The week that would anticipate the upcoming party made me feel more life within myself again the way life should flow through a man's soul. I enjoyed spending some time with Alice in peace finally, as well as hearing from my winged friend, Hatate, that her latest issue of the Kakashi Spirit News was an absolute hit everywhere. She finally had more paper sales than Aya and her Bunbunmaru News than ever before. I was no doubt the talk of the town now. That would most definitely help me out when Alice and I arrive to the party. I wouldn't have to worry about being seen as the bad guy anymore, but even when that wasn't enough to ease my conscience, Alice was always there to comfort me, telling me that things at the party would be alright.
We decided to prepare the German Apple Pancake that we planned on making for the party a day before we were to arrive at Remilia's Scarlet Estate. We enjoyed baking together without the dolls' assistance. I made sure to put extra sugar in to make the final product sweeter than I've tasted before in my experience with the dish. We wrapped it up and saved it for tomorrow. I just knew that everyone was going to love it, although not everyone could get a slice of it. There was only so much to go around, after all.
The night of the party, Alice had her Shanghai doll by her side and I carried the dish with me as we walked along the road to the Scarlet Devil Mansion. Everything was all together with us. I decided not to take any weapons besides my survival knife only for worst-case scenarios, but Alice would take care of that for me if need be, however, there was still some haunting in my mind as I walked with Alice. I was still worried that I wouldn't be accepted socially like I wasn't back home. I kept thinking about how I stood out badly to everyone around me.
Reinhardt: "Alice..."
Alice: "Yes, Reinhardt?"
Reinhardt: "Do you think I'll be left out of everything? There's so many people who are so well known among each other that I'm not sure if-"
Alice: "You shouldn't worry so much. You haven't been sleeping because of that." I just about forgot about my restless nights being haunted by a lack of feeling accepted.
Alice: "I can introduce you to some people and try and tell them that you're not a bad person. You might even be able to find some people you've met before like you've told me about in your little story."
Reinhardt: "Alright. Thanks for helping me calm down. I needed that."
Alice: "What are friends for? You were willing to search Gensokyo inside-out for me."
Her words never ceased to help my psychological state improve. She smiled at me and I managed a smile back for her kindness. I was hoping that I could talk with the other friends I've made along the way like Nitori, the tech-loving kappa, Rumia, the reborn Youkai through Christ, and Yuugi Hoshiguma, the oni that trained me when I desperately needed the help. I don't know how she would react to seeing me again though, especially after our bad argument, but I hope she can forgive me of my actions (or lack thereof).
We arrived at the front gate where Hong Meiling, the SDM's gatekeeper greeted us and allowed us in after showing her our invitation and prepared dish. I saw many fairies, both maids and regular denizens, flying around the front courtyard along with Melody, who came to me with enthusiasm and joy. I introduced Melody to Alice as my friend and told her how we met.
Alice was met with a bit of surprise when Melody and I said that I named her. I guess it seemed a bit unusual that an outsider would name a denizen of Gensokyo, but nevertheless Melody escorted us personally into the mansion with the other guests. Some came up as familiar from my diggings into the Gensokyo Chronicles. Others were rather unfamiliar to me or their names easily escaped my memory. Melody took our dish and put it at the serving table with the other dishes brought by the other guests. Everyone at the party was either given a little tour around the mansion by the fairy maids or sitting at tables with food and discussions of many kinds. We then met with our hostess, Remilia Scarlet herself.
Reinhardt: "I told you I'd visit again, m'lady. I promised too."
Remilia: "You really are a man of your word, Reinhardt. I respect that about you. I'm glad you could make it too, Alice."
Alice: "It's nice to be here at another one of your parties. Sakuya does an amazing job cooking."
Remilia: "I'll make sure to tell her that."
Reinhardt: "Speaking of Sakuya, any chance I could find her if she isn't busy?"
Remilia: "She should be done with all of the meals by now. You can probably find her cleaning up in the kitchen. Why?"
Reinhardt: "I need to tell her something, that's all. Alice, I'll be right back. I can meet you in the dining hall afterward."
Alice: "Alright. Don't take too long. I'll save a seat for you."
Reinhardt: "Thanks."
I asked Melody where I could find the kitchen and she showed me the way. Inside, I saw Sakuya holding her pocket watch in her hand after seemingly cleaning the kitchen rather well in no time at all (literally). She noticed me coming in and put her pocket watch away.
Sakuya: "Ah yes, Torres-san. So you've decided to show up to the party with Alice? The mistress decided to invite you and Alice here, but I wasn't sure if you would show up, especially after our little run-in."
Reinhardt: "Oh right, about that. I came here to say that I'm sincerely sorry for hurting you."
Sakuya: "It's fine. It should be me doing the apologizing. I was the one that hurt you more severely. Were you able to recover well?"
Reinhardt: "Actually, yes with the help of one of your fellow maids. She still thought I was a guest, fortunately. It also came to my attention that she didn't have a name, so in return for her kindness and assistance, I gave her a name. Her name is Melody. She's the fairy that has the reddish hair, brown eyes, and light blue outfit."
Sakuya: "You named one of my subordinates? I thought only the master had the right to name a servant without a name."
Reinhardt: "I'm sorry if it seems unorthodox, but she was very happy to finally have a name. She was also the maid that escorted Alice and me through the mansion. She's very helpful and very friendly as well."
Sakuya: "I guess it's alright if it helps her work. Most of the fairies in the mansion seem to have lack in work quality, so I do most of the work compared to them."
Reinhardt: "Well no wonder, you have the ability to manipulate time so you can do jobs in literally no time at all. Heh heh."
Sakuya: "Hmhm. I suppose so. Well take care and enjoy the party."
Reinhardt: "I will, and it's said that your cooking is amazing, according to my friend, Alice."
Sakuya: "Well that's rather nice of her to say. Tell her I said thank you."
Reinhardt: "I'll make sure she hears your words. And another thing, call me Reinhardt."
Sakuya: "I'll keep that in mind, Reinhardt ."
I headed back to where I came from and followed the majority of the noise to the dining hall slightly crowded with people. I looked for the table with my friend Alice, but when I spotted her, I saw a few more familiar figures sitting with her, which made me feel a bit uneasy and nervous about sitting down.
The other guests that came to the party and sat with Alice were none other than Yuugi, Marisa, Reimu Hakurei, and Yukari Yakumo. I took my time to think through what could possibly happen as I took a plate at the serving table and picked out a few good-looking Japanese dishes and desserts to pack my plate before I confronted the people I eventually had to face civilly. I prayed to God in my mind that things hopefully wouldn't go as bad as I thought it would. I ever-so-carefully and nervously made my way to the table to face my final fears.
