Title: The Gatekeeper and...The Other Gatekeeper
Fandom: Touhou Project
Rating: PG
Length: 804 words
Content notes: No Marisas were harmed in the making of this fic. Probably.
Author notes: One of my first thoughts for the cliche challenge was The Prince and The Pauper, because really, how many times has this concept been used? But I decided on a humourous twist of both girls having the same profession, in a 'hey let's switch places even though we have the same job' kinda way.
Summary: Meiling decides to switch jobs with Elly for a little while, though all doesn't go according to plan when she meets Elly's master.



Meiling loved having days off, especially since she rarely ever got them. After patrolling the garden of the Mansion, she finally left the grounds. It wasn’t as if there was anything special about it, but she’d swear the air felt just a little better when she was farther away.

After about twenty minutes of walking around Meiling finally ended her journey at a gorgeous garden with nothing but sunflowers in it. She knelt down in the flowerbed, leaning forward to smell them. She grasped a fistful of them and decided she’d bring them back home to replant.

“Lady Yuka doesn’t like anyone touching her flowers without her permission. And I’ll be faulted if she catches you.” Meiling looked up to see a girl with curly blonde hair and a red dress standing there, frowning. In her hands was a large scythe.

Meiling put her hands up and shook her head. “Sorry, I was just admiring them.”

“So admire them out of the garden.”

“Look, I’m a gatekeeper too, so I wouldn’t want to get you in trouble!”

The girl’s glare softened. “Still, it’s best if we talk over there.” Meiling followed her finger until it stopped at a nice spot under a tree. “By the way, I’m Elly,” she continued as they walked over.

“Oh, I’m Meiling.”

“So you’re a gatekeeper too, huh? Where do you work?”

“At the Scarlet Devil Mansion, right near Misty Lake. But you probably have it way better than me, I just get yelled at a lot. It’s so nice, I’d love to work here.”

“I wouldn’t underestimate the mistress. She might not come out as much as your masters may, but when she does you better have your guard up. She came be very intimidating. And sometimes scary,” she added quietly.

“Oh yeah, well I work for a vampire. You don’t know what real scary is until you’ve met her.”

Elly shrugged. “My best friend is a vampire; I have no real reason to fear them.”

Meiling stared at Elly for a while, regarding her and their situations. “Hey Elly, I have a crazy idea. I love taking care of flowers and you get along well with vampires, what do you say we switch places for a bit?”

There was silence, which might have turned awkward if the other gatekeeper hadn’t spoken up when she did. “You know, it’s not a bad idea. I’d like a change of scenery and I wouldn’t say no to leaving Lady Yuka for a while. As long as you’re sure you can handle her.”

“Please, I’m a great warrior! Of course I’ll be able to handle her. In fact, we might actually get along! She can’t be any worse than my mistress.”

Elly nodded. “All right, it’s settled. We’ll switch places! Though you’ll have to show me where the Scarlet Devil Mansion is...”

Several hours later, after Meiling had taken her umpteenth time around the sunflower field, she finally heard the door behind her open. She quickly turned to see Yuka, smiling as the sunlight hit her face. But her smile soon turned to curiosity as she noticed Meiling standing there. She quickly walked over to her.

“And who might you be, intruding in my garden?”

Meiling swallowed before answering. “I-I’m Meiling, I’m replacing Elly for a little while.”

“Are you?” Yuka asked, her eyes widening slightly. “And where is Elly?”

“Yes, um, she’s taking over for me. We, uh, switched places.” Yuka suddenly didn’t look amused anymore. “You have a lovely garden,” she added, taking a step back.

“Isn’t it though?” Yuka replied, and smiled. “I take pride in these flowers over everything else. It would be such a shame to have them all tarnished and stained.”

“What... what do you mean?”

Yuka grinned. “Would you really like to know?”

Meiling’s eyes widened as Yuka slowly came closer. I was wrong!, she thought. She’s way worse. I think she’s thinking of killing me!

“Ellyyyyyy!” she wailed, running all the way back home.

Well!” Yuka exclaimed cheerfully, “That takes care of that nuisance. Though now I’ll have to stay out here until Elly gets back.” Meiling was wise to run, but her real gatekeeper wouldn’t get to be as lucky.

...If she ever comes back, that is.


Marisa casually walked up the way to the Scarlet Devil Mansion. She hadn’t been there in a while and her library back at home was in desperate need of some new books. She swung her broom back and forth happily until she noticed a not-very familiar person standing there. She took a few more steps forward and stopped just out of arm’s reach of this new girl.

“Hey, you’re not the usual gatekeeper,” she said cautiously.

“No,” Elly replied, tightening her grip on her scythe and flashing the magician a large grin, “I’m not.”