Red Tea with Sugar Cakes

[Remilia Scarlet]

Previous dealings dealt with, the Scarlet Devil strolled into the gateway with little worry to her future but a wandering desire for something else to distract her. Considering what had happened to her since her time arriving in Omni’s realm, there has been something that has been absent and what she has been neglecting: a moment to relax. She had been busy since she first started foot here, and call of a soft seat and a hot drink was a siren’s song for the child vampire. Whatever amenities and entertainment this new land provided might spark some interest from her. If it was a collection of bit and pieces from every corner of the the multiverse, then she would be beyond disappointed. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to learn what was beyond disappointed.

After the shimmer of reality passed through her body and she arrived at the other side, she looked around the rolling hill of grass to see little a cobblestone path that wind through the countryside, squalor buildings set along the planes in the fore of a great, white mountain castle. A magical air drifted around the vampire, although slightly marred by the more mundane and dirty people going about their day nearby.

Remilia couldn’t help but give a genuine smile. She liked it here. It wasn’t quite home, nor was it Gensokyo, but she can enjoy the fantasy like world. Although she questioned if she could survive it, as a few nearby who saw the youkai twirling her umbrella under the rightful sun soon fled from her sight. It invited a feeling of nostalgia, sure, but that wasn’t how she was going to make friends. 

Particularly when guards show up.

The scarlet devil was not impressed by the leather jacketed men, nor with their sharp spears held at the ready. Not so much threateningly; Remilia was sure they weren’t going to risk their lives taking on an unknown like her. But she was unperturbed. Despite their best attempt to hide their fear, which to their own credit were quite disciplined min, she could smell it rolling off their sweat. Was this the reputation of a prime, or was it her vampiric appearance?

Either way, just smiled warmly at the two and then walked right past them.

“Hey! Wait a minute. You-”

“Are an abomination, scourge of the earth, will frighten children, aren’t allowed cookies after nine o’clock.” Remilia waved off the men in a dismissive flick to the man “Heard it. Maybe I should complain to your captain for harassing a tourist to his fine dimension.”

“T..tour-”

“You know” Remilia turned around, resting one of her small, slender finger on her chin as she mentally confounded her pitiful adversaries “Someone who goes around, spending money, saying good things about your food and culture. Not someone who gets harassed”

“But-”

“And it’s too late for that” Remilia interrupted. With the guard sufficiently distracted, it was only now have they realized that while they were too busy not being able to get a word in edgewise, Remilia was still walking away backwards. “See yaaaaaa~” 

And then the little vampire flew off into the sunny sky, her strange visit the talk of the town for at least for at least the rest of the night. Her own intentions were much more grand. This little kingdom would be to her liking soon enough.

But first, something to drink!

[Remilia Scarlet]

Oh, what to do?

With the four directions before her, Remilia had been left to wonder and wander. Compared to the blank and restrictive hub of the nexus and the humid, bug filled mess that was the jungle, this was paradise! Barring the occasional arrow whizzing past her as she flied over the fledgling villages that dotted the fantasy world. It really was getting irksome, she should consider landing somewhere where the population wasn’t going to pull torches and pitchforks out from the corners of their homes at the sight of her. As fun as that might be, she needed relaxation.

Incident causing would be for a later date.

Having traveled to one of the corners of this brazen land, the scarlet devil stumbled across something out of place against the hewed stone castle walls and the steel plate armored knights of the medieval fantasy land: the tiled roof Remilia had grown acquainted to back in Gensokyo, the seemingly japanese style land and its people much like the ones from the Human Village. How quaint that even when she has left the land of illusions she manages to find her way back to a similar place. The smells of rice and soy wafted up and grew as she landed along a set of merchants along with someone’s Yakitori stand nearby, but there was something much more subtle that clicked something in the child vampire’s mind.

“Tea!” She shouted on the spot, spooking a few nearby people “I haven’t had a good a cup of it since I got here. This will just not do” Oh where was Sakuya when you needed her?

That caused a much deep thought as the she realized something and smiled in sudden  comprehension. Did she not have that exact power? She must have forgotten being stuck on that forsaken island for so long (otherwise she’d be a fool!).

She held her hand out before her, concentrating on a image. A thing. A person. Those whom curiosity had superseded their flight response watched as the prime summoned in another. The orb of pure, shimmering Omnilum took form, start to build detailed features, and eventually what stood before Remilia was a white haired teenage girl, dressed in a french maid’s uniform, tiredly opening her eyes as she realized that where she was now looked nothing like where she was before. Confusion set in as she glanced around, worry on her face before she looked down to see her master standing before her as the only comfort.

“Mistress Remilia, where-” And the question was silenced on the spot as the scarlet devil placed a finger on the servant's lips.

“Sakuya. Tea.” Remilia explained, and a clarity came over the maid. She smiled, bowing in respect as she understood.

“Yes, mistress” Sakuya answered “May I take your umbrella as well?”

“Please. My arm was getting tired” Remilia handed the dainty accessory over to her chief maid, who then held it herself above her master’s head as the two began to walk down the path towards some place to partake in the vampire’s newest desire.

However, she topped for a moment. Did she feel something else come through? Nah, must be her imagination...

[Amber Veritz]

Remilia continued to walk, but her pace was halted at the sound of a familiar female voice.

“Hunh? Lady Yuyuko? What happened?” The confused, emerald-clad gardener looked around. This wasn't the Saigyouji gardens. Her vision focused on the familiar figures: The Scarlet Devil and her maid.

“What have you done vampire? Where are we?” She asked surveying the area around her. It looked a little like Gensokyo but Youmu could feel that wasn't the case. There was something different about this place. Her phantom side hovered around her as she stood, waiting for her questions to be answered.

“Oh it's you? Uh...what’s her name again?” Remilia leaned over to whisper to her maid.

“That is Lady Saigyouji’s bodyguard, Mistress. Youmu Konpaku.” She replied in the same tone.

“Oh, right. How did you get here?” Remilia asked holding up the omnilium orb and smacking it like a broken toy. “This thing has to be broken.”

“Are you not going to answer my questions?” Youmu asked, checking to see if her swords were still with her. Thankfully, they rested peacefully on the half-human, half-phantoms back.

“Oh, whatever, I guess I accidentally summoned you with Sakuya, stupid broken orb.” Sakuya stood quietly watching her mistress smack the glowing orb with the umbrella positioned above her head. Sparks of light flashed out of the orb with each hit.

“Then send me back to my Lady, I have more important things to do than play childish games with you.” Youmu, normally a pretty pleasant person, didn't like the idea that she had been yanked away from her responsibilities. It was her duty to protect Lady Yuyuko, and that to her was a full-time job.

“Uh...I don't think I can?” She seemed unsure of herself. “Sakuya can you figure this thing out?” Remilia had given up on the orb and handed it to her servant. The light from it extinguished almost instantly as it fell into the maid's hand.

Youmu wasn't exactly sure what was going on here, or why she was even here in the first place, but she did know that this wasn't Gensokyo, and that Lady Yuyuko wasn't anywhere near. For now, she would have to propose they travel together and hope that she find her charge posthaste.

“Look, I can feel well enough that my Lady isn't around. So since we're in unfamiliar territory it might be wise if we stick together. May I travel with you two until I find Lady Saigyouji?” She asked closing some of the distance on the tiny vampire.

[Remilia Scarlet]

Half phantom hanger-on aside, Remilia saw this as a vast improvement. A more permanent companion, one she knew already and could keep the vampire happy. The populous, although eyeing her with suspicion and worry, weren’t attacking her or calling the guards on her. There weren’t zombies or goblins trying to rip her limb from limb. Compared to her earlier experiences, this was uncharacteristically pleasant for her time here. If the white hair gardener following after her was the price, then it was well worth it. The scarlet devil turned, with a natural (well practiced) grace, to the gardener with a smile worthy of her vampiric lineage.

“I will allow you to join us, since it was by hands that you are here. But consider that I only tolerate you, and remember that my patience is a luxury.” She then the scarlet devil turned back with a cape like flourish of her wing, leaving the half phantom charge stunned into silence, and the small vampire with a small smile at her performance.

“Our apologies, miss Konpaku, we’ll be sure to find your mistress as soon as possible” The perfect and elegant maid Sakuya drew her attention away from the inert orb of Omnilium relieve some of Youmu’s worry. She certain appreciated it, even if the maid’s master did not.

“Sakuya, what did I say about apologizing for me?” Remilia stared up at her servant.

“Not while you’re in the same room, mistress” Sakuya recalled without effort.

“Exactly, I won’t tolerate mutiny on this ship!” Remilia threw an accusatory finger at the maid, who merely took it in stride as she unwaveringly held the umbrella over her master’s head.

“You have a ship?” Youmu asked quite confused, which was the wrong question.

“We’re getting a ship, milady?” Sakuya asked, which was the right question.

“Yes!” Remilia shouted in a gleeful though as ideas of main braces and tri-corner hats sprung to mind, at least until all the connecting, duller parts came to mind with a thoughtful pout. How DOES one splice the mainbrace, and why does it involve alcohol? “Maybe. I don’t know. File that idea for later, Sakuya”

“Yes, mistress” And with that, the strange trio continued down the path the young Scarlet had landed in, moving through the market pace with only minimum fuss. The two recently summoned ladies watched the fine example of capitalism in work going on around them, familiar to the Human village’s but with stock seem strange even in gensokyo. Rare gems by the bin load, small magical creatures crawling in cages, and food both divine and repugnant in sight, smell, and/or cost laid along many colorful and noise stalls. As she tinkered with the orb given to her, as little as she could until Remilia remembered she had it, she realized that any one of these things and their vendors would have captured the noble’s attention. Except she has successfully ignored all of them, which could only mean that the mistress had something in mind.

“Remilia, may I ask what what it is we’re doing? Did you not say earlier than you wanted some tea?” Sakuya inquired, occasionally making sure Youmu did not wander off in her worried state.

“Of course! But It wouldn’t do to have it in the middle of the street, now would it?”

“Of course. Forgive me, Mistress, I should have known better.” Sakuya bowed, although her voice hinted at happiness than genuine repentance. “Then I shall search for the great of tea houses in all of this new land for you to enjoy in it’s splendor and hospitality.”and with a flash of the pocket watch she carried and a click of it’s stopper she was suddenly gone, with the umbrella now in the wayward Youmu’s hand without her notice. She and Remilia stared at each other in the awkward moment with just the two of them,Youmu standing still as a statue while the Scarlet Devil rocked on her feet.

“So how are feeliiing….” Remilia attempt to small talk was immediately interrupted by the fact that she’s already forgotten the person she was talking to’s name, before it came back in a bolt, “Youmu?”

“I am possible trapped in a world I don’t know, without my friends or the person I’ve sworn to protect, and my only company is two people who I’ve rarely met beyond fighting each other “ Youmu bluntly admitted, her thoughts twisted as she twirled the umbrella nervously. Despite no longer being the center of attention from the crowd, Remilia felt like she was just made part of a scene “But other than that, I’m fine”

“That’s good, I guess” And to the silent thanks of both of them Sakuya returns with a flyer in hand..

“Mistress, I believe I’ve found the perfect place” She held up the flyer for the childish vampire to read, looking quite proud. Remilia and Youmu leaned in, reading through the description. A tea ceremony set up in a botanical garden? Built in rooms and bathhouse? Even the flyer itself showed class and effort put into it, a gorgeous woodblock print of what they presumed to be the building itself.

Remilia could only smile from ear to ear. Oh, she was most certainly pleased.

[Amber Veritz]

Youmu watched a demonic smile form on Remilia's face as she looked over the little flyer for the teahouse. The last time she'd seen that face was when the two were rivals, she was fighting to protect Lady Yuyuko. It was weird to see them on a mutual side this time, or was this even considered mutual? She wasn't exactly sure if that was the word she was looking for to label this situation.

The gardener let out a sigh. She was a dutiful person who would protecct her charge with her own life. It made sense that she should seek out Lady Yuyuko as soon as possible, but it also made sense that where ever they were wasn't Gensokyo. She would have to stick close with the vampire child for now. And tea didn't sound so bad right now.

"Alright, Miss Izayoi, Miss Scarlet, shall we get some tea before continuing our travels?" She asked in a more polite tone than before.

[Remilia Scarlet]

The three companions made way to their desired destination, now that they’ve all decided that the earthy drink was their prime objective. The directions were useful, if held back by the non standard layout of the asian styled city, but after taking the path down from the dragon fountain opposite from the manmade waterfall they found it. Built slightly on a hill, the print of the building did not do it justice. The tea house itself was not much longer than the Hakurei shrine, but it would have been an insult to compare the complex to the shrine maiden’s shack back in Gensokyo.

The tea house itself was as ideal as many any others strived to be. A square building with the sliding doors open to show through, revealing an immaculately made and breathing taking scenery. Between the two greenhouses that bordered the raised, a garden rested as a scene of nature faithfully recreated in the heart of this eastern city with a stone path woven inward to allow visitors to stroll through and admire every element of it. A cherry tree was positioned at the end, which behind it was a large building with a steam pipe from the top. Concluding that was the hot spring, the eternal red mist smile continued to widen even to the point that her vampiric fangs were in full view  

Remilia was pleased. She gave a grateful pat on Sakuya’s back, and the perfect and elegant maid smiled in kind at doing a job well done. With master and servant happy, they walked closer to the front door while the half phantom gardener followed behind, slightly offput by the two’s odd relationship.

At the bottom of the step leading into the tea house, a bench was occupied by seven men and ladies of different stripes. Four, two wore lavish kimonos and yukata as befit of those higher class of the eastern village, while three others wore what are more appropriate as lords and dames of the medieval world outside of the town’s walls. This endlessly amused the small vampire, as she could see these petty nobles stabbing each other in the back (metaphorically, but literally was not out of the realm of possibility), yet here they were sitting side by side together.

But as they saw this, the three Gensokyoian finally connected the dots: there was already a large group of people, and if the position was any indication this was something planned far in advance.

“I’m sorry, mistress.” The chief maid sighed in disappointment as she realized her failure and bowed her head in shame “It seems we’ll just have to come later.”

“No. I want tea now” Remilia proclaimed, a serious tinge in her voice as her desire came so close and her determination showed neither retreat nor acceptance on her face. Youmu was nonplussed to see that fierce a look, see it as completely inappropriate considering the lack of stakes to the situation. but Sakuya knew that the young vampire was not about to be deterred “I will merely have to convince the host that we deserve to be here as anyone else”

“I see. Then we will have the honor to see your natural charisma in action, Remilia.” Sakuya responds “I’m sure you will succeed, milady, and I’ll be waiting here with your handkercheif when you’re done”

The face of fiery spirit turned to something darker as the vampire looked to her servant, a fake smile on her face with a small twitch of annoyance at her brow.

“I could leave you outside, if you think that would improve negotiations” Remilia answered after a very long and silent pause.

“Oh, but I would enjoy accompanying you, Remi. And someone would need to be there to ensure you’re properly fed and maintain your manners” Sakuya answer with her own less-than-honest smile.

“Such a noble sentiment, maybe you should ask if they’re hiring a maid and work full time here”

“My duties are to you and you alone, Mistress, and I believe you would miss me and my cooking”

“No no, I insist, I’m sure your vacation would do wonders for both of us”

Youmu watched the two as they passed barely civil comments to each other and shook her head at their banter. Yes, a very odd relationship.

But Remilia’s eyes darted back to the tea house as something caught her eye. It was not the two silhouettes that moved in front of the paper doors, although they did rest in that direction. It was a thread of fate that led to them and an opportunity she wanted.

“Youmu,” Remilia surprised the white haired swordsman by actually referring to her by name, “could you please stand a few feet further away from me?” She kindly requested, much to the eyebrow raise to her two companions

“Why?” Youmu asked in kind, confused by the vampire’s suddenly polite tone yet rude demand. When the instructions were not followed, the Scarlet Devil groaned loudly in frustration and pushed gardener away instead of repeating herself. To her fortunate, as in the next instant the paper door exploded outwards, snapped in half and set loose from its rail, as screaming man flipped his way through the air, corkscrewing where Youmu had stood a second ago, and landed in a cloud of dirt behind them.

“Devil [Remilia Stretch]” Remilia said aloud, just barely above conversation level, and the card disappeared under a glow of red energy. Both servant girls were caught off guard by this a stepped away from the following spell card.

The man was Mitoto Shukara, a well-to-do bandit who had found that his success in his line of work resulted a more open to his business, a little extra money on top enough to encourage those to look the other way when it came to his reputation and those who wouldn’t could still be persuaded the old fashion way. However, the woman at this tea house had refused to service him when he held up the bag of coin that were not his, and when he attempted the other way he found himself back in the streets ass over head. Although he could have crawled away from his defeat and gone somewhere else, he decided he was not about to be humiliated and certainly by some tea serving girl. And where was the red glowing coming from?

“No one treats me that way!” he shouted at the hostess looking down at him from the porch. He drew his wakizashi and prepared to charge “No one treats Mi-”

Any further word that would come from the boarish man’s mouth only came out as projectile spittle as the magic powered fist of Ramilia Scarlet plowed into his stomach. The dirt road around them kicking up a cloud as the shockwave blew by, the bandit lifted up off the ground from the blow that shattered his body. Once his feet touched ground again as the vampire pulled her hand away the man doubled over and planted face first road underneath him, drooling as his body told him it would be best to curl up and cry.

“I believe a spot just opened up, Sakuya” Remilia said aloud and walked towards the hostess with her umbrella held overhead by her faithful maid.

[Remilia Scarlet]

The lady of the tea house proved herself to have a strength of character equal to her throwing arm. As the Scarlet Devil approached her, she seemed unphased at the deliberate steps and radiated charisma of the vampire girl. Nor did she seem impressed by the brutal display of violence just performed on the bandit in front of her. If she cared about anything, it was the sliding door she just destroyed in her message in no uncertain terms that she had no intent to accept the brigand’s business. This, along with the combination of earthly yet plain beauty with an athletically lithe body, made Remilia think of an older Reimu; the shrine maiden she often pestered back in Gensokyo. Although the hostess was not quite as malnourished.

Negotiations went nowhere. Her honeyed words and grandstanding fell upon stone, and offers of money, charms, favors, and sweets got no attention other than the noble lord and ladies sitting at the bottom of the steps nearby. All of which sniggered at the newcomer’s naivety. This was Kuzami Fuka, a fierce woman who was as well known as her heavenly tea, both as commanding an unbreachable stubbornness and a disrespect she applied equally to all. Even the attempt to sell Youmu to her only got indignation from the half phantom gardener. It had taken the others weeks to months to get an appointment What hope did this childish vampire have?

But Remilia was not so ill-prepared in dealing with more “practical” personalities as the blue bloods thought. The hostess’ unwavering concern with her broken door was a deterrent to the scarlet devil’s flattery, it was also the path in. With a side remark about the poor state of the building, the hostess grunted in acknowledgement. With the bait set, Remilia played the trap with a brag of her maid’s unprecedented power of cleaning. This was what brought interest to the table, and negotiation began in earnest. With a few concessions given and, of course, a price paid, Remilia reeled in the prize and soon had what she wanted.

With the snap of the vampire’s dainty fingers, the perfect and elegant maid Sakuya disappeared. In the literal blink of an eye she had compared, bought, affixed, transported, and replaced a new paper door where the old shattered one was. Caught by surprise at the extraordinary magic used for mundane use, Remilia hooked her line and with a offer for the normal payment the woman may a an exception for the one time.

Other than the fishing metaphors, the vampire was quite happy with how this turned out. That little glee smile on her face was with her all the way down the stairs as she plopped onto the bench, looking at the nobles who had doubted her and were trying very hard to hide their slacked jaws.

“A pleasure to meet you all.” Remilia greeted, intense eyes glancing over her fellow diners as she bowed her head. Although clearly superior to the humans before her, there was no excuse to not be polite. Although there was also no excuse to not rub it in, and she was more certainly going to do that. But they had no intentions to respond in kind, their own delusions of grandeur could not allow them to acknowledge the child. Or perhaps they at had more rightful fear of the vampire in front them, although more out of association than because the childlike undead was intimidating herself.

But one, either a fool or audacious, smiled at the Scarlet Devil and bowed back. Despite his young age, his drooped face and slouched posture exposed a more weathered body. His eyelids looked barely kept open over soft green irises, his black hair was unkempt, and hung over with little care of where it laid, and his comparably plain clothes where a size too big despite a healthy frame and unblemished skin. But it was his smile that stood out the most: slight, yet genuine. He reached out his hand to clasp Remilia’s, which she gladly took, despite the glare of the chief maid over her shoulder. She felt a great warmth in him.

“A pleasure to meet you, miss,” he greeted her with a casual tone. It was clear he belonged in this eastern city, but why he was a part of this group of upperclassmen and women tugged at Remilia’s curiosity, “I’m Shun Sui.”

“Remilia Scarlet,” she answered in kind, her smile growing. Sakuya bowed, though she made no attempt to interrupt, “You seem a bit out of place here”

“Oh, I’m just experiencing something new. I came about this place, I wanted to drink some tea, and I asked Fuka if she’d have me. I scheduled an appointment, and I’ve been waiting. She’s actually quite nice, if you get to know her”

“Have you been waiting here the whole time?” Remilia teased, causing both of them to chuckle.

“Not the whole time. Sleeping on a bench is rough,” He joked back.

“Well, if you’re looking to experience something new, how would you like to be friends with a vampire?” Remilia quickly offered, excitement at the edge of her voice.

“Oh, that does sound like fun,” and both of them shook on the start of a wonderful friendship.

[Amber Veritz]

The tea ceremony begins shortly after the group of four sit down on the bench. It didn’t take long before they were sipping on the lovely, calming drink. The green-clad-gardener watched the exchange between the the vampire and this new, random man. Who he was was a total mystery to Youmu and possibly even Remilia but the seemed to hit it off very easily. They began to talk like old friends. Youmu sipped her tea quietly and kept to herself, only speaking when spoken to. After some time of meaningless banter between the two new friends, the silver-haired half-human half-phantom interrupted them.

“Pardon my intrusion, my lady, but when will have time to search for Lady Yuyuko? I fear for her safety.” She says, setting down her cup of tea on the table between them. Myon hovered over her shoulder carefully, staying relatively passive.

“I thought we should enjoy our tea first, then we could worry about the smaller things when we’re more relaxed.” Remilia waves it off to continue her conversation with Shun. Just as she begins to talk again, Youmu’s voice, and her hand against the table, interrupts her again.

“You’re implying that my concerns for my lady are less important than your maid’s are for you?” She says with obvious anger in her voice.

“Well, yes. She is my maid after all.” The vampire returns, confused on how she couldn’t realize that herself.

“That’s i-” Youmu says grabbing the hilt of her sword to draw it from the sheath that shrouded it, but she was interrupted by Sakuya. “You know if you do that, you’re going to make an enemy out of me. I suggest you stop right there, Miss Konpaku.”

The strained eyes of the two bodyguards meet and struggle against each other. Youmu’s grip slowly loosens and returns to her side. She sits down on her knees, grabbing her cup of tea and silently looking down at the table. As much as she would fight Sakuya in Gensokyou in this situation, she was in a new world and didn’t know anything about it. It would be best to save her energy for a more meaningful fight.

The nobles around them jumped slightly in their seats, scared of the altercation that was almost imminent before the white-haired phantom took her seat. She noticed one of the nobles giving her a jeered facial expression at her, much to her shame. The woman was dressed in a pink-ish kimono and looked royal, as to expect from a noble. If she had met the end of Youmu’s blade, however, she probably would have coward in a corner and begged for forgiveness, but Youmu was better than that.

“I understand your concern for you charge, but if you wish to partner with us, my mistress’s wish come first.” Youmu responds with a nod, and sips her tea.

[Remilia Scarlet]

A bemused smirk formed over the vampire’s lips as she watched and enjoyed her servant and the half-phantom’s game of will. Perhaps the only one enjoying the gardener burst of indignation, as the others sat either on edge or in disdain that they be forced to enjoy the company of others. But the hostess what peerless in her duties, keeping the patrons in line with little interruptions to the ceremony. Remilia herself was reprimanded with a glare that would have rivalled Reimu’s own mastery of non-verbal threats, but the vampire softly shrugged it off and left her focus on the delicacies in front of her. A meal of freshwater fish with seasonal vegetables, drizzled with a light sweet sauce and decorated with edible flowers. A light yet flavorful meal that complimented the thick tea passed around to each person. But it was the sweets that truly brought her to her knees (metaphorically, she was already sitting in seiza). Small rice cakes filled with a red paste, colorful dumplings with a wonderfully sweet coating, small cookies of dried fruit lightly dusted with powdered sugar. It was a moment of bliss for the vampire as the ceremony finished and the hostess made her last duties.

“Thank you all for attending” Kuzami bowed after an exquisite performance, and the diners were guided to a seperate room were they could fraternize. Some already left the room to take part in the ground’s other facilities, but Remilia already had plans to teach Shun how to play checkers.

In the corner of her sight she saw Youmu continuing to fidget with agitation with her eyes staring holes into the polished wood, her mind lingering on her master’s well being. The slow boiling of anger of not being allowed to leave was only growing hotter. Although constantly and casually callous, causing copious complications was currently not conducive to her or her compatriots. And certainly, she would not want to be seen as being cheap with her own words.

“Sakuya.” the Scarlet Devil called for her servent, and the elegant maid was by her side awaiting orders dutifully “Since our traveler has been on such good behavior, she’s free to look for her master,” this caused Youmu’s sight to shoot up to the vampire, the gardener’s mouth slightly agape, “Go with her. I’ll see you later tonight.”

This left the maid in a worrisome predicament: she had only just returned to her mistress’s side earlier that day (although she was also by her side before she was summoned), and now the lady had ordered her to leave it again. It was for a good cause, and she did have a rapport with the half phantom gardener, but her concern was clear on her face, something not unnoticed by the vampire of the heavy fog.

“Go, go, I’ll be fine. I can handle myself, I’m a big girl. You don’t need to be worried about me” Remilia said as she flicked her hands towards the door as if shooing an unwanted guest.

“But mistress, it’s statements like that that make we worried,” she said, her worried glance now intensifying to cartoonish level, her obvious acting on the verge of fake tears, and only missed a large watt bulb to darken the shadow on her face.

“Do you want to fix a second door today, Sakuya?”

“Very well, my lady. I will see you at night fall.” Sakuya bowed once she got the hint through Remilia’s sweet smile and insincere voice. She whisked the white haired gardener away with grace as always, and the two left the vampire to her own devices.