Emma 'Pathy' Buki

“AHAHAHAHAHA! WHAT’S WRONG EEEEEMMAAA?!” The witch let out a deranged cackle, amused by the other’s reaction. She didn’t give a clear reply to her though, because truth was she had no idea about these ‘friends’. She just wanted to scare the little traitor, and it seems she succeeded.

“Aren’t I your friend? Or have you gotten bored with that charade?” Regardless of what the truth actually was, it was Michiko’s firm belief that everyone in Gensokyo had been lying and manipulating her for the longest time.

“Well…you don’t need to put up that front anymore. I mean, shouldn’t my absence have told you that I figured it out? I’d say it must be quite the relief for you all to not have to pretend to care about me any longer…but….” The magician then raised her palm once more, preparing another attack.

“The only relief I’ll allow any of you is the sweet release of death!” Michiko declared before firing another bright white laser at Emma, this time aiming to kill.

“A... relief?” Emma couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was this what Michiko really thought she’d been doing this whole time? She clearly believed it and it hurt to be thought of like that, not least because she’s a Kaichi. It’s literally in her being to hate lying so why would she do it to someone she considered her friend? To be thought of like that... it made her so angry, she wasn’t just going to stand there and die.

“How could I be relieved, you. IDIOT!” She grit her teeth, waiting for just the last moment to throw herself to the ground and dodge out of the way of the laser. Getting purchase on the ground, she used her considerable leg strength to propel herself forward at a breakneck pace.

“I missed you! I looked all over for you! Does that sound like a charade to you?” She shouted as she ran at the magician as fast as she could, hoping to close the gap before Michiko could use any other spells.

As Emma came closer, she may of noticed the red splotches that stained Michiko’s perfectly tailored clothes. There was no sign of a wound on her, so where did it come from?

Before Michiko gave a response, and before Emma could make her own answer, the magician suddenly lifted her arm up, opening her palm at her old friend. Suddenly a white hot orb whipped by Emma’s head, before exploding into the trees behind her.

“Oops…I missed.” She said nonchalantly, but Emma might noticed that this was a lie. Michiko had just wanted to see her reaction, waiting for Emma to realize that her tricks won’t work on her anymore.

The heat of Michiko’s orb singed Emma’s longer ear as it zoomed past her head and she let out a scream from the quick pain of it, grabbing her ear and tripping over her feet mid run. She recovered just in time to watch in horror as it exploded in the trees.

“You... missed?” Even though she knew it was lie, it took her a moment to process what it meant. What was Michiko aiming at? A monster? Or did she want it to seem like she was aiming at Emma. Or...

“Did you...” Emma started to shake as realisation struck her.

“DID YOU KNOW MY FRIENDS WERE IN THERE!?” She shouted as she snapped around to face Michiko, angrier than she’d likely ever been around the magician. But it wasn’t a trick. She’d continue to show her honest feelings. And if the answer was what she thought, then this would be an unforgivable betrayal to her.

The creatures would mindlessly continue their rampage, pausing only to regenerate themselves when bullets would blast a hole right through them. The night was filled with screams of terror that echoed across the land, making it unclear if there was any place that was still safe.

As Emma approached the forest, however, she might of felt a foreboding presence behind her. An old familiar voice then called out.

“Would you look who it is? Long time no see.” Michiko said in an eerily calm manner for someone who had been missing for two years. The magician gently descended to the ground before she began leisurely walked towards her old friend.

Whether it was safe or not, Emma only thought of getting to her friends first. She could worry about what to do after she was sure they were safe.

Feeling the presence behind her, she almost kept running into the forest just to get away from it, but when she heard Michiko’s voice she stopped and turned in surprise.

She didn’t put two and two together that the presence had been Michiko however. In fact, in that moment of fear Michiko was like a hopeful beacon. In this dire situation, Emma thought, she had come back to save her from trouble like she had done when they first met. Why else would she seem so calm?

“Michiko! You’re back!” Emma called out, running towards her previously lost friend. She was still afraid of what was happening, but a smile broke through like she thought things were going to be okay.

Michiko was a bit envious of Emma’s positive outlook, though not enough to be resentful of course. She get a sigh of defeat in the end, but it was accompanied by a smile.

“Alright, sure, that sounds nice. Besides, I know by now that you won’t let any youkai attack me…even I would be fine if that did end up happening.” Michiko reasoned before moving into the shade of Emma’s umbrella.

“You better let me hold that unless you plan to float with me on the way there.” The tall magician offered, knowing the height difference would be difficult, and that she was too tired to fly herself.

“Don’t worry about me, I actually rather like floating.” Emma declined with a smile, keeping a hold of the parasol as she floated alongside Michiko. The way she comfortably held herself in the air looked as natural for her as it would be for a fairy.

Emma was glad that Michiko relented. It felt like it was getting easier to convince the magician to relax, though she did wish she would be a little less pessimistic for her own sake. Though at the same time she knew those worries weren’t unfounded, so it’s not like she held it against Michiko.

The dark horse

who would’ve guessed it’d be you? after all this time, it’s really you? when you were little, nobody knew your name. for so long, you’ve lived as a shade amongst shades. written off, cast aside, overlooked. you did your best work in the shadows. it took you so long to bloom, some thought you would never emerge at all. but now’s your time in the spotlight. all the heroes have failed, but you’re still standing. in the darkest hour, you came in to save the day. you’re our last hope, dark horse! personality: clever, determined, quiet counterpart: the killer

Tagged by: I stole from multiple people

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The Hainu In The Forest Of Magic

Deep in the Forest of Magic, where the trees grow so thick that night is never ending and the plants are as hungry for human flesh as the beasts that roam within, a Hainu rests in a small clearing. The legend of this winged dog describes them as loyal, loving pets but this one had been turned ferocious by desperation.

For the forest was as much a trap as it was a home. It’s magic would lead the unskilled astray, bringing them deep within and hiding any route of escape. Even climbing through the trees felt like the tops could never be reached. With no escape, the Hainu had to survive on whatever prey the forest deemed fit for her to find.

Michiko let out a disgruntled hum as she thought of the probability of that fairy melting for the season. That was certainly a possibility, but she didn’t want to give up right away. It was too hot to think about any of this though.

“A swim sounds nice but…” Michiko turned her dreary eyes towards the large body of water, the sun’s rays making the surface sparkle.

“I’m pretty sure youkai live there, and I’m sure they’d love to drag down their next meal.” The magician contemplated.

“Though it’s less of a chance here than it is in the river going down the mountain. I know for a fact that kappa live there.” Michiko hummed as she gathered her thoughts and weighted her options.

“Screw it, I’ll take the risk. It’s too damn hot!”

“Or there’s just as much chance they’ll come and say hi. We are fellow Youkai too after all.” Emma was perhaps a little too trusting but her experiences thus far had been roughly 50/50 between friendly Youkai or not... if one counted Michiko as a Youkai which she clearly did.

“There’s a spot I found where the trees cast a shadow over the water at this time of day. It’s just a short walk away.” Emma points to an area of the lake where the treeline is somewhat closer to the water. The shadows are only on the edge of the lake but given the direction of the sun they’re sure to get longer as the days goes on.

First meeting starter prompts!

👗: Your character sees mine wearing a very nice outfit and simply must compliment them on it!

👟: Our characters meet while jogging on the same trail.

👜: My character drops their bag and yours approaches them to return it.

☂: A sudden rainstorm starts up and your character is caught without an umbrella, so my character shares theirs.

🌨: Our characters get inside somewhere during a huge snowstorm, but they get snowed in together!

🍽: Our characters’ orders are mixed up at a restaurant and they’re given each other’s meals by mistake.

🍺: Our characters meet at a bar. Actually drinking any alcohol is optional.

☕️: Our characters meet at a cozy little coffeehouse.

🏆: Our characters team up to win a competition. (What it’s a competition of is up to one or both of us to decide!)

🎸: Our characters have seats right next to each other at a concert and are both super excited to be there!

🎮: Our characters are both waiting in line at the store to buy a cool new video game they’ve both been excited for.

🏘: My character moves into the house right next door to yours.

📱: My character accidentally put the wrong number into their phone and texts your character by mistake.

🎉: Our characters both attend a super fun party, but they’re both too shy to get out there and join the ruckus and just decide to talk to one another instead.

❗️Our characters accidentally bump into each other while walking down the street.