Flandre's Quest (Touhou) World - (Madness Quest)

[X] Put Megane and Lulu on your team to begin with.


You bow to Megane and Lulu. "Of course we don't mind! Now, let me just fix something …." You float forward and take your scarf off, wrapping it snugly around her neck. She looks confused, and you grin. "We don't aim for the face, of course, but it seems the natural reaction for humans when something is flying toward them is duck anyway. And snow down your shirt is … uncomfortable." Lulu nods somberly, having experienced that particular event not too long ago, and Ilya snickers.

"Um, Flan, it's okay if you go on Ilya's team." You titter and wag your finger.

"Have to balance the teams, Lulu. You, me, Megane, and Garyuu against Ilya, Sella, Leysritt, and one of my clones. Now, have you told Megane the basics?" She nods energetically and pulls her mother to the side while you float over to Ilya. "Are you alright?" She glances at the mother and daughter, misunderstanding you, and nods.

"I'm fine. I'm … over it." You hug her gently.

"Well, I'm glad about that, but it wasn't what I meant," you say, and she frowns. You press your palm against hers. "You've been fine, from what I've seen, but I don't know if this is more exertion than your body is used to, especially now. Lulu's been active and energetic …." Ilya blushes slightly and smiles, nodding.

"Oh, that. I'm fine, Flan. It's like … like nothing happened. Like they're the original parts." Her voice sounds normal and you look into her eyes. Again, nothing seems out of the ordinary, and you smile back.

"That's good. Still, we shouldn't be out here too much longer - maybe a couple more hours." She laughs and shakes her head before sticking her tongue out at you; you giggle back before hopping away. If you keep playing like you have been, they'll be exhausted in another hour. Ilya grins and pulls back to discuss strategy with her team, and you hurry over to Lulu and Megane. Garyuu stands nearby, watching Ilya's group. "So, do you have the basics down?" Megane smiles smugly at you.

"I think I've managed to get some of my old skill back. This is going to be fun," she says.

"Fire at will!" You don't look back at Ilya's call, instead chivvying Megane and Lulu toward and around a low mound of snow. Once you're mostly out of accurate range, you do turn around - with just enough time to block one of Leysritt's throws with your wings. Showered with snow, you drop to your knees to hastily put together a snowball. Another snowball sails off to your left - Sella, probably - and you launch your own projectile. You scowl as it explodes two-thirds of the way to its target; probably your clone's work, unless Leysritt is getting really serious. Still, safety assured, you scuttle back and around the mound of snow. Garyuu glances at you before standing and hurling a slightly larger snowball across the field, and you slide next to Lulu, eyes gleaming.

"Ooh. Busy already!" Megane grins fiercely at you as Lulu cautiously rises - then drops back down.

"Of course! Snowball fights are won in the ammunition department, after all. Well, unless you have melee rules, too, but Lulu said you're not doing that." You shake your head as you start crafting your own armaments. For almost a minute, you concentrate only on making snowballs, as does Megane. Garyuu fires back, crafting a single projectile before loosing it on the other side, while Lulu occasionally ducks around the mount or peeks over it. Then you roll to the side, cradling your monochrome danmaku, and pop up onto your knees. Ilya and Sella, being much more effective at close range, are trying to sneak up on your position, but your enfilading fire stops them early, and they have to rise to attempt to retaliate. Sella is almost buried under a barrage from you, Megane, and Garyuu, while Lulu targets Ilya. Your clone and Leysritt provide long-range fire support, but your greater ammunition supply and the protection of the mound lead to Sella beating a hasty retreat, picking up Ilya and carrying her back as she shakes her fist in mock fury. You cheer your decisive victory, at least until your clone - against all the rules of engagement - hits you in the face with a snowball and Lulu drags you back behind the mound of snow.

---

That engagement finishes with a broad victory for your team, while the match after that has a clone, Leysritt, Lulu, and Megane against you, Sella, Garyuu, and Ilya is more even, due mostly to the lack of defensive features in the area you play in. You grin as Megane tries to get up from her snow angel without disturbing the snow. "So, I think for our next game, I should be on a team with my clones against you all, but you all can use your magic to better aim and throw your snowballs." Megane huffs in disgust and gives up, then looks over at you.

"What about for defense?" You snort.

"But the you or Lulu could protect everyone with a barrier I wouldn't be able to get a snowball past." She considers your rebuttal.

"Hmm … so what's the problem?" She smiles to show she's just playing around, and you laugh. "Lulu, Illyasviel -"

"Please call me Ilya." Megane's eyes widen slightly, but she smiles warmly and nods.

"Ilya. Do either of you have any objections or suggestions?" They look at each other for several moments before shaking their heads. You clap your hands and your clones scurry behind you.

"Then once you're all ready, we'll find a good spot and start there." Everyone agrees, and you spend the next few minutes discussing snowball creation - mostly you and Megane correcting Ilya and Lulu's misconceptions - and clarifying what they can and can't use magic for. But then you're off, looking for good snow, finally finding some closer to the front of the lawn than the side. "Good luck!" You wave to your friends, then dart away, creating a nice wide dead zone between your two groups. Once you're far enough, one of your clones immediately dives into the snow to begin constructing earthworks - or snowworks, rather - while you and the other two start work on snowballs. You have almost two minutes before ranging shots from Leysritt begin landing among you, and the three of you roll toward the infant trench. A second clone helps expand the fortification while you and the last prepare to return fire as snow starts falling once more.

Twice you repel creeping advances by Leysritt and Garyuu, and are starting to advance your trench system when something approaches from the other side of the field. You pause and stare at the oncoming behemoth - it appears to be a giant rabbit made out of snow, rolling forward on wooden wheels. It grinds to a halt some thirty meters from your position, and your eyes narrow at its commanding, enfilading position. Your suspicion is justified when a pair of redheads leap from the rabbit's neck onto its head - Kyouko and Agito! "Reinforcements have arrived!" And then they begin hurling snowballs taken from the rabbit down upon you. You abandon the trench, swarming up the rabbit to exchange close-range fire, and as you push them back - and off the rabbit - you see from the higher vantage point that Illyasviel and Koakuma have joined the fray on your side! Of course, like Agito and Kyouko, they're being overwhelmed by the defensive preparations and Leysritt's astounding competence. However, now you have a vantage point, and after detailing one of the clones to keep an eye on Agito and Kyouko, the rest of you begin a long-range bombardment of Ilya and Lulu's position, and they quickly capitulate. Agito and Kyouko look embarrassed, and Lulu mock-scowls at them, puckering her lips hilariously. Once you all calm down, you turn to Kyouko.

"So … what was with the rabbit?" She shrugs and gestures at Koakuma.

"Ask her. She had it ready for something, and we won the coin toss to see who gets to use it." The familiar blushes as you look in her direction.

"Well … I thought it would make a good assault platform. And I didn't want to use the badger if I turned out to be wrong." You blink at her thoroughly unhelpful explanation, and she shrugs before looking around. "My, it sure is getting cold out, isn't it?" You scowl at her … but she isn't wholly wrong. Lulu especially seems like she's starting to get worn down, but Megane and Ilya both seem like they're starting to feel the cold.


What do you do?

[ ] Take a break and warm up before having another game or two.
- [ ] See if you can conscript some of the fairy maids.
- [ ] See if you can get some of the other residents and guests to join in.
- - Who?

[ ] Take a break and warm up before going back outside, but no more snowball fights.
- [ ] Build an army of snowmen! … Or at least as many as you can.
- [ ] Ask Patchouli to make a great big hill so you can slide and roll down it.
- [ ] Other?

[ ] That's enough snow-fun for today. Head back inside.
- [ ] Back to the snow-watching station! With enough snacks for everyone.
- [ ] Other?


DM Note: The update on Tuesday will probably be late by several hours. The update on Saturday almost certainly will.

[X] Take a break and warm up before having another game or two.
- [X] See if you can conscript some of the fairy maids.


You glower at Koakuma for a few more seconds, then nod and turn away. "She has a point. Illyasviel, Kyouko, Agito, I know you just got here, but I hope it's not too much bother if we head inside to warm up for a bit before continuing?" Kyouko grins and pulls out a chocolate-filled fish biscuit and stuffs it in her mouth before nodding.

"Yep, 's good. I'll go make the kitchen run!" Before you can call her back, she whirls and dashes for the mansion, kicking up flurries of snow. You shake your head and begin corralling your friends and the others. You shuffle them along slowly, however, and instead of entering through the door, you lead them to the corner of the mansion, where your clones lift them up and through the window into the snow-watching room. Lulu makes a face at you, but Ilya and Illyasviel both seem pleased by your counter-sneakery. With the fire set up and coats put away, the room is quite cozy, and you, Koakuma, and Megane lead the others in a discussion on snowball-fight tactics and strategy, at least until Kyouko wanders up, escorted by Sakuya and scowling darkly at you - at least until your mischievous grin cracks her composure and she laughs.

"Ah, Kyouko-chan, you seemed to know a lot about snow-ball fights. Do you have any observations or ideas to share?" Kyouko quickly and easily shakes her head at Megane's question.

"Nope. Never seen it in person before in my life." Her answer is too pat and blunt, without any actual cheer despite her expression, and Megane's expression turns forlorn. You chuckle, and Kyouko's eyes narrow as she looks at you.

"Good, that means you're like Lulu and Ilya and Agito - completely fresh, without any bad habits or tendencies. Come on, sit next to them - yep, like this - and be good. The Scarlet Devil Mansion School of Snowball Warfare is conducting a seminar, and we shall be very put out if you learn the wrong things from it." At first she looks shocked, but by the time you wrestle her off the stool and onto the ground between Ilya and Lulu, she's grinning cheerfully. Your lessons are fortified by hot chocolate and tea and doughy snacks, and lasts until the others' coats and scarves and gloves are dried. As the others get ready, though, you excuse yourself, saying you're going to get a few more players. Fortunately, Sakuya is easy to find.

"Lady Flandre," she says, bowing. "Is there something I can help you with?" You nod eagerly.

"I was hoping I could borrow some of the fairy maids." She stops polishing the candelabrum and looks pointedly at you. "I don't need all of them - fifteen or twenty should be plenty. And I wasn't planning on using them as guinea pigs or anything like that, just as more players for the games." When she realizes what you want them for, she relaxes and smiles before nodding.

"Of course, Lady Flandre. Hmm … ah, yes. If you will come with me, I think I can find some that will be useful to you." She guides you to an inner room and opens it without knocking, resulting in a number of startled squeals and several very worried-looking fairy maids. "You all will be working for Lady Flandre until she releases you." You smile and a few of the fairy maids pale, but you clap your hands and gesture for them to follow you.

"Thank you, Sakuya!" She bows in response, and you walk backward as the fairy maids look around nervously. "You all don't need to worry; you aren't in trouble." Naturally, that makes them even more worried, and you sigh. "What we are going to do is divide you into two groups, and then you are going to help me and my friends and guests have some snowball fights." They look at each other, and one raises her hand sheepishly; you nod at her to speak.

"Um, by snowball fight, you mean … throwing snow at each other?" You clap your hands and nod energetically.

"Yes! That's exactly it! And there won't be any flying or using magic - no danmaku or anything like that - unless we specifically allow it. Breaking that rule will get me angry, so do remember it." They nod eagerly; it's very rare that you have anything to do with the fairy maids apart from the occasional prank or spooking, but your reputation is undiminished. You continue to give them their instructions - your friends and guests' names and appearances and how to treat them, which teams the fairies will be on, the rules of snowball fighting, and so on. You do prefer the civilized fairies of the mansion - they're still not quite as smart as a human, but they're not so foolish and irresponsibly stupid as wild ones. Whether that's because of Sakuya or something your sister did, though ….

You catch up to everyone as they leave the mansion, hurrying down the steps to reach them as the fairy maids nervously stack up by the door. You turn and glare at them and they spill out, terrified of aggravating you. Illyasviel studies them thoughtfully, and you glance at Ilya, but they don't seem to be paying her any attention; they must have gotten used to her by now, or else she can hide it from them. Lulu looks a bit disappointed at your choice of extra bodies, but when you give her a questioning look she just smiles and shakes her head. You run a few training exercises after splitting into teams, making sure the fairies remember who's on their side - the issue of which fairies belong to each team being easily remedied by the wearing of coats of black or green - and what the rules are. They're uncoordinated but terrifically enthusiastic, and a couple attach themselves to Megane and Lulu as personal aides, much to the mages' embarrassment and Agito's irritation.

The first match his a chaotic, barbaric affair, but it serves its purpose. You keep near Lulu and Megane, watching for sparks of leadership, eventually identifying two of your fairies as having potential - especially the one who tried to challenge Sella. Agito, hilariously, has no luck bossing around the fairies, who also seem to avoid Illyasviel while clustering around Ilya. Eventually Ilya catches your eye and nods, and you whistle an ear-piercingly high note, stunning everyone.

"Alright, everyone, back to your teams! Ten minutes for strategy and discussion, five minutes free preparation, and then it's a real match!" You wave for your fairies and for Koakuma and Illyasviel to join you, Megane, and Lulu farther afield. "You and you," you begin, singling out the two exemplary fairies, "are sub-leaders. Fairies, if you forget what you're supposed to do, look to them for advice. Other than that - Megane, you're in charge." She blinks at you, but Lulu smiles happily and gives her a big hug, and Illyasviel shrugs. Megane recovers quickly and nods.

"Alright, then. We'll focus on defense for this first round. Flandre, if you could anchor the left flank while Illyasviel and - ah, I'm sorry, I seem to have forgotten your name." Koakuma shrugs with a smile.

"Librarian works." Megane starts to frown, but Koakuma waves her on hurriedly and she nods.

"Illyasviel and - Librarian - if you could handle the right? Lulu and I will be in the middle. First, we're going to build a wall, but some of us are going to be making snowballs instead of helping with that." You listen to her instructions, keeping your smile hidden - and when it's time to start preparing, she knows before you have to say anything. As you move to your part of the field and begin building up your wall, you keep an eye out for movement from the black team, particularly Sella and Leysritt, as their clothing and natural coloration provides them effective camouflage in the gently falling snow. Once the five minutes are up, however, what draws your attention is a quickly-moving red figure - Kyouko - rushing toward your position. She dives into the snow, burrowing slightly, a long human throw from your location … and then she throws a snowball toward her own lines. Guessing what's about to come, you tense, trying to figure out which way to move, but the follow up is anticlimactic: only four snowballs come anywhere close to your lines, with most not even reaching Kyouko. You see her sit up and turn to face you, a sheepish expression on her face - and then she bolts as she's pelted with a dozen snowballs. A few minutes later, you snicker and giggle before making your way to Lulu and Megane.

"I - I think they want to talk," you say, struggling with your laughter, and Megane frowns at you.

"… Is that a normal custom?" You shake your head, then nod.

"White flags are used to indicate a desire to parley or surrender. I think that's why Ilya is standing next to Leysritt while she waves Sella over her head." Megane takes another look at the sight before sighing and climbing to her feet.

"Fairy maids, please wait here. Flandre and I will be right back." You catch Illyasviel sneaking along as well, creeping against the snow as you and Megane advance. Ilya, when you reach her, looks quite embarrassed, and pokes Leysritt so she stops waving Sella like a flag. The poor abused maid collapses in the snow.

"Er, I, um … I made a mistake regarding distances. Can we go on to the next match?" Ilya looks so cute with her cheeks puffed up like a squirrel, although she really should be looking at Megane …. The elder mage looks around before shrugging.

"Our win?" Ilya sighs and nods, and Megane smiles. "Alright. Among the gardens, right?" Ilya nods and smiles at Megane.

"Thank you." She curtsies, as do her servants, and you curtsy in response as Megane bows. Megane watches them withdraw for a moment before turning around herself.

"… Do you think the planned that 'mistake'?" You look up, tapping your lips thoughtfully.

"Maybe. Fairies are fickle, after all, and if they deliver a few knockout blows in the next match, this one won't matter because nothing happened. On the other hand, if that had worked as planned, our fairy maids likely wouldn't have been much use." Megane nods slowly.

"Well, you'll be more important in the next match, won't you?" You grin fiercely in anticipation.

---

After a bit of rhetoric, the fairies grudgingly accept their victory - 'win by default' is something they know about, but they don't like it because it's not very fun. The next match, of course, is one that promises a bit more excitement: a semi-urban conflict with hillocks and walls obscuring vision and line of fire. And since flight is still disallowed, there's no effective scouting, and it all revolves around proper command and control and planning.

Things that fairies aren't good at and inevitably screw up beyond hope.

You and Illyasviel are independent scouts, the two leader fairies have their contingents, and Megane is with Lulu, Koakuma, their aides, and the few remaining fairies. You blunder into Sella's group, almost mistaking her for Leysritt, and begin flinging snowballs with abandon, laughing gleefully through the return barrage, until a few from behind crash into your neck and knock your hat off and you sit down, temporarily defeated. Still, you took out Sella and Agito, as well as half their fairies - but it sounds like Ilya is with Leysritt, and they just ran into Megane.

The older mage flees through your position, and you shrug helplessly. You're not really allowed to tell her that Kyouko is still a combatant - but when the redhead tries a sneak attack, Illyasviel intercepts it and flurries her snowballs at the other mage. You grin and give her a thumb's up. Then Sella goes active, followed by Agito - and when you're allowed to move again you dash back the way Megane came, snowballs flying into Leysritt until she stumbles, then you hold your last one up to Ilya and bop her nose with it. She giggles and raises her hands in surrender, then collapses. For such a short match, it was quite intense.


What do you do?

[ ] That's enough snow-fun for today. Head back inside.
- [ ] Curl up in a cozy room and cuddlepile.
- [ ] Let your friends rest and sleep.
- - [ ] See if Nanoha has been through the galleries yet.

[ ] Other?