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

[X] Talk about Patchouli's plan for what's going to happen in Fuyuki.


Patchouli taps her book, as if considering whether to open it up, and Remilia drapes her wings over herself like a blanket. You swallow; it seems that they're willing to let you say what you want instead of continuing whatever they were doing. "Um … if it's not too much of a problem, though …." You hesitate, eyes flicking toward your sister before settling again on the magician. "Could you explain more about how you're going to keep Ilya safe? It … I know more about what could happen to her, and that's what bothers me." Patchouli cocks her head to the side before nodding slowly.

"Yes, and not knowing my plans - and your own mainly superficial knowledge of my abilities - makes it difficult to trust me when I say that I can keep her safe. Then …." She looks at Remilia before waving her hand. The far side of the room fades into a black void, one with seven individuals - two of which you recognize - standing apart from each other. Across the corner are images of Ilya, her servants, Berserker, Patchouli, and Koakuma. "The first thing to keep in mind is that while Illyasviel will not be fully healed, and therefore will not be able to utilize her own magic with any effectiveness, we will be entering an active Holy Grail War, which means that she will be able to use Berserker because the Grail will help support his existence. I will limit the amount of mana she can provide him so she does not damage her circuits, but even so weakened most enemy Servants will have difficulty fighting him. Second, her own servants are capable of slowing down most Servants when they cooperate - Leysritt is capable of contesting Servants on a physical level even without Sella's assistance, although against a proper Servant it would only be a matter of time before they fell. And my own familiar is, through her own physical and magical abilities, able to fight as well as a weaker Servant. Before I catalog my specific preparations, I will explain the various threats to us." She gestures again and one of the individuals moves across the other corner to stand opposite her own illusion - then multiplies to form dozens of people, all dark-skinned and wearing similar skull-masks as the original. And with them stands a younger priest … but your hands curl into claws and your eyes narrow as you stare at him.

"Servant Assassin, commanded by Kotomine Kirei. Effective enough as spies, but since I know to look for them and know where some are to begin with, I can neutralize them. As a group, they weaken to such an extent that they are barely more capable than humans, and even were they to reform, my familiar could deal with them without issue. The priest is somewhat dangerous, but either Leysritt or my familiar can deal with him as well. Of course, given our goal, we should never actually engage with them beyond making it clear that their presence is unwelcome." The group vanishes and the 'core' Assassin returns to the other wall. He is replaced by a tall man in what could have been rich robes … but it all seems off. Standing beside him is what seems to be a perfectly ordinary human. Patcholi scowls. "The … Caster … of this War. A former knight, completely unsuited to the magical arts and merely a counterfeit Caster. Strong, but unable to utilize his power effectively. His 'magic' is due solely to the tome he carries, which allows him to summon entities. He has an obsession with Saber but will otherwise leave us alone. His Master is nothing more than a common murderer." The Servant returns to his wall, the Master vanishes, and they are replaced by a lean man, almost pretty, carrying two spears. Beside him stand a blond man who can only be described as 'noble' and a beautiful red-haired woman.

"Lancer." You remember the Lancer you fought - Cú Chulainn. How does this man compare?

"Yes, Lancer. The first real threat, although Berserker can withstand him indefinitely if needed. His spears are cursed and need no particular activation, he is skilled enough to fight both the homunculi and my familiar and almost certainly win, and he has enough Magic Resistance that I would need to actually dedicate spell-work to him. However, between Berserker and his Master …. His Master is a proper mage, arrogant, rather intelligent, believing he is perfectly correct in all things, and possessing all the right blind spots. He is also more likely than anyone else to actually side with us in the event of a multi-sided conflict, but in the event that he does not I can overwhelm his defenses and kill him. Or, possibly, use him to force Lancer to fight alongside us. The Servant will not like it, of course, but …," she smirks and shakes her head, "the poor man seems doomed tragedy. And the woman can be used against the Master, or simply killed to render him less effective, as she provides much of the power they have to use to fuel the Servant." The Servant returns to the wall, the humans disappear, and they are replaced by an armored figure cloaked in darkness. Beside him stands a ruined human, a disgusting wreck of a man. "Berserker and his Matou Master. Another actual threat, although mitigated by the fact that his Master simply cannot maintain his Servant for long periods of combat. And, of course, he cannot defeat Illyasviel's Berserker without unleashing his Noble Phantasm, which will strain his Master to death. Vulnerable to magic, but fast, powerful, and incredibly skilled with weapons. However … his Master is obsessed with defeating Archer's Master, so as long as those two are present, he will almost certainly not be a direct threat to us." She pauses and takes several breaths.

"So … Assassin and Caster won't interfere, and even if they do interfere, Sella, Leysritt, and Koakuma can deal with them. But why would Lancer's Master side with you?"

"Because Patchouli is a magician." You glance at your sister. She grins and shrugs. "She will introduce herself as such, and El-Melloi is certainly capable of recognizing how much power she can throw around. He will, naturally - and correctly - assume that someone that powerful, not a Servant but openly revealing herself in a Grail War, is not interested in obtaining the Grail. She is, therefore, an enemy to him only if he makes one of her." You nod at the reasoning. It's quite sensible … if they have a good understanding of his character. But since it's your sister making the argument, they're probably right.

"Yes … and Berserker's Master is so blinded by his hate that he will focus all his efforts on defeating Archer. Were it not for the potential drawbacks - and the fact that Archer would defeat Berserker in almost any open combat anyway - I would arm Berserker myself and assist him against Archer." You cock your head curiously at Patchouli's remark and she shrugs. "One of Berserker's abilities is that he can 'own' anything he grasps that he recognizes as a weapon. The problem is that, as the owner, he can make full use of its abilities … and anything that would be useful against Archer would be equally useful against me. And because he is the owner, retrieving it would be … somewhat difficult." Again, a sensible argument, and you nod. Another breath - you glance at the black sword within the magic circles, because usually Patchouli doesn't get this tired just from talking - and Berserker moves back to the far wall as his Master vanishes. Taking their place is a huge man, nearly as massive as Ilya's Berserker … and a tiny boy with less presence than Ilya. At least, tiny compared to his Servant. Remilia snickers.

"Ah, the only other reasonable Master in the Grail War, after El-Melloi. Imagine Marisa with less talent and experience, and worse people-skills, and you have Waver Velvet. I can almost forgive him being English." Patchouli sighs. "Oh, come on, Pache! Give me one good reason to believe that the English are not the lowest form of creature that qualifies as a human being." Patchouli sighs and shakes her head.

"I've tried, and you keep dismissing my arguments. I particularly enjoyed 'I'm too busy to read your fifteen-hundred page essay on why my arguments are wrong, so you're wrong.'" Your sister giggles and Patchouli fights back a smile before coughing for several seconds. She turns back to you. "But … that's not here or there. Rider is … sort of a threat. On his own, without his Noble Phantasm or his chariot, Leysritt or my familiar could fight defensively against him. Of course, he's Rider, so those circumstances are … not particularly likely. However, is Master is poor, although they fit well together, so he cannot freely use all his abilities, and he is vulnerable to magic - and, as Remilia stated, his Master is quite weak for a mage. Mostly, however … he is not a danger because he is honorable. He is a conqueror, and he would throw himself at Berserker without hesitation, simply for the sake of having fought against such a mighty hero … but we will know where the other stands, and he will not force the issue against us. In this case, under these conditions, he will not be a problem." The giant Servant and his diminutive Master leave the wall, to be replaced by Saber, a scruffy-looking man in a dark suit, and an elegant, beautiful woman - Ilya's mother, no doubt. You smile and lean forward interestedly - at least until Remilia scoffs and turns away. You frown and sit back up, looking at your sister, but Patchouli clears her throat and minutely shakes her head. Something you shouldn't ask about? Why not? "Saber and her Master, Emiya Kiritsugu, and the Grail's Vessel, Irisviel von Einzbern. Obviously they should not be opposing us in any fashion whatsoever, but for the sake of completion - Saber will be crippled and unable to defeat Berserker at all, although she retains the skill to defeat our other frontline combatants, and of course her direct magic resistance is as impressive as ever. Her Master has some skill at magic, but is no match for me, and I do not need to fear his trump card. His wife is more of a threat magically, but still far below me." You frown as she dismisses the images from the wall - there is definitely something very strange going on there, something they don't seem to want you to know about. In any case, they are replaced by Archer - Gilgamesh - and an elegant, refined man in red. Tohsaka's father. "And Archer, the real danger in the war. His Master is nothing special, merely a reasonably talented fire mage, but the Servant …. If he truly wished to, he could end the War on the first night, unstoppably crushing every other Servant and Master. Even were I to unleash everything I plan to bring with me, I would rate my chances in a direct conflict against an unrestrained Archer as no better than 'possible.' If I am forced to fight him, it becomes a gamble - if he uses his Gate of Babylon, I can respond in kind only for a little while, and my one hope is that the novelty of the weapons I oppose him with is enough to cause him to halt; if he uses Ea, however, I can - possibly - ablate, redirect, possibly even absorb the attack. The theory is sound, although whether it holds up in practice is something that I cannot foresee. Of course, I should be able to brute force a defensive attack to negate it, if I am not otherwise occupied." She coughs and takes another breath. "Of course, he will almost certainly restrain himself quite thoroughly, so that shouldn't be a problem." Still, you scowl.

"You aren't making it easy for me to trust you, Patchouli." She starts to glare at you, but your sister clears her throat meaningfully. Patchouli lets out her breath and you force yourself to relax. "Sorry. It's just …." The magician nods and the images vanish, replaced by an overhead view of what looks like a warehouse area of some kind. Five Servants are visible - all except Caster and Assassin - along with Irisviel and … Waver.

"If everything goes right, we will arrive at this point in time, during the first battle of the Fourth Holy Grail War. Early enough for them to still do something if they can be convinced of the need, and also early enough that others are still scouting everyone's positions. I had considered masquerading as a Caster, linking myself to the Grail and creating a façade of Servanthood, but that is potentially dangerous enough that I dismissed the idea. It would assist me because of the confusion, but it would also cause unnecessary friction with the Servants and Masters. In any case … I will be in the open and attempt to make contact with the Einzberns, Illyasviel and the others will be hidden. If he searches, I believe that Archer will be able to find them, but even if he does he is as likely to be amused and curious as he is to be moved to action, particularly if he realizes who and what Illyasviel is. So, in the unlikely event that combat between Archer and my group occurs, at least one other Servant - Berserker - will side with me, and possibly Saber and Lancer, depending on how the battle goes. Rider, I think, will hold back, and Caster and Assassin will remain as observers. Afterward, assuming that we have not been forced to retreat back here, I will take Illyasviel to meet her parents, they will talk, and hopefully we will have returned before a day has passed." You blink, then frown and lean forward.

"Wait, you aren't planning to really do anything with the Grail?" She shakes her head.

"That is not my intention, nor have I promised Illyasviel anything other than the opportunity to speak with her parents. That is … one of the reasons my requirements were so strict. I do not intend to get into any unnecessary trouble, and interfering materially in the Grail War qualifies. Thus, keeping you tightly under control - and, in the event that we are drawn into it, keeping you under control so as to avoid any future unpleasantness. For example, Illyasviel does not fully understand the nature of your ability, but if she were to realize how easy it is for you to use, then having you with me and free to act as you wish would create trouble for me. I know you think you can withstand her charm …."

"But she is your friend, and you want to help her." You glower at your sister - but she's probably right. Maybe.

"Well, then why don't you visit at some other time, then? Like before the Grail War starts?" Patchouli nods and sighs.

"Something I had considered, but I still prefer the risk of having to deal with Archer instead of the certainty of having to blast my way through the Einzbern fortress before meeting with her parents. Moreover - Illyasviel is injured, her Magic Circuits incomplete and damaged. Recall how she collapsed after you destroyed the Grail in her world? Taking her to a time when the Grail is inactive will force her to maintain Berserker on her own - something she can do but which will certainly strain her." You slump back as worry presses on you. Strain, she says … but where with most people that simply means that, with Ilya it means 'could kill.' That … your halting train of thought is derailed completely as slender arms hug you from behind, as great wings wrap themselves around you.

"She will be fine, Flandre. She has time, time enough for this. To visit her parents, to return and have us help her however she chooses. You will see her again." Your sister's voice, right by your ear, not comforting or promising, but speaking a simple fact, as if reading from a book. That is comforting, and you nod.


What do you do?

[ ] See if you can still come along.
- [ ] With Patchouli's full restrictions.
- [ ] With lessened restrictions.
- [ ] On your own.

[ ] Change the subject!
- [ ] Ask Remilia why she didn't seem to like hearing about Saber and her Master.
- [ ] Ask about the black sword.
- Other?

[ ] Thank them for the explanation and leave.
- [ ] See how Ilya is doing.
- [ ] Music practice.
- [ ] Go cook something.

[ ] Other?

[X] See if you can still come along.
- [X] With Patchouli's full restrictions.
- - [X] If you are allowed to go, change the subject and ask about the black sword.


You bring your hands up to cover Remilia's, but instead of leaning into her you break her hug apart and step forward before spinning around, bringing her hands together within your own. "Thank you, Remilia, but …." Her slight smile fades away, leaving her expressionlessly watching you as you fight for the right words. "… Please, can I go with Patchouli and Ilya? I know you have a plan set up, and you always have good reasons for doing things a particular way, but … Ilya's going to meet her parents, and even after you helped her out, she seems more comfortable with me around. I - I want her to feel as safe and comfortable as she can when she meets them." You swallow nervously and squeeze your sister's hands slightly. "I'll even go along with Patchouli's rules, just the way they are. I just … I want everything to go right for Ilya …." The room is deathly silent for a moment - then Remilia gently pulls her hands away from you and takes a step back. You fight your hunching shoulders, determined not to throw a fit as your sister sighs.

"I … you are an adult, after all. I can hardly order you to follow my instructions, and if this will make you happy, I won't object." Her voice is carefully neutral, but you disregard that for the moment as you launch yourself forward and swing her around in a flying hug.

"Thank you, thankyouthankyou!" You set her down and hop back, smiling as you wipe your eyes.

"And I suppose that if the worst happens, you should be there." You cock your head.

"Eh? You don't think Patchouli can keep Ilya safe from Archer?" You try to keep any trace of superiority or mockery out of your voice as you look past your sister at the magician. She stares at Remilia, looking almost betrayed, then glares viciously at you.

"Hm? Oh, Gilgamesh. Yes, I guess you can be an insurance against him if Pache's plans aren't sufficient." You frown - if Archer isn't the worst case, what is? Even Patchouli didn't consider anything else a terribly dangerous threat …. Remilia shakes her head and moves more naturally. "Although, since you'll be traveling with Patchouli and under her restrictions, I should think that you'll need her permission, too. What do you say, Pache?" She spins to face the still-glowering magician and leans forward at the waist, arms behind her back. You try to smile politely at Patchouli as she closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. You've had this conversation, you know what she'll say …. She opens her eyes, and while she still looks angry, she doesn't look furious anymore.

"Very well. You remember my rules, I believe? That you will obey my commands, that you will remain silent and out of the way unless necessary, that you will avoid collateral damage and interference in the lives of humans, and that your servant will remain here. Additionally, you must acquire Illyasviel's acceptance. And -" her lips tighten as you frown "- and, Flandre, I need a guarantee that you aren't simply agreeing to follow my terms, something beyond your word. Either you will agree to a punishment for breaking any of the conditions - you may choose one, but I will determine if it is suitable, and if it isn't then I will substitute it for one of my own decision - or you may subject yourself to a geas -"

"Patchouli." Even as you stiffen, outraged, Remilia scolds the magician … but it is merely a scolding. Why isn't she as furious as you are? Why is she letting Patchouli get away with that? After a brief glance at your sister, Patchouli looks back at you and continues speaking.

"… regarding the second and third conditions. The fourth requires no force, because it simply is, and despite what is no doubt going through your mind, I am not so foolish as to think I can get away with a geas for your obedience. Besides, you would fight that." She closes her eyes and takes a breath before leaning back in her chair as you fight down the urge to stomp and snarl and shriek. "You are therefore, pending the completion of the prerequisite actions, granted permission to accompany us. You have until we leave to complete the required tasks, which will be … Remilia?" You grind your teeth at her nonchalant attitude, but your sister flaps her wings once and cocks her head to the side.

"Might as well do it soon. Tomorrow." Patchouli nods.

"We will leave at noon tomorrow. I do expect that you will have obtained Illyasviel's permission before she reaches the portals, although you may withdraw at any time." You scowl at her indifference, then huff in frustration.

"Fine. … and thank you." Patchouli's head … maybe twitches, but it's hard to tell if she understood what you said. You know your sister did, though, and she's the one you really should be thanking. She turns back around and stretches, seeming as if the just-finished conversation had never happened.

"Have you anything else you wish to ask of us, Flandre?" You frown, wondering just how far you can push your luck … but there is one thing. You turn to look at the imprisoned sword.

"Um, what's with the sword and all that?" Remilia's face lights up and she springs forward, tugging you with her as she bounds for the magic circle.

"Ah, that? That's just a little demon we captured for a little bit of experimenting." You frown - it's a sword, not a demon! Remilia taps at the edge of the magic circle, her nail clinking against the air and sounding as though she were tapping crystal. "Hello, little Mournblade! How are feeling?" You look at the sword - huge, broad-bladed, black, and etched with unfamiliar runes - and then take out Laevateinn. Your sister laughs. "Ah, you see the similarities? Truthfully, I'm not sure if they're actually related or if it just seems that way - but that's what the experiments are for!" The sword seems to glow with a strange black light and Remilia sighs. "Oh, calm down, calm down. You'll be fine, and then we'll toss you back where we found you so you can do your thing, okay? Really, it almost might have been better to take the other one …." You give your sister an odd look as the glow fades away, then glance at the covered window.

"And … isn't this an interior room?" She looks up.

"Hm? Oh, that! Yes, it's not really there, but I figured that doing this properly, without any trails or traces that can be followed, and actively confusing anyone who might have been watching at that exact moment - well, there are some things in the realms this thing came from that I don't want finding Gensokyo. Not until after Reimu's dead, anyway. After that, bets are off." You sigh as Remilia stares at the covered window. Nothing like an ominous statement like that to clarify everything ….

"So … what are you going to do if you do learn what you want from the … Mournblade?" Remilia grins.

"Oh, I don't know, make a few weapons myself. I think Berserker could use a nice big mace, don't you? Or maybe some armor? I don't know, really! But it could be fun …." She leans down, closer to the sword. "But all that depends on us studying you, doesn't it? Yes, and I think I'll bide my time a bit until I'm sure I can trust you. So do be a good demon, hm?" She waggles her finger at it, then springs upright and hops back. She turns to Patchouli. "And everything else is taken care of?" The magician nods.

"Sakuya will be confused, no doubt -" Remilia waves her concern away.

"She'll get over it, and I've got a surprise for her that'll keep her busy, too." She claps her hands twice and waves at the two of you. "Now, out, out. Pache, get everything dealt with before you leave, okay?" The magician nods and sighs as your sister herds you out of the room - and when you turn around after hearing the door shut, you find yourself alone with your sister … just inside a balcony overlooking the back yard. Remilia walks out and slumps over the railing, wings falling bonelessly to sag on the floor. "You should probably get your own business taken care of, too, Flandre." You hesitate; that wasn't quite a dismissal … but she is right, and if nothing else you should probably make sure that Ilya knows that the schedule has been adjusted, and she'll probably be going to bed soon. On the other hand, she … probably isn't very happy right now, so maybe you should stay with her?


What do you do?

[ ] Stay with Remilia.
- Do anything in particular?

[ ] Go back to Ilya.
- [ ] Ask her if she'll let you come with her to see her parents.

[ ] Other?


DM Note: I'm not sure how I want to handle voting on going with Ilya. On the one hand, it's something that should get some discussion - accept the geas or try to figure out a worthwhile 'punishment' or drop it altogether - so I'm hesitant to simply make it part of the normal vote, but if there is a strong shift back to letting Patchouli handle it on her own, then Flan deciding that sooner is for the better. I guess a write-in, maybe?