Remilia Quest Dh?

[Oldmansour]

>"Hmm...Well, she does care for Hong, the Gatekeeper. It seems to be mostly professional though. Taking her in sometimes during the summer to save her from sunstroke and the like. The girl does need someone to keep an eye on her, and Sakuya seems to prefer doing it herself. It's likely just gestures of friendship, but that should suffice yes?"

>"There might be something deeper there, but I am not sure."

>Lust slowly runs a finger along her cheek in thought, then steals a glance at her Keeper. Tsumiko nods briefly. "Conference." The Sin spirit dissolves into a cloud of pink energy, which slithers forward and enters Tsumiko's body, the stripe on her face flashing pink as Lust enters her.
>Honoka seems surprised for a moment, then rights her face. "I assume that the two communicate better when in... contact with each other?" she asks the Countess.
>"Indeed. In this way, Tsumiko can have a true 'heart to heart' with the Sins."
>The Keeper in question looks at Reimu. "I think I'll need Sloth back as well. I'd like her input."
>Hakurei shrugs. "Yeah, fine, gimme a sec." she drawls before heading towards the southwest corner of the room. Where a giant ying yang orb rests, two bare feet sticking out from under it, an anklet wrapped around one of her legs. Reimu's brand of justice in action, it would seem.

>Celes returns as Reimu stops in front of the orb. "Sakuya has indeed returned to normal." she relays to you.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Tch, I'll need to startle her again to buy us some time. Was she still intent on keeping up with her foolishness?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Tch, I'll need to startle her again to buy us some time. Was she still intent on keeping up with her foolishness?"

>"I would assume so. She didn't say directly. But she did have a rather strange message she wanted me to convey to you."

[Hanzo K.]

>"And that would be?"

[Oldmansour]

>"And that would be?"

>Celes looks somewhat perplexed as she relates, "She said, 'Tell ojou-sama that, I can make imouto-sama whole.'"

[Hanzo K.]

>"!"
>No, we can't be swayed. We've already got another option.
>"...No, I can't be swayed. There's another option for that matter I plan on looking into."
>Let's beeline straight for Sakuya!

[Oldmansour]

>"!"
>No, we can't be swayed. We've already got another option.
>"...No, I can't be swayed. There's another option for that matter I plan on looking into."
>Let's beeline straight for Sakuya!

>Now that, you were not prepared for. The idea of Flandre being cured, and cured by Sakuya's hands, no less...
>But, no. No, not this way. It wouldn't really be Sakuya. Even IF that version of her COULD cure Flandre, you'd still have lost your Sakuya. And neither you nor your beloved little sister are willing to pay that price, you know her well enough to say that. There has to be a better way, one that lets you get everything you want.
>Celes can't hide her curiousity into your statement, but she doesn't get the chance to comment on it before you dash past her, giving the Steward barely any time to get out of the way. Credit to her reflexes, she does manage to evade you, but only by a matter of millimeters.
>It takes you somewhat less than two seconds to make the end of the hallway.... Right at the same time Youmu flies out from the right hand turn, just as you're about to make your left turn. Neither one of you even has enough opportunity to help before you crash into each other with a resounding *thud*. Youmu is not as soft as she is rumored to be.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Gah?!" Let's get back up and set her back on her feet too.
>Wait, what do we know about her? If she has an ability that could prove useful...!

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>Can't she, like, cut through ghosts or something? Maybe that'll work on spirits. Ask her about it!

[Oldmansour]

>"Gah?!" Let's get back up and set her back on her feet too.
>Wait, what do we know about her? If she has an ability that could prove useful...!

>Pulling yourself off the floor, you look down upon Youmu. She definitely got the worst of that exchange, as people often do when they bodycheck a vampire, accidentally or no. She is splayed against the wall of the corridor, looking like the impact knocked her silly. You give her a moment before hauling her back to her feet. You may have a use for her...
>You recall what you've seen her do, and what Sakuya has said of her abilities and skills. You know she has some form of time dilation ability herself, though as far as you know, she can only use it within the context of a danmaku battle. Patchy nicknamed it 'bullet time', for some reason. She's also a beast at danmaku, and her hand to hand skills are very, very good, which is rare for Gensokyo, but those abilities might not be all that useful in this context.

>Can't she, like, cut through ghosts or something? Maybe that'll work on spirits. Ask her about it!

>You believe that one of her swords has the ability to slay phantoms. And the other one is able to 'slash through human confusion', though you admit to not being entirely sure what that means.
>However, when you were confronting the Sloth-possessed Reimu earlier, Youmu claimed to be able to slash the Sin out of Reimu. To be fair, she didn't say she could do so without harming the shrine maiden. You did ask, but Sloth interrupted the conversation before Youmu could answer. So you take the opportunity to ask her again, now that you're alone.
>Youmu, for her part, seems merely confused. "I see I was beaten here. You've already defeated this Countess."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Actually, it turns out that she was not hostile. The Sin Spirits were acting on their own. And one of them... well, Pride tried to take Sakuya, and though this failed, I am still in danger of losing Sakuya."
>Explain the Sakuya/Pride situation.
>"You said earlier than you could cut Sloth from Reimu. Could you cut Pride from Sakuya? Quickly enough that Sakuya could not react, of course, as her time manipulation would allow her to escape."

[Oldmansour]

>"Actually, it turns out that she was not hostile. The Sin Spirits were acting on their own. And one of them... well, Pride tried to take Sakuya, and though this failed, I am still in danger of losing Sakuya."
>Explain the Sakuya/Pride situation.
>"You said earlier than you could cut Sloth from Reimu. Could you cut Pride from Sakuya? Quickly enough that Sakuya could not react, of course, as her time manipulation would allow her to escape."

>"Is that so?" Youmu replies. "What's the problem?"
>You start to fill in the blanks for the Netherworld gardener, but Celes's voice interrupts you as she calls out, "What happened?" The Keeper herself makes her way down the corridor. Her eyes fall upon Youmu. "Another servant of yours?" she asks you.
>Youmu steps forward. "I am the servant of Yuyuko-sama, and my name is Youmu Konpaku." she declares, somewhat indignantly.
>"Ah, my apologies." Celes answers with a small bow. "I am Celes d'Arquien, steward of the Keep."
>"Is it true what Scarlet-san said, that the Sins were causing trouble on their own?"
>"It is as she said." Celes confirms. "Due to an unfortunate accident, six of the seven Sins escaped from their Keeper. We've been trying to track them down ourselves, but our attempts thus far have failed. Hakurei-san told us of your efforts to remove Sloth from her. We appreciate your efforts, and apologize for any trouble or injury you incurred." she adds with another bow.
>Youmu seems a bit confused at that. "Ah, well, no, I wasn't hurt..."

>"Well, good." Celes says formally, then turns her look to you. "Tsumiko would like to speak with you again. She and Lust have come to a conclusion."
>"Lust?" Youmu asks.

[Hanzo K.]

>"One of the Seven Sin Spirits. Sloth, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, Pride, Lust, and Greed. Quite troublesome fellows really."
>Look to Celes. "Bring them, and anyone else that's needed to the room then, we don't have the time to spare quibbling about. Each second wasted is another second closer to losing both Sakuya and Pride. And if Youmu here can cut Pride free without seriously harming either Sakuya or Pride, then we'll be fine."

[Oldmansour]

>"One of the Seven Sin Spirits. Sloth, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, Pride, Lust, and Greed. Quite troublesome fellows really."
>Look to Celes. "Bring them, and anyone else that's needed to the room then, we don't have the time to spare quibbling about. Each second wasted is another second closer to losing both Sakuya and Pride. And if Youmu here can cut Pride free without seriously harming either Sakuya or Pride, then we'll be fine."

>"I know that." Youmu protests. "But I didn't think you'd be working with one of them."
>Celes looks a touch confused. "You intend to discuss your battle plans in front of the person you're trying to get the better of?"

[Hanzo K.]

>"My plan is to startle her back into stopping her time, in order to provide us with more time. If she's frozen in time again, we'll have the opportunity to discuss the matter further. We can't give her any more time to absorb Pride."

[Oldmansour]

>"My plan is to startle her back into stopping her time, in order to provide us with more time. If she's frozen in time again, we'll have the opportunity to discuss the matter further. We can't give her any more time to absorb Pride."

>"Good idea. I hope it works, as well."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"Let me get Sakuya frozen again before you enter."
>Let's go back to Sakuya.
>"I'm dissapointed, Sakuya. Freezing yourself in time like that most certainly counts as resisting me. I'm afraid you failed the test. I do, however, understand the reflexive desire to protect one's self or those one cares about, so I'm willing to put your failure down to reflex and give you a second chance."

[Oldmansour]

>"Let me get Sakuya frozen again before you enter."
>Let's go back to Sakuya.
>"I'm dissapointed, Sakuya. Freezing yourself in time like that most certainly counts as resisting me. I'm afraid you failed the test. I do, however, understand the reflexive desire to protect one's self or those one cares about, so I'm willing to put your failure down to reflex and give you a second chance."

>"Good luck." As you take your leave of her, Celes says to Youmu, "If you wish, I can inform you of what's been happening here."
>Returning to Sakuya's room, you find her seated again, and once again, she rises, bows and greets you in one smooth, elegant motion.
>"Ojou-sama, may I ask you a question?"

[Hanzo K.]

>"If it entails allowing you to absorb Pride, then you know I will refuse. You know that healing Flandre is important, but it doesn't matter if I lose you in the process. For absorbing Pride shall void our contract, and I shall no-longer consider you my maid."
>"Besides, I have located information on another method that will not require you to absorb Pride."

[Oldmansour]

>"If it entails allowing you to absorb Pride, then you know I will refuse. You know that healing Flandre is important, but it doesn't matter if I lose you in the process. For absorbing Pride shall void our contract, and I shall no-longer consider you my maid."
>"Besides, I have located information on another method that will not require you to absorb Pride."

>"A guaranteed method?"

[Hanzo K.]

>"I would rather bank on an unsure method, than lose you to this foolery."
>Let's draw closer to her, and try to lay a hand on her so we can start the contact-based Fate Alteration.

[Oldmansour]

>"I would rather bank on an unsure method, than lose you to this foolery."
>Let's draw closer to her, and try to lay a hand on her so we can start the contact-based Fate Alteration.

>"No, ojou-sama. You are the fool. Your selfishness will cost your sister her only guaranteed opportunity to be whole again. I had hoped you would see past your own selfishness, but it seems I was mistaken."
>As you step towards her, Sakuya's stance changes ever so slightly, like you've seen her do many times before. She's ready to fight you. "And if you will not accept that I am correct, then I will fight you for her sake. I will not harm you terribly, ojou-sama, but I am stronger than you now. I can stop you."

[Hanzo K.]

>"...Sakuya, I didn't want to do this, but you are the misguided one. Did you really think Flan would want to be whole this way? At the cost of losing the maid that everyone of the mansion cares for? I know her far better than even you. You cannot say that you are fighting for her sake as you are now. As her older sister, I won't accept that."
>Let's pick up the pace and try to get her in a hold that won't allow any retaliation.

[Oldmansour]

>"...Sakuya, I didn't want to do this, but you are the misguided one. Did you really think Flan would want to be whole this way? At the cost of losing the maid that everyone of the mansion cares for? I know her far better than even you. You cannot say that you are fighting for her sake as you are now. As her older sister, I won't accept that."
>Let's pick up the pace and try to get her in a hold that won't allow any retaliation.

>"Even accepting that 'Sakuya Izayoi' would be gone, she would have her sister, and you would have yours. That is all that matters. That is how I can serve you both best. Her pain has gone on far too long, and so has yours. I will be the one to end it. Only I can."
>Moving from a walk to a sprint, you approach Sakuya even faster. And a moment later, you find yourself back where you started with a dull ache in your stomach, like you'd been kicked hard. To your eye, Sakuya hasn't moved.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Only you can? Don't make me laugh. You think you can do all this yourself? Do you not recall the Endless Night Incident? We had to work together for that."
>Let's cast out a net of Maximum-Strength Aura Chains in an effort to encase her in them. Once we've got her, we'll reel her in.
>"You think that by doing this, you'll end my pain? You're wrong. You're only magnifying it."

[GuyYouMetOnline]

>"If Flandre is healed at this cost, I will have lost far more than I'll have gained. Perhaps Flandre is not whole, but I still have her, and she has me. And we both have you. Were you to carry through with this plan, we would no longer have you. The woman standing before me now is not my Sakuya. She would never think to strike me. You are not her. Not even making my sister whole is worth losing her. She, too, is family to me."

[Oldmansour]

>"Only you can? Don't make me laugh. You think you can do all this yourself? Do you not recall the Endless Night Incident? We had to work together for that."
>Let's cast out a net of Maximum-Strength Aura Chains in an effort to encase her in them. Once we've got her, we'll reel her in.
>"You think that by doing this, you'll end my pain? You're wrong. You're only magnifying it."

>"Of course I recall. And I was proud to have fought by your side. Nor have I forgotten my failure to resolve the Long Winter incident on my own. But my powers have grown by magnitudes since then."
>Sakuya spins herself in a circle as your chains draw in on her, twirling into a knife-edged whirlwind surrounded by dark blue energy. With the sound of clashing metal on metal, your chains bounce off of the bladed wind and energy surrounding Sakuya.
>"Only because you cannot see the end." she counters, a dagger of energy flying out of her spin and breaking the window behind her and to her right. "You may not believe I understand how you feel. I do. I simply don't believe there is a way I can convince you of this."

>"If Flandre is healed at this cost, I will have lost far more than I'll have gained. Perhaps Flandre is not whole, but I still have her, and she has me. And we both have you. Were you to carry through with this plan, we would no longer have you. The woman standing before me now is not my Sakuya. She would never think to strike me. You are not her. Not even making my sister whole is worth losing her. She, too, is family to me."

>Ceasing her spin, Sakuya now has a dagger held loosely in her right hand. "But you will gain so much more than I ever was."

>"What is happening here?" Celes' voice calls as she comes running down the hall, stopping just outside the door, Youmu in tow.

[Hanzo K.]

>Move to block the window!
>"You think I'll gain from this?! Sakuya, do you realize that if you continue as you are, I will end the contract here and now, and seal you away from the mansion for all eternity. Do you really think I want to do that? Right now, as you are, you are a threat to the mansion."

[Oldmansour]

>Move to block the window!
>"You think I'll gain from this?! Sakuya, do you realize that if you continue as you are, I will end the contract here and now, and seal you away from the mansion for all eternity. Do you really think I want to do that? Right now, as you are, you are a threat to the mansion."

>Sakuya makes no move to stop you as you place yourself between her and the window. She does, however, back away from you, more towards the southeast corner of the room.
>"I am a threat?" Sakuya asks incredulously. "Are you even more foolish than I thought? Please don't tell me that I had misjudged you in that capacity, ojou-sama. Your naivety is part of your charm, but I truly did not believe you were a fool."

>"Enough, both of you." Celes declares. "Fighting like this won't get you anywhere, and there are objects in that room that must not be damaged."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hmph. I am quite serious, Sakuya. You might be driven by loyalty, but that in and of itself has become a danger. You've grown too proud. Do you recall that book we read? The one that contained the tale of the Vampire known as Red Tide? Right now, you are becoming far too much like her for my comfort. If you continue on, you will meet the same sad fate as she."