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A few seconds of silence occurred.
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As the dust was passing away, Paymon and Traveler realize that they are unhurt. It quite confuse the fairy that she observed the rood from close. "What are those ward? There is no electricity on them."
It was her companion Traveler who give an explanation. "Maybe they are a DUD. A failure to trigger the suposed elemental reaction."
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But the silver white fellow freak out. "What?! Paymon nearly died from a heart attack! Who in world will even do that to Paymon!?" Even if she doesn't like that shocking surprise, she sighed in defeated tone, because there was more important matter in hand. "Okay, just leave this for latter. We shall check first, if the duo of shuted-in and tsundere, are still in our sphere of existence."
Bot of them look onto place where the Raidens shall be.
But something else that was standing towering above the clouds of dust there instantly catch they attention. It was a fox taller that a buildings around the street. Its nine tails sway elegantly as if it was tree crown in wind. More or last, the fox had this shrine themed necklace around its neck.
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For some reason Paymon was unfazed by the sight. "Oh,-- its Yae Miko." [An overseer of Grand Narukami Shrine, owner of the Yae Publishing House and Eternity (Ei) servant, friend, summon, pet. As 'Youkai' her human form do not match her actual age as long term companion of Raiden.]
If we pay attention to Traveler then maybe we can notice that (I knew it! Someone must on purpose pour oil into the fire pit.) face expression. But for now the question on Paymon was: "How?"
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Maybe that was question about why Paymon don't freak out, facing a big fox whit mouth so big that the fairy shall be seen like a tasty blubbery. But the guide probably think that the short question means as how she figure it (Its Miko!) so fast. "Well? For start! We do say to her, that we want to see her 'Kitsune' [fox] form. But she declaim that request saying that it will newer happen. So its obvious that she will make her reveal flashy. And we must praise her for her effort, because her surprise entry on the scene, leaved a quite big impact on the general audience."
Obviously the Traveler was question that unexpected (level up on performance of this Guide). "For some reason you are today a quite unique. Did you consumed something funny? Like an extra amount of sugar or coffee?"
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But the fairy was obviously misread the intention of the questions addressed on her. "Seriously?… You really asking food related questions in such intense stage performance? You shall gobble on something because you are not yourself when you are hungry."
Without no doubt Traveler has this inner thought comparing Paymon to emergency food supply.
But that though was interrupted when some bystander woman finally (wake up from amazement?), realize the presence of that big fox where the Archon shall be and scream in panic.
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But before the panic had chance the spread the trustworthy guide had it enough and shout. "Everyone, calm down!! The detective 'Paymon' is already on the scene. (Believed it!) that; (Paymon!) will got to the root of this case." As expected it truly stole the attention of the audience around. Everyone pointed theirs silents stares on the floating fairy as if it was enough shock to make them to stop and think. As the pressure from that many eyes pointed at her, Paymon must fell it as a challenge. "You don't believe me?!! Just try me!!"
As the dust clouds were leaving the scene even from the imaginary ring, it revealed that there was someone under the big fox. The 'Kitsune's big paws were pressing onto the back of both Raidens, effectively (holding them down?).
Both woman supported they head whit a free hand, keeping it above ground. Bot of them have this ticked off face expression whit pulled-out cheek. Like after some serious argue between friends and now they are just plain suborn to be the first one to apologize for over reacting.
But it way Ei who break the silence by making this gesture of alloying the peasant to speak. "Please, be mi quest. Explain to everyone what happened here."
As far as Traveler knew the actual reason for Ei allowing Paymon to take this matter into her tinny hands was probably her own embarrassment and the fact that Miko clearly pulling strings behind the scene. But for the sake of friendship that though left to be unspoken.
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And so the silver-white detective began solving the case in front of her. And because the officer of the Inazuma army still stand next to Paymon and Traveler as if in awaiting answers, the fairy starts whit the basic. "From the start we shall explain the original duo of Electro Archons. (Of course: From the Inazuma perspective.) Makoto was acting head of shogunate, while Ei was her shadow. Bud during the great 'cataclysm' 500 years ago: Makoto sacrifice herself for her home to survive the 'cataclysm', leaving her sister to be the one who will take care about Inazuma. But Ei feels that she is not suited to properly lead the country and she put Shogun on the charge. While she sink into meditations trying to figure out what to do as a Archon." She make a sight of relief. "That shall conclude the basic."
This heroic effort of skipping up important details and still dint say anything scandalous deserved a praise. And there was no other better suited for it that traveler. "Paymon, I am impressed. You are like a flying encyclopedia."
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But the fairy was still above the situation. "Really? An academic yoke?-- Then there is a certain fun fact for you: The foxes as species belongs to the dogs branch on tree of life. So they share some common characteristic. Like they swung theirs tails when they are happy. In detail, Miko swunging her nine tails in display that she is having a joy. Like when people smiles when they are around the loved one. But as 'Youkai' I can imagine, that when she sensed trouble, she jumped down from the shrine on top of the mountain. She leap that entire distance toward the city, and landed right here."
As causal their conversation in middle of the stage play was, Traveler feels the urge to correct certain information. "Paymon, you shall by now know that Miko is a prankster who like a hard yokes. She probably hided in shadow somewhere around. Then when she realize that she jump in on impulse, there was no point for her to hold back anymore… If you don't believe me, then remember at our adventure we take together whit her. She especially targeted us whit speech in questions, because we had such a live responses to her schemes. Even if I give up in half way, you still zealously trusted everything she said. And you shall be my (all wise guide) to foresaw her trick. Aren't you still on training to become one?"
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Paymon start to think. "So~o-- what are you trying to say is: That as old and wise Yae Miko is, she had this (Who I will prank in this week?) urge, because she needed to somehow vent that accumulated working stress. Then she notices, that from now Inazuma had two characters acting as Archons, once again. So she jumped in joy. (Ye~ey, I shall prank them as duo of sister. It will be theirs consecration to the world of pranks.) And she without thinking ram into the scene like a wild boar." There was a moment of silence and even the fairy got a little nervous. "Well, good think we were able to put a lit on this box of unsupervised firework on time. Otherwise who know, what weird thing will walk onto the scene, as next step of program."
As if it was a call, someone who was still hidden in the shadows take that commentary as personal matter. Then this person walk out from its hiding place and certain encounter happened for the third time in row. A third Raiden walked onto the scene. But… … this one, was not the adult woman. No! This Raiden was a girl. And… this Raiden dint radiate the aura of confidence like the previous duo. This one wad displaying the insecurity of grooving girl, living in the shadow of top performancers. And she stop near the silver-white detective aiming her attention to floaty. "E-- excuse me? Wha-- What do you mean whit a w-weird thing?"
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Seeing how smaller version of shogun appeared, even the trusty guide got nervous. "Eh… 'Traveler'?… A little help."
And her companion answered that call. "Its like this: To prevent from Ei from once again falling into a 'shunted in complex', Miko trow a wrench into her plans and just observe how the (treat to her taste) will cook itself. Miko know that she itself its not enough to fill the emptiness left after Makoto death. So when Ei tried to push a full independence onto Shogun; Miko know that Ei will suffer from impostor effect, because no mater what; Shogun is not a Makoto and newer will be. Neither Ei will become Makoto. So the only one who will suffer from that sisterhood illusion most will be of course Ei. In all her wisdom Miko tried to break that illusion by flipping over that concept on its head. No, she tried to slap Ei whit an emotional shock. So that she will give up on clinging onto past, and accepted her new family. All according her plan, to drag her out from her little sister insecurity complex. All in order, that she will finally grain the self confident of older sister who must open her eyes, because she having a family right in front of her. And that's lead us into the newest member of Raiden clan. But its questionable if she currently hold any divine powers."
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Paymon's mod instantly improve to the point that no one questioned that the position of detective and helper just swapped. "Oh I get it now. Her duty is to be the physical manifestation of the youngest sister. So the Ei will break out from the 'survivor syndrome' and never ever fell like she had to be the one who shall died during that 'cataclysm'. In addition to that she mus stand up and be the one who is responsible and confident to lead her sisters, country and citizens. In summary, she must embrace her post as Electro Archon."
"But still this is quite round around approach to solve a question about who shall who."
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It nearly sound as if those two problem solver just warping up the mystery before final touch. "So in total: we know a four Electro Archon type of entities. The deities Makoto and Ei, and the green leaves Shogun and… Huh?…" She realize that they jet don't know. "Whats yours name?…"
As the gold-silver duo turn they gazes back at the unsecured gild even travel encouraged the purple girl to introduce herself.
But the girl looked confused. "I… don't have?..."
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That answer make Paymon to sight. "Okay, so this is the strawberry on top of the cake from head priest oven. Somebody shall put a leash on Yae Miko, to solve her feelings of being left out."
"Well, according of what we learn about her to this point; And we apply that wisdom to how she acted when we meet her old friend (the Urakusai Daiyouko cother kitsung); She will tried to suppress her personalloneliness whit more sophisticated pranks."
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"Plus it will be a problem if her hand slip and she create something extreme. Like when she will make another person and tried to convince 'Traveler' that this child is a result of theirs deep love between them. And because she is a 'Youkai' [mythical being of demoniacal [earth] ancestor/ origin], whose reproduction thingy is covered in mystery, she can pull that prank out."
"And I have feelings that by some happenstance, I will not be allowed to have any word to state my defense."
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In contrary to they causal talk between two mystery solvers, there was someone else who (whit holding a breath) eager to see the fruits of this investigation or incident. But it was not so obvious to the eyes of regular observers…
Maybe it shall be explained by a questions.
Do you ever see a prankster? The one who in the moment of grand finale cant hold a straight face?
A grinning smile appeared on the naughty one face, as she hold herself as much as she can, from not bursting into laughing. But the prankster was a massive fox. As her eyes were pinpoint on the gold-silver duo while her nine tails were happily dancing.
But someone certain do not share the fox overflowing joy. Ei still seems to keep her posture as true lady. It was not clear if she regret her decision to let the two to feed the audience whit what ever they come up. But for now she redirect her attention to the person above her. "Miko!-- I can feel the shaking, from how much you laughing at this." It give her friend a second or two to noticed that she call for her, until she spoke again. "What did you (do~o)?…" Without even getting the answer: a shocking realization strike the Archon. Her voiced cooled down to freezing temperatures. "How many?" Even if the foxes look down, she dint respond. So when the seconds of silence were passing, Raiden shows her anger as she yell. "Mikoooo!! How many did you created?!!"
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In the moment Ei starts shooting sparks at every direction from building up her strength as power of Archon starts to manifest. The Massive fox effortlessly jump into the air. No, she launched itself into the sky. It was a grand leap and that fox managed to landed on a (bits of weird looking clouds?) Wait a second! She just created those clouds (that look like a painting or book illustration) around her pawns and that allowed her to stand up there as if it was a solid platform hanging up on the sky? No wonder she is owner of successful novel publisher company.
Anyway Ei stand up, look onto the sky, then she jump up, and using the same method she start heading towards the fox.
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But Miko-fox dint awaited to be caught and she leap away. Whats more she starts to (happily?) jumping through the sky as if it was a grass field.
We already can see that the attention of Archon was fully focused on her (pet?) as she was yelling after her. "Hey!!... I do not playing a chase game whit you!!... Get over here!!... Stop running!!… Mikoooo!!!..."
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That left everyone behind, especially when Paymon sighed. "Its always on overboard experience when the elders drop they restrain." Then she turn her attention to the other purple woman. "So Shogun?-- how was yours day off?"
As the woman already finished putting away her pole-arm into her (cleavage?), she crossed her arms and think. "Strange I am surprisingly calm. Maybe you two have something special that even anchor wisdom can completely comprehend." Then she turn to them whit a question. "So what will do next? Especially when s… s-sister-- is preoccupied." And then she redirected her stare at the young Raiden as if she wanted to say another question, but keep silent as she steeps close to them.
Of course the girl in question; nervously sweating a lot, while staring at her bigger version.
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As the gold-silver duo exchanged glance it was clear what gluttony Paymon will suggest and they nod to each other. "Lets all together grab some food, because we are not ourselves when we are hungry." She instantly pointed at the officer that was still standing there as part of their quartet. "And this guy will handle the bills. Newest leaf on sacred 'Sakura' [cherry] tree or not, this girl here is a princess now. And this guy cant keep his eyes from her. So lets go! I am so~o hungry!"
And whit that, a thunder echoed from far distance. If someone care to pay attention on the mighty clouds in far distance. They can from time to time notice; a shadow image (of woman playing whit a dog?) flash lighted on that white canvas.