Eh, no replies yet?
Yikes, must be worse than I thought...Oh well. Here's an update anyways.
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After Meiling?s fruitless confrontation with Remilia, the saddened gatekeeper slowly walked back to her room in the mansion, her head downcast in shame.
?Some friend I am?I can?t even keep my promise?I could?ve said something, anything?I can?t believe I just ran away like a coward with my tail between my legs! I?ve brought shame to my family?s name with my cowardice! I hope you can forgive your weak fool of a friend Flandre?? Meiling muttered to herself sorrowfully.
As Meiling reached the door leading to her room, she began fishing out her keys from her pockets. Once she retrieved her keys she opened the door, and the gatekeeper silently entered the room. She quickly changed into her night clothes, which consisted of a plain white shirt and a pair of green shorts, threw off her beret and plopped onto her bed and turned the lights off.
As Meiling stared blankly at the ceiling she realized she was missing dinner, though she didn?t mind, not at the least. Going to dinner would mean she?d have to see Remilia again, and she was the last person she wanted to see at the moment. Heck, she?s rather see Marisa right about now. She may be a pain to deal with, with her thieving ways but even so Meiling did get along well enough with the witch when she wasn?t causing mischief. Meiling might have gone as far as considering her a friend.
At the thought of Marisa, Meiling began to remember the conversation the two had earlier that day. Specifically what Marisa said after Meiling asked her for advice on the meeting with Remilia, which sadly didn?t go as well as she wanted it to. Marisa?s words ?You could always just sneak her out, ze?, Echoed in Meiling?s thoughts.
?I wonder?could that work? I know Marisa was just joking around, but still?It could work with the right planning?Bah, what am I thinking? I can?t just take Flandre out of the mansion and be on our merry way.? Meiling muttered to herself.
?But I swore to her that I would do everything in my power to make sure she can leave the basement and see the world?and Hong Meiling never breaks a promise, especially not one to a friend!? Meiling said to herself, with all her doubts now extinguished and replaced with determination. She would make sure she fulfilled her promise to Flandre, no matter what the cost.
By morning Meiling had devised a plan, it was risky but if it worked Meiling would be able to show her friend the beauty of the world beyond the mansion. But if it failed?Meiling would prefer not to think of the possible consequences that would befall not just her, but Flandre as well.
Once Meiling was awake, she slipped on her day regular guard uniform, put on her usual grass green beret and went down for breakfast. Thankfully Remilia would not be present, as Meiling was still wary of seeing her after the events from the night before.
As Meiling walked into the large dining room where the senior staff ate their meals, she was immediately met with a pleasant aroma entering her nostrils. In the center of the room was a long table, it was covered with plates, silverware and of course, food. Hanging above the table was a golden chandelier, which helped provide the lighting of the room, along with the sunlight coming in from the windows. Sitting at the table eating breakfast was a purple haired woman with just as equally purple eyes. She wore light purple robes that many would call pajamas, and a mobcap in a matching color on her head, with a crescent moon shaped pin attached to it.
Sitting next to the purple garbed girl was a red headed one, with wings not unlike Remilia?s coming both out of her head and back. She wore a black dress with white longs sleeves; she also wore a red necktie.
?Good morning Miss Patchouli and Koakuma.? Meiling said to the eating duo.
?Meiling.? The purple garbed woman Patchouli acknowledged then quickly returned her attention back to the meal before her.
?Good morning Meiling. How did you sleep last night?? Koakuma asked happily as Meiling took a seat across from the two.
?Eh, no complaints I suppose.? Meiling replied.
?Really? That?s good. I thought you might?ve had a rough time falling asleep last night.? Koakuma said to Meiling.
?Why would you think that?? Meiling asked with an eyebrow raised.
?Well?You know?I heard your meeting with the mistress didn?t go very well.? Koakuma explained to Meiling.
?Y-You know about that?? Meiling asked nervously.
?Well, I don?t know the details of your meeting or anything, but I heard that it didn?t end favorably to you.? Koakuma explained as she took a bite of food from her plate.
?Oh?So how did you hear about that?? Meiling asked as she loaded her plate with food.
?Oh Miss Patchouli told me, and the mistress told her.? Koakuma explained casually. Patchouli glanced up for a moment upon hearing her name being brought up, but then quickly went back to eating.
?I see?? Meiling said in response to Koakuma?s explanation.
Oh this could be a problem?if Remilia told Patchouli the details of our discussion?This could take a turn for the worst? Meiling thought to herself as she glanced at Patchouli taking the last bites of food from her plate.
?Ah, that was quite delicious?Koa, I will now be returning to the library now, please report there once you have finished your meal.? Patchouli said as she got up from her seat at the table.
?Yes mistress.? Koakuma replied to her master.
?Please commend Sakuya for this wonderful meal for me if you see her, will you Koa? And Meiling, it was a pleasure seeing you.? Patchouli said as she slowly exited the room.
?It was nice to see you too, Miss Patchouli.? Meiling replied.
It doesn?t seem like she knows any details of my meeting?but with that one you can never be too careful, there is a reason why her last name is ?Knowledge? after all? Meiling thought to herself as she watched Patchouli exit the room.
?Well I better get going as well before Miss Patchouli gets cranky with me; she can be so impatient sometimes. It was nice talking with you Meiling.? Koakuma said after several moments had passed. With that, Koakuma left the room, rushing off to the mansion?s library, where she and her master spent the majority of their time together.
Meiling was then left alone in the dining hall, left alone to finish the rest of her meal in solitude. Meiling made quick work of her food, scarfing it down fairly quickly. Once she had finished stuffing herself with food, Meiling stood up to begin her guarding duties for the day. But as she was ready to leave, she heard a door open, and saw Sakuya enter the room, with a tray of food balanced on the palm of her hands.
?Good morning Miss Sakuya!? Meiling greeted as she saluted her superior.
?Good morning, Meiling.? Sakuya responded as she stopped to speak with Meiling.
?Where are you going with that food, Miss Sakuya?? Meiling asked out of curiosity.
?The young mistress?s room, this is the time she usually arouses from her sleep.? Sakuya explained to her coworker.
?Oh, let me do that for you Miss Sakuya! You must be busy enough the way it is without a little job like this.? Meiling offered.
?Thank you Meiling, just be sure not to linger there any longer than needed, you still have your guarding duties to attend to.? Sakuya said as she handed Meiling the tray of food she was holding.
?No problem Miss Sakuya! I?ll be done in a flash!? Meiling said as she started heading out of the room and towards the basement. How convenient, I can fill Flandre in on my plan now without raising any suspicion! Things are starting to look up for me for once! Meiling thought to herself cheerfully as she walked through the dark and empty halls of the basement.
Meiling soon enough reached the cold metal door that was the entrance to Flandre?s room. She knocked on the door as it was common courtesy, and didn?t want to accidentally walk in on the vampire if she was changing into a new pair of clothes or
some other private matter.
In response to Meiling?s knocking, a tired sounding Flandre could be heard saying ?Come in?? from the other side of the door.
When Meiling entered the room, she saw Flandre sitting up in her bed, wearing a red nightgown and appearing to be quite tired. Meiling surmised that the young vampire had woken up not too long ago or that Meiling had woken her up with her knocking.
For a vampire, Flandre had unusual sleeping habits, rather than being active during the night, she was active during the day, and rested at night rather than vice versa. Meiling presumed this was the reason why Remilia rarely visited her, as their sleeping habits were polar opposites.
?Oh good morning Meiling?What?re you doing here?? Flandre asked as she gave the gatekeeper a tired smile.
?Good morning Flandre, I?m just here to give you your breakfast, and ask you a question.? Meiling said as she handed her the tray holding her breakfast.
?Oh thanks Meiling?So what do you need to ask?? Flandre asked as she started eating.
?Well what would you say if I told you there was a way for you to leave the basement and explore the world like you?ve always told me you?ve dreamed of?? Meiling asked cheerfully.
Flandre looked up from her meal and stared at her friend with her mouth agape, and her eyes now wide and alert.
?D-Do you mean??? Flandre stuttered in excitement and surprise.
?Well no?I tried asking your sister about releasing you but it didn?t really go all that well?? Meiling explained with a frown on her face.
?Oh?? Flandre said as her surprised expression was replaced with one of sadness and disappointment.
?Hey don?t look so sad Flan, Remilia may not have given you permission to leave your room, but that doesn?t mean you can?t leave.? Meiling said happily.
?What do you mean?? Flandre asked curiously.
?I mean we could sneak out, and go explore the world! So what do you say? I know you don?t like disobeying your sister and all, so it?s up to you Flandre.? Meiling asked her young friend.
Flandre simply stared at the gatekeeper, pondering on what to do. Flandre disliked disobeying her sister just as Meiling had said; she had always tried her hardest to be the perfect younger sibling and please her elder sister. But now the opportunity to live her dreams and explore the world with her closest friend is within her grasp, the young vampire struggled to make a decision, with all of these conflicting thoughts within her head. After several moments of debating with herself on what course of action to take, Flandre finally answered Meiling?s question.
?Y?Yes.? Flandre answered timidly.
?Are you sure Flandre? If something goes wrong and we?re caught, there will be consequences to pay.?
?Yes! I?m sure China, I trust you!? Flandre said as she hugged the gatekeeper in a tight embrace.
If it were from anyone else, Meiling would have chastised them for calling her ?China.? Flandre was one of the few people she didn?t mind calling her by the nickname. Meiling thought it was cute when the pint sized vampire called her by the nickname, rather than annoying like when Marisa or anyone else referred to her by it.
?Alright, I?ll do everything in my power to make sure this plan does not fail.? Meiling said reassuringly as she hugged the vampire back.
?What?s your plan anyways China?? Flandre asked as she let the gatekeeper go and went back to eating from her plate.
?Well it?s not perfect, but the plan is to basically sneak out at sunset, that?s when Sakuya is busy preparing dinner, and your sister will still be asleep at that time. We won?t have to worry about Patchouli or Koakuma, those two rarely leave the library, so all that we?ll have to worry about are the fairy maids, but even they aren?t too much to worry about, their intelligence isn?t exactly high after all. So that?ll be the best time to sneak out.? Meiling explained as Flandre continued eating her breakfast.
?Wow! I thought Patchy was the smartest one here! Your plan is perfect Meiling!? Flandre exclaimed.
?Oh stop?Your making me blush!? Meiling said with a sheepish grin as she rubbed the back of her head. ?Anyways, I have to go report to guard duty before Sakuya gets angry with me, I?ll come and get you when it?s time to put our plan to action. In the meantime, pack anything you?ll need, alright??
?Okay Meiling!? Flandre said cheerfully as she finished her breakfast.
?Good girl, I?ll see you soon.? Meiling said as she took the now empty tray and began her way out to get to work. As Meiling exited the room she caught a glimpse of Flandre beginning to pack clothes into a bag as she hummed a happy tune.
Meiling?s job was unusually quiet and uneventful that day. There weren?t any intruders to speak of, not even the mansion?s most frequent visitor, Marisa had shown up today. Leaving Meiling little else to do to pass the time besides stretching exercises and gazing at the sky until sunset, which was when Meiling?s shift ended for the day conveniently enough.
Once Meiling left her post for the day and entered the mansion, she saw Sakuya walking though the foyer, towards the kitchen.
No doubt she?s going off to prepare dinner, Meiling thought to herself as she approached the maid.
?Good evening Miss Sakuya!? Meiling greeted.
?Good evening Meiling, is it the end of your shift already?? Sakuya asked.
?Yep, Anyways Miss Sakuya, I forgot to mention this earlier, but I?ll be taking my vacation days starting tomorrow. I hope it isn?t an inconvenience.?
?I see?I?ll have to begin looking into a suitable replacement then, thank you for informing me.? Sakuya said.
?No problem. I?ll be in my quarters if you need anything then.? Meiling said as she began her way to her room.
?Very well then Meiling?Hmmmm?Perhaps the flower youkai?s guard? Perhaps the netherworld samurai? Or maybe even the Jiang Shi?? Sakuya mumbled to herself as she made her way to the kitchen.
Meiling quickly went to her room and started packing anything she thought she would need for her and Flandre?s journey, as they would not be returning to the mansion for quite some time. Once she packed in all her necessities, like clothes, money and an old lantern from her home country, Meiling walked out of her room and locked the door behind her, and headed off towards the basement for the second time that day to retrieve her companion.
As soon as Meiling reached the door to Flandre?s room, she tapped on the door a few times, ?Flandre it?s me, Meiling.?
?Come in!? Flandre said cheerfully from the other side of the door. Meiling did as Flandre said and entered the room.
Flandre was sitting on her bed, bouncing up and down in excitement while gripping a black staff like stick, with one end shaped like a spade.
?China, are you ready to go!?? Flandre asked excitedly.
?Yep, we just need to pick up some food before we go though, can?t travel on an empty stomach after all. I assume you?re done packing right?? Meiling asked.
?Yup, I got everything I need, just like you told me to!? Flandre answered cheerfully.
?Ah good! Now let?s go get some food and blow this popsicle stand!? Meiling said to her excited friend.
?What?s a popsicle stand?? Flandre asked curiously.
?Eh?Well to be honest I?ve got no clue. Just a weird outside world saying I heard.?
?Oh, well let?s go blow this Popsicle stand!? Flandre said cheerfully.
?Right, let?s go!? Meiling said as the two left the room, with Flandre taking one last look at the room that she had lived in for the past 495 years before going off to gather the last of their supplies.
The two wandered through the halls until they reached the mansion?s food storage. It was here where most of the mansion?s food was stored, with the rest being stored in the kitchen?s pantry. The room had three rows of shelves, two of the rows filled to the brim with food and the third being filled with an assortment of drinks, such as some very expensive looking wine.
"Alright, let?s take about?Two weeks? worth of food. There?s so much in here, I doubt anyone will notice that it?s missing?? Meiling said as she started putting all kinds of food into a bag.
As Meiling packed food into her bag, Flandre stared in awe of all the assortments of food stored in the room.
?Wow?there?s so much food in here?? Flandre said in awe.
?Heh, yeah, this place is packed to gills with all kinds of foods and drinks, sometimes I wonder how your sister affords it all.? Meiling replied as she continued packing.
?Huh...Hey what?s that?? Flandre asked as she pointed to a shelf full of bottles of red liquid.
?Oh that?? Meiling asked as she looked up, ?That would be the mistress?s blood supply.?
?Oh?Where does it come from?? Flandre asked with curiosity.
?It comes from humans, they exchange their blood for money, but the more generous ones donate it to the mansion free of charge.? Meiling explained as she picked up the bag she packed food into and walked towards the shelf Flandre pointed to.
?Good thing you asked me about that, I almost forgot to grab some.? Meiling said with a chuckle. ?So what type do you prefer?? Meiling asked.
?Type? Huh?? Flandre asked in confusion.
?Yeah, you know, Type A, Type B??
"I don?t know?Saky always puts the sauce on my meals, and she never told me what kind it was?? Flandre explained.
?Oh I see?Well then, we?ll just have to take one of everything!? Meiling said cheerfully as she started taking a bottle of each kind and putting it inside her bag carefully.
?Alright, I think we have everything we?ll need now, so let?s get out of here before someone catches us.? Meiling said after she finished packing the bottles of blood into her bag.
?Yeah, let?s go!? Flandre said with excitement as she happily skipped through the halls.
?Ah, wait for me Flandre!? Meiling yelled to her friend as she began running after her.
The two made it through the halls with ease, with most of the fairy maids slacking off instead of cleaning, and didn?t notice the two sneaking through the mansion?s halls. The two made it to the foyer soon enough without being noticed by anyone.
?Phew! We made it!? Meiling said as the two started for the door. ?Well Flandre, are you ready? Once we leave, we won?t be coming back for quite some time.? Meiling asked.
?Uh-huh, I?m ready China.? Flandre answered as she gave Meiling a smile.
?Good?, Meiling said as she opened the door. ?World, here we come!? Meiling shouted as the two exited the mansion, and flew off towards the land beyond the lake, while taking in the beautiful view of the sunset.
