered, it was still a fairly nice house under the clutter and age. The layout wasn't sprawling but it had no reason to be, just a cozy getaway home to relax in an otherwise 'normal' forest. It'd just been broken in by a Witch over the past few years, that's all. What a busy Witch Marisa apparently was too. There's enough study material in here to last someone a lifetime! Not to mention the multicolored bottles haphazardly strewn everywhere amongst incidental merchandise, if some of this stuff was even for sale to begin with. I'd hesitate to doubt the availability of these trinkets but, considering their state and the lack of enough proper shelving, it's nearly impossible to tell where the wares begin and where her personal belongings end. (MK:) "So, what do ya think 'a the place? Everything you could imagine 'n more I assume?" "Yeah, that's one way to put it... all of this is what you're usually selling then?" (MK:) "Tonics, ales, potions, artifacts, grimoires, anything leather-bound and... 'gently-used' goods. That's what we deal with here at the Kirisame Magic Shop. We also offer several more personalized services on a case-by-case basis." "You keep saying 'we' but it sort of feels like you're really the only one working here in the end." (MK:) "Ehehe, right... about that. Well, y'see, uhh... " She scratches her head in what I'm assuming is an attempt to find any sort of presentable justification for her situation, a predicament I've been all too familiar with in my own past. Even still, her dedication to what she's doing seems to make up for more than enough of those solitude-related shortcomings. (MK:) "Alright big guy, ya got me. I'm the sole proprietor of the place an' honestly almost never get anyone actually willin' t'walk themselves up t'the front door." (MK:) "Just though I'd try 'n take care 'a some organizin' before goin' out t'look for my next big break but, lucky for me, the big break actually sought /me/ out for once!" "I'm assuming that's where I come into this then?" (MK:) "Right on the money. Here's the sitch [Anonymous]: you're clearly prone t'holdin' yerself as the helpful sort so I've got a proposition that'll really get some good use outta that effort." (MK:) "If you're up for it then these wares 'a mine ain't exactly the bewitched kind that know what t'do with themselves. They all have their own places t'go 'round here and they ain't gonna up 'n put themselves in those places on their own. Get what I'm sayin' here?" Housework? Is Marisa honestly telling me that she wants a helping hand with all this after last time? "You're asking me for some free labor then?" (MK:) "See? I knew ya'd turn out t'be clever enough t'understand! A few hours workin' in this room alone would save me what'd otherwise be a weeks worth 'a organizin' on my own." Between her own various forms of procrastination as well I'd assume. (MK:) "Plus, as a special bonus on the part 'a the store, I'll be offerin' ya an exclusive deal for yer trouble!" (MK:) "One free voucher for one free future job request 'a yer own choosin'! If it's within my wheelhouse then it's somethin' I can get done for ya." (MK:) "So, what'dya think, huh? Some simple sortin' for a guaranteed future favor?" Scanning the front space once again, it was pretty obvious that this would take more than a few simple hours even with the both of us working as diligently as possible. But it was still theoretically doable in the end. If the both of us could specialize with a specific category of objects then maybe it wouldn't be so bad, I've come this far and things couldn't turn out much worse than last time. Right? As long as we could figure out how to divvy this up fairly right away, things ought to work themselves out. It's not like it'd be that great of me to come up with some excuse on the fly to avoid this anyways... "Hmmmm... well... " (MK:) "Yeah..? I ain't hearin' a no!" [choice 1.2.1]: Start by leafing through her many books. [choice 1.2.2]: Start by sorting through her many bottles. [1.2.1] "Don't worry, I wasn't planning on denying the offer. How about this then: I can start with your books while you start with everything you've brewed, then we can go from there?" A light flashed over her eyes and it almost seemed like she stopped holding her breath before Marisa clapped her hands together in satisfaction. I nearly expect a handshake to follow but figure she's the kind to stick to her word in moments like this. Hopefully. (MK:) "Sounds great! I'll get that voucher for ya later, for now let's start with tallyin' 'em all up. Some 'a these may not be, eheh, 'ready for display' for a while... " "Right... but you don't even have enough shelving for all this either. Where are half of these piles supposed to wind up in the end?" (MK:) "Eh, that table in front of the window'll do. Otherwise just group 'em and that oughtta be enough for now." Well, at least that'll be something she won't have to tell me twice. Though I am starting to think whatever she has in mind will be more for the benefit of herself rather than the customers in the end. It's not like she has anyone around to object or stop her either way, and I'm not about to start openly criticizing the home of an acquaintance when I've just agreed to help. I watch as Marisa walks over to a hutch quite literally overflowing with papers, bottles scattered around & on top alike. Some of them appeared to be simply empty while others could've been freshly corked this morning as far as I'm aware. There really isn't a good start or end to all these disorganized tomes so I take the simple option of sitting myself down where Marisa had been before I arrived. There wasn't really any order to these books either, makes me wonder how long she'd been doing nothing but sitting here and wracking her brain over how long this might take. From here I can also notice her hat tossed off to the side on the floor a small ways away, likely thrown off as soon as she was done deconstructing all this. I guess that was her way of finally getting serious. Even with our height difference, the piles still come up to my shoulders with practically no two books being the same. Some are fairly straight-forward with title & author on the cover while others are only adorned with eccentric designs on their spines. Doing this right is going to require opening most, if not, all of these up and then going from there. Guess I should get started, Marisa's wordless clinking and clacking of the bottles nearby tells me I don't need to be hesitating. I just start from the top and slowly work my way down from there, gradually forming my own stacks around me while making sure I'm not just trapping myself in the middle of the floor either. As time goes by I find Marisa occasionally gauging my opinion on the look & feel of certain objects or configurations, not immediately realizing I had yet another advantage in this moment from her side of things: an outsider's point of view. It's clear she's gotten plenty used to having this space to herself but, if more legitimate customers are really going to start passing through any time soon, the time to get the jump on this would be now. I even had to do a smell test on a series of her own tonics to see if they were "still good", though ended up needing to tell her to stop when one that had clearly spoiled made me dizzy. "So how many of these books here are your own? Handwritten by you I mean." (MK:) "Gooood question. Some 'a the Grimoires 'n other hardcover journals are by my own hand for sure but others are... borrowed." "Borrowed..?" (MK:) "Yeah, borrowed from lotsa other places! They're mine now anyways, no use dwellin' much on where exactly they're from." "Right... " Something else I've come to notice is just how many of these books seem to have the insignia of other private publishers or are singular parts to a larger series that must exist within a collection elsewhere. Some of them even have 'return by' dates that are clearly well beyond the point of simple neglect. A stack of mine that doesn't seem to stop increasing is one I'm sorting via an emblem I'm at least 90% sure originates from the Mansion off the shore of the Lake. The different handwriting styles of some of these margin notes, combined with the assortment of miscellaneous objects Marisa doesn't seem too keen on touching right now, is beginning to paint a much clearer picture over the kinds of activities a girl with Miss Kirisame's capabilities might be getting up to in her spare time. The Village certainly wouldn't be the best place for fingers this sticky to roam freely. I'm sure that made the commitment out here much easier for her. Eh, maybe I shouldn't be too harsh about it. If she's been getting away with that sort of thing this much then she must be doing something right I clearly wouldn't know. She'd need to have some kind of inner limit for herself on this, right? She gives me a side-eyed glance after catching me lingering over the state of the Mansion books before doing her best to cast away any suspicion or confusion. (MK:) "Most'a those are gonna end up goin' back in my private hoard anyways so just keep settin' 'em off t'the side like that. Great work so far~!" Figures as much. Even Magicians need some kind of hobby and this sort of behavior can't be any kind of surprise to her friends. [Fade-in; Int. - Kirisame Magic Shop, evening] The hours continue to pass before I've finally made a clear walkway from the entrance to the back area, most of the book piles now being sorted stacks Marisa had me divvy up between certain areas. She seems to have finally taken care of most of the bottles as well, many of the spares now hanging around what I assume to be her kitchen while some of her more fantastical concoctions have been placed for display amongst the books. Her random assorted goods, from plants to old antiques alike, have practically remained where they were to begin with but apparently that isn't as much of a problem as I might think. (MK:) "Only a few of those piles weren't there before I started, ya don't gotta worry about 'em." "You really do have your own system for this, huh?" (MK:) "'Course I do! I know exactly where t'find something if I need it and it's all in the best spots they could possibly be in... mostly." (MK:) "Look how much nicer things are now though! Those stacks could easily go into that shelf in the corner or neatly displayed elsewhere, the rest shouldn't take me much time at all." "So you're saying we're essentially done for now? Already?" (MK:) "What'dya mean 'already'? We've been at this for hours! That's still faster than this usually goes for me though so it really isn't much t'worry about." (MK:) "I say it's just about breaktime for us hard workers, eh? I'll make us some tea." "Sure. Something plain but refreshing would be nice." (MK:) "Got it~! Feel free t'sit where ya can, I shouldn't be long." I rise from my spot on the floor for the first time this evening and pull up one of the wicker chairs she has to soothe the aches peppering my back. It really isn't much compared to a busy day out in the fields but work is still work after all. That being said, work with a girl like Marisa was actually enjoyable compared to any work I usually do alone. I may not know exactly how much of what I've sorted is even rightfully hers in the end but I was able to help her out all the same. It makes the way she happily walks around with satisfaction after the tea is finished that much more endearing, like she's glad to celebrate over some properly-earned leisure for a change. (MK:) "Here's yer glass [Anonymous], hope some simple matcha tea will be enough t'tide ya over." (MK:) "It's still plenty hot, so be careful! We've come this far without an accident after all." "Thanks Marisa, just happy to have been of decent service." (MK:) "Y'know, we don't have t'always be this professional with each other either. If you're the kinda guy I'll be able t'recognize when I see him from here on then it'd be nice t'have what we got feel less... conditional? Does that make sense?" "It does, don't worry. Got any plans for your newfound free time then?" (MK:) "Well, it was something I was plannin' on gettin' myself to anyways but there is that Flower Viewin' comin' up at the Shrine pretty soon. Heard'a it?" "You could say that, *sip* but I'm honestly not one to usually bring myself to those sorts of big events." (MK:) "Ah, not really much of a social butterfly in general then now are ya?" She wouldn't even know the half of it, doesn't exactly feel like the right time for too much chatter over that however. "Let's just put it this way: there's a reason I've only recently decided to start getting myself out there more often." (MK:) "I getchya, as long as ya aren't forcin' yerself too hard I suppose. It's good that you're such a hard worker but ya can't neglect yerself on top 'a that either." (MK:) "Ya may not be the most 'out-there' kinda guy but it'd be shame if somethin' bad happened t'ya all the same." "You really think so?" (MK:) "Well sure I guess, I dunno. It's not like you're some hoodlum in need of a lesson. If unwarranted criticism's what you're after then ya might as well head up t'the Shrine now and cause a fuss without leavin' yer donation first." I laugh at the idea that such a close friend to the Hakurei Maiden feels so comfortable talking about her like this. Maybe hanging around the both of them every so often wouldn't be the worst thing in the world... This is nice... with the shadows growing longer and more of the interior being exposed after our work, the true comfort of a home like Marisa's is seriously beginning to shine through. All the better that I'm able to share the fruits of our labor with her. Could've sworn I saw her blushing to herself just a second ago though. She just... cares about my safety, that's all. I would too if I was in her position. It's a normal reaction. No need for me to overthink things either... "So, what are you planning for yourself with the Flower Viewing anyways?" (MK:) "Y'know, I'm not actually too sure yet. There'll be plenty 'a folk peddlin' their usual such 'n such so I'll be sure t'get a good look over that." (MK:) "Reimu might have her hands full as one of the organizers but I'll see if I can't catch up with her side 'a things. Lotsa others are already makin' plans for it too, plenty of potential there." "Nearly seems like a Gensokyo-wide event from where I'm standing." (MK:) "You'd think it essentially would be but it's not like there's invitations for the thing. Plus, some people might have somethin' better to do after all." (MK:) "What about you? Got anythin' better to do yourself by then?" "... don't think I'm so sure about that either honestly." Am I really going to force myself to find someone to go with in the end? What's really stopping me from up and going on my own? Maybe it wouldn't be too terrible, as long as there were more people like Marisa there. "Then again... I didn't have much planned for today either but here I am." The sound of both of us laughing together is also something else I could get used to. (MK:) "Guess we'll be findin' out eventually." (MK:) "Wanna get some fresh air for a second or two? The tea would be pretty nice in this weather." "Sounds like a plan." If it really has been hours of this then I'd probably need to get going soon anyways. I'm right behind Marisa as she leads the way back out into her front lawn... But not before stumbling slightly over an uneven space in the floorboards. She saves herself from falling completely over and simply brushes herself off with a smirk before we depart. [1.2.2] "And you aren't going to hear one either. If we're going to handle this in chunks then I might as well take care of the important categories first and sort everything you have in bottles." Marisa seems somewhat surprised for a moment but it doesn't take long for her to recollect herself. She sighs before raising her fists up to her sides in affirmation. (MK:) "Alright, just make sure you're clear of the books for the most part then. That's what I was in the middle 'a figurin' out when ya came over and there ain't exactly an easy way t'get through them all quickly, I'll have t'take care 'a that voucher for ya sometime later too." "Anything I should know about everything you've brewed here then before I start handling things? There's some empty racks in your kitchen I can see from here, is that where they should be headed?" I pick up a nearby small glass tube no bigger than a pair of glasses. It clinks in my hand as I watch its brightly-colored contents fizz from within, a single cork being the only thing preventing outside exposure. (MK:) "Just be sure t'be careful with all that glass is all, those stoppers oughta make 'em as secure as they'd need t'be but the bottles could still be fragile as ever." (MK:) "Any empty ones just lyin' around do belong on those racks while the filled bottles'll mostly take up space in places up front. I'll be able t'help ya out from there while I catch up with the rest 'a this." A quick nod in response and I'm off to collect as many unfilled glass objects as I can find. Containers big and small seem to be splayed across every available surface out here, with more empty bottles than otherwise adding to the clutter. They're all incredibly smooth to the touch and aren't hard to carry over to where they need to be, each space or slot amongst the racks specifically crafted to hold each & every style of glassware. There's enough of the bottles around to get a good rhythm going after a short while. Meanwhile, it seems like Marisa has taken to gradually sorting the bigger, lumpier piles into neater small piles around her. It almost looks like she's building little mountains around herself, but going through each one's contents until you're sure of exactly where it'd end up seems to be a necessary part of the process. Figures she'd get hung up on the specifics with that much material to work with. Almost leaves me thankful over how simple the potion organizing seemed by comparison. Until she specifies otherwise, I've taken a fairly straight-forward approach and begun to organize the bottles by color. Warmer tones separate from the cooler shades and similar sizes together if I can help it. She does eventually mention that a small series of the tonics I've handled technically need to be checked before they'll be ready for use again, but that's apparently something she's fine with taking care of later. There isn't much shared between us besides the occasional instruction between extended periods of pages flipping and glass clinking against itself. It's probably for the best considering the focus I need here anyways, some of these bottles are pretty awkward in shape or even a little heavy depending on how much they're holding. Eventually I uncover a wide assortment of cone-shaped bottles emitting the colors of spring from behind a few thinner books bound in deep red velvet, the pile nearly spilling off the dresser that held it if it weren't for one of my hands blocking the onslaught. (MK:) "Oh, hey! Could ya actually send those books there over my way when ya can? Gotta make sure those ones are set aside from the rest." "Let me just... hold on." I make sure to keep one hand where it needs to be to protect the bottles while the other stretches over to Marisa as best as it can before she snatches away what I'm holding. Those books are immediately tossed in a pile much larger than the others filled with a wide variety of different hardcovers. The theme of that pile doesn't exactly seem obvious but apparently whatever expression I'm making is enough to get Marisa to try explaining herself. (MK:) "Those books aren't... well, they're mine /now/ but... " "They weren't at some point?" I start carefully clutching as many of the cone bottles as I can while still making sure the pile of them doesn't simply tumble over itself. I might be able to manage this in only two trips if I play my cards right. (MK:) "No, technically not.. all of 'em. I have my sources over where t'best get what I need and I'm good at gettin' just that!" (MK:) "I have t'think for myself out here more than anythin' else 'n sometimes that means takin' what I can, ya know? Other people have plenty more books than me anyways, what's the big deal if I hold on t'some I like... " "Just wondering... " If I was being completely honest with myself here, this whole operation of Marisa's already seemed shady enough without the prospect of it being a hotspot for stolen goods. Especially entire texts that seem invaluable to any magician worth their salt. And yet, here they all were. Tossed around like gathering them was just that frequent & casual for her. What a racket, the best ones for yourself while the leftovers are treated as the main course. I begin my slow walk across the space with a precarious pile of most of the bottles swaddled in both arms, curious over how exactly Marisa goes about getting her hands on these items so often. The filled glasses clink with each step I take as I notice Marisa looking over margin notes and loose papers alike all adorned with handwriting that clearly wasn't her own. Some of the text wasn't even in Japanese! Maybe it wouldn't hurt to try getting a closer look myself while I'm passing by... (MK:) "Hey, I said careful when you're handlin' that much glass!" "I know, I know. I'd just like to see the state of some of these 'borrowed' texts is all." The floorboards feel a bit uneven here now that I think about it. Maybe it's from the weight of all the items lying around still. (MK:) "What business is it t'you? You're the one that wanted t'leave 'em in my hands, keep yer eyes on the bottles!" "Well could you blame me for wanting to express a little- o-oh jeez... " The board I'm standing on happens to partially give way on one if it's corners, creating a slant my current stance isn't exactly conducive towards handling very well. Marisa immediately readies herself from her spot on the floor but isn't able to stand right away due to the books on her lap. (MK:) "Watch it! Some'a those might be corrosive if they end up cracked open...!" "Corrosive?! I-I- oh..!" (MK:) "[Anonymous!] Look out for those-" She isn't even able to finish speaking before an errant step causes the last of my footing to give, knees smacking against the planks below as the momentum rocks my current armfuls forward enough to send nearly all of them crashing down. (MK:) "... books." One particularly full bottle shatters quite spectacularly on the corner of a thick encyclopedia resting on the floor among a few smaller books, other bottles falling without a care and earning themselves decently-sized cracks or chunks chipped off that spoil what integrity they once had. I'm up before the soft blues, greens and yellows have much time to stain my own clothes. The shattered glass won't be too difficult to take care of but the multicolored liquids now pooling together on the floor and soaking through the wood is a different story. Pages to floor-bound books are drenched together in the time it takes me to set down what little I didn't just fumble into oblivion, panic starting to well up inside as I notice fumes and a consistent hissing noise begin to arise from several of the effected book covers. (MK:) "Damnit, those are one of a kind! I don't have time for this today, now I gotta worry about replacin' those bottles an' I didn't even get a chance t'test those out before ya just... " She takes a deep breath before continuing to speak. (MK:) "Okay, okay, no need t'get worked up so soon, just... take that bucket near the door 'n run back towards the stream near my house." (MK:) "Don't come back 'til ya got a full bucket 'a water. I need t'get some 'a these books off the ground faster than I figured..." "Got it." I'm halfway out the door when I nearly try and utter a decent apology of some kind, but figure it'd be best to hold off on it. Marisa would probably tell me to save it for later anyways... The next hour or so is spent with trip after trip back to the stream to dilute Marisa's various concoctions to the point of stopping them from eating through the floorboards as well. Water pours over the mixture, drips through the planks, repeat until the mess is rinsed enough to be taken care of using simple worn towels. Judging from how quickly Marisa seems to prep the area and get the right supplies together after my first run to the stream, this clearly isn't the first time she's had to deal with a mess of this caliber. That doesn't make the reality of this any less bitter to take however, especially when it's clear a good portion of the books caught in the splash are now irreversibly damaged with plenty of unseen information within lost to waterlogging. I'm helping Marisa wipe everything in the area down while looking out for shards of glass when I decide to pick up one of the effected books, it's cover slowly falling off in chunks like a soggy piece of bread as Marisa looks on with unconcealable disappointment. (MK:) "When we get done with this, just... make sure t'handle the bottles only one or two at a time. Alright?" "Duly noted, it won't happen again." (MK:) "Not like it ever does..." It'd be rude to start a bickering contest between the two of us when we're still only halfway through all the items here, so I figure the best thing to do would be to cut the chit-chat and focus on what I need to at a much slower pace. The rest of our time taking care of things together goes smoothly and steadily, but with very little extra fanfare as the state of the entryway continues to progress. I keep what bottles remain on any raised and flat surface not being taken up by anything else, giving them plenty of space and security while Marisa continues breaking down piles until nearly every book around has been properly handled. [Fade-in; Int. - Kirisame Magic Shop, evening] The trashed books were set off to the side away from most of the goods to be taken care of later with the other rubbish Marisa already had to worry over. It may have taken most of the day to get through but our efforts seemed to have finally reached a point of paying off. Marisa's various sorted book piles partially circled where she'd been sitting for most of this time as the girl was lying down on her back trying to catch her breath now that the worst of it was over. "Need help getting back up?" (MK:) "No, no, I... I'm fine where I am. Just gotta get up 'n fix myself some tea as soon as I stop achin' here... " "Just let me know if you need anything else then." (MK:) "Some fresh air when I have a second for it oughta be nice. Let's see if I can't just... hup!" She's able to raise her torso off the floor gracefully enough but takes her time moving from her knees to a standing position with a mild amount of struggle. It's practically like I'm the only one taking in the satisfaction of how much better the room looks compared to when we started with the way Marisa slumps herself over to her tea cabinets and starts putting some water to boil but I suppose I can't blame her. When you're already tense, it can be easy to let even a simple slip up feel that much more impactful or ever-lasting. Those wrecked books probably weren't easy to come by either, I can't even begin to speculate on how to make paying her back worth her time in the face of this. I resign to taking a seat on a nearby empty chair to better catch my own breath while the girl works away at prepping her own drink. Guess it won't be much longer before my work really is done here for the day. I don't even know what to say with how heavy the atmosphere has been since that mishap, leaning back with my eyes closed as I let the soft sounds of Marisa working away fill my ears and self-reflection fill my thoughts. (MK:) "Hey, [Anonymous], listen... " I open my eyes again and Marisa's leaning against the wall across from me, tea in-hand as she at least seems a lot calmer. (MK:) "That may not've been the best move ya coulda pulled back there but we still got things done. It might... take me a little while t'get over those books but just... " (MK:) "Don't hold it against yerself too harshly, huh? *sip* We still got through the important bits after all, didn't we?" "Yeah, it's just something I need to learn from in the end. Hope the help still ended up worth it." (MK:) "Eh, don't worry about the nitty-gritty of it right now. Feel like joinin' me outside for a little while at least?" "Why not. After you then." We both get up with a huff and brace ourselves for some fresh air after organizing for so long. Figure I could get in a stretch or two out in the grass if nothing else before needing to leave. The loose floorboards squeak as we pass over them on our way out, tauntingly. [1.2.0 b - shared ending] [Fade-in; Ext. - Kirisame Magic Shop, evening] Unlike the rest of the Forest, it was quite easy to see the sky overhead from the clearing that was Marisa's front yard, leaving us both taken a little off guard to see how drastically the tone of the sky really had changed in the time that'd been passing. Marisa whistles to herself before taking another sip of her tea, letting the approaching shades of dusk speak for themselves as we stand together just outside the door. (MK:) "That late already, huh?" "Time flies, after all." Marisa looks down into the grass wistfully while giving my simple comment a chuckle. The evening sparrows and other birds sing against the breeze as the remaining glimmers of sunlight begin passing behind the mountains to the West. Another day mostly beyond the Village nearly under my belt... and it ended up filled with haphazard housecleaning. I'm certainly not going to start complaining over the company, so maybe I should just keep staying thankful towards being around a girl like Marisa in a time like this. I made it in & out of the house of someone I've been newly acquainted with, that much alone is enough to celebrate in my book. (MK:) "Hey, by the way... you're welcome. I appreciate the ways you've tried to help me out too, genuinely, so thanks for that" "Of course, I'm just as thankful to have the chance at all. It's nice getting to know you better, Marisa." (MK:) "Appreciate ya sayin' as much [Anonymous]. Need another lift home? Hope ya don't mind if I finish my tea first." "Go right ahead, I'll just get my bearings back together in the meantime." (MK:) "As long as ya stay where I can see ya!" [Marisa leaves] A quick stretch and it doesn't take long at all to sit myself down in the grass just beside the walkway to the house. It may not have been the most daring day I could've spent during this time, but it still proved to be plenty eventful all the same. Marisa is starting to get used to me and I haven't been turned away yet, that has to say more than enough over how I've been doing so far. Maybe one of these days we really could spend more leisure time together not needing to worry over much besides how the other person has been doing. If I can keep myself together for long enough then that eventuality may end up being a lot closer than I'd think. A few more minutes of resting out front and I hear Marisa yell from inside that she'll be back out & ready in just a second. The view from that high up is certainly another facet to this I'll never get used to, in the best of ways of course. [Fade to black] [Fade-in; Skies of Gensokyo, evening] [Marisa enters] (MK:) "...and what end of the Village didjya say yer house was again?" "The northeast side, not far from the Temple School. Even dropping me off anywhere in that district would be enough." (MK:) "If ya say so, we'll be down inna jiffy then!" If only flying around like this on a regular basis was a convenience I could even dream of attaining in my lifetime. The Village seems so sprawling from above yet nearly as awe-inspiring as the landscape that surrounds it. To think I've spent nearly my entire life cooped up in those walls to be freely soaring this high above them now... [Fade-in; Human Village, Local Streets, morning] I hop off onto a nearby street corner while Marisa remains hovering nearby to the surprise of a few disparate onlookers, but that sort of thing isn't what matters right now. "Appreciate the lift Marisa, you take care of yourself tonight." (MK:) "See ya around [Anonymous]! Oh, and one more thing for ya." She digs around in the front pocket of her dress before pulling out a thin piece of paper that nearly looks like a fortune strip of some kind. She hands it over and, upon closer inspection, it contains only a crudely drawn headshot of Marisa with I.O.U. spelled out broadly in the remaining space of the paper. (MK:) "Yer voucher I promised, good 'til I say otherwise. Just make sure t'make it worth yer while when ya finally decide to cash it back in~!" The wink she gives me is the icing on top of the gesture as I securely tuck the voucher away. I'd best heed her advice and only have it ready at an especially critical time. With a simple wave between us she's off to her Magic Shop again to no doubt finish what little there is left. Hopefully this time it'll be enough to last her until her next lucky client. [Marisa leaves] Seems what few passers-by that bothered to look in our direction have already turned back to focus on what they were doing before. It does feel a little strange to be coming off as more overtly out of the ordinary like this but it's not like I'm being some inherent public nuisance because of that. I'm sure there aren't many jealous types around here anyways. Probably. Just two simple friends looking out for each other in what little ways they can manage, nothing terribly stellar to report. Even still, it's something I can hold close to me for the rest of the night I have to spend from here. What's the harm in taking a little more time out when the sky hasn't even fully darkened yet? [Fade to black] NIGHT 2: [Fade-in; Human Village, Local Streets, night] Out here after it gets late enough, when all the candles & lamps have been snuffed until their time is needed again and most people are safely huddled inside, the stars above really get their chance to shine as brightly as they can. The lack of any major crowds always felt liberating any time I couldn't sleep or wanted to stay out for a while longer and ended up spending that time with my eyes on the heavens above. There's been reports of strange or mysterious goings-on taking place in these streets at night for as long as I remember, but I've honestly always been able to get through these little treks without coming across anything unusual. Sometimes disappointingly so, even. Maybe my wandering is too entertaining to be spoiled by any passive observers, but it does help to not be so cynical all the time so maybe I should just consider myself fortunate instead. Those stars have always been there to provide me with hope more than anything else, especially in my darker moments when any form of external solace seemed to be in short supply. Those many moons where I felt stuck, lost or lacking, all I had to do was look up and be reminded of all there was to behold out there. Maybe tonight isn't exactly terribly different in that respect either. Another day has gone by marked by another round of experiences I've had the pleasure of having nearly no previous practical preconceptions over, yet I'm still finding myself wondering if any of this is still... right. A Villager in my position is supposed to be focused on giving back to the community that reared him at this age, starting with the superiors in his family first and foremost before branching out that support into the local markets and such. It's certainly a common expectation if nothing else. Banding together with your fellow man and ensuring that form of livable prosperity for generations to come is supposed to be something to pride yourself on should you make it this far... ... and here I was, looking out for practically nobody besides myself as I entertain the whims of a curiosity I barely know how to handle through experience. It's not like I've turned my back on what family I still have exactly, but... Was this selfish of me? Was I really giving back as much as I ought to at this point in my life? I'm no stranger towards these sorts of doubts by now but they feel all the more visceral now that I've been making these pushes with myself. If it really is all for naught, then I can at least take some comfort in the fact that the only person I'll likely end up burning in the end is myself. However, I did just touch upon the benefits of deemphasizing cynicism... Things could be worse. I certainly didn't have as much opportunity for independent acts back then as I do now but that's always a little hard to tell until you're finally out of the environment that coddled you for so long. I may not be able to tell where this is all taking me quite yet but I'm still moving ahead, that's what matters in this moment now. If things truly do start going horribly wrong with what I'm trying then at least these stars will continue to stick around and shine for all to enjoy. That much I know to be certain... Better make sure not to absentmindedly wander into what few other groups of night owls are hanging around though. When my stargazing starts getting this introspective, it's as good of a sign as any that I should start making my way back if I can. That futon isn't going to warm itself up after all. Sometime in the future, I'm sure it'd be nice to be able to share these walks with someone close. Whoever that may turn out to be in the end. [Fade to black] DAY 3: [0.3.0 - Human Village, [Anonymous]'s House; morning] [Fade-in; Int. - Anon's House, dim lighting] My eyes slowly open to the dust dancing through what dim early-morning light is managing to sift itself through the clouds overhead. Another full night of rest thankfully enough but I seem to be a bit groggier than usual for a change. It's not as if I pride myself on having particularly strong starts to my morning as often as possible but I've at least been on a decent streak of pleasant mornings for the past few days now. Maybe it's just my body getting used to the continuous walking about & traveling I've been subjecting it to. Today will surely be no different in that regard but it's only a matter of time before I grow more consistently accustomed to this as well. Though it might do me some good to take things easier for the sake of my future self after I'm through another day of shenanigans. I still haven't seriously started reading through that wellness guide I received from Kosuzu, maybe tonight can finally be the ideal night to get going with that too. For all I know, it could have just the help to offer that I'd need in the days ahead. It'll be important to keep up a healthy attitude if I'm to expect to keep coming into more new experiences overall. There's no need to get too ahead of myself quite yet either way. For now I should just put myself together when I'm ready and get to embarking where I'd like today. I'll still have plenty of time to get to that book later, as long as it doesn't decide to go anywhere that is. The thought makes me laugh as I finally sit up to start draining the sopor from my eyes. [Fade to Map - Third Selection]