3324/A Spiritual Dollmaker's Request

A Spiritual Dollmaker's Request
Date of Scene:	03 November 2015
Location:	The Realm of Gensokyo
Synopsis:	(Time Bubbled about a Week before Touhou Kakudin Stage 5) Alice meets with Sanae to see about gaining some ofuda for something special, what little Sanae knows is what Alice has planned for them.
Cast of Characters:	619, 807
Tinyplot:	Touhou Kakudai

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Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    It's rare that the Dollmaker does leave the forest to actually enter a Miko's Shrine, but this is one of those exceptions... and a need... for the Dollmaker to visit a certain Green and White wearing Miko. "I had to beat Konoe for hers... I wonder if Sanae would be more... willing." she muttered, Alice is without her companion dolls today as well, opting to leave them at home for this. With the approach to Youkai Mountain and the top of the shrine, she keeps her speed slow as to not scare or annoy the Tengu below.

    "Sanae! Sanaaaeeee!" she calls out, "Where are you? I need to ask for a favor that I can repay later!"

Sanae Kochiya (619) has posed:
    Fortunately, the all-hearing ears of the Tengu weren't around to pick up on Alice's utterances. In fact, after the long walk -- or flight -- up the mountain, and an even further excursion up the shrine's path and steps, there's surprisingly little in the way of activity to be seen or heard, besides being surrounded by nature. If the Tengu are around at the moment, or the mountain's other residents, they have their own business to do, today. In their place, the frogs are chirping from the surroundings, and if one looks closely enough, shed snake skins are a common sight. And the leaves, ugh. The leaves are seemingly always falling. It is exactly that task that Sanae is tending, sweeping them into another new pile like several others, when she hears a voice calling out from below. Stepping to the edge of the steps, she holds one sleeve up - for the moment, wearing a sweater over more casual clothing, and peers down.

    "Miss Alice," she wonders? Her momentarily look of puzzlement is soon replaced by a broad smile. It's rare for Alice to leave her forest home, certainly, but just as rare to see one such as her come to visit the shrine. Of course, it isn't purely out of curiosity: "A favor," she wonders? "Come on up and rest, and you can tell me what you need." She isn't certain what Alice could want from her, as she knows little about the kind of magic she performs, other than it involves a lot of doll fabrication. But, especially as she's come all this way, there's no reason to turn her away. "Ah, if you aren't in a hurry, you're just in time, actually," she adds, clasping her hands hopefully at the top of her broom.

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    So no danmaku today, fortunately. "It's been a while since I flew up Youkai Mountain." she takes a look around, the frogs... the sight of snake skin and the leaves. Ugh, Leaves. Even Hourai and Shanghai were doing yardwork today too. "Yes.. yes a favor." she replies back, speeding up her ascent before taking a landing near the Miko. "I'm not in a hurry at all, shall we talk over tea?" she pulls out a small package from a bag on her side, "I brought some snacks too."

    "Not in your traditional outfit today?" the weather was a bit cold actually, "Maybe we can talk under the kotatsu as well, but yes, a favor. It's more experimenting with my dolls but you have something I would like to borrow for them, in return, I'm sure there's something I can do to assist you to pay you back for the item." she smiles briefly, looking at the leaves around the shrine. "Autumn. At least the Aki Sister's are going to have a good time this year, then it'll make way to Letty and the like..."

Sanae Kochiya (619) has posed:
    "Mm," Sanae nods, agreeably, "That's just what I was about to invite you for!" She glances at some of the piles of leaves, before moving to set her broom aside. Hopefully the local fairies won't think it's funny to steal it, while her back is turned. "Miss Minoriko and Miss Shizuha brought a tribute of their sweet potatoes, actually. It's a bit unusual, but I certainly appreciate it. In fact, I already roasted some." It would be a shame for the leaves to go to waste, after all. After, she looks back to the bag of snacks that Alice herself had prepared, and stifles a soft giggle behind her fingertips, "Looks like we're set, then." With that, she begins pacing toward a small and open side building. It looks almost like a tea house, but is a bit more utilitarian, with a low table placed inside and several cushions to sit on. In fact, the covered sides does suggest it is a kotatsu.

    Pulling one up for herself, for the time being, she lets her legs settle under the heated covering, and gives a relieved sigh. There is a basket atop with some of the sweet potatoes, already roasted. "I'll go get the tea in just a moment. Just resting my arms after all the sweeping." To her less formal attire, she gives a glance down at the sweater, before giving a light shrug of her shoulders, and a smile, "There haven't been as many worshippers lately, so it's nice to dress down for yard work. With Lady Kanako's permission, of course." Despite Alice's patience and willingness to sit down with her, though, something about her requests seem urgent, in the back of the priestess' mind. She begins peeling the end of one of the sweet potatoes while listening. "Something for your dolls? Uhm, I'm not sure what I can offer. But as long as it isn't going to cause trouble, then maybe."

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    "It's good we are of a right mind for that." Alice smiles, heading off to walk with Sanae towards said building, "I may have to come visit the shrine a bit more, it's pretty." Alice soon makes a bit of a turn, pulling out a small coin from the treat bag, depositing it into the donation box and turns right around towards the 'tea house'. "Ah, I couldn't come to the Shrine, ask for a favor and not leave a donation. I'm sure Kanako and Suwako appreciate it as well." With this, she moves to sit down, pulling her side of the heated covering over.

    "A kotatsu is a wonderful thing on a cold day, am I right?" she questions with an obvious answer at the end of that, "Of course, though, that reminds me. I need to speak to Tomoyo about winter clothing. But this is not why I come." she leans back slightly, nodding, "I don't think it will cause trouble, it's more an experimentation of my dolls. I would like to use a few of your ofuda, the ones you normally use for danmaku." she places the treat bag on the kotatsu, opening it more and revealing a couple small cakes inside.

    "If this wouldn't be too much trouble, I managed to get a few from Konoe as well as payment for fixing her miko robes."

Sanae Kochiya (619) has posed:
    If there is an old saying about trusting someone that comes carrying sweets and donations, it is completely lost on Sanae. She had given a slight lowering of her head, in gratitude, when Alice paid her respects at the offertory box. No matter the faith levels and tributes of the mountain folk, the shrine did still have actual monetary expenses. "Thanks, Miss Alice," she smiles, giving a light stretch of her legs. It's so much better when people just do it, rather than having to be...demanding. "And yes, it is! Lady Suwako likes to fall asleep under there, sometimes." There is no curious lump beneath at the moment, though, so it seems this isn't one of those times. Instead, there's plenty of room to stretch the legs beneath the surface, which Sanae makes the most of while she takes a bite of her sweet potato, chewing thoughtfully as Alice explains herself.

    The green-haired girl's smile fades a bit, but it doesn't seem to be out of anger, or even displeasures at the notion. Instead, it's the kind of thing where thinking about it temporarily robs you of your facial expression. "I bless them in bulk with Lady Kanako and Lady Suwako's power, so it's not really a matter of being able to spare a few," she continues, resting a few more moments while contemplating. "But, seals can be dangerous, you know, if you don't handle them properly. There was a story I heard from some of the elders on the mountain, about a girl that accidentally opened a portal to hell with one." How ominous! Shortly after that recounting, though, her smile returns, "I guess I don't have to tell you about the dangers, though. And since you help keep Miss Marisa out of trouble, I'll consider it returning a favor."

    With that, she stands up and gives a bow, excusing herself, "I'll be back in just a few moments, Miss Alice, with the tea. Please help yourself in the meantime!"

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    "You're welcome." she returns the smile, "Fortunately Suwako's not under here, would be a bit awkward." she comments, but when the consideration is given, she gives a light nod. "I'm aware on how dangerous they can be. I only need ten and I promise you I won't be summoning any sort of evil. I would rather not have to face Suwako or Kanako in danmaku." Alice gives a bit of a smile, keeping Marisa out of trouble, huh? With the way she's going, it looks like Marisa is the one to keep Alice out of trouble...

    "Ah, thank you, Sanae. I shall spend a bit of time at the shrine to give some faith to you and your goddesses. It's the least I can do." a smile is come to her face, nodding, "I almost forgot about the tea but I will. And if you need help sweeping up the shrine, I don't mind picking up a broom." With Sanae gone to get the tea, she reaches over to pluck a sweet potato and starts to peel it. Her own thoughts getting the best of her now...

    'Is it okay to lie to Sanae? I know what I'm doing but... she hasn't had need to get involved with this. No, best not tell her what these are truely for. She'll find out if she comes to Makai...' Alice takes a bite of the sweet potato, "Ah, it's about as good as I remember. They truely are wonderful sweet potatoes."

Sanae Kochiya (619) has posed:
    After a few moments, Sanae returns from having paced over to one of the other buildings. Likely the actual tea house, or one of the storage buildings. She has a modest tea set with her, nothing fancy, but certainly up to Gensokyo's standards. It had given her time to consider things further. Alice seemed to recognize the risks, and she seemed aware of what would happen if she misused them. With a smile, the priestess placed the tray down, and poured both the dollmaker and herself a cup in turn, before returning to her cushion and getting comfortable again. Just to spell it out, though, she confirms, "If they're mishandled, it will be my responsibility to deal with the consequences. So...please, don't make me regret it."

    The other reasons she had left is soon revealed. She didn't have them on her, since she's not decked out for action today, but they were readily available as she passed by. Ten of the currently inert and non-active talismans, just as Alice had requested, ready for action at a moment's notice. It is actually two sets of five, at a closer glance; an even number of each. She places them down on the kotatsu's surface far enough away from the snacks and drinks to avoid being soiled, accidentally or otherwise. "They only become active when the user wishes. For safety."

    But, with that taken care of, she returns to pleasant conversation, laughing her way softly out of the more serious atmosphere, "Yes, the Aki sisters grow the best produce. The Kappa are trying their hand at horticulture, but I think they're only aiming to grow one thing." Cucumbers, of course. "And of course, Miss Alice. You're always welcome here, for pleasant visits like today's." It might be quite a scene, though, with a work force of dolls helping sweep up the leaves. She raises her cup of tea like one might a toast, "Then, here is to a peaceful Gensokyo." And to Alice not causing trouble from this.