A Wise Hermit
Well, Sometimes.
[X] Head back to your room and change.
-[X] Get some breakfast.
Gotta look classy.
-[X] Get some breakfast.
Gotta look classy.
Flandre's Quest (Touhou) World - (Madness Quest)
- Thread starter Entropy Judge
- Start date
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are not locked.
Patchouli is best magician.
Patchouli is best magician.
- Location
- Voidbetweenstars
[X] Get some breakfast.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are not locked.
There is a tie; votes will not be locked until at least two hours past the normal update time.
[X] Get some breakfast.
3
[X] Head back to your room and change.
-[X] Get some breakfast.
3
3
[X] Head back to your room and change.
-[X] Get some breakfast.
3
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
And votes are locked. Update will be posted when it's written.
[X] Get some breakfast.
3
[X] Head back to your room and change.
-[X] Get some breakfast.
4
3
[X] Head back to your room and change.
-[X] Get some breakfast.
4
Breakfast Surprise
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
[X] Head back to your room and change.
- [X] Get some breakfast.
You sigh and hop out of the coffin so you can close it. The way out … it'll probably be easiest to simply go through the mansion itself instead of heading outside, especially since the sun's up, so you head through Remilia's suite. A small bat sleeping on a table catches your eye; not a familiar, it's one of the reasons your sister is so dangerous. She's almost never without at least one bat that hangs around somewhere instead of rejoining her body, so unless something is powerful enough to destroy the whole mansion at once - or can affect her regardless of where her body is - she can't be defeated in a single attack. Combined with her natural ability and her sorcery, she's far more dangerous than most people give her credit for. You pet the bat and continue on your way toward your primary way down. Instead of sliding, jumping, or walking, however, you simply hop over the edge and plummet to the bottom. Breakfast ~ … after you change. You skip through the halls, ignoring the fairies as they go back to their daily routines now that the party is over.
You get back to your suite and first check in on Satsuki. Of course, she's sleeping in her bed, but she doesn't really look like she did too much. Maybe she didn't practice with Meiling last night? Or maybe Sakuya made sure she was alright …. You shrug and slip out and into your room; it's not that important, really. You look through your wardrobe, wondering what you should wear, then laugh at yourself and take out one of your normal outfits. They all have slight differences, but it's not a big deal unless you're looking at the higher-class outfits. Clean and refreshed, you make your way out of the library and head toward the dining room. Sakuya might be somewhere else - she probably is, even if she isn't with your sister - but it's always a good place to start when you're looking for food. You open the door and stop, surprised to see Ilya and her servants there … and Patchouli, too, strangely.
"Good morning, Lady Flandre. If you will take a seat?" You shake yourself and walk to the place set for you near Ilya.
"Good morning, Flan. Did you sleep well?" You nod at Ilya.
"I did. And … are you alright?" She hesitates, considering your question, then smiles and nods.
"I am." She tries to lunge at you, but overbalances and, except for your catching her, would have fallen to the floor. She grins and rubs her head against your stomach for a moment before you set her back in her wheelchair.
"Illyasviel, don't do things like that." Ilya sticks her tongue out at Patchouli, earning a reproachful look from Sella, but Sakuya arrives with a small tray for you before she can say anything.
"Thank you, Sakuya." The maid bows and steps back, leaving you to your meal - leftovers from yesterday, apart from your bloody treats. Ilya is already finished, it seems. "Did you have any plans for today, Ilya?" She shrugs and sits back in her chair.
"I don't think so - not particularly, anyway. I'm supposed to keep resting, of course." You glance at Patchouli, wondering if she's here to make sure that Ilya does, but the magician simply picks up her large mug and takes a drink, grimacing after swallowing. Some kind of medicine, maybe? "Is there something going on?" You swallow the cookie and nod.
"Yes - well, kind of. I think today's when my sister wants to go get someone from Mid-Childa and send him back there, and she asked me to make a decision on whether I want to come or not. I haven't decided yet, but … um, I thought I'd ask you if you wanted me around before making up my mind." Ilya blinks at you, expressionless, and you duck your head, focusing on eating.
"Why wouldn't I?" You look up and start stammering, trying to explain your worry, but nothing intelligible comes out.
"Flandre." You twitch at Patchouli's voice, but she's in one of her rare, gentler moods, and she sighs and shakes her head. "What Remilia did, and I cleaned up, didn't take away your and Illyasviel's friendship. That was something that began before the problem that needed to be fixed. We simply … prevented your power from twisting that feeling into something twisted and artificial." You feel your face redden and you slowly turn your head to face Ilya. She crooks a finger, waving you closer, and you lean into the gap between you - and she pats your head.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Flan." You look up at her smiling face and feel your embarrassment become more obvious. "Do you know what that place is like?" You shake your head.
"It's … um, she said it shouldn't take long to get Verossa back, but …." Something draws your attention to the other side of the table, and you see Patchouli staring at you, all traces of kindness gone, replaced by the usual irritated expression she has when dealing with you.
"You … haven't asked her about it?" Your wings rise as your own temper rises, but she simply snorts and shakes her head.
"Could you tell us about that place, Miss Knowledge?" Patchouli glances at Sella.
"I could, yes. But I won't." She finishes her drink with a final few gulps and shudders after setting the mug down on the table. "I'm going back. Come to the portal area when you're ready." She stands up and takes two steps before vanishing. You stare at her chair, shoulders hunched irritatedly, as Sakuya takes the magician's mug. Sella sighs.
"… Um, what would you do if I weren't here?" You look at Ilya, a little startled by the question, and relax nervously.
"If you weren't here? I …." You consider your options and shrug. "I could practice the piano, I guess. Maybe Patchouli would let me watch Remilia if I didn't go with her. But … well, you didn't get to do much outside last night, right? I could show you around." Ilya laughs and shakes her head.
"If I weren't here you'd show me around? - Flan, I didn't mean it like that!" She reaches out to you again as you hunch your shoulders unhappily again. "I'm sorry." You nod and smile at her.
What do you do?
[ ] Go with Remilia.
[ ] See if Patchouli will let you watch Remilia and Aya.
[ ] Take Ilya outside and show her around the gardens.
[ ] Other?
DM Note: Unless a write-in specifies otherwise, Flan will go down to see Remilia off before proceeding with a given plan.
- [X] Get some breakfast.
You sigh and hop out of the coffin so you can close it. The way out … it'll probably be easiest to simply go through the mansion itself instead of heading outside, especially since the sun's up, so you head through Remilia's suite. A small bat sleeping on a table catches your eye; not a familiar, it's one of the reasons your sister is so dangerous. She's almost never without at least one bat that hangs around somewhere instead of rejoining her body, so unless something is powerful enough to destroy the whole mansion at once - or can affect her regardless of where her body is - she can't be defeated in a single attack. Combined with her natural ability and her sorcery, she's far more dangerous than most people give her credit for. You pet the bat and continue on your way toward your primary way down. Instead of sliding, jumping, or walking, however, you simply hop over the edge and plummet to the bottom. Breakfast ~ … after you change. You skip through the halls, ignoring the fairies as they go back to their daily routines now that the party is over.
You get back to your suite and first check in on Satsuki. Of course, she's sleeping in her bed, but she doesn't really look like she did too much. Maybe she didn't practice with Meiling last night? Or maybe Sakuya made sure she was alright …. You shrug and slip out and into your room; it's not that important, really. You look through your wardrobe, wondering what you should wear, then laugh at yourself and take out one of your normal outfits. They all have slight differences, but it's not a big deal unless you're looking at the higher-class outfits. Clean and refreshed, you make your way out of the library and head toward the dining room. Sakuya might be somewhere else - she probably is, even if she isn't with your sister - but it's always a good place to start when you're looking for food. You open the door and stop, surprised to see Ilya and her servants there … and Patchouli, too, strangely.
"Good morning, Lady Flandre. If you will take a seat?" You shake yourself and walk to the place set for you near Ilya.
"Good morning, Flan. Did you sleep well?" You nod at Ilya.
"I did. And … are you alright?" She hesitates, considering your question, then smiles and nods.
"I am." She tries to lunge at you, but overbalances and, except for your catching her, would have fallen to the floor. She grins and rubs her head against your stomach for a moment before you set her back in her wheelchair.
"Illyasviel, don't do things like that." Ilya sticks her tongue out at Patchouli, earning a reproachful look from Sella, but Sakuya arrives with a small tray for you before she can say anything.
"Thank you, Sakuya." The maid bows and steps back, leaving you to your meal - leftovers from yesterday, apart from your bloody treats. Ilya is already finished, it seems. "Did you have any plans for today, Ilya?" She shrugs and sits back in her chair.
"I don't think so - not particularly, anyway. I'm supposed to keep resting, of course." You glance at Patchouli, wondering if she's here to make sure that Ilya does, but the magician simply picks up her large mug and takes a drink, grimacing after swallowing. Some kind of medicine, maybe? "Is there something going on?" You swallow the cookie and nod.
"Yes - well, kind of. I think today's when my sister wants to go get someone from Mid-Childa and send him back there, and she asked me to make a decision on whether I want to come or not. I haven't decided yet, but … um, I thought I'd ask you if you wanted me around before making up my mind." Ilya blinks at you, expressionless, and you duck your head, focusing on eating.
"Why wouldn't I?" You look up and start stammering, trying to explain your worry, but nothing intelligible comes out.
"Flandre." You twitch at Patchouli's voice, but she's in one of her rare, gentler moods, and she sighs and shakes her head. "What Remilia did, and I cleaned up, didn't take away your and Illyasviel's friendship. That was something that began before the problem that needed to be fixed. We simply … prevented your power from twisting that feeling into something twisted and artificial." You feel your face redden and you slowly turn your head to face Ilya. She crooks a finger, waving you closer, and you lean into the gap between you - and she pats your head.
"Thank you for worrying about me, Flan." You look up at her smiling face and feel your embarrassment become more obvious. "Do you know what that place is like?" You shake your head.
"It's … um, she said it shouldn't take long to get Verossa back, but …." Something draws your attention to the other side of the table, and you see Patchouli staring at you, all traces of kindness gone, replaced by the usual irritated expression she has when dealing with you.
"You … haven't asked her about it?" Your wings rise as your own temper rises, but she simply snorts and shakes her head.
"Could you tell us about that place, Miss Knowledge?" Patchouli glances at Sella.
"I could, yes. But I won't." She finishes her drink with a final few gulps and shudders after setting the mug down on the table. "I'm going back. Come to the portal area when you're ready." She stands up and takes two steps before vanishing. You stare at her chair, shoulders hunched irritatedly, as Sakuya takes the magician's mug. Sella sighs.
"… Um, what would you do if I weren't here?" You look at Ilya, a little startled by the question, and relax nervously.
"If you weren't here? I …." You consider your options and shrug. "I could practice the piano, I guess. Maybe Patchouli would let me watch Remilia if I didn't go with her. But … well, you didn't get to do much outside last night, right? I could show you around." Ilya laughs and shakes her head.
"If I weren't here you'd show me around? - Flan, I didn't mean it like that!" She reaches out to you again as you hunch your shoulders unhappily again. "I'm sorry." You nod and smile at her.
What do you do?
[ ] Go with Remilia.
[ ] See if Patchouli will let you watch Remilia and Aya.
[ ] Take Ilya outside and show her around the gardens.
[ ] Other?
DM Note: Unless a write-in specifies otherwise, Flan will go down to see Remilia off before proceeding with a given plan.
A Wise Hermit
Well, Sometimes.
[X] Take Ilya outside and show her around the gardens.
First 'unscripted' Ilya event.
First 'unscripted' Ilya event.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are not locked.
[X] Take Ilya outside and show her around the gardens.
3
[X] Take Ilya outside and show her around the gardens.
3
- Location
- Voidbetweenstars
[x] See if Patchouli will let you watch Remilia and Aya.
- Location
- United States
[X] Take Ilya outside and show her around the gardens.
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
Votes are locked.
[X] Take Ilya outside and show her around the gardens.
4
[X] See if Patchouli will let you watch Remilia and Aya.
2
4
[X] See if Patchouli will let you watch Remilia and Aya.
2
Garden Viewing
Entropy Judge
Recurring Bouts of Misanthropy
[X] Take Ilya outside and show her around the gardens.
"I know, Ilya. I'm sorry." She smiles and you look down at your plate. "Um, you wouldn't mind if I stayed here and showed you around, would you?" Ilya is quiet for a moment, and when she speaks her tone is rather more serious than it usually is.
"I wouldn't mind, Flan, but … don't you want to be with your sister?" Your head lowers more and your wings hook forward around your shoulders.
"I … I do, but I also want to be with you. And if you don't come with me to Mid-Childa, then we won't have much time together, so I do want to spend a lot of it with you. If everything goes well, it should only take an hour, but …." You trail off, mouth working helplessly, and after a few seconds a hand settles on your shoulder. You turn your head to see Ilya's chair closer to you, and she's leaning over with a soft smile on her face.
"It's okay, Flan. I'm still your friend, and I still like being with you. I just wasn't sure if you wanted to be stay here because you were worried about me or if something had happened between you and your sister." You smile back and relax, then look back at the table. Maybe something else is happening between you and Remilia - besides the obvious thing - but unlike Ilya, you and your sister have time to work things out if you need to. Unless she decides to turn into a magician like Patchouli, Ilya won't. You shake yourself and sit up straight.
"Anyway, I should go tell Remilia that I'll be staying here. Do you want me to meet you back here or at the front door?" Ilya thinks for a moment before shrugging and looking at Sella.
"If you are unsure of how to get there, I can take you." Ilya and Sella both jump at Sakuya's interjection, having apparently forgotten her presence. Ilya shrugs again.
"Um, the front door will be fine." You smile and float over the chair's arm to hug her gently and tousle her hair. You giggle as she tries to wave you away, then pat her head and move back of your own accord.
"Then I'll see you in a little bit, Ilya." You wave and slip out of the dining room. You take a deep breath and fly back to the library. Patchouli said to go to the portal area … so she's going to be there, and so will Aya. Well, Aya won't be a problem. The magician - you've dealt with her hostility before, and you'll probably have to do it again. Unless she does something to your sister, though, neither one of you will actually do anything to the other. You fly through the halls and down the stairs, then through the aisles of bookshelves until you're almost to the portals. You slow down and land, then, and walk into the cleared area. Only one portal is open, showing a large city of stone, filled with towers and ornate cathedrals, with a single massive tower forming the centerpiece. Patchouli has a scrying image up as well, showing an audience chamber with a good number of noblemen and their guards.
"Flandre. You've made your decision?" Remilia looks at you calmly. She's wearing a redder, slightly more elaborate outfit than she usually does, but nothing that lets you know if she's planning anything particularly nasty. Aya is frowning at the image Patchouli is showing, and simply shoots you a glance before turning her attention back to it. You nod and bow to your sister.
"Mhm. If it's not a problem, I'd like to stay here with Ilya," you say. Remilia simply nods, although you catch Patchouli scowling at you.
"Of course it's fine, Flandre. Like I said, it's probably going to be short and boring, and if it isn't it's going to be long and boring. Just remember that if Yukari sends anyone to try and study Ilya, don't kill them unless Patchouli says it's okay." You stiffen slightly - that had slipped your mind - but Remilia turns to Aya. "You're ready?"
"I am, yes. This is safe, right? And I just follow you?" You blink, momentarily confused - is Aya afraid of going through the portal? Remilia sighs irritatedly.
"Yes, yes, perfectly safe. And, yes, just follow me unless I have some instruction for you to follow." She glances at you and frowns.
"Um … take care, Remilia." Her expression collapses into a confident smile and she walks over to you and gives you a hug.
"I'll be fine, Flan. Unless I just sit there and let them do things to me, there are … a handful, perhaps two, of entities there that can actually harm me, and only some of them could actually put up a fight. I have more to fear from the sun than I do anyone there." You smile back at her and she pats your head before turning back to the portal. "Alright, come on, Aya. Let's put you another step ahead of that naïve shut-in and turn you into a family woman." Aya's face flushes as she twitches away from the image and hurries after Remilia toward the portal.
"No, we aren't! Whatever you think about it, I am not getting a boyfriend!" You stare, completely bewildered, at the pair as they walk to the portal. Remilia nonchalantly raises a hand in a farewell gesture - they're almost to the portal before your own hand shoots up and you wave back. You watch the image that Patchouli has up as it starts to move, as it turns from a simple image into a real-time projection of events. Nothing important happens for almost a minute - then everyone looks up, and then scatters back as a brilliant red projectile shoots down into the room, slowing to a halt just above the floor. The pieces of the ceiling that fall are caught before they can kill anyone, then float back up even as the nobles and soldiers try to put themselves in some kind of defensive position. You shake yourself roughly and pat your cheeks, then take a deep breath. You can't stay to watch, much as you'd like to see your sister put a bunch of humans in their place. You spin around and walk away, almost to the edge of the area … but you should say something to Patchouli. Your mouth works for a moment, and your hands clench.
"… We'll be out in the gardens for a while, in case you need something." Then you take off as quickly as you can, flying back out of the library and toward the front door. You haven't been gone long, only a few minutes - but that doesn't stop them from being the ones waiting for you instead of the other way around. A certain time-stopping maid likely had something to do with that …. Ilya waves at you.
"You're back!" You nod and curtsy.
"Of course. You didn't think I wouldn't be, did you?" Ilya giggles at your response and you smile before taking out a parasol. "Shall we?" You push open the door before Sella can reach it, then skip out and open the parasol. It is a rather beautiful day - birds are singing and flowers are blooming - but that doesn't mean it's agreeable to you. At least it doesn't look like it's going to rain. You consider taking them to see Meiling, but that can wait for a bit. Instead, you lead them around the mansion, past the danmaku area and around the side. Ilya sighs in wonder, and Sella sounds both surprised and happy. Leysritt, of course, doesn't say anything, but you glance at her and she looks more relaxed.
"Do the maids care for all these?" You chuckle at Sella's question and shake your head as you walk toward one of the paths that loops through the area.
"No, they're more for inside the mansion. Meiling takes care of the gardens." Ilya looks over at you.
"Meiling … she's the one who guards the front gate, right? And she still has time to take care of all these?" You nod and grin mischievously.
"Yup. And the gardens on the other side of the mansion, too." Ilya stares at you and shakes her head, unable to meaningfully respond, and you nod proudly. "She does, and without Sakuya's help. You can ask her when we get back to the front, or if we meet her when she does her rounds."
"She must be the best gardener in Gensokyo, then." You wiggle your shoulders for a moment before finally shrugging.
"Possibly. Yuuka is probably better, but I think a lot of that is that she's a lot older than Meiling and she specializes in flowers."
"And this … Yuuka. She is the one who spoke of a wish to kill your Lady Remilia?"
"Yeah. And she dueled against Alice last night." Ilya frowns before nodding slowly. "Nothing's going to happen, though - they're both far too powerful for either one to try attacking the other, not unless someone alienates all of Gensokyo. But enough of that." You guide them on a leisurely stroll through the garden, pointing out certain kinds of flowers while Sella explains about others. After a few minutes of the tour, Sella takes the parasol from you and holds it for you - probably so you don't accidentally hit her or Leysritt while you're bouncing around Ilya. You're most of the way through the garden when you notice a particular, peculiar chiming sound.
"Flan? Is something wrong?" You relax and shake your head before smiling back at her.
"No, I just … I don't really like that sound." She frowns at you and you wave for them to follow you. The plant's sound is more audible as you approach, and you find the source in a small pond close to the wall. It doesn't look to have gotten much worse, if at all, but you're not sure if it's getting better, either.
"What … what is it?" Ilya leans forward to get a better look at it.
"A 'crimson nirnroot.' It's not from Earth, it's from one of the worlds I went to before I met you. Meiling wasn't sure she'd be able to get it to stay alive, but it looks like it's doing well." You step back and look around. There isn't much left of the gardens on this side, but you do have a whole other side to show her! And the forest, too. Or you could just go back to see Meiling ….
What do you do?
[ ] Finish up with this garden, then head to the other one.
- [ ] Take a forest path.
- [ ] Stay along the side of the mansion.
[ ] Go see Meiling.
[ ] Other?
DM Note: As a head's-up, starting on Wednesday, my free time during the weekdays is going to be temporarily curtailed. The next update should be on Tuesday, but the update after that may not be until Saturday. After that, I should be able to do an update on Monday, but I am honestly not sure what my days will actually be like. It should be back to normal after that week, however.
"I know, Ilya. I'm sorry." She smiles and you look down at your plate. "Um, you wouldn't mind if I stayed here and showed you around, would you?" Ilya is quiet for a moment, and when she speaks her tone is rather more serious than it usually is.
"I wouldn't mind, Flan, but … don't you want to be with your sister?" Your head lowers more and your wings hook forward around your shoulders.
"I … I do, but I also want to be with you. And if you don't come with me to Mid-Childa, then we won't have much time together, so I do want to spend a lot of it with you. If everything goes well, it should only take an hour, but …." You trail off, mouth working helplessly, and after a few seconds a hand settles on your shoulder. You turn your head to see Ilya's chair closer to you, and she's leaning over with a soft smile on her face.
"It's okay, Flan. I'm still your friend, and I still like being with you. I just wasn't sure if you wanted to be stay here because you were worried about me or if something had happened between you and your sister." You smile back and relax, then look back at the table. Maybe something else is happening between you and Remilia - besides the obvious thing - but unlike Ilya, you and your sister have time to work things out if you need to. Unless she decides to turn into a magician like Patchouli, Ilya won't. You shake yourself and sit up straight.
"Anyway, I should go tell Remilia that I'll be staying here. Do you want me to meet you back here or at the front door?" Ilya thinks for a moment before shrugging and looking at Sella.
"If you are unsure of how to get there, I can take you." Ilya and Sella both jump at Sakuya's interjection, having apparently forgotten her presence. Ilya shrugs again.
"Um, the front door will be fine." You smile and float over the chair's arm to hug her gently and tousle her hair. You giggle as she tries to wave you away, then pat her head and move back of your own accord.
"Then I'll see you in a little bit, Ilya." You wave and slip out of the dining room. You take a deep breath and fly back to the library. Patchouli said to go to the portal area … so she's going to be there, and so will Aya. Well, Aya won't be a problem. The magician - you've dealt with her hostility before, and you'll probably have to do it again. Unless she does something to your sister, though, neither one of you will actually do anything to the other. You fly through the halls and down the stairs, then through the aisles of bookshelves until you're almost to the portals. You slow down and land, then, and walk into the cleared area. Only one portal is open, showing a large city of stone, filled with towers and ornate cathedrals, with a single massive tower forming the centerpiece. Patchouli has a scrying image up as well, showing an audience chamber with a good number of noblemen and their guards.
"Flandre. You've made your decision?" Remilia looks at you calmly. She's wearing a redder, slightly more elaborate outfit than she usually does, but nothing that lets you know if she's planning anything particularly nasty. Aya is frowning at the image Patchouli is showing, and simply shoots you a glance before turning her attention back to it. You nod and bow to your sister.
"Mhm. If it's not a problem, I'd like to stay here with Ilya," you say. Remilia simply nods, although you catch Patchouli scowling at you.
"Of course it's fine, Flandre. Like I said, it's probably going to be short and boring, and if it isn't it's going to be long and boring. Just remember that if Yukari sends anyone to try and study Ilya, don't kill them unless Patchouli says it's okay." You stiffen slightly - that had slipped your mind - but Remilia turns to Aya. "You're ready?"
"I am, yes. This is safe, right? And I just follow you?" You blink, momentarily confused - is Aya afraid of going through the portal? Remilia sighs irritatedly.
"Yes, yes, perfectly safe. And, yes, just follow me unless I have some instruction for you to follow." She glances at you and frowns.
"Um … take care, Remilia." Her expression collapses into a confident smile and she walks over to you and gives you a hug.
"I'll be fine, Flan. Unless I just sit there and let them do things to me, there are … a handful, perhaps two, of entities there that can actually harm me, and only some of them could actually put up a fight. I have more to fear from the sun than I do anyone there." You smile back at her and she pats your head before turning back to the portal. "Alright, come on, Aya. Let's put you another step ahead of that naïve shut-in and turn you into a family woman." Aya's face flushes as she twitches away from the image and hurries after Remilia toward the portal.
"No, we aren't! Whatever you think about it, I am not getting a boyfriend!" You stare, completely bewildered, at the pair as they walk to the portal. Remilia nonchalantly raises a hand in a farewell gesture - they're almost to the portal before your own hand shoots up and you wave back. You watch the image that Patchouli has up as it starts to move, as it turns from a simple image into a real-time projection of events. Nothing important happens for almost a minute - then everyone looks up, and then scatters back as a brilliant red projectile shoots down into the room, slowing to a halt just above the floor. The pieces of the ceiling that fall are caught before they can kill anyone, then float back up even as the nobles and soldiers try to put themselves in some kind of defensive position. You shake yourself roughly and pat your cheeks, then take a deep breath. You can't stay to watch, much as you'd like to see your sister put a bunch of humans in their place. You spin around and walk away, almost to the edge of the area … but you should say something to Patchouli. Your mouth works for a moment, and your hands clench.
"… We'll be out in the gardens for a while, in case you need something." Then you take off as quickly as you can, flying back out of the library and toward the front door. You haven't been gone long, only a few minutes - but that doesn't stop them from being the ones waiting for you instead of the other way around. A certain time-stopping maid likely had something to do with that …. Ilya waves at you.
"You're back!" You nod and curtsy.
"Of course. You didn't think I wouldn't be, did you?" Ilya giggles at your response and you smile before taking out a parasol. "Shall we?" You push open the door before Sella can reach it, then skip out and open the parasol. It is a rather beautiful day - birds are singing and flowers are blooming - but that doesn't mean it's agreeable to you. At least it doesn't look like it's going to rain. You consider taking them to see Meiling, but that can wait for a bit. Instead, you lead them around the mansion, past the danmaku area and around the side. Ilya sighs in wonder, and Sella sounds both surprised and happy. Leysritt, of course, doesn't say anything, but you glance at her and she looks more relaxed.
"Do the maids care for all these?" You chuckle at Sella's question and shake your head as you walk toward one of the paths that loops through the area.
"No, they're more for inside the mansion. Meiling takes care of the gardens." Ilya looks over at you.
"Meiling … she's the one who guards the front gate, right? And she still has time to take care of all these?" You nod and grin mischievously.
"Yup. And the gardens on the other side of the mansion, too." Ilya stares at you and shakes her head, unable to meaningfully respond, and you nod proudly. "She does, and without Sakuya's help. You can ask her when we get back to the front, or if we meet her when she does her rounds."
"She must be the best gardener in Gensokyo, then." You wiggle your shoulders for a moment before finally shrugging.
"Possibly. Yuuka is probably better, but I think a lot of that is that she's a lot older than Meiling and she specializes in flowers."
"And this … Yuuka. She is the one who spoke of a wish to kill your Lady Remilia?"
"Yeah. And she dueled against Alice last night." Ilya frowns before nodding slowly. "Nothing's going to happen, though - they're both far too powerful for either one to try attacking the other, not unless someone alienates all of Gensokyo. But enough of that." You guide them on a leisurely stroll through the garden, pointing out certain kinds of flowers while Sella explains about others. After a few minutes of the tour, Sella takes the parasol from you and holds it for you - probably so you don't accidentally hit her or Leysritt while you're bouncing around Ilya. You're most of the way through the garden when you notice a particular, peculiar chiming sound.
"Flan? Is something wrong?" You relax and shake your head before smiling back at her.
"No, I just … I don't really like that sound." She frowns at you and you wave for them to follow you. The plant's sound is more audible as you approach, and you find the source in a small pond close to the wall. It doesn't look to have gotten much worse, if at all, but you're not sure if it's getting better, either.
"What … what is it?" Ilya leans forward to get a better look at it.
"A 'crimson nirnroot.' It's not from Earth, it's from one of the worlds I went to before I met you. Meiling wasn't sure she'd be able to get it to stay alive, but it looks like it's doing well." You step back and look around. There isn't much left of the gardens on this side, but you do have a whole other side to show her! And the forest, too. Or you could just go back to see Meiling ….
What do you do?
[ ] Finish up with this garden, then head to the other one.
- [ ] Take a forest path.
- [ ] Stay along the side of the mansion.
[ ] Go see Meiling.
[ ] Other?
DM Note: As a head's-up, starting on Wednesday, my free time during the weekdays is going to be temporarily curtailed. The next update should be on Tuesday, but the update after that may not be until Saturday. After that, I should be able to do an update on Monday, but I am honestly not sure what my days will actually be like. It should be back to normal after that week, however.
Qwaar
Jesus Christ how horrifying
[X] Finish up with this garden, then head to the other one.
-[X] Stay along the side of the mansion.
We need to streamline the process of asking Patchy before we kill any spies who potentially show up. Going into the forest seems like a baiting opportunity when we don't have the follow up available.
Also, preferably, we'd not hit any spies. At all. Which is less likely to happen closer to the mansion itself. The only thing I could see going wrong with this is if we find Suika or someone passed out in the bushes, since there was a party yesterday and all.
-[X] Stay along the side of the mansion.
We need to streamline the process of asking Patchy before we kill any spies who potentially show up. Going into the forest seems like a baiting opportunity when we don't have the follow up available.
Also, preferably, we'd not hit any spies. At all. Which is less likely to happen closer to the mansion itself. The only thing I could see going wrong with this is if we find Suika or someone passed out in the bushes, since there was a party yesterday and all.
A Wise Hermit
Well, Sometimes.
[X] Finish up with this garden, then head to the other one.
-[X] Stay along the side of the mansion.
Expect to sortie soon. Portal day is almost around.
But now, We can relax.
-[X] Stay along the side of the mansion.
Expect to sortie soon. Portal day is almost around.
But now, We can relax.
SolipsistSerpent
Endlessly Devouring
Hm... I've forgotten. Where did Verossa wind up, again?