Remilia Quest Dh?

[Oldmansour]

>"You'll have to fight her later then. I was specifically asked to put a stop to the battle."
>Let's fly back to the others, and land in front of Yuzuriha. "Stubborn one, isn't she? Would you mind too terribly much if I push her to the point where she can't fight any further? Because that appears to be the only way to put some sense into her. We can always have her tended to after the fact, given that we have two medics with us after all."

>Yuzuriha herself, and her dogs, have also landed, and so you flit back over to her. She looks between you and Sabine, then shakes her head. "It really is, too. She's not that bad, normally, but, once she gets the taste of a fight, she practically becomes someone else."
>"The soul of battle." Meiling says, her eyes meeting Sabine's. She seems calmer now than she did before, her face still very serious, but lacking the grim determination it did before. "Let me fight her, Remilia. Please. You can settle things with the Countess, I'll handle her."

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "I had planned to make your fight with her a spectator event after all this, but fine."
>Look to Yuzuriha. "Well, you needn't worry about the Countess overmuch. I never intended to kill her to begin with, and Danmaku is inherently non-lethal, so that is another added bonus."
>Grin slightly. "Besides, it's been far too long since I've seen a Vampire aside from my own sister who is worthy of a title, I'm rather interested in seeing her strength and skill. As she is the one who turned Rei, who herself has much potential, I have high expectations. If she's worn out from engaging with the others, then Honoka and Reisen can easily tend to her."

[Oldmansour]

>Sigh. "I had planned to make your fight with her a spectator event after all this, but fine."
>Look to Yuzuriha. "Well, you needn't worry about the Countess overmuch. I never intended to kill her to begin with, and Danmaku is inherently non-lethal, so that is another added bonus."
>Grin slightly. "Besides, it's been far too long since I've seen a Vampire aside from my own sister who is worthy of a title, I'm rather interested in seeing her strength and skill. As she is the one who turned Rei, who herself has much potential, I have high expectations. If she's worn out from engaging with the others, then Honoka and Reisen can easily tend to her."

>"No worries about that." Sabine assures you, still looking at Meiling. "This ain't gonna be the last time your fist crosses with mine."
>A faint grin crosses Meiling's face. "I don't doubt it. And now that Remilia's here, I don't need to worry about going through you." Meiling drops down into her fighting stance. "I can just beat you."
>"Say that after you win, China." Sabine taunts, raising her fists again.

>"This danmaku stuff is still pretty new to us." Yuzuriha admits. "It'll take a bit of getting used to. Plus, we haven't had the best of relationships with other vampires in the past, either here or in the outside world. Before just then, I would have hard a hard time believing you without Blood, but, now..."
>"Because she tried to stop Meiling and Sabine from fighting?" Reisen asks her.
>The Cobalt gatekeeper nods. "And that you didn't try to cave her skull in for striking you. I'm still not SURE, old instincts die hard, but... I want to believe." She extends her arm out and snaps her finger, and the burnished wood gate into the Keep's exterior courtyard swings open again. "Rei didn't have a choice but to be afraid of you. I do."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Well, it was rather tempting. Given how much she's taunted me, but I suppose I'll settle things with her later, when everyone's had a chance to rest and recover."
>Nod. "At any rate, who all will accompany me inside? With Hong and Sabine out here enjoying themselves, someone will have to keep an eye on them and tend to both when all is said and done. And don't worry, since you all are Youkai, you'll pick up Danmaku as if you'd known it all your life. Rei in particular, despite being freshly-turned, has a better grasp of it than most younger youkai that I've known. And, as I said earlier, she copied my Servant Flier technique, which, while one of my weaker ones, is still no small feat for a youngling such as she."
>Let's ham it up with a laugh, and resume the 10-wing auraform! "I haven't found very many with such potential, and tonight, I find two with great potential! It seems Gensokyo will be quite lively in the years to come, wouldn't you all agree?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Well, it was rather tempting. Given how much she's taunted me, but I suppose I'll settle things with her later, when everyone's had a chance to rest and recover."
>Nod. "At any rate, who all will accompany me inside? With Hong and Sabine out here enjoying themselves, someone will have to keep an eye on them and tend to both when all is said and done. And don't worry, since you all are Youkai, you'll pick up Danmaku as if you'd known it all your life. Rei in particular, despite being freshly-turned, has a better grasp of it than most younger youkai that I've known. And, as I said earlier, she copied my Servant Flier technique, which, while one of my weaker ones, is still no small feat for a youngling such as she."
>Let's ham it up with a laugh, and resume the 10-wing auraform! "I haven't found very many with such potential, and tonight, I find two with great potential! It seems Gensokyo will be quite lively in the years to come, wouldn't you all agree?"

>"Anytime you're ready. I haven't fought a vampire in too long."
>"Actually, we got you covered there." Sabine informs you. "Standard practice for everyone that lives at the Keep. We're all trained in first aid. Matter of fact, Yuzu here's been patching me up for ages. No one knows my body like she does."
>After a brief breath of wind, Meiling, Reisen and Yuzuriha blush. Ranka giggles.
>"I certainly hope so." Ranka says archly, giving Yuzuriha a look. The cobalt guard's blush deepens.

[Hanzo K.]

>Nod. "Very well then. I'll enter with the rest. Reisen, you should stay out here to tend to Hong, you can rejoin us afterwards."

[Oldmansour]

>Nod. "Very well then. I'll enter with the rest. Reisen, you should stay out here to tend to Hong, you can rejoin us afterwards."

>The rabbit of Eientei looks between Meiling and Sabine, then gives you a nod. "I can do that. And I can tell anyone else that comes along to investigate that there's lots of folks in the process of doing just that."

[Hanzo K.]

>"Indeed."
>Look to Shou and Honoka. "Alright, let's go."
>But before heading in, look to Hong with a confident expression. "Make sure you win."
>And then head in with Shou and Honoka at the full 20-wing configuration. We have to look presentable and sufficiently awe-inspiring after all!

[Oldmansour]

>"Indeed."
>Look to Shou and Honoka. "Alright, let's go."
>But before heading in, look to Hong with a confident expression. "Make sure you win."
>And then head in with Shou and Honoka at the full 20-wing configuration. We have to look presentable and sufficiently awe-inspiring after all!

>Shou is presently absent.

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "Now where did Shou get to?"

[Oldmansour]

>Sigh. "Now where did Shou get to?"

>Yuzuriha and Reisen point towards the extention built into the left side of the Keep. "She went in through the stables." Reisen informs you. "While you were breaking up the fight here."

[Hanzo K.]

>Facepalm. "Let's hope she'll be alright then."
>Let's look to Honoka and Ranka. "Well, shall we be off?"
>Let's resume the 20-wing auraform, and head on in!

[Oldmansour]

>Facepalm. "Let's hope she'll be alright then."
>Let's look to Honoka and Ranka. "Well, shall we be off?"
>Let's resume the 20-wing auraform, and head on in!

>Yuzuriha stands aside to allow you entrance to the courtyard beyond the gate, as Meiling and Sabine approach each other again, Sabine once more taking the initiative and charging forward.
>"A moment, please." Honoka asks of you as Ranka floats over to fall in to your left. She extends her hand towards the cobalt gatekeeper, and a pale golden glow surrounds the nine-fingered woman and the two dogs flanking her. Her eyes flutter and she flexes her arms, spreading them out from her. The golden retriever looks around curiously, while the husky howls. Four more canine howls answer this one from the keep.
>"I restore you, gatekeeper, and your pack." the cloaked youkai declares, lowering her hand. "If another challenges you this night, then you may fight them at your best."
>Yuzuriha looks at her hands, then bows to Honoka. "You have my gratitude." she says in a strangely formal tone.
>Her task complete, Honoka falls in behind you, both her and the blonde at a fair distance, considering your aura, and you fly through the gate, into the Keep courtyard.

>The courtyard is actually not entirely dissimilar to your own: spacious and well groomed, the walk to the mansion's main door lined with small saplings. Possibly maples, transplanted from the forest growing south from the lip of the cliff top. The interior of the wall surrounding the keep has been dug, indicating the makings of a garden, though only a handful of flowers are present here and there.
>The main doors are rather understated, if you're honest. Cut from what you'd guess is oak and treated to stand the test of time, the double doors can be opened inwards via the large bronze handle on either one.
>"This is where I find my own way." Ranka informs you.
>Honoka gives her a solemn look. "At least try not to invite too much trouble."
>"Hon, get with the times." Ranka pouts, placing her hands on her hips and leaning forward. "Inviting trouble is how folks say hello."

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "Just try not to get possessed, would you?"
>"I must admit though, this is a rather nice, if simple, lair. The makings of a garden, some maple trees, and a rather nice, if understated, set of doors leading into the keep itself. Oak if I'm not mistaken. The countess has good taste, hopefully she's someone I can get along with. It's been many years since I've encountered a vampire who isn't my own little sister."
>Beat.
>"Well, excluding Rei of course. But she's still a youngling, so she does not quite count."
>Let's head on in and see what's going on.

[Oldmansour]

>Sigh. "Just try not to get possessed, would you?"
>"I must admit though, this is a rather nice, if simple, lair. The makings of a garden, some maple trees, and a rather nice, if understated, set of doors leading into the keep itself. Oak if I'm not mistaken. The countess has good taste, hopefully she's someone I can get along with. It's been many years since I've encountered a vampire who isn't my own little sister."
>Beat.
>"Well, excluding Rei of course. But she's still a youngling, so she does not quite count."
>Let's head on in and see what's going on.

>"Hee he." Ranka giggles, and winks at you. "It depends on how nicely they ask." With a whimsical little laugh, the blonde youkai takes off into the sky.
>"Do not concern yourself too much with her, Remilia." Honoka says after Ranka leaves. "Despite how she appears, she knows when to take things seriously."

>The doors open into a simple yet fairly spacious entry chamber, with another door ten feet away. The scent of dust still lingers in the somewhat stale air. A pair of brooms sit in the northwest corner. The east and west wall sport uncushioned wooden benches. With nothing of particular interest in this chamber, you and Honoka continue through the north exit.

>You emerge into a long corridor, extending to the east and west. The wall in front of you has a marble pedestal set into the wall, but no decoration sits atop it. The corridor is carpeted by a deep blue rug, but one that shows great signs of age and dust. The windows along the corridor are bereft of curtains, all except one down the west wing, red in color, which is tattered and badly faded. There are three more pedestals down both sides of the corridor, all of which are empty. The walls show similar signs of age, as though the place had been unkept for decades. Which, if Honoka is correct, is entirely true.
>"It would seem we have a choice to make." the cloaked youaki notes.

[Hanzo K.]

>Sigh. "It's a shame how unkept this place is. I can see why she wanted to steal Sakuya away from me now. I'll have to send some of my Fairy Maids along to aid in restorations. I know a particularly competent one who can head up those efforts."
>Let's use our hearing to inspect each corridor in turn.

[Oldmansour]

>Sigh. "It's a shame how unkept this place is. I can see why she wanted to steal Sakuya away from me now. I'll have to send some of my Fairy Maids along to aid in restorations. I know a particularly competent one who can head up those efforts."
>Let's use our hearing to inspect each corridor in turn.

>"The place has been open to the elements for many years." Honoka replies. "I am surprised the place is in as good a shape as it is. The grounds outside were less treated than they are now when last I was this way."
>"As a matter of fact, I am more surprised that one or more bodies did not claim this Keep as their own, but that may have had something to do with the nature of the seal on the Countess and her ilk."
>You think you hear music coming from down the left corridors. Subdued and muffled, like from the other side of a heavy door, but music.
>The right corridor offers.... SOME kind of sound, but it is very quiet, either distant or muffled, or both. Even your keen ears cannot make out any details about it, other than it appears to be intermittent.
>Your nose detects something as well from down the right corridor. A bitter scent and pungent, not unlike certain medicinal remedies.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hmm...According to my rather good hearing, there is some sort of highly muffled and intermittent sound coming from the rightmost corridor. Also, a rather pungent smell not unlike certain medicines. The leftmost corridor seems to have something akin to music, albeit muffled."
>Would we be able to stand the smell coming from the right corridor as we draw closer to the source?

[Oldmansour]

>"Hmm...According to my rather good hearing, there is some sort of highly muffled and intermittent sound coming from the rightmost corridor. Also, a rather pungent smell not unlike certain medicines. The leftmost corridor seems to have something akin to music, albeit muffled."
>Would we be able to stand the smell coming from the right corridor as we draw closer to the source?

>"Music seems innocuous enough, although we should not discount the possibility the Countess may possess a magical musician."
>More than likely. If it was the sort of scent that would bother your nose, you probably would have a sense of it, even as muted as it is. You have no such sense at the moment.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Hmm...Indeed. I myself have a fondness for the more traditional instruments, Violin, Pipe Organ, those two...I really should have Sakuya clean out the Pipe Organ sometime, it's been sitting untouched for far too long."
>Can we tell what instrument is being played?

[Oldmansour]

>"Hmm...Indeed. I myself have a fondness for the more traditional instruments, Violin, Pipe Organ, those two...I really should have Sakuya clean out the Pipe Organ sometime, it's been sitting untouched for far too long."
>Can we tell what instrument is being played?

>"What is a pipe organ?"
>A string instrument of some kind. Most likely a violin, but it could also be a cello or viola.

[Hanzo K.]

>"A rather large and grandiose instrument based on the Piano. Old castles and mansions such as this sometimes have one hidden away in a less-used room. But the music we are dealing with is, if I'm not mistaken, from a String Instrument. Cello, or possibly Viola. Good instruments those."
>Hmm..."So, which path should we inspect first? The path that smells of medicine? or the one that holds music?"
>Is the hall short enough that we can send a bat down it to investigate?

[Oldmansour]

>"A rather large and grandiose instrument based on the Piano. Old castles and mansions such as this sometimes have one hidden away in a less-used room. But the music we are dealing with is, if I'm not mistaken, from a String Instrument. Cello, or possibly Viola. Good instruments those."
>Hmm..."So, which path should we inspect first? The path that smells of medicine? or the one that holds music?"
>Is the hall short enough that we can send a bat down it to investigate?

>"Those, I am familiar with. Though I admit, I have never really been one for music."
>"Perhaps both." Honoka suggests. "It may be more efficient to split up, at least for now."
>Both branches are, yes.

[Hanzo K.]

>"Perhaps, but let me do something first, so as to avoid potential mishaps."
>Let's send a bat-scout down the hallway that smells of medicine first, and see what's up.

[Oldmansour]

>"Perhaps, but let me do something first, so as to avoid potential mishaps."
>Let's send a bat-scout down the hallway that smells of medicine first, and see what's up.

>"Very well."
>Sending one of your bats down the right-hand hallway yields some clarification on the scent. It smells like new ointment and an herbal poultice, the kind of scents that would come from a naturalists' place. It is coming from a door about two thirds of the way down the hall. There is a second room, closer to you, but it appears to be nothing more than an unoccupied, unfurnished chamber, apart from a small bronze pot on the floor.
>The hall has a large opening 30 feet down from the second door, revealing a large staircase leading up to the second floor of the keep.
>There does appear to be a faint sound coming from the room smelling of medicine. It's quite faint, but you'd guess it is the sound of a human sleeping.

[Hanzo K.]

>"...Yes, it seems that is the room being used as a medical hall. It smells of fresh ointment, and an herbal poultice. It seems that room has somebody sleeping inside. About 30 or so feet from that door, is a large opening that leads to a staircase leading higher. You should be safe going down that hallway."
>Call the bat back, and send it down the other hall now.

[Oldmansour]

>"...Yes, it seems that is the room being used as a medical hall. It smells of fresh ointment, and an herbal poultice. It seems that room has somebody sleeping inside. About 30 or so feet from that door, is a large opening that leads to a staircase leading higher. You should be safe going down that hallway."
>Call the bat back, and send it down the other hall now.

>"Probably one of the Countesses', especially if the Hakurei is here as well."
>Sending the bat down the other hall reveals an identical construction to the right hand wing. The door closest to you is closed this time, and shows signs of thin danmaku strikes. Much like Reimu's.
>The music stops as the bat reaches the first door, but it continues a moment later, this time with a different instrument. This one is definitely a cello, playing a piece by... Bach, you think. It is coming from the second room, but this door is a bit wider than the others in the hallway, and made of thicker wood. Since the sound of music is still rather muted, you would guess that the room was soundproofed at one point, but that it has faded over time.

[Hanzo K.]

>"...Strange, a piece by Bach being played. They have good taste, I must say. Personally, I've been more fond of his Organ and Piano works. Particularly Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. It's one of the classic pieces that's to be expected of those like myself."
>Nod. "I think you should be fine taking that hallway where the injured person is. Perhaps you can even help them along their recovery if you deem it necessary. I'll take the path with the music. If I am fortunate, It may well be the countess herself. Those of nobility tend to be quite versed in the musical arts after all."
>"Stay safe now, alright?" Let's take the hall that has the music playing. And keep our wits about us, ready to ward off any controlling effects that could possibly arise.

[Oldmansour]

>"...Strange, a piece by Bach being played. They have good taste, I must say. Personally, I've been more fond of his Organ and Piano works. Particularly Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. It's one of the classic pieces that's to be expected of those like myself."
>Nod. "I think you should be fine taking that hallway where the injured person is. Perhaps you can even help them along their recovery if you deem it necessary. I'll take the path with the music. If I am fortunate, It may well be the countess herself. Those of nobility tend to be quite versed in the musical arts after all."
>"Stay safe now, alright?" Let's take the hall that has the music playing. And keep our wits about us, ready to ward off any controlling effects that could possibly arise.

>"Is that a musician from the outside world?"
>"Nobility must be a different bend from the nobles found in this world." Honoka says, a touch darkly.
>Satisfied in your batscout, you float down the left hand hallway while Honoka travels down the right. You keep your guard up, not only for your immediate surroundings, but also in case anything untowards comes from Honoka's side.
>The cello music becomes more distinct as you head towards the door. It is indeed Bach, one of his cello suites. Suite number one, if your educated ears do not fail you. Music is the only thing that seems to be populating this hall, as neither fairy nor orb nor emotional disturbance attack you, and by the sounds of it, Honoka is likewise unmolested. The player continues playing as you float up to the thicker of the two doors.

[Hanzo K.]

>Can we smell anything from within the chamber where the music is coming from?