Chapter Text
Within a few minutes, Sakuya arrived at the library to lead us back through the maze of hallways that made up the mansion. I quickly looked back at the propped-up body of Hestia. I was hopeful that she would be awake before too long. Ideally before the hour ended, but after a quick meal. While I was thankful to Remilia for letting us come and go from the mansion as we pleased, a part of me wanted to leave as quickly as we had arrived. Oddly enough, it was not because of Remilia and what I could only assume was her vampiric nature. No, instead it was Sakuya. Something about her being able to teleport, and her blank stare that verged on a glare sent shivers down my spine.
“The fairy maids should have everything prepared shortly.” Sakuya said as she led us into the dining room. “If there are any issues, feel free to ring one of the various bells Lady Remilia has left around the mansion, and I shall be right there.”
Before any of us could say a thing, Sakuya vanished right before our very eyes, leaving us alone for the first time since we had entered the mansion. As unsettling as the newfound silence that echoed through the room was, I could only feel relief at the brief moment of hopeful normality.
“Finally!” Katrina exclaimed as she slumped into the nearest chair. “I couldn’t stand being near her for a second longer. Does she creep anyone else out, or is that just me?”
“Trust me, it isn’t just you.” I quickly responded with a slight chuckle. “I can get a read on everyone except Sakuya. There’s just something about her that makes me feel as if she is constantly about to stab me with a knife.”
“That, and the random teleporting.” Astra pitched in as she followed suit and took a seat at the table. “It seems unnatural, even by Gensokyo standards so far. Then again, everything in this mansion seems kinda off in a way.”
“That’s because of Sakuya messing with the mansion.” A familiar voice said from nearby, causing us all to jump a bit in surprise. Flandre was standing in the door of the dining room, and was holding a stuffed teddy bear that was missing its head. “I still don’t fully understand how she did it, but Sakuya made the mansion bigger on the inside compared to the outside. Not sure why though. We don’t even use half the rooms that the mansion contains. What are you three eating?”
“W-we don’t know yet.” Astra stammered out, still shocked a bit at Flandre’s unexpected appearance. “Sakuya just said the fairy maids would have it out to us soon.”
“Huh.” Flandre said with a shrug before taking a seat at the table without asking. “Its unusual for Sakuya to not do the cooking. Then again, I suppose I wouldn’t know her that well. The only time I see her is when she takes me food. Though maybe she just doesn’t know how to make anything but human, and that’s why the other maids are cooking.”
“What do you mean you only see her when she brings you food? I quickly asked, suddenly very motivated to talk about the mysterious maid and less about the food. “We’ve seen her more than any of the other maids. Isn’t the same true for you?”
“It is.” Flandre said as she propped her legs up on the table. “But I usually don’t leave the basem*nt if I can avoid it. Even still, I know that she takes pride in taking care of most of the mansion by herself which is so annoying! It takes up all her time, so I never get to play with her! Hence why I prefer Meiling. She always takes some time to play with me or at least show me around the lake.”
“How does she do it all?” Katrina asked as she glanced towards the door. It was just a guess, but I think she was hoping doing so would cause the food to magically come in. “And why do you spend so much time in the basem*nt given the large size of the mansion?”
“Because the basem*nt is quiet, and there isn’t anyone there to bother me.” Flandre said quickly. “And because big sis thinks it’s the only way to keep Gensokyo safe from my totally out of control ability. Maybe if she’d actually try and talk to me about them, she’d understand that I can control them.”
“And have you let her try?” Astra said smugly for some odd reason, causing Flandre to have a playful smirk form along her face. “Because I have the sneaking suspicion you either don’t, or you tell her half truths about it.”
“Oh, I like you!” Flandre said giddily as food was finally brought in by some very terrified looking fairy maids. They quickly set a large breakfast of eggs, pancakes, and sausage in front of us before quickly running back out of the dining room. “You’re going to be fun to play around with later. Most people wouldn’t call me out on that. As for why I don’t talk to her about it is simple. If she found out, I’d get less stuffed animals to play with and have tea parties. And Katrina, was it? To answer your other question, Sakuya can control time; though I don’t know how. That’s how she appears randomly and takes care of everything.”
Flandre said that last bit as if it were some little fun fact. But for us, the fact felt more like a bombshell being dropped. Even compared to every absurd thing that we had seen before, controlling time felt a bit too much like fantasy.
“Anyways.” Flandre continued as she ate some pancakes with no care that her mouth was full. “I could care less about all of that. I want to know more about you three. After all, big sis rarely lets anyone stay in the mansion, let alone come and go as they please. That means you three and your friend have to be quite interesting. So, tell me all about it! I want to hear the exciting adventures, and the dragons, and all the fun things!”
Flandre made that last bit sound more like a demand than a suggestion. So, we all started to take turns talking about our adventure thus far. To my surprise, Flandre actually appeared to be listening quite intently, even going so far as to ask questions every now and again. She especially seemed interested when we started to talk about our Disney escapades; and was laughing when I mentioned decapitating the mouse. Oddly enough, she was more intrigued about the rides and various things we saw at Disney, and less about what actually happened there. It might have just been my imagination, but there was almost a child-like sparkle in her eyes.
It was around that point where Hestia came wandered in, much to the delight of all of us. She seemed to be in good health, and after filling her in quickly, we continued to tell Flandre about our journey getting here. As the stories continued, I found myself smiling more and more. It felt like we were just a few friends hanging out, and not a goddess, three yokai, and a vampire talking about saving the world. Everyone else seemed to feel the same way.
“That journey puts our incidents to shame!” Flandre said after we finished, we face beaming with a smile. I could not see it, but given the constant tapping against my leg, I had a feeling Flandre was kicking her legs in excitement under the table. “Seriously, I wish I could journey with you all some time! In fact, I think you four are the only people that I’ve been able to actually enjoy myself around! Totally makes sneaking out of the basem*nt worth it.”
“Speaking of which.” Katrina quickly started to ask, her voice becoming slightly more serious. “You still haven’t told us why Remilia thinks you can’t control your ability.”
“Oh, I suppose I didn’t.” Flandre said with a slight huff of disappointment that we were back on this subject. “Basically, I have to grab a part of a person or thing to use my ability; I call it an eye. If the target is standing still and isn’t too small, then there is no problem. But if the target is moving, or is extremely small, it becomes hard to use my ability on them. Because of that, I accidently destroyed the mansion one time, and big sis thinks I can’t control my ability.”
“That… makes a lot of sense.” Astra said as she slowly began to nod her head. “I don’t get all of it, but the mistake of destroying a part of the mansion makes does. I’m sorry you’re having to deal with her Flandre.”
“It’s okay.” Flandre said as she got up from the table. “Like I said earlier, I quite enjoy the basem*nt and its lack of people. Though you four are not so bad I suppose. Anyways, I am getting tired, and y’all have a journey to Moriya if I have heard correctly. You’ll have to tell me how it goes! Oh, and next time you’re here, we have to play together! Don’t forget it!”
We all waved goodbye as Flandre left the room. Despite how scary Remilia made her sister out to be, I was rather happy with how nice Flandre was. A bit less formal than her sister and she seemed a bit eccentric. Though given everyone else we had met on our journey, she was not that bad at all.
“Well, shall we get going?” Hestia asked with a slight grumble. “Patchouli filled me in on what I missed. It’s still a bit surprising to hear though. Among all the legends that this world has seen, even the gods thought Excalibur was a myth.”
“About that…” Astra slowly said as we began to head towards the mansion’s main entrance. “Other than the four of us, I think the people at the mansion are the only people that know that the sword is actually real. And if what Remilia said about it being the most powerful weapon in all of existence is true, shouldn’t we keep it a secret? I mean, imagine the havoc that would be caused if a god got their hands on it.”
“The world would be permanently damaged.” Hestia said with a grim expression. “You make a very valid point Astra. Any suggestions for how exactly we should keep it a secret though?”
“Just don’t call it Excalibur?” Astra asked in a sarcastic tone. “It isn’t that hard to come up with that ans—”
“Oh, so we just call it mystery sword shards?” Hestia sassed at Astra, catching us all of guard. “Because I’m sure that will only get us the wrong item we’re looking for. So please, don’t give me a stupid response again Astra!”
Hestia didn’t bother waiting for any of us to say another word before she stomped off out of the now visible front door. Astra, Katrina, and I shared a look of worry as we slowly followed behind her.
“Anyone know what that’s about?” Astra hesitantly asked in a hushed tone. “She has never been that angry at any of us before. At least, not from what I can remember.”
“No clue.” I said with a shrug. “Though it’s only been, what, a month since we’ve actually been around her? It could just be…”
My voice faltered as the three of us all realized what was going on at the same time. We tried to contain it in, but the three of us burst out in laughter, causing Hestia to turn around in surprise. Given all the absurdity, something as simple and ordinary as this was just funny for some reason.
“We’re terrible people for laughing at that.” Astra said as she wiped a tear away from her eye. “And we’re going to pay for it during the journey to this shrine. Aren’t we?”
“Oh, one-hundred percent.” Katrina said as she was hopelessly trying to stifle her laughter. “If nothing else, we’re going to feel some divine wrath from Hestia after this adventure is over. Hopefully the path to the shrine won’t be as chaotic as getting to Alexandria was.”
“You realize you just jinxed us, right?” I said with a cheeky smile and a friendly elbow jab to Katrina. “Though, I guess a bit of excitement won’t be too bad. So long as we don’t encounter this shrine maiden everyone warns us about, we should be okay…”
We all came to a stop as we stared out across the lake that was now visible through the fog. It was a nice lake, but that was not what our eyes fell upon. In the distance was a tall mountain that we hadn't noticed thanks to the fog from last night. A couple of small villages were visible, but they were not what was catching my eye in particular. Towards the top of the mountain was a barely visible building with one of those famous Japanese shrine gates.
“So.” I said softly under my breath to where no one else could hear me. “Time to find out if I’m ready to meet you mom. Please, don’t disappoint me.”
