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

[X] Move everyone to your bed. It's comfier and Satsuki will be able to find you more easily.


Lulu hugs Ilya's arm to her chest as she leans against you, and you pat her head playfully. She groans cutely and wriggles, and you stifle a laugh. "Let's get a bit more comfortable, then," you say.

"'M fine. Comfy 'n' snuggly." You blink as you try to understand Lulu's mumbles, and Ilya sighs. Your clones carefully lift the three of you out of the water, and Lulu stirs grumpily at the temperature change until the third clone wraps her in a thick towel. She sighs and sags, and another clone helps her as the first one dries Ilya and dresses her in a sleeping gown - one of yours, but it fits her well anyway.

"Ooh. Are we going to be ravished?" You swallow a laugh and try to glower at Ilya, but she sticks her tongue out at you and you fight to keep from giggling again. She turns to the warmly-attired and half-asleep Lulu and strokes her hair, a sad smile on her face. "It has been quite fun, hasn't it, Flan?" You hug her from behind, then sweep her up into your arms as a clone opens the door and leads you to your room. Lulu is placed in the middle of the bed, and before she has a chance to wake up or complain, Ilya slides in next to her and grasps her hands, and you set yourself on her other side, reaching over her shoulder to hold onto Ilya. Then your clones pull up the thick blanket, encasing you all in warmth, and Lulu goes completely limp. Ilya smiles and tilts her head forward, resting forehead to forehead with Lulu, and you brush her silvery hair back. She smiles happily, then relaxes and closes her eyes. You wait a few minutes, then close your own eyes and let yourself drift away as the lights fade ….

---

"Flandre-sama. Flandre-sama, it's time to wake up." You blink rapidly and look to your right, and Satsuki straightens up in the dim red light. You recognize the twin maids behind her, too, and nod at all of them before carefully withdrawing your arms from around your friends. Sella moves around to the other side of the bed, while Leysritt waits for Satsuki to help move you out of the way, and you smile happily at the outfit that your servant already has picked out for you. Ilya and Lulu have clothing waiting for them as well, and you and Ilya both laugh quietly as Lulu tries - unsuccessfully, of course - to make Leysritt leave her alone. You and Lulu soothe the embarrassed girl as the maids brush your hair, and by the time you're all ready to head upstairs she's merely a little pouty about being fussed over instead of red-faced.

"No, I mean why hasn't the sun risen?" You stop in mid-entrance as Vita slams her fists on the table. Most of the other Mid-Childans are simply smiling uncomfortably, but Madoka and her friends - apart from Homura - look somewhat worried. Remilia, of course, just smiles.

"Because we froze the morning, of course. Temporarily, obviously, and to prevent an Incident it is only within the mansion grounds - which is actually somewhat more challenging than affecting all of Gensokyo. You do not need to worry." She smiles and nods at you in greeting, and her eyes hold yours meaningfully before darting toward Satsuki. Now you have to worry about whether she knows about the presents, or if she just did that so you could have Satsuki with you before everyone left. Nanoha reaches over and pats Vita's shoulder.

"Vita-chan, it's alright. We'll just put something in the report, okay?" Fate and Megane both nod, and Vita slumps into her chair. Madoka fidgets nervously.

"Um, it … it's really not a problem? I mean, it's just … we …." Your sister nods again and smiles charmingly.

"In Gensokyo, there are … well, several individuals capable of manipulating time and the events of time's passage. It is not unexceptional, but I do promise you this: there is nothing to worry about." Madoka stares at Remilia for a moment, then smiles shyly and nods back. You frown at the empty seats as Sakuya pours your drinks - neither Patchouli nor Deis are here, although Koakuma and Illyasviel are. If Patchouli's working some magic, she would probably have her familiar with her, so they must be doing something else together ….

"It still feels strange," Megane says wistfully. "We'll be going back home today." You and Ilya hold Lulu's hands under the table and ignore Vita's quiet grumbling. Agito, however, grins.

"I can't wait until you guys come visit us. I already beat Flan at cooking, and I'm definitely not gonna lose to you again, Sakuya!" You gape at the fiery Unison Device, but Sakuya simply curtsies politely.

"I shall grant you all the time in the world in which to try," she says, and Remilia applauds. You don't think there's the remotest chance that Agito can actually beat Sakuya … but it's probably good to have a goal in life. More interestingly - when did they find the time to strike up a competition? You try to figure it out as Sakuya brings out the first dishes - breads, rolls, and associated condiments - despite the magicians' continued absence. After the light sampling, the meats and cheeses arrive, and Remilia looks at you.

"Flandre, is there anything you wish to do today?" You frown at her - again, it could be something innocent, but she could already know what you did, and if she does then that will spoil the surprise …. You're spared answering as the door opens, and Patchouli and Deis walk in, escorted Meiling. Both magicians walk tenderly, Patchouli has a split lip, and Deis has several bruises on the side of her face, as well as a magnificent purpling eye. Illyasviel stares with her mouth hanging open, and even Remilia gives them an odd look.

"What happened to you?" Deis grins at you, and then they point at each other. You scowl and Deis laughs.

"I didn't know she knows how to fight," the sorceress says, and Patchouli scoffs.

"And she - thank you, Sakuya - doesn't know how to fight or wrestle. Brute." Deis grins at the insult, then nods thankfully at Sakuya as a cup of tea is placed before her.

"I'm a sorceress, not a brawler. I use magic to make sure no one gets close enough to me." You shake your head as Remilia smiles oh so innocently.

"Well, you shall have to learn. Or did you manage to beat Patchouli?" Meiling laughs quietly and looks away, and Deis sighs and shakes her head. "Considering your greater reach and strength, you ought not to have lost, Deis. You need not be a master, but you shall reach a minimum standard, as shall Illyasviel." Ilya coughs and looks past Lulu at you, and you smile and nod.

"It'll be fun! We'll make sure you can at least toss Sella over your shoulder." You maintain your grin despite the look Ilya gives you.

"... So why were you two fighting?" Deis grins at Illyasviel and pats her head.

"It's a secret, youngest person in the mansion. If I told you, I'd have to glue your nostrils shut and bury you in turpentine." Illyasviel flushes irritatedly and looks away, and Deis's grin softens. You look at your sister, watching her stare at Patchouli - but after a moment she turns back to you, smiling gently and head cocked as if waiting for an answer. Right. Was there anything you wanted to do with everyone today?


What do you do?

[ ] Maid Day Get tarred and feathered.

[ ] Nothing you wanted to do, but you did have some things to give everyone ….
- [ ] Give Satsuki hers privately, in case the spell fails and she has to go to sleep.
- [ ] Give Satsuki's hers tonight, so she doesn't have to rush anything.

[ ] One more concert.

[ ] Other?

Votes are not locked.

[X] Nothing you wanted to do, but you did have some things to give everyone ….
- [X] Give Satsuki hers privately, in case the spell fails and she has to go to sleep.


You tap your lips thoughtfully, then grin and return to your food for a moment. "I don't think there's anything specific I wanted to do - everyone should be free to relax with each other or take a bath or things like that - but I do have some things to give everyone. After breakfast, of course." Ilya and Lulu stare at you suspiciously before looking at each other, and Remilia nods sagely.

"Indeed, after breakfast would be better. Unless you plan to gift them with food, although even then it might be better to wait until lunch, so Sakuya can coordinate the menu." The chief maid catches your eye and cocks her head, but you shake your head.

"Nope, no food." Deis peers at you over her cup of tea, eyes narrow and head tilted slightly, and you see her try to keep a smile from breaking out. You don't quite scowl at her, and she actually giggles, which draws the attention of the rest of the table and forces her to try and regain her composure. She even mostly succeeds.

Your wingtips twitch almost imperceptibly as breakfast proceeds; it almost seems that now that people know you're giving them things, they want to delay that as much as possible! But eventually Remilia smiles and waves her hand lightly. "Very well, Flandre; go retrieve your gifts. We shall await you on the front balcony." You nod and bounce to your feet.

"Satsuki, can you come with me?" Your servant freezes for a moment as you single her out, but she smiles and nods quickly, following you without even glancing at Sakuya for permission. You scurry down the hall, although not so quickly that she needs to run to keep up, and a peek back reveals Ilya and Lulu watching you as everyone files out of the dining room. You wave cheerfully, and they wave back.

"... You must have worked hard on everything," Satsuki says as you descend the stairs, and you swing her into your arms to fly through the library - you won't be able to do it on the way back, so you should save time now.

"I enjoyed it, and I do appreciate your help, but I also have an ulterior motive for asking you to come down with me," you say, and then you smile reassuringly as Satsuki looks at you apprehensively. She relaxes a bit, taking a breath, and you nuzzle her gently. She giggle, making you grin - and then it's time to land. You wave for Satsuki to follow you into your studio and your clones scamper toward the paintings. "I have something for you, after all, and even if I don't think it will happen, I'd rather give it to you now so you'll have it if the time-stopping fails and you have to hurry and go to sleep." She blushes lightly.

"Oh, Flandre-sa- …." She trails off, eyes wide, as a clone approaches with her painting, showing her and Sakuya waking up you and Remilia. "F-Flandre-sama … is … is this for …?" You nod, wondering if you should hug her - and she darts forward to hug you tightly. You stroke her arms, too constricted to reach much else, and she stammers unintelligibly for a few seconds.

"I hope that's a good memory for you," you say quietly, and she sniffles and squeezes you even more tightly before releasing you and wiping her eyes.

"I - it's … I mean … can - can I touch it?" You giggle and nod.

"Of course you can, Satsuki. It's yours." She takes the painting from the clone, holding it a bit awkwardly before she gets the right balance for it, then studies the piece carefully. "The frame can be changed, if you want, and we can put glass over the painting if it will make you feel more comfortable, I just couldn't get that done quickly by myself." She nods, and a clone slips in to wipe her eyes for her.

"Th-thank you. Can … can I put this in my room?" You smile and nod, and carefully withdraws. You spend the next few minutes getting the paintings moved into the hallway, and your clones fetch a pair of racked carts. Satsuki comes back, eyes sparkling joyfully, and wipes her eyes before helping you arrange the paintings and easels on the carts. The paintings for Remilia and Patchouli you entrust to two of your clones. "You did all these … and one for me …." She whispers it softly to herself, and you glance at her interestedly, but she doesn't seem to be paying attention to you. Then she shakes herself and, seeing you watch her, blushes. "U-um, is there anything else you want to bring?" You look over the paintings once again before shaking your head.

"I think I have everything," you say, and she nods firmly before taking one of the carts. Your final clone takes the other, and you all walk through the library together; you keep pace next to Satsuki, chatting about the library and where to find things she wants. When you reach the stairs, you take Satsuki's cart from her, and the other two clones use their feet to support the front of the cart while you and the first clone lift them from the back, and Satsuki leaps up the handrail to follow you, and you peer at her. "Were you showing off?" She blushes and nods, smiling, and you giggle before nuzzling her arm. "That's good. I like it when you're confident in yourself." She starts to take the cart back, but you refuse her since you're going to be going up another level anyway - she can take it back from you then. You finally reach the balcony and get a look at the view of Gensokyo: dark within the mansion's grounds, but bright beyond them, like looking out from a cave. Satsuki shivers and you look at her worriedly. "Do you need to go rest?" She hesitates, then shakes her head.

"I - I'll be fine, Flandre-sama," she says, smiling bravely, and you nod and smile back.

"If you start not feeling well, don't wait for permission; just head inside and get somewhere safe." She nods back and you focus on your guests, who are now turned away from the presumably-unsettling view and eyeing your gifts. Deis, Ilya, and Lulu all give you looks of one kind or another, so they probably guessed what they were … but hopefully they haven't guessed what, particularly, they're getting. It would be most frustrating if they have. You clap your hands twice. "Well, everyone, I hope you've enjoyed your stay here, and I hope you've made some good memories, too. Obviously, I haven't been present for all the memories you've made, but I do hope that the memories I've chosen to capture for you are ones you don't mind remembering." Your free clone begins taking the paintings from the first cart and displaying for the recipients as they sit in the wooden chairs. Patchouli doesn't pay much attention to the proceedings, instead focusing on her injuries, and Meiling is back at the gate, but Remilia looks at the last painting carried by one of your clones and eyes you curiously; that one is actually Patchouli's, and the one carrying hers is still waiting in the hall, to hopefully surprise her. You pretend to not see her as Madoka and her friends see their gifts: amusement at Sayaka and Kyouko's images of work and play, sorrowful delight at Mami's depiction of love, fondness at Madoka's painting of the puzzle night, and reverence toward Homura's picture of peace. Madoka wipes her eyes and smiles at you.

"It - they're all wonderful, Flandre-san! Thank you!" The others nod, although Sayaka looks embarrassed, and Kyouko keeps stealing glances at Mami's painting; maybe you should make a copy for her? … You'll wait until she asks; Homura said something about them maybe being allowed to visit, so she'll have something to look forward to! Mami smiles bravely - then pulls Kyouko against her and hugs her tightly. For a moment, everyone stares at them, but then you decide to give them what privacy you can, and you move on to the Mid-Childans as Homura reaches over to hold Madoka's hand. The reactions are just what you wished - Vita's face turns as red as her hair, with Fate's nearly the same color; Agito and Megane both smile fondly at the snowball fight, while Zest nods with a slight smile at the duel; Nanoha looks at Remilia for a moment, while Lulu lunges sideways to squeeze Ilya until you walk up and give her a hug of your own. She wipes her eyes, and you and Ilya kiss her cheeks, holding her until she nods. Vita looks at you uncomfortably.

"This is … um," she glowers and looks to her side, but Nanoha just studies the paintings and she sighs. "It's … really well-done, and it's - it's nice. Thank you, Flandre - and thank you, Remilia." You smile and curtsy, ignoring her blush as she looks down and Nanoha pats her head.

"You're very welcome, Vita. I am glad to have been able to select a good memory for you." She hesitates, then nods, and Nanoha winks at you.

"You are very kind, aren't you, Flan?" You cock your head at Megane and she smiles. "You've selected scenes that have meaning for the recipients, you've taken the time and care to portray things as correctly as possible. You really do care about everyone." You force a blush and look away as if embarrassed; it's true that you care very much for some of your guests, but it's also true that you care a bit less about others, and as a host you can't really deliberately offer sub-par, mean-spirited, or otherwise poor gift choices. Not that you have any intention of explaining that - even if Megane or anyone else already knows that it's really true, you can't just slap a compliment away like that without being horrifically rude. You murmur something that sounds like a thank-you, and she smiles as you move onto the next set. Deis grins at her gift, and Ilya and Lulu both giggle at the robed Berserker with the ludicrously tiny knife in his hand. Illyasviel stares at you, perhaps shocked that she's getting a gift, then squirms uncomfortably and fusses with her maid uniform as Kyouko applauds. And Ilya giggles at her gift, clapping with wild joy.

"I - I didn't look like that! Mama! I didn't!" But Megane just smiles and pats Lulu's head, and Ilya hugs her from behind before skipping toward you and giving you a hug. Even Vita's scowl looks more like a pout.

And then your clone approaches Patchouli and Remilia and waits for the magician to look up. She blinks in the silence, then looks at you. "For … me?" You nod and your clone flourishes the painting for them. It's hidden from the others, but they can see the stunned surprise on her face, and her smile, and her wiping at her eyes. "Th- thank -" She looks down and takes several breaths as Remilia sets a hand on her shoulder. "... Thank you, Flandre." You curtsy.

"You're very welcome, Patchouli. I'm glad you like it." And she does seem to like it, but you can tell that happiness and surprise aren't the only emotions at work; you should probably leave her alone as much as you can for a while. Deis, too, is giving both of you odd looks, although she covers it very well when she sees you looking at her. Now you just have to figure out how to get Remilia's painting to her ….


What do you do?

[ ] Just bring it out and give it to her.

[ ] Set it up inside and make sure Remilia is the first one to go inside.

[ ] Set it up in her room.

[ ] Other?


DM Note: Not really sure what to do right now; Flan will probably spend time with Ilya and Lulu (or Remilia, maybe) until Rin and Archer show up, unless someone wants to do something specific.

"Flan, go to Remilia! We'll be fine!" Lulu waves, and Ilya nods in agreement, and you curtsy again before darting back to gently tackle your sister. Your clone picks up the painting and carries it for you and Remilia as you float - not toward her room, but deeper into the mansion. As your other clones start helping the others with the paintings, Satsuki flinches, face pale - and she and Sakuya flicker into existence inside the mansion before Satsuki bolts toward the basement. The chief maid looks after you and Remilia, a smile dancing on her lips, then turns back to assist your guests.

Remilia's directions eventually take you to a small but very comfortable room: the carpeting is thick velvet, there are no windows, the only light sources are ordinary candles, and the chairs and couches are soft enough to sink into without squishing. You settle into a large chair with Remilia on your lap, and she half-turns so she's laying against you as your clone sets the paining in an easily-viewable spot before retreating. You stroke your sister's hair as her arms snake around you. "... Do you want to talk about it?" She shudders and shakes her head before burying her face against your shoulder and squeezing you tightly. Is it something new that's bothering her, or is it the same thing she mentioned before, that she wanted to wait until everyone was gone to discuss with you? You rest your head on your sister's and keep holding her.

---

"... I'm sorry, Flandre," Remilia finally says, and you lift your head to peer down at her. She pushes herself upright and rubs her eyes, but her expression is happy, and she cuddles against you so she can see the painting again. "It really is beautiful. I … I didn't expect to get anything, much less something so wonderful. Thank you, Flandre." You smile and hug her.

"Of course, you're welcome, Remilia," you reply. "And I meant what I told everyone - you've been livelier with everyone here than you have been for a long time, and I like seeing you like this." She doesn't respond immediately, and you start to worry, but then she nods. She doesn't say anything, so your worry doesn't fade much - was she not as happy as you thought she was, or is she unhappy that you told everyone, or something else? She reaches up to pat your head.

"You don't need to worry, Flandre; Patchouli just had something to say. Marisa is bringing her guests back, and a load of books, too, so she wants to know if either of us want to see her off." You scowl; you'd rather not, to be honest - apart from the issues between you and her directly, her actions here led to something happening to your sister, so she doesn't exactly rate very highly. Especially since if you do go see her off, you should probably see everyone else … not that you'd mind seeing Ilya and Lulu, but you are comfy and cozy right now …. And, if Tohsaka leaves with your approval, some of the others will probably want to go, too, whereas if Patchouli handles things, you can probably stay with Remilia for a bit longer before everyone else starts to leave ….


What do you do?

[ ] See Tohsaka off.

[ ] Stay with Remilia for now.

[ ] Other?