Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Hakurei Shrine~ => Patchouli's Scarlet Library => Topic started by: Sriggle on June 16, 2010, 11:31:19 AM
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The basement isn't that unpleasant, really.
In fact, it's rather nice. There are several large rugs covering the floor, each with oriental patterns that she's memorized. It's not all that dark, there's a nice spot by the cellar window where the moonlight shines in and books can be read. There's a semi-large bookshelf there, too-There aren't many books that a little girl might enjoy in the library, but Remilia still tries to make sure there are books available to read, sometimes going as far as to the human village to find something.
There are four toys strewn across the bookshelf. Those are the only toys that aren't broken, Sakuya's stopped buying new toys since they just get torn apart anyway. The still-remaining toys are a teddy bear, a small mirror with a little drawer under it, a tin toy truck, and a music box that plays ?Somewhere over the rainbow? when wound up.
Flandre used to look at herself in the mirror and think about what kind of perfume she'd wear and how her hair would look when she grew up. She still does look at herself in the mirror occasionally, though she's grown rather tired of that game by now. After all, she's never going to grow up. Neither is her sister, so that might be fair, although she wishes she could one day be a lady and waltz around a ballroom with a suitor.
She can still dream, at least.
It's a completely normal afternoon when Flandre is waiting for her snack. She's lying beside the bookcase, under the moon(Where the sun should have been if she could grow up), re-reading her favourite book, Peter Pan. She thinks she might have found an ally, a boy who won't grow up just like her, only he's got a whole world to himself, Neverland. Flandre hopes he'll appear to take her to Neverland too, one day.
There is a knock on the door. The young prisoner sharpens her ears, this is new. Most of the time, Sakuya or Remilia just open the door, since noone answers anyway.
There is another knock.
?Helloooo? Is there anybody there...?
Somebody yells in a rather high pitched tone-The accent sounds funny. Flandre can't remember the last time someone talked to her with a voice like this, even while she was still a growing girl and allowed to go out.
She walks up to the door and opens it. If she's quick, maybe she can sneak through-
?Good evenin', missy!?
It's not the maid, or her sister.
It's another person. A real, existent person.
?'M sorry if I disturbed you, but it's snack time..?
The woman has red hair, and an oriental looking outfit that seems to come from out of a storybook. She's smiling, too- Not in the obligatory polite way, like Sakuya or Remilia whenever she comes down to play, just, well..
She's smiling like Remilia used to smile while she was still growing.
?The maid's got a day off, so I've been sent to to give you yar lunch.?
Is it really so?
Remilia is usually the one who brings her food, if Sakuya's got a day off. Her mind goes astray, what if someone has invaded the mansion? What if they've captured Remilia and Sakuya, and-
?Uh, I'll just put th' food down, an' I'll need th' old dishes. You've not broken them, I hope??
OK. She'll just go along with it for now, she guesses. If Remilia never comes down again, she can take that as proof and try to escape. For now, she'll just treat the lady here like the stranger she is.
She walks over to the little table where she eats, and brings the old dishes to the girl.
?Thank yers, kiddo.?
The girl reaches down and pats her on the head. It's been a very long time since someone did that, she realizes-She 's so surprised that she doesn't even get angry like she used to when somebody did that to her.
And the door closes, and she's left alone again.
She eats the cake in silence as she thinks about the lady, and again wonders when she'll be able to eat something besides cake again. Sometimes, she breaks the dishes by power of ?Kyu? but tonight she doesn't feel like it.
The moon isn't out yet. She sighs as she watches the little patch of sunlight pouring in through the basement window, she wants to read something right now. She's already started on ?Little Princess Sarah?..
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Yeah, I'm trying to give Meiling a hint of a funny accent. And no, I don't think there will be any pairings unless one-sided crushes count.
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Waah~
Awesome so far, and how you explain the basement so well... It's like you've been there.
I'm eagerly waiting for the next part! :3
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Interesting! I'll have to add this to my list of fics to keep track of. (Which is pretty much all of them, except the ones I add to my list of fics to not read.)
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Interesting! I'll have to add this to my list of fics to keep track of. (Which is pretty much all of them, except the ones I add to my list of fics to not read.)
Here we see Muffin giving an excellent demonstration of Shaped Like Itself (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ShapedLikeItself). Or perhaps it is more along the lines of Stating the Obvious, but everyone knows what that is and thusly wouldn't warrant a link to TVTropes in the hopes of destroying someones' afternoons.
On topic, though, please do continue. It's a nice twist on the order of arrivals to the SDM (in that I was pretty sure Meiling came before Sakuya)
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Remilia never came that evening. Nor did she come the next evening, or the next. Flandre's used to being left alone for long periods of time, but at least Sakuya still comes down with cake.
Although today, she's forgotten to lock the door. Flandre could just kyu the door if she wanted, but Remilia would be very angry with her then. But, what if the maid just forgot to lock the door..? It can't be any fault if she wants to sneak out, since the door wasn't locked.
She opens the door, slightly at first. Through the crack she can see the elaborate corridor she usually sees when Sakuya or Remilia stands at the door, she's not used to seeing it without anyone standing in the way. She listens for a bit, to make sure noone is coming her way, and the walks out.
She sneaks along the corridors, much like she's pictured D'artagan and the two other musk-eaters doing. This time, for sure, she's going exploring.
The corridors have changed a little from when she saw them last, she realizes. She takes care not to make her presence known, all while butterflies keep appearing and dancing in her stomach. Is this really OK? Will she meet her doom out here, perhaps? Either way, she's happy to be out of the basement for once.
She reaches the front door, and her heart swells with pride. She's never reached the front door before, probably because she didn't sneak enough during has past attempts at escape. Or, well, one can't really call it ?escape?, when all she did was go out and explore for a bit. She'd return to the basement silently, led by Sakuya's hand. If she kicked and screamed, Remilia would be there to fight her. One single ?kyu?, and there would be no food for a week, and she'd writhe with the pain of hunger.
And if she ever tried to use violence in any form, Remilia would stand in front of her with her head lowered, eyes turned away.
?Flandre, I'm honestly disappointed in you.?
And then she wouldn't come down to play in a long, long, long while afterwards. Worse than that, she'd have let her older sister, whom she dearly admired, down, but she really can't stand staying inside for so long.
She should be OK now, she hopes. She hasn't used any violence, and she'll be back in a little while. Right? Noone will ever notice that she was gone.
It's a cloudy day today, she notices. Maybe, she can go out for a tiny while-Just a little bit, mind you-Then she hears someone walking down the stairs, and she realizes that she might be too late. She hide behind a wall, and hopes, no, prays that no fairy maids are presently using the corridor.
?Ja-oo! Is there anybody there??
She recognizes that voice, it's the voice of the lady who wasn't Sakuya.
?I heard ya', C'mon out, ya, wherevah yaz are!?
She stays still, closes her eyes, and curls up into a ball, just to hear footsteps coming towards her. Damn, damn, damn, damn, she got caught-
?Hey, kiddo.?
She opens her eyes and finds herself face-to-face with Not-Sakuya-or-Remilia.
?Watcha doin'?? Her smile is wide and warm. Is she planning to trick Flandre somehow? If she does, she is most certainly getting Kyu'd.
?...Nothing.?
She looks down, avoiding the redhead's gaze.
?Y'need anythin'?? The other girl looks at her worridly. Maybe, if she's lucky, she doesn't even know the younger Scarlet sister isn't allowed out of the cellar. It's worth a try, at least.
?I'd like to go out, but...? She nods towards a window where some ignorant fairy has forgotten to close the curtains.
?Oh, I see.? The older girl-Doesn't she have a name of some sorts? She looks like she's chinese, so maybe, Ming? Lee? Ah, to heck with it, let's just say call her China for now.
?Here, stand under this.? She walks toward an odd-looking basket by the door and pulls out an umbrella. Flandre lights up. Of course! If she uses that. Then maybe-
They both hear the sound of heavier-than-fairy footsteps coming down the stairs, and nearly sense the glistening of the knives around someone's belt. Without a word between them, they both communicate the feeling 'RUN FOR IT', and dash out the door, Flandre getting the umbrella open just in time.
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Thanks for the feedback, ^^ It helps! ^0^ And I've already got TVtropes up, so.. ^^;;
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Meiling and Flandre, partners in crime?
THIS IS VERY YES.
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Meiling and Flandre, partners in crime?
THIS IS VERY YES.
And then and then STUFF HAPPENED!
^ :D
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"The three musk-eaters" made me giggle.
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She's Hong Ming Lee, who else?
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The outdoors is big and green, and is vaster than anything she'd seen in a very long time. She whizzes past the flowerbeds quickly; Lest anybody sees her-She rushes towards the gate, hands tightly clenched around the umbrella handle. China seemed to be in trouble too, as she's running towards the gate herself.
At last, they reache the gatehouse. China takes a deep breath, while Flandre is doubled-over, panting heavily. She really has a terrible condition, thanks to limited exercise and being shut up in the basement for such a long time. The only way she gets exercise nowadays is during escape attempts.
?Close call!? China sighed. Flandre nodded in response. ?I was worried, Sakuya might kill me...? she continues, prompting a confused stare from Flandre, who's starting to rethink her previous theories about China being a thief with her eyes set on the mansion. ?Are you a burglar, ma'm?? She asks almost without thinking.
?Me? No, 'M th' new gategaurd.? She looks confused for a moment. ?Well, I geuss it figures that you dunno who I am, seeing as you don' get out much..?
?It's not like I have any friends or anything, out here.?
It's true. She's had to see all of her friends grow up in a couple of years, and no matter how she tried her best to keep up, the fact still remained that playing with toys and reading books was still more fun than pretending to be a teenager sipping drinks and discussing politics.
?Don't worry, miss. Y' can stay with me fer a while, if ya wants to.? China smiles at her again, nodding towards the small, recently-cleared-out gatehouse. Flandre lights up and nearly dashes to a sitting spot within the gatehouse, before realizing she'd almost sat upon a steaming hot bowl covered with a cloth.
?Oh, that's manjuu. Want one? I mean, if you can eat-? China begins. Flandre nods near-exstaticly. Food! Food! A different kind of food than that overused abomination of a pastry! True, she can't extract nutrition or energy from it, like with that damn cake, but she's already had her damn cake today, and she really really really wants to eat something else than that for once.
China sits down beside her, and they both eat while laughing and talking about the world and how it's changed and what books they've both read. Flandre's eyes go wide when China mentions the fact that they've got moving pictures out in the real world right now, and China's more than happy to hear about her earlier adventures before she stopped growing. It's like talking to one of her old childhood friends who was nice enough to stick around for a longer time than the others in her small circle of aqquaintences.
?Y'read comics, miss?? China asks while re-adjusting one of her braids.
?Comics? I don't under-Oh, you mean the funnies?? She used to love reading Little Nemo back in the day, before she got locked up here.
?Yes, I mean- WOAH!?
They both jump at Sakuya, who just appeared in front of China out of nowwhere, with a very dangerously calm smile on her face.
Boy, is she going to get it now...
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?Flandre.?
She's sitting on a chair in the middle of the basement, her sister standing right in front of her with a furious expression on her face.
?Frankly, I'm disappointed.? She frowns. Her younger sister braces herself mentally.
?No, not disappointed. I am enraged at your sudden decision to put our safety at stake like that.?
And it begins.
?Don't you remember the Tunguska incident!??
Yes, yes, yes. She remembers, she remembers. Now please stop reminding her. Please stop reminding her of how sorry she was and why she got locked up in the first place.
?If we get discovered, here...?
Hasn't happened. Flandre fails to see what importance this might hold, but she won't try and mouth off to her own sister because she knows her sister always disagrees no matter what.
?You could kill people! You could seriously put life as we know it at stake, here, Flan!?
Yes, yes, yes. She knows she's a killing machine created by the devil. Now, please stop so she can dry her tears. She never even asked for these powers in the first place. Stop blaming her for that, please. Please stop. Please please stop.
?You're still a child, Flandre. I doubt you've learnt anything from this.?
And Remilia exits the room, leaving her little sister alone on a stool in the middle of the room with large tears rolling down her eyes and only Teddy to comfort her.
She drags herself to the bed, clutching her Teddy firmly, and tries in vain to stop crying.
It's not fair.
Flandre will never grow up.
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Awww, poor Flan-chan, not even given a chance at freedom :ohdear:
Fantastic writing though, thats for sure.
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I was mildly amused by the "Tunguska" reference.
Wonder what'll happen next.
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@Mysterica
Thank you! ^0^
@Kimiko
Well, it's one of the more fun theories I've come up with so far, ^^
The head of the house walks down the corridor in a gloomy fashion, her maid following her silently like always.
She's not crying. She's not crying, she's not crying. Not even when she thinks of poor little sister, crying down in the basement-Think of something else, think of something else, damn.
A tear rolls down her cheek anyway as she thinks of her little sister. It's quickly wiped away by a lacy handkerchief. Truth be told, she'd rather be down in the basement right now, comforting her sister. But she has to look out for their safety, she's been so happy ever since they came to Gensokyo-
?Milady?? Her maid asks calmly upon noticing the handkerchief in her hand. ?May I have permission to speak??
?What?? She spins around and gazes sternly at the servant with an annoyed look on her face.
?My apologies. It's nothing,?
The maid lowers her gaze.
If this kind of discipline hurts you this much, wouldn't it be wiser for milady to find another way..?
Remilia's stuck deep in thought.
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It's evening, and Peter Pan has finally come to take Wendy and John and Micheal away from the Darling household, far, far away to Neverland. She sighs as she looks up from the book.
She doesn't belong here, in this world, she thinks. Why, she should be in Neverland already, where she can bath and play with the lost boys and never ever have to eat that damned cake ever again!
Her stomach rumbles. She's gone hungry for the last two days, and the withdrawal symptoms are showing. It takes quite a bit of her energy to read the book, and the last two days of punishment-week will be spent in pure agony, she's certain.
It's not fair. She didn't even ?kyu? anything this time.
The door knocks.
?C'mon in...? She yells weakly, surprised at the sudden visitor.
?Hiya, kiddo!?
The door opens wide, and so does Flandre's jaw.
It's China from the gatehouse.
?Hiyas there, kiddo!?
She's carrying a basket with what smells like food. The little vampire can hardly believe her eyes as the other girl smiles and asks her ?'Sit alrights 'f I c'mon in?? And Flandre nods happily.
They sit down to eat at the table. It's tea and some weird kind of stir-fry with unknown ingredients, and Flandre's all too happy to indulge. The tea gives her some energy back, and the food is delicious.
?Why are you here?? She asks while chewing her food. Not ladylike, but Remilia's given up on reminding her of her manners.
?I'm on m' break. Not much to do here in this mansion..? China's sitting across the table, sipping some tea. ?Thought I'd try'n see how m' cooking skill was farin'.? Oh, so she made this herself.
It tastes much better than Remilia's overcooked porridge, that's for sure(Really, how did they manage without a maid for that long?). Enthusiastically, she blurts out: ?It's good! Really really good!? China smiles upon hearing the fact stated. ?Really? 'M glad!?
After the meal, China has to leave. Her break is over, she says sadly, but pats Flandre on the head and tells her goodbye.
?I'll come'n down to visit y', so y' won't be lonely.?
Flandre returns to her bed and Peter Pan, and strangely enough, Sakuya comes down to announce the arrival of her sister.
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The first part might sound kinda clich?, but it will hopefully improve. I want to stuff it with character development.
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Awww. :3
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Awww. :3
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Awww. :3
Meiling really is nice, despite having an accent that is just weird.
Better hope Flan-chan never meets Akyu :V She'll be without food for a week :ohdear:
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This fic should have a warning about the risk of getting diabetes from reading it.
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My insides are squirming with delight~
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hm...this mostly fits the flandre+china laugh maker pv doesn't?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3TViF-tqjA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3TViF-tqjA)
this one i believe...
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@Kimiko
Hey, you have a kitty-Alice avatar! Why didn't I notice before? It's adorable!
@Tactian
Glad to hear you like it, :D
@Mystearica
I know what you mean about the accent. I've decided to settle for a "valley-girl" accent from her next appearence on, since she seems like such an easygoing type.. And she's chinese. She must have somekind of cute/cool accent.
@Atoms2ashes
Are, are! I hope you enjoy this next chapter too, ^0^ It's one of my first tries at longer fanfiction, so yeah.
@Hero999
Hey, I love that video! Actually, that's Remilia. But I know what you mean.. I thought it was Flandre at first, too. And it makes more sense with Flandre, since she and China have been confirmed to be freinds.
Flandre returns to her bed and Peter Pan, and strangely enough, Sakuya comes down to announce the arrival of her sister.
And then the meaning of China's words finally hit her, just as Remilia enters the room.
?Flandre, what- I'm sorry, I.. Don't cry!?
She sits down on the bed, next to her sister. Flandre smiles and wipes her tears away with her arm. Normally, she'd be mad at her sister for a few days for not letting her go outside, but right now she feels like she could hug the world.
?Sister!?
Remilia has her hands folded in her lap and a polite expression on her face. Just like a lady, Flandre thinks.
?We-well. I see Chin-? She stops to correct herself ?Meiling came back up in one complete piece.?
?Yeah.?
Flandre nods. Is this about the last escape attempt? She hopes she didn't get China fired. Her sister is silent for a long while before asking in a very catious voice:
?Why didn't you 'kyu' her??
Flandre looks at her sister again.
?Why should I? She's nice. I don't kyu nice people, sister. I thought you knew that.?
?You kyu the maids.? Far too often. They've personally requested not to have to enter the basement, and Remilia has had no choice but to comply.
?The maids kept teasing me, 'cause I'm hidden down in the basement so nobody will see me. Besides, they respawn. So I think kyuing them is OK.?
?...They tease you?? Remilia asks in a confused tone. Sure, fairy's weren't exactly the best nor brightest of company, and frankly, they were notorious for being childish, but teasing the mistresses little sister? That fell beyond the barrier of 'stupid' right into 'Death Wish'. Still, she can't put it past them.
?Yeah. China's nice, though. Can I- I mean, she'll see me again, right?? She knows better than to ask about leaving the basement, lest her sister starts reminding her about why she's there in the first place, and sets off on a rant about how she can't ever leave and ruining any chance of company.
Her sister, however, doesn't respond. She's somehow sunken deep into thought.
Up until now, every one to enter the basement except Sakuya and Remilia has met with a gruesome end.
One of Remilia's suitors was sent down to try and win Flandre's favour, and though she had asked him to be careful, he'd still somehow done something to upset Flandre- She still thought her little sister was like any other little kid back then, albeit one that had to be grounded. She didn't speak with Flandre for a long time after that-Then there was the fairy maids, who were sent down time and time again to take play Sakuya's role for a little while, all getting ?Kyu'd? time and time again. Fairy's did respawn, though, so while it wasn't much of a loss, word had soon travelled around the mansion that the basement was a terrible, terrible place.
What had convinced Remilia that her little sister really was crazy, was when she tried to hire a kind tutor, and that had worked out very well. For about three hours before Sakuya had come down to find a mess of blood, limbs, and intestine all over the floor, Flandre sitting in the middle half-heartedly pounding the floor with one of the detached legs-After that, Remilia simply gave up.
?Sister, sister?? Flandre waves a hand in front of her face, hoping to catch her attention. She never gets much company, so can her sister please respond while she's here? She'd never kyu her own sister, so please don't be afraid of making her upset..
Nobody asked Flandre about the ?Kyu!? incidents. In the basement. She was simply left alone for a while, and then no-one ever spoke of the incident again. There was nobody she could tell about how Remilia's sweetheart kept talking about sending her away to ?One of those nice english boarding schools? so she'd never see Remilia again, or how the fairy maids kept teasing and occasionally playing mean pranks on her. When one's caused a major incident leading to one being shut up in the basement, pride is all one has, after all. And fairys respawn almost no matter what.
The tutor was nice and kind, as long as Remilia and Sakuya were there.
After Remilia and Sakuya left, she was a two-faced devil who tried to touch Flandre in strictly forbidden areas. So naturally, Flandre defended herself the only way she knew how.
Remilia lowers her gaze as she recalls how difficult it was for herself to make the fairys take her seriously, and how hard it was not to kill one of them to try and set an example. It took her four days to go through the negotiations with the fairy leader, Cirno, and the reason for the delay was simply the fact that she needed time to cool her nerves down. She still did her best to go through with it, seeing as she was an adult and all, well, in charge of her younge sister at least, and had to keep a cool, mature temperament. For a child like Flandre, however..
?Remilia?? Flandre pokes her sisters cheek, and gets pulled in for a hug. She's surprised, but still hugs her sister tightly.
She hasn't been hugged in a very long time.
And neither has Remilia.
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Awww ... :o
Definitely a slightly different take on things. :o
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I had been wanting to eat something sweet for the past few hours, then I read the update, their goes my desire to eat sweets :D This story is very sweet, extremly sweet. It shows another side to things, why Flandre is considered insane, and why Remilia locked her in the basement. Flandre's comment on how she doesn't kyu nice people made me giggle, if she only does it to mean people, then Flandre is a lot saner then some fans would believe. This story's details are practicly canon for me :)
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I love this perception of Flandre. Keep going!
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*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
This is way good.
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This is interesting. I look forward to more!
See? Flandre only destroys people she doesn't like!
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Awww ... :o
Definitely a slightly different take on things. :o
Yeah.. I really can't see why people call Flandre insane.. She's a little kid who's obviously had her maturity stunted by being shut up so long, thus leading her to act younger. And with those powers.. I've seen people taking immaturity as a form of mental illness alot, though.
I had been wanting to eat something sweet for the past few hours, then I read the update, their goes my desire to eat sweets :D This story is very sweet, extremly sweet. It shows another side to things, why Flandre is considered insane, and why Remilia locked her in the basement. Flandre's comment on how she doesn't kyu nice people made me giggle, if she only does it to mean people, then Flandre is a lot saner then some fans would believe. This story's details are practicly canon for me :)
Are, are. I'm glad that you think it's cute, ^^ I'm also flattered that you would thinki it canon.. It seems there aren't very many people beliving in "sane" Flandre. She's a child, so I'm trying my best to write her belivably.
I love this perception of Flandre. Keep going!
I'm glad to hear that! :)
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
This is way good.
^0^ Thank you!
This is interesting. I look forward to more!
See? Flandre only destroys people she doesn't like!
Are, I hope you'll like this next update, then. ^^ Yeah, she's a kid, so..
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They had fun that evening, playing board games and talking about the outside world. Flandre doesn't often talk about the outside with her sister, because most of the time she likes to pretend that they're far away from the basement, that they're home again, or perhaps they're pirates on a ship bound for treasure island, or Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo working together to make a painting.
Remilia wasn't good at playing at first, when she started coming down to visit her sister. It was like she had forgotten. Then again, she's an adult, so Flandre just had to be patient until she could remember. Most of the time they play board games, nowadays, often inviting Sakuya if the game called for it.
Today Remilia's brought a deck of cards. They aren't normal playing cards, though- They're ?pocket-monster? cards. The rules are easy, and Flandre's sorry to hear the bell toll six 'o clock for dinner, meaning Remilia must leave.
This once meant that Flandre would kick and scream and kyu about it, but she had to stop doing that since it's no use anyway. It'll only mean punishment and not seeing her sister for a long time, if she tries to prevent her sister from leaving. All she does is stand by the small stairway leading up to the normal world, waving to her sister before the door closes.
As she opens the door and stands in the doorway, ready to leave, Remilia turns around towards Flandre.
?Next time..?
She's very hesitant, but in the end manages to speak like a lady: ?Next time, if the fairy's left you alone, would you kyu them??
Flandre shakes her head fiercely. What does Remilia think she is, insane?
?..Alright. Well, until we meet next time..?
The door closes, but this time, Flandre isn't alone.
After all, she never knows when China might come to see her.
?.......
The next day she wakes up with an uncomfortable feeling in her stomach. Must be lack of nutrition, she thinks as she rolls over to her side. Ah well, perhaps Sakuya might come down with cake, since Remilia came down yesterday, she hasn't Kyu'd anyone, and her punishment seems to have been forgotten. She pulls herself over to the bookshelf and finds a nice-looking book that wasn't there yesterday; Why, it's about some strange sort of duck running around in half a sailor's costume. Seems alright, she thinks as she opens the book and finds herself immersed in adventures about forgotten treasures and neighbourly-feuds.
She hardly notices Sakuya opening the door, and nearly jumps at the sound of her voice. ?Milady wishes for your company.?
Flandre looks at her, astonished.
There's no cake in her hands. There is no cake in the room, and there are no dirty dishes to dispose of. She looks at the maid again, with a what-ever-do-you-mean expression on her face.
?Milady wishes for your company.? Sakuya repeats herself more slowly. Damn, she's not in a good mood right now. Not after having to wake up at four AM to clean up the entire kitchen after Cirno went to town with "makin' cookiez!" with toadstools..
?...?? Flandre is dumbstruck. She must have imagined it, or something like that. It can't possibly be right. Remilia's always the one who comes down to see her. She has sometimes fantasized about leaving the basement with her, but it's not like that's ever going to-
?Flandre.?
Sakuya's tone grows sharp and impatient. She's not used to putting up with anyone else than her mistress, and even the fairys will answer to her every whim.
Your sister wishes you to dine with her, Flandre.? Sakuya sighs and walks towards her, catching the little girl by surprise as she grabs the tiny vampire's wrist and takes her up the stairs and out of the door.
Flandre is at first too striken to react. When she does gain her brain back, the first thing she notices is the corridors, and how pretty they look when one is walking at a semi-normal pace. The second thing she notices is that Sakuya is practically dragging her up through the mansion by her wrist. It hurts, and Flandre doesn't like being treated like a misbehaving child like this.
?Let go of me!?
?No. The mistress has asked I bring you to her.?
?If you don't let go of, I'm gonna kyu something.?
Sakuya turns around sharply.
?If you kyu me, the mistress will never let you out of the basement ever.? The words are soft but stern, and they hit Flandre like the knives on Sakuya's belt. She stops struggling and follows Sakuya silently, with a sullen expression on her face.
It suddenly hits her that Remilia wanted to see her, and she starts fearing the worst. What if the fairy's did die? What if she remembered about the punishment? Her footsteps grow heavier and heavier until Sakuya drops her off in front of a door.
The maid takes a small bow and opens the it.
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o.o This is surprising... Flandre being let out of the basement! I love it! I honestly can't see any flaws in the story, but that might be cause of how much I love it :*
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?If you don't let go of, I'm gonna kyu something.?
Thank god real kids aint got this kind of power. My nephews are right sods when they get going, but thankfully are slightly slower and less powerful with the destructive process.
Not suprised about your opinion there MysteriousYukari.. I share it :V
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Inside is a small dining room, possibly the kind used for smaller, private occasions. Just like mama had, Flandre thinks while she looks around. The decoration is as elaborate as the rest of the mansion, but what catches her eye is the table, laden with ham and eggs and jam and apple butter and all sorts of food, food, real, edible, delicious food. Flandre's missed it so over the years!
?Ahem.?
She looks forward, standing on her toes to see past the large selection of food at the table to see what looks very much like a part of her sister's hat.
?Flandre, good afternoon.?
Oh, a time-based greeting? It's been such a long time- What should she do, it's a bit of a formal occasion, the voice sounds a bit stern, is Remilia mad at her? Please don't be mad at her, please..
?G-good evening to you too, madam sister.?
Flandre remembers a similar situation in one of the books she's read and curtseys in what she hopes is a polite fashion. The hat bobs a bit, and she can hear her sister giggle slightly. Does that mean she's in a good mood? Flandre brightens up a little.
?Well, I suppose you're rather hungry. By all means, sit down.?
The hat bobs toward the side of the table, where a chair's been set up. Flandre walks toward it, getting a better view of her sister at the same time.
Remilia looks like she hasn't slept a lot. In fact, she seems to be having a hard time reading the morning paper, though she's clearly doing her best to keep her dignity as an aristocrat. Flandre sits down, almost hesitantly. Is this really all for her? Can she really?
?You may eat, if you wish.?
The little vampire's eyes glow as she starts piling a large helping of food onto the plate. She's never had a real breakfast in ages, let alone ham! And eggs! And scones! A wide grin fills her face as she eats delicacy after delicacy, while her sister watches contently. Everything is going smoothly, right?
?.
?Huff, huff..?
About half an hour later, Flandre is doubled over from eating an amount that should be impossible for a little girl to ingest. She knows she can't get any energy from it(For some reason that only works with the damn cake), but the tea is a decent cake-substitute, although she's sure black tea shouldn't have spots of red floating around in it. ?Rose petals? is what her sister calls it, though for some reason it's more like a liquid than flowe petals.
Remilia clears her throat.
?W-well, Flandre.?
Flandre raises her ears.
?I've sent the maids on a day off today. If you are a good girl, you may explore the mansion as you wish.?
Good girl means ?Don't kyu things?.
Of course she'll be a good girl!
?You may not leave the mansion. The doors are all locked, I trust you won't open them by force or otherwise.?
...What?
Her mind suddendly registers what Remilia just said, and the fact that she's actually here with sister's permission.
Really? It's OK? Really?
She pinches herself, just to make sure it's for real.
Her sister takes another sip of tea before continuing:
?I want you back here at five PM. That's when the bell rings for dinner.?
Flandre nods happily, overjoyed at the statement. It's been a long time since she could explore anything at all, let alone walk down the corridors of the house without being in a hurry. Sakuya nods sternly at her, while her sister puts her teacup down. It occurs to Flandre that her sister seems nervous, judging from the way the teacup keeps shaking. Nevertheless, her dignity is still intact, like always. Remilia's like a grown-up in that way.
?If you're good, you might go out more often.? She nods too, motioning to Sakuya to clear the table.
?Th-thank you!?
The tiny vampire blurts out, barely able to contain her excitement. It might be hard not to kyu- Scratch that, it's going to be easy, she's going to not kyu anything whatever she does. She's going to do this. She's going to go out! She's going to explore!
?G'bye sis! I'll be good!?
The door slams shut.
Remilia and Sakuya are left dumbfounded, and Remilia's mood has shifted from anxious to anything but calm.
Sakuya sighs as she clears the table. If she were a part of the family, she would probably pat the mistresse's head and tell her how brave she was, but she is just a maid.
And the last thing Remilia wants is for anybody to treat her like a child.
-----
The corridors seem brighter than she remembers. It might be because it's sunny, or maybe it's because all her escape attempts have been in the afternoon?
She's darted in and out of several rooms already. One of them must belong to China, she thinks from the oriental imagery scattered around the room. She stops to explore, leaving no stone unturned and trying to leave everything as it was. It's probably not a bedroom, she decides, after a while of searching. If it does belong to China, there's no way she'll know Flan's been there, and that's that, isn't it?
A few rooms later, she finds a large board hiding a portion of the wall. Curiously, she pulls it aside to discover a door marked ?Storage?.
Is it a food store? Maybe there'll be candy. It's been ages since she last tasted a jawbreaker, or even molasses.
The door leads to a very dark staircase, looking like it might lead toward hell or somewhere deep in the earth's core. In the distance, she can see tiny lights flickering up and down. The staircase isn't as long as expected, and soon she can make out a large, tall bookcase up ahead. Actually, the lights look kind of inviting, and-
?Intruder!?
A dull shot hits her arm.
It doesn't exactly hurt, it's just annoying.
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Uh...... ooooooooooooooooooh.
By the by - Flandre going candy-diving is adorable.
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Whoops! Looks like Flan is about to get ... patched.
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Her first instinct goes ?Kyu?, but she's promised(Agitating Flandre is far too easy, then again, she's a kid after all).
?Stop that or I'll go Kyu!? Sakuya would probably chastise her for this, but what Sakuya doesn't know won't hurt her. Besides, it's not like Flandre actually means it. It's just an empty threat, OK?
More dull bullets hit her. Ack, they're annoying!
?State your name and position.? a polite voice sounding a little too bubbly echoes throughout the darkness. It's as if someone's placed a spell making it impossible to determine where the voice is coming from. And more bullets keep coming from everywhere, stop that dammit! She covers her head with her arms, in an effort to shield herself.
?I, I'm Flandre! Flandre Scarlet!?
The barrage of annoying bullets seems to subside, and another voice speaks up. It's a deep, slightly raspy voice much like her sister got whenever she caught a cold-Flandre never got that kind of voice, but then again, she never coughed that much either.
?Gracefull *coughcough* Illuminatus?
A light appears in front of Flandre. When she looks down, it seems her entiere body has started glowing, almost like she was an angel from another world. It's rather pretty.
?Woow...?
Then she remembers the fact that fairies glow, and quickley looks around to acertain that she isn't shrinking. No, she's the same as before. Still, best to keep her guard up, she wouldn't make a good tinkerbell. And what's worse, her assailors can probably see her now, damn, what if they tell-
?OK. I belive thee. Gracefull Illuminatus.?
Suddendly, the lights from the rows of bookshelves grow much much brighter, and she can see the two people standing in front of her. The raspy voice seems be coughing and adjusting her unnaturally long robes, wait, didn't Remilia have pyjamas like that once? The polite voice belongs to a tall, red-headed young women with-Is that bat-wings coming out of her head? And-Wow, she's got the same kind of wings as Remilia(and once Flandre) on her back.
She recognizes the lights; Remilia showed her that once. It's a simple kind of trick, and she thinks it might have something to do with this new thing called electricity that keeps showing up in her books. A glance at the floor, to see what kind of things they pelted her with, but there's nothing.
Maybe it was electricity, too, Flandre ponders before remembering her manners and curtseying for the two, hoping they don't know anything about ?kyu?.
The lavender-haired girl coughs before dryly remarking; ?So I take it you're the basement-fairy, huh??
Basement-fairy?
A slight panic floods Flandre's body before she glances at her arm. No, she's not glowing anymore. Whew.
?Fairy?? It stings a little inside to be thought of as ?The basement fairy?. Her friend Eris had her aunt locked into the cellar because she went crazy, as was custom. She knew Remilia just wanted her not to hurt anyone, but it still stung a little. She'd thought her sister would at least have the courtesy to keep her secret, like back when she hid all those marbles and Remilia knew but never told on her.
?See?? Raspy Mcoughing turns to the redhead and grins slyly. ?I'm not the only person not bothering to keep up with slang. You owe me three dollars.?
?But, she hasn't been out the- a hundred years, nearly-? The maybe-vampire tries to protest, but finally grumbles and digs out some bills from her pocket. Lavender-girl nods and reverts to a slightly annoyed expression.
?So, I thought I told you to cover the door up today.?
?I did, too!? The redhead smiles a little too politely, making her friend sigh.
?Great. That kind of morning again.? Her voice is very sarcastic. ?Tell me, child. How'd you enter this dwelling?? She turns to Flandre, who's currently contemplating what position the two must fill. Clearly, they aren't maids- They were all out, Remilia said, though maybe she only meant the fairies.
?I used the door. There was a board in the way, but I moved it.?
The lavender-girl slaps her palm to her face while her redheaded friend whistles innocently.
?For the love of christ, Koa...?
?Sorry, sorry! I was in a hurry, alright??
'Koa' smiles politely again.
Their bickering is interrupted by Flandre.
?Uhm, are you even allowed to be here?? She cocks her head to the side, still quite puzzled over the fact that she's meeting two people who aren't fairys but seem to be living in the mansion-Is Remilia just a tenant? Or, more likely- Did these people sneak in and start living here by their own accord?
Lavender sighs again before turning to the mistresses sister.
?I'm cough Patchouli Kn-cough cough hack..? She breaks out into coughing fit while the other woman starts patting her back. Does she have tuberculosis? Flandre shifts her gaze. Joey and Paul had tuberculosis, and they both went to a sanatorium and never came back. She hopes it's not that severe, even if they might be intruders.
?Ah, I apologize.? The formerly-coughing girl stands up straight and nods at Flandre. ?It's my asthmatics..? She continues in the same dry tone, ?My name is Patchouli Knowledge, and I'm an acquaintance of your sister.? Oh, that explains it. She'll ask Remilia about it later, but for now she'll just have to take the words at face value. Patchouli gestures towards Koa. ?This is Koakuma, the librarien, we needed to hire one so here she is.? Koakuma waves. ?If you need anything, talk to her. Personally, I'm terrible with kids, so I'll be leaving now.? She turns around and starts walking towards another bookshelf, gradually disappearing into the darkness.
..What the heck was that?
Flandre can't remember the last time she's been brushed aside so rudely. Koakuma seems to have read her mind, ?Don't worry. She's always like that. I think it's her way of saying she likes you.?
?But she just went!?
The librarian nods knowingly. ?Yes, and if you'd been a nuisance, she'd have thrown you out.?
?That's strange..?
?It's just the way she is, I'm afraid.? Koakuma sighs. ?If you like, I can find you a book to read. We've got a large selection of storybooks over here..?
They walk through the winding labyrinth of bookcases, while Koakuma talks and Flandre asks the occasional question.
It seems Koa and Patchouli has heard a lot about her from Remilia, and that they'd both been given strict orders to keep the entrance to the library locked and hidden, though Koakuma had sort-of-kinda forgotten about sealing the door after placing a temporary board outside it.
-------------------------
Frankly, I think Patchouli's languege skills would be somewhat outdated thanks to all the old books she reads. Tried to make her socially awkward, since I've always imagined her as a deadpan, kinda grumpy girl who has very little experience with people since she'd rather read books.
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'It's not like I l-like you, or a-anything!'
x3
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Neat Story
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I like your version of Koa.
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Heh, yeah, cute.
'It's not like I l-like you, or a-anything!'
x3
Patchundere?
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I like your Koa. She's sorta similar to gatau's Koa in Faith is for the Transient Family Budget.
And-Wow, she's got the same kind of wings as Remilia(and once Flandre) on her back.
And this caught my eye. I hope we get to find out....
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^_^ Ok, why is it that everyone on Shrinemaiden is better at writing stories then me? This is awesome! I always thought of Patchy as quiet with a slight cough, you seem to have normal tone, but Mega-
FlareCough
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'It's not like I l-like you, or a-anything!'
x3
Patchundere?
More like "You're interesting, but I don't know how to approach you."
Patchouli seems like she's not very interested in people, thus stunting her social skills.
I like your Koa. She's sorta similar to gatau's Koa in Faith is for the Transient Family Budget.
And this caught my eye. I hope we get to find out....
Ah, happy to hear, ^^ Yes, bit of foreshadowing going on. :)
^_^ Ok, why is it that everyone on Shrinemaiden is better at writing stories then me? This is awesome! I always thought of Patchy as quiet with a slight cough, you seem to have normal tone, but Mega-FlareCough
Are, thanks. I guess it's because the library is very dusty, ^^
.....
It seems Koa and Patchouli has heard a lot about her from Remilia, and that they'd both been given strict orders to keep the entrance to the library locked and hidden, though Koakuma had sort-of-kinda forgotten about sealing the door after placing a temporary board outside it.
When she's sent on her way from the library, she's got a red book named ?Little Momo and the Time Thefts? resting in her arms. It's been a while since she had a ?modern? book to read, after all. Most of her books are from the turn of the century, after all it was around that time she last saw the world. Do cars still look the same? She wants them to look the same, they were really pretty. Remilia used to take her to the theater in the backseat of one, though they used the carrige for more formal occasions. Most of the time, Flandre wasn't invited to ?formal? things, lest she blew something up.
She hides the book under a sofa-cushion, close to the dining room before continueing on her treck. There's a door labeled ?kitchen?, she's not allowed to go in there- That's the servants place, after all. Though she can't see a ?servants only? sign, so it can't really be true, can it? Either way, it's not like she's technically violating any rules by just opening the door and having a little peek..
?Nananana Nanana Batman- Batman- Nanana...?
Oh, it's China. She's humming some sort of tune while working with, well, something. China's the gategaurd, right? She doesn't seem to be doing her job. Is she on her break?
Flandre decides she knows China, China is nice, so maybe China won't be mad or tell on her. She opens the door to find the kitchen is much more cozy than she'd expected, a large fireplace in the corner and lots of cupboards on the walls, along with a large white icebox in the corner. Last time she went into a kitchen(Sometime in the 1700's), it wasn't very nice at all, all rustling and black with soot and generally unpleasant.
China waves at her.
?Jaooo! Flandre!?
Flandre smiles and waves.
?Hi, China!?
China stands surprised for a few minutes. ?China? Ah'm Chinese, sure, but..? She's rapidly starting to look very confused. Flandre then realizes that she's somehow started thinking of the Chinese gatekeeper as ?China?, and never really caught her real name.
?Uh, sorry. It's just, I don't know your name..?
?Oh! It's Hong Meiling, but Ah guess you could call m' China if y' like. For some reason, evereh'one does..? And there she is looking confused and slightly flustered again. Flandre decides to shift the topic to something else, as she's seen her sister do when talking to higher-ups.
?Uhm, what's that?? She points to the weird white contraption that looks slightly like an ice-box, only it's got a glass door and a lot of weird cylinders in a a row near the top.
?Oh, that? That's a gas oven. Ain't it just the bee's knee's? Ye' don't even have ter use firewood ta warm it all' up!? Chi- Meiling's usual enthusiasm returns as she shows Flandre how to work the oven and she's making springrolls, would Flandre like to try? Flandre's eyes light up as she's taught all about the mysteries of cooking, and Meling is happy to explain everything to her. It's like playing with Remilia when she's in a good mood, only Remilia doesn't explain things?Fff, you're too young to understand? the same way Meiling does ?'Cause 'f Ah'd used onion flakes, the flavour would be shoot to he- heck.?. It's like one of the maids she used to know back when they lived in Paris, though that girl had to be fired when the war broke out.
They're just about done with the springrolls when the bell chimes for dinner and Flandre must go. Won't Meiling come? No, she's part of the staff. She eat's in the kitchen. Flandre is a bit sad to say farewell, but then remembers that her sister is waiting for her, and she has grown rather hungry.
The small dining room stands vacant, and instead Sakya appears to guide Flandre down to the dining hall. Is dining still a formal event, she wonders? She doesn't exactly own much clothing, just a nightgown and a dress that always sits neatly folded on her chair when she wakes up in the ?mornings?.
The dining hall is fantastic.
She gasps at the large, near unfathomable length of the table and the many paintings on the walls. Sure, it's not like she hasn't seen things like this before, but- Was it really this big? And, oh- Look, it's soup! Real soup, a whole bowl on each plate. Flandre licks her chops before noticing her sister and the other geust at the table, why, that's Patchouli!
?Good evening, Flandre.? Remilia smiles. ?I would introduce you to my comrade here, but I see you've already met.? Patchouli nods. Flandre freezes, hoping she didn't tell Remilia about threatening her with ?kyu?.
They sit down to eat. Even though Flandre is slightly uncomfortable, she tries her best to forget that while eating the delicious cucumber soup. It tastes slightly of mint and she briefly ponders if the oven would be able to explode, before completely ruling out the theory. She's distracted by her sister's voice- ?I heard you were on your best behavior today.? and Flandre tries her hardest to believe there is no hint of malice in her voice. She's been good, hasn't she? She didn't kyu, she didn't kyu..
?Un. I don't see why you keep talking about her as if she's insane.? Patchouli's voice doesn't seem as raspy now, and now that Flandre thinks of it, she hasn't coughed once during the entire meal. Is the library just dusty? Either way, her voice is still very deadpan, and Flandre has no idea if she's sincere or sarcastic. Please be sincere, please be sincere..
?I must say she lacks manners, though.? She wink rather clumsily at Flandre. Whew, this might mean it's sincere.. She ignores the remark about her manners. It's not like she has to leave a good impression on any aristocracy, and she can't see how manners would help her in the situation she is in now. Slurp, slurp, now the fresh cucumber has formed a little island and the mint leaves have turned into indian canoes going back and forth..
Remilia sighs.
?Yes, I must admit she hasn't picked up a terrible lot of manners living down there-Flandre, stop playing with your food, but to tell the truth, I didn't think there was any need for them back then...? Her voice trails off, and Flandre realizes that her sister has just made a mistake.
Well, that's strange. That's not very much like her at all. Usually, she plans everything in the slightest of detail and seems to always be in control, like she knows it all because she's older.
?Don't worry. She's a kid. Were you interested in learning manners at her age?? Patchouli remarks, making Remilia swallow.
Yes, wasn't she the one who used to take her little sister's hand and run away from the tutors? ?W-well, I was thinking of the role we played in society and all, and besides-? She regains her confidence ?We're two different people, and as you can see, I've just recently started evaluating the theory that she might not be as unstable as we previously thought.? In other words, she'd given up because she never thought Flandre would be sane again.
Patchouli nods in response. Putting up with a stubborn kid who thinks she's grown up isn't that easy at times, but Remilia is one of the few people who'll try to understand her and brush of all the mistakes she makes while trying to communicate.
Dinner consists of pot-roast, and some sort of spicy Mexican dish-It must be Mexican, since there was beans in it, after all. Beans and tomatoes are Mexican food, she's learnt that through an old cookbook Remilia accidentally brought up. Dessert is tea and the best ice cream she's ever had, and then Sakuya takes her back to her room.
This time, she's actually happy to go. Sakuya isn't holding her wrist, and she's got a nice new book to read along with a snack to eat, spring rolls courtesy of China(What was her name again? It started with a H..). When she reaches her room, Sakuya nods, tells her goodnight, and Flandre would start reading the book only she's exhausted and just a little nap turns into a long night of good sleep.
....
AND WE HAVE REACHED THE END OF THE FIRST STORY ARC!
Don't worry, there will be more to come-I've got a few things planned, X3
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Heh, this is great and very cute
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I take it Meiling likes to read outside world comic books?
Also, that soup Flan was eating sounds pretty good; I'm gonna look it up later :3
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This is too adorable.
It's a very refreshing change from AHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA IMMA KEEEEEEEEL YEW psycho Flandre.
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Good sir/madam, I applaud and commend you.
You've presented what I consider to be the best depiction of Flandre I've ever seen. She's childish, somewhat sad, and thankfully not psychotic.
I'd tip my hat to you, if I wore one. Keep it up, I look forward to seeing more of this.
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I was considering doing something like this, but this blows whatever I had in mind out of the water. Actually, thats the understatement of the century. You are to be thoroughly commended for this splendid piece of work. I hereby request more.
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I also endorse these works. Continue!
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I take it Meiling likes to read outside world comic books?
Also, that soup Flan was eating sounds pretty good; I'm gonna look it up later :3
Well, Kourindou keeps 'em stocked. :3
Oh, do. It has a slightly minty taste when warm, ^^ And the part about the stove was a shout-out to a book. :D Dunno if anyone will figure it out, though..
This is too adorable.
It's a very refreshing change from AHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA IMMA KEEEEEEEEL YEW psycho Flandre.
Ah, I'm personally very tired of that depiction myself..
Good sir/madam, I applaud and commend you.
You've presented what I consider to be the best depiction of Flandre I've ever seen. She's childish, somewhat sad, and thankfully not psychotic.
I'd tip my hat to you, if I wore one. Keep it up, I look forward to seeing more of this.
Oh, thank you! I can't find too many english-languege fanworks with this kind of Flandre. It's too bad, really.. Of course, there will be more. ^^
I was considering doing something like this, but this blows whatever I had in mind out of the water. Actually, thats the understatement of the century. You are to be thoroughly commended for this splendid piece of work. I hereby request more.
Ah, r-really? I'm glad, thank you.. Well, here's more. Hope you like it!
The following weeks are not very different from earlier, except they really really are.
Flandre wakes up and spends some time alone, reading or playing with teddy, and then Sakuya calls her up for breakfast and later dinner with Remilia and Patchouli. She doesn't like walking through the halls a lot, since the fairys occasionally pull their tongues out and make faces when Sakuya isn't looking. She's decided to try and fight the fairys next time they try something, next time the maid isn't following her(Well, it might be half an eternity till then, but still..). Of course, she's sent down immediately after the meal, but at least she's full and happy. There is no more cake. Just food, real wonderfull food(And tea with "rose petals").
And she's not that lonely anymore.
Some days, Meiling comes down to visit her, bringing some of her Chinese snacks along. Other days, Remilia will come down to visit, asking her about life and stuff and all the things they couldn't talk about before because Flandre couldn't go outside her room. Even Patchouli sends Koakuma down with the occasional children's book.
Oh, and today is a very very very special day.
Why? Because Flandre's going outside.
She's been jittery since she woke up. Waiting for Sakuya is a pain and it feels like forever for her to arrive. Flandre's been passing the time with Paddington and the adventures of a prince-princess in one of Meiling's comic books. She's just reached the part with the pirates when she hears a knock on the door.
Quickly, she runs to open it.
?Jaoo! It's time to go!? Meiling smiles at her warmly. She's holding a picnic basket in her hands that is no doubt filled with her own home-made food. Flandre licks her chops at the smell; She's in for a real treat!
?Uh, Fla-?
She can't finish the sentence because Flandre has already whizzed past her, enthusiastic about finally, finally being able to go outdoors. ?C'mon! C'mon!?
?Well, alrighty, then.? The Chinese girl laughs as she follows her younger friend, who's practically bouncing ahead of her. For the first time, she's actually going out! And she's allowed to! Oh, how many times hasn't she snuck a peak out the windows while on her way to dinner, taking little snap-shots and pretending to explore them with paper-Flandre(Created from scissors, crayons, and paper, all courtesy of Koakuma's surplus office supplies and Meiling), letting the books substitute for mountains and buildings. Her chest had practically burst with excitement yesterday, when Remilia told her about the plans. She'd be out for just a few hours, they'd have a picnic and if the weather was gloomy, perhaps she might go for a swim.
Go for a swim.
GO FOR A SWIM.
At those words, she had hugged her sister very tightly and promised, promised, promised to be good. Waiting for the trip was pure agony, but at least she's here now, skipping through the corridors at full speed. Sakuya is standing by the door, waiting with an even bigger basket in her hands. Patcouli is -not coughing-, but still wearing the same sort of pajamas. Oh, and she's got some sort of black glasses on her nose, what did Meiling say about them again? Ah, sunglasses. Flandre giggles a little, after all, Patchouli's not the vampire-that-has-to-stay-out-of-the-sun. Her sister is wearing a hat with a very wide brim, lest the sun should come out. It's a cloudy evening, but still..
?Good evening, Flandre.? She nods towards her sister, who is literally jumping up and down with excitement.
?Hi Remilia!? Flandre nearly yells. ?Where are we going??
?We'll be having a picnic by the lakeside.? Again with the cool, aristocratic attitude.
?Milady..? Sakuya opens the door and motions for Remilia to leave the building. Flandre quickly remembers what position she holds and walks after her, nose held high. After all! She's the second Scarlet sister, isn't she? The title hasn't meant anything to her in very long, but today she wants to celebrate it just a little. She's this dignified lady's little sister!
The outside is really great.
It all looks so, so vast-Like there aren't any walls anywhere, and there isn't, though that's a tiny bit hard to stomach. Oh, look! It's trees! And it's real, real trees, not the kind in storybooks, she can touch these!
?Flandre, there's poison ivy growing on that.?
She pulls away from the tree, slightly red-faced over not realizing her own mistake. But, oh, there! Poppies! Just like in ?The Wizard Of Oz?! They must be poppies, they're red, and they look kinda like the flowers in that watercolour-
?Y'like the red posies, missy??
Oh. She was sure they were poppies.
Meiling smiles. ?Ah'll kin fix ye' a flower pot o' them, if ye' like.?
Her face grows redder. She used to know what poppies looked like...
Ah well. She looks up at the sky instead, wow, is it blue! Well, right now it's kinda grey, though. It's so vast, like an ocean, and- Was that a bird just now? She used to be friends with a boy who liked birds, he'd taught her how several different birds sounded. Wah, that must be-
?Oh, listen! A turtledove!? She grabs the nearest person's arm and points to the sky.
?The young mistress must be mistaken. That is a sparrow.? Sakuya is not impressed.
..It's really been a long time, hasn't it?
She can't even remember what her favorite bird sounds like. A tear slowly starts forming in her left eye, rolling down her cheek as she tries to recall the face of her friend, and realizes that she's forgetten his name.
?I-I apologize.. Young mistress, please don't cry.? Sakuya's voice is still cool, but with a hint of regret as she picks out a handkerchief and dabs at Flandre's eyes. There, the tear is gone now, see? Flandre rubs her eyes. She's a tough girl. Won't cry. It's OK for ladies to cry, but today's supposed to be a happy day! She's got a picnic to look forward too, and then she'll go swimming. Her face brightens.
?Flandre? Are you OK??`Remilia turns to her upon hearing Sakuya's voice. Flandre nods, she's fine now. ?I just remembered how long I've been in the basment.?
Remilia shifts her gaze downwards. ?A-ah. Well, hopefully you'll be able to go out a little more often..? Her voice trails off, like that time Flandre asked her if mama would survive the fever. Was she reminded of something bad? Poor Remilia.
?She looks pretty happy to me right now.?
Patchouli adjusts her sunglasses. Remilia looks up.
?T-true. We've arranged for a new swimsuit for you, though it's a bit more, ah, decent than the usual swimwear people wear these days.? She gestures towards the bag Chi- No, Meiling is carrying. Huh, Flandre didn't notice that before.
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By the Gods, Flandre's excitement is contagious. I was nearly bouncing in my seat alongside her as she was anticipating her picnic.
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This is adorable.
I do see some places with grammar issues or awkward phrasing, but overall this is great.
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Yes. This Flan is made of dorbls and yay, isn't she?
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congratulations.
You have succeeded in confusing me over who is the most adorable: Che(eeeeeee)n or Flan.
I hope nothing goes wrong when they go swimming.
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Hoping the spelling/grammar issues aren't too awkward. This chapter might seem a bit wierd since I had a little trouble putting a certain feeling into words, and because certain characters havn't started hanging with certain other characters yet, meaning little to no respect for most people..
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?More decent??
Flandre's face falls. In worst cases, this might mean a full-on overcoat with fur trimmings.
?Yes. I am aware of the fact that swimwear fashion has indeed, changed, while you were... ah.. However, I have acquired a swimsuit for you that fits certain standards.? Her sister nods calmly.
Damn. Fur overcoat it is, then.
Remilia's notorious for selecting old-fashioned bathing suits. Last time they'd gone to the sea, she'd made Flandre wear a hideous two-piece swimsuit that covered her whole body, and when she tried to swim the outer piece slowly filled with water until it got heavy and stuck to her legs. She'd wanted one of those new, cute kid's suits with bloomers, but noooo, those left her arms and legs bare and that was very ?un-ladylike?.
Ah well, at least she'll be able to go swimming.
She hums the tune of ?Frere Jaques? as she skips down the path. Remilia occasionally has to call for her to stop so the others can catch up, seeing as most of them are already having to run now and then in order to match her speed. China seems to not mind at all, though Patchouli occasionally has to stop and catch her breath, making her lag behind the others. Remilia seems to be the only one able to reach Flandre's speed, though she lacks her enthusiasm. If she were still human, Flandre would be huffing and wheezing like Patchouli too(though she wouldn't have been locked up in the basement for so long then), only she's never had to catch her breathe while running for a long time.
The lake comes into view, and it's absolutely spendid. It's so blue, in a whole other way than the sky, and there's even a little patch of sand by the water, just waiting for someone to build a sandcastle on. There are little fairys flying far away in the distance, real fairys, flying. Flandre's never seen them actually fly before- She's mainly identified them through their wings and very similar behaviour.
China spreads a picnic blanket beneath a tree, and Sakuya takes the bag with ?swimwear?. Remilia turns towards her sister, who's currently trying to climb up into a tree and failing utterly due to her inexperience.
?Flandre, please come over here.? Oh, right. Climbing trees isn't ladylike, huh? She pouts and runs to the blanket where Sakuya is currently holding up some sort of towel.
Remilia nods. ?As you know, it's not advisable to swim for at least an hour after eating.? She points to a cloth-bundle on the picnic blanket and continues: ?You may change, if you like, and go for a swim. Don't go too far out, and be back when we call for you.? Flandre smiles. ?Yes, I'll be good! I promise!? She rushes towards the bundle of clothing and holds it up to find a nice suprise indeed:
It's almost exactly like the one she wanted that time at the beach, long ago, well, it's got a slightly longer hemline but that' not that important. She grins as she runs to her sister and hugs her, ?Thankyouthankyou thank you!? leaving a slightly flustered Remilia while she bounds off to change, Sakuya holding a towel around her to preserve her decency. Once clothed, she bounces off towards the small sandbank.
?Don't go too far out now!? Remilia calls, but her voice is wasted to the splashing of the waves. The sand bunches up between Flandre's toes as she steps into the water. One, and two- it's not very deep here. She wades farther out, clothes sticking to her body as she dives in the shallow water. Ah, she can swim! What luck, she'd expected to have forgotten that, too. The water is cool and warm at the same time, and she decides to try and see how far she can swim out. Been a while since she's had some exercise, and- Is that an iceberg floating out there? Hmm. This needs to be investigated. She swims towards it with long, broad strokes, just like Remilia taught her.
She hears the fluttering of wings behind her.
?Who're you??
?Flandre Scarlet. You?? She turns around to see a young fairy dressed in blue, hands resting on non-existant hips.
?Eye'm Cirno. The strongest fairy of the lake.? The fairy nods proudly. ?Hmm, Flandre, flandre, flandre.. Where have I heard that name before..?? She ponders. Now that Flandre thinks, this fairy looks like pretty much like a kid. And the ?I? was pronounced with a funny accent..
?Oh! I know! You're the basement-freak!? Cirno folds her arms and nods proudly as if she just figured out the theory of relativity.
...Basement freak. So we're back to that, huh? A spark of anger goes through the young vampires body like lightening.
?I'm not a freak!? She yells, notably offended. She's not very sure she likes fairys, now.
?Why'd your sister lock you up into the basement, then?? The little ice-fairy taunts. ?Oh! I get it! It was 'cause you keep blowing people up, cuz you're crazy, right!??
Flandre's not crazy.
Flandre's never been crazy. Her sister said sorry, said she wasn't crazy, so she's not. Sakuya knows she's not crazy. Patchouli knows she's not crazy.
She feels like she wants to cry.
?Ah, that means you ran away again, didn't you?? Cirno cocks her head, before pointing to her. That's rude, Flandre thinks. Remilia keeps telling her it's rude to point, but this is one of the few times she actually feels offended by it.
?Hey! I know why they locked you up!? The fairy nods again, and Flandre could swear she just saw a lightbulb flash over her head. ?You're a bastard!?
...Bastard.
?You've got different hair and wings than Remilia, see. So you must be a bastard!?
Bastard.
Bastard.
The word sinks into her brain like a weight cast into water.
Bastard.
She's.Got. The. Same. Parents. As. Remilia.
She remembers how the court ladies used to look at her and nod sadly, while Remilia took her hand and told her to ignore their gazes, ?They're just jealous because we have a good mother.?, how some stared at them with cold eyes, ignoring them when they asked for assistance or tried to make conversation.
Flandre knew what a ?bastard? was. It was someone unwanted, someone who had a different mother than the lady their fathers had married(However that would work). But she wasn't unwanted. And was it mothers fault that she couldn't have children of her own?
?You're both my little girls, no matter what blood you have.?
They had absolutely no right to call her and her sister ?bastards?. It was the one word that made her blood boil; The one word she thought had gotten a different meaning throughout the years but was now being used in the very same way that had alienated her and Remilia so long ago.
She can already feel her blood boiling. That stupid fairy has crossed a line!
She wants desperately to kyu her, but settles for splashing her with water instead. ?Hey, that's mai dress you're wetting!?(Again with the funny accent on ?my?) The fairy frowns and starts shooting miniature bullets of ice at her. They feel nearly like Patchouli's non-existant-bullets, only they're smaller and they hurt. ?Bastard! Crazy Bastard from the basement!?
And this is enough to drive little Flandre over the edge. It hurts and her heart hurts from being called a bastard and not being able to defend herself; It's all hot and she grabs around until she finds the eye of the area under the fairy and the eye of the fairy's being, take them both and squeeze-
?Kyu!?
And they shatter in her hand as a large bubble of energy splatters fairy-guts, blood, and limbs all over the lake while a large wave hits the shore.
-
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shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii
Well, that was an interesting bit of character development. Cirno had it coming.
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Seems like everything went to hell...
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that's it, I'm outta here. :V
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Nice job breaking it Cirno.
Am eye'm the only one who imagined Cirno with a Scottish accent during that exchange?
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Eh, Cirno'll be fine, give her about an hour or two.
Flandre will be waiting.
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Nice job getting broken Cirno.
Fixed.
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Cirno with a Scottish accent? That actually sounds kinda cute. ^^
..Did she just?
She blinks just to make sure it's not just a nightmare.
Yes. It's real. She really did ?Kyu? a person.
It, it just happened.
Her mind blanks. This wasn't supposed to happen- This never, it..
But it happened.
She just killed a person.
Flandre doesn't feel like bathing anymore. Her chest aches as she swims to shore, and she takes care to look extra-hard at the sky, since this might be the last time she ever sees it, before she's locked up again.
It's so blue. It really is a different kind of blue than teddy's eyes and the cover of ?Peter Pan?, she thinks as she does the backstroke. Remilia will be furious, she knows that but tries not to think about it. There's still ten, seven, six more strokes till she reaches land, don't think about it until then.
But nothing changes the fact that she does reach shore, eventually.
?Jaoo, Flandre!? China looks up from the picnic blanket and smiles at her. Flandre nearly smiles back before she remembers just what she's done. ?Hi China.? Sakuya bows slightly, ?Back so soon, young mistress?? pokerface still intact.
..They know, don't they?
Don't they?
She gulps, again. It's like she's got a big lump inside her stomach that's eating away on her insides.
?H-hi everyone..?
China will still come visit her, right..?
Remilia looks up from her magazine, unfazed.
?Hello, Flandre..? She stops herself as she sees her sisters red face, wet with lake water and tears.
?F-flandre..? Are you alright?? And she starts twitching slightly, like she always does when she gets worried.
?I-I'm OK.? The lump inside her stomach grows even heavier. Maybe it's true, maybe she does belong down there. In the basement, where she can't hurt anyone.
?It's just, I went kyu.? There, she said it. She closes her eyes and braces herself for what she's sure will be Sakuya's hard grip on her shoulders, ushering her into the house and back into the darkness, forever.
But there is no Sakuya-grip, even after more than five seconds. In fact, there is no noise whatsoever. She opens her eyes to find that Remilia has fallen over backwards, and it looks like she might have fainted with an expression of madness on her face.
Sakuya sighs and starts laying Remilia sideways. Patchouli raises her eyebrow and looks slightly befuddled, while China's jaw seems to have dropped from London bridge all the way down into the Thames.
?...?
Flandre turns around. She's not really sure what she should do or why Remilia fainted or if she'll ever see the light of day again. Right now she just wants to sit down and maybe go to sleep for a couple of hundred years.
?What does kyu mean?? China raises her hand. Flandre sighs and decides, the bubble's already popped, so there's nothing to lose. She grabs the eye of a nearby branch and breaks it. Little bits of bark and wood fly in all directions.
Then she turns to China, who looks completely amazed, and Patchouli, who seems to be very interested judging from her gaze.
?That. I did that to a person.?
China swallows. ?We-well, tha-that's a problem, Ah guess..? Patchouli pushes up her glasses. ?Who??
?Cirno?, she replies, recalling the short introduction. ?She was a fairy.? Patchouli steps forward, eyebrows curved, one hand outstretched. Flandre closes her eyes, certain that whatever is in store for her can't be good...
?That's OK. Why did you kyu her?? And she gets a freindly (albeit clumsy) pat on her head. Huh.
?She called me a bastard, then she started throwing ice at me.? Flandre sighs as she recounts the tale. There, look. She's insane for doing that, isn't she? Please get this over with..
Strangely enough, Patchouli nods again, ?I see. Why didn't you use danmaku??
Danmaku? She's never heard of such a word before.
?Dan-mah-kyuu? Is that a kind of sword??
Patchouli slaps her hand to her head. Of course. Leave it to Remilia to let a tyke bomb out of the basement without any form of defense and then scold her for using her powers. China sighs, relieved, as if she's just now realized what went on.
?Don't cha' worry, missy.? She smiles as she takes Flandre's hand. ?Cirno's a fairy, she'll respawn. 'an bein' a fairy and 'all, Ah think she just mighta' deserved it this one time.? She winks at Flandre, who's starting to notice a smile of her own forming on her face. Does this mean it was OK just this once? Has she been saved?
They're interrupted by Sakuya's stern voice: ?Young mistress, I suggest you retreat.? Coming from her, that's an order. Meling sighs.
?Ah'll take her, if it's alright with ya'.? The maid nods, and Meiling takes her hand. ?C'mere. We can stop by the library first and find a book, if you'd like.? Flandre nods, she'd very much like that. Maybe it'll take her mind off of things.
It might have been the last time she saw the sky, but for some reason, Flandre's not that sad.
After all, China's promised to come visit no matter what, and Patchouli likes her. Koakuma said so.
So maybe, it won't be that bad, after all.
That night, she dreams that she's in a circus in the starry heavens with her sister, and China is Mary Poppins.
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Interesting. I like the results of this one. Rather touching, in a way.
I am curious if you'll bring Four of a Kind into this at all. And does she already have Laevateinn?
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I'd quote it but I'm too lazy to go hunting for the first instance of it, but
D'aaaawwwwwwwwwwww
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I am curious if you'll bring Four of a Kind into this at all. And does she already have Laevateinn?
Yes, eventually. About Laevateinn: Well, in a way, she does. ;) And yes, it'll come up.
Trying to write Remilia as Remilia is seen by those closest to her instead of the normal oujo-sama facade she does her best to keep up. It's a bit of a deconstruction of the whole "teenage vampire madam", if you will.
The next morning is sort-of lonely. Teddy has become a car and is currently swooshing through the air, just like in the science fiction novel she read recently. She's still in her nightgown sine nobody brought her any new clothes, and there seems to be no cake today.
Flandre sighs. Are they going to let her starve, or something? She was terrible yesterday, but it doesn't seem as bad right now. Of course, a new day means you can start over, fff, the people who said that to her had obviously never met her sister. Can Sakuya please hurry up with that cake or something? Her energy is running out.
She can hear someone walking outside the door, pacing back and forth as if trying to decide wether to open the door or not. It's probably a maid doing the cleaning, though. Except it's not because the door slowly opens and Remilia enters, head held high.
?Well, I expect you remember what happened yesterday.?
Oh no. Is it time for this again? Flandre swallows. She'll get chewed out, won't she. And she thought these things were over. Well, it's probably her own fault, so..
?I hear you were challenged to a duel by a certain nuisance.?
It wasn't a duel.. Cirno was flat-out attacking her. How was she to know she was supposed to fight back?
?Well, seeing as you had only one line of defense, I suppose I could forgive the casualty.? Still stern and voice cold as ever, but, wait.
Remilia's forgiving her? Is she really? Flandre can hardly believe it.
?While I have my doubts, I do realize that as one of the Scarlet sisters, you do have some pride.? She nods. Flandre's looking up at her, perplexed. She's a little too happy and surprised to answer right now. ?So, I've arranged for you to take dueling lessons. If they go well, you might challenge the fairy again, and we'll see how far you can go without using 'kyu'.?
Dueling lessons..?
But she's always been told, swords aren't for ladies! Better not Remind Remilia, though. After all, Flandre's always wanted to try her hand at fencing.
Remilia nods again, before walking towards the door and turning her her head.
?Flandre? Aren't you coming? It's about time for lunch.?
Flandre hesitates, before realizing that yes, her sister isn't mad with her.
?Uu!?
Then she grins as she follows her sister up the stairs. It's true, after all: Today is a new day.
?
The meal was silent but delicious. Remilia looked somewhat distraught, and she nearly spilled her teacup three times. Flandre feels a little scared, but decides to try and keep on being a good girl for her sisters sake. Her sister usually shakes a lot when she's really really mad, and usually yells at Flandre by that point.
?I'm done, ma'm.?
Flandre tentatively places her teacup back on the plate. The tea wasn't as red today, and she doesn't really feel like she's had cake. Sakuya takes her hand and leads her towards the library, ah, weren't they going to hire a tutor..?
Oh, it's just as brilliant as last time. Little lights, floating around, and the strong, musky smell of old paper fills her nose.
?Miss Patchouri??
...Patchouri?
Now that Flandre notices it, Sakuya pronounces Patchouli's name with an R. How odd. She doesn't have any trouble with ?Remilia? or ?Flandre?, and they all do speak Japanese(Thank you, auntie Mizuho). China and Patchouli can pronouce her name just fine.
Oh, well.
A coughing figure emerges from the shadows, book held tight under one arm. It's just what Flandre realizes she's started to expect from the lavender-haired girl, tough for some reason she never coughs like that at the dinner table. Is the library dusty?
?Ah, Flandre. Hello.? She waves her left hand with an unamused expression. Flandre smiles and waves back. ?Hi!?
Patchouli nods and then turns to Sakuya. ?Thank you for your work; You may leave us now.? Sakuya nods back and walks away, silently. Patchouli pick up a book and motions for Flandre to follow her.
?Are you gonna take me to my teacher?? Flandre asks. Without turning around, Patchouli answers: ?No. I'll be your instructor.?
?In what? Dueling??
?That's right.?
...That sounds a little weird, considering her poor condition. After all, dueling means two people fight with swords at a set location, right? Like Mademoiselle Maupin and D'artagan! What Cirno did wasn't dueling at all, though. It was shooting. Ah, maybe Patchouli's going to teach her to use a pistol?
?With a gun??
?No. With magic.?
Patchouli's crass tone makes it hard to tell if she's being sarcastic or not, and Flandre sighs as she realizes that she's probably going to have use a pistol. After all, it's not like magic exists for real. Swords seem way cooler, and she can't remember any good book where a knight used a gun to save the princess.
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I figured that if anyone would teach Flandre the art of Danmaku, it would have to be either Remilia or Patchouli.
Can't wait to see what happens with this.
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Hee, yeah.
I kinda feel for how she's always all paranoid about being in trouble, tho. :<
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Makes sense though, when a kid is in a position like that, they are usually afraid of getting into trouble, even if they did nothing wrong. I think Flandre needs a hug from her Big Sis :*
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I've gotta say, I love how this is progressing so far.
Keep it up! I'm looking forward to more.
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They reach a small area, walled-off by several bookcases. Patchouli mutters a few words under her breath(Flandre swears she saw a rip in the air in front of them), and they enter.
Patchouli spins around suddenly, face looking slightly more serious than usual.
?Do you know about magic??
..Magic?
Flandre doesn't really know if she believes in magic.. Or, well, she does know fairys exist. All kids know about fairys, but she had to stop believing in the kind wizards used to make things float the day she saw a magician screwing up his act and accidentally showing everyone how the tricks were done.
?Uh, I know fairys exist?.
?That's not the same thing. I mean, magic.? Patchouli snaps. It seems she has a bit of a short temper today, then again, Flandre remembers what Remilia said about her: ?Don't worry about her. She's just not very fond of people.?
?No. I don't believe in that.?
The magician had looked outright pathetic with the strings hanging from pockets, desperately trying to keep face while everyone jeered. Believing in magic after that meant you were a child and got ridiculed by the other children.
Patchouli narrows her eyes, as if she were a priest to whom Flandre was denouncing the christian god.
?Explain thyself.?
Flandre swallows. She's usually afraid when her sister gets that kind of look, but she's got no reason to be afraid this time, does she? It's become a habit, it seems..
?I-I haven't ever seen it, so.. A, and I've lived in the human world for so-so long..? Fairys didn't live in the human world. That's what Remilia said, anyway. Did that mean, and this was a far shot, maybe magic did exist here..? She still doubts it, though.
?What about the lights when you first came here?? Patchouli asks in a near-accusing tone.
?Electricity.? Flandre nods, knowingly. She's been fooled to believe lamps were magic before, and she's not going to do the same mistake again.
That's when an unfamiliar pulse hits her body and suddenly her right hand is glowing. Just like when she first came down to the basement.
?And that?? The lavender-girl's voice sounds slightly smug.
?Electricity. Again.?
Patchouli sighs.
?Do you even understand the inner mechanics of electricity??
The little vampire's face turns pink.
Why no, she doesn't understand it. She thought it just meant a force that made things light up, since nobody would explain it to her. Her exposition to electricity was rather simple: ?Look, Remilia, magic!? the lights went on, and Remilia laughed for about ten minutes straight before responding, ?No, dear, that's electricity.?
?Uh, you can make stuff light up??
Patchouli slams her open palm over her face in an act that, while not invented yet, would soon come to be discovered by a fairly small internet community and given the name of ?facepalm?.
?..That's not it it..?
She sighs heavily, and starts coughing as a result. Flandre had no idea there were any form of mechanics to electricity, and is currently trying to figure some sort of way for it to work. It had just been there one day, and there had been a big commotion about it, and a light switch was installed into their home and that was it. Surely, it did work in some way, only that way didn't seem very important at the time.
?Here. Look at this.?
The lavender-clad girl has stopped coughing now, and extends her arm towards the wall. A small, glowing orb floats out of the palm of her hand and dissapears as it hits the wall. It looks like what Flandre wants to call electricity, but for some profound reason just can't. In fact, it's hard to find a word for it. Patchouli grins at her.
?cough This, comrade, is magic.?
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?cough This, comrade, is magic.?
Suddenly, Patchouli has a Russian accent for me.
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Suddenly, Patchouli has a Russian accent for me.
Thankfully I'm not the only one that thought this. :3
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Thankfully I'm not the only one that thought this. :3
Same here XD Patchy is made of win here, pure friggin win.
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Patchouli slams her open palm over her face in an act that, while not invented yet, would soon come to be discovered by a fairly small internet community and given the name of ?facepalm?.
Ak! My fourth wall!! Critical hit! Arrrrggh!!
*Torpedo dies*
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Flandre gasps before regaining her breath.
?Wha..? Can I do that, too??
Patchouli nods as she takes Flandre's hand. A jolt of electricity goes through her body as the little vampire feels her mind grow heavy, then considerably lighter. When she lets go, her arm feels rejuvenated in some sort of way.
?Try it.?
Flandre throws out her arm towards the wall in the same manner Patchouli did, but nothing happens. She tries it again, several times, without result. Her mentor sighs.
?Are you even trying??
That's mean. Flandre is trying, she really is. It's just that nothing happens. She's not exactly expecting anything to happen, but still..
?I'm doing my best!? She nearly snaps at Patchouli, notably offended. Patchouli adjusts her nightcap.
?You have to have faith in the arts of wizardry, you know. Otherwise, this just won't work.?
But how is Flandre supposed to- She glares at Patchouli, who sighs exasperatedly.
?Think about various magical occurrences in your life. Try.?
Oh, OK. It's not like this is going to work, but let's try anyway.
She closes her eyes and tries to find something, digging through the memories of years long past.
It's like going back, back to wherever home was at the time. Shortly before they left, a small village in Russia. Before that, a small house by Kenshington gardens. The maisonette in France, her sisters beloved mansion by the sea. So many, many places, some on the verge of being forgotten.
After all, Flandre couldn't grow up so they had to move a lot.
She remembers Remilia's words the night their parents died, ?I could probably pass for 16, and then just keep going until I'm around 30, and just say I'm young-looking. That would give us 15 years to stay in one place. You, on the other hand-? She'd glanced at her little sister and stopped short. Flandre was nine years old and looked the part.
They rarely stayed more than four or five years in one place. After that, much goodbyes were said and Flandre always cried when she had to leave her freinds. Remilia kept quiet and sighed. ?You'll make lots of new friends at the new place, dear..?
And when they passed by the area, she'd occasionally see her friends, or what once was her friends, all grown up. They'd probably forgotten all about her by that point. It made her want to cry, but she did her best to swallow and not cry. Big girls didn't cry, after all. Only when she had to leave her friends behind, she'd decided that herself. Even if it was only a small thing, it did make her feel a little grown-up. Like her friends.
She tries to remember a certain place, a certain time, and then it dawns on her:
No matter how much they traveled, there was always one place they'd return to, during the last 200 years, The small seaside cottage near Dover.
It was a small dwelling, big enough for Flandre, Remilia, and the one maid(Whom Remilia jokingly called ?food supply?) they toted around for the time being. The fact that it was far from society made it hard for people to reach, meaning Flandre could show her wings if she wanted. Most of the time, her wings were concealed beneath layers of binding, but here she could flap and flutter with them however she wished.
The one price they had to pay was a few years loneliness, but it didn't seem that lonely. Remilia and the maid were there, after all. In the evenings, during the summer, little specks of light would float around the garden, giving it some sort of magical aura while Remilia read her books, and the maid did some sort of housework.
?Look, Remilia. Fireflies!?
Remilia, not looking up from her book, had replied: ?No, that's impossible. Logically, they shouldn't be found here. It's too close to the sea.?
Flandre had stood dumbfounded for a while, before deciding that, no, this was in front of her very eyes, and yes, they were fireflies.
They must be when they kept returning, year after year. A warm feeling fills her as she recalls England during a warm summer night, fireflies floating through the air and the feeling of sand between her toes. There had never been any explenation for the fireflies, other than-
PA-FUF!
A large cloud of smoke wakes her from her recollection, slowly dissapearing through means of Patchouli waving her hand, the one that isn't holding a handkerchief currently muffling her coughs. Flandre can barely make out the outline of a small, red thing heading towards the wall and zip it's gone.
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Hmm. Remilia's always reading. Wonder what it is she's reading.
You think maybe she's still working on the same book from so long ago? Perhaps, got stuck on a word she didn't know and refused to ask someone to explain it for her? :3
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I liked the dive through flandres memories. Kinda made you feel traveled with her.
Least for me it did lol, but I get myself immersed in this story :V
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Really looking forward to the rest of this.
Keep it up.
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Hmm. Remilia's always reading. Wonder what it is she's reading.
You think maybe she's still working on the same book from so long ago? Perhaps, got stuck on a word she didn't know and refused to ask someone to explain it for her? :3
Well, I don't know what else there was to do in a time before electricity.
XD!! Knowing Remilia, that might very well be the case. X3
A large cloud of smoke wakes her from her recollection, slowly disappearing through means of Patchouli waving her hand, the one that isn't holding a handkerchief currently muffling her coughs. Flandre can barely make out the outline of a small, red thing heading towards the wall and zip it's gone.
?Good. Cough?
...Did she just do that?
She tries again, summons a small amount of energy and shoots it through her arm. Woah- It works! Another little red thing appears, and another. And another, and another, and- Patchouli coughs a little, reminding Flandre not to shoot her. Flandre nods and continues to shoot.
It's fun, but it drains her energy. She'll have to eat a large meal if she wants to do this for a long time, she realizes. Suddenly, Patchouli throws herself in front of her, confusing Flandre. What, didn't she tell Flandre not to hit her? Ah, well. She started it.
Miraculously enough, Patchouli manages to dodge her way through Flandre's impenetrable carpet of bullets(Well, they were pretty far apart and more of a broken fishing net than a carpet, but still-) while holding a thick, leatherbound book in her arm. Suddenly, she stops to open the book and moves out of the way just as Flandre fires a bullet towards her, and then stops again to recite a spell.
?Agni Shine!?
Suddenly, a large barrage of red bullets stream from the lavender-clad girl's hand. Flandre has to dodge, but can't and loses her balance because the amount is too great. Oww, her head hurts. Patchouli sighs as she she extends a hand to help her up.
?You have a long way to go, young Skywalker.?
?Skywalker?? Flandre tilts her head. ?My names' Flandre Scarlet.?
?It's a joke of sorts.? Patchouli shrugs as she pulls her student off of the floor. ?I mean, you can't fly yet, can you??
Fly?
Flandre's been able to sorta almost fly once, though that was long ago. She could hop up in the air and flap her wings a little and soar for a short distance, her wings grew tired too quickly. Remilia said it was because she didn't exercise them often enough, pah, easy for her to say. She never flew, either, since people might see her and that would be bad. Very, very, bad.
Remilia could fly, though. She practiced often while in private, and Flandre tried too, though she hadn't the patience to tone her wings enough. Short trips over a small area was enough, and they did grow old after a while. Her wings were tied up all the time, so having them out for longer than a little while started hurting.
She turns to Patchouli with an annoyed look and points at her wings. Patchouli shakes her head, matter-of-factly: ?That's got no effect on the purpose, dear.?, before slowly growing taller- No, she's levitating. Flandre's eyes widen. She's seen her sister do that, but Patchouli has no wings to flap.
?I'll instruct you in the basics, later.? Patchouli nods. ?Right now, I think you have a duel scheduled.?
A duel, huh.
Flandre's a little bit nervous, seeing as she's never dueled before. Well, there was that time when she used a large stick to play ?princess defeats the dragon and gets out herself?, but that hardly counted as an official duel. And with magic, of course! She fidgets a little as Patchouli leads her out and up the stairs, out of the dusty, dark library lit up by magic, explaining how to duel along the way. It's just like they did back there, only more serious, it seems.
Walking through the corridors seems a little different now. She's worried that it won't work out, but swallows and tries to be confident. If she succeeds, she'll get to see these corridors again. If she doesn't, at least she'll be able to see them again anyway. Her heart skips a little as they reach the door, where Sakuya is waiting.
?I'll take is from here, Patchouri.? She bows, and takes Flandre's arm. Ugh. She really hates it when Sakuya does that, but she's not in a position to protest.
The weather is cloudy, but not exactly rainy. She suspects it will clear up soon, which is why they've scheduled the duel for now. Remilia is waiting on the porch, sipping tea as if this were some kind of show. It seems more of a test to Flandre. Sitting across from her is a little green-haired fairy, nervously trying to keep still. She swallows as she sees Flandre, and immediately turns her head down towards the table. Remilia smiles briefly at her sister, easing her mood a little. This will turn out fine, this will turn out fine.. This will hopefully go well, right?
?Jaaoo! Flandre, your opponent awaits!?
Ah, China's walking into view! And, what does she- She's leading that stupid, evil fairy by her shoulders. Rage flares in young Flandre's heart, upon remembering yesterday. She wants to kick that damn Cirno, but Sakuya's grip is too firm. At least Cirno seems to feel the same way, judging from how she's trying to wriggle away.
?Greet your opponent.?
Sakuya's cool voice surprises her. Greet? It's one of the last things she wants to do, but she'd better. OK. She bows, like a musk-eater, and states her name.
?Flandre Scarlet.?
Cirno stops for a moment, face red with exhaustion. She frowns and stares Flandre straight in the eye. ?Cirno. Ice fairy.? And with a hateful glare: ?Eye'm the strongest.?
Oh, yeah!?
Flandre returns the favour, using what she knows is the most powerful word possible about herself while still telling the truth.
?I'm an A-risto-cat.?
None of them say a word in the short silence that follows. Glares are exchanged, and a rivalry seems to be born.
Finally, Sakuya interrupts.
?This will be a closed-field, ground-based spellcard duel. We will use no spellcards, and using elemental or individual powers? she gives both contestants a knowing look, ?Is strictly forbidden, and whoever does so will be disqualified.?
This is it.
Flandre takes a deep breath.
?On the count of three, please release the combatants and run for your lives. One..!?
Meiling giggles a bit at the joke that nearly went over Flandre's head. Huh, so she has a sense of humor, too..
?..Two..?
Cirno stares at her, she stares back. If looks could kill, both of them would have severe pains by now.
?...And three. Charge!?
Sakuya lets go of Flandre's hand and cautiously steps back. Meiling does the same for Cirno, letting the small fairy run free. Or, well, right now she's standing her ground, just like Flandre is.
OK, what no-
Cirno fires a bunch of arrow-like blue spears at her. They're annoying, but Flandre finds she can dodge them rather easily. She remembers her lesson, and fires a blast of red pointed-things. They're just going straight, though- Cirno dodges them like it's nothing, and Flandre gets hit by the annoying bullets again, firing her up. In blind fury, she tries shooting while swinging her arm, and the bullets get shot in a circle around her. Cirno dodges, but to no avail. In a moment, she's hit, and cringes.
?D-do your b-best, Ci-cirno-chan..?
She looks to the side for a moment, and sees the green-haired fairy attempting to cheer her friend on. With a determined ?hmph?, Flandre runs closer, dodging Cirno's small bullets as the get faster and faster, until she's right in front of the fairy. Cirno panics and runs to the left, but Flandre follows, now concentrating her bullets onto Cirno's chest. Cirno laughs and shoots her again, her bullets may not be terribly fast, but they do hurt. Flandre feels a little of her strength to shoot bullets disappear along with being hit, yet she keeps standing, though it hurts. Cirno won't back down, either. What did Patchouli say, now: It's over when someone falls? Her arms hurt and she wants to sit down. If she just reached her hand out and took hold of Cirno's eye, this could end quickly, and she could go sit down. Yeah, sit down for a little while. At least, maybe China would still visit her, and- No, she can't think like that! She has to take Cirno down, dammit! Aoow, she can't stand much longer..
?Go get her, Flandre!? Meilings voice can be heard from the sidelines.
Oh, right. She's got someone cheering for her, so she has to win this. She's not gonna let this get her down! She'll show Remilia what a good girl she is, able to fight without ?kyu?! And then she'll get to eat upstairs and have tea for breakfast again!
?Hyah!?
She aims her arm towards Cirno's legs, catching the fairy off-guard. ?Wait, wha-? There, now let's shoot her feet. The fairy tries dodging, but she can't dodge both of her feet at once, and-
Boff.
The fairy falls face first onto the ground.
-
Flandre returns the favour, using what she knows is the most powerful word possible about herself while still telling the truth.
?I'm an A-risto-cat.?
That was adorable. :3
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Yes. Yes, it was. |3
This is before EoSD, right? I mean ... it kind of has to be, but ...
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This is too damn adorable. I need an oatmeal cream pie to stave off this loss of blood sugar
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About time I did this:
*cough* (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TastesLikeDiabetes) No comment.
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Boff.
The fairy falls face first onto the ground.
It takes Flandre a few moments to register this: She defeated a fairy.
She defeated a fairy.
She defeated a goddam fairy.
And she didn't use kyu.
She did it right..? Did she do it right? Please tell her she was right. Even if she didn't do it right, she still feels pride swelling in her chest.
?Good job, Flandre!? China- no, Meiling rushes forward and hugs her. It feels a little weird, since Flandre's not that accustomed to hugs, but she feels happy nonetheless. It's a little bit like mom is hugging her, from what she can remember.
?Yeah!? She grins. Remilia waves at her with a surprisingly honest smile. ?Flandre, I'm impressed.? Even Sakuya bows slightly as Flandre walks over to the table where her sister is sitting, before walking off to fetch a new batch of cookies.
?I did it!?
She's proud and happy and everyhing seems just wonderfull right now.
?Yes, I saw it all.? Remilia nods, while she takes another sip of tea. ?Please try to solve coming conflicts this way, alright??
?Uu!? Flandre smiles and reaches for a cookie from the fresh batch. ?Would the young mistress wait until it's on the table, please?? Sakuya sighs.
It's strange for her to talk this much. Normally, she just stands in a corner of whatever room Remilia is in, like a maid's supposed to do, and acts kinda scary at times, since she doesn't really show any emotions.
Nevertheless, Flandre follows her orders out of suprise and respect for the knife-throwing maid, before she's informed ?Mistress Patchouli would like you back.?
The rest of the day is spent in the library, listening to Patchouli's lectures about spellcards and learning to dodge, along with the importance and history of spellcard dueling. Patchouli's not the best teacher Flandre's ever met, but she is very nice in her own way. If she studies well and can use spellcards by next week, Patchouli's promised to show her ?Star Wars?. It sounds a bit silly, fighting over stars, but then again, maybe it means stars as in movie stars, and that would be a little more understandable.
?.........
?I'm just innit' for tha' money.?
Solo nods towards Leia, who looks at him weirdly.
?When we get home, I'll give you lots.
?And then we can get married!? Luke smiles. The others look at him weirdly. See-three-pee-oh's head explodes.
That's when a huge robot appears and..
?Young mistress, please get out of the way, please. I have cleaning to do.?
Aww, darn it.
Flandre sighs as she picks up paper-Solo, paper-Leia, broken see-three-pee-oh, and paper-Luke from the floor. And just when she'd found a part of the corridor with no carpet..
Normally, Sakuya never really cleans and saves herself for more important work, such as washing, cooking, or setting the table. This time, it's more like chasing Flandre away, since the other maids daren't go near her. It's a little strange, but the fairys seem to a have a new found respect for her after she defeated Cirno. They don't call for her attention in the corridors anymore, and rarely disturb her if she's found a spot to sit for the time being. If she asks them for something, they'll curtsey and fetch it for her. It's like they're treating her more like their master than some random obnoxious kid. Thanks to this, Remilia has started to let her roam the mansion at will, so long as she doesn't go outside.
?By the way, the mistress has called for you.? Sakuya nods, while sweeping the floor. ?You're to find her in the parlor.? No more words are needed before Flandre bounds off. She did remember something about a ?suprise? earlier, and boy, is she eager.
Remilia sits waiting for her in the large, yellow sofa. She's at some point said that it's french, and that usually means that it's from some kind of yard sale.
?Why, good afternoon, Flandre. How are you today??
Flandre sits down next her, grabbing some cookies off of the jar conveniently located on the coffee table. She'd never have been allowed that back before she was shut up in the basement, but it seems Remilia's decided to be somewhat more lax about her manners from now on. ?I'm fine. And you??
Her sister stares at the young blonde in front of her who's currently trying to fit three cookies into her mouth at once, soiling the sofa and carpet with crumbs in the process. Palm is applied straight to face, and she berates herself for letting Flandre's manners go.
?I'm... Well. Anyway, I would like to bring you out for a picnic in an hour or two.? She does her best to keep her composure, while Flandre shoves another cookie into her mouth. She'd have to talk this over with Sakuya, later..
Flandre's grin widens.
?R-really!?? After last time, she thought she'd lost the chance of that happening. ?Thank you, thank you, thank you!? She's going to be good this time, really good, and she'll stay on land and pick flowers so she won't see Cirno again, it's a great day for doing that, since it's sunny-
Oh, right.
Patchouli told her it would be sunny today, and Patchouli's rarely wrong. She drops her attitude and turns her gaze downward.
?..But it's sunny.?
Remilia grins with a smile that seems to know more than it lets on, and answers: ?No. It will not.?
Flandre has no idea what she means, but she does look forward to the picnic. Ah, well. She'll look forward to it, anyway. Maybe it'll be a play picnic indoors, like they did when they were little. That sounds really childish and stupid to Flandre, but if her sister really wants to, although it does sound weird, she won't stand in her way. After explaining that she's to be back at three o'clock, Flandre is sent away to play again.
?But Sakuya wouldn't let me play in the place with no carpet-?
?Just try the attic, then.?
Remilia is getting slightly annoyed with her sister at this point. She seems a bit stressed, as if she has a lot to do, so Flandre takes her advice and starts walking. Heck, the attic sounds kinda exciting.
She kinda-sorta knows where it is, since she's walked past it several times, but never thought it very interesting, and besides she's been scolded severely for walking into other attics in houses she's lived in. If Remilia allows it though..
The stairs leading up to the attic are creaky, and seem to have been here longer than Flandre. There's no light switch either-Yup, defiantly longer than Flandre. Upon reaching the top, she can see vast piles of old furniture, books, and other things that are probably best left unexplored. Here and there are little patches of floor, and there's a large window where the sun is coming in. Better avoid that-But it does have a semi-decent view of the clock tower. Ah well.
Alright. What to do now? The floor's a little too dirty to play Star Wars, and she's not wanted until three. Ah well, lets try and see what we can find.
About half an hour later, she's found three different board games, an old tea set, a doll that walks forward and bows when you wind it's spring, three different cookbooks, and a large suitcase that she's now desperately trying to open. It must have something interesting inside, since it rattles a bit when she shakes it.
At last she gives up and just goes kyu on the locks. It opens, to her triumph-Out falls three pairs of underwear, a couple of papers, and a maid dress that seems considerably less fashionable than the one Sakuya(And come to think of it, most of the fairys) wears. Why, it looks like the boring old uniform maids before Sakuya used to wear, the kind of uniform that signaled ?Workhouse girl?. Hmm, this is boring. Then again, most clothes are, save ballroom gowns. She picks up the papers, only they aren't papers, they're photographs of some oriental country. The back has some weird writing in Chinese or something, and they all seem to be various pictures of an eastern family. Hmm, these are pretty. She'll keep them, she decides, stuffing them into a pocket of her dress,
The books is probably written in Chinese, too, but she takes a look anyway. Maybe it's got oriental pictures to look at. The cover is blank, is it a library book? But no, she can't see any dedication as she skims past the first page, and-
Oh, it's a diary.
Normally, Flandre wouldn't read another persons diary since they are often boring(Not always) and it's kinda mean, though whoever had this is probably long dead, so it can't hurt anyone, can it? The date for the first page reads ?1872?.
6 August 1872
Hi hi. My name, Sakula. I be english lady soon. Father and mother is on same boat and me. My english talking not unbad yet. I learn soon.
Huh. The handwriting is kinda neat, but a grammar teacher would cry. This is shaping up to be rather interesting, so Flandre continues. It seems to be a diary about a girl who calls herself ?Sakula? and ?Sakura?(Is it so hard to decide on one spelling?), who's moved to england from Japan and is learning english, and meets friends and stuff like that. Flandre yawns and flips a few pages forward, and ?Sakula? is being a lady and meeting friends and things like that. A little like Flandre at that age, except for the whole ?vampire? thing.
7 May 1873
I meet a nice girl today! Her name, Remilia. She's a little older than me, but we got along splendidly. She's not a native to England, either.
Oh, so this girl knew her sister. It warms Flandre's heart just a tiny little bit to know, since ?Sakula? is starting to feel a little more like a friend she might have known. The entries are sometimes short, well, most of them are short, but the longer parts make ?Sakula? seem more human, alive. She must have been a fun person, judging from her thoughts on the world and the occasional fairy tales that pop up now and then about everyday objects in her life.
Remilia starts being featured in more and more of the entries. Flandre feels a little sad about the fact that she can't remember a ?Sakula? from the many friends Remilia kept around her. Then again, they both led pretty different lives, Remilia having to take care of expenses and find a way to make money, and Flandre being a little girl who disliked having her wings tied down and often had to leave her sister alone so as to not disturb her.
8 December 1874
Mother's fever is growing worse. I hope she'll be alright, father never leaves her side these days. I didn't mention it, but the doctor came past the other day. He says we're best off sending her to a sanatorium, but father's business hasn't improved, and we don't have the money.
12 December 1874
I've arrived back from mothers funeral. Father isn't taking it well, and he's told me I'm the lady of the house now, so it's my job to be head of the servants. We can't even afford to keep servants anymore, but I'll do my best to keep the house clean.
14 February 1875
I've been wondering if I should throw out father's wine bottles or not.
It makes him terribly cross to drink, and he hits me. Plus, he always ruins some sort of furniture. Ugh, he gets cross if I throw it out, too. Whatever should I do...
On a brighter note, I clicked the pocket watch twice next to a couple of flowers, and they havn't wilted yet. Strange. I'll have to show Remilia later.
15 May 1875
The flowers still haven't wilted, I'm going to use them for father's funeral. It won't be a terribly festive occasion, but at he's with mother now. I don't know if I hope for her to be cross with him for all the times he drank and hit me, or if I want them both to be happy. Whatever happens, I hope they'll watch over me.
..Oh.
Luckily, the diary isn't over yet, but Flandre has her suspicions judging from the maid uniform. Please don't die yet, Saku-whatever..
20 May 1875
I'm off to the workhouse to-morrow. I didn't tell Remilia- She's better off knowing me as the young, wealthy merchants daughter rather than the young orphan who's off to become a maid. I hope they let me keep the diary, as everything else has been pawned off. At least I still have my pocketwatch.
...Oh, dear.
Flandre dries her eyes with the back of her hand. She once knew a tweeny-maid who'd told her just enough about the workhouse to know that it was a terrible place indeed, and that no child should ever want to go there. ?Well it's better than prostitution, or that's what they say..? And she'd looked wistfully out the window while Flandre wondered what ?prostitution? meant.
The rest of the entries are, well..
It goes pretty badly, the head maids are scary and it seems Sakula isn't regarded as human in the workhouse. Then she gets her pocketwatch taken away, just after she'd learnt how to stop time. Then the entries stop being cheerful and it feels like someone else is writing them, even though the handwriting is the same. She skims through some pages and they all start looking alike, like Sakula does the same things every day. The longest entry for most of the remaining pages makes Flandre want to cry:
11 November 1876
I'm no longer a person.
I've noticed that I'm starting to lack compassion, and whenever I see a child cry I usually get a feeling I'd like to smack it and say ?Well, that's life, kid!? but that's started to dissapear, too. I'm no longer interested in people or friends, and frankly, I don't think I'm capable of having friends or family anymore. I can laugh coldly at anything, but I can't exactly get a feeling that makes me laugh or cry. Just dulled down fragments of what was once emotions.
I've started learning how to throw knives, since thats the only weapon I've got any kind access to. Initally, I hoped I'd be able to knife my way out of here, but then I'd get wanted for murder and even if I did get out, I wouldn't have any way to sustain myself as a wanted woman. After all, I am a useless maid who's unable to do anything but cook and clean, that's what they've been telling me everyday and I'm starting to belive it.
No, no, no..
Flandre is now sobbing uncontrolably. The fact that this girl, the girl who was happy and trying to see the best in things just a few pages ago, is..
She has to read this through. She has to see what happens. Sorry that's she's reading Sakula's diary, but, this..
Most of the text is just everyday, mundane tasks mixed with comments about dinner, and Sakula's stopped keeping track of the date. She skims a bit more, until she comes to the very last, and longest entry.
1878
I went to work today, and I was sent to a house to clean for the first time. I met a person I couldn't remember, but her name was Remilia. I thought she must be humouring me; She hadn't aged a day. She took me into her parlour and asked me to sit down and have a cup of tea. I followed her orders, since I didn't want to get a mark on reputation and get punished for it later.
We talked a little. She asked me what I'd been doing, and she's offered me a permanent position, as long as I fullfilled her criteria: Change my name and not grow old. I've been given a new pocketwatch as my first salary, and I've been given the position of ?head maid? for as long as I live, or at least for as long as I feel like.
I hope I don't let her down. Reading back on all things I've written and done, it seems I'm no longer the little girl she knew. I hope she accepts me regardless, and since I don't recall how to be a friend, I'll do my best as her maid instead.
So from now on, my name is Sakuya Izayoi.
...Oh, dear.
It was Sakuya all along?
Flandre wipes her tears away with her sleeve. She's never liked Sakuya, but she hasn't out-right hated her, either. It's just that Sakuya's been awfully strict, and has always been a nuisance in Flandre's eyes. Most maids let you sneak past them because they don't hear you, only Sakuya has exceptional skills, and getting past her to the cookie jar was near impossible. Especially if she had instructions to wait until supper. She's never really treated Sakuya nicely, either- Grudgingly respected her, yes, but being kind was different altogether.
She quickly puts the things back into the suitcase where she found them, and ventures further, after making a silent promise to be nicer to Sakuya. Ah, what about the time? She glances quickly out of the widnow, and-
Wow, it's night already!? And the moon is all red.. It kinda looks like someone dipped it in blood. But it's only 3:10.. Aw, darn it.
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Wait... 3:10?
Oh, bugger-all, I'm late!
Hehe.
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What a coincidence. Just two nights ago I started working on writing about Sakuya's backstory and the events of her life before EoSD, and then I see this.
Dammit, stop stealing my ideas! :derp:
Anyway, great job as usual. Looking forward to how Flandre's going to react to Sakuya next time she sees her.
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Awww, these updates are just so cute! Then the diary part made me think :ohdear: then I read the name and It clicked in properly and I thought it was sad but lovable.
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Oh, right.
Patchouli told her it would be sunny today, and Patchouli's rarely wrong. She drops her attitude and turns her gaze downward.
?..But it's sunny.?
Remilia grins with a smile that seems to know more than it lets on, and answers: ?No. It will not.?
I think I know where this is headed.
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Aaaand by the end of the chapter, the realization of what Remilia's remark about it not going to be sunny meant hit me like a freight train.
still, this raises a number of questions regarding Flandre's abilities, most notably "Four of a Kind"...
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I pretty much figured out what it was gonna be right away. :smug:
But yeah, cute.
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The beggining of the Scarlet Mist Incident, huh? Anyway, keep writing onegai!
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This is so much win. I thought I was the only person that believed in a sane Flandre. <3
I love how you manage to portray her as childlike, yet still more mature than everyone else would want to think she is. Her reading Sakuya's diary was very heartwarming and sad. Sakuya's story is heartbreaking and to see Flandre cry because of it and vow to be nicer to Sakuya is great. Really shows that Flandre IS growing up and maturing.
I just loved how she kyu'd the tutor too. That was completely justified and Flandre should have gotten a jar of cookies for that. Cirno also deserved to explode for the crap she was saying. <3
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She runs towards the door, nearly trips over the stairs, and reaches the corridor before noticing that something feels -wrong-.
It's not that she can't see any maids as she walks down the corridors, it's the fact that they're all lying around, resting or just being disemboweled. One of them is leaning against the wall, still standing.
?What happened?? Flandre demands to know. She's second-in-command in this house, after all(Ok, maybe fourth after Sakuya and Patchouli).
The fairy looks at her and tenses up a bit.
?Y-young mistress..! It, it was so sudden...? She's got a desperate look in her eyes. ?She, she took us all by waving her stick!?
...Stick?
Flandre's eyes narrow. Right, sure. A stick did them in. But the look in the fairy's eyes and the destruction caused urges her to belive that perhaps it's a very powerfull, magic stick- A wand, yeah. Let's say it's a wand. Fairys aren't that smart.
?Who was it? Did you see it??
The fairy avoids her gaze for a moment, before swallowing and looking into her eyes, ?The, red, she was, re..? The fairys voice trails off, and the expression in her face is suddendly that of a man who has led a long life of crime and villainy, and is now being judged in front of Saint Peter.
?Red-white.? It's barely a whisper, but the fear in her voice is imminent.
Ok. She had red-white clothes. Ok. Flandre will just have to look out, then. She's pretty certain she could kyu her if needed, but if she really is that fast... A shiver runs down her spine. She might be able to defend herself, sure, but this does feel scary.
The fairy starts breathing heavily, and Flandre notices the pained expression on her cheeks. ?You wanna stay here??
?No.? The fairy shakes her head frantically. ?I'll be gone.. Soon.? She smiles weakly. ?But please remember, to.. Use the force, Luke...?
The fairy collapses, and Flandre taker the opportunity to walk away, slowly. Didn't she recognize that fairy, now that she thinks about it? Oh, right- That's the fairy that brings her and Patchouli snacks whenever they're watching Star Wars- She'd been very surprised at first, over the idea that not only were the movies in colour, but people talked, actually talked, instead of just showing black cards with white text on them. The fairy seemed quite used to them, and Patchouli did say something about Flandre being ?More intelligent company?.
Ah, well. Let's try and find Remilia. Yeah, let's find Remilia. She'll protect Flandre, like always. Flandre swallows and walks over towards the room where her sister is, passing through hordes of disemboweled and unconscious fairys in the process. If she were a sissy lady, she'd probably scream or something, but, pah. Everybody knows real ladies don't do that. She's seen her sister walk through what seemed like a sea of blood and still keep her dignity.
When she at last reaches the room where her sister is, she forgets to knock and runs in. Remilia's pacing uneasily back and forth between the table and the wall, what's wrong? Did Flandre take too long time, is she worried about that? Flandre hopes she's not too mad.
Remilia turns around sharply, her eyes are bloodshot and her face looks almost like the time Flandre lost her wings; ?There you are, Flandre, thank the gods.? She looks kinda scary, and Flandre can sense the desperation in her voice. ?Ok, now let's take you back to the basement.?
?What happened?? Flandre tilts her head, making Remilia even more agitated. ?The picnic is canceled. Come along, now.? She places her hands on Flandre's shoulders, and leads her towards the door.
?What's wrong??
?Nothing. Nothing, nothing, nothing at all, why..? Her voice trails off as she opens the door and ushes Flandre out, keeping her grip firm. This is getting kinda scary, since not even Remilia seems to be able to manage whatever is running through the corridors. Or, maybe she's just scared ?it? will attack Flandre. Remilia can take any danger in the world, but if it's attacking Flandre, that makes it different altogether. She was once out on the streets in London after that lady's kidney had been mailed to the police, and Remilia had some-how managed to stay up all night until she came home. She really didn't understand that time, was it that much of a deal? It wasn't like every girl got killed just like that for being out late.
...............
Are, thank you for all the feedback. ^^
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I don't know whether to say I was expecting this or not.
Regardless, I look forward to the rest.
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Rut-roh, shit just got reeeeeeeeeeal~
Also I liked the Star Wars fairy.
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Darth Reimu?
(It's probably going to end up being a different red-white, though.)
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Also I liked the Star Wars fairy.
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Also I liked the Star Wars fairy.
Thirded.
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Also I liked the Star Wars fairy.
4th :3
Also, Darth Reimu sounds pretty awesome... what would that make Marisa?
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Palpatine? Or maybe the other way around?
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Palpatine = Yukari.
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Remilia eventually loosens her grip after a while, and seems considerably more relaxed when she sends Flandre down to the basement. Still, she hugs her and tells her not to go up, no matter what. Flandre's left worried and confused. Remilia doesn't hug her very often, what's this now? Isn't she coming back? Was she just that happy to see Flandre safe?
?Get some sleep, Flandre dear. And don't come up, whatever you do. Goodnight.?
Goodnight, Remilia. Please come back OK.
The door closes on Flandre, leaving her confused and sorta worried. Remilia will fix this, right? Remilia's the oldest, so she'll take care of Flandre, won't she? She always has. Yeah, she will. She will, she will. Flandre keeps telling herself that while pulling on her nightgown. She tries to think of
something else, when suddenly she hears brash, determined footsteps on the floor directly above her.
?Isn't it about time you showed yourself? Young lady!??
Young lady? She hopes they're not looking for her. They don't have any reason to, but what if they've killed- No, no, no. It can't be like that. She pulls the blanket around herself and listens harder.
?A hawk does not show its claws... ?
Ah, what a relief. Her sister's dainty, lady-like steps leave a faint ghost of an echo as she walks.
?You seem to have swapped your brains for 'em, ze.?
A third voice lacking footsteps calls out. It's a girl, but this one seems a tad less organized.
?Was that maid really human!??
It's the first voice. Now that she thinks about it, it does sound very cool and a little short of emotion. Ah, Sakuya! Hopefully, she's managed to tire the two voices out a notch. Sakuya is very good at fighting. Flandre's experienced that first hand when they were out traveling through the countryside, and Sakuya fought off several highwaymen. She's a little reassured as she remembers Sakuya's cool pose, knifes gliding through the air like little birds.
?Are you the murderer?? Her sister asks, somewhat indifferently.
It takes Flandre a moment to register this statement. Who's died? It can't be-
It can't possibly be Sakuya, can it!?
Well, it can't be Patchouli, or Koa, or what if it is?
After she just got to know about Sakuya and all...
It's hard not be worried when you're nine years old and can't help your only sister in the whole world fight some people intent on destroying your lives for no reason whatsoever.
She grabs teddy and hugs him so tight the sawdust might come out. The voices are still talking, but she's too scared to listen, and she wishes someone like her mother would comfort her, only mother is not here and hasn't been for a very long time. It's a wonder Flandre even remembers her, and she hasn't been able to fully recall what her face looks like for many years.
She bunches up to the pillow as close as possible and pretends as hard as she can that it really is mother, and she's still gonna grow up someday, and automobiles won't be invented for another two or three or five hundred years. It's awfully hard to sleep with the echoes of bullets being shot just above your head, but somehow, the peaceful sound of an Erhu reaches her ears from some place faraway. No, the Erhu is there because she needs it, probably. Maybe, just maybe, someone is playing it for her sake.
China's face pops up in her mind, she's not the same as mother but she'll have to do for now, Flandre thinks, and somehow manages to reach dreamland through a gloomy and slow-moving maze of bullets.
?....
The next morning is very bright.
Well, she can see the sun coming in through the basement window, and she's a little afraid that it might engulf the room, rendering her unable to get out of bed(Ok, so it only happened once, and Remilia had the mirror taken away almost intermediately, but still..), and teddy's fallen onto the floor, too.
She walks up to get him, before she notices that there are no clothes waiting for her-Oh, right. Yesterday, and Sakuya is..
She sighs and then remembers the large fight that went on. She hopes Remilia won, she really does. What if she, too..? No, no, no. It can't be like that. It simply can't. Flandre will have to go up and look. And then she'll find sister there, won't she? She will, right?
...Right?
Sigh. She'll just have to see what's happened for herself. Deep breath, and walk out. It's a little strange to just wear her nightgown, but it'll just have to do, since she hasn't got a closet or some sort of place to store her clothes.
Upstairs is actually kinda warm. It's very quiet, too- The maids aren't bustling around as usual, and she can't hear any of Koa's awful morning whistling(Patchouli usually has breakfast in the library). She fears the worst for a few moments before picking herself up. She has to think positive! Remilia's not the kind of person to lose like that. And surely, nobody knows about Patchouli in the library, right? That's right. It's impossible, isn't it?
She stops just outside the kitchen door. Where does she recognize that smell from...?
Why, it's porridge. Not good porridge, either. It's the ?Super-elegant-we-don't-have-a-maid-right-now? porridge, the one and only dish Remilia knows how to cook. And boy, is it terrible..
Well, at least it's a good sign. Flandre perks up and opens the door, only to see her sister dressed in a nightgown, just like she is. Not only that, the nightgowns also stained and oh my, is she standing on a wooden crate?
?Good morning, Remilia!?
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The cuteness of this story is becoming extremly dangerous. I'm really curious as to what went on/the aftermath.
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What Odda said. I read a while ago, but I couldnt think of the words. Its like the calm after the storm here.
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Congratulations. I now have diabetes.
Really want to see what happens next.
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Meeep. ^^;
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^-^ great story. I am honestly left a bit confused on what to think. The Flan-chan thoughts make me fear the worst about Sakuya and the others, but at the same time, Remilia cooking makes me think that Sakuya was just to tired and Remilia is just filling in. Plus, her cooking means she's ok.
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I think I'll just leave
THIS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMPQWjb0rZo)
here~
OH DAMMIT I watched the entire thing myself now I'm crying
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She turns her head slowly, as if she were undead(Technically she is). Flandre half-expects her to turn it 180 degrees, why, her face even looks like one of the undead. Did an undead take her place, or is she just really really cranky? Flandre hopes for the latter.
?Good morning.? Remilia answers in a dis amused tone. She's got large, black rings under her eyes, and her stare could pierce right through a kitten.
Should she wait until her undead sister has returned to the living? Since she's cooking, it must mean they don't have a maid anymore. Flandre sighs.
Sakuya's been around for a while. It's hard to think of ?home? without picturing Sakuya, she belongs in whatever home they live in for the time being along with the teddy and the large funeral wagon(Remilia's preferred carriage). It's been a bit hard to belive, but she really has been a kid, too. Or, rather, she's a human being. Flandre used to have the suspicion that the perfect maid was really a very sophisticated piece of automata.
?Make yourself usefull.?
Remilia walks over to her and gives her a cup marked ?Sakuya? in small dark letters. Right. She won't be needing this anymore, will she? It's hot and filled with tea. Actually, it looks more like water mixed with hot water with some tea leaves thrown in as an afterthought, but then again, Remilia made it.
The chef, who's currently pouring the must have noticed her confused expression.
?That's not for you. Carry it. I can't find a tray.?
Uh, hasn't she always said this is the servants job...
A thought suddendly strikes her; What if the people last night conquered the mansion? Are they servants now? It's just a thought, but it's a scary one. And she hasn't seen any evidence to prove otherwise yet. Either way, she can't ask Remilia. She's scary at this time of the day.
?Get going.? Oh, right. She's probably supposed to be the tweeny-maid, then.
The corridors are mostly empty, save for the occasional fairy-gunk lying here and there. She takes care not to trip, lest she meets Remilia's wrath. They stop in front of a door marked ?servants quarters?. Right, of course. This is where they'll be eating from now on, isn't it...
Remilia opens the door with her free hand, and strangely enough, it's just a single semi-large room.
Why, there are even a few posters for the opera on the walls, and a semi-large piano near the window. A large bookshelf sits in one corner, and there's a strange contraption that Patchouli's referred to as a ?radio?, only it looks kinda small. And there aren't any earphones attatched, either.
?Sakuya, we brought you breakfast.?
It's Sakuya! She's alive! Well, she doesn't look that healthy, since she's lying in bed and her hair isn't tied up. It just doesn't look like her without the braids, does it..
?Good morning, milady.? Her voice is weak and kinda hoarse. On closer inspection, it looks more like a knocked-out oriental princess than a perfect maid, even though her nose is red and her eyes watery. She reminds Flandre of how her mom used to look when she told the Scarlet sisters to ?stay away, if you want mommy to feel better.? Maybe it's best not to talk to her right now.
?Hey, I'm not your lady today! You're sick, and we're friends, so I'm taking care of you, since the maids are out cold.? Remilia nearly explodes, but manages to keep her dignity in the end. Well, what little she has left of it, stained nightgown and all.
They seem to talk for a little while, though it's mostly Remilia scolding Sakuya for not taking care of her health, ?If you were sick you should have taken the day off! We all thought you died, y'know!?
Flandre's got a large load dropped off of her chest. Remilia is one of those people who just can't manage without a maid, so this explains it all. She still has no idea what happened last night, though she suspects the fairys will be gone for a little while longer, before they regenerate. Intrerrupting Remilia to ask about it at this point would be rude- She's got some manners left, after all, and Remilia's really not in the best of moods.
Someone knocks at the door. Her sister motions for her to open it, after receiving approval from Sakuya.
?Good mornin', Sakuya!?
It's Meiling, and she's carrying a basket in her hand. The basket does smell pretty good, and Flandre suspects she's got food tucked away in there.
Meiling stops as she notices Remilia, Flandre, and the expression on Remilia's face.
?Hello, mistress! Hiyas, Flandre!? She smiles even wider and waves. Boy, is Flandre glad to see her. ?China!?
Sakuya sighs. ?Oh, it's you.?
?Yeppers! Ah brought yas some food, too.? She smiles, oblivious to Sakuya's sarcasm and Remilia's glare.
There is silence for a few moments while Remilia contemplates the glue-like substance residing in a bowl, comparing the vomit-like smell to the nice, hot spicy eastern dish China's been making.
She looks like she might cry. Well, she's usually very good at hiding those kinds of feelings, only this whole morning has been a disaster, first waking up to find no clothes since the fairys haven't been able to wash, then having to deal with a sick maid who's pusing herself too hard, then making her stay in bed so her cold won't worsen, then go up to fail several recepies before resigning herself to the only dish she knows how to cook, and finally for once one single thing seems to go right only for China to come in with-
Sakuya breaks the silence before Remilia has the chance to break down.
?That's kind of you, Meiling, but my throat is weak and I don't think I would be able to stomach anything more solid than porrige.? She nods towards Remilia, who immediately smiles. ?However, I do know that the young mistresses are both very hungry and would probably cough benefit more from your cooking skills.?
Meiling shows a slightly confused expression before nodding.
?Alrighty, then. C'mon, I'll set the table.?
Remilia smiles even wider. Flandre quickly puts the tea on the bedstand before following her sister, who soon takes the lead over China. She's the young mistress of the house, after all.
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Are, this took time. @.@ I've been sick., and I have school, so yeah.
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D'awww. Poor Remilia, can't get anything to go right, today.
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D'aaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
On a technical note, though, I would suggest using a spellchecker. Or you can do like I do and type it up in Word or something before copying it here. And the cough inserted in the middle of Sakuya's dialogue was a bit awkward.
Other than that, nicely done. I do wonder how she got a cold after being beaten up by Reimu and Marisa, but hopefully that'll be cleared up.
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So many unanswered questions!
I'm suprised she's ill, I expecting more beaten up. unless shes just ill from overexerting herself or something.
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Sakuya only lost cause she was sick, couldn't you tell?
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Why is this topic dead? :'(
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Holy cow... I just hope that it's something like writers block or that Wriggle is just busy, and not something worse :ohdear:
Come on Flan-chan~ :D
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D'aaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
On a technical note, though, I would suggest using a spellchecker. Or you can do like I do and type it up in Word or something before copying it here. And the cough inserted in the middle of Sakuya's dialogue was a bit awkward.
Other than that, nicely done. I do wonder how she got a cold after being beaten up by Reimu and Marisa, but hopefully that'll be cleared up.
Well, I am using OpenOffice'sword program, but I guess a few errors slip thorugh.. ^^;; And, yeah, I'm aware about the coughing. I just don't know how to write it any other way.
Thanks for the critique! And, well, I guess she just overworked herself while in a fragile state, and ended up faintingorsomething like that.
Holy cow... I just hope that it's something like writers block or that Wriggle is just busy, and not something worse :ohdear:
Come on Flan-chan~ :D
Don't worry. ^^ I'm just busy with school, bu I hope to continue this fanfic when I have time. :)
(..And I hope ou guys are OK with one hinted-at backround pairing)
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(..And I hope ou guys are OK with one hinted-at backround pairing)
FlanxMeiling, OTP
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FlanxMeiling, OTP
With how awesome she is being as is, it would be more accurate to say FlanxSDM OTP :D
Whatever OTP means :V
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With how awesome she is being as is, it would be more accurate to say FlanxSDM OTP :D
Whatever OTP means :V
OTP= One True Pairing
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It's a little weird, eating breakfast like this again, just Flandre and Remilia in the kitchen. They don't even have Meiling with them, since she's taking over Sakuya's duties today and has to clean up the entiere mess, at least until the maids get back.
It's not like they can't use the dining-hall, but Remilia just wouldn't have it. ?No, no, no. We're not even properly dressed, the maids might respawn and I'd hate for them to see us like this.? Frankly, Flandre wouldn't mind it if she was seen in her nightgown(It's got a very cute bunny embroidered on the skirt), but whatever her sister says, goes. Ah, well. She doesn't mind the kitchen, either.
?...So.?
Remilia looks up from her plate. She's still grumpy, but Flandre's not so stupid as to point that out right now.
?What??`Flandre answers, trying to sound as un-annoying as possible. The last thing she'd want to do is put her sister into a temper, since that's always ended with tears for long.
?About yesterday. You're wondering, aren't you??
It seems Remilia just wants this to be over with so she can go do big-sister-things and make Flandre leave her alone for a while. She usually does when she's using this weird, not-yet-uncranky tone.
?Y-yeah.? Flandre has to admit, she is curious, and maybe a little excited, too.
?Well, I was going to take you on a picnic.? Yeah, Flandre is a little disappointed, now that she thinks about it. ?Only the weather sucked, so I cast a spell to fix that.? Remilia can do magic? Cool! ?And then some shitty police-maiden or something had to but in and ruin it all, 'cause apparently this place runs on the same rules as Bedlam house..? Flandre's heard of Bedlam house. If you were bad, you could get sent there, and it was really awful, her friends said, and Beth should know 'cause her brother worked there.
?OK...?
The smaller vampire, who still has absolutely no idea what's going on, feels a little uneasy right now. Remilia is still a little scary, though probably, hopefully harmless.
?You may leave the table.?
Flandre usually never has to ask her sister about that kind of thing, but her older sister's crass tone strongly implies that Flandre should leave her alone right now, and she couldn't agree more.
She hops up and dashes for the library. Maybe Patchouli's in a good mood today, and maybe the police or whatever left her alone, though she hasn't seen Koa, so that might not be very likely.
The hallway leading towards the locked girl's secret room looks pretty smashed up. It's like a big Tyrannosaurus Rex ran on a rampage through the hall, possibly being chased by five hundred horses or something along those lines.
She remembers a friend who's names escapes her, who used to play ?Skeleton-Dinosuars-coming-to-life-and-killing-the-museum? with her. It's really been a while since she played pretend with someone, hasn't it?
?Gao, Grrr!? She growls as she puts one heavy foot in front of the other and puts her hands close to her body, like a Celeophysis. Sadly, it's not that much fun without anyone to play with, she realizes as the wall just won't turn into scenery, and the (smashed)potted plants don't exactly make a great jungle.
The door looks scorched, to say the least. Actually, it looks like someone just tried burning it up before kicking it in, and the fact that it's still on it's hinges is a wonder to say the least.
She opens the door. It's not like knocking would accomplish anything, seeing as the library is so big.
?Hello, I'm here-Woah!?
A book just narrowly misses her head as it flies past. It's not that weird to her anymore- She's grown used to the fact that Patchouli is the kind of magician you'd read about in storybooks- But she didn't expect to see the library in this sort of condition.
The large, majestic bookcases seem to have fallen, and the room(for some reason, it's illuminated for once) seems sort of empty without them. Piles and piles of books are constantly being re-piled and relocated, floating and turning corners on their own, and in the center of it all, on top of a small tower of books, stands Patchouli, only it doesn't look like Patchouli.
?Winggardium Leviosa! Levitera thill tik w?rldslig plats!?
With one sweeping gesture, a large row of blue books sails over to one bookshelf, replacing a bunch of red book that quickly change places with a green-blue pile. The magician looks like a noble hero who's setting everything back into it's rightful place, no, not hero, the correct word would probably be godess or demi-god, and whoever did this to her small but perfect world is going to pay very dearly.
?...Wauuu..?
But Patchouli doesn't notice her. She seems too absorbed in her work to notice her young pupil, who's admiring the spectacle with curiosity and excitement. Koa comes running up to her through the debris, taking care to duck and occasionally jump over books.
?Oh, good afternoon!? She sighs exasperatedly. Her cheeks are really red and puffy, as if she's been running a lot.
?Hi.? Flandre answers, still mesmerized by the magician's display of her craft.
?Sorry, Patchouli's a little busy, so she can't teach you right now..? Koa puts a finger to her lips. ?I guess I could entertain you for a while, from what I've seen it seems she got to the rest of the mansion, too, so I guess everyone else is busy cleaning up..?
?Who's she?? Is it one of those people from yesterday?
?Min sv?vare ?r full med ?lar!?
Patchouli's voice is kinda loud.
?Eh, well..? Koa's voice trails off. She motions for Flandre to follow her as they walk away from the center of the library, towards a small area enclosed by means of bookshelves where a low table and some furniture await them. The chairs look really fluffy- Flandre nearly jumps into one. Koa is a little more lady-like.
?About yesterday, yes..? A faint blush appears on her cheeks as she sits down.
?Well, a witch darted in, and demanded to know about the moon and why it was red. And then we fought for about one hour until Patchouli was defeated and demanded she have tea here, since they for some reason seem to share a hobby.? She nods towards a pile of old magic books. ?And then her friend busted in and rescued her or something like that, and as for whatever happened upstairs, I have no idea but I hope you're not to blame.?
Ah, so it was a witch who also wondered about the moon, and her friend came to rescue her- Hey! This finally makes sense! After all, it would be a little weird of there were only magicians like Patchouli here, and they are pretty rich after all, so of course people would wonder.
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Don't worry, I'll be writing about the Ex-boss-Flandre incident, too. :) I just hope I can do the epic fight scene justice.
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Further evidencing the fact that Reimu is a giant-ass bitch. :V
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Yeah, Reimu's a bluh-bluh-huge-bitch for trying to stop Remilia from perpetually covering the land in a red mist that would prevent sunlight from etc. Points of view, dudebro. ;)
But yeah, glad to see the next part of this!
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You do an amazing job giving the characters their personalities. This is one of the best fan fictions I've ever seen.
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Winggardium Leviosa!
:V
Sensing quite a busted broken prides here. Glad to see this continue!
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It's amazing how you describe Flandre as not insane, but just a little girl. keep it coming!
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It's amazing how you describe Flandre as not insane, but just a little girl. keep it coming!
Not insane, but just a little girl - with a very destructive power. Gotta keep that in mind.
When you have that combination, don't you think it's easy for people to jump to conclusions and claim she's insane? She's just a kid, after all. What happens if you had a kid a flamethrower without telling them what it does? Insanity, that's what.
Poor Flandre. She just wants to be happy with her sister :<
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Awww, so the Scarlet Mist incident occurred because Remi was just looking out for Flan. :3
I just had the pleasure of reading through your entire fanfic for the first time. I loved it, and it was very well-written. You certainly gave Flan an extra helping of HNNNNNGGGG-. I wonder how Flan's gonna get her danmaku skills up to speed (to a point that even surpasses Remi) before she faces off against the red-white.
I look forward to reading what happens next! :]
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Well done! I've just gotten through this, and (as with most people here it seems) I much prefer Flandre characterised this way. And it was nice having some backstory for Sakuya too.
Also, What the HELL Cirno? :(
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Can't last a whole 10 days.. I'm about to start continuing this myself. But then, of course, when the next chapter did come out, I'd be put to shame. :ohdear:
Edit: Read my next comment.
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And after getting 1/5 through that 'Baby Boomers' one, I don't think I want to read any other but this one. o_O (No offense to its author. =X)
Comments like that really don't need to be verbalized. If you don't like a certain writer's style or the direction of a fic, keep it to yourself. There are plenty of other stories in PSL to choose from; use the Summary thread to read brief little synopses on each fic here to find another one to read if you don't want to read what's one the first few pages.
I understand the sentiment, as sometimes even I can't finish reading something without wincing, but like I said; you don't need to say things like that. Even if you mean no offense, the effect that can have on the writer in question is tremendous. It's already hard enough for a lot of the authors here to work up the nerve to actually write something, let alone post it here for others to read.
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Yeah, I thought that looked a little.. wrong, before I posted it. Should've said more. I didn't mean in any way that it was bad, it was honestly better than I could do(I can't do details..). It's just my opinion that I like serious ones over parodies or etc. It was still good and funny, it did make me laugh.. And the amount that was written shows enough dedication to know the author's trying, anyways.
"No offense" was my lazy way of saying it was good, I just didn't want to read it. (E.G. I don't want to read 95% of the books in my school library, but I'm not calling any of them bad.) Just take my quote out if you want.. I'm supposed to be the good guy. :(
I never call other peoples' work bad, I really should've worded that differently in the first place. :ohdear:
On topic again, I'm still trying to get my brother to read this. He's dead-set that reading this would be "Doing me a favor" and I would "owe him" if he did read it. :/
People commenting on Flandre destroying things, killing 'lots' of people and being crazy in general's been added to my list of things that make me sigh out loud since I've read this. I definitely take this as the real Flandre over the "Insane kill-for-fun feeling-less 'basement freak'" that everyone else ignorantly believes.
Really, can anyone read all of this and not completely love Flandre?
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Good job! Love Flandre more now :3
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Oh my ******* god, this fiction is perfect!
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Ah, thank you so much for all the nice comments.. My social skills have been improving, so I'm a little worried how I should acknowledge them so as to not seem impolite... I hope you guys can bear with me. I'm happy to know my writing style is tolerable, my confidence in it has gone up and down.
Anyways, I've had school+writers block+terrible schedule, but I'll try and continue this. BTW: I do have an end in sight, and maybe an extra chapter or two after that. But I'll do my best to try and make it as EPIC as possible.
Also: Cirno is Cirno, and you'll see her some more.
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?Oh, OK.? Flandre nods. Koa perks up, happy to finally have that out of the way.
?I'll read you a book, but I don't know many good books for children...?
The rest of the day is spent listening to Koa read her some tragedy that ends happily, with lots of swordfights and dinosaurs. It's actually really nice, living like this, she thinks after Koa pats her head and sends her off to dinner. Sakuya's waiting with the meal, and Remilia is lot nicer now that she's dressed. Even so...
She stares wistfully at the window, where the sun is setting and perhaps one day she'd like to go there, beyond the sky and see if there really are men on the moon, like in that old movie.
Remilia catches her staring, and sighs sadly. Flandre averts her gaze, yes, she knows. She's not allowed, shouldn't even be thinking about flying or going outside for long, and especially not without Sakuya or Meiling. Yet for some reason, Remilia turns her face towards the window, too. Only she's looking towards the sun and has to look away really quickly. Their eyes meet briefly, and Flandre realizes that maybe, just maybe, she's not the only one stuck indoors.
.............................................................
Today, Flandre is alone again.
She's used to being lonely, but being lonely and nobody being home are two completely different things. Right now, there's nobody for her to play with, Remilia, China, and Sakuya are out on business, and Patchouli's not in the mood for spending time with anyone(save Koakuma, who occasionally runs into the kitchen covered in ash, slime, or somekind of dark sludge).
This wouldn't be so bad, usually. There's cookies in the parlor, books on the shelves, and a nice big attic to explore in a worst-case scenario. Sadly, none of this sounds very appealing right now, for some reason. She's gotten some new Pokemon cards, but noone has time to play with her. She'd suggest for someone to play dinosaurs with her, but everyone is grown up and that would feel weird. Even Remilia doesn't seem to wanna play with her these days, and Patchouli can't always be bothered. Koakuma will read her things if she asks, but she's really busy usually and has Patchouli to look after(Last time she left Patchouli alone, she'd returned to find a dark hole in the trash-can, and nobody was very keen on that).
She was usually happy just being able to run and play by herself like this, but it's getting a little boring. Of course, China plays with her whenever, it's just that she's really busy these days- Apparently, there's a person who keeps breaking in. Flandre hasn't seen her yet, but she hopes she can someday. She's never seen a real burglar before! If she waits by the front door, maybe she can catch the criminal?
So she sits down and waits, and waits.
Today is not one of those days, it seems. And waiting isn't very fun, especially not on her own.
If she could maybe leave and go sit with China someday, that would be nice, but she's not allowed to because the sunlight gives her sunburn, and she's not allowed to leave the house without Remilia.
She stands up and is about to leave when someone starts knocking on the door. No, no knocking- Banging would be a more appropriate word. Flandre stares, then does the first logical thing that comes into mind: Open the door.
It's very tempting not to go ?kyuu!? on the lock. Nevertheless, Flandre knows how to open the door. It's really hard, and she's not supposed to know how, really, but Meiling taught her anyway: ?If there's an emergency', an' y'need t' get out, Ah'm sure your sister would rather want y' alive and out 'stead of inside and dead.? After a little fiddling with the lock, the door opens, and Flandre hopes Remilia or someone they know isn't standing there.
She breathes a sigh of relief. No, it's no one from the household. Then her sigh turns into an annoyed growl as she sees exactly who has the very nerve to merely show herself.
A complete nuisance in a blue dress has planted her feet outside the Scarlet mansion's front door. Her head is tilted to the side, and she's tapping her foot impatiently, like she expected someone else to open the door. Flandre is not amused.
?It's you.? She says, glaring at the fairy, who seems just as annoyed as she is.
?What do you want?? The young mistress raises her eyebrow. Didn't she teach this fairy a lesson last time?
Cirno gets straight to the point. ?Hi. I'm bored. Since you're not allowed to blow me up, I wanna rematch.?
Oh. Well, that's tolerable: She'll just have to prove her power again, and hopefully Cirno won't bother her anymore. Except-Oh, yeah- No dueling inside the house.
?No. Not today.? She shakes her head vigorously. ?I'm not pansy or anything, though.?
The fairy smiles triumphantly: ?Aha! You're chicken!?
Flandre, who has no idea of what ?chicken? means in this context, sighs and shrugs and is just about to close the door before she notices a card with yellow borders sticking out of Cirno's pocket.
?Is that Pokemon??
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Hooray! Another update!
... oh dear, comedic misunderstandings incoming!
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Oh, my God, Flandre vs Cirno in a Pokemon card match?
This is brilliant! xD
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"What do I look like to you, a pokemon trainer..?"
This could be interesting. I wasn't expecting the pokemon cards, but I'd sure like to see how epic a pokemon card battle can be made.
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Yaaaaaaay update is here.
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I don't get why Flandre is pictured as 'insane' in many fanworks. This is what I pictured her as, and I love how she is.
I'll be waiting for some more. But... it hurts to wait...
And I'll take a bet that Cirno and FlanFlan would treat the Pokemon Card Battle as a real thing, well, Cirno at least.