E10: A Nosy Neighbor

"I can't believe we got a complaint for noise," Anna said, reading along to an instructional scroll while she opened a fire-ringed portal to Nabu's library. It was the middle of the night, but whoever was the prosecution didn't seem to care. Mizuki leaned against the wall half asleep, drooling from her limp and hanging mouth. "Mistress." Mizuki closed and wiped her mouth, standing up on her tail.

"Yes?"

"You were asleep again."

"I can't help it, the moon is too high to be awake…." Anna sighed and finished the spell, clapping her hands as one of the shelves appeared in her ring of fire. "I understand, but I rather not incur any wrath from Nabu."

"And take care of the problem?"

"That too," Anna responded, pulling Mizuki through the portal. "But, what if it's the same lady?"

"At midnight?" Mizuki questioned as they came to the center. There were plenty of seats and tables to lounge and read, just like a real library. "She would have to be a real stickler to- oh my god it's her!" Mizuki stopped in her tracks, seeing the familiar-looking mermaid waiting for them. A single light shone down her body, showing her kimono with wavy edges that traced around the holes for her head and torso, when up and down her shoulders and sides, and went around armholes made far too big at the end. Luckily the rest of her clothing was fitted and kept tight with a nice string-tie around a purple band portion of the kimono. Her blue, neck-length hair was wrapped up in a bun, and her turquoise eyes looked at the two yokai joining her with disdain. Especially Mizuki, giving her the evil eye twice as often as Anna. "Mizuki," she said, her ear-fins shaking around.

"Meridian!" Mizuki, despite being annoyed at the mermaid, shook her ears back at her. "We always do this when we meet!"

"It isn't on purpose! My fins just shake when I detect something that disturbs me."

"From danger or from monotony?" Anna commented off to the side.

"I heard that you little-"

"Girls!" Nabu called, carrying a tray with cups of water to the group. "No bickering, no need to wake up the animals." Meridian looked away, admiring her nails while Anna and Mizuki sat down. Nabu also sat down, passing around the shot cups to everyone. "Spring water from the Mist. A shot's worth can keep your throat moist for hours."

Meridian: Ew

Anna: Ew

Mizuki: Hehe, nice.

"I don't mean for lewd purposes, we deities are above that. At least, on every day except Saturday. What you do on Saturday is not my duty to document." Everyone took their shot, putting the cups back on the tray. "Now, what we are going to do is respectively dialogue about the issue at hand. I got this water so there would be no need to ask for a glass, or for anything else. Now, Meridian," Nabu said, adjusting her glasses. "You requested this meeting, yes?"

"Indeed. You see, I am still having issues with Mizuki's storms overflowing into my territory." Meridian poked the table assertively. "I have certain days when I'm not punishing the mortals on the countryside, but her rain makes them think I am just some heartless god!"

"Well, are you?" Nabu asked.

"I am, but I have mercy. They, ruin that!"

"If I may interject," Anna asked. "That only happened once. Every other time was from you seeing a storm that was close to your territory, and god forbid a cloud wander from our land to yours."

"Clouds are storms that haven't formed! You both could be plotting a surprise hurricane! Or worse!"

"Like your tsunamis flow inland farther than your territory?" Anna retorted.

Meridian shrugged. "Nature is a rude mistress. At least I have control over my storms! Frankly, it is a surprise that you two have a power so important. You don't seem to understand, and a deity that is in charge of ensuring human families have food for the coming winter is SLEEPING IN FRONT OF A HIGHER COUNCIL MEMBER." Mizuki snapped awake again, lifting her head from the table dazed. "Seriously, this is who I had to give territory to?"

Nabu nodded. "Mizuki is highly productive when she's not...sleeping."

"Or skiing, or fishing, or training. She did start training as of late," Anna added. Meridian was in disbelief, as her coughspyingcough had left her confused on when the Ryu did her practicing.

"Her? Training? What does she do Maiden?"

"Whatever scroll her claws grab first. There is a better way, I'm sure, but unless we could find someone to sort them for us…"

"Isn't that your duty?" Nabu asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Do you make Marsaw sort your library?" Anna asked. The air around Nabu started growing heavy as she looked down at the table without another word. "I meant that with all due respect, Nabu." Anna quickly corrected herself before anything else happened.

"Interesting," Nabu said with dread. "I suppose that is….allowable."

"Yes, we should get back to the topic at hand." Anna said. "About how this entire meeting is pointless?"

"Yes, this meeting...Meridian, what was the offense that you brought this time?" Nabu gave the mermaid the floor, sitting back in her seat.

"Well, it is a horrific image, but I saw a cloud! Over my shore!" she acted like it was the end of the world, shaking her head at her own words. "It was almost comical, but I had to bring up the issue!"

"That isn't a problem to bring to a high council member at night, Meridian," Nabu said coldly. "We could have been sleeping, and you could have blown the cloud away."

"But-"

"If you do this again, I will personally make sure it stops. Is that clear?" Meridian wanted to push the issue, but she rather not cross Nabu in the middle of the night. "Yes, Ma'am."

"Good. Dismissed, all of you!" She waited till the three of them, then exited out of the hall to the outside. She saw Marsaw, yawning on her perch on top of the temple wall. "Hey," she said, Marsaw straightening her pack and acting like she was alert the entire time. "Hoot!"

"I need...I need you to sort the library."

"Hoo?"

"Yes, I know it's sorted! I mean…" Nabu took off her hat, holding it to her chest. "Can you sort it in a new order, for me?"

"Hoot…." Marsaw hopped off and flew down, seeing exhausted at the prospect of arranging books for part of the night.

"Thank you, I just needed a sort of leverage for future use…" She closed back the door, bidding a good night to the forest above.

_________________________________________

Meridian had taken an escort here, a carriage pulled by her men and horses. A puddle of mud was around it from all the water that it dripped off, and her drivers were currently clearing a path that wouldn't splash the mud anywhere. "Didn't I tell you both to dry that thing?" She asked as a knight in blue armor carried her back to the transport.

"We couldn't help it Madam, the water doesn't disappear after we leave the shore waters."

"Don't give me excuses!" Meridian said. "The moment we are above sea level, I should find my seat dry." She took a fan out from her kimono, pointing the folded piece at the guard. "I should have you drawn for this!"

"Yes Madam, sorry madam." They hurried and cleaned off the carriage, doing the seat first so they could put the Mermaid inside. She sat and watched them rush around, removing the water with clothes and their clothing before hopping onto the driver's seat and urging the horses forward. "Simpletons, can't even properly maintain a carriage," she said, holding her hand out to the third guard that carried her. He gave him a nail file, Meridian taking it without looking to tend to her keratin. "Can you believe them? And to think they complain that it's pointless…"

"It does seem pointless, madam." Meridian looked up, pausing her nail filing. The guard looked towards the window, feeling her mertail nudge his leg. "No, continue. I would love to hear why that is pointless."

"Well," the guard said nervously. "It does seem counterintuitive if we are not staying on top of land for long. We are wiping our transport dry, just to go back in the water where it would be wet once more madam."

"....I should have you drawn for that as well." She continued filing. "It isn't about function, it is about form! I can't appear in front of a higher council member with a carriage lacking in presentation. You should understand that since you are the only one with permission to even touch me."

"Yes madam, sorry madam," he sighed, the carriage reached the beach. They didn't slow down as the horses trotted into the sand, making small waves with their hooves and the wheels as they went below the waterline. Their appearances changed underwater, horses turning into seahorses, and the guards getting fins on each of their limbs and more fins on their armor. The fancy carriage losing its wheels, and materializing two skis in return. Her majesty was the only one who remained unchanged, her hair floating around now that she was underwater. "Guard!"

"Yes madam," he said, swimming beside her to tie her hair into a small bun.

"No no no! My hair is too short for such a thing. Just use a hat, it is before dawn so there is no harm." He nodded and lifted a part of the seat, taking a blue beret out and gently placing it on her head. "Now, what are my tasks for tomorrow?" she asked, putting her nail file away and taking out a pocket mirror.

"You have your sleep until the light reaches the seafloor, then some time dedicated to answering to the locals."

"Yes, those peasants," she said with a tired look, looking up at her hair. "You should have done this before. I can't see if my hair is neatly under the beret like this…"

"Yes madam, sorry madam," he said, doing his best work in the limited moonlight they have. "We are going to come up to your castle soon, and then I can finish the work."

"It would be too late by the time we reached my home. I'll just have to save face for now, go back to your seat." He went back and sat down from across from her, looking out the window. The seahorses had brought them over Meridian's main kingdom, a collection of towns and large gothic-style buildings lorded over by her castle. The lights went on around the castle, a long strip lighting up in her garden for her carriage to land. "By the way, will you be here tomorrow?"

"No madam. I was notified by one I needed to be 'on guard' for another escort tomorrow. I wanted to hear it from you, if you were the one who requested it." Meridian looked confused, but then her memory started working. She wore a newfound glee, chuckling evilly while covering her smile with her arm. "Madam?"

"Yes, Yes! Tomorrow is the day, how could I forget!"

"Permission to ask for more information?" He asked as the seahorses touched down, two guards opening the door for both of them to come out. Meridian stood up, taking one of the guards hands as she headed inside. "Just be prepared. By the time I am done, you will have your very own mainland to manage for me!" Ominously, she went inside, leaving him and the two drivers outside. "I guess this is where I tell you to escort me home," the guard inside said, worried about what plan his princess had now.

"Yes Sir!" they said, the horses neighing as they took off again for his place. He motioned them to keep moving and leaped out of the carriage, swimming the rest of the way down to her home in the kingdom. He had a modest place with his Nereid wife and child; he was one of the highest guards in the castle, but in the end, he only needed enough for a toddler to move around in.

"Honey!" His wife said, peeking out the window after hearing the seahorses go by. She held out her arms as the guard floated down toward her, slowly flying into her, but bumping into the window frame since he still had her armor on and everything. They both had a laugh, awkwardly hugging before he finally came inside.

"So, how is my big important guard?" She said, gently closing the door as they came in into the dark. She swam over to the corner of the room, finding a small glass-encased candle to light. "You disappeared from our bed, and I got nervous…."

"I'm well, now that I'm back with you," he whispered, bringing a match from the kitchen. He put the lighting inside the glass, and slide the match against the part of the wax-covered in lighting paper. The match lit up, lighting up the candle by proximity. "I thought there was something important, but it turned out to be the usual again."

"I hate the usual," she commented, staring at him in the dim light. "No offense, but your princess sounds like such a kobold. "

"Honorary princess, and I know…" He said. "I have no idea what her problem is with the dragon. I also don't like standing in the library, the owl feels so creepy sometimes…" His mind drifts off to him standing guard against afar, feeling the gaze of an Owl Mage burning a hole through her armor while she also stood guard. His wife's tail snuck on him, tickling his leg. "You're drifting off again honey…"

"I am a bit tired, that's all." He didn't have a soft silky tail wrap around her leg, but he at least had hands he could grab her hands with. "How's our daughter?"

"Sleeping, at least I think. You know how much she misses you sometimes."

"If we round the corner, do you think she'll be awake?" He asked. They both looked towards the hallway, seeing small fins poke out from her hiding place.

"I doubt it because she's SUCH A GOOD SLEEPER!" She yelled. Their daughter screamed and fell next to the candlelight, immediately getting up and rushing back into bed as if they didn't see her. "She falls for it every time, it's so cute."

"I suppose we have to get back to our bed too," He said, picking up his wife. "Ah! So strong."

"It is a lot easier underwater, trust me." He said, taking her with him to sleep the rest of the night.

_________________________________________

"Is that the last of them?" Meridian asked, tapping on the armrest of her throne bored. Her personal guard from before was beside her, scanning the room for anyone else that had requests to consult the queen. "I do not see anyone else coming into the room, madam."

"Finally! That last one was the most frivolous land dispute I had ever heard. That lady was being so annoying."

"Yes madam?"

"Indeed!" The water around the mermaid started swirling, affected by her irritation. "Apparently some innocent farmer came and moved in, and now she is upset about having to share land! It's just a fellow farmer, can't they just get along?"

"That is mental."

"Isn't it? And now she has the gull to claim that her land is being invaded by a few weeds from her new neighbor's place. Frankly, I hate having to hear that over and over."

"Permission to point out the similarities between her and someone I know?" Meridian flicked him with her tail, sending him tumbling away in the water. "I should have you drawn for that…."

"Yes madam, sorry madam," he said, stopping his spin and grabbing his spear.

"I have my reasons you know. Our dispute is much more than a few weeds on a farm. It has a purpose!" Meridian puffed her chest out on her seat. "I wouldn't raise concern if it was just a deer that happens to cross into my land, but it's much more than that, and that lizard doesn't take it seriously!"

"Permission to ask question?"

"Granted"

"Is this why we are going to frame the Ryu?" Meridian scoffed, putting her hand over her chest. "Frame is such a dirty word. We are just going to, water out the dirty laundry at the next meeting. Yes…"

"Permission to ask about phrasing madam?" The mermaid shrugged. "I hear the saying is actually 'air', but we are under the ocean. It simply is below me to commit such a geological mistake. Now, where is that plan I told you to hold on your person?" He lifted his helmet, the paper floating above his head before he snagged it and started reading. "Our first step is to scout...madam, you said scouting was a responsibility for the peons."

"What?" Meridian asked smiling. "Are you saying you see yourself as above it?"

"No, why are you scouting with me?" He asked. Not once had he seen madam do anything remotely related to a soldier's job...or anything involving standing up.

"Because," Meridian said. "As much as I hate mucking about, those scags could refute my evidence in front of Nabu. However, if it is caught by my own hands…" she started, rubbing her hands together. "....muhahahah! Then it can't possibly be a lie!"

_________________________________________

So they traveled by foot, which was more of the guard carrying Meridian for a long trek into the forest. She hung on to his neck, being held snug in his arms while he went up one of the many rollings hills inland. "Hurry guard! We must arrive before the meeting starts."

"We couldn't….we….take the carriage...at least partway….." he had to constantly adjust his grip since her tail constantly slipped around in his hands. On top of it, she moved around from his touch, and sometimes slapped his faceplate when he shifted around too much. "Keep your hands still!"

"I'm trying madam, but you're…"

"I'm what," she asked, staring into his eyes while his legs wobbled.

"N-nothing madam….I will keep walking madam." He struggled, but it got easier to hold her once the sun finished drying both of them off. The slightly-muddied ground was now dry and packed without water constantly leaking out of his armor, and he could comfortably suffer until they reached the uninhabited forest.

"Is this the right forest?" he asked, confused as to why there were the sounds of animals coming from the inside. "Wildlife is inside."

"It's the mana, idiot. Now that the Ryu is there, the forest life must have rebounded. Well, onward!" He groaned and continued on, carrying her all the way to their shrine. He stopped behind a large shrub, where he took off his cape and put it down, so he could lower Meridian, then full-on fell onto the ground himself. "You do realize by doing that, you are making me feel like I'm heavy."

"My apologies...madam." Meridian sighed and peeked towards the shrine, seeing Anna call at Mizuki from the front doors. "Mistress, we must go to this meeting!" A faint Mizuki could be heard, but not even her yokai ears were that good at hearing. "Do you have your pad and quill?" Meridian whispered to her guard. He nodded and took one from under his helmet. "Good. Only your legs should be tired, so stop moping and start transcribing." He nodded, visibly red in his face from the blood pumping while he tuned into Anna.

"I know you are not ready, but…."

"N-no! Mistress, the scroll said it was important, not impotent!"

"W-no, you must be there to get the information…"

"Are you getting it?" Meridian turned away from watching, looking at her tired human. "Well, are you!?"

"Yes madam, I am transcribing madam…." she nodded and turned back to the action, watching through the small leaves like a writer watching an opera they inspired.

"Fine then! Since you wish to be difficult…."

"Yes, I am going without my mistress. I hope whatever sleep you are getting is worth more than this meeting!" Anna warned, heading off"Yes!" Meridian cheered from behind the shrub, punching the leaves in celebration. "Yes yes yes!"

"I have written everything," the guard mentioned, placing the pad on his chest while he closed his eyes for a rest. She swiped it, scanning the lines for each of Anna's words. "Excellent!" she exclaimed, the sinister word rolling off her tongue.

"Now, off to the meeting!" She said, scooting herself onto her guard's stomach. He wheezed, too tired to get up with her own him. "Fine, when a carriage gets here. Seriously, what guard can't walk here from our kingdom?"

"None of them, madam…"

"Bollocks, I'll have a test once we bust this sleeping failure of a deity."

_________________________________________

Ganan was the first one at the meeting, greeting Nabu as she entered the stage. "Nabu….you're late."

"And you're early, the dancing class didn't go on for long?" she asked her. "You're headband is still on, by the way."

"I escaped rhythmic training. Otomi may think I need it, but I don't see myself needing something like that to control the sun."

"Mmm…." Nabu placed her things on the table and sat down beside them, watching Ganan pace around. Ganan kept on moving, reciting her speech under her breath while occasionally looking at the Hakutaku. "You're not talking."

"I didn't receive enough sleep last night," Nabu said. "I'm not going to do much more than what is needed today."

"I see…" Ganan went back to pacing around. She was expecting something else from Nabu, but she really did go silent. "Do you...wish to talk about it?" Nabu shook her head. "Ah, of course, this is a dumb conversation...unless."

"Does my voice help you focus?" Nabu asked, organizing her things.

"I'm used to doing my preparation with it in the background..." Nabu smiled, Ganan looking away before she could lock eyes with her. "What?"

"Fine then, I'll try to ramble on for your ears…" The doors flew open, grabbing Nabu and Ganan's attention as Meridian came in, carried by her guard.

"This is wrong, the mermaid doesn't come this early…" Ganan muttered.

"Meridian, what are you doing here?" Nabu asked. "Don't tell me…"

"No no! I have the proof now! Guard, take me down to her, it's tiring for my voice to carry this far."

"Yes madam." He traversed down the steps, placing the mermaid in the front row before stepping aside.

"Now Meridian…" Nabu said, tiredly turning to her. "We've had a discussion already. It hasn't even been a few cycles yet."

"I understand, higher council member Nabu. Ganan, the summer deity." Ganan stopped her pacing, nodding her head before going back to her routine. "It's ill-advised to mention her name right now, she's in a preparatory phase," Nabu warned. "The last yokai that said her name, ended up shoved in a barrel…" The fire around Ganan's legs and arms flared for a second, but she herself didn't stop marching.

"Please extend her my graces for her leniency."

"She's only letting it go since it creates conversation for her to drown out. So this evidence..."

"Guard." the guard went up to Nabu, kneeling and holding the paper up to Nabu. "Courtesy of madam, miss!"

"He's loud," Ganan muttered.

"The fire mouse asks for a lower volume," Nabu said while taking the paper. "So, you transcribed a conversation?"

"By myself. I know you wouldn't trust my guards to do it…" Meridian said. "There, it clearly shows that this 'Mizuki' clearly puts her own leisure before our orderly organization."

"Where are Mizuki's words?" Nabu said. "I only see the Maiden talking."

"It was too far inside for us to hear, by why does it matter? She's obviously not coming, no matter of what she said." Nabu put her hands over her eyes, rubbing her eyebrows back and forth. "Ganan, can you believe this?"

"No….but, if the Ryu isn't doing her duties, then there's no need for her in our association."

"Yes!" Meridian exclaimed. "I mean, the highest power aside from Amaterasu agrees with me; I mean that with all due respect, Nabu." The Hakutaku's headache was growing, but Ganan's decree went above her power. "What do you think Ganan?"

"You're not worthy to say my name!" Ganan said, her flames brightening until they nearly enveloped her body. Meridian jumped in her seat, almost shifting back "If she isn't here by the start of the meeting, she shall be promptly removed!"

"Ugh…" Nabu palmed her face, wanting to put her head through the table. She got up and went over to Ganan, poking her cheek. The surrounding flames died down quickly, going back to balls that surrounded her wrist and ankles as the Hinezumi turned to her. "Was it the wrong decree?" Ganan asked. "She did do wrong, no?"

"Yes, but…" Ganan left Nabu as soon as she heard the yes, going back to her speech. Nabu turned towards Meridian, who had a sly grin hidden behind her hand.

Soon, attendees started filing in one after another. The guard had gone outside to wait for the meeting to end, so it was just those three who remained while people poured in. Nabu scanned the crowd, hoping to see Mizuki coming in. Anna came in, but she was alone.

"Well, well, well." Meridian said. "The Ryu is nowhere to be found~"

"Not like this…" Nabu was completely still, still looking for anywhere for Mizuki to be there. The thought that all this time, the issue could have been real had never occurred to her; at least not after the first and second time. The flow of yokai entering started tapering off to her dismay until it was just one or two people coming in everyone once in a while.

"Nabu, you, you have to introduce me," Ganan said, whispering to her. "I don't do good unless you introduce me."

"Just one more minute…" she whispered back calmly. "I really don't want to kick someone out on the account of lateness…."

"I can't excuse something like this. Amaterasu wouldn't excuse something like this…" Ganan said. "Introduce me." Nabu sighed and got off the table, slowly walking center stage to greet everyone. She gave one last glance at Meridian and Anna and started talking. "Thank you all for coming to our meeting. We have arranged one, important topic to cover, so we appreciate those who understand how….important your presence is. Without further adou.."

"Wait!" yelled Mizuki, coming running in through the doors. She was completely human, carrying her kimono in her hands while wearing her old villager clothing. Everyone either gasped or looked on in confusion, wondering why the golden-eyed human was at their meeting.

"Mizuki?" Anna said, standing up to see her mistress better. "W-what are you doing looking in that form?"

"I finally managed to do this perfectly!" She said, skipping to Anna's row to show off her stride-filled legs. "The horns were the hardest part, but you do like it when I practice."

"You did this, for me?" Anna asked, seeing Mizuki hop on the backrest of the seats and walking over to her. "Of course! I wasn't lying when I said I should train more. Do, do you like it?" She asked.

"I….I do," Anna said, hugging her. She cracked a smile, and possibly a bone or two with how hard she was hugging her. Of course, everyone clapped at the end, as this is a perfect way to end a happy ending.

"Wait!" Meridian said, turning to Nabu. "Are you serious!? She is late! You started the meeting already."

"A-a-aaa. I never said it has begun. I will say it right abouuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu…" she kept the word going, watching Mizuki until she finally sat down beside Anna. "...uuuuut now!"

"H-heresy!"

"Sorry, but she made it on time. Do you allow it Ganan?" Nabu asked and elbowed the mouse, getting a nod out of her. Nabu smiled wholeheartedly back towards Meridian, relieved on the inside. "She allows it." Now it was Meridian who couldn't go against Ganan's word, even more so since she risked being turned into a seafood item. She folded her arms and sat in protective silence, not making any more of a fuss.

"Now, with that issue out of the way, Ganan, I think it is finally time for your turn." Ganan nodded, stopping her pacing and facing the crowd before her. "Thank you. Yokai of the YA, we have gathered here today to discuss a new problem that has cropped up. There have been rumors of a new yokai wandering around the lands. So far, there has not been any information to confirm this, but if there is any evidence that is found, please share it with your fellow yokai and the higher council…"