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

[X] Just stay there with Remilia until she lets you go … or the sun comes up. Whichever comes first.


You lean back against Remilia and look up at the sky. Familiar constellations, the same moon that you grew up with, that special feel that Gensokyo has … and your sister holding you. When was the last time you two did something like this? Just sitting together with each other and looking up at the sky without doing anything in particular? And it's so restful … peaceful. The world is on hold, and nothing matters except the two of you being there together. Then Remilia's breathing changes, a deep breath that she holds - and lets out quietly without anything changing that you can notice. It's a little irritating that she's not focusing on the moment you're sharing, but you let it pass. After the third time, however, twist around and glare at her. "Remilia, stop that." She looks embarrassed at having been found out - and a little worried. Her mouth works for a moment.

"Flandre, it … I -" She drops her gaze, no longer meeting your eyes. You slip sideways and wrap your arms around her below her wings, then wrap your wings around her waist and rest your head on her chest.

"Please? Can we just … just stay here together like we used to?" Like you did before you did that to her …. After a few seconds her body relaxes and she brings a hand up to rub your head.

"Yes … like we used to. It's been a long time since the last time we did this, hasn't it? I'm sorry, Flandre." You make a mollified grumpy noise and snuggle into her. She sounds fine now, but her having trouble speaking means it's something important that she's been working on for a long time. Maybe you should ambush her in her room sometime in the next few days and see what it was … but trying to talk about something right now would spoil the mood. She squeezes you and her wings wrap themselves around the two of you - no longer simply covering you like a blanket, the two of you are practically cocooned together with only your heads unshrouded by Remilia's great wings.

"… We should do this again." Remilia nods.

"Yes. Soon." You giggle and try to nuzzle her cheek; she chuckles and parries you with her chin. But then she pulls you up and nuzzles you back, and you stay there, watching the sky and stars and crescent moon together.

---

The moon begins its descent and the sky begins to brighten before Remilia's wings uncurl from their protective position. "It's time to get up, Flandre. We both have things to do, now that the sun is coming up." She doesn't try to make you move, though.

"Mm. It's morning, so it's time to sleep." You don't try to move, either, and Remilia laughs.

"That's true, my loved one, but not for us - not today." She taps your nose with her finger and leans up into a sitting position, bringing you with her. "You should at least see to your friends and servant before you turn in. And as much fun as you would have, I must ask you to please not take them away from the mansion grounds - at least not yet. There will be a party the day after tomorrow, and Illyasviel should be well enough that you can try taking her around then." You sigh and stretch.

"I understand," you say, and Remilia sighs in turn before smiling and rubbing the top of your head again. Taking Ershin and Deis out should be fine, but you get why Remilia doesn't want them out before she's had a chance to get things sorted. "And you're not going to sleep, right?" She shakes her head and yawns.

"No, I have a few things to take care of. I'll probably take a nap in the afternoon, but Pache can get me if you need something." You nod, then throw yourself forward and give your sister a crushing hug. Startled, it takes her a moment to respond after being twirled around, but she leans into you and hugs you back, just as tightly.

"Thank you. For everything." You maintain the hug for a long moment before drawing back.

"Thank you, Flandre. For everything." She takes your hand and leads you off the veranda, but where you head down the staircase, she continues along the hall. An office, probably … with how rooms sometimes change location and purpose, you stopped paying attention to most of them. You flit down the staircase, sometimes sliding down the banister and sometimes just hopping from landing to landing. But, as always, once it starts getting really fun, the stairway ends and you sneak along the halls, startling the fairies as they go about their business. They shriek in surprise - and possibly in real fear - when you jump out of a shadow or other hiding spot, but most manage to remember their manners and greet you politely once you start laughing. Of course, that ends once you get into the basement and the library; Patchouli doesn't usually let the fairies into her domain. You fly through the rows of books toward your suite. You could look for Ilya and Deis, but you know where Satsuki is - or should be, anyway - and she should be able to take you to them pretty easily. And, as you suspected, Satsuki is there waiting for you. You wave.

"Satsuki!" She bows, but her expression is curiously distressed. "Is something wrong?"

"F-Flandre-sama." She tries to speak but finally shakes her head and leads you toward a new room.

"Do you not like your room? Missing something?" She shakes her head in frustration and pushes the door open and points accusingly at a massive book resting on a desk.

"That!" she shouts furiously. You float over to the tome and stare at it curiously. "I can't even read some of it, and that Sakuya person said I have to go through the whole thing, and … and …." She trails off helplessly, gone from being angry to nearly in tears.

"'Standard Terms and Agreements for Being a Servant in the House of Remilia Scarlet,'" you say, reading the title, then shake your head and chuckle. "You don't need to read it, Satsuki. Oh, sure, if you were going to be a permanent servant here you would have to, but right now you're indentured, learning and working together." She scowls at the book and you give her a severe look of your own. "And she's not 'that Sakuya person,' she's the Chief Maid and my sister's personal maid. And the chef, so she'll probably be handling your food, too." Satsuki's eyes widen and she looks down at the floor, confused.

"But … she's human, right?" You shrug.

"Yeah. She's good at her job, and she's been here for a while, so she's pretty useful." She doesn't look happy, but she nods and takes a deep breath. You look around the room; it's comfortable but pretty bare, and you remember that she didn't get to bring anything with her. Well, maybe you can fix that before you go to Mid-Childa ….


What do you do?

[ ] Stay with Satsuki.
- [ ] Show her around the mansion.
- [ ] See if there's anything she wants or needs.

[ ] Go see how Deis and Ershin are doing.

[ ] Go see how Ilya, Sella, and Leysritt are doing.

[ ] Other?

[X] Stay with Satsuki.
-[X] Help her with the book

Is that book written in German? If so, Sella or Leysritt will have no problems with reading and following it, them being actually German maids ...

I still can't stop thinking about Illya and Berserker duo and the spell cards Illya can develop. Also her meeting Ichirin and Unzan will be interesting to watch - from afar probably ...

Meeting of Masters

Illya skipped happily besides Sella. Healed finally, the homunculus mage was determined to enjoy her stay in Gensokyo. She, and her servants already learned about Danmaku, and both homunculi created and wore two on them, on their host's recommendation, even if they only intended to buy some supplies for Sella's cooking. The German maid quickly formed partnership with Sakuya, both being maids and devoted servants of high skills as well as capable fighters, and Sella gaining access to the kitchen was part of it. It certainly appealed to Illya and even their host lady Remilia, both loving Sella's recipes.

So here they were, buying foodstuffs when suddenly Illya felt warning touch in her mind. Scanning their surroundings, she spotted woman in robe that resembled a nun. She was obviously shopping as well but what get Illya's attention was the cloudy giant - or a floating torso of one - that was following the other woman, carrying her buying. This made Illya slightly envious because she never entertained the idea to let Berserker actually do such stunt. She was also more than little curious.

"Sella? If you need me, I will be there," she turned to her servant.

Preoccupied with haggling, Sella just nodded back and paid little mind to her charge heading into troubles.

Illya, happy to have freedom to act, walked merrily to the other Master.

"Good afternoon," the homunculus mage greeted the older woman. "My name is Illyasviel von Einzbern. I am new in this land, a guest of ladies Remilia and Flandre Scarlets. May I now your name Master of servant?"

"Good afternoon," the lady nodded back politely. "I am Ichirin Kumoi, a priest of Bishamouten and Buddha in training. What do you mean by Master though?"

"Oh? Isn't he your servant?" Illya pointed out the floating giant.

"Eh? He is my guardian and, you can think of him as companion and my responsibility... In some ways, yes, Unzan can be called a servant," Ichirin answered thoughtfully.

"My bad," Illya bowed apologetically. "It's just you remind me of, well, me. I didn't think someone can be as lucky to acquire such magnificent companion."

"What do you mean? Oh..." Ichirin's eyes moved behind Illya's right shoulder. "Unzan just told me you are accompanied as well. Can we meet your ... servant?"

"Probably not here. I don't want people panic and well, I am not so callous as to show of in the middle of a crowd."

"The people probably think we are about to duel," Ichirin shrugged eying the thickening crowd. "But if you want, follow me."

Illya didn't think twice. She doubt she would be in danger, not from a Buddhist, and knew, Sella or Flandre can find her easily in place small like the town known as Human Village. So she - and half of the crowd - followed Ichirin. She was right, thinking their destination will be a temple. What surprised her, were numerous wards and magic fields that rivalled those, Illya encountered at Ryuudo shrine when she fought Flandre and Caster.

"Welcome to Myouren Temple," a regal woman that made Illya gasp in shock greeted them. "What a guests you brought with you, Ichirin. I hope you bought all on the list though or our resident Incarnation of Bishamouten will riot, again."

The woman was AT LEAST as powerful as the Caster, if not more. She even resemble her a little, but there were some differences, in magic and body. Still, she was powerful spellcaster, that was clear to the young Magus. What was different from Caster the most was aura of peace and genuine smile on her lips.

"This girl is Illyasviel von Einzbern, guest of Scarlets, right?" Ichirin introduced the homunculus. "Illyasviel, meet Lady Byakuren Hijiri, head of the Temple. My lady, Illyasviel's companion didn't reveal himself yet, so forgive me to not know his name."

"Oh. That's what we came here, Lady Byakuren. I didn't think manifesting my ... companion in a middle of the town was a good idea," Illya explained. Silently instructing him, she bowed to the Mage and her companions - which grew with a mouse girl and regal warrior woman arriving - and gestured behind herself. "Allow me, to introduce you to Berserker, my companion, servant and protector."

The hulking mass of muscles materialised in his place just behind the Magus who now looked positively tinny in comparison.

The warrior and the mouse girl took step back, clearly preparing to defend themselves, however Hijiri and Ichirin didn't react with more then polite bows.

"Welcome to my temple, Son of Zeus," Hijiri shocked Illya casually. "What?" the ancient Priest Mage tilted her head quizzically. "Even I heard about his exploits. One of my ancestors even met him, once. The mighty Herculles is not someone forgotten, young lady. Although you should probably sought way to return his mind to him. It would be kinder to him."

"But..." Illya hesitated.

"You fear, he will abandon you? Hate you? I don't think so, Lady Illyasviel," the ancient woman answered her unspoken questions. "But that is for later. And no, I am not the one you should seek to help remedy what the spell that brought him to you broke in him. You are curious about Unzan, right? Ichirin, why not tell Illyasviel your story?"

So Illya listened to a story of a girl and Youkai while she drank tea the mouse girl served them. It was certainly interesting and awe inspiring. Her respect for Ichirin grew but also, she was curious now. Who will win? Berserker the demigod or powerful nyuudo?

"Curious about ours protectors abilities?" Ichirin regarded the Magus. "Little spar, perhaps?"

***

"Luckily, this is not my shrine," a girl in red and white dress of a miko exclaimed.

"Nothing, what Unzan and Berserker couldn't repair," Hijiri shrugged. "They just demolished the yard. And both are famous for their strength and working abilities. Right, Ichirin? Illyasviel-san?"

Both minders of overpowered giants nodded sheepishly.

"I should know Flandre will bring troubles with her. Just ... Be careful how and where you unleash your servant, Illyasviel-san," the Miko, Reimu Hakurei sighed. "Well, it was something to watch, but Marisa and Suika are waiting, so good evening," ... and the miko left in hurry.

"Lady Illya! Don't just vanish on me like that!" Sella arrived, scowling. "Who are your new friends? And why is the yard looking like a servant battlefield?"

So that was how Illya managed to give Sella her first hearth attack ...

The END

Silly little omake.

[X] Stay with Satsuki.
- [X] See if there's anything she wants or needs


You hop onto the bed and wave at the room. "So, is there anything you particularly want? Anything you're going to need?" Satsuki looks around uncomfortably before shaking her head.

"No. There's … nothing I really want. And that - Sakuya-san supplied me with more uniforms." You tilt your head to the side and stare at her.

"Really? You have your work uniforms and you don't want anything else?" She looks down at the floor and hunches her shoulders.

"What would I do with them? And it's not like I have anywhere to go home to when I leave here, so what would I do with them then?" You sigh and shake your head.

"I suppose what you do with them depends on what they are. Some things are made to be used up - art supplies, for example, or specific foods you like that might not be normally on the menu. Other things might be for general use - maybe you have a musical instrument you like, or you want some non-work clothes for when you have time off. Maybe you want something to remind you of something else, or books to read, or maybe you want something to give to someone else as a gift." She looks up at you, apparently surprised by your answer, and you shrug. "What? You may be a nigh-immortal monster that survives by feeding on the blood of humans, but you're still a person." She stares at you for a moment before breaking into a fit of laughter. You shake your head again and wait for her to calm down. Really, some people are just full of the wrong thoughts ….

"I … I'm sorry, Flandre-sama." You nod absently and wave for her to sit down. She sits in one of the chairs and waits for you to continue.

"Some nicer furniture, too - I mean, how much use that would be depends a lot on how much time you spend here, but if you're going to be with me for any real length of time, you'll at least want to be comfortable, right?" She nods. "Right. As for a place to stay when you finally do leave … I guess you could ask for money. I mean, the fairies don't get paid, but I'm not sure about Sakuya. I know Meiling used to get paid, but I'm not sure if she still does. Anyway, considering the terms of our agreement, I'm not sure if you getting paid would be proper, but you getting money shouldn't be a problem." She blinks and raises one hand, waving it slightly, and you watch her.

"Um … fairies?" You nod at her confused question.

"Yeah. Didn't Sakuya say anything about it? All the other maids are fairies. They're not much help, though, so Sakuya really does most of the work. Anyway - that's all getting away from the topic at hand." You point at her. "You. Do you want anything? Is there anything you're going to need?" She looks down at her lap and works her fingers.

"I … I don't know. Really. I just … I'm not sure what I still want, and if the things that I did when I was human are still worth doing. But … um, Ciel-senpai made sure I kept up with my schoolwork, so if it's possible, maybe I could …?" She trails off and leans back as you stare at her, horrified.

"You want to keep doing school stuff?" She hunches her shoulders defensively at your accusatory tone.

"W-well, education is important, isn't it? And it's something I've been doing for a while, so it's sort of a habit now …." She relaxes as your own tension fades. "You don't like learning, Flandre-sama?" You shake your head.

"It's not learning that I have a problem with. Learning is part of why I went on my adventure, after all. No, it's school that's annoying, with its curriculums and its teachers and not being able to learn what you want to learn. It's all decided for you, and you have to keep going until the teacher decides I understand the subject well enough." Satsuki frowns. "I mean, something like anatomy - I can understand why I had to learn about it, but I'm not going to use it almost ever, so there's really no point in forcing me to memorize the names of every single bone in the human body. But something like mechanics is almost completely pointless, so why did I have to learn it? Because it was on the curriculum. There's no point to my learning it except to irritate me by making me learn something I don't like, won't use, and am not very good at - stop changing the subject." She laughs again and you cross your arms as you half-poutingly stare at her. But you can't keep it up long, and after a few seconds allow your expression to collapse into a smile. Satsuki looks up, smiling as well.

"I'm sorry, Flandre-sama. Um …." She still looks happy as she trails off, but shakes her head. "I don't really know, though - can I have some time to think about it?" You nod.

"Mm. I have to go somewhere for … a few months, I think - but that's in a few days, so you'll have some time to get situated, and the place we'll be going is civilized, so any more normal requests should be something that can be handled there." Satsuki stares at you and you tap your lips. "Didn't I say anything about that? Well, I have to finish up a contract there, and you'll be coming with me. Don't worry, they know I'm a vampire, and they have magic, so you being there won't be a problem." Although Tarbin and Astra might raise a fuss. Then again, they might not - you didn't recruit them, they just decided to attach themselves to you, so as far as you're concerned, Satsuki is higher-ranking than they are. Also, she's a vampire, not a human.

"Can you tell me about it? That place, I mean … before we go." You giggle at her apprehensive expression.

"Sure - but not right now. Maybe … hm, tonight, or tomorrow sometime." Yes, there's more to life than just talking, and you should probably put your own thoughts in order before trying to tell her what to expect from Mid-Childa.


What do you do?

[ ] Show Satsuki around the mansion.

[ ] Go see how Deis and Ershin are doing.

[ ] Go see how Ilya, Sella, and Leysritt are doing.

[ ] Other?