IN THE STARS ; IT IS WRITTEN.

It was curious, how the other proceeded to relay the information as though confiding a fascinating secret rather than a public terror.

A thought drifted through Muzan's mind, the irony not lost on her. This woman warned her of a murderer prowling the streets, all while standing before one who had extinguished countless lives without hesitation.

She did not make it a recurrent practice to kill in the flower district, though. Patrons —those with vast influence and more wealth than they knew what to do with, in particular— were irritating, grasping, and endlessly intolerable. But alive, they were useful. Their connections and resources, coupled with their ability to move freely under the sun, were something she had long used to her advantage. The way to gaining her attention was not through ostentatious gifts, but through the use of said connections and resources in her favor, in the form of widespread daylight searches for the flower she so strongly coveted. As such, her more fatal impulses were reserved for those occasions when necessity outweighed inconvenience: those who willingly outlived their usefulness to her, or those who, blinded by the beauty of her disguise, pressed their demands without acceptance of refusal.

Her last kill had fallen into the latter category, nights earlier. Outside the tatami rooms of the tea houses she frequented. A mere encounter on the streets that had turned deadly when the progenitor's patience had been stretched too thin. Perhaps it was that same killing this woman now referred to.

❛ Brave?  ❜ The word escaped her lips, followed by a demure lowering of her gaze. ❛ A woman who entertains must go where she is expected. It is less a matter of bravery, and more one of necessity,  ❜ she continued, her voice velvet-soft. ❛ If I were to tremble at every rumor of a monster, I would never step outside. And that simply will not do.  ❜ She tilted her head as though in thought—- hair ornaments moving faintly. Each movement was calculated and perfectly executed. Even the subtle flicker of concern was carefully fabricated. ❛ Though it is true that a yokai's haunting would be far less troubling.  ❜

She lifted her gaze, plum-red eyes returning to look at the other woman.

“Well that much I can hardly argue I suppose, one must do what work must be done after all.” Not that she personally knew much of such things. Not since her time as the bamboo-cutter's daughter had she ever need want or work for much of anything.

Eyes glanced around them then, as if to subtly invite the other to do the same, “But I implore you not sell your resolve so short. You must have noticed too, no? How tonight most women are walking by in pairs? Safety in numbers, or so they say.” Her gaze shifts back to the geisha then, a coy smile upon her lips. 

“Of course, it is as you say, I am not frightened by either possibility. Instead, I can’t help but find myself awfully curious about it all. As it stands now, with the killer unknown, and likely still at large, in my mind, two possibilities ultimately spring forth.” As naturally as she breathed her tone and mannerisms slipped into that of a storyteller, inviting the other to follow along the yard she spun. “It is either something rooted in mundanity or something fantastical; a man-eating monster or a deranged human? Until the culprit is found, and their truth confirmed, neither statement can be made false, they both exist at once. But once that truth is found, it will solidify one of those statements."

And in that statement laid her own truth for her ‘investigation’. Kaguya cared little about why or who was terrorizing the streets they wandered tonight. She knew youkai were real, just as she knew humans were capable of the very same cruelty. She herself would be considered a fantasy to most of this age after all. And as humans advanced, as their knowledge of science grew, so too faltered their belief in the very folktales they claimed to yet fear. 

How much had that scale shifted? How much of a scary story had the youkai become? Even that Land of Fantasy she had snuck away from only existed as it did now because of humanity’s lack of belief in their kind after all. 

It was this curiosity that had caught the moon princess’s interest in this moment.

"So then, free of all other concerns, which possibility would you truly hope for? To prove the existence of what some claim is just a fairytale? Or to firmly establish a gruesome, though boring, reality? The varied rumors I’ve heard all through the evening can’t help but stir up such thoughts in me.” A pause, hand now moving to gently tap her chin,

“Though in truth, I haven’t come to Edo in many years, the excitement of it all is perhaps simply clouding my better judgement.” She finished in jest, a playful giggle then following into an elegantly lifted sleeve.

It wasn't as if Koishi had intended to bother Zarina. Koishi had spotted the unfamiliar face while idly wandering through the Hakurei shrine's grounds, and the moment the impulse of interest had crossed the satori's mind, she was already finding herself trailing behind the elemental everywhere she went. For a while, Koishi was content simply observing from afar, an unknown shadow the silverette would never need to know about.

Of course, the longer she watched, the stronger Koishi's curiosity grew, and it wasn't long before whim swiftly became action.

"No wonder the red-white is happy to let you stay at her place! You're nothing like all those unruly folks she has around all the time!" Koishi chirped up from just behind Zarina, revealing her presence to the other for the first time since she began watching her that very morning.

Gensokyo is filled with weird creatures. And so many of them were specifically of a feminine appearance. Not that she was against it, but it was quite a strange observation she found herself realizing the other day. Studying Reimu's spellcards and learning more about the rule of this land have been an intriguing time spent because she didn't expect them to actually work. This world has been far more generous and gentle than the one she came from, almost a comedy compared to what she'd survived. Has it been the same outside of this fantastical land? Not that she was going to ask Reimu that since she didn't even know what a Bermuda Triangle was. Plus, being stuck in feudal Japan timeline was an experience on it own—

Speaking of experiences.

Someone's been on her tail the whole time. It's something she noticed since she arrived to this land. The way she can sense even the smallest changes in the air. The energy around speaks to her, nature itself whispers into her ears. It causes headaches so often, too often even. Golden eyes study the land around, waiting for the stranger to appear. If it was Cirno or any of the familiar fairies, they'd be already making pranks on her and she'd scold them to the moon and back, throwing them one after another outside and watch them come back like a group of kids finding a new amusement park attraction. Jokes on her.

So when a new spirit makes her appearance, Sokolova doesn't twitch or jump, instead sighing out. The intent has been there, but why do they all like to appear from behind? It must be connected to the horrors or mythologies, right? It's not like occult has been her base of interest back in her world. Some, sure, because Matthew was a fan and Azalea got sucked into it, but herself? It was a different thing altogether.

"It's not nice to appear behind a person," she comments, stepping forward to turn around to face Koishi. Oh, she was much shorter than expected. Then again, the ice elemental knew she was a taller woman to begin with. Maybe this works for the villagers. Sure, she'll go with it. "And red-white… You mean Reimu."

Not even a question, but a factual statement.

The satori simply grinned, arms waving excitedly before her now that her presence had been noticed. “Oh it's not? Should I appear from the front next time? Or maybe the side?” Shorter she may be, but such things hardly mattered to one who could float as easily as a breeze. Even as the two spoke the youkai was already slowly levitating bit by bit into the air, until she was meeting Zarina at eye level.

There was a curious tilt of her head, green hair messily following her movement, followed a moment after by something like a polite bow. “Komeiji Koishi! Your name is Grandma, right? Or do you prefer Old Lady?” She said that in earnest, clearly not intending it at all as a snide remark. Koishi was simply parroting back the various names she had heard the fairies call her while she had drifted behind her that day. “No wait. Zarina? It’s Zarina isn’t it?” That certainly felt more like an Outsider name. A firm nod. Yes, that last one was probably the most-correct. 

She stands up straight once more, introductions out of the way to the satori’s satisfaction, she returns to curiously examining the woman. “Earlier?” Attention shifted, a spark of realization flashing across the youkai’s eyes. Didn’t she call her a stalker just now too? “You knew I was following you?” The statement sounded as curious as it did genuinely surprised.

But that didn’t make any sense, no one ever knew she was following them unless she tried to be seen! Her grin widened, Koishi raising her arms above her in an exaggerated gesture of excitement.

 “No way! Really? Like really really? It’s not nice to lie so you gotta tell me if you are! You really knew I was following you? Even though I didn’t want you too? Are you sure you aren’t just mistaking me for all the other stuff watching you all day? Cause you’re pretty popular right now, so all kinds of creatures were stalking you all day!”

"oh , Zarina . it's just you ." from Aunn while shes guarding the Hakurei Shrine!

Lack of smoking becomes evident when she reaches out into her pocket yet finds nothing. Even her clothes have to be different, adjusting to the land of Gensokyo to not stand out as much. Plus, her clothes were a bitch to clean in this environment without familiar detergents and products, making it impossible to get some stains out or hope that the fabric will hold on. It makes her sigh out loud as she walks forward, closing to the gates of Hakurei Shrine. Noting on the presence of another person, the silverette glances to the side.

"Aunn," she recognizes the other, nodding in her direction. The guardian has been nothing but a pleasant company, regardless of what others tell her. It's something she learned to appreciate in the land so unknown and unique. Learning to study her powers in this environment has been… helpful. Every appearance here harbors some sort of magic and supernatural abilities. "Has anyone else come around?"

Reimu often has visitors, some that come to her or some that suddenly got interested in Zarina herself. Like the fairies. Oh, how she hopes the fairies aren't here today to bother her. It's been such a drag to get rid off them the last time. Her only wish right now is to meditate and reconnect with her thoughts, her body, and her powers. It'd be better for her mentally and physically.

The komainu greets Zarina's question with a sympathetic chuckle, "There are no more fairies around here than normal!" She chimes, hopping down from atop the stone pillar she had been sitting upon until now and strolling closer to the woman.

"A few had come by earlier looking for you, but I chased them all away." Aunn looked proud at that, her tail wagging slightly at remembering her job well done. Not that she could let her guard down because she'd manage to shoo them away just this once, Aunn was almost certain they wouldn't stay gone for very long. Fairies weren't the sorts to give up after all.

It was only a matter of time before they would return, she was certain. If not to bother Zarina, then to bother Miss Reimu, or to play with the more permanent fae residents at the shrine.

Ah well, that was all part of her job! If the Hakurei Shrine's newest long term guest was being harassed, it was only natural for the divine beast to do her best to guard her peace!

"Miss Reimu is out at the moment too, so you have the grounds all to yourself for now!" She looks up at the other with a cheerful smile. "Were you going to do some meditating? Should I make some tea?"

Her voice sounds beautiful. It's a perfect combination of sweet and present, causing the silverette to raise an eyebrow in contemplation. The voice inside her head keeps asking: Who are you! You are not from here! Leave! Such a pestering voice, but he's not the only one who's attempted to take control over her body. She's repressed far worse, tucking the voice - this Echo - into the back space of her skull, hearing his muttering become quieter until it's naught but a whisper.

At the inquiry, she huffs out a laughter. Bitterness coating her tongue but she swallows that taste right away. A woman chained up is not at fault. Her presence, does stir something inside her head, a buzz. Power recognizes power.

"No," an easy factual response is given with a shake of her head, a hand on her hip while looking over the room. A captive princess. But Zarina is no knight. "If I'm honest, I am in need a bit of rescuing myself. Can't leave this place at all."

Something to do with that voice, perhaps? This lone cabin in the woods. Could it be his creation?

"I must let you know right away," the other hand gestures at Princess' chains. The voice hisses something, it's ignored again. "If you attempt to attack me when I get close, I will not hesitate to attack back. As long as you're civil, I will be civil too. The name is Zarina, you can call me that moving forward." Civil, she's being civil.

A clear warning, but she can sense there is something wrong. What exactly is yet to be seen, but she'd rather not take chances despite immortality already weighing heavily over her head.

"So, do you mind if I step closer to take a look at your chains?" A captive woman is still a fellow woman. If she tells her not to step any closer, Zarina would not.

“Oh…” Zarina’s initial response to her plea is met with a clear look of crushing disappointment, the princess’ shoulders deflating as she sinks back in resignation. But that familiar weight of despair lasts for but a moment as the stranger continues. 

She was trapped as well? By what? She wasn’t the one chained to a wall. She had come from outside the cabin, surely she could just walk back out? The Princess’ eyes showed her growing weariness as she observed the stranger, the slow shifting of cosmic gears, of the caution and creeping distrust that had now been planted deep in her chest, a seed that might yet bloom to shape her form. Civil. Is this what was considered civil nowadays? She was a captive princess, shouldn’t it be natural to free her?

Her brows furl slightly, the corner of her lips tugging down into a small frown, before after a moment the chained woman gives a single nod, holding out her manacled wrist towards Zarina. 

But she wasn’t about to turn down a chance to potentially break out of her chains. If she could only get them off the Princess could leave the cabin herself.

“I have no intention of harming anybody.” She said at last, soft voice tinged now with a slight bitterness. How could she even if she wanted to? She was just a princess.

Sorry for the really spotty activity lately, the holidays tend to be rough months for me mentally and that ends up tanking my energy to write a lot fknsjdf

just wanted to give a lil heads up that I am still very much around/lurking, so i supposed this is like an informal semi-haitus notice KSJNADJKF

original: Two Girls Blowing Bubbles

"Oh, cool! Did she say what kind of stuff was in them? Or was she just in full magic talk mode at that point?" Much like Flandre, Meiling sort of zoned out a little bit when Patchouli went too deep in the magic talk. "If she didn't, I'm sure we'll find out once she uses it for something cool!"

Flandre tilted her head in thought, a slight hum leaving her. "I think she said something about phoso..phospho.." A pause, "Phosomething or other." She's sure their resident mage would say more whenever she was done working on whatever it was she needed the space rocks for.

She perked up at the next comment, crystalline wings gently chiming as they raised excitedly behind her. "Yeah! I wanted to go on a walk with you!" It'd been a while since the two spent much time together after all, and it was a very beautiful night.

"I know you're working right now but... please?" She already had the pleading well-practiced puppy-dog look to her eyes.

@dreamlocke asked: ❝ be careful…there have been monsters around here lately. ❞ from Kaguya!

The arrival of the night had wrapped the city in a lively glow—- lanterns blooming like gold and red flowers along the narrow streets. The geisha district was a world of contrasts. From the ochayas, the places of entertainment, came a swell of sound and music. Shamisen strings trembling, men's laughter echoing as doors slid open and closed with rhythmic familiarity. But deeper in the district, nearer to the okiyas where the geisha lived and prepared, the streets grew quieter. It was somewhere between these divergences, that Muzan, wearing the perfectly curated appearance of one such entertainer, was brought to a pause, the hem of her elegant kimono hovering lightly above the ground before stilling around her feet.

There wasn't much of a reaction to the words that were spoken—- the sudden warning from a stranger. In this district, tales of unnatural creatures were a staple of entertainment. It was a common practice for geisha to recount such folklore, turning it into captivating narrative. It delighted the ears of patrons. And men, spurred on by sake and their delicate sense of pride, would boast of surviving encounters with oni and all other sorts of yokai, adding embellished details to impress those who heard, their false bravado spilling over like the cups from which they drank. After all, these creatures were only as real as their imaginations allowed.

Every time, Muzan would watch them—- with the same kind of detached superiority one might afford when observing mere insects scurrying in a courtyard. It all unfolded beneath her gaze like something set for her entertainment alone. If only they knew that a being much more sinister than the creatures in their stories was the one pouring their drinks and pretending to laugh with them.

Plum red eyes shifted their attention back to the one who had spoken, the demon king's features exhibiting no changes, despite noticing a sort of uniqueness about the other's presence. This woman looked not unlike an apparition, herself. Flawless skin, like unblemished porcelain—- features bearing a symmetry and beauty so perfectly balanced that it appeared almost inhuman. The fabrics that clothed her reminiscent of an era the progenitor of demons was well-acquainted with.

Something was amiss. But Muzan had no reason to acknowledge this aloud.

How quickly things had changed in but a mere century. When Kaguya had come to this part of Japan last, the humans had yet to figure out electricity, let alone telegrams and railways. But here they were now, countless warm artificial lights banishing the darkness, a glow so brilliant even the moon’s light seemed distant in comparison. Though leagues behind the Lunar Capital of her birth, the princess couldn’t help but feel delighted at how far humanity had come in so little time. How fun. What could this city look like next time she came? What about in three hundred years? Six hundred? 

But as with all growing populaces, a city of this scale brought with it dangers of all kinds. Kaguya had caught onto many a rumor as she idly spent her evening exploring the district and weaving conversation among the locals. Gossip, both mundane and fantastical, greeting her eager ears. Men boasting of besting youkai, women warning of sudden disappearances, one kindly grandmother even took her aside to give her a solemn warning. 

How exciting.

When the immortal approached to warn the stranger it had been for little more reason than to continue the informal investigation that had caught her fancy, probing for reactions that may lead her to her next place of interest. Kaguya offered an amused smile at the woman’s unexpected response. 

“Oh? Well, you truly must be quite brave then, a very admirable trait.” She responded in kind, a serene smile finding its way upon her lips. Kaguya leaned slightly forward then, raising a hand to block sight of her lips from any stay passerby as she dropped her voice to a barely above a whisper. 

“Though, the monster I heard about is not nearly so fantastical as the trials of guts the men love to weave. I have been told there is a murderer on the prowl tonight.” It was clear as she spoke she herself held no fear either, instead, a clear curiosity gleamed in her eyes as she let the words linger in the air for a moment. "Allegedly, the authorities have had little luck so far in so much as identifying a possible culprit. How frightful, don't you think? One would almost hope it was a youkai's haunting indeed, given the dreadful implications of the alternative."

You're on a path in the woods. On the end of that path is a cabin. And in the basement of that cabin is a Princess. You're here to Slay the Princess.

"Be quiet." Wait, who are yo---

Instead of the Hero and Protagonist, a woman's voice was heard. The woods filled her vision, a voice of someone unknown ringing in her head, but she brushes it off with a sway of her hand. This world belongs not to her, another step into the unknown to seek what she wishes to find. Nature speaks to her, telling her: there is a cabin, a cabin, a cabin in the woods.

So she enters it for it is the only building in the area. It calls and she listens, opening the wooden door and passing by the dagger that means nothing to her. It does not belong to her. Only the sound of the door opening can be heard, not even the heeled steps as if the sole of her shoes don't touch the ground.

A fellow woman dressed in white was there. Beautiful, bewitching, gorgeous. And yet, different. Are you the key to this world, Princess?

She is a princess, locked away in the basement of a cabin deep in the woods. Chained to a wall by a heavy steel manacle for… for how long? Too long. So long she couldn’t even remember any more. (Was there ever a time before the cabin?) It was nearly impossible to tell time here. Hours, days, weeks, years, she had long given up on trying, the only familiarity to her the weight of hopeless eternity that hung heavy on her shoulders.

Then. Something new. 

A sound she had never heard before. The sound of approaching footsteps. Of light steps on wooden floor as the cabin door creaked open. Then the basements. 

“H-hello?” 

A soft voice called out towards the stranger as they came down the staircase. Her head raises to face the woman, moonlit hair falling across her delicate shoulders as if in an illuminating halo around her delicate frame. The Princess can’t help but perk up as Zarina speaks, her heart fluttering in nervous yet joyful anticipation. Another person! At last!

“I-I don’t know!” She answers back in response. And she genuinely didn’t know! Her voice, though timid, carries with it a clear eagerness and desperation as she speaks,

“A-are you here to rescue me?”

"Patche said these were full of special minerals or something." She honestly wasn't paying that much attention to the specifics, it was difficult to keep up with the magician's explanations most of the time. "So she asked me to blow 'em up so she could study 'em."

"...They exploded into a buncha cool rainbow colors! So I didn't mind!"

@dreamlocke followed!

"I blew up a comet!" Another one, she should say, though this one wasn't nearly as dramatic as the one she blew up a few years ago. Her wings give a happy flap then, "There was a buuuunch of them last night! Didya getta see them?"