Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
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Flandre's Quest (Touhou) World - (Madness Quest)
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Candeloro
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
[X] Suggest they hatch the Witch. After all, you can easily kill it if needed.
- [X] Politely suggest that they do so outside the mansion. After all, Witches make those barrier places when they form. No telling how that would interact with all the magic already affecting the mansion.
Homura remains still and silent, and Yuyuko releases her. "Homura, it's up to you, but I think it would be a good idea. I'll be with you, after all, and if we do this now then it'll be easier to make a decision for Mami and Sayaka." She nods stiffly and takes a deep breath before sitting up straight.
"I apologize for causing a problem," she begins, her voice perfectly steady. "I simply recognized the Witch that will hatch from this particular Grief Seed. I … I will not be of much assistance against it, I'm afraid." You shake your head as Yuyuko frowns worriedly.
"We can use another Grief Seed -"
"This one is almost ready to hatch, and the only way to get another to similar condition would require the others. I can get this one ready myself." She hesitates for a moment, then swiftly snatches the Grief Seed off the table and passes it over her Soul Gem.
"Might it be possible to hatch the Witch outside the mansion? I don't think any of the fairies would try to follow us in, but they might report it to someone and Remilia or Patchouli might interrupt things before we finish." Homura stops and looks around, eyes narrowing. It should be fine, but who knows how the Witch's barrier will interact with the mansion's magic, at least from the inside - well, Remilia and possibly Patchouli would know, and certainly Remilia will know if something does start attacking the mansion, but if you can make less work for her by not letting it into the mansion to begin with ….
"Yes, that - that would be good. Barriers take on aspects of their surroundings, so outdoors will be easier to navigate." You glance at Yuyuko and she nods. Behind her, Youmu fidgets with her swords, and you try recall just what, exactly, her swords are supposed to be useful for - and or what reason Yuyuko emphasized 'properly' when she said there wasn't anything they could do for phantoms. Homura rises and walks to the door, flinching only slightly when your clone opens it, and starts walking toward the entrance. You call your clone back to you.
"Excuse me, Flandre," Yuyuko says as you follow the raven-haired girl, "but could you not use your clones to prevent your fairies from entering this barrier?" You nod, not looking back at the ghost.
"I could, but I would much rather keep them available to prevent the Witch from escaping somehow, or to subdue her if necessary. Killing the Witch won't be a problem, but if you need to examine her closely, even if she isn't hostile to me, she might need to be restrained if you try to approach." You keep your voice down so Homura can't hear, and she doesn't seem to react, but it's entirely too difficult to tell how successful you were. Yuyuko doesn't respond, and the three of you continue following Homura as she walks toward a small pavilion near the dueling area.
"... When it hatches, there's a small chance the familiars won't be hostile, at least not initially. If that's the case, we should be able to move through the labyrinth without difficulty until the Witch wakes up." You nod and look at the Grief Seed - it almost looks like it's pulsating, but nothing is actually changing. Then Homura hurls it at a column of the pavilion. It sticks into the smooth stone, not even making a crack, and Homura walks up to it, holding one hand out behind her. Yuyuko cocks her head curiously, but you hurry past her, waving for them to follow, and grab Homura's hand, holding it firmly. Her shoulders relax slightly, and she grips your hand as well as you feel Youmu's hand around your other wrist. Then Homura places her Soul Gem next to the Grief Seed, and the world warps around you.
They sky above is white, as is the grass beneath your feet, and the black clouds look like they've simply been color-changed, rather than heralding storms. The garden is replaced by an orchard filled with apple trees, tended to by red- and pink-haired maids whose legs and arms have been bound together with ribbons. Homura shudders and falls to her knees, hugging her shoulders and trembling. You pull free of Youmu's grasp and wrap your arms around the helpless girl. "There, there. We're here. You're safe." She chokes back a sob and you rub your cheek against her, murmuring softly. Youmu walks past you, toward the maids, and you look at Yuyuko, but her attention is focused on her own servant. The bound maids ignore the half-phantom gardener, even when she tries to help them, even when she tries to hinder them. They ignore her presence completely, even after she draws one of her swords and holds the long blade ready to attack. Homura shakes her head weakly and pushes herself to her feet - and Youmu resheathes her sword without attacking and returns to you, her expression clouded.
"The … the center of the labyrinth is …." You nod and turn her, letting her lead the way, and Yuyuko and Youmu follow.
"Well, Youmu?" The gardener shakes her head in confusion.
"They … they aren't phantoms. I'm not sure they're even spirits. They're just …." Yuyuko nods and watches the familiars as you wander across an open field dotted with orchards, some tended to, some devoid of maids. Then, without anything seeming to change, your goal becomes visible: a cottage nestled against one of the orchards, separated from you by a red river. Somewhere, a bell starts pealing, and Homura stops, shaking her head.
"The Witch is awake. The familiars will probably attack us." Her hands tremble and Youmu takes out her shorter sword and takes the lead. You look at Yuyuko, but she simply follows her servant and lets you take up the rear with Homura. As you approach the river, a rainbow-like bridge appears over it, with posts seeming to anchor it in place, and two familiars wait for you. Youmu raises her sword defensively, but the familiars simply bow and turn around, hopping toward the door to the cottage. Warily, you follow them, and they open the door for you to enter. Inside is a cozy room, with a long table set for tea, two sets of servants, and great wrapped-up boxes scattered around. Some are big enough to fit Yuyuko inside comfortably! Against one wall are several racks of dresses, and you scowl at the variety of them. And standing on the ground in front of the table is the Witch. She wears a blue dress and has long blonde hair, but no other really distinguishing features. Her long braids reach out to one side and grasp a small box, as capably as a human would use her hands, and one of the familiars hops forward to take it from her. Balancing the wrapped-up box carefully on its forearms, it hops toward your group and holds the box out to you. After a moment, you step forward and accept the box, carefully pulling the ribbons so you don't tear them, and then you take off the lid. Inside is a tea set, all in black china and decorated with the same white symbol that was on the Grief Seed. You smile and curtsy.
"Thank you. It's very beautiful." Even as you thank the Witch, Youmu approaches her with her sword held ready. Neither the Witch nor her familiars react as the gardener prepares to attack.
"Excuse me," Yuyuko calls out. "Can you understand me?" The Witch doesn't react, either positively or negatively. "Homura, is this normal?"
"... I've only seen a non-hostile Witch once, and that one was with Flandre as well. Normally, it would be trying to kill us right now." Yuyuko nods and thinks to herself for a moment before looking back up at the Witch.
"You used to be human. The sword Youmu is carrying should not harm you, and I hold no ill-will toward you." Again the Witch simply waits, and Yuyuko slowly draws in a breath. "Youmu, cut her down." The gardener takes a single lunging step forward and swings the blade diagonally, cutting the Witch from what would be her shoulder to her hip - and in response, the barrier ripples as the Witch shrieks and thrashes wildly. Youmu flinches and skips back, drawing her long sword from her back as threads rise up around the Witch … and a little girl's laughter rings out from being the ribbon-barrier, then applause as the ribbons fall away. The cottage falls apart, too, the walls falling out and the roof folding into the back wall, leaving the dresses, presents, and table untouched. You're merely surrounded by a horde of familiars, and what looks like a younger version of Mami steps forward, still clapping. Her black dress looks like something Koakuma would wear, and her long twintails aren't curled like Mami's, but it definitely looks like her.
"Hehe! Hello again, Akemi-san! Come to try killing me again, have you?" Her voice is younger, too, and holds an edge of cruel malice you haven't heard from Mami, but it's definitely hers. Then she smiles at you. "Ah, hello! My name is Candeloro, and it's a pleasure to meet you. If you would just step away from that girl, she can die and then we can have fun tea parties forever!" Yuyuko glances at you as you look down at the present you just got.
What do you do?
[ ] Try to talk with Candeloro and get her to let you all leave.
[ ] Kill Candeloro.
[ ] Try to defeat the familiars without killing Candeloro and try to force her into submission so Yuyuko can study her.
[ ] Other?
- [X] Politely suggest that they do so outside the mansion. After all, Witches make those barrier places when they form. No telling how that would interact with all the magic already affecting the mansion.
Homura remains still and silent, and Yuyuko releases her. "Homura, it's up to you, but I think it would be a good idea. I'll be with you, after all, and if we do this now then it'll be easier to make a decision for Mami and Sayaka." She nods stiffly and takes a deep breath before sitting up straight.
"I apologize for causing a problem," she begins, her voice perfectly steady. "I simply recognized the Witch that will hatch from this particular Grief Seed. I … I will not be of much assistance against it, I'm afraid." You shake your head as Yuyuko frowns worriedly.
"We can use another Grief Seed -"
"This one is almost ready to hatch, and the only way to get another to similar condition would require the others. I can get this one ready myself." She hesitates for a moment, then swiftly snatches the Grief Seed off the table and passes it over her Soul Gem.
"Might it be possible to hatch the Witch outside the mansion? I don't think any of the fairies would try to follow us in, but they might report it to someone and Remilia or Patchouli might interrupt things before we finish." Homura stops and looks around, eyes narrowing. It should be fine, but who knows how the Witch's barrier will interact with the mansion's magic, at least from the inside - well, Remilia and possibly Patchouli would know, and certainly Remilia will know if something does start attacking the mansion, but if you can make less work for her by not letting it into the mansion to begin with ….
"Yes, that - that would be good. Barriers take on aspects of their surroundings, so outdoors will be easier to navigate." You glance at Yuyuko and she nods. Behind her, Youmu fidgets with her swords, and you try recall just what, exactly, her swords are supposed to be useful for - and or what reason Yuyuko emphasized 'properly' when she said there wasn't anything they could do for phantoms. Homura rises and walks to the door, flinching only slightly when your clone opens it, and starts walking toward the entrance. You call your clone back to you.
"Excuse me, Flandre," Yuyuko says as you follow the raven-haired girl, "but could you not use your clones to prevent your fairies from entering this barrier?" You nod, not looking back at the ghost.
"I could, but I would much rather keep them available to prevent the Witch from escaping somehow, or to subdue her if necessary. Killing the Witch won't be a problem, but if you need to examine her closely, even if she isn't hostile to me, she might need to be restrained if you try to approach." You keep your voice down so Homura can't hear, and she doesn't seem to react, but it's entirely too difficult to tell how successful you were. Yuyuko doesn't respond, and the three of you continue following Homura as she walks toward a small pavilion near the dueling area.
"... When it hatches, there's a small chance the familiars won't be hostile, at least not initially. If that's the case, we should be able to move through the labyrinth without difficulty until the Witch wakes up." You nod and look at the Grief Seed - it almost looks like it's pulsating, but nothing is actually changing. Then Homura hurls it at a column of the pavilion. It sticks into the smooth stone, not even making a crack, and Homura walks up to it, holding one hand out behind her. Yuyuko cocks her head curiously, but you hurry past her, waving for them to follow, and grab Homura's hand, holding it firmly. Her shoulders relax slightly, and she grips your hand as well as you feel Youmu's hand around your other wrist. Then Homura places her Soul Gem next to the Grief Seed, and the world warps around you.
They sky above is white, as is the grass beneath your feet, and the black clouds look like they've simply been color-changed, rather than heralding storms. The garden is replaced by an orchard filled with apple trees, tended to by red- and pink-haired maids whose legs and arms have been bound together with ribbons. Homura shudders and falls to her knees, hugging her shoulders and trembling. You pull free of Youmu's grasp and wrap your arms around the helpless girl. "There, there. We're here. You're safe." She chokes back a sob and you rub your cheek against her, murmuring softly. Youmu walks past you, toward the maids, and you look at Yuyuko, but her attention is focused on her own servant. The bound maids ignore the half-phantom gardener, even when she tries to help them, even when she tries to hinder them. They ignore her presence completely, even after she draws one of her swords and holds the long blade ready to attack. Homura shakes her head weakly and pushes herself to her feet - and Youmu resheathes her sword without attacking and returns to you, her expression clouded.
"The … the center of the labyrinth is …." You nod and turn her, letting her lead the way, and Yuyuko and Youmu follow.
"Well, Youmu?" The gardener shakes her head in confusion.
"They … they aren't phantoms. I'm not sure they're even spirits. They're just …." Yuyuko nods and watches the familiars as you wander across an open field dotted with orchards, some tended to, some devoid of maids. Then, without anything seeming to change, your goal becomes visible: a cottage nestled against one of the orchards, separated from you by a red river. Somewhere, a bell starts pealing, and Homura stops, shaking her head.
"The Witch is awake. The familiars will probably attack us." Her hands tremble and Youmu takes out her shorter sword and takes the lead. You look at Yuyuko, but she simply follows her servant and lets you take up the rear with Homura. As you approach the river, a rainbow-like bridge appears over it, with posts seeming to anchor it in place, and two familiars wait for you. Youmu raises her sword defensively, but the familiars simply bow and turn around, hopping toward the door to the cottage. Warily, you follow them, and they open the door for you to enter. Inside is a cozy room, with a long table set for tea, two sets of servants, and great wrapped-up boxes scattered around. Some are big enough to fit Yuyuko inside comfortably! Against one wall are several racks of dresses, and you scowl at the variety of them. And standing on the ground in front of the table is the Witch. She wears a blue dress and has long blonde hair, but no other really distinguishing features. Her long braids reach out to one side and grasp a small box, as capably as a human would use her hands, and one of the familiars hops forward to take it from her. Balancing the wrapped-up box carefully on its forearms, it hops toward your group and holds the box out to you. After a moment, you step forward and accept the box, carefully pulling the ribbons so you don't tear them, and then you take off the lid. Inside is a tea set, all in black china and decorated with the same white symbol that was on the Grief Seed. You smile and curtsy.
"Thank you. It's very beautiful." Even as you thank the Witch, Youmu approaches her with her sword held ready. Neither the Witch nor her familiars react as the gardener prepares to attack.
"Excuse me," Yuyuko calls out. "Can you understand me?" The Witch doesn't react, either positively or negatively. "Homura, is this normal?"
"... I've only seen a non-hostile Witch once, and that one was with Flandre as well. Normally, it would be trying to kill us right now." Yuyuko nods and thinks to herself for a moment before looking back up at the Witch.
"You used to be human. The sword Youmu is carrying should not harm you, and I hold no ill-will toward you." Again the Witch simply waits, and Yuyuko slowly draws in a breath. "Youmu, cut her down." The gardener takes a single lunging step forward and swings the blade diagonally, cutting the Witch from what would be her shoulder to her hip - and in response, the barrier ripples as the Witch shrieks and thrashes wildly. Youmu flinches and skips back, drawing her long sword from her back as threads rise up around the Witch … and a little girl's laughter rings out from being the ribbon-barrier, then applause as the ribbons fall away. The cottage falls apart, too, the walls falling out and the roof folding into the back wall, leaving the dresses, presents, and table untouched. You're merely surrounded by a horde of familiars, and what looks like a younger version of Mami steps forward, still clapping. Her black dress looks like something Koakuma would wear, and her long twintails aren't curled like Mami's, but it definitely looks like her.
"Hehe! Hello again, Akemi-san! Come to try killing me again, have you?" Her voice is younger, too, and holds an edge of cruel malice you haven't heard from Mami, but it's definitely hers. Then she smiles at you. "Ah, hello! My name is Candeloro, and it's a pleasure to meet you. If you would just step away from that girl, she can die and then we can have fun tea parties forever!" Yuyuko glances at you as you look down at the present you just got.
What do you do?
[ ] Try to talk with Candeloro and get her to let you all leave.
[ ] Kill Candeloro.
[ ] Try to defeat the familiars without killing Candeloro and try to force her into submission so Yuyuko can study her.
[ ] Other?
[x] Tell Candeloro that nobody came here to intentionally hurt and/or kill her. Introduce Yuyuko and her servant and explain to your host why you're here.
I am curious if we can talk her down. Candeloro hates the world and obviously remembers what happened between her and Homura but she doesn't hate humans nor Youkai and in this stage, freed from her previous form, she can be reasoned with. Maybe tell her that Homura agreed to be your maid like her Familiars serve her will even amuse her. Also I am curious how Candeloro would react if we tell her there is a living Mami nearby and that we have another Mami in Soulstone form as well. Or that Kyouko is here as well.
I am curious if we can talk her down. Candeloro hates the world and obviously remembers what happened between her and Homura but she doesn't hate humans nor Youkai and in this stage, freed from her previous form, she can be reasoned with. Maybe tell her that Homura agreed to be your maid like her Familiars serve her will even amuse her. Also I am curious how Candeloro would react if we tell her there is a living Mami nearby and that we have another Mami in Soulstone form as well. Or that Kyouko is here as well.
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ultima333
Lazy Snug Youkai
[x] Tell Candeloro that nobody came here tointentionally hurt and/or kill her. Introduce Yuyuko and her servant and explain to your host why you're here.
I think Candeloro might accept something like that, she has her own 'guests' and is possessive of them. But if she sees Flan as another witch, she might understand our own possessiveness of Homura, too.
The main thing I worry about isn't talking with her, it's the matter of leaving. Candeloro embodies Mami's fear of being left alone, and is said to try to hold her tea guests forever.
But if that comes up after the questions have been asked and our objective completed, that's fine.
I think Candeloro might accept something like that, she has her own 'guests' and is possessive of them. But if she sees Flan as another witch, she might understand our own possessiveness of Homura, too.
The main thing I worry about isn't talking with her, it's the matter of leaving. Candeloro embodies Mami's fear of being left alone, and is said to try to hold her tea guests forever.
But if that comes up after the questions have been asked and our objective completed, that's fine.
from PMMM wiki candeloro witch card said:
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are not locked.
What worry? We just rip her head off. Or Youmu slash her. We can really afford to leave her alive to begin with so that her familiars can go fetch more 'guests' regardless of how cooperative she is.
[x] Tell Candeloro that nobody came here to intentionally hurt and/or kill her. Introduce Yuyuko and her servant and explain to your host why you're here.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are locked.
Candeloro II
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
[X] Tell Candeloro that nobody came here to intentionally hurt and/or kill her. Introduce Yuyuko and her servant and explain to your host why you're here.
You nod to yourself and smile at the Witch as you step to the side to slightly cover Homura. She's trembling, teeth chattering, and if this Witch looks like Mami, then the red-haired familiars would be Kyouko, and the pink-haired ones …. "Good evening, Candeloro. My name is Flandre Scarlet. And I would like to make sure that you know that we did not come here to intentionally hurt or kill you. None of us did, not even Homura." Candeloro's smile vanishes and she glares at you, almost snarling.
"Do you know what she did? She never liked me! Never, even before I became this! Always hated me, hated, despised, tried to take my friends away. And before, I was so kind and polite to her, the stranger, even when she tried to make my friends leave me. And then I changed, and got all my friends!" She waves one of the familiars over and hugs it, and then her smile vanishes again as she looks at you. "I was here, not hurting her, and that - that Akemi Homura, she came here. My friends didn't attack her. No, I knew who she was, and I didn't make my friends kill her. I'm so nice, such a good friend, aren't I? But she isn't nice. She took advantage of the goodness of my heart, just like she did before I changed, and she killed all my friends. Bang, bang, bang! Every one of my friends, murdered, and then she attacked me!" You turn to look at Homura and she shakes her head.
"That - it didn't happen like that," she says, and before she can continue Candeloro's face twists inhumanly.
"LIAR!!" The word distorts as she shrieks, and her black dress starts to turn pastel blue as she squeezes her palms against her skull. Homura flinches as the familiars swarm forward to the Witch, and after a few seconds Candeloro gives you a strained smile, seemingly back in control of herself. You clear your throat and nod.
"Perhaps we can let that wait for a little, so everyone can calm down?" Candeloro pouts but nods grudgingly, and you gesture at Yuyuko. "This is Yuyuko Saigyouji, Princess of the Netherworld. Beside her is her servant, Youmu Konpaku. If you don't mind, Yuyuko came here to study you, to see if there was some way to help you." Yuyuko smiles and starts to step forward, but Candeloro shakes her head vehemently.
"I don't need any 'help,'" she says before stroking her nearest familiars. "I just need my friends to stay with me." Yuyuko cocks her head to the side.
"If you don't mind my asking, Candeloro, why are your - friends' arms and legs bound?" The Witch smiles toothily.
"Why, it's so they can't run away, of course! They tried, you know. They wanted to leave my tea parties! So I wrapped up their legs so they can't run, and wrapped up their arms so they can't untie their legs. They never go out alone, and I hardly ever go out. It's so much nicer to stay in here and have tea parties and presents." She hugs her familiars again before smiling happily. "And now I have three new friends - although that wasn't very nice, using those swords!" Yuyuko smiles apologetically.
"Ah, that was my fault. Youmu was just doing what I told her to, so don't blame her." Candeloro pouts unhappily again as Yuyuko continues. "You see, we don't know much about Witches and Familiars, so we wanted to learn more about you. The long sword is able to kill phantoms, and Youmu had it ready because we'd been told to expect attacks. But your Familiars -"
"Friends," Candeloro interjects, eyes gleaming brightly. Yuyuko bows.
"Your friends. I apologize. They didn't attack us, and they don't seem to be phantoms, either. The short sword, however - ah, that sword is special. It dispels the confusion of those cut by it, and if you were a ghost you would have passed straight to the afterlife. However, it seems to have made communication possible between us … or is that something you can do yourself?" Candeloro shrugs and looks around.
"Nothing seems different to me. She cut me and it did hurt, a little," she frowns at you, "but then we started talking. So, now that everyone's calmed down, please step away from her so I can kill her, and then we can get on with our tea party and everyone can get more presents!" Yuyuko gives you a concerned look, but you just sigh.
"Candeloro, you are not going to kill Homura. I will not let you." Her mouth falls open in shock.
"What? But - but you're my friend! You're my best friend!" You cock your head to the side and she waves frantically at the present in your hands. "You - you came in here, and only my friends come in here, so if you came in here then you're my friend! And I - I gave you a present, and you - youyouyou - you accepted it! So you're my bestbest friend! So you have to let me kill her, because if I don't then she'll leave and bad people who aren't my friends will attack me!" You cock your head to the other side.
"But Candeloro, I will leave, too. So will Yuyuko and Youmu." The Witch's face locks up and she starts pulling her hair.
"N- no! You're my friends! We're going to have tea parties and have presents forever! We'll never leave each other, we'll always stay with each other! Always, forever, never!"
"My sister will worry about me, and my other friends -"
"They can come in, too!" Candeloro relaxes, dropping the strands of hair she tore out of her head, and gives you a rictus smile. "More friends will be great, and we'll all have a great time forever, and no one will ever leave! Just - I just have to kill Homura, first, so please, friend, step aside." Her black dress stains suddenly, splotches of pastel blue appearing, and she stares past you at the slumped form of Homura.
"Um …." You frown at Yuyuko, and at the nervously looking-around gardener behind her. "Candeloro, if Homura asked to be your friend, you wouldn't have to kill her, right?" Candeloro stares at the ghost, utterly confused, then rubs the sides of her head and mutters to herself. Yuyuko smiles at you, apparently victorious.
"Uhh … ooh … oh, fine! Akemi Homura! If you promise to be my friend, to not hurt any of my friends, and to never leave me, I won't kill you! But if you don't, then I'll kill you!" You scowl at the now-embarrassed-looking ghost before offering a hand to Homura. She takes it and you help her stand up. After several seconds, her mouth starts working.
"... I … I p-p-p-...." You wince at her barely-audible voice, but Candeloro becomes furious.
"Liar! Always! Always, Always a liar!" Suddenly, a familiar hops in front of Candeloro and starts to glow. "TIRO~ -!"
What do you do?
[ ] Move. Grab everyone and get out of the way.
- [ ] All the way out of Candeloro's barrier.
- [ ] Just out of the immediate area, then try and talk Candeloro down.
[ ] Get the others out of the way, but stay where you are.
- [ ] Try talking Candeloro down.
[ ] Crush her Eye before she can finish her attack.
[ ] Attack her physically before she can finish her attack.
- [ ] Lethal intent.
- [ ] Just disrupt her.
[ ] Other?
You nod to yourself and smile at the Witch as you step to the side to slightly cover Homura. She's trembling, teeth chattering, and if this Witch looks like Mami, then the red-haired familiars would be Kyouko, and the pink-haired ones …. "Good evening, Candeloro. My name is Flandre Scarlet. And I would like to make sure that you know that we did not come here to intentionally hurt or kill you. None of us did, not even Homura." Candeloro's smile vanishes and she glares at you, almost snarling.
"Do you know what she did? She never liked me! Never, even before I became this! Always hated me, hated, despised, tried to take my friends away. And before, I was so kind and polite to her, the stranger, even when she tried to make my friends leave me. And then I changed, and got all my friends!" She waves one of the familiars over and hugs it, and then her smile vanishes again as she looks at you. "I was here, not hurting her, and that - that Akemi Homura, she came here. My friends didn't attack her. No, I knew who she was, and I didn't make my friends kill her. I'm so nice, such a good friend, aren't I? But she isn't nice. She took advantage of the goodness of my heart, just like she did before I changed, and she killed all my friends. Bang, bang, bang! Every one of my friends, murdered, and then she attacked me!" You turn to look at Homura and she shakes her head.
"That - it didn't happen like that," she says, and before she can continue Candeloro's face twists inhumanly.
"LIAR!!" The word distorts as she shrieks, and her black dress starts to turn pastel blue as she squeezes her palms against her skull. Homura flinches as the familiars swarm forward to the Witch, and after a few seconds Candeloro gives you a strained smile, seemingly back in control of herself. You clear your throat and nod.
"Perhaps we can let that wait for a little, so everyone can calm down?" Candeloro pouts but nods grudgingly, and you gesture at Yuyuko. "This is Yuyuko Saigyouji, Princess of the Netherworld. Beside her is her servant, Youmu Konpaku. If you don't mind, Yuyuko came here to study you, to see if there was some way to help you." Yuyuko smiles and starts to step forward, but Candeloro shakes her head vehemently.
"I don't need any 'help,'" she says before stroking her nearest familiars. "I just need my friends to stay with me." Yuyuko cocks her head to the side.
"If you don't mind my asking, Candeloro, why are your - friends' arms and legs bound?" The Witch smiles toothily.
"Why, it's so they can't run away, of course! They tried, you know. They wanted to leave my tea parties! So I wrapped up their legs so they can't run, and wrapped up their arms so they can't untie their legs. They never go out alone, and I hardly ever go out. It's so much nicer to stay in here and have tea parties and presents." She hugs her familiars again before smiling happily. "And now I have three new friends - although that wasn't very nice, using those swords!" Yuyuko smiles apologetically.
"Ah, that was my fault. Youmu was just doing what I told her to, so don't blame her." Candeloro pouts unhappily again as Yuyuko continues. "You see, we don't know much about Witches and Familiars, so we wanted to learn more about you. The long sword is able to kill phantoms, and Youmu had it ready because we'd been told to expect attacks. But your Familiars -"
"Friends," Candeloro interjects, eyes gleaming brightly. Yuyuko bows.
"Your friends. I apologize. They didn't attack us, and they don't seem to be phantoms, either. The short sword, however - ah, that sword is special. It dispels the confusion of those cut by it, and if you were a ghost you would have passed straight to the afterlife. However, it seems to have made communication possible between us … or is that something you can do yourself?" Candeloro shrugs and looks around.
"Nothing seems different to me. She cut me and it did hurt, a little," she frowns at you, "but then we started talking. So, now that everyone's calmed down, please step away from her so I can kill her, and then we can get on with our tea party and everyone can get more presents!" Yuyuko gives you a concerned look, but you just sigh.
"Candeloro, you are not going to kill Homura. I will not let you." Her mouth falls open in shock.
"What? But - but you're my friend! You're my best friend!" You cock your head to the side and she waves frantically at the present in your hands. "You - you came in here, and only my friends come in here, so if you came in here then you're my friend! And I - I gave you a present, and you - youyouyou - you accepted it! So you're my bestbest friend! So you have to let me kill her, because if I don't then she'll leave and bad people who aren't my friends will attack me!" You cock your head to the other side.
"But Candeloro, I will leave, too. So will Yuyuko and Youmu." The Witch's face locks up and she starts pulling her hair.
"N- no! You're my friends! We're going to have tea parties and have presents forever! We'll never leave each other, we'll always stay with each other! Always, forever, never!"
"My sister will worry about me, and my other friends -"
"They can come in, too!" Candeloro relaxes, dropping the strands of hair she tore out of her head, and gives you a rictus smile. "More friends will be great, and we'll all have a great time forever, and no one will ever leave! Just - I just have to kill Homura, first, so please, friend, step aside." Her black dress stains suddenly, splotches of pastel blue appearing, and she stares past you at the slumped form of Homura.
"Um …." You frown at Yuyuko, and at the nervously looking-around gardener behind her. "Candeloro, if Homura asked to be your friend, you wouldn't have to kill her, right?" Candeloro stares at the ghost, utterly confused, then rubs the sides of her head and mutters to herself. Yuyuko smiles at you, apparently victorious.
"Uhh … ooh … oh, fine! Akemi Homura! If you promise to be my friend, to not hurt any of my friends, and to never leave me, I won't kill you! But if you don't, then I'll kill you!" You scowl at the now-embarrassed-looking ghost before offering a hand to Homura. She takes it and you help her stand up. After several seconds, her mouth starts working.
"... I … I p-p-p-...." You wince at her barely-audible voice, but Candeloro becomes furious.
"Liar! Always! Always, Always a liar!" Suddenly, a familiar hops in front of Candeloro and starts to glow. "TIRO~ -!"
What do you do?
[ ] Move. Grab everyone and get out of the way.
- [ ] All the way out of Candeloro's barrier.
- [ ] Just out of the immediate area, then try and talk Candeloro down.
[ ] Get the others out of the way, but stay where you are.
- [ ] Try talking Candeloro down.
[ ] Crush her Eye before she can finish her attack.
[ ] Attack her physically before she can finish her attack.
- [ ] Lethal intent.
- [ ] Just disrupt her.
[ ] Other?
SolipsistSerpent
Endlessly Devouring
Well, it looks like Youmu's sword has some beneficial effects on Witches but it's... nonoptimal. Especially if you bring the magical girl who killed them into their Labyrinth.
Yes, I know I'm stating the obvious, but it's a good foundation to work with if we decide to do this again: Don't bring Homura.
Yes, I know I'm stating the obvious, but it's a good foundation to work with if we decide to do this again: Don't bring Homura.
Golden Lark
The First Fiction User
I'm just waiting for Mami to show up and face down Candles here . . .
. . . soul gems still work as Witch radar, right? So they might be getting pings . . .
. . . you know what forget I said anything!
. . . soul gems still work as Witch radar, right? So they might be getting pings . . .
. . . you know what forget I said anything!
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are not locked.
[X] Attack her physically before she can finish her attack.
-[X] Just disrupt her.
-[X] Comment to Yuyuko how Candeloro seems to be behaving like a newborn youkai, unable to do anything outside of its urges.
-[X] Just disrupt her.
-[X] Comment to Yuyuko how Candeloro seems to be behaving like a newborn youkai, unable to do anything outside of its urges.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are locked.
Candeloro III
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
[X] Attack her physically before she can finish her attack.
- [X] Just disrupt her.
- [X] Comment to Yuyuko how Candeloro seems to be behaving like a newborn youkai, unable to do anything outside of its urges.
Homura drops to her knees and covers her head with her arms and Youmu steps in front of her mistress, long sword coming down into a low guard with the blade pointing back. You don't give any of them any more time to react, however, and throw your present up into the air before hurtling forward. Your clones spill out - two to safeguard your guests in case something goes wrong, while the third flies up to make sure the tea set remains undamaged - and as Candeloro's eyes begin to widen you grab the familiar by the front of its dress and slam it into the Witch, knocking her back into the table. The glow vanishes immediately and nothing explodes, and Candeloro trembles almost as badly as Homura is when she stares into your eyes. "I told you, did I not? Candeloro, I will not let you kill Homura." She whines and presses her fists against her head once more. Your expression softens into a frown as you watch her, and you turn around to see Youmu staring, mouth hanging open. When Yuyuko finally clears her throat, the gardener realizes what she's been doing, and snaps her mouth shut and bolts upright, face reddening. "... She's very much like a young youkai, isn't she, Yuyuko?" The administrator of the Netherworld smiles blankly at you.
"If you say so, Flandre." You sigh and shake your head; even if she mostly deals with humans, she's old enough to know about youkai at this point!
"I'm talking about her fixation on her own wants and desires, and how everything she does revolves around them and nothing else. Classic behavior of a young youkai." Well, classic youkai behavior, anyway; it's just that the older ones who learn what the world is really like usually manage to think ahead a bit more. And, of course, the truly powerful are able to ignore others and focus entirely on their own wants and desires because they actually are that powerful, while an immature youkai is generally just not capable of relating to others' viewpoints.
"Ah, well … I don't think that sort of behavior is solely the province of youkai, but I understand what you mean." You give her a look as your clone floats down with the tea set, and you check the box to make sure everything is intact - of course, your clone already made sure, but what's the harm in letting Candeloro know you care enough to check again? You turn around to see the Witch staring helplessly at you, and you smile and hold up the intact teapot. "How do you feel, Candeloro? Can we talk a bit more?"
"I … I don't - why won't you be my friends? You came here. You said you don't want to hurt me. But …." She looks genuinely confused, as if unable to conceive of a state that isn't either 'friend' or 'enemy being fought.' But you know Mami was capable of it, so … is the Witch being clever and trying to lull you into a false sense of security, or does the change from Magical Girl to Witch rob the person of some degree of reasoning? Yuyuko smiles and walks past you, then reaches down and pats Candeloro's head.
"I just happen to think that there are a few more steps involved, and that not everyone can be friends with everyone else. And even if we were friends, I would still have to leave, because my job has certain duties that require me to be elsewhere. Your requirements for friendship are too strict - and if you made friends with everyone, then no one would have much time with you." Candeloro scrunches her shoulders together and gives you an imploring look. You shrug.
"I like your gift, Candeloro, and I do appreciate it. But I have other friends, and other things I want to do. I don't want to spend all my time having tea parties and opening presents." Frustration suffuses her face and she clenches her fists - and then her body spasms, twitching between her human form and the odd pastel form for several seconds before settling on the original form. She hops into a chair and turns away from everyone else, sulking. You glance at Yuyuko, irritated, but she just smiles and shakes her head.
"Alright, Candeloro. We have to be going now, but I promise that I'll be back to talk with you again, okay? And I'll bring someone else with me, someone who'll talk to you for a good long time! So just wait for me to come back." The Witch doesn't react personally, but the familiars hedging you in break ranks, opening a path for you to leave, and after a last curtsy you follow Yuyuko toward the barrier's exit, with your clones helping Homura. "... Flandre, there's someone I want to bring here to meet Candeloro. Do you think you can keep her around without getting into trouble or causing a problem? It's probably going to take a few days before she can find time, at the very least." You tap your chin and shrug.
"I think that's something you will have to bring up with Remilia, especially if you want to bring someone else along. Candeloro seems passive, but young youkai tend to do stupid things in the pursuit of their urges." Homura nods glumly.
"And … and Mami has never been … completely stable," she says weakly. You turn so you're walking backwards and watch the Magical Girl carefully.
"Are you going to be alright, Homura? Do you want me to stay with you for a while, or do you just want somewhere quiet and alone until you go back to your friends?" She hesitates before responding, makes several false starts, then shakes her head and wipes her eyes with her sleeve. Youmu stares at her.
"I - I think I'll just go up to see them right away, thank you." You raise an eyebrow, and she chuckles before sniffling and wiping her eyes again. "They … they've seen me cry before. It won't be too unusual." Her weak smile isn't very convincing, but you can always detail a clone to follow her and make sure she gets up there safely. And then, suddenly and without warning, the exit to the barrier shines brightly. You step through and blink as Satsuki goes sliding past you, windmilling her arms uselessly before tumbling back.
"Come on, you have to really try to hit me! And remember, if you do not, it means more flight practice!" You scowl at your grinning sister, and she smiles widely, as if noticing you for the first time, and waves. "Oh, Flandre! I am just seeing how your maid's combat skills are improving. She is not doing too well right now." You sigh and shake your head; Yuyuko has a slightly embarrassed expression, like someone caught doing something they weren't supposed to - and Homura just quickly hurries away. The clone with the tea set follows her; it can keep her company at least until the stairs. Satsuki rises to her feet and pats her cheeks.
"Ah, Remilia! Could I, perhaps, speak with you for a moment about something …?"
What do you do?
[ ] Stay with Satsuki until she hits Remilia or runs out of time.
- [ ] Then go finish the paintings before going to Ilya and Lulu.
- [ ] Then go up to Ilya and Lulu.
- [ ] Then spend some more time with Satsuki.
[ ] Wish Satsuki luck, but don't stay.
- [ ] Finish the paintings before going to Ilya and Lulu.
- [ ] Go up to Ilya and Lulu.
[ ] Other?
- [X] Just disrupt her.
- [X] Comment to Yuyuko how Candeloro seems to be behaving like a newborn youkai, unable to do anything outside of its urges.
Homura drops to her knees and covers her head with her arms and Youmu steps in front of her mistress, long sword coming down into a low guard with the blade pointing back. You don't give any of them any more time to react, however, and throw your present up into the air before hurtling forward. Your clones spill out - two to safeguard your guests in case something goes wrong, while the third flies up to make sure the tea set remains undamaged - and as Candeloro's eyes begin to widen you grab the familiar by the front of its dress and slam it into the Witch, knocking her back into the table. The glow vanishes immediately and nothing explodes, and Candeloro trembles almost as badly as Homura is when she stares into your eyes. "I told you, did I not? Candeloro, I will not let you kill Homura." She whines and presses her fists against her head once more. Your expression softens into a frown as you watch her, and you turn around to see Youmu staring, mouth hanging open. When Yuyuko finally clears her throat, the gardener realizes what she's been doing, and snaps her mouth shut and bolts upright, face reddening. "... She's very much like a young youkai, isn't she, Yuyuko?" The administrator of the Netherworld smiles blankly at you.
"If you say so, Flandre." You sigh and shake your head; even if she mostly deals with humans, she's old enough to know about youkai at this point!
"I'm talking about her fixation on her own wants and desires, and how everything she does revolves around them and nothing else. Classic behavior of a young youkai." Well, classic youkai behavior, anyway; it's just that the older ones who learn what the world is really like usually manage to think ahead a bit more. And, of course, the truly powerful are able to ignore others and focus entirely on their own wants and desires because they actually are that powerful, while an immature youkai is generally just not capable of relating to others' viewpoints.
"Ah, well … I don't think that sort of behavior is solely the province of youkai, but I understand what you mean." You give her a look as your clone floats down with the tea set, and you check the box to make sure everything is intact - of course, your clone already made sure, but what's the harm in letting Candeloro know you care enough to check again? You turn around to see the Witch staring helplessly at you, and you smile and hold up the intact teapot. "How do you feel, Candeloro? Can we talk a bit more?"
"I … I don't - why won't you be my friends? You came here. You said you don't want to hurt me. But …." She looks genuinely confused, as if unable to conceive of a state that isn't either 'friend' or 'enemy being fought.' But you know Mami was capable of it, so … is the Witch being clever and trying to lull you into a false sense of security, or does the change from Magical Girl to Witch rob the person of some degree of reasoning? Yuyuko smiles and walks past you, then reaches down and pats Candeloro's head.
"I just happen to think that there are a few more steps involved, and that not everyone can be friends with everyone else. And even if we were friends, I would still have to leave, because my job has certain duties that require me to be elsewhere. Your requirements for friendship are too strict - and if you made friends with everyone, then no one would have much time with you." Candeloro scrunches her shoulders together and gives you an imploring look. You shrug.
"I like your gift, Candeloro, and I do appreciate it. But I have other friends, and other things I want to do. I don't want to spend all my time having tea parties and opening presents." Frustration suffuses her face and she clenches her fists - and then her body spasms, twitching between her human form and the odd pastel form for several seconds before settling on the original form. She hops into a chair and turns away from everyone else, sulking. You glance at Yuyuko, irritated, but she just smiles and shakes her head.
"Alright, Candeloro. We have to be going now, but I promise that I'll be back to talk with you again, okay? And I'll bring someone else with me, someone who'll talk to you for a good long time! So just wait for me to come back." The Witch doesn't react personally, but the familiars hedging you in break ranks, opening a path for you to leave, and after a last curtsy you follow Yuyuko toward the barrier's exit, with your clones helping Homura. "... Flandre, there's someone I want to bring here to meet Candeloro. Do you think you can keep her around without getting into trouble or causing a problem? It's probably going to take a few days before she can find time, at the very least." You tap your chin and shrug.
"I think that's something you will have to bring up with Remilia, especially if you want to bring someone else along. Candeloro seems passive, but young youkai tend to do stupid things in the pursuit of their urges." Homura nods glumly.
"And … and Mami has never been … completely stable," she says weakly. You turn so you're walking backwards and watch the Magical Girl carefully.
"Are you going to be alright, Homura? Do you want me to stay with you for a while, or do you just want somewhere quiet and alone until you go back to your friends?" She hesitates before responding, makes several false starts, then shakes her head and wipes her eyes with her sleeve. Youmu stares at her.
"I - I think I'll just go up to see them right away, thank you." You raise an eyebrow, and she chuckles before sniffling and wiping her eyes again. "They … they've seen me cry before. It won't be too unusual." Her weak smile isn't very convincing, but you can always detail a clone to follow her and make sure she gets up there safely. And then, suddenly and without warning, the exit to the barrier shines brightly. You step through and blink as Satsuki goes sliding past you, windmilling her arms uselessly before tumbling back.
"Come on, you have to really try to hit me! And remember, if you do not, it means more flight practice!" You scowl at your grinning sister, and she smiles widely, as if noticing you for the first time, and waves. "Oh, Flandre! I am just seeing how your maid's combat skills are improving. She is not doing too well right now." You sigh and shake your head; Yuyuko has a slightly embarrassed expression, like someone caught doing something they weren't supposed to - and Homura just quickly hurries away. The clone with the tea set follows her; it can keep her company at least until the stairs. Satsuki rises to her feet and pats her cheeks.
"Ah, Remilia! Could I, perhaps, speak with you for a moment about something …?"
What do you do?
[ ] Stay with Satsuki until she hits Remilia or runs out of time.
- [ ] Then go finish the paintings before going to Ilya and Lulu.
- [ ] Then go up to Ilya and Lulu.
- [ ] Then spend some more time with Satsuki.
[ ] Wish Satsuki luck, but don't stay.
- [ ] Finish the paintings before going to Ilya and Lulu.
- [ ] Go up to Ilya and Lulu.
[ ] Other?
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