Morning arose and I made sure to get up and ready for what may be the most dangerous day I decide to wake up to. I smelled some breakfast cooking a bit, so after I organized my gear together that I may need I headed into the kitchen to see Alice's dolls preparing an Eastern dish that I haven't quite familiarized myself with. I soon saw Alice arrive in the kitchen, all dressed up and ready for the day as well. As soon as I saw her, I proceeded to tell her something that was very important to me as we had our meal.
Reinhardt: "Ah, Guten Morgen, Fraulein Margatroid!"
Alice: "Guten Morgen, Reinhardt! I see you know a bit of Deutsch, ja?"
Reinhardt: "Ja! Oh, um, Alice. There's something very important I need to tell you about today."
Alice: "Yes, Reinhardt?"
Reinhardt: "It's about Remilia and Patchouli's plan. I... sense a trap behind their 'good intentions' of helping me out."
Alice: "What?! Well, it seems believable considering Remilia requires human food from the outside world, but do you think you should continue doing this favor for them?"
Reinhardt: "Well, I don't want to turn down a chance to show them I can do some good for them. I want to try and clear my name in front of them, and if they're going to go as far as to breaking a deal for food then they're nothing but a bunch of monsters. Alice, I want you to listen closely to me. I'm taking a huge risk here, so I'm not sure when I'll see you next. I have the rest of my belongings aside from my gear in the guest room. Please keep it somewhere safe for me. I'll try to come back for them if things go bad at the Scarlet Devil Mansion. And also, one more important thing... Alice... I love you." She was speechless at this point.
Reinhardt: "From the very day that you were generous and hospitable, I admired your kindness and beauty. These feelings will never die out even if I die today. I just wanted you to know this." Alice was still stunned and silenced by this statement.
Alice: "... Reinhardt... I don't even know what to say... I didn't expect you to feel the same way. I like you too, but before you ever came here, I liked Marisa for some reason. But now that you came into my life, my world's been turned completely around. I feel like my eyes have been opened for the first time. Reinhardt... I love you too, but now with you taking on this life-risking task, I don't know what I'll do anymore if you die."
Reinhardt: "Don't worry, Alice. When you come back from your errand with Marisa, look for me at Remilia's Mansion. I may be there or on my way out of it, but if you don't find me coming from the Scarlet Devil Mansion, search for me there. If you still can't find me there, please take care of my belongings. I will find a way back however I can. I love you, Alice. Until we meet again."
Alice: "I love you too. Please don't go. I can still hide you here."
Reinhardt: "No, they'll eventually find me here and they'll punish you with me. I don't want that happening, my love." Her eyes almost began to tear. I wiped them with my handkerchief as she spoke.
Alice: "Well, I guess until we meet again..."
As we both left for Marisa's house, she tried to brighten up as I tried to cheer her up. I gave her my handkerchief to wipe her tears and she felt a bit better by the time we were coming up to Marisa's house. I still can't believe she would like such a thief that even steals from her, but I had to quickly hide out back before Marisa could see me and I watched Alice and Marisa walk out of sight, which prompted me to proceed into Marisa's house. I got out the list of missing books that Alice gave me from Patchouli. I carefully searched the messy pile of books, tomes, even a scroll or two for the books from the list. It took a while, but after I was positive that I got every book on the list, checking twice, I quickly exited the house before Marisa returned, as I noticed the sun starting to set. I quickly left after making sure things didn't look suspicious and headed down a path that wouldn't cross Alice's house and headed west toward the Scarlet Devil Mansion, worrying about the coming night. After all, Remilia Scarlet is a vampire and vampires are nocturnal for good reason. I kept my hood on as I traveled to my destination as fast as I could.
I eventually reached the large estate drenched in shades and hues of red with my energy partially drained from the jog here. It's a good thing I ran Cross-Country back in my high school years, because I would've been dead already by the time I approached the gate. I made sure not to show any signs of weakness, only business. The Gatekeeper is a slightly tall Chinese woman named Hong Meiling who definitely looked like she meant business (at least when she's awake). I took off my jacket's hood and she seemed to instantly recognize me. Wow, they definitely anticipated my arrival.
Meiling: "Right this way, Torres-san. The mistress and Patchouli are waiting for you." Torres-san? I guess it's the formal way of addressing me as a business partner.
Reinhardt: "Yes, Ms. Meiling."
I followed Hong Meiling into the mansion, which really is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside. I was then escorted by two fairy maids. I watched as small sparkles flaked off of their wings as they hovered over the floor. I then found myself in what seemed to be the Mansion's Tea Room. Sitting on a fancy chair to the right of me was Patchouli Knowledge. I nodded to her and greeted her as she told me I could give her assistant, Koakuma, the books retrieved from Marisa. She checked every single book and page and was impressed at my talent for retrieving the books. After that business was done, I turned to my hostess and the owner of the mansion, Remilia Scarlet, accompanied by her head maid, Sakuya Izayoi. They all appeared to be who they say they are, all right. Remilia then proceeded to formally greet herself.
Remilia: "Good evening, Mr. Torres. I am Lady Remilia Scarlet. You may address me as m'lady if you wish."
Reinhardt: "I've heard of you before, m'lady. Good words, I assure you though."
Remilia: "I do hope so. Anyways, this is my head maid, Sakuya Izayoi. She does much of the work, including cleaning and cooking. Please treat her with the utmost respect, lest you wish to be stabbed by several knives in the blink of an eye."
Reinhardt: "Ah yes, I've heard of the famous time manipulator. Nice to meet you, Miss Izayoi." I held out my hand for a traditional hand shake, but it took her a moment to understand what the gesture was and returned the greeting.
Remilia: "And I see you have met Patchouli Knowledge, our librarian who owns the books you retrieved." I greeted her with a handshake as well, but not once did Remilia acknowledge Patchouli's assistant, Koakuma. Then I realized that she must've immediately went to put the books back into the library.
Patchouli: "You may have heard by now that Marisa Kirisame was the one who stole the books from my library. Although she may steal them again in the future, I truly appreciate you taking your time to return these stolen belongings of mine. We would like to return the favor by offering you protection from your hunters. I heard you entered here through one of Yukari Yakumo's gaps to get here."
Remilia: I must say, I admire your bravery by coming here the way you did. Especially considering that Gensokyo is full of man-eating Youkai. You could've easily been snatched up and killed by a hungry Youkai, so what made you come here? I do wonder." I can tell that she's trying to intimidate me.
Reinhardt: "Well, I fear nothing that would come against me and I decided to come to Gensokyo after hearing about this wonderful land that is separated from the rotten and corrupt outside world. I couldn't stand the outside world anymore. I saw the world crumbling because of the deeds of corrupt men very much unlike myself, so I decided to come to this land said to have been separated from the rest of the world so I could live a more peaceful life away from the oncoming darkness of the outside world."
Remilia: "However, it seems that you have found an even darker place." I realized this and thought back on all the research about Youkai and all of the events that had happened in Gensokyo and started having feelings of regret for coming here. For some reason, I started to sweat, allowing me to show weakness.
Remilia: "I do apologize. Did I worry you. Don't worry. With you here, none of the other Youkai would know you're here." This only hinted even more to my possible impending death.
Sakuya: "I bet you're already exhausted from coming all this way here. Do you want me to show you where you'll sleep for the night?"
Reinhardt: "Yes, I would appreciate that, Miss Izayoi." I kept my Rifle and survival knife at the ready, in case Sakuya was given orders to finish me off quickly and cleanly. It seems that Sakuya has taken notice to this and proceeded to escort me without any harm done to me. Thank You, Lord, for always protecting me from evil. Perhaps someday, the souls of this mansion's residents will be able to step into the light that You shine down from Heaven. Sakuya showed me my room and allowed me to unpack my belongings. When she left, I remained to keep my gear at the ready. I decided to get some quick shuteye with my clothes on and my belongings beside my bed and set an alarm on my cell phone to wake me up approximately three or four hours later.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for always watching over me and protecting me from harm in this dangerous world new to me. Continue to watch over me in one of the darkest places in Gensokyo and may there be a day that Your Light and Word will reach the minds and souls of these dark people that they won't need to hide from the Light, hide from You, God. And please send your Angels to watch over my new friend, Alice, for if anybody comes to question her about her association with me that You will protect her from the harm of the enemy, and may I always continue to be Your ever-so-faithful servant. In Jesus' name, Amen.
