[X] Tell her to become a maid in the mansion.
You stare at Homura for a short while, taking in her desperation, her fear, her desire for a purpose now that her own purpose is lost. To change one's own purpose is a human prerogative … but one can have their purpose changed by another, and for all that Homura has the air of a youkai, she is human as well. Slowly, you nod. "Very well. If you leave the decision to me, then I say that you shall become a maid of the Scarlet Devil Mansion." She shivers slightly, and relief floods her face for a moment as her eyes close and her body sags in relaxation. After two breaths, however, she sits back up, serious once more.
"Will I be your personal maid?" You tilt your head to the side as you think. It's something you had considered - had desired - not too long ago, but ….
"In the current situation, I think it is fair that you abide by the agreement with my sister," you say, shaking your head. "I wouldn't mind, but I have Satsuki right now, and probably will for at least a few years; once she's ready to move on, perhaps I can take you as my own personal maid. Hmm … what are the conditions my sister gave you?" Homura's eyes widen in surprise, and it takes her a moment to gather herself before answering.
"… Grief will be managed, and a cache of Grief Seeds maintained for emergency situations. We will be instructed in certain minimum magical skills, and we are to be educated in certain subjects as well. Food and lodging will be provided. No pay. The possibility of visits to Mitakihara, based on conditions and the quality of our service." You raise your eyebrows - those are very good terms. "We will be required to perform in any capacity assigned to us to the best of our ability, and our position in the hierarchy of the mansion is to be just above the fairy maids, with the potential for advancement." You wave as she starts to continue; you have the gist of the agreement, and while there are some specifics that might be interesting, it would probably be easier to see one of the contracts Remilia undoubtedly has. You smile at Homura and stand up.
"Well, we should probably get back to the others before they start wondering what we're doing. If anyone asks, tell them you thought you saw a fairy. The things are everywhere, and there are doubtless some that try to prank Reimu." She nods somberly and starts walking away, but stops after only a few steps.
"I … I will need to tell Madoka, won't I?" Her voice is hesitant, fearful, worried.
"That can wait. If you want, Sakuya or I can do it, or you can just not say anything, and they'll know when you don't go back with them. Regardless, don't tell her now. Wait until we're back at the mansion before saying anything." She nods without looking back and resumes walking. You wait for her to reach the shrine before turning and looking at the massive oak. You thump it twice with a fist and smile at it. "You keep quiet, too, tree. Or I'll rip you out of the ground and build a bridge out of you." You spin and idly walk and skip back to the others. Homura, and possibly Kyouko, as maids in the mansion! That will be good, of course, especially if Kyouko does stay and Remilia's plans work out. Kyouko is very human in outlook, so any Mid-Childans who stay will likely be more comforted by her presence than any of the other mansion regulars. Illyasviel and Deis might be effective, too, but they're both librarians, whereas Homura and Kyouko would be able to provide better help than the fairy maids without having to bother Sakuya if she's busy. And while Sakuya has gotten a bit more human over the years, she's still very different in outlook. Homura is, too, but she's also younger and unsure of herself. If she shows her vulnerable side to guests ….
You shake your head as you come back into view of the others. Reimu scowls at you. "Did you find them?" You shake your head and she growls in frustration. "Argh! It's those three blasted fairies! I swear they've moved somewhere around here just to annoy me!" Remilia covers her mouth and laughs silently. Reimu turns around suddenly and glares at her before sighing and dropping back into her seat. "Well, as long as they haven't put wasabi in my onigiri or anything like that it probably won't be too awful. I'm still going to have to put up some more ofuda …." She grumbles to herself before shaking her head and looking back up at Nanoha and Fate. "I'm sorry about that. Did you have any other questions?" Nanoha looks at Fate.
"Is there anything we can do to help? It shouldn't take too long -" You wince and Remilia squeezes her face in irritation even as Reimu shakes her head.
"No, no, it's really nothing - fairies are like mosquitoes. All you can do is create a temporary measure. I appreciate the offer, but it's really nothing to concern yourself with." Nanoha starts to say something else, but Fate clears her throat and her friend subsides, much to Megane's amusement. Remilia shakes her head before standing up.
"We appreciate your generosity, and your taking time to speak with our guests, Reimu. Shall I grant you a blessing in thanks?" Reimu snorts and waves her hand dismissively.
"I have all the curses I need, thanks." You giggle as your sister laughs, and you both curtsy to the shrine maiden of Gensokyo.
"Well, I thank you nonetheless. But we should be returning to the mansion now. Do continue to take excellent care of yourself, Reimu." Reimu stands along with everyone else, and goodbyes are made - including a request to return by Nanoha and Fate, which is granted easily. You wonder if they just like Reimu, or if they might have more things to discuss with her. Arranging for an escort for them …. Your musings are disrupted as Ilya and Lulu pull you with them to the carriage - and unlike the trip to the shrine, they now pull you onto a couch with them. Remilia smiles when she sees you, though, and shakes her head before taking a chair for herself - apparently she wasn't serious about making people sit next to someone new. Megane and Zest sit together, and Agito sits with Vita. Ilya and Lulu spend the carriage ride talking about the Human Village - Lulu is curious and excited about it, Ilya dismissive except for the bookstore. Apparently they get books from the Outside World with some frequency, including ones that aren't written in Japanese. You listen with interest, of course - but that's because it's your friends' thoughts. The Human Village itself interests you less than it does Ilya, as so few people of note actually reside within it. You recognize its value, of course … but the people and places within it - transitory existences, barely fit to be a meal for you, of impermanent construction - are boring. Not that you would ever let a hint of a breath of that belief make its way to Lulu's ears, of course.
You return to the mansion with plenty of daylight remaining, but of course the first thing to do is take a bath, and Lulu and Ilya clean off the grime and muck of the village, and the dust of travel - with your capable assistance, of course. After that, however, no one wants to get out of the warm bath, and you laze about with your friends until Satsuki comes to tell you it's time for dinner.
Where does the time go?
What do you do?
[ ] After dinner make a decision about Loki:
- [ ] Ask Remilia to speed up the process.
- [ ] Ask Remilia to stabilize the process.
- [ ] Ask Remilia to halt the process.
- - Reason for halting?
[ ] After dinner have another snowball fight.
[ ] After dinner snuggle with your friends in a comfy room and go to sleep.
[ ] Skip to the Myouren Temple.
[ ] Other?
DM Note: No big plans for tomorrow, but the day after will be the visit to Myouren Temple; following that, another day of rest, and then the trip to the Forest of Magic. Another day off, and the trip to Hakugyokurou. The day after that, probably, will be the day everyone who isn't staying in Gensokyo leaves.
