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

[X] Take a nap.


You rock the seat a bit, letting it swing gently as you think about what to do. Madoka is a guest, and so is Mami … so is Kyouko, for now. Probably, anyway. Of course, how much that matters … Madoka asked you, and making sure Kyouko either doesn't have regrets or deal with them without trouble for the mansion would be a good thing. But would you be the best person for that, and how would you go about it to begin with. You could argue that dealing with Kyouko would be Remilia or Sakuya's job, since Remilia is the one who's actually 'hiring' her and Sakuya will be her superior … but you invited them. And that wouldn't help with getting Mami to admit her problems openly ….

"Ah, I'm sorry, Flandre-san! I asked you to do this and then -" You wave your hand to cut her off and sigh.

"I'm not saying I won't, but I will at least need some time to think and work out how I would approach them. After all, I don't know them, and if I went right now I wouldn't really have anything to say except that they're worrying you, which they should know anyway, and that they're embarrassing themselves by making it obvious, which they probably wouldn't care as much about because they're still children, and embarrassing yourself is a prerogative of a child." Madoka blushes - after all, she is a child, too - and nods. You stay still for a moment, then shake yourself and hop off the seat. You glance at Homura, wondering how much she's spoken with Nanoha and Fate since the party, how much help she's been getting … but that's not something you should bring up right now. Really, the big problem is just that you aren't any good at this sort of … reconciliation. "Anyway, I'll see what I can do, but it won't be until tonight sometime at the very earliest." Madoka smiles and jumps off the bench, wrapping her arms around you in an awkward hug before hesitantly stepping back.

"Um, s-sorry. Thank you, Flandre-san." Homura stands up next to her and nods. You work a smile onto your face, and Madoka looks relieved.

"Then I'll see you at dinner. Take care until then." You bow and swiftly withdraw, slipping quietly past a busily writing and muttering Sayaka. You pass by a few fairy maids who bow respectfully when they see you, but once you're in the library you don't see anyone - a natural state of affairs, given its sheer size and the placement of its books. You peek in on a soundly-sleeping Satsuki, then walk into your room and slide onto the bed. Sleep won't necessarily help, but it does create a break where you don't have to think about it. Besides, there are some things that are easier to do while asleep ….

---

You open your eyes, remembering your time with Headless and Giltless. A bit of fun and games with both of them and your clones, then you and Headless stop for a bit. Giltless, when she comes to see what you're doing, is endearingly confused when she tries to figure out just what you're debating. She just looks so cute when she tries to figure out the merits of red-and-green painting compared to blue-and-green painting, and Headless just sighs when you give her a look.

The door opens slightly and you increase the illumination as Satsuki peeks in. "Ah, Flandre-sama! You're awake already." She opens the door fully and steps inside, closing it behind her before bowing and walking to the wardrobe. You grin as she takes a deep breath before opening it, and you can't help but laugh as she freezes at the interior. You take pity on her and select an outfit yourself, then let her dress you. "Did you have a good day, Flandre-sama?" You shake your head, not to answer her question but just to keep her from putting your hair in its ponytail, and put your hat on.

"I think I'll go like this tonight," you say, and after a moment Satsuki nods and starts putting everything away. "And I think I did. It's hard to tell, sometimes, you know?" She smiles sadly and nods.

"I do. Sometimes I think a lot of my life was like that - not being able to tell if I actually liked that day, or if I just lived through it." You pat her shoulder and she cheers up a bit. "I think I've had more days that I knew the answer to that question right away since I met you than I did before. Thank you, Flandre-sama." You blink, then smile and give her a hug.

"Alright, let's go see what's for dinner." She smiles and bows, then opens the door for you.

---

"So why does Madoka keep looking at you, hm? Hmm?" You very carefully stick your tongue out at Ilya, and Lulu giggles into her glass. She isn't trying to signal you, you're pretty sure - she probably isn't even aware of how frequently …. She stiffens and her face reddens, and you're pretty sure that Homura said something telepathically about her looking at you. There isn't the tension that there usually is between Mami and Kyouko … but they are sitting at different ends, with Mami at the corner and Kyouko next to Zest.

"Flandre, what are your thoughts on the matter?" You smile at your sister.

"Varied and complex," you begin. "It depends on what justification Nanoha is using for sending her forces across Fate's border - if any - and whether those justifications hold any water. And on how effectively they fight, and where we're located relative to each other. Also, their reactions to how the combats go: they could be working together, sacrificing troops - or not, if their healers are good enough - on one pretext while actually planning to go after someone else entirely. If I'm not in the immediate area, I would suggest watching the battles closely and carefully, and examining goals and methods of both sides. If I am in the immediate area, I ramp up defense spending, because if nothing else, Nanoha has shown herself to be volatile, aggressive, and dangerous. Unless Fate conquers her country, I have to consider that she might attack me - and if Fate does conquer her country, then Fate is now in a position to be considerably more powerful than she was before the war, once she properly integrates the military and economic capabilities of the new territories." Nanoha laughs, and Fate looks like she can't tell if she's supposed to be embarrassed or upset.

"Maybe you should play, too, Flandre-chan!" You smile and tap your lip, making a show of thinking about it, then shrug..

"Hmm … I'll think about it. Remilia, what about you?" Your sister smirks.

"I would love to play a game of 'I Win,' but I do not think it would be fun for the others." Megane huffs.

"I think that's a challenge! Let's start a new game with Remilia after dinner!" Nanoha and Fate both nod, Zest shrugs, Vita sighs, and Lulu buries her head in her hands. Remilia chuckles and applauds quietly.

"Very well. We shall play after dinner has finished."


What do you do?

[ ] Talk to Mami.

[ ] Talk to Kyouko.

[ ] Talk to Ilya and Lulu about Madoka's request.

[ ] Watch the game.

[ ] Other?

[X] Talk to Ilya and Lulu about Madoka's request.


After dinner, Remilia stretches and hops to her feet. "Alright, Pache, let us go show these people how to conduct conquest properly." Megane scoffs and rises to her feet energetically. Patchouli scowls at your sister.

"What do you need me for?" Remilia grins.

"I need a cheerleader." Patchouli blinks, then everyone looks at Koakuma as she groans unhappily and covers her face. You laugh quietly, and your sister looks at you. "Well, Flandre? Will you be joining us?" You hesitate, then shake your head.

"I'm sorry, Remilia, Nanoha. I'll try to stop by before you finish, but there's something I want to work on first." You look at your friends questioningly, and they nod encouragingly. You smile, relieved, and Remilia bows her head in acknowledgement.

"If you miss it, I will make sure to give you the short version, and if you like it I am sure we can make some time to play it again." As she and the Mid-Childans start to leave, Kyouko scoots around them to join Deis and Illyasviel, while Mami turns and stiffly walks out. Madoka looks at them unhappily, clutching her hands together, and then looks helplessly at you. You nod at her and she relaxes a little. Sayaka looks back and forth between you and her suspiciously, but Homura chivvies both of them out.

"Lady Flandre? Is there anything you need?" You shake your head.

"No, thank you, Sakuya." The head maid bows, and Ilya and Lulu follow you out of the dining room. A few seconds after you leave, Satsuki hurries after you. "I need your help, actually. You saw how Mami and Kyouko were acting, right?" Lulu nods unhappily.

"Lock them in a closet and they don't get to come out until they've made up. Or tie their hair together." You chuckle at Ilya's suggestion, but Lulu glowers at her.

"Ilya, that's not nice! And it'll just make them not like Flan." Ilya nods.

"So they'll be working together to oppose Flan; since they're working together, they have to make up at least a little, and they won't be avoiding each other and trying to avoid being obvious about avoiding each other." Lulu hunches her shoulders, but you pat her back gently.

"It doesn't work too well, though - the reason they aren't getting along right now is because Kyouko wants to stay here, while Mami wants to stay in Mitakihara. They don't actually dislike each other; they do like and care for each other, but have very different perspectives on what the right thing to do is. That's the problem." You turn into a lounge and hop onto a couch. Lulu climbs up next to you, but Ilya just hops onto your lap, resting her head on Lulu's lap.

"Hey! Ilya - Flan! She's cheating!" You giggle and lean against her, then kiss her cheek. She blushes and her eyes widen, and Ilya pouts cutely. You scratch her tummy, like she's a big kitten, and Lulu tickles her nose as she tries to wriggle away from you without falling off.

"Alright, no one's cheating, now, right? Good." Ilya sticks her tongue out at you, and Lulu strokes her hair gently. "Anyway, Madoka asked me to try and get them to make up, but I'm … not really sure how to go about it, and I was hoping you two might be able to help me come up with ideas."

"Well, they might just be trying to keep away from each other not because they're upset with each other, but because they can't really do anything without reminding each other of their upcoming separation. So even though they really are on good terms, it seems to us that they're on bad terms because they don't want to be around each other." You nod slowly, but Lulu shakes her head.

"If that's true, though, why haven't they told anyone? Why would Madoka need to ask Flan to get them back together?" You and Ilya both nod. "You could get one of them to listen in on a conversation with the other. Then you get the one you're talking to to admit that she really does want to get along better with the other, and try to work out with her how to get her back together with the other."

"Who's actually listening in and can hear how much she's wanted by the first girl, and might even come in to try and make things work right there," Ilya finishes. You nod, then shake your head.

"They aren't stupid, though. If there's a problem, wouldn't they figure it out themselves?" Ilya and Lulu look at each other.

"Maybe, but emotions get in the way," Ilya says carefully. "If they're scared, or angry, they won't think about things carefully." Lulu nods.

"Like Cinque and Mama - Cinque's scared of seeing Mama, because she thinks she's responsible for Mama being hurt and everything. So she tries to hide - and if Mama didn't have Zest and Agito and me to explain what she's really like and how she thinks, then she might have been upset and angry with her. But since we could tell her about Cinque, she feels kind of bad for her, and wants to meet her. But we aren't sure how to get Cinque to agree with it, because she's so scared." She sighs.

"Well, that's easy - we'll just ask Remilia and Patchouli to drop a portal right on Cinque so she can't get away from Megane. But if Megane and Cinque both wanted to keep away from each other, it'd be harder, wouldn't it?" Lulu nods. Ilya reaches up and 'snips' your and Lulu's noses. You blink down at her, and Satsuki giggles.

"She took your noses!" You look at your maid, giggling in the corner, then back down at Ilya, who's starting to look a little embarrassed and blushes. You shake your head, and Lulu just looks around confused.

"Satsuki, what do you think?" She stops laughing and meets your eyes, then looks down at her hands. "About Mami and Kyouko."

"… It … might work to just get them and tell them, together, that they're making others worry. Don't try to do anything specific, just … let them know that people are worrying about them." You nod, then look down at Ilya - and your hand darts forward to 'snip' her nose.

"Got your nose!" She scowls, then sticks her tongue out at you. You pat her tummy again. "So, just tell them that they're making people worry. Sneak one into a position where she can hear the other say how she really feels. Or tell Madoka that they're not actually fighting, they're just trying to make the separation hurt less." Or some variation on one of those …. Lulu looks at you.

"Nanoha and Fate probably know about it, too, since they've been talking with Homura." You nod.

"But I can't exactly bother them about everything."


What do you do?

[ ] Keep playing with Ilya and Lulu.

[ ] Actually, since Mami is probably by herself, see how she's doing.
- [ ] Confront her about how she feels about Kyouko.

[ ] Get Mami and Kyouko together and let them know they're making people worry with their behavior.

[ ] Go see how easily your sister is winning.

[ ] Other?

[x] Keep playing with Ilya and Lulu.
- [X] When done, get Mami and Kyouko together and let them know they're making people worry with their behavior.


"Well, thank you all for your suggestions." Ilya and Lulu nod, and when you look at Satsuki to let her know she's included, she blushes and bows. You grin. "And now, I'm going to tickle you." Naturally, you go after Ilya first, and she squirms and thrashes, trying to escape, but you simply flip her onto her stomach and work on her sides. Lulu recovers after a few seconds and hops over the back of the couch before going after your neck. You draw your shoulders up and tilt your head from side to side, trapping one hand and then the other, but never letting up on your assault on Ilya. At least, not until she seems worn out; then you gently set her on the couch before flipping back over the couch to chase after Lulu. You just about have her cornered when Ilya rushes at you - but instead of tickling, she shoves you to the side and pulls Lulu away.

"Tag! You're it!" They rush away as a grin spreads across your face. Satsuki, standing near the door, looks at you, but you shake your head, and she lets them escape before hurrying to your side.

"Flandre-sama! Is there any way I can help?" You tap your lips, then shake your head before hugging her loosely.

"Not in the hunting, Satsuki. At least not right now. But if you could walk with me, then we'll find them and tickle both of them!" She smiles, a little nervously, and you send your clones out to hunt your friends invisibly. After all, you have to be able to seem to be able to home in on your targets. That's what's scary, after all - that the monster just knows where you are and can hunt you down. Of course, your friends will figure it out quickly, if they haven't already begun expecting it, but you can't just not do it. The mansion's too big and there are too many ways to go to try and track them by yourself, even if you're moving really fast. Especially since Lulu can teleport.

The two of you set out in what you think is the more likely path - heading deeper into the mansion instead of staying along the outside - and after a minute one of your clones spots them. As you expected, they did stray into the mansion's interior, though only shallowly. More importantly, another clone almost runs into Sella and Leysritt heading toward you. You cluck your tongue and move a bit quicker than your previous steady walk, but after a few seconds they turn into another intercept and increase their own speed. Ah, right, they Lulu is also telepathic, and they probably have any number of ways to set up triplines for you.

"Hmm …. Satsuki, are you ticklish?" She blushes and nods uncertainly. "Hm. I'm not sure if Sella and Leysritt are, but would you mind keeping them busy for as long as you can?" She gives you an uncomprehending look for a moment, then laughs before bowing.

"Of course, Lady Flandre. I wish you luck on your mission." You float up and kiss her cheek, and she blushes brightly even before you nuzzle her - but then Sella and Leysritt cross into the hall you're using and you stop. Satsuki, however, keeps advancing. "Go, Lady Flandre! I'll hold them here!" You bow thankfully and turn into another hallway as she charges at them. You keep up your fast walk as you steadily move after Lulu and Ilya, and if it's a surprise that they decide to turn into a room - an office, if you're right about the layout of the area - it also means they can try to set up a surprise if they suspect you already know where they are. Or that they can teleport without being seen, since you didn't manage to slip your clone in with them. Or something else - you are dealing with two clever mages, after all.

When you do enter, by simply opening the door and walking in, a huge hand wraps itself around your body and drags you in. "Hmph. Much too easy." You look up at Ilya, sitting on Berserker's shoulder, and she giggles.

"But now we can do what we want, can't we?" Lulu hops down from his other shoulder and traces a finger along the back of your neck. Ilya moves in front of you and tickles under your cheeks.

"You guys do know that I can't properly wiggle around with Berserker holding me like this, right?" Ilya frowns and looks at Lulu, and now that your clone can see in, you can see her shrug.

"We'll just have to be careful, I guess." They aren't bad ticklers, but they do seem to have forgotten your clones, and they're able to swoop in and abduct your friends, tickling them with their wings while you watch amusedly. You are, of course, compassionate and merciful, and only subject them to a few minutes of tickling before stopping - quite coincidentally, only a few seconds after Berserker releases you and vanishes. You walk up to your friends and pat their heads. Ilya sticks out her tongue, but Lulu smiles, and you hop between them on the couch.

"So, what should we play next? Tag, hide-and-seek -" Lulu pokes your cheek.

"Games you have an advantage in, because you know the layout," she says, and you giggle. Satsuki, Sella, and Leysritt walk in, bow, and stand to the side of the door; Satsuki doesn't seem nervous or hesitant.

"We could keep playing Tickle Wars," you say, and Lulu sticks her tongue out at you. "Fine, then let's play a clapping game." They both look at you in confusion, but Satsuki recognizes what you're talking about so you motion for her to come over. "Clapping games are exactly what they sound like. Two or more people clap or make other sorts of contact in a particular rhythm, often accompanied by a rhyme or song. You start out slow, then go faster until someone makes a mistake. Like this." You hold up your hands to mirror Satsuki, and copy her slow movements as she recites a chant about a little girl going to school. After you finish, Ilya looks skeptical, but Lulu is mimicking your movements.

"But that's an easy one," Satsuki admits. "I don't really remember most of them very well." You arrange your friends next to you, with you still facing Satsuki.

"Now, let's try something a bit more complicated, and keep going until no one's left. I'll start, then we'll proceed to the left." Lulu nods and focuses on your hands, and as you break into singsong German - it wouldn't work as well in Japanese - you start the hand motions: self-clap, left-hand clap, double-side clap …. You make it three cycles before Satsuki makes the first mistake and backs out, then Ilya fumbles two cycles later, then Lulu. You smirk at Ilya and she pouts, fists on her hips.

"Again!" Lulu looks apprehensive, but Satsuki giggles as Ilya takes her place opposite you and you start again. This time, Ilya is the first to fall out, followed by Lulu, then finally Satsuki. You play a few more games, with different songs and patterns, and you start to notice that Ilya has more trouble with asymmetric and side-using patterns - like you, she's much more comfortable with one-on-one patterns. Of course, this is her first time doing something like this, so perhaps it should be more surprising that Lulu doesn't have any particular problems? After a bit, however, you stretch and step back.

"… I'm going to have a talk with Mami and Kyouko before it gets too late," you say, and Ilya and Lulu look at each other before nodding.

"Do you want us to be there, or would more people make them feel worse about it?" You frown for a moment before shrugging.

"I don't think it will matter much at all; the problem is if they're willing to actually talk to each other, and having more people waiting expectantly for them to say something could be a problem - but getting them to talk about it might work better with more people." You shrug. "Or having more people might not matter at all, if they're too embarrassed about it." Ilya taps her lips, then nods to herself.

"Well, if you aren't sure … we'll go take a bath. After all, neither of us know them, and we aren't the ones who were asked." You nod and hold out your arms, and they swarm forward to hug you. "If you finish quickly, we might still be there, but we could also be asleep, so don't worry about finding us when you're done." You nod and give your friends quick kisses.

"Alright. If I don't see you before tomorrow, good night and sweet dreams." Your clones sweep out quickly, one heading for the library and the other two sweeping around to see if Mami isn't in the kitchen, which is where you start heading. It seems to be a comfortable place for her, and if she's not there you can start making something good so they can relax a bit. One of your clones accidentally finds Mami sitting out in the interior courtyard, and you frown thoughtfully, then look back at Satsuki. "Would you mind fetching Mami? She's in the interior courtyard, by the tennis courts. I'll be in the kitchen - but don't tell her that Kyouko is going to be coming." Satsuki bows and rushes past you to find the girl. You hurry to the kitchen and get started - dumplings, since they're pretty easy and smell and taste good and don't take too long to make.

Mami is a bit hesitant to follow Satsuki, particularly without a firm reason, but follows after Satsuki claims to be unaware of your motive and is just following your instructions. Amusingly, she doesn't even lie - she just says that you never said anything to her about what you were doing, so even though she has a pretty good idea, she doesn't know for certain … and you didn't tell her, after all. Kyouko is easier, as Deis strongly suggests that if you want Kyouko, she should probably go with your clone. You look up as Satsuki brings Mami in.

"Good evening, Mami. Please, sit down. How are you doing?" She hesitates, then takes a seat at the center counter. Satsuki approaches you and starts helping with the dumplings.

"Good evening, Scarlet-san. I am quite well, thank you." She looks at your work quizzically, but you just smile - not least because your clone with Kyouko suddenly accelerates hurtling through the mansion with the red-head in her arms. An amusing sight. "Er, is something the matter?" You shake your head, and a few seconds later your clone tosses Kyouko in and closes the door, holding it shut from outside. Both girls stiffen and raise their shoulders - and then look away from each other.

"Take a seat, Kyouko." Grudgingly, the red-head finds a stool as far from Mami and as close to you as she can. "Now, I'm sure you both think your little spat has been unnoticed by everyone. That, obviously, is incorrect. I've noticed; Ilya and Lulu have noticed; my sister and Patchouli have noticed; no doubt the Mid-Childans have noticed, if Homura hasn't told Nanoha and Fate; and, of course, Madoka has noticed." Kyouko has the grace to look embarrassed, but Mami stares sternly at you. "That last is the person who actually asked me to do something, which is why this meeting is happening the way it is. She is worried about you, and I believe Nanoha and Fate are as well. Because she is worried about you, she asked me to intervene in some manner, because she knows you two care about each other and your fighting is hurting not only you two, but your friends as well. Do you have anything to say?" Kyouko sneaks a glance at Mami, then shakes her head, adopting a stoic countenance to match Mami's.

"I apologize for bothering you, Scarlet-san. I shall try to minimize my disruptions." Mami bows, then starts to rise.

"Stay, Mami." She pauses, then sits back down, now glaring at you. You glance at Kyouko, but she can't keep her expression up and looks away. "Now, I have the two of you here, and I would very much like to not have to wonder if one of you is going to murder the other, which is what seems to be shaping up to be the case." That gets a reaction out of them, and they both stare at you, startled. "Now, I suppose I could kill Mami -" A flash of red interrupts you and Kyouko darts between you, spear ready.

"Over my dead body!" She snarls at you, and you manage to keep from laughing at the irony. Mami, for her part, looks even more shocked than when you suggested that they might be hostile toward each other, and gapes at Kyouko.

"… But that would probably be something even more problematic. Also, you're a guest, so I wouldn't unless you were definitely an immediate threat to another guest or resident. And I don't think you're suicidal, Mami." She finally looks down at the counter, and Kyouko relaxes her fighting stance and looks back at Mami worriedly. You study them, then look at the boiling dumplings. Stay for a bit, until the dumplings are ready? Let them finish the dumplings? Hmm ….


What do you do?

[ ] Leave now and let them finish the dumplings.
- [ ] See if Ilya and Lulu are really in the bath.
- [ ] Go see how easily Remilia is winning.

[ ] Stay until the dumplings are finished.
- [ ] See if Ilya and Lulu are really in the bath.
- [ ] Go see how easily Remilia is winning.

[ ] Stay until Mami and Kyouko reach some kind of agreement.
- [ ] See if Ilya and Lulu are really in the bath.
- [ ] Go see how easily Remilia is winning.

[ ] Other?