[X] Leave Loki alone and see what happens.
[X] Return to the party.
- [X] Talk to someone.
- [X] Fate. She didn't meet Satsuki before, no? So time to introduce her! Or get Satsuki to introduce herself. Maybe she'll be less reserved once the ice is broken?
On the other hand … if Loki is turning into a Unison Device, it won't be able to do anything to you because you're so much stronger. Worst case scenario, you'll have to destroy it because it tries to fight you. "Hmm … there isn't anything wrong with just leaving it, right?" Both Shari and Juliet stare at you for a moment, but then Juliet turns thoughtful.
"… I guess not. I mean, I'll want to run a few more tests to make sure core functionality hasn't changed and there aren't any additions, and I'll definitely need to put some monitoring programs in to keep track of any changes, but if you're fine with it, I guess I can leave it alone." She grins and winks at you. "See, Flan, this is why I like you! Never a dull moment, and always new things to study." You smile back and bow to the screen. Next to you, Shari looks back and forth between you and Juliet
"Should I come by sometime to pick up Loki?" She shakes her head.
"I'll have it delivered, don't worry - worst case, I can bring it over myself. Tomorrow or the day after." Shari stomps her foot and glares at Juliet.
"Meister Sabiu! You don't know what will happen!" Juliet nods excitedly.
"I know! That's what makes it fun and interesting. Something is happening, something strange and new, and I get to watch it - second-hand, of course, but then, sometimes that's better." Shari works her mouth uselessly for a few moments, and Juliet makes a shooing gesture at you. "Go on, I'll keep the dreaded shopkeeper of Riot Force 6 at bay while you make your escape." Juliet's grin widens as Shari shakes angrily, but you frown at her and cross your arms.
"Don't be mean to Shari, Juliet. She's helped me a lot, too." Juliet's grin falters and she raises her eyebrows, then raises her hands in mock-surrender.
"Alright, Flan, alright. I'll get your Device to you sometime in the next day or so. See you." She waves and you manage to return it before she ends the communication. Shari takes a deep breath and shakes her head. You stand to the side, waiting for her to recover.
"… Thank you, Flandre. I'm fine." She's definitely calmer, and she smiles at you and waves back toward the dining area. "Go on, I'm just going to check on a few other things before heading back." You nod.
"Oka~ay. Take care." You wave carelessly and hop past her, walking at a normal pace; Carim really did leave your table right after you left, and a clone already moved your food away, so you aren't in a rush.
"Umm … Flandre-sama? Do you think Shari-san is really okay?" You glance at Satsuki before nodding briefly.
"Mm. I think she just got annoyed at Juliet being dismissive of her talents and wants to make sure she's actually calmed down before going back to the party." Your servant nods and follows you silently as you head into the dining area and toward the balcony. Again, Satsuki gets more stares than you do, and when you get outside you take a moment to study the night sky - and take a surreptitious glance at your servant while you're at it. She's managing to keep the blush from covering her entire face, but she must be wishing she'd chosen something else to wear. And until she gets used to the idea that she's actually superior to nearly every single human here, your advice won't be worth much to her.
Fate is still sitting with her mother and Nanoha, and a few more people you don't recognize, but when it becomes apparent that you're moving to meet with her, Alph slips away from her side to intercept you. "What do you want to talk to Fate about?" She can't exactly speak too loudly, not without being heard by people, so she's limited in the amount of hostility she can present - especially at a party - but she isn't particularly subtle about not wanting you to talk to her master. You shrug and gesture at Satsuki.
"I'd like to introduce Satsuki to her, since I don't think they've properly met." Alph's glower transfers from you to your servant, and part of you can't help but wonder if Satsuki is staring at the familiar's ears and tail. She really shouldn't be - it's quite rude and she's been around stranger things - but you can't help wanting to check to make sure she isn't. And none of your clones are outside right now …. Alph huffs and glares at you. And what she can't see is that behind her, Fate is watching your conversation. "Actually, if you don't mind and we all have some time, would you be able to help coach her with fighting?" Satsuki meeps adorably and Alph's glare turns into a shocked look of confusion. "A practice partner would help her a lot, and Ginga said it wouldn't be possible to get Nove permission to fight, even for sparring, but your name came up, especially since it seemed like you'll be staying with Fate for a while. Of course, if Fate would rather you keep out of trouble, I understand." The familiar grimaces and briefly covers her eyes with her hand.
"Listen, you -"
"Alph, is something wrong?" The familiar's shoulders hike up at the admiral's question - she hadn't even noticed her approach, and when she turns to look at her she finally notices Fate's attention.
"Ah, n-no, of course not! I just wanted to make sure Fate had enough time to finish her conversation." You smile charmingly at Lindy; you don't need to say anything, not if this overprotectiveness is as known a trait as it seems to be by the admiral's own expression. She pats Alph on the head and smiles.
"Well, Fate is done now, so you can relax. Go on, Flandre." You bow politely and slip past them, making sure that Satsuki is following you before you walk up to Fate and plop into one of the open chairs.
"Hello, Flandre. I hope Alph wasn't giving you any trouble." You shake your head and smile back at them.
"No, nothing happened." Nanoha stifles a chuckle and Fate sighs. "Anyway, I don't think I introduced you and Satsuki to each other when we got here." You glance meaningfully at Satsuki and she nods before dipping into a barely-passable curtsy.
"Um, g-good evening, F-Fate-san -" She stiffens and stops talking entirely when Fate raises a calming hand.
"It's alright. Why don't you sit down?" Satsuki goes pale, and to prevent any further disruptions you simply pull her onto you, across your lap, and hug her waist to keep her from moving. Fate and Nanoha both stare, shocked, and Satuski's squeaks sound exactly like an adorable animal's.
"I'm sorry. She's my servant, at least for now, but she's young and inexperienced, so she gets nervous easily." Satsuki stammers unintelligibly and you sigh. You'd hoped she would get less reserved if you let her have her head, but maybe you should have warned her first? Nanoha smiles disarmingly and holds out a hand.
"Well, if you need a moment to calm down before talking to Fate-chan, why not come with me, just to the railing over there, hm? You can catch your breath, and the ocean is very pretty at night." You loosen your arms, signaling to Satsuki that she can go with Nanoha if she wants, and after a moment she reaches her hand out to take Nanoha's. Fate smiles as they leave.
"Nanoha is quite good with people. Ah … you said she was your servant?" Her tone changes, from almost pure gentleness to one of concern, and you nod.
"Yes. Someone turned her into a vampire, and the person who helped her survive the first few months seems to have been trying to change her back, or at least keep her from progressing. When I came across her, she was pretty lost. So I'm teaching her how to be and to survive until she can stand on her own, and she's working as my servant. … Well, she will once she actually learns everything she'll need to do. She's not really any older than she looks, so she really doesn't know much." Fate nods slowly, and in the kitchen your clones help Lindy and Alph get the cake ready. Well, you can be a wonderful distraction for a few more minutes. "I told her about this and said she could wear whatever she wanted; she said she'd stay with the uniform because it would make it clear that she's here with me. I think she's getting more attention wearing it than she would if she wore something more normal." Fate smiles and nods again.
"Yes, probably." She watches Nanoha and Satsuki, and you take the opportunity to study her a bit more closely than you usually do. She doesn't look particularly tired or hurt, and she's not wearing anything bulky or baggy that would cover up large bandages, so she probably is fine … and maybe chafing at everyone's coddling of her. Of course, they won't be able to be near her for a while, apparently - they all have jobs to do - so they're probably trying to make sure she gets the best rest and down-time she can, so when they leave they can be sure that she's in the best shape she can be in.
"… So, are they letting you keep your Device?" She scowls and nods.
"Yes. But it's got a heavy limiter on it, and while I can deactivate it whenever I need to, it does get logged and if I use it frivolously then Lindy will talk to me about it." Her expression softens and she shakes her head. "I know they're just worried about me, but it's still annoying." You grin, then look up at Nanoha and Satsuki as they walk back. Satsuki still looks nervous, but she's much less stiff than she was before, and she turns around fairly smoothly when she reaches your side.
"Ah, I'm sorry for earlier," she begins, her stuttering barely noticeable even when you're listening for it. Fate smiles brightly and bows her head.
"It's quite alright - ah, Satsuki, was it? I'm Fate Testarossa Harlaown." Satsuki pales again and bows deeply.
"Ah, I-I'm sorry! Um, my name is Yumizuka Satsuki!" You sigh quietly and shake your head - but then Lindy and Alph start bringing the cake out. Fate notices people shifting around, and then sees her mother - and the cake. Her face turns red and she mock-glares at Nanoha, who laughs and pats her shoulder. Lindy carries the cake over and sets it down in front of Fate, then hold out a small tool that looks like a tiny axe, at least until Fate takes it and a tiny, gleaming yellow blade shoots out of the top.
"If you would do the honors, at least for the first piece?" Fate sighs, defeated, and cuts a reasonably-sized square from one of the corners, then gives it to Nanoha amidst general clapping. Lindy takes a normal knife from Alph and starts cutting more pieces; due to proximity, you and Satsuki are among the first recipients, but after bowing to Fate you move away to let those closer to her stay by her side. A quick glance at the people present reveals that Hayate and Shari are talking together, and Carim and her party are talking to a tallish, brown-haired man in an olive-colored uniform. The children are with Fate, including the tiny dragon. You'd think it would have grown a bit by now. Oddly, Ginga and the prisoners aren't here ….
What do you do?
[ ] Stay at the party.
- [ ] Talk to Hayate.
- - [ ] Ask if she'll talk to Vita about coming to Gensokyo.
- - [ ] Ask if she'll let you call Vita.
- - [ ] Complain about the Final Boss.
[ ] Leave the party.
- [ ] Find Ginga and the Numbers.
- - [ ] Bring cake.
- [ ] Continue teaching Satsuki.
- - [ ] Politics.
- - [ ] Etiquette.
[ ] Other?
) ... I really can't think of a 'win condition.' There are ways to lose, I suppose - somehow getting Satsuki or Lutecia killed, for example, or doing something to make Lutecia not be friends with Flan anymore - but I'm drawing a blank on winning.
