[X] Just for a bit, to play a few songs, but then you should come back up.
- [X] Make sure Sakuya knows where you're going.
You watch the people shuffle around in preparation for the next dance. On the one hand, you aren't the host, so you don't need to be up here … but on the other, you do have guests of your own, and you shouldn't neglect them just because Ilya and Lulu are your best friends. Moreover, unless you're very careful and Patchouli decides to help, your disappearance will almost certainly be noticed - you are, after all, Flandre Scarlet, and just because people aren't being obvious about it doesn't mean half of them aren't keeping at least three eyes on you at all times. Of course, you are Flandre Scarlet, and this is your home, and while you aren't free to completely disregard others' opinions, they certainly hold very little weight if you don't think they're important people. You squeeze your friends gently. "Alright - but just for a little bit, and then we're coming back up." Lulu wiggles around and wraps her arms around your stomach; Ilya giggles and nuzzles your cheek. "And I do have to tell Sakuya, so please let me go." Lulu frowns, suddenly worried.
"She won't make you stay, will she?" You smile and pat her head.
"She can't - the most she can do is tell me that Remilia won't like it, or give some reason why I shouldn't. But she can't just tell me that I have to stay up here." Not that you can think of any reason she would. Lulu relaxes and rolls off you, somehow getting her feet beneath her before she hits the floor.
"Right! Ilya and I will start out now. You'll be able to catch up with us?" You nod, smiling.
"Unless you teleport, I should meet you in the hallway." You wave and head toward the drinks to see Sakuya. You wait until a snake-like youkai accepts its cup from her and slithers off, then hop up to the long table. "Hi, Sakuya!" She bows in response.
"Lady Flandre. Is there something I can get for you?" You glance at the various drinks, then at Reimu sitting at a table with the other shrine maiden and the girl in the hat - and several kinds of alcohol - before shaking your head.
"No, I just wanted to let you know that I'm going to be heading downstairs with Ilya and Lulu for a bit." She bows her head. "We'll be coming back up, probably in less than an hour, but if anyone needs me for anything, we'll be in my music room."
"Of course, Lady Flandre. If you do need something, please do not hesitate to call for me." You grin and nod.
"Yep! I'll see you soon!" You hurry back to the table - Sella, Leysritt, and Satsuki are all still there. Satsuki looks over at you expectantly, but you shake your head. "We'll be fine, Satsuki. You stay up here with Sella and Leysritt, okay?" She nods, a little unhappy, and you glide forward to bop her nose. "Or do you just want to turn in and go to sleep?" She blushes and shakes her head vehemently, and you giggle.
"We shall be alright, Lady Flandre. Lady Illyasviel was quite clear that she wanted no intruders on your time together." … You'll have to make sure she doesn't park Berserker outside the door, then. Or just inside it, for that matter. It would be very embarrassing if Sakuya were killed by him, after all - Remilia really likes her, and good maids don't just grow on trees!
… Well, you're pretty sure they don't, at least in most cases. Depending on just what you want them for, though, a dryad could be quite the catch as a maid, for example. You shake your head, driving the idea of Sakuya trees out of your head before anything weirder can sneak in, and easily catch up to your friends before they get very far.
"Hehe. Are you going to carry us, then?" You grin at Ilya, then duck to sweep your arms into your friends' knees so you can pick them up, their backs leaning against your shoulders and your wings serving as a sort of safety bar. Lulu squeals happily - and then you fly forward. It's a little tricky, carrying them like this, but as long as neither one tries anything outrageous, there shouldn't be any trouble … and you do reach your destination without any problems. That's almost a little worrying, because Patchouli and Koakuma were both still upstairs when you left, and Marisa is … somewhere, if she hasn't left already. You set them down and stretch your neck before opening the door to the music room.
"So, did either of you have any special requests, or am I going to decide?" Ilya makes a thoughtful murmuring sound as they follow you inside - and to the piano, rather than to the listening couch.
"… Why don't you start playing something, and if we think of something we'll let you know, okay?" You shake your head amusedly at Ilya's suggestion and sit on the bench. Ilya sits to your left, her back to the piano; Lulu sits to your right, facing you and Ilya. You run your hands over the lacquered-red keys, not actually pressing any of them, and eventually you start playing something - a fast piece, but still rather melancholic. One of the Prismrivers' compositions for a piano. As you play, you wonder again about Merlin's proposal. She might have forgotten, of course, or maybe she's just not ready … or maybe Lunasa made her give it up. All in all, it's probably for the better that you don't bring it up tonight, at least not until the party is just about over - you don't want people to think you're trying to pressure one of the true neutrals of Gensokyo, after all. Ilya shakes her head when you glance at her, and Lulu … leans against you. She does scoot over so she's leaning against your back, not your shoulder or arm, though. She takes a deep breath as you move into the next piece, another Prismriver composition.
"... It sounds like you." You glance at Lulu. "It's sneaky and mischievous, and cheerful."
"It does fit," Ilya agrees, and you smile and shrug lightly. If that's their impression of you, you won't correct them. "Could … could you play Erlkönig again? And sing, too?" Lulu nods quickly.
"And … and then that lullaby, if it has music?" You smile as you nod - a dark, violent piece followed by one of peace and comfort. Isn't that how you met both of your wonderful friends? There was even a kidnapping attempt with Agito …. You don't sing 'properly', the way you would if they were sitting on the listening couch; instead, you keep it at a more conversational level, more of a singing talk than true singing. In many ways, that lets you make the Erlkönig's voice even more sinister - in particular, hissing doesn't carry very well. When you finish Der Mond ist aufgegangen, neither Ilya nor Lulu have any particular requests, so you play another two lullabies … and then, still absent any requests, you play Night on Bald Mountain. When you finish that, you frown at Ilya, but she just puts a finger to her lips and smiles. Carefully, gently, you turn the other way - Lulu is sleeping against you.
"She's just tired," Ilya says. "You don't need to worry about what happened with me happening to her, though. She's just too stubborn to nap upstairs, since if her mother sees her then she'll feel like she needs to do something …." You nod in understanding, then look back at the piano.
"So, is there anything you wanted to hear?" She blushes lightly and shakes her head.
"No - I mean, there are some things I want to hear, but right now … just being here is good enough for me. If you want to keep playing, I don't mind, and if you want help moving Lulu over to the couch, I don't mind." You make a face at her and she giggles before leaning against you. "… Actually, do you mind if we just stay here for a bit?" You smile.
"Go ahead."
Fifteen minutes later, she helps you wake up Lulu so you can go back upstairs..
What do you do?
[ ] Go talk to someone.
- Who?
[ ] Sit somewhere conspicuous and wait for someone to talk to you.
[ ] Go back to watching the dances.
[ ] Other?
