[X] Chat
-(X) Ask Rinnosuke that if a reporter does come around asking for you, to not tell her what your name or current residence is.
-(X) Ask him about the fire-resistant talismans (as mentioned in the note).
[X] Check out Rinnosuke's new stock.
The prospect of gaining this paper's attention doesn't quite fill you with glee.
"Hey, Rinnosuke?"
"Hrm?" He responds without looking up from the paper.
"If a reporter does happen to come by looking for me, I'd greatly appreciate it if you avoided telling her my name and current residence."
"Can do. I imagine you'd rather not deal with that so soon after coming here."
"Indeed. If anyone's going to sully my good name then by God it's going to be me." Rinnosuke allows a laugh at this before returning to the paper.
"I honestly doubt anyone's good name is sullied by that paper any more. She's recently taken refuge in audacity of her claims."
"Yeah, she even called the Princess a succubus one time! It was really funny." Yue adds with a giggle.
"Oh?"
"Yes, she's found that wild lies are more entertaining than month-old news everybody already knows about. it's become quite a hit."
"So people don't mind when they become the subject of her stories?"
"Oh, they mind all right, but it is more like teasing from a good friend than anything vicious. Well, barring her first tries at it."
"I take it the attempt didn't go over well?"
"She didn't take into account what lines should and shouldn't be crossed. I believe she got the hint when she implied the protector of the villages Miss Kamishirasawa was a lesbian." You almost choke on your tea at this.
"What?"
"Yes, she cited how the schoolteacher always turns down marriage requests. With how traditional she is, this was a rather humiliating blow."
"That's pretty low." Not quite as strong a word as you would have liked to use, but there's a child present, after all. You'd use ?badong," but that should be reserved for murder.
"Apparently Miss Shameimaru, the sole reporter and editor, thought so as well. It wasn't retracted, since her pride wouldn't allow that, but she apologized in her own way."
"How so?"
"The very next paper was basically an outline of Miss Shameimaru's character flaws. Her over eagerness for a story, how she's vain even by Tengu standards, her horrible taste in men, it was all there. She used the name of her friend Miss Inubashiri, but everyone knew it was her. The writing style hadn't changed a bit." That's actually pretty nice. This Shameimaru woman might not be so bad. You sure as hell still don't want your very own article, though.
"I see. Have you been featured in any articles?"
"Only back when she was doing the more legitimate paper. I suppose I'm just not interesting." He adds a self-depreciating laugh at the end of this. "Oh, I have put in ads for my shop though, but I suppose that doesn't count.."
"I'd say not."
"Yes, I-" The both of you notice Yue, who has been quiet for some time, tugging on Rinnosuke's sleeve.
"Mister Morichika? The note from Miss Reisen told me to ask you about the fire talismans." Rinnosuke's face becomes an impassive mask.
"I'm sorry, could you repeat what you just called me?"
"Mister Morichika?"
"One more time?"
"Mister Morichika." He tilts his head back and closes his eyes, tears beading on the sides. Yue looks to you in confusion and you just shrug your shoulders. After a moment, he comes back from his reverie.
"I'm sorry, it's just been so long since I've been addressed so respectfully." He says with a slight blush. "Just a moment and I'll grab them." He reaches behind the counter and pulls out a wooden box. After retrieving a small stack of white slips of paper with red writing, he replaces it and hands the papers to Yue.
"Thank you Mister Morichika." There are those tears again. He quickly composes himself.
"it's no problem at all, I just can't help but wonder how you can go through them so fast."
"The Princess." Yue says in a flat tone.
"Oh." Is all Rinnosuke can respond with. That really answers everything, doesn't it? Hey, since he's already up?
"Rinnosuke, you mentioned a new shipment of items, right? Mind if I take a look?"
"Certainly, just let me go retrieve the gapment."
"Gapment?"
"Nevermind, it's nothing." He says as he walks to the back.
After a moment, he returns with a large brown package with a heart stamped on the side. He places it before you and then returns to his seat. Inside the package you find some oddities.
First off is a very strange pistol indeed. The frame is basically a silver rectangle with a grip on it. There is a slide on the left side where you'd presumably load and dispel shells. There are engravings on the sides that are of the highest quality. On the right is the phrase ?Gott ist tot und ich t?tete ihn." in gothic lettering. On the left is a human fighting a colossus. The colossus is being struck down. Packaged beside it is a flask-size case that holds bullets presumably for the gun. There are ten in all with each one numbered in roman numerals. If you weren't in this wizard land you'd probably write it off as an expensive costume accessory.
Second is a smaller box filled with an assortment of hats and ribbons. You see a few beanies, musketeer hats, and many bonnets.
Third is a flintlock pistol with a gold barrel. The barrel has a spiral of copper travelling down the length. There doesn't seem to be any ammo for it, though.
Fourth are two smallish stacks of black hardback books. You find one stack is comprised of copies of the Iliad and the other is titled ?Medieval Epics and Sagas." You check the index and find it contains numerous Celtic and Norse tales. Not a bad collection.
The final thing you notice is something tucked between the two stacks of books. it's wrapped in crimson velvet and inside is?what the f- it's the damn mask from when you passed out! Red smile, black eyes upturned in jest, there's no mistaking it. How did?
"I don't recognize that item from the charter. Hrm, how odd." Rinnosuke comments.
"Yeah, odd?"
"Well, you can have that if you wish. Even if it's from the outside, a mask is a mask and I'd have no use for it." Something seems to dawn upon him. "Oh my, look at me lounging about when there's business to be done." He takes the items Yue picked out into regard. "Let's see?the total for your items comes to 76 yen." Yue takes out a little coin purse from her blouse and produces a golden coin. Rinnosuke takes it and gives her the appropriate change from his rusted cash register. "Now, Mister Mills. You identified five items for me this time, so I'd say you're entitled to fifty-five yen." He takes a few assorted coins and hands them to you.
Sitting back down after that short burst of activity, the all-too-familiar silence fills the room. You look at your watch to find the hour of the day.
?: 10:02 a.m.
What to do?
[] Stay here for a bit longer.
-() Just relax
-() Read the Bunbunmaru
-() Shop
[] Bid Rinnosuke adieu and leave.
-() Where?
--Take mask? (Yes/No)
---
>>11511 It's fun to write. Kaguya especially so.
