3235/Lover's Quarrel

Lover's Quarrel
Date of Scene:	20 October 2015
Location:	The Realm of Gensokyo
Synopsis:	In the wake of the attack on Kaibaland, Tomoyo and Marisa go to visit the suspected culprit.
Cast of Characters:	Tomoyo Daidouji, 807, 829
Tinyplot:	Touhou Kakudai

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Tomoyo Daidouji has posed:
    It is with a heavy heart and packed blanket that Tomoyo flies towards Alice's little house in the woods. She actually has two bodyguards with her today, her little escapade into Kaibaland not exactly pleasing them. They descend, landing just outside the property and climbing off.

    Tomoyo, once again, is dressed in the outfit Alice made her. She really does like it a lot! As she kneels down to fold the blanket up, one of her bodyguards speaks.

    "Young miss, if Miss Margatroid is attacking other universes unprovoked, I feel it would be best if you no longer fraternize with her." The other bodyguard nods in agreement. "You have only recently healed from the last event you were embroiled in. Do you really wish to get involved in something dangerous again?"

    Tomoyo doesn't even dignify those statements with a response. She just gives each older woman a long look before turning on her heel to walk up to the front door, knocking on it sharply. The bodyguards just glance at each other before going to join her.

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    The lights seem off and the forested area is very quiet around Alice's cottage. A small winged figure moves from window to window, a sigh coming to the figures voice but everything goes still when the sharp knocks are given to the door. It slowly swings open, Shanghai's face peeks out from the open door before giving Tomoyo a, oddly for her, upset smile. "You want to see Alice, don't you?" she questions softly, the normally exhuberant doll actually looks sad.

    Hourai peeks out and frowns... "They stay out." as Hourai points to the two guards. "Alice ... is not in a good place right now. Maybe seeing you, Tomoyo, will pull her out of this."

Tomoyo Daidouji has posed:
    Tomoyo's high level of perceptiveness immediately picks up on the gloomy atmosphere around the little house, and the figure flitting about behind the glass. As the door creaks open, she peeks through the gap and offers Shanghai a similarly upset smile.

    "Hello Shanghai. Yes, I wanted to see her. I wish it could be under more pleasant circumstances, but..." She shakes her head, and puts a hand to her cheek. "I'm worried about her." She nods at Hourai, but the two women start to protest, until Tomoyo silences them with a raised hand.

    "You two know me. I would never use a situation like this to sneak away. And Alice would never hurt me." They look to each other, and grudgingly nod. "We'll wait here," says one. Tomoyo nods, and turns to look at the dolls once more.

    "I'll do my best."

Marisa Kirisame (829) has posed:
    When a friend starts hanging out with the wrong crowd, it becomes one's duty to WORRY MERCILESSLY until they stop. Or at least, to show up at their door with a close circle of mutual friends to stage a heartwrenching intervention.

Marisa Kirisame did not get this memo.

    There's a sound like a bomb falling. Suddenly, that shrill whistle transforms into a thundercrack as the one responsible comes to an abrupt stop just in front of Alice's front step, but only just.

    "Shanghai! Hourai!" Marisa yells, leaping from her broom with all the momentum she had put unto her flight. The witch leaps with her arms spread wide to tackle the two dolls in a TREMENDOUS HUG. "Tell me where Alice is right now!"

There's a beat.

She realizes there's someone else there.

    Marisa cants her eyes back towards Tomoyo and blinks once, then twice. "Uh," she says, tilting her head to one side like a confused puppy. "Oh." A long, loooong pause. "...W-who're you again?"

MARISA KIRISAME: MAXIMUM RUDENESS.

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    Hourai barely opens the door and gives a brief nod, turning to the guards, "I'm sorry but, and I mean no direspect, but you'll just make the situation worse." the door opens a bit wider to allow Tomoyo in but the loud boom and the appearance of a certain black and white wearing witch. Hourai and Shanghai both have their eyes wide open as they're forced into the WORRY HUG of doom. "Aaaugh! M..marisa! SH.. she's inside! She's INSIDE!" Hourai relents.

    Meanwhile, inside the house, there's dolls guarding the way towards Alice's own room, the be-deviled looking girl sitting on her bed, holding a single doll inside the relatively plain room. "Mom... they're going to come for me." she whispers to the Shinki-Doll, "I.. I'm doing this for you..." she continues before the rattle of windows signifies really only one person. "Marisa's here. That means Tomoyo might be too..."

    Alice takes a deep breath and sets the doll down, grabbing her grimoire... and a key. She takes one deep breath and slowly walks out of her room and locks the door. "Shield dolls, guard." and the door is gone underneath a pile of shields, Alice slowly making her way to the dining room. The lights slowly turn on in the house and the sound of a fire going and scent of tea leaves being readied slowly fill the house. Seems everything was being expected.

Tomoyo Daidouji has posed:
    The whistling sound certainly gets Tomoyo and her guard's attention! They look up, just in time to see the streak of black, white and yellow hurtling down at them. All three step aside quickly to make room for Marisa's divehug, the guards reaching into their jackets to grab at something.

    Tomoyo meanwhile, does not seem put off at all by the MAXIMUM RUDENESS. She just smiles and bows her head to the laserwitch. "I'm Tomoyo Daidouji. I came here for the same reason you did, I think." Her head rises, and she gives a knowing smile.

    But, they are being invited inside. The guards remain outside as Tomoyo steps in, smiling a little as lights come on and the scent of brewing tea fills the air. At least she's not so far gone that she's forgotten the little things.

    Into the dining room she goes, offering a smile to the dollmaker as she enters. "Alice. It's good to see you again."

Marisa Kirisame (829) has posed:
    "...Tomoyo, huh?" Marisa nods after a moment, but still keeps the two dolls tucked helplessly under each of her arms. "I think she's mentioned you before. The tailor, right?" A broad grin works its way across Marisa's lips. It's the sort of smile that can only be called 'invincible.' "The name's Marisa Kirisame, a Perfectly Ordinary Magician. Good to meet you!"

    She turns her smile on the dolls, trapped in her TERRIBLE EMBRACE. "Inside? Good! I was worried I'd have to go on some kind of wild romp through the forest chasin' after her." Or maybe a trip through somewhere... else?

Nah, that'd never happen.

    Marisa strolls into the doll house like she owns the place. She's been here often enough that she could probably draw its layout from memory. "Hey, Puppetteer!" Marisa calls after her, "What's the deal with--"

Squint

"...Why d'you still have those wings on? Is this a weird phase that immortals go through or something?" Will she go through a demon-wing phase, too!? How terrible.

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    Alice shakes her head, dolls slowly flying around with a few cups, placing them on the table. "Would you two like some tea?" she smiles with her back turned to the two, those wings flicking. "Ah, Sakuya is washing my outfit so I borrowed one of Koakuma's." she gives a bit of a smile, "Plus, I thought it was cute, I may go ahead and make a doll of it." she nods, turning around with a bright smile upon her face, nope, nothing's bothering the Puppetteer at all.

    "It's good to see you two again too. What brings you to the cottage?" Alice is still trying to play with this a bit, "No, who am I kidding..." she sighs and sits down, two chairs pull out for the two to sit down with. "I think I know why you're here... it's about Kaibaland, huh?" she shakes her head, "And those two..."

Tomoyo Daidouji has posed:
    "I am a tailor, yes~ It's very nice to meet you Marisa," Tomoyo says. But she does seem very concerned about the two dolls that Marisa is strong-arming right now. Her face falls a little as Alice tries to pretend like everything's normal. "Well, if you're already preparing some..."

    She's really not good at this. Tomoyo just crosses her arms and stares at Alice, her eyes saying it all. She's not fooled in the slightest. But when she cracks, Tomoyo nods. "Exactly, 'Margerie.'" She shoots Marisa a look here also.

    She sits in the magically offered chair and places her clasped hands on the table. "I don't think you're the kind of person who would go out and cause trouble without a good reason," she says softly, in as non-judgemental a tone as she can manage.

    "So... I would like to know your reasons. I think I have a pretty good idea already... but I want to hear it from you."

Marisa Kirisame (829) has posed:
    "Right, 'cause Sakuya's the type to wash other people's clothes pro-bono," Marisa deadpans, sinking into a chair at Alice's tea table. She was invited in for tea, after all. "You know I can see through lies like that. Let's just lay all our cards on the table, kay?"

    Marisa glances over to Tomoyo then, and gives a bit of a shrug. "I dunno. This is Gensokyo. People cause trouble for no good reason at least once a season. It's like tradition down here, you know?" She looks back towards the puppeteer, "But I don't expect that sorta thing outta Alice. Patchy, sure, but not you."

    "So, what're you doing dressin' up like a little demon? Is Makai up to no good again? 'Cause you remember as well as I do what happened the last time." It burnt down, that's what happened.

Which, perhaps surprisingly, wasn't actually Marisa's fault at all. That was all on Shinki.

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    Alice is definately not a good liar.

    The dollmaker shakes her head, "I... I just..." she looks away from the two, "Ma...makai is..." she hesitates. "Makai is...." a gulp, "The tea is getting cold..." she whispers, shaking her head some, "I know what you did in Makai... and how Mom burned it." a pause "You know that's still fresh in my head, right? More so after taking Tomoyo there for a visit."

    She takes a soft breath, "Makai is doing fine. Yuki and Mai just wanted a chance to play at something, they got bored. I'll be letting Mom know about it... she'll deliver a good punishment to those two." at least she wasn't lying about that part... Yuki and Mai DID want to play... and Makai IS doing fine...

    "I decided to help them and what better way than to try and disguise myself as a koakuma. I made these wings and they're controlled by some string." she gives a bit of a smile, looking between the two, "I have some snacks too if you would like..."

Tomoyo Daidouji has posed:
    Such strange tradition, to just go out and cause a fuss. But, she can't really judge. After all, the Multiverse is a strange place... but, she just smiles and nods to Marisa. Alice is a nice girl who wouldn't do that 'just because.'

    She listens close to Alice's explanation, a finger to her chin. "Is that really all there is to it? Because those other... 'koakuma' knew it was you. And if you were just there to keep an eye on them, that seems like a reasonable explanation. Certainly not worth hiding away from everyone over."

    She places both her hands flat on the table, violet eyes boring into Alice's blue ones. "Look... if it's something you don't want to say, or can't say... just admit it. Sometimes, people have things they just shouldn't share we understand. But if it's hurting you so much... we want to help. However we can." Tomoyo is clearly not so easily swayed by the offer of snacks!

Marisa Kirisame (829) has posed:
Oh well that is just so much bullshit.

    Porcelein clatters against porcelein. Droplets of tea wet the tablecloth, sinking a mild stain into the fabric. Marisa's hands, slammed flat against the table, ball up into fists and drag the cloth into thick bundles between her fingertips. "'Just having fun?' They dragged a whole squad of devils up outta Hell! And you're sayin' you just decided to go along with whatever shenanigans they're gettin' up to?"

    "I could care less what happens to those idiots," Marisa grunts, her fists quivering and tightening, nails digging into her palms through the tablecloth's thin fabric. "But you're getting involved, too. You're getting involved, and you're worryin' me sick! You don't even tell me up front what you're doing and why." She tilts her face up, a storm brewing in her stare. "What happens," her voice is hollow, apprehensive, uncharacteristically grave, "What happens if someone decides to do something about it, and I don't know where you are to bail you out, huh? Do you not trust me with the truth, or something?"

    The witch waits a long moment, and then sinks back into her seat. One hand rubs at the opposite wrist. The lip of her hat casts a thick shadow across her face. "If this was just a local thing, I wouldn't even care," she says after a few, tense seconds, "But the people outside, they don't get how it works here. Even if you wear a disguise, someone'll figure it out eventually. And if they come, they might not be as gentle as me or Reimu."

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    Alice places her grimoire on the table... and the key to it on top of it. "I was. It was my job to make sure that no one physically got hurt." she looks between the two and turns back to Tomoyo, those violet eyes peircing her own. "I didn't mean to get you two involved..." she sighs, looking down at the Grimoire. "I just... wanted her..."

    The porcelein clatters... the hands slamming into the table and her Grimoire moving a few inches towards Marisa. She puts her hands down on the Grimoire and looks away from Marisa, listening to the verbal beating. "Twenty five. With another set of squads... a hundred in all after the last three events." she whispers, "Four more places to go." she finally admits.

    "I know what's going on... but.. I.. I cannot say, I can't Marisa... I can't Tomoyo." a couple tears drop her eyes that fall onto the Grimoire, "I've... been involved for the past few events and I'm going to see it to its completion." she looks up, her face has a look of sorrow on it. "I'm not wanting to worry you two any more and... I... and I do.. I do trust you two. That's why I warned Tomoyo first. I.. I was going to say something to you Marisa but Yuki and Mai got to you before I could." Alice reaches back, placing her hands on those wings and with a loud tear, they're ripped off the outfit then strewn aside.

    "I want to see it flourish again... I want help her realize there's more out there..." tears are dripping down, "I know they won't be. I.. I prepared myself for that. I've prepared myself to not be welcome in the Human Village after this. Maybe... I can finally finish my doll if this happens." Alice's voice cracks, and she mouths out a few words, head bowed once more. 'I'm sorry, Mom...'

    She looks back up towards the two, "Marisa, I've known you since our first encounter in Makai. I knew if I told you the truth... you would try and talk me out of it. To not help. To turn my back... That's.. that's why I couldn't tell you right away... I needed to let the foot go through the door."

Tomoyo Daidouji has posed:
    Tomoyo flinches as Marisa slams the table, making the cups and saucers rattle. Though the girl's words are rather harsh, they bring a smile to Tomoyo's face. Alice really does have such wonderful friends. "Marisa is right. You could get really hurt out there."

    But, she can't say. Tomoyo nods slowly. "I understand..." She just wanted to help 'her,' hmm? That does help to confirm Tomoyo's suspicions, but she doesn't say that out loud. Alice has her reasons for not being more specific. "Alice... if this is so important to you, then do it," she says softly. Like it's that easy.

    "People might hate you for it. It might be dangerous. But if you're so intent on making sure that people don't get hurt in the process... I can't fault it, not really." She stands up, and walks around the table to take Alice's hand and give it a reassuring squeeze.

    "But, that doesn't mean I can endorse it," she adds, firmly. "And if I think of something I could do, I might have to try and stop it. I can only hope that you won't hate me if I do."

Marisa Kirisame (829) has posed:
Alice gives her answer.

    Across the table, Marisa is still for what seems to be a long, long time. She barely moves a muscle. Her silence speaks louder than anything she could manage right now anyway. Whatever expression she might be wearing is utterly unreadable, disguised by the shadow the wide brim of her hat casts across her face.

"Alright."

    Wood scratches wood as the chair slides away. With an abrupt gesture, a relatively inoccous broom flings itself through the air and lands in the witch's outstretched hand. She turns away, resting its bristles over one shoulder. "If that's how it's going to be then, alright."

    She takes a halting step towards the door. The next is more certain. The third's stride is resolute. Suddenly she turns back around, and on her face...

Is a positively *incredible* grin.

    "Fine! If you want to go do whatever this is, then you're welcome to do what you like! I won't even try to talk you out of it. But!" There it is- a light somewhere between a mischievious glint and an unstoppable thunderbolt dances in her golden eyes. She jabs a finger- a challenge, not merely a gesture- towards the puppeteer. "I'll be there to stop you. Before you go too far, you'll find me there standing in your way. At that moment you think you've won, I'll be there to steal your victory away."

    "So you do whatever you feel you need to do, and I'll do whatever I feel I need to do. Wallowin' here in all this gloom ain't my style," says Marisa the Star-Breaker, "Your lies and your deceptions, and all your ambition and all your fear, I'll take them all and tear them to shreds."

    "And if you hate me afterwards," her grin changes, transforming into a wolfish smirk, "Then we'll settle it as always. So, fine, I don't need to hear what the little details of your plan are. It'll all end the same. Before anyone else has a chance, I'll take you down, Seven-Colored Puppetteer. If your mom decides to try and stop me, I'll break through her, too."

    The gesture transforms, too. Her fingers curl into a fist, her wrist turns, a thumb stuck-out skyward, "That's a promise too, you hear? I won't take no for an answer, and I won't listen to protests or objections 'till after this whole thing's over. We clear?"

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    Tomoyo takes her hand and squeezes it, getting a squeeze in return. "This... this is important Tomoyo. But I won't hurt you. No matter how much you will try to stop it." she takes a breath and leans to ruffle Tomoyo's hair before turning to Marisa... What is she thinking...

    Then the broom and she starts to walk away, causing Alice to stand up from the table, "Just like old times, huh? Back in Makai... and back in the Incident of Spring." she comments, then... a click, the key is in the keyhole and Alice gives a nod, "I will, Marisa. You're going to go all out on me, aren't you? Just like in Makai ten years ago, huh?" she looks down at the now unlocked Grimoire, "I'll be waiting, Marisa Kirisame." Alice's face is stoic now, blue eyes going pale. "And you'll find out... that I'm doing this all for her, all for Mother. And we will settle it as always, Marisa."

    She gives a brief smile, "You won't get any protest or objection from me. I'm walking this path and I intend to finish it, you're welcome to come and stop it." she lets her own fist forward and a thumb to the sky. "May this get resolved... one way or another. And we're clear... Ordinary Magician." a slight smile comes, "Do you find this brutal evening likable? I'll see you when all is made clear... Good night, Marisa."

    She turns to Tomoyo, "I'm afraid... you'll need some more protection if you wish to come and help Marisa. Perhaps... perhaps I can gift you one more thing... but not tonight. I have to make it." a look between the two, the Grimoire's locks flapping open.

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    "Oh, and Marisa? I saw Celly's book form. Did you forget I can see true selves?" Alice adds, "I figured you would like an explination for that."

Tomoyo Daidouji has posed:
    Goodness, this Ordinary Magician is passionate! As she issues a challenge far more passionate than her own, Tomoyo can't help but giggle softly, even though she looks very unsure. Gensokyo is a strange place indeed, for such things to be a matter of course. But, even though the words are rather nasty, Tomoyo can tell that Marisa means them with the best of intentions.

    "You two are such wonderful friends~" she says with a smile as she fixes her hair after having it ruffled. "I don't think I can manage Marisa's zeal... but I feel the exact same way. I promise I'll make it up to you if we stop you, Alice."

    But when Alice offers Tomoyo some more equipment, she shakes her head. "You shouldn't be so kind to the enemy Alice~ You'll never succeed if you're so soft-hearted." And then, she gives that hand one more squeeze before letting go.

    "I should be off too. My bodyguards might be nervous after all that yelling. Good luck Alice... I hope this won't be too hard on you." And with that, she drains her cold, spilled tea and goes to depart with Marisa.

Marisa Kirisame (829) has posed:
    "Hahahahaha!" Marisa's grin, impossibly, seems to grow even brighter. "There's no dance like one that makes you ache in the morning. Brutal and beautiful, whatever happens, it'll light up the sky and shine bright enough to set a hundred horizons on fire!"

(With the way things are going, one is almost certainly going to be Makai's)

    "So bring your book and whatever else. I'll come packing more heat than ever. No matter what tricks you've got, I'll bring my best to break 'em all down." Marisa turns, then, giving an easy wave. "And I'm pretty sure I /told/ you about Celly. I was just wonderin' why you knew she was with me yesterday. Got me wonderin' if you really were some kinda stalker."

But that can't possibly be true! Right?

    She glances over her shoulder and passes Tomoyo a sly wink. "It ain't kindness. It's all as true as the wrinkles on the Yakumo's brow. Keep your eyes open if you come, it'll be a show like you've never, ever seen."

With that, she tips her hat and flashes one last grin before vanishing out that door and into the evening's setting sun.

She's got a lot of prep-work to do, after all.

Alice Margatroid (807) has posed:
    Alice gives a nod, her face smiling. "You will see... danmaku that hasn't been shown for ten years." she comments, "I'll bring everything I can, Marisa, you'll see. I will make this the most entertaining danmaku duel. We'll see who's grown those ten years from Makai." she waits and smiles... and watches them step out. Her eyes going blank.

    She stands in the dining room for a good five minutes, Hourai and Shanghai moving to place their hands upon Alice's shoulder. "Mom... I..hic...I..." tears start to stream down her face, "I'm sorry..." a pause, a choke of air... "I'm sorry Tomoyo... I'm sorry Marisa..." and she slumps to her knees while both of the dolls get startled. "Alice?!"

    Alice's head is in her hands and she starts sobbing. "Why is she doing this... why did I agree to this. Makai's going to get razed again... and maybe Wonderland too..." she whispers... the second place gets a tilt from the two dolls heads... "I'll do it... Hourai. Shanghai. You two are staying here until you're needed in Makai with me. I'll board up the windows and station dolls along the clearing of my area. No one is allowed close to the cottage."

    The two dolls nod and Alice slowly slips herself up and out the back door. "You two know what to do. Now do it." And with that, she's off flying in the other direction... to the Shrine... and the portal to Makai.