Things are about to get interesting.
And I don't mean haphazard post-editing.
Yukari's visit at the Scarlet Mansion was going well. As far as unannounced visits went. Everyone who was still awake was gathered in the ruined dining hall once more, trying to figure out why Yukari had elected to invite herself in. Alice was sitting on the floor with Adam, reading him tales from Arthurian legend while he rested his head in her lap, drowning in old memories. Marisa was with them, leaning against Adam's back, fiddling with her micro reactor while she listened in.
Patchouli and Meiling had retired for the day, having endured far too much excitement -and a gaping neck wound- for one day. Remilia and Sakuya, meanwhile, were trying to accommodate Yukari whilst prodding her for information.
"I do appreciate this," Yukari said, taking a sip of her drink. "Moving forward things are going to be difficult, I don't have the luxury of sleeping in."
"So I take it this is less about Adam and more about something else?" Sakuya asked as she poured Yukari more coffee.
"I was just killing two birds with one stone," Yukari answered, taking another generous sip. She huffed in amusement, seeing the awkward faces on everyone. "This isn't the first time I've had a companion taken from me, don't look so awkward about it."
"What do you mean?" Remilia prodded, eager to hear more.
Yukari's eyes narrowed. "That, Remilia Scarlet, is personal." The Scarlet Devil shrunk away, letting Yukari return to her drink. "Sakuya, a bit more latte please." The head maid made her way over, a pitcher of milk in hand. Yukari held out her drink, letting the maid add some to her coffee. "All you need to know is that someone is here who shouldn't be, and if they get out I am going to get into a lot of trouble."
"With who?" Sakuya asked.
Yukari glowered, a forlorn sigh escaping her lips. "If this person can get into contact with their master, the devil will be at my door."
"Are your servants looking into this?" Sakuya asked, standing by Yukari's side.
"Yes, but they don't know who to look for. I don't know who to look for." Yukari felt her lip curling into a snarl, but managed to suppress it. "I don't like not knowing." She rose from her seat, soundlessly making her way over to Alice and co. The way her long dress moved with her, it almost looked like she was gliding over the floor. Yukari gave Adam a once-over, her brow furrowed. "Do you mind, Alice?" the youkai asked. "I would like to speak with him."
Alice gave Yukari a look, but nodded. She gently muttered something to him, making the homonculus stir. Marisa shifted, letting Adam slowly rise to a upright sitting position. He blinked, it looked like he was on the verge of nodding off. "Yukari wants to talk," Alice told him.
Adam looked at Yukari with lidded eyes, "buh," he said dumbly, slowly rising to his feet. He wobbled a bit as he erected himself, but stayed relatively stable. Somehow the black hulk managed to even surpass Yukari's impressive stature, but just barely. "Hello," he said, waving his hand shyly. "You... seem familiar."
Yukari quirked a brow, "I wonder... what do you remember, Adam? What makes me familiar?"
Marisa and Alice exchanged worried glances. They wanted to jump in before Yukari teased out Adam's suppressed memories, but you don't exactly stop Yukari when she wants something.
Adam's brow furrowed, he reached up and scratched his shoulder a few times, and from the sound of things he was grinding his teeth together. He stared at Yukari contemplatively, giving her a few once-overs as he tried to remember something.
Yukari couldn't suppress a smirk when she saw his eyes wander. She knew better than to think his gaze was hormone-driven, but she just had to indulge the urge. "Eyes up, mister," she teased, reaching up and giving Adam's cheek a pat.
The homonculus blinked, hunching a bit. "I thought examining your attire would help remind me," he confessed. "I did not know that was improper."
The youkai resisted the urge to snicker in front of him, instead giving him a playful smile. "Oh you are thick, aren't you?" she asked him, which made the homonculus cock his head to the side. This teased out a giggle from Yukari, in spite of her best efforts. "It's like talking to a big puppy. A shame you're not red, I would have had the cutest nickname for you."
Adam was visibly flustered, in spite of not exactly knowing what the woman was talking about. He shuffled, hand resting on the back of his neck as he averted his gaze.
Of course, this only tickled Yukari more. "It's not what I had in mind when I brought you to Gensokyo, but I suppose being an imposing cutie beats being a confrontational brute." The hulk craned his head back, his brow furrowed once more as he looked at Yukari. The youkai's smile grew a tad wicked, knowing that she had struck one of the suppressed chords. "Tell me, Adam. How has your stay with miss Scarlet been?"
"It has been nice," Adam answered, bouncing in his stance. "Sakuya is very gentle and kind, I like being around her the most."
"Is that so?" Yukari asked, giving Sakuya a mischievous look. "I can imagine why you'd be so taken with her."
The maid visibly flushed, averting her eyes, wishing she could go over and smack Adam before he said anything else embarrassing. Remilia looked rather jealous, shooting a quick glare at Sakuya. Which Yukari immediately picked up on.
"And Remilia?" the youkai asked, returning her attention to the homonculus.
Adam ceased bouncing, earning a curious look from Alice and Marisa. Remilia looked like she was about to soak up some praise, but then Adam started talking. "She is strange," he shyly admit. "She likes to wear this tiny see-through dress-"
"Wait!" Remilia shouted, flying over and covering Adam's mouth. "There are some things you shouldn't talk about!" the vampire scolded.
"Oh don't be such a prude, Remilia," Yukari said, separating her from the homonculus with her parasol, looking like she could break out in laughter any second. "Do you like being here, Adam?"
Adam frowned deeply, looking at Alice and Marisa. Yukari quirked a brow as she watched the three of them exchange looks. "I remember being with mama and Marisa. I miss them," he said, returning his gaze to Yukari. "I miss napping with mama, I miss reading, I miss playing with Shanghai." He glanced at Sakuya and the fuming Remilia. "This new home... I do not think it is as good, but I do like being here. I like being around Sakuya, and sometimes mistress Remilia is fun too."
Yukari hummed thoughtfully. "And Flandre?"
In the background Remilia just about pulled a Patchouli and choked on her own spit. She moved to get in the way again, but Sakuya stopped her. The vampire shrugged her hand away, floating over to Yukari. "Yukari, Flandre's been... in a mood lately."
"A mood?" the youkai asked, giving Remilia a curious look. "He's been here for a few months, hasn't he? Surely she would have gotten over it by now."
"It's complex," Remilia said.
"Explain it to me," Yukari retorted.
"Not enough time," the vampire answered.
"I have all day," the youkai snipped back. "Unless there's more you don't want to tell me." She smirked when Remilia bristled, "unless of course it's not me you're worried about, rather..." she looked at Adam pointedly.
"Miss Yukari," Sakuya said. "I think the three of us need to discuss this in private."
Yukari smirked wickedly. "And what's wrong with Adam knowing about Flandre? I mean, it's not like he was made for her, right?"
Adam watched the exchange continue, his brow furrowed. Less from confusion, more out of irritation. "No one will tell me," he said softly. His voice managed to carry though, garnering everyone's attention. "It is frustrating. I do not care who Flandre is anymore, miss Yukari."
Yukari gave Adam a bemused look. "You're not curious at all?"
Adam's teeth started to peak out from his mouth. "I have been frustrated out of my curiosity."
"Fair enough," the youkai responded, turning back to Remilia. She leaned down to her level, her face stern. "He'll find out," she said flatly before rising. "Time to go!" she chirped jarringly, folding out her parasol. "Do take care, girls. I'll be back on occasion for more caffeine." She made her way over to Adam for one last thing. "Do let me know if you get into trouble, I'll always be listening." She blew the homonculus a kiss as a gap opened behind her. "Ta-ta~!"
And with that, she stepped through the gap and closed it behind her. Everyone let out a sigh of relief, especially Remilia.
"I would like a task, mistress," Adam said, his voice stern. "I find myself in a... mood."
The Scarlet Devil made a mental note of the especially bitter delivery. "Sakuya?" she asked.
The maid stepped over, handing Adam a clipboard. "There's a cart in the utility closet, here's a checklist of rooms that still need cleaning, and a map in case you get lost again." The homonculus nodded, his expression softening just for a moment before stomping out of the dining hall.
"How long do you expect to hold this charade?" Alice asked, rising to her feet. "Yukari's right, he'll find out eventually."
"I'll come up with something," Remilia retorted flippantly.
"I don't think lying to him is a good idea, it's going to make him more upset," Marisa warned.
The vampire flapped her wings once, resisting the urge to clench her teeth. "When I want an opinion I'll ask for it. Don't you two have things to do?"
"Sakuya, send Adam our regards. Tell him I'll come again soon," Alice said. She looked at Marisa, who was about as bitter as she was. "Come on, I've had a long day and it's not even half over yet," Alice moved to leave, and Marisa followed, casting one last look at Remilia before shaking her head.
Remilia growled bitterly as soon as they were out of ear shot. "I'm getting sick of all these opinions. Keep an eye on Adam, Sakuya. I got a few lies I need to make."
"My lady, are you sure-"
"Don't question me again, Sakuya!" Remilia snapped. "Go keep an eye on that freak and leave me to my thoughts!"
Sakuya blinked, taken aback. She quickly recomposed, and bowed with a resigned sigh. "At once, mistress."
=][=
He couldn't understand, at this rate he'd never understand. Why would nobody talk to him about it? He just wanted to know who Flandre was, she was the reason he was here to begin with. Why was it so hard to answer one question?
Adam shook his head, trying to dismiss his frustrations and continue making up the bed. He lost count of how many, he just knew it was a lot. He'd been up and about for what seemed like forever, whenever he tried looking out a window it got progressively darker. He wished he had someone to talk to.
As he fluffed the pillows, the neat covers shifted and creased. Adam growled, trying to smooth out the creases, but they only reappeared shortly thereafter. There was a brief tug of war, the crease growing bigger every time, until it turned into a large lump on the bed. The beast snapped and yanked the covers off, revealing something he found familiar. The lavender ball and string, the green and yellow dress, that minty mane of hair. "Knock please," Adam grunted.
The girl gave him a playful smile, her emerald eyes shimmering as she animated. "Miss me?"
Adam stared at the girl, who frustrated him like everyone else was frustrating him right now. Vague answers and riddles, things that made his head hurt. With a tired sigh he pulled the covers over her and turned away.
"He-y!" the girl cried, throwing the covers back off. "Why the long face? I thought you liked talking!"
"You will not answer the one question I want answered," Adam retorted. "Why can I not know your name?"
"Didn't your mommy tell you not to pry?" she retorted slyly.
"Mama taught me many things, so did Patchy, and Sakuya. It is rude to not tell a friend your name," Adam retorted. "Are we not friends then?"
"Of course we are!" the girl whined, folding her arms and putting on her best pout. "Why do you want to know my name so bad?"
"So I know what to call you," Adam answered, finally returning and taking a seat on the edge of the bed.
"You got so big," the girl mused, crawling up behind Adam and wrapping her arms around his torso. "If I give you my name, can you promise not to tell anyone?"
"That's two questions," Adam said, his stern lips twitching as he rested a hand over hers. "However, I can do that."
"You broke the rules just now," she said with a giggle. "You answered anyway, you lose your extra question."
Adam grumbled, shifting as she leaned harder against him. "What is your name?"
"My name," the girl said sweetly, leaning over and pressing her cheek against his, "is Komeiji Koishi."
Adam felt a wave of satisfaction wash over him, one of his greater frustrations finally defeated. Yet, in spite of all that, this raised another question. He opened his mouth, but realized it wasn't his turn.
"Hey Adam," Koishi chimed, giving the homonculus a squeeze. "I saw you talking to miss Yukari. You really like miss Sakuya, don't you?"
"Of course I like her, she is kind to me," Adam answered.
"I mean you like like her," Koishi teased.
"I do not understand," Adam grumbled, "what is the difference?"
"Well I like you," Koishi said. "I like hugging you and talking to you, but when you like like someone," Koishi's cheek left his, "you tend to want to do something like this~." Without warning she dove in and planted a big kiss on Adam's cheek.
It took a moment for the homonculus to realize what the girl just did, and the moment she pulled away his head snapped around to look at her. "What are you doing?"
"Kissing you, silly!" Koishi giggled, "doesn't your mommy kiss you?"
"Sh-she feels my forehead with her lips sometimes," he answered dumbly, rubbing his offended cheek. "Is that what it is called?"
"Well duh!" Koishi answered, kissing his cheek again just to get another shocked reaction from Adam, which he readily offered. He blinked, dumbfounded, rubbing his cheek like it had just been slapped. "So do you think you'd like miss Sakuya to kiss you?"
Adam didn't spend long thinking about the question. "I am not sure. This is still strange to me. I do not completely understand." His brow was deeply furrowed, and he was visibly straining to wrap his head around the concept of how "like like" was different from "like" or maternal affection. "A kiss is something you give to someone you like... like?" the homonculus asked.
Koishi shrugged at him. "Not always," she said, "like your mom kisses you, but that's because she's your mom. But if Sakuya were to kiss you, she might like like you."
Adam nodded slowly, still feeling rather uncertain. "Ask."
"Do you like like anyone?" Koishi asked.
"That is a difficult question," Adam admit. "I do not think I can answer that yet." He stared off into the wild yonder of a wall, trying to think of a query. "You kissed me. Twice, actually. Do you like... like me?"
Koishi looked dreadfully amused over how he kept forgetting the second "like". However, her sly grin denoted something else, "that would be tell-ing!" she answered cheekily, poking Adam's chest. "So you think you can stop rubbing your cheek? People will look at you funny."
Adam blinked, snapping his hand away. "S-sorry-" he sputtered as Koishi kissed him again. He was tricked!
"You're so cute when you get a kiss!" the girl giggled. "I bet the older girls would just eat you up if they saw big Adam being so shy."
"I am not-!" Adam turned to face Koishi, but the space where she once sat was empty, only a mound of ruffled bedsheets remained. The homonculus snarled lowly, shifting off of the bed. "I am not shy," he grumbled bitterly. "I do not need to like like someone, and I certainly don't want Sakuya to kiss me." He had to stop and shake his head, for the moment he said that doubt struck him. "I don't," he grumbled in reaffirmation.
With a tired sigh he decided to leave this room before he dwelled on all of Koishi's nonsense for too long. He moved to shove open the door, but the moment he grabbed the knob it opened for him. He blinked, peering through the opening to see who was on the other side.
There was Sakuya, looking a little disheveled. She coughed when she made eye contact, trying to compose herself. "H-hello Adam."
"Hello Sakuya," the homonculus greeted, his irritation fading.
"Was everything alright in there?" she asked. "I heard you talking about something."
Adam furrowed his brow, trying to get a read on the woman. "You look uncomfortable," he noted frankly.
"I am," Sakuya answered, shuffling her feet. "Look, I heard some of the things you said in there. It's kind of surprising, I never would have guessed that you held me in such regard." She coughed again.
"Are you ill, Sakuya?" Adam asked, blissfully unaware. "If you are not feeling well I can take you to a bed and inform the mistress."
"That's not it," Sakuya said before clearing her throat. "I like you Adam, but not in that way. Let's not ruin a friendship with thoughts of more."
Adam scratched his cheek, at a loss. "Okay?"
The maid sighed in relief. "You know, I thought you'd be more upset. I'm glad you're so understanding."
"I am?"
"Let's just pretend this never happened," Sakuya said, finally managing to find her footing. "I'll see you when you're done."
Adam nodded, watching the maid take her leave while helplessly confused. What was she talking about?
=][=
Adam was sure it was pretty late, he couldn't even see out of the random windows he could find. However, after going down a flight of stairs and leaving the cart behind, there were no more windows. Without those, Adam had a hard time navigating. He forgot to grab Sakuya's map, and now he couldn't even find his way back.
The homonculus wandered the stone corridors, trying to see if there were any landmarks he could recognize. There were doors, but they all led to small, empty rooms. It didn't stop him from checking, but Adam had to wonder what exactly this part of the mansion was used for. Storage?
Who needed a bunch of chains for storage?
Adam was convinced he would be wandering forever, alone, with no hope of ever reaching anyone ever again. It was a silent terror that loomed over him, that pressed down on his shoulders like a great weight. It didn't stress him as much as he thought it would, in fact he seemed rather okay with it. He just hoped he could find somewhere comfy to rest before he resumed his search for the exit.
Eventually, Adam came on what amounted to a relatively normal looking door. That same extravagant and well-polished red wood with golden embroidery that the parts of the mansion Adam was familiar with had for their doors. A pang of hope struck him, maybe this was a way out?
With nothing to lose Adam pushed open the door, and he was greeted by a blast of bright colors. Adam squinted, trying to make sense of all the shades and reds, the deep blues and the flashes of green hither and thither. As he stepped full into the bedroom, Adam had to stop, as his feet were swallowed by some soft furry substance. He glanced down, spying some strange magenta moss growing around his toes and swallowing them. He hummed, curious, as he scanned more of the floor. Haphazardly scattered drawings and dolls littered the floor with no sense of organization, and a few smatterings of old blood could be spotted on the strange floor covering.
Adam finally made out what looked like an opulent bed amidst the sea of extravagant colors, he blinked, trying to peer through the veil that draped over and hid the contents from view. It was very reminiscent of Remilia's bed, but where the mistress' was frilly and white with soft patterns, this bed was a bright, bloody red, with sharp, golden trim outlining the sheets.
Adam had to wonder who lived in here. Maybe it was just Remilia's spare room when she got bored of being up stairs, or it was for important guests. He remembered making drawings like this when he was with mama, maybe it was another... little person?
"Who are you?"
Adam blinked, cocking his head as a little blonde head emerged from between the curtains of the bed. The girl mimed the gesture, slowly crawling off of her bed and making her way over to Adam.
Adam had to double-take at those strange branches growing from her back. Many shimmering gems were attached to them, and they seemed to sing when they clicked together. It almost sounded like a lullaby, which made Adam yawn.
Meanwhile the girl looked dumbstruck, as she had never seen something like him before. He reminded her of a gargoyle, finally shedding its stone skin and coming to life. She remembered loving those, always drawing the ones she spotted looming from the cathedrals in Europe. "Where's Sakuya?" she asked, "she usually brings dinner by now."
"I do not know," Adam answered dumbly, remaining where he stood as she drew closer.
"What's your business here then?" the girl asked, slowly strolling around him to better examine her intruder. "You don't look like the other servants."
"I have never been here before," the homonculus answered, turning to better face her when she threatened to stroll out of view.
The girl nodded, stopping her appraisal. "So you're not here to give me dinner. You'd best run along then."
Adam fumbled with his hands nervously. "I can't..." he answered shamefully. "I got lost."
The girl scoffed. "Leave it to Remi to lose her servants like this. I don't know what mommy saw in her." The girl glowered a bit, clearly mulling something over. "I can, uh... um... I could take you back up," she said weakly, almost wishing she hadn't said it.
Adam seemed to cheer up at the news. "I would be most appreciative."
The girl reached out, and Adam gladly took her hand. She blinked at him, her cheeks brightening subtly as her wings chimed with glee. "O-okay, let's get you back."
She couldn't believe it, he just took her hand. Just like that! He didn't flinch, he didn't run, he didn't even say anything. He trusted her, he didn't look at her like she was some psycho like everyone else, he looked at her and he saw her as a girl. Nothing else. Just a normal girl.
She couldn't express how happy that made her.
Meanwhile, just outside of the room, the pair had an audience. Watching from the shadows was Sakuya, who was currently chewing on her lip in apprehension on what she should do. She could warn Remilia now, stop Adam from getting himself into more trouble. Yet that look on Flandre's face, that small smile creeping onto her small lips, it was the first time Sakuya had seen her smile since...
The maid couldn't just take that. With no real options, Sakuya retreated, if only to brace herself for the coming days. Things were about to get even more interesting than they already were.
And there you have it. As short as it is, this chapter is loaded with a few things.
Remilia's buyer's remorse, Yukari and the future, and -of course- the moment I've spent the last few chapters leading up to. Adam and Flandre meeting for the first time.
Stay tuned for the next chapter, 'Flandre Scarlet'.