Miho Chan
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Chapter 4.2: Rin's Study Partner
🕑 Added 2023-02-02 03:16:09 +0000 UTCRin Toshaka was on a mission. Well, she was on several missions, labeled and bulleted in her new tablet.
First mission; reconnect with her sister. It was going about as well as Rin had expected, though there had been hiccups that Rin was working on overcoming. She did genuinely care about Sakura, though Rin acknowledged that her sister could not have known, given Rin’s insistence on not interacting with her as much as possible; if only to prevent her guilt from overwhelming her. She wished she had, now, but the past was the past, and Rin would not let herself remain stuck in it this time. Sakura was her younger sister, and Rin was going to be the best older sister possible, even if she had already failed so many times.
Second mission; get to know this world. Ongoing, and much helped-along by the internet. Seriously, the only thing which wasn’t on the internet was information about magic! Almost everything else Rin needed to know was either a stated fact, or had reasonable hypothesis hidden in the various research journals out there. Still, the lack of even cursory magical knowledge was disappointing. Though not unsurprising. It seemed magic users enjoyed hiding here too.
Third mission; acquire resources. Aurea and Fennel were being excellent hosts (unlike Sakura, Rin couldn’t quite bring herself to call either of them Mom. Not yet. That wound was still too raw.) but even they had resource constraints. And Rin refused to overburden them with costs when most kids on their Journey left on a shoestring budget. Although she refused to accept charity, Rin would also be caught dead going into a trip with her little sister grossly unprepared.
A chance conversation had revealed a way to work on missions one and two at the same time.
“Still looking for magic, Rin?” Fennel asked, looking over the elder sister’s shoulder. “You’re not going to find much there.”
Rin scowled. “There are references to magic in a lot of historic texts. Aura use, magic weapons, exorcism, wards, even ancient technomagic. But none of it seems to have made it into the modern day, despite this world not relying on mystery, so far as I can tell.” She fumed. “Why?”
Fennel sighed. “Well, magic is… or rather, was a resource intensive endeavor. You needed to train for years, just like in your world, and that made sense when Pokemon were territorial, hostile, or just indifferent to your suffering. But as the ages passed, and we grew closer to Pokemon, the need for magic lessened. These days, unless you’re part of a traditional sect, an old clan, or one of those weird anti-pokemon cults, there’s no impetus for training for magic, when you could just make a few Pokemon friends and succeed that way.”
“... That actually makes a lot of sense,” Rin acknowledged, “It irks me personally, since I don’t think that bettering yourself is ever a bad thing, and freer access to a method of bettering yourself shouldn’t be a bad thing either,” the genius sighed, “but I understand.” She looked at the screen, then swiveled in her spinny chair, holding back the urge to keep spinning. “Wait, are there any local families like that? I could trade knowledge, I suppose, since we’re not competing for power…”
Fennel frowned. “I don’t think so…”
“You wouldn’t. The last Old Family in these parts, or rather, in most of Southeastern Unova, disintegrated nearly fifty years ago.” The two women turned to face Cedric Juniper, who stood at the doorway to the den. “The Rockerfaller family disowned two of their kids, then had their heir die trying to complete their old coming of age ritual.” He sighed. “Why anyone would think trying to fight a Druddigon one-on-one was a good idea, I will never know.”
“I bet the disowned children were either horrified or amused at what would look like Karmic justice,” Sakura mused, having entered the room behind the pair of women, before shaking her head. “Assuming they lived.”
Rin frowned at the bitter notes in her sister’s voice, but simply shook her head. “So, no families left?” She paused. “Did either of the disowned children go back?”
Cedric laughred. “They were disowned for wanting to go and take their own Journeys. I think they saw it as a blessing.” He shrugged. “One went on to become Champion, actually, and the other settled down and founded a successful Battle Bar chain. You’re both too low for Hops and Sawk, but maybe in a decade.”
Rin nodded, before she caught something there. “So… who did inherit the lineage?”
“No one. The Rockerfallers actually tried to get their kids to come back, and when that failed, tried to find and adopt a successor. Whether the kid wanted to or not.” He grimaced. “When they got caught, it was a media firestorm.”
“As it should be.” Rin growled, eyes blazing with fury as she looked upon the relevant article related to the topic of discussion, having looked it up as Cedric had explained. “Kidnapping others is beyond the par. With the power and wealth they had, they should have been able to simply ask. Someone would have answered.”
“Not likely. Not when it meant giving up Pokemon.” Cedric sighed. “Maybe if they’d tried a little harder, or relaxed their standards, but no.”
Rin nodded, letting the lesson sink in before she lit up. “Wait, then what happened to their estate?”
Cedric shrugged. “No one could get in for a long while, not until whatever security they spun up collapsed. By the time any humans were interested, the place had already been pretty overgrown, and Pokemon moved in. I think there’ve been some treasure hunters and ghost-seekers who headed in, but the mansion was off the beaten path. Never heard of anything serious coming from it.”
“...Sakura, would you mind a session of treasure hunting?” Rin asked her sister, smiling. “I’d imagine it would feel good to take from people who tried to do something to someone in a similar position to you.” Silently, Rin added that it would be great for her as well.
“Ah, no thank you, Nee-san.” Sakura demurred, paling considerably. “I’d rather not go into a moldering mages’ mansion.” She swallowed. “I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”
Rin stood up and wrapped her sister in a hug. “I get it,” she muttered, even as Fennel joined them.“Sorry if I brought up bad memories.”
“It’s fine.” She took a deep breath and disentangled herself from her sister. “But this does sound like something you’d like, so don’t let me keep you from going.”
It had taken Sakura several hours of reassurances before Rin committed to a day trip into the boonies. It had taken Aurea and Fennel several days to agree to let Rin go alone; both the Professors were quite busy outside of the evening hours, and all involved (including Rin) were in agreement that any exploration of such a place should happen during the day; no need to taunt the Ghost-types.
Rin had been given a temporary companion as a loaner for the trip; a Reuniclus from Cedric’s old team, who would act as both conveyance and defense in case of an emergency. The old Pokemon tended to sleep a lot, but Rin was fine with that so long as he woke up in a hurry at her signal.
Looking up at the imposing but still-intact mansion before her, Rin hitched her space-expanded backpack an inch higher. Beside her, Agate looked up before squeaking. Rin pulled her Pokedex from her waist, and eyed at the translation. “Well, it might be dangerous, but you’re with me, and even most Ghost-types tend to avoid people not out to hurt them.”
<Rin, I know that. The issue is more that I can’t defend you properly against any of the more potent ghosts, and you don’t have enough gems on you to help.> She chirped, the Pokedex dutifully translating the Eevee’s speech using a TTS program that Rin had written out of sheer frustration (how in the blazes was the best TTS program incapable of recognizing nuance! HOW?!), <I’m just saying we should be careful.>
“I know, but this is such an opportunity.” Rin replied, crouching to run one hand over her partner’s head. “Anything stronger than a Ghastly, and we’ll fall back. And if they pursue, we’re gone. Agreed?”
<That is a good compromise. Agreed, Rin> Agate stated happily, purring as the magus patted her head, <The headpats are a welcome addition, as always.>
“Pat slut.” Rin said, amused, and then suddenly appalled. “Root, the internet is corrupting me.” She muttered as she stood.
<Modern slang is modern slang, Rin. Nothing to do with corruption> The Eevee pointed out, hiding her own grin, <Besides, you know how languages evolve. You insisted on binge reading several articles on slang. Stop complaining.>
Rin groaned as they trotted forward, her thoughts on modern vernacular muddled then purged as she felt the wispy pressure of long-faded bounded fields touch her skin. “Heads up Agate, there’s enough leftovers of the bounded fields that I can feel them.”
Agate shivered. <I think I know what they are. They’re Pokemon repellant; I just felt like someone blew an Icy Wind up my spine.> She cocked her head. <Old malice, too. Kind of slimy.>
Rin scoffed, “Stupid of them to hold onto hatred for your species when there was so much they could have accomplished together.” She shrugged, “Ah well, more for me to discover and more for me to shamelessly loot.”
<Have I ever mentioned I love your absolute honesty?> Her partner chirped. <Keep that up.>
“Of course. I hate political bullshit. Why would I force it on my partner in research?” Rin grumbled. With that, she approached the fallen gates between the overgrown walls, stepping up the stone drive. A few minutes later, she pushed open the front door, which swung inward with a soft screech.
<I wonder if ghost types cultivate things like that.> Agate murmured, nosing the hinges. <Adds to the atmosphere.>
“Probably. They have to entertain themselves somehow,” Rin grinned, “I like the ambiance. Very spooky.” She looked up to see the eyes on one oddly preserved portrait following her. “Hmm. Is there a ghost behind the painting, or…”
<Yeah, I can smell one. I think?> Agate sniffed. <Old dust, woodsmoke… and mischief? I didn’t think that was a smell.>
<Ruin our fun will you?> A Misdrevous mumbled as she phased out of the painting, eyeing Rin before turning and floating back through the wall. <No respect for the classics…> She whispered as she faded away.
“I mean, it was pretty fun, but you do realize that both of us are geniuses, right?” Rin said rhetorically, “Gonna have to try a bit harder than that, though I am sorry to ruin your fun.” She continued, a note of apology entering her voice near the end.
The Misdrevous poked her head back through the wall. <I don’t mind that much, really. But some of the others here are nasty, and if you don’t play along, they’ll do a lot worse than give you a fright.> She eyed Agate. <Do you know shadow ball, kit? Or at least bite?>
<Both, though I wouldn’t mind some tips on manipulating ghost type energy,> Agate responded, her tail lashing behind her in concern, <Do you advise that we simply play along?>
Misdrevous shot them both a look. <I suspect neither of you would be able to fake it well enough to not be insulting.> Rin huffed, but did not disagree. The ghost continued. <Probably best if you just left, anyway.>
“Not happening. Shameless looting of rotten magi to be had.” Rin grumbled, “Stupid Rockafellers being stupid and getting themselves wiped out in such a pathetic manner.”
<Listen girl, the family here had magic, and they hid everything really well.> Misdrevous grumbled.
“You mean like that treasure chest right there surrounded in a really obvious bounded field?” Rin grumbled pointedly, “This kind of sloppy work wouldn’t fool a third rate. Probably a trap, but meh.”
Misdrevaus blinked, then looked over at the chest in question. <...huh. Young mage?> At Rin’s nod, she tilted her head. <Well. That changes things. Yeah, that chest is a trap. Some of the ghosts can see or squeeze through those barriers, and the ones who did got hit with dragon rage, or something like it. If you’re serious about this, though, the upstairs library, the labs downstairs, and the vault in the den are all warded in ways we haven’t managed to breach, and no humans or outsiders have even found them.>
<We appreciate the information, Ms. Misdreavus. Would you perhaps mind serving as our guide? We are willing to negotiate payment, if you require such.> Agate demurred, a satisfied smile on her muzzle.
<Nope. I have to live here, and although I will appreciate watching whatever chaos you stir up, and feeding off the residual life energy you two are giving off, I’m not going to give the Banette in the attic a reason to smash me. You two wandering through here? Fine. Me guiding you? Oh hell no, she’ll leave me discorporal for weeks.> Misdreavus shuddered. Then she blinked. <...also, how common is that device on your waist? Having clear Pokemon-human communication would ruin a lot of pranks.>
<Rin has the only working example in existence. Mostly because she isn’t sure she can mass produce it without the mystery that helps make it function ceasing to work.> Agate bragged proudly, looking smugly at her partner, <I keep telling her the magecraft in this world doesn’t rely on mystery, but she has yet refused to make the bank that is sitting in front of her by patenting it.>
Rin growled. “I…” She then stopped. “I…” She looked at Agate. “I mean, I did use some… I thought…” She frowned. “Okay, I should talk about this with Aurea.”
<You do that.> Agate’s tail lashed.
Misdreavus snickered. <Ah, I hope you two come back someday, maybe in a few decades. In fact, when you’re ready, come back here and you two can die here, and then join all of us for a couple centuries. I think we’d have some fun together!>
“That wouldn’t be the worst fate for an afterlife. We’ll keep it in mind,” Rin stated noncommittally, “Well, we’re off! Good luck with the next visitor Ms. Misdreavus.”
<More like bad luck…> The ghost grinned as she faded out of sight.
<So, if we’re ignoring the obvious trap… where are we going first?> Agate asked. <Also, get out your flashlight.>
“Hai hai. Probably the labs first. Mind as well get the atrocities out of the way before we move on to the hopefully less grim portion of our trip.” Rin grumbled, dutifully pulling out the LED flashlight and turning on her headlamp for good measure. “Lemme get yours, Agate.” The fox grinned contentedly as Rin turned her Eevee’s headlamp on, nodding in satisfaction. “Enough light for you now, miss ‘I can’t not be bathing in sunlight constantly’?”
<Not my fault you monkeys need to worry about skin cancer.> Agate replied smugly. <Let’s go, then.>
Rin nodded, and headed forward. “Right, so we need to go downstairs.” She tapped her chin. “From what I know about magi… well, it might apply. Either their labs will be in a hidden section behind the ‘normal’ cellar, or there will be an obvious way in barricaded to hell and back.” She muttered. “Not sure which.”
A little searching, and politely shooing away a much less coherent Misdreavus and two jump-scare Ghastly, Rin stared down the carpeted, double-sized staircase leading to the basement. “...seriously? No defenses on the approach? Did they just ward the labs themselves?”
<That or the defenses have eroded over time. Or they were so confident in their outer defenses they gave their final sanctum none.> Agate paused, <Or another mage family took offense to them in general.>
“If it was the last one, this place would have been fully looted, or there’d be new owners.” Rin responded, heading down the stairs. “I’m restrained when it comes to Magi acquisition tendencies.”
Agate simply nodded solemnly, <So, shall we?>
Rin nodded, putting one foot on the top step, grumbling… only for her foot to go through the carpet on the top step, leading her to pitch forward, tumbling down the steps with a shriek. Barely managing to reinforce her body, she landed in a heap at the bottom, gasping as hideous laughter echoed around her, a wedge-shaped purple creature fading into existence, two curved talons manifesting beneath its jagged maw.
<Rin!> Agate screamed, not even hesitating before leaping down herself, her maw glowing with dark-type energy as she ferociously bit into the Haunter, dragging them to the floor, <Get away from my friend, asshole! That fall would have killed her!> She growled through a mouthful of ghostly flesh.
The Haunter shrieked as he staggered back. <Gah, back off you little bitch! I need to feed!> He shrieked again as Agate dug in deeper, before he managed to hook her with one claw and toss her across the wide open basement. <Pests, get out here and keep her off me!>
As Agate rolled to her feet, she found herself surrounded, a trio of Ghastly and a quartet of Spinarak, pouring out of the woodwork to pin her down. <I am going to kill all of you, I hope you realize that,> She snarled, clearly furious, <No one touches my human with the intent to kill and walks away, no one.> She then proceeded to erupt in a blaze of light as she evolved through sheer spite and an exceedingly strong desire to protect her human. The split-tailed Espeon’s gem lit with a brilliant, red glow.
One of the Ghastly shook its head. <Nope, not going to fight that. Hey, if you can bash the boss apart, I’ll be real happy!> It and a pair of the bugs immediately turned and fled. The remainder hesitated, then as one piled in.
Meanwhile, the wounded Haunter wasn’t having it his own way. His attempt to pin his prey had run into a serious complication in the form of a reinforced fist, the blending of energies within unable to be phased through. With a series of curses, he spiraled backward, before forcing Rin back with a night-shade blast. <Goddammit, a mage! Come back to your family home, hmm?>
“Nah, the Rockafellers are far to basic to sire someone like me,” Rin cackled as she slammed the Haunter into the floor and proceeded to punt him into the ceiling shortly afterwards, “You kinda suck at combat, by the way.”
The Haunter screeched, forcing Rin to clap her hands over her ears. “You still suck.” She groaned, her confident smile a touch more forced, “Agate, some help?”
Agate tossed one Spinarak off her, grimacing as its kin hit her with a bug bite. <Trying, Rin! I only know confusion right now, and these guys have super effective moves on me!> She spun, blasting one Ghastly with confusion, causing it to dissolve into purple mist.
As the Haunter began to descend on Rin, hands and eyes glowing with purple light, a thump sounded from the staircase. Looking up, the Haunter and Rin both saw a cracked, dusty porcelain doll standing halfway down the stairs. Immediately, the Haunter froze, eyes going bug-wide. <Oh, shite–>
The doll raised one hand, pointed forward, then pulsed, a purple orb the size of a basketball shredding him in seconds as it flew through him. Behind the dissolving Haunter, the Espeon and her three remaining opponents all froze. Agate gulped. <Rin… that’s a very old, very pissed off Banette. Be. Polite. Please.> She whispered.
Rin coughed, nodding discreetly at her partner. “Hello, Lady Banette. I apologize for the disruption of your peace.”
The doll tilted its head, and then pulsed, a black film of ghostflesh sliding over it like a second skin. Yellow eyes manifested on its face, and the skin grew a wide mouth dipped into a frown. Banette spoke. “...the living have the right to go as they wish, if they are willing to face the consequences.” The wispy, creaking voice filled the room. “But the dead have no place to slay the living. Not without reason.” She raised one hand, tracing a black sign in midair. “Haunter sought to evolve through your demise, and take this place from me. His time within the living realm is at an end.”
<Our thanks, Lady Banette.> Agate bowed, wincing as her wounds flared in pain, <We did not expect to have to fight for our lives today.> As she spoke, she turned her head back to Rin, “Do not start barraging our host with questions. We will die if we piss her off.”
Rin blinked. “When did you learn to use telepathy?” She shook her head, then bowed back to the Banette. “Thank you, regardless.”
The old ghost sighed. “Do not enter my sanctum in the attic, or go into the master bedroom, guest rooms, or nursery. I will spread word that you are not to be harmed.” She looked past Rin, yellow eyes narrowing into slits, and Rin turned to see a heavy barred door, upon which was mounted a powerful bounded field. “So long as you burn that which should never have been taken within those butcher halls.” She spat. “Half the malice of this place comes from those bones…”
“I’ll be honored to torch whatever abomination of magecraft the Rockafellers came up with.” Rin almost spat, only just barely keeping her tone polite, “I can feel the malice too, somewhat, and nothing good comes of that much malice in one place.”
The ghost-type nodded. “Then we have an accord.” She murmured, and Rin felt a knot of energy wrap around her heart– a geass? Done without any rituals… The old ghost turned, collapsing back into her doll as she drifted up the stairs. “Tohsaka Rin.”
“She is powerful. Far more powerful than most would likely give her credit for, Rin.” Agate responded telepathically, tail lashing, “And that wasn’t a geass. At least, not the one you are familiar with. I’d personally call it a pact.”
Rin tilted her head, considering. “If I didn’t know she’d turn me down flat, I might have asked for her to join us. Power like that, understanding like that…” She sighed. “Not going to happen, though. If Aurea and Fennel would even let me capture her.”
“The most you are likely to get is coaxing knowledge out of her. And I would not personally consider it worth the risks. While the rewards might be great, failure is death.” Agate consoled, the longing in her voice letting the older girl know her partner felt the same, “She did give us carte blanche to raid the library though.”
“And the vault. She didn’t mention that.” Rin’s voice was oh-so-slightly thick with drool, before she sobered. “But first, let’s keep our end of the deal.” She turned, then blinked several times as she finally took a good look at Agate. “...oh wait, you evolved.” Rin shook herself. “Ooh, are you okay with this? I know we were still deciding on that....”
“Focus Rin.” Agate scolded, hiding a smile at her human’s concern, “And yes, I am fine with this. Espeon fits me.”
Rin sighed, going down into a crouch and scratching behind her partner’s pointed ears. “Well, you’re not going to be able to ride on my shoulders much when you’ve grown into your new form… and I’m not going to be able to carry you.” She added. “So… walk, or do you want up in the time we have left?”
“I will walk.”
Rin nodded as she stood again, walking through the room filled with broken furniture and dusty boxes to stand at the barred door. Hesitantly, Rin focused, feeling out the energies. “...odd. It’s…” She looked down, frowning. “Why are you hanging back, Agate?”
“I’m being driven off. I can only get so close because of what you’ve taught me.” Agate’s ears were folded back, her tails lashing. “It’s… there’s this pressure that grows stronger, a mix of weight and fear, with every step I draw closer to the labs.”
“Oh, I get it!” Rin smiled. “The Bounded Field; it’s designed to repel Pokemon! That’s why it seemed familiar, it’s the same sort of thing we use at home to keep mundanes out of Magi business.” She nodded, cupping her chin. “Also explains why I’m fine; the wards are intended to let magic-using humans through.”
“That’s nice. Going in alone, or can you bring them down?”
“I’m not going in there alone. Give me a minute…” Rin muttered, pulling one of the few working prototypes out of her jacket pocket. The rock gem surged, and with a curse Rin watched it shatter, the stored power within causing the field to collapse. “There. Better?”
“Much.”
Rin walked forward, then groaned in indignation as the handle turned at her touch. “...all that effort, and they left without locking the door.” She groused.
“Perhaps they never felt the need to; they were the only ones that could truly get in here.” Agate mused, “Best be careful in case it’s a trap regardless, Rin.”
Rin nodded once, walking forward and opening the door. She peered inside, before opening the door fully. “What were they doing?” She muttered, walking into the wide chamber, only to gag as a noxious smell hit her nose. Behind her, Espeon shuddered, even as Rin spoke. “Rotting meat… and… ugh, is that urine? What were they doing?”
Espeon trotted in, looking around with slitted eyes. “...Rin, you told me you could make mystic codes out of anything, but magical materials and reagents were the best.” Rin turned, her eyes widening as she saw the hides stretched out on upright racks. “Would Dragon leather be a good material?”
Rin gulped, taking in the cracked and sagging mess of what once had been a tanning station, the red-and-blue material hanging from braided cords over long-dry troughs. “...it would, yes.” She said weakly. “Magi would kill for dragon materials.” She gulped. “Wasn’t the Rockerfaller trial about killing a Druddigon?”
“A literal butcher’s shop. She wasn’t being hyperbolic. Rin…”
Rin glanced around, taking in the barrels of bones and storage jars filled with organs. To most magi, a priceless haul, especially given the half-finished weapons and near-completed armors Rin could see deeper into the workshop, next to workbenches and chests. Rin’s face scrunched in rage as she beheld the fruits of the Rockerfaller family. “... My dad would hate me for what I’m about to do, I think. And I’m okay with that.” The Tohsaka heiress stated, pulling out a gem, “Rest now; those who butchered you are no longer among the world, and their legacy will be gone.”
A plume of searing flame poured from her hands, scorched across the room and setting all it touched alight. Within moments, ancient artifacts, rare materials, and the butchered carcasses of a dozen dragon-types began to burn, the magical flames growing in heat as Rin retreated out of the room. She looked back as the door slammed shut. “...the wards will keep the fires contained.” She firmed her lips. “...this was a bust.”
“We still have the library and the vault, Rin.” Agate reminded her trainer primly as the pair began moving towards the second floor, “Knowledge is power, after all.”
“...here’s hoping not all their lineage involved killing Dragons.” Rin muttered. “And why Druddigon? Aren’t there three or four draconic subspecies here in Unova?” She shook her head. “Erg, maybe five…”
“From what I read, Druddigon are solitary, and often live in out-of-the-way areas. Better to hunt them than deal with herds of Haxorus, or even a single Hydreigon.”
Rin nodded, humming in acknowledgement. It made sense, after all. As they walked up the stairs, she sighed, then started as they reached the top, coming face-to-face with the yellow eyes of the house’s mistress.
“You took nothing. Not the tools, not the metals, not the stones.” Banette tilted her head. “Why?”
“It was all tainted by malice, and nothing good could have come of using those tools regardless.” The heiress replied primly, “And you asked that I burn it. So I did.”
“Good.” The yellow eyes peered deeper. “Keep that light alive, mage-childe. I saw too many of them see it snuffed.” Once again, the Banette spun, drifting down the corridor towards the upward staircase. “Farewell.”
Rin paused, then spoke up before the Banette could vanish. “Ah, which way to the library?”
The ghost paused. “Down the corridor, take the first right. There is a hidden door. I suspect you will be able to reveal it.” She resumed moving, this time a little faster. The magus nodded, already starting towards the mentioned location,
“Thank you,” Rin stated loudly, “I appreciate it.”
Banette did not respond, merely rounding the corner. Rin shared a look at her partner, and with no further discussion, they headed down the corridor, following Banette’s instructions. Minutes later, Rin was pulling down an illusion covering a stately, plaque-mounted door. She paused, looking at the plaque. “Labeled, despite being hidden. Hmm.”
“Strange, but from what you said magi tend to be somewhat arrogant at times.” Agate remarked, “Bounded field again, Rin.”
Rin dismantled this one rapidly. “They really didn’t want Pokemon here, did they…” She muttered. Then, as the door swung open, she blinked twice.
Cheerfully bobbing in midair, a gold candelabra moved along the shelves, a quiet humming sounding as a feather duster skimmed pristine shelves in a purple grip. While the other two candles in the candelabra were unlit, the middle candle held a purple flame, a pair of gold eyes running smoothly over the tomes in neat rows. As the floating being finished their work, it spun in midair, heading towards a shelf on the opposite end of the library, drifting along before coming to a sudden halt. Slowly, it turned to face Rin.
Rin blinked. “Hello?”
The Litwick blinked. <Ah, are you real?>
“Yes?” The confusion in the young girl’s voice was self evident, and Agate pawed her face,
<Rin it’s very likely she hasn’t seen anyone real in several years, if not a century.>
<Longer than that, thank you.> The ghost-type blinked, then flinched. <Please tell me you’re not a Rockerfaller…> She then blinked again. <Wait, is that a translator?> The duster and the candelabra beneath her clattered to the ground. <Some sort of artifact?>
<Technology, actually. You have even more to catch up on than Rin.> The Espeon grimaced, looking at her partner, <And no, Rin is not a Rockafaller. She’s a Tohsaka, and a faller. One of the nicer ones though.>
The Litwck blinked. <...I see.> She peered past the girl and her partner, eyes widening. <Did you take down the barrier? Oh that’s…> She looked around the library. <Erm. Hmm.>
Rin walked forward, coming to a stop in front of the spirit. “Proper introductions, then. I am Rin Toshaka. And you are?”
<Very confused, and a little overwhelmed.> The Litwick spun around. <Freedom, and social interaction… based on my calculations, I didn’t expect the wards to fail for another hundred years or so! I thought I had more time!> She paused. <Granted, I’m far less likely to go absolutely mad now, so that’s nice. I ran out of books to memorize thirty years ago.>
Eyes wide, Rin replied softly, “All of them?”
<A hundred and fifty years, trapped when they renewed the wards. Hiding in the cupboard with the candles, then when they failed to come back, I started reading. I learned so much, but I couldn’t risk drawing enough energy to use magic.> Litwick sighed softly, then perked up. <Oh, but– I suppose you want to read something? Are you the new owner, or…>
<She’s here to shamelessly loot the Library, technically.> Agate replied bluntly. <The Rockafallers have been dead for quite a while.>
<I assumed that. Or hoped, when they stopped coming.> Litwick peered around. <...I feel a little responsible, though. These books, and all their secrets strange, wonderful, terrible, or mundane… I’ve kept them intact for fifty years.>
“You could come with us,” Rin offered suddenly, smiling brightly, “I’m not going to not take the books, but you also know them. I would be a fool to not offer such.”
<...let me think about it.> Litwick responded slowly. <For now, do you have any subjects you are most interested in?>
“Anything dealing with the use of jewels in magic. Discard anything dealing with parts of Pokemon that were taken without their consent.” Rin stated, before pausing at the withering glare Agate shot her, “Please.”
<Hmm. If we discount the use of the gems taken from certain species– Sableye gems, for instance– there were two texts with sections discussing such, and one book which made extensive use of gems of all sorts in Mystic Codes.> She spun, drifting towards a rear shelf. <All three were part of a collection acquired from an extinct family.>
“That makes sense, I’d imagine their specialty was similar to families in my world that used the remains of Phantasmal Beasts; I don’t have as much of a problem with that one due to the open hostility between humanity and most phantasmals.” Rin muttered to herself, “That and none of them are in the open anymore. Those families have mostly died out due to the Phantasmals retreating to the Reverse.”
<Rin, please, you’re muttering again.> Agate grumbled, giving her trainer a telekinetic shove and enduring the mild glare Rin sent her way, <Stop being rude to our host.>
Litwick’s telekinesis lifted three books from a shelf, gray iron-bound tomes thudding onto a nearby reading desk. <Here you are. The sections in question are marked in the indexes.> As Rin opened the first book, she started as she studied the folded sheets of paper with hand-written tables of contents. <I was forced to add one. Most of the older tomes lack any organization.>
Rin absently nodded, already busy flipping through the pages of the tome idly, making humming sounds and notating things in shorthand on her smartphone.
<She’s going to be lost in that for a bit, Litwick.> Agate giggled, rolling her eyes. <Is there anything you’d like to discuss while she’s distracted?>
Litwick nodded once, then immediately flew off, returning shortly with a leather-bound journal. <Ah, I am so glad I no longer need to save paper…> She whistled, opening the tome and producing a feather quill. <So, section twenty-nine; the modern world. Firstly, how have Pokemon-human relations changed in contrast with three hundred years ago?>
