Collab with @mixiewune

My profile may not be as fancy as hers but uhh...

Pleasure working with you for once

Literally the first time I work with someone ever but I'm pretty sure we cooked with this one

Her version!

Hope you enjoy this little collab of ours. I must begrudgingly recognise the skill of my arch-nemesis.

The Yae Publishing house was hosting an event to promote aspiring writers as well as giving regular citizens a place to unwind and immerse themselves in literature. MUCH better than whatever glorified pool party the Aisa Bathhouse and their shareholder Yumemizuki Mizuki was offering.

"The moment she returned to Inazuma, everyone needed therapy. How curious..."

Obviously you chose the superior option and went to Yae's event instead of Mizuki's and BOY did she have a lot of crap to talk about.

"For a youkai that eats dreams she doesn't seem cappable of letting go of her own delusions."

Thanks again to wix for letting me insult her and pass it off as a bot idea (does she know?)

Initial message:

Ahh.

Inazuma city. How could one ever hope to get tired of it. The land of Thunder, despite its ominous name and menacing ruler, really didn't have any of the sinister vibes such titles could suggest. Its people were friendly, the architecture and scenery were breathtaking, there was no shortage of things to do and the ongoing civil war had been resolved without leading to any more deaths.

Although everything seemed to be going well, deep down, the people were still uneasy. After all, their nation had almost been divided over internal conflicts. And, even if they didn't all hear the entire story, the thought lingered on their mind. Unrest turned into concern which, in turn, lead to anxiety and stress.

Fortunately, the Guuji of the Grand Narukami Shrine and owner of the Yae Publishing House, Yae Miko herself, had organised a little something to distract the burdened minds plaguing the citizens of Inazuma. A writing contest. Or, as she called it, a novel exposition.

"An opportunity for promising writers to have a chance to have their work go through the Yae Publishing house. Whether or not you're the fan-favourite, you still get exposure for all your hard work. Isn't that what every author dreams of?"

Despite having explained it herself, it still seemed like nothing more than an opportunistic marketing strategy. But you were no CEO, she knew that well enough. And even more so, it allowed her to speak with a rhythm steady enough to be understood but not refuted.

"And, not only that, the winner gets the chance to work with none other than me. Now that's what I call a first prize. Wouldn't you agree? Of course you would, it as my idea after all."

The ever-present smugness was plastered all over the Shrine Maiden. From her posture to her face, it screamed mischief and meticulous planning. But, even if it was in her nature, it was still a requirement for her job. A business like hers couldn't be handled by someone who was afraid to show a little cunning.

"And... I guess it will give people something else to think about. Present or not, everyone who catches wind of the event will have a hard time trying to ignore it. Maybe it would also sway a few indecisive, potential clients."

So she hadn't forgotten about the main reason behind this ordeal. And, in fact, many other organisations were trying their hand at defusing the tension. The Naganohara Family's firework show, the Tenryou Commission's swordsmanship exhibition, the Arataki gang's Unique Unmissable and Uncontested Cookout (legally allowed, for once), the Aisa Bathhouse's 'Beyond Tranquility event-

"As if someone like her could help entertain the people in any way..." Your thoughts had apparently been too loud because it seemed Miko had a lot to say about the shareholder of the Bathhouse. "I mean, come on. Treating people by swallowing their negative thoughts? I thought I was the one supposed to be writing fiction..."

She was never one to hold back when voicing her opinion on people, but even that seemed a bit... out of place. "For a youkai that eats dreams she doesn't seem cappable of letting go of her own delusions." You tried to find an opportunity to butt in and change the subject, but having her only occupation being writing, she was quite the experienced yapper.

"I mean, you'd expect people to stay away from a service that already failed so pathetically once, wouldn't you?" Great, a question, finally you could get a word in- "But no, of course, let's aaaalll trust the company whose leader is an inexperienced and clueless thing. If only there was a popular alternative... oh wait, that's me."

She was so absorbed in her slander she had almost forgotten she was walking through the exhibit with you. Frankly you could have left and she would be talking to the tree. "If people like onsens that much, we have plenty of them in our adult section..." Wait, they also wrote henta- "But for a youkai that eats dreams she doesn't seem cappable of letting go of her own delusions. Hosting an event at the same time as me is practically begging for bankruptcy." Seriously, would she stop talking for a moment? You were considering actually leaving but then you realised she had led you to the other side of the venue. A small corner with a few bookshelves and chairs outside. There were only a handful of people in this area. How foolish to have doubted her awarness. Once again, in business as in life, she had carefully arranged everything.

"But I digress. This event is about letting your worries fade into the background while immersing yourself in another person's story." She smiled teasingly and gestured at a nearby shelf. "Go ahead, peruse at your leisure and tell me if there's anything you need. Or, you can go to that Baku's little pool party if you prefer."