Trente-cinquième Grimoire [phone]

[wizardoftheweek]

Some have probably asked and answered already, but I still have to wonder just why so many of our former fellow captives have returned. It's disconcerting.

Things have been quiet. Very quiet. Too quiet. I know I'm not alone in this sense of dread. This town always offers up its worse at times like this. I know it. And as bad as things have been lately...

I've been jumping at every little thing. I just want it to get it over with at this point. I'm tired of being afraid.

Comments

[badladyscramble]

They've run out of better things to do, that's my wager.

[wizardoftheweek]

... That's not as assuring as it was likely meant to be, Remi.

[badladyscramble]

[She was being more disdainful towards the town than reassuring but this brings to her attention that she should probably be more sensitive]

Sorry... I just wouldn't assume they're planning something big because of little things like that.

[wizardoftheweek]

It's difficult not leaping at bumps and shadows after so long...

If it's alright, I'd think I'd prefer to spend the day with you and Flan. Meiling, too, but she's always around, so...

[badladyscramble]

I'll come right over, and bring her too.

[wizardoftheweek]

Mm... Thank you. These regular family gatherings are good for my soul. I haven't time to dread or worry when I'm with you.

->Action

[badladyscramble]

Hmhm... I'll take that as a compliment. I'll see you soon.

[In any case, it take a little bit to round up Flandre, but soon they're ringing the doorbell over at Patchy's place.]

Action

[wizardoftheweek]

Meiling? Could you get the door? -Patchouli still had to finish the chapter she was on... What? Old habits die hard.-

[not_so_great_wall]

Eh? We have guests? [ Someone was busy cleaning the upstairs bathroom. If she heard anything over the running shower it was a miracle.

In her gloves and with her hair, she hopped downstairs to open the door. ] Oh!

[ Quickly replacing her surprised expression with a happy one. ] Come in, come in! [ Ignore the lingering smell of Pine-Sol. ]

[then_there_were_none]

[Flandre had only been thinking about chasing after butterflies this time, so she was still in fact next to her sister when Meiling opened the door.]

Hello, M--[she can't help but sneeze]--Meiling!

[badladyscramble]

Hmm... [Slow service but a small sniff tells her the guard had been busy. She gives her the favor of the doubt] How prompt. Good day, Meiling.

[not_so_great_wall]

How are you doing tod—? [ SORRY SHE CAN'T STOP TIME OKAY!

Concerned look for Flandre. ] Is the smell strong? Sorry about that! I'll have to finish up quickly. [ Someone has been disturbingly busy. ]

[wizardoftheweek]

-And there was Patchy at the top of the stairs.-

Give it a rest, Meiling. Today is a family day.

... Oh, and Marisa may be over later. If that's alright.

[then_there_were_none]

It tickles my nose.

[Flandre seems to perk up at that name, rocking on her feet a little bit. A full-on bounce seemed impractical, as she was holding onto her sister's hand at the moment.]

Marisa will be here too?

[badladyscramble]

Marisa?

[Remilia's initial instinct to scrunch her face up in disdain is quelled by Flandre's reaction, and in turn, thoughts about Patchouli.]

I see... I suppose that might not be bad.

[SEE? ACCEPTANCE]

[not_so_great_wall]

[ She nods to Patchouli. ] Okay. I'll go get changed and at least open some windows to let it air out. [ Which she'll do before she heads upstairs to take care of the top floor. It'll be a few tags little while before she returns. ]

[wizardoftheweek]

-Patchouli made her way down the stairs, moving to greet Remilia with a hug. She's... gotten a lot better at the whole physical affection thing lately. Not all of Mayfield's time has been negative.-

Promise me you'll try to get along with her. She's as good as family now, you know.

[then_there_were_none]

[Oh, is it time for hugpiles? Flandre is good at hugpiles!

She bounces up and wraps her arms around both Patchouli and Remilia's shoulders, with her wings draping on them like a living cape.]

[badladyscramble]

Ahhhh.... I will, I will. [Clearly hearing Marisa called "as good as family" was a little painful for the Vampire but she managed a smile and shrugged it off, embracing Patchouli closely, unfolding and wrapping a wing about Flandre to include her too]

[wizardoftheweek]

Thank you so much... You have no idea how much this means to me...

[then_there_were_none]

[Flandre chirps again, sounding more worried this time.]

Patchouli is sad?

[This wouldn't do! The smaller vampire wiggles up Patchouli's arm a bit, balancing against that and her sister's wing in some complicated looking bit of physics that wouldn't work if she was any heavier. But Flandre was good at being a leech. Then she reaches up with one hand and the opposite wing that wasn't clinging to anyone to tug the wizard's face into a smile.]

There!

[badladyscramble]

I don't... but I'll try to understand.

Flandre!

[Remi tries to sound chiding but it's really hard when she's on the verge of bursting into giggles]

[wizardoftheweek]

-Patchouli can't help giggling at Flandre's attempts, breaking into a barely controlled laughing fit.-

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Done with airing out the upstairs, Meiling had washed off her arms, changed shirts, and stood away at the bottom of the stairs.

She looked so happy she could cry.

...or she was actually already there. ]

[then_there_were_none]

[Flandre is quite proud of herself and not chided at all.

Well, maybe a little, but everyone was smiling, so she couldn't be in trouble. She lets go of Patchouli's face, wings all fluffed out and happy.]

I fixed it!

[While glancing back over her shoulder to see Remi, she caught sight of Meiling standing over there.]

I see Meiling again!

[Then she chittered, confused again. Were those tears? That wouldn't do! The smiling could stay, though. But rather than move and dislodge her precarious balance, Flandre closes her eyes--and a copy of herself abruptly flickers into existence in the empty space next to her.

With a bounce and a flap and a hop, the doppelganger closed the distance to the gatekeeper and jumped up to throw her arms around Meiling's neck--and from there blotted at her eyes with the soft palms on her wings.]