E18: The Princess' Flaw

Soon enough, winter left the lands and spring came into fruition. The blistering cold air disappeared once Mervana finished her relent on the mountainside, letting travelers be able to see the grass and muddy ground for the first time in forever. Although, now it was Seika's and Sana's time to be busy, as almost everyone was stuck indoors for the season. "The mortals crave sex," the Echidna claimed. "And music," Sana added on, trying to feel important (although, there are a lot more festivals in warmer weather).

Mizuki seemed to be getting more traffic as well. Though summer was the prime time to get crops blessed, followers seemed to come by the armful, flocking to the new temple to be blessed. The Ryu stared from her living quarters on the 3rd floor, looking at the line that extended to the entrance.

"Don't you have to attend a meeting at the Association?" Anna asked, peering over her Mistress' shoulder.

"That's what I am worried about," Mizuki said, falling into her bed and pressing a pillow to her head. "I don't know what to do Anna, I can't be in two places at once…"

Yuki then appeared out of the closet, holding up one of the scrolls for Mizuki. "No no no secretary, I wouldn't want my followers to speak to a clone of me…"

"What if Princess Tamiko were to go to the meeting instead?" A maid said, coming out of the closet as well. She caught Yuki off guard, scaring the catgirl under the bed.

"I don't know, Mistress," Anna said. "If we to try something such as that, would it not make more sense for your daughter to cover your duties as a deity?"

"Princess Tamiko is very confident in being able to relay you the meeting's information," the maid said. "She is a very good listener, hu hu!" Anna arched an eyebrow at the maid, but she only got the same smile the slime servant has held ever since she came out of the closet.

"That is true, it is only listening, right? Sounds certainly easier than tending to everyone lined up outside the shrine," Mizuki said.

"Mistress, does she even know how to get to the meeting?"

"Ooo, we can take her! Like a field trip," Mizuki said. "Doesn't that sound swell Anna, a mother and daughter dropping her child off to her first gathering?"

"I think you're being delusional if the association is anything close to a schoolhouse," Anna said, crossing her arms.

"Well I think you're just jealous since I was always better with children~. Who was the one who always babysitter the village children?"

"Yeah, and who was the one that took care of them when a certain Ryu dumped off the kids to the moment one of them cried?" Anna said glaring. Yuki and the slime maid watched while Mizuki started sweating, but then excused herself past Anna. "Oh, would you look at the time, time to take Tamiko off!"

"Coward!" Anna yelled as Mizuki shut the door behind her, the lamia turning back to the window. "I hate dealing with people…"

_________________________________________

The portal opened to a beach, Mizuki coming through before helping Tamiko through. "So bright!" Tamiko said, shielding her eyes from the light of the sun. "Is the beach usually this illuminated?"

"That is just Amaterasu shining down on us!" Mizuki said. "Or Ganan. Come on, it seems the gathering is that way," she said, pointing to the yokai heading down the beach. They started their walk, leaving behind footprints and a long tail print as they walked alongside the tides. "Are all the meetings held here?" Tamiko asked, rolling up her kimono so she didn't get it wet. "It is such a clear place too…"

"Nope, the location of each meeting changes each time. It would be quite stale if we stayed in one place, and sometimes it is more convenient to be in a different location for some," Mizuki explained. They could see a raised level in the distance, and yokai gathering and sitting in haphazardly before it. There was no structure, just groups of others chatting while staying before the level.

"This is about where I take my leave now," Mizuki said, having held Tamiko's hand the entire time. "Have you brushed hair?"

"My hair is always brushed mother," Tamiko said. Mizuki smiled warmly and hugged her, kissing her forehead. "Of course it is, sweetie. Make sure you come back once everything is done, just a simple portal will suffice."

"Yes mother," Tamiko said. "You're constricting me a bit, mother…"

"Just a bit longer...alright!" Mizuki let her go, waving once more before going off back the other way. Tamiko just stood awkwardly, opening her fan and fanning herself to hide her smile. "That, felt nice…."

"Tamikooooo!" she held Mervana call out, the kitsune walking up with outstretched arms before bear-hugging the Nureonago from the side. "My favorite slime!"

"I am sure I am your only slime," Tamiko said, a bit annoyed her daze was spoiled. "When did you get here?"

"Same as you idiot. Now then," Mervana pointed to the raised level, where several people were beginning to settle down. "I suppose you came for them, right?"

"Indeed," Tamiko said, her attention turning to the level. There was a fiery mouse pacing around, talking to Nabu from yesterday. There were also two twinned yokai men conversing, one dawning green fox ears on his head while the other adorned green dragon horns. Lastly, a pale lady sat mid-air, wearing a dark blue kimono patterned in various periods of the moon. She was the only one silent, her eyes closed as if she was meditating. The one similarity between all of them though, was that each held a tremendous presence, radiating their own unique auras as they awaited the start of the meeting.

"So prestigious…" Tamiko said. "Is that the higher council?"

"In the flesh," Mervana said. "The mouse gal that looks like she needs to use the bathroom, that is Ganan, the Sun God's apprentice. Then there's Nabu, I'm sure you've met her already…"

"You have no idea…"

"Those twins are the Souseiki twins. They descend from a line of some of the first yokai, and are masters in manipulating their mana," she pointed to their heads. "The one with horns creates dragon-ki, while the one with the ears creates beastman-ki." Lastly, Mervana pointed to the meditating one. "She is Wane, a descendant of Tsukuyomi."

"The moon god…" Tamiko said. "Does that mean that the higher council is-"

"Mostly heritage, but there are exceptions. Right now, it is just Nabu, but there have been countless yokai that are not from any important bloodlines or any other titles to their name." As Mervana talked, Nabu rang a bell to gather the attention of all the other yokai sitting in the sand. "Hello everyone," she announced. "First, I will just like to give a toast, however, Marsaw forgot to bring the catering."

"Hoot," Marsaw said while sitting on the side of the level.

"Don't sass me, young owl. Now then, we will just have to settle for imaginary glasses. Please raise your fictional wine, everyone, to the beginning of spring."

"To the beginning of spring," everyone said, chuckling as they pretended to clink glasses and drink wine. "Yes yes, I am a bit funny...now then, as it is spring, it is the month that the most deities are free from their duties. However, I want all of us to pay special attention to the humans these coming few months. Their ways are developing a bit too fast, for my tastes."

"Translation, we are losing followers each cycle," Ganan said matter-of-factly. "Yet, we can't punish them Nabu. Why can't we just put them in their place?"

"We talked about this Ganan, that would only encourage them to leave us!"

"I agree," said Wane, opening one eye. "But, that only leaves us the change for the mortals, or at least prove that we are still necessary,"

"Why don't you all just open a resort-like I did?" Mervana piped up. The entire panel gave her cold stares, but the kitsune just kept talking. "Oh right! The association made it illegal to have commerce with humans. Shame then."

"Do you want to keep your limbs?" Ganan asked.

"I think we both know you can't," Mervana said. "But, engaging with the humans in something other than nature would help with your problems."

"And lower our position over the humans?" Nabu said. "Our power operates through their beliefs of our mystical nature. If they saw us as a tangible entity…"

"Yeah yeah, it won't be as effective. Alas, look who is still going strong on the mountain," Mervana said. "In fact, I bet you're only doing this because you don't want to admit that my ways are right."

"Youko!" One of the twins said. "You are acting out of-"

"No." Nabu cut him off, keeping line of sight with her. "She isn't worth condemning…." Mervana only kept grinning, resting her head on her heads. Tamiko was in awe, wondering if anyone else had dared to speak up like this as well. From the looks of everyone else, like Mervana had done this before, supposedly not...

"Maybe in another world, Mervana, your strategy would have merit. However, we aren't in that world; we are in a world where a deity impurities herself by lighting tea leaves on fire to sleep."

"Going for my habits I see? That is below the belt Nabu, have you been getting sleep or has you constantly coming to my resort finally been taking a toll?"

"I have, actually," Nabu said, nodding. "But, how is the weight of those genocides holding up? Have the clans repopulated yet?" Everyone then turned onto the kitsune one last time, Mervana's smile faltering to her chagrin. Mervana just lit her pipe in front of everyone, putting the mouth-part at the edge of her mouth. "Hmph,"

"Now then…" Nabu said, continuing on with other announcements. Tamiko was just dumbfounded, her mind spinning as she was stuck on the exchange that just happen. Are, is everyone just moving past that? Tamiko thought, watching as Mervana just stared off towards the sky, pleasantly-smelling smoke rising into the air.

"...and last but not least," Nabu said. "It took all winter, but thanks to your help, we have apprehended the slime girl that had been plaguing our members. It's once again safe to travel, and no, I do not mean the Nureonago that had been sitting among us," Nabu said. "They are similar, but different entities." Tamiko was confused why she wasn't outed, but she wasn't exactly against it. She just got up when people started to leave, starting to move towards the council. Mervana grabbed Tamiko's shoulder beforehand though, letting the main exodus of the crowd commence, so they were surrounded for the moment.

"Tamiko, are you absolutely sure, you aren't hiding anything," Mervana suddenly asked, with less energy in her words. "O-Of course!" Tamiko said, uncomfortable with how hard the kitsune was gripping her shoulder. "I just wish to talk to the council, that is a-"

"We all have skeletons, Tamiko," Mervana said. "Some hide it better than others, and others are completely okay with the blood on their hands being seen by the masses. So either you're lying to me, or….or you have fear in your heart."

"Fear?" She asked, the slime making contact with Mervana's hand freezing. "Fear indeed...and if you think I am bad, then you aren't prepared for your mother," If a slime could sweat, Tamiko's sleeves would have felt uncomfortably wet then. "M-my…."

Right then, the crowd began to wane, as almost everyone had left the beach already. Half the council was gone as well, including Nabu. "Well then, safe trip home Tamiko," Mervana muttered, stepping past her and wadding into the ocean. It was surreal, watching her nonchalantly walk like a spirit going back to it's resting place until her hair went under the waterline. Tamiko took a slow nod, spending one last moment taking at the moment before going to the raised level. It was more like normal sand now, though, the twins stomping down the sand back to its normal height as if they were popping bubble wrap.

"E-excuse me," Tamiko said, bowing before them. They both looked up, legs paused in mid-air as they turned towards the slime. "Yes?" they said, mostly wanting to answer, so they can get back to their mindless sand popping fun.

"I wish to talk to Nabu about something-" Before she could finish, the fox-eared one opened a portal to Nabu's hall. "Hurry now, you interrupted me and my brother!"

"Yes sir, sorry sir!" Tamiko said, hurrying through the portal. It closed behind her, leaving her stuck in what appeared to be a worn-down temple with pillars surrounding her. A lone stone podium stood before her, with no other hint nowhere she was.

"Does the Hakutaku really live in this mess?" She wondered, hearing a hoot behind her. She turned and shrieked, pointing her fan at her. "My word, you are one creepy owl."

"Hooooooot…." Marsaw said.

"I, I don't understand you. Are you able to….do you birds speak in anything other than sounds?" Marsaw shook her head, either to say no or out of annoyance. "Whatever, I just came to see your master, no need for an owl mage."

"Hooo," Marsaw said, flying off. "Fine! Leave and just let me be here, alone in the woods!" Tamiko kicked the podium out of frustration, the podium shaking then slipping below the floor. A stairway down appeared in place of it, the stone sliding away to the stairs going into the ground. "I see I struck gold then!" Tamiko said. "Fu fu fu, it was in front of me all along! How silly of me~"

Tamiko went down the stairs, lighting her hands on fire so that she could see down the dark stairwell. The passage open up to a row of books, stretching farther than her light could stretch.

"Hello?" Tamiko called out, her voice echoing as she walked down one way. "If you jump out at me, I will not hesitate to drown and char your hide at the same time…"

"Did Marsaw let in a visitor?" Nabu's voice rang. "And I have only just gotten home as well…"

"You mean the owl who only knows two words? Yes, she was a real treat," Tamiko said sarcastically, reaching the end of the bookshelf. The end she was on opened up to tables and furniture spread out.

"Don't speak ill of what you don't know, Tamiko," Nabu said, Tamiko getting closer and closer to the voice. "So, why have you come to my domain?"

"Can't you read my mind? You know why I would come to a place like this."

"Only when I am near enough," Nabu said. The light had finally reached her, Tamiko seeing her lounged out on a long sofa. She looked like she had been waiting for the Nureonago, trailing her finger along the linen of the furniture. "You are probably wondering why I lied at the meeting."

"Much more than that, actually…." Tamiko said, her mind going to Mervana for a moment before coming back to the focus. "But, I wish to try out for the higher council."

"....What?" Nabu said. "You could barely handle my shadow clone, and you think you possess enough power to even have that spot?"

"Mervana also said that character was important!"

"You of all people, pulling the character card…" Nabu sighed, sitting up on her chair. "If you think your character is fit for it, then have you told Mizuki the truth about your past?"

"Of course, I was a young, for-"

"The full truth."

"....You're not my mother," Tamiko said, hiding her mouth behind her fan. "Why does my past even matter?"

"Because you're lying to the only person that defended you. You think she isn't worthy of knowing?" Tamiko turned around, refusing to answer.

"Suit yourself then. If you go to anyone else, you'll fail, even before you begin." Nabu laid back down on the chair, turning her back to her. "Come back to me when you have done what I've asked." Tamiko clenched her teeth, forming a small fireball in her hand. "I think I rather stay. After all, I have the real Nabu here and all to myself!" She turned around and threw the fireball, the blast streaking towards her. It dissipated before it could touch Nabu though, dissipating from a sudden gust of wind slicing through the ball and towards the slime. Tamiko dived to the side, watching the wind blade cut through a set of chairs before losing power and disappearing.

"Are you done yet?" Nabu said, Marsaw landing in front of her and raising her wings. "I rather keep my bird in one piece today."

"Hoo!"

"Seems we have different agendas then," Marsaw shuffled and crouched, launching at Tamiko with a sheer scream. Tamiko raised hands from the shadows to trap her immediately, but the owl was no slouch in speed. In the blink of an eye, the owl mage speed up and outpaced the shadows, slashing her claws against Tamiko's face before darting up with a flap of her wings. "You insolent- argh!" Her slimy face healed back instantly, but Marsaw was already circling, getting ready to dive-bomb her once more. Tamiko shot a column of fire up at the owl, but she dodged left and darted down to Tamiko.

Shing! Another cut through the princess, this time driving a wedge through her body. She pulled herself back together once more, jumping back to make some space between, though. However, it was futile. It didn't matter if there were 1 or 100 meters between them, the owl mage would close the distance in less than a second, driving her legs and talons right through the body of Tamiko each time. As a slime, she could take no physical damage, but each time she had to reform herself was precious seconds Marsaw could use to discombobulate her with a wall or blade of wind.

"Come on!" Nabu egged on, watching with a cup of hot chocolate. She had also gotten a candle in the meantime, all comfortable while watching from her seat. "Marsaw should be an easy matchup for you. You wanted to be a councilwoman, yet you can barely handle holding off an owl!"

"Be quiet and let me kill you!" Tamiko said, grabbing Marsaw's claw as she flew by. Marsaw flapped, looking down as the slime slowly engulfed her leg. "Ahaha! Without speed, you're just some dumb bird!"

"Hoo," Marsaw said, flying herself up with Tamiko attached anyway. "W-what are you doing? I am sapping your mana! You're not even a deity! You should be fainting right this instant!" Amidst being dragged around in circles and janked up and down, she heard Nabu laughing at her plight.

"I cannot believe you haven't realized it yet," Nabu said, taking a smug sip of her drink. "Could you not tell? She has no powers for you to steal." Marsaw launched Tamiko, swinging her around on her leg until she was flung into the archive wall. Her back broke into a mass of slime against it, Tamiko gasping out for air and falling back down onto the ground. Her kimono was left in tatters, pieces scattered along the ground and the rest hanging by torn ribbons on her body. Marsaw was left completely unharmed, aside from a slight burn wound on her leg. She landed back in front of Nabu, watching her stagger back up to Nabu. "Did you actually take physical damage from that?" Nabu asked, seeing Tamiko hold the side of her body while it formed back up. "So much for a slime's body…" Tamiko stared back at Nabu, her disdain for her welling up inside her chest. She wanted to burn that patronizing look off Nabu's face, sitting there drinking her tea without having to lift a finger.

"Well?" Nabu said, expecting an answer from Tamiko. The slime wanted to keep going, but she knew it would go anywhere. At least not with Nabu's guardian at full strength. She looked along the ground, finding her hand fan before leaving the two. She turned one last time, giving Nabu a hard scowl before disappearing into the darkness.

"Hoot,"

"Yes Marsaw," Nabu said. "She is pretty insistent. She is never going to get onto the higher council if she thinks she could rush her ascent to power, nor force her past until the shadows." Nabu took another sip, giving her teacup to Marsaw. "Also, your friend's milk is nice." Marsaw straightened up, snatching the cup away with her mouth. "Hoot!"

"Oops, did I say friend?" Nabu said chuckling. "I meant research subject, right?"

"....hoot…" Marsaw flew away, Nabu laughing more as Marsaw flew back to her room.

_________________________________________

"What happened to you!?" Mizuki said, seeing Tamiko's clothing destroyed. "I thought I told you to come back from the beach!"

"I, I took a bit of a detour, mother…" Tamiko said.

"A detour? Where did you go, the forest?" Mizuki said. "I was worried sick about you!"

"With all due respect mother, I had an errand to run."

"And, what was that?" Mizuki said, putting her hands on her hips.

"None, none of your business!"

"As your mother, it is plenty of my business."

"As my mother, you're supposed to just trust me!" Tamiko said. "I thought you were nice and forgiving, but you're interrogating me like I did something wrong!"

"You did!" Anna called out from another room through the hallway. "Mistress hurry, Herveen has been waiting on you for some time now."

"Coming!" Mizuki said, turning back to Tamiko. "Now, listen here young lady-"

"Wait," Tamiko said, grabbing Mizuki's arms. "Mother, you know I would never do anything that would purposefully put my well-being in danger. Please, just trust me."

"But Tamiko-"

"Please…." Tamiko said. "I promise, I will never disobey you again. I give you my word."

"But….well….alright, but clean yourself up, you look like you went through a barn," Mizuki said, brushing the princess's slime hair aside. She then hugged Tamiko and left her in the room to give her privacy. "Thank you," Tamiko said, waiting until the door was closed. Her ashamed face faded to a cold stare as she started to change, "....for being so gullible."

"Princess Tamiko," A slime made said, appearing from under the bed. She was holding a freshly made kimono for her, handing it to the slime. "What will you do about Nabu?"

"The same plan as before. Only now, I will just have to get more powerful, after all~"