Face, meet fist. This is Akyu Quest!

[Fightest]

Approach the guard station, and look for Meiling. If she's not at the gates, knock on the door.

> Meiling is fast asleep in her guard station, a colourful comic book covering her face. She is snoring.
> You can make out some snores: "How...about...zzzzz...I go for...*snore*...number three...bub?...zzzzzz..."

[Hello Purvis]

>Set food aside, see if the sound of that wakes her up.
>Failing that, give her a gently prod on the shoulder and say "Lunchtime"

[Fightest]

>Set food aside, see if the sound of that wakes her up.
>Failing that, give her a gently prod on the shoulder and say "Lunchtime"

> She doesn't wake up from you putting down the lunch.
> Your prod, however, sends her leaping from her chair with a shout of "Sabretooth!", hands balled into fists.
> Seeing no such adversary, however, she groggily wipes her eyes, then turns to you.
> "Oh. Good...uh... morning? The mistress won't..."
> She finally recognises you for who you are.
> "Oh, hello. Sorry, I fell asleep. How can I help you?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, I hope this will be worth waking up for. I apologize for not showing up yesterday, I was rather busy being unconscious."
>Set out the lunch for her.
>Once done, let her tuck in for awhile and discuss some pleasantries.
>Once she fnishes, say, "There's something important I need to talk with you about, if I may. I have...well, I've abused your good nature."

[Fightest]

> "Lunch? Again? If I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to bribe me! But I heartily accept!"
> Meiling smiles, and starts scarfing down the lunch, dropping a compliment every so often.
> Hearing your remark, she swallows and asks "Hm? What do you mean?" still smiling.

[Hello Purvis]

> "Lunch? Again? If I didn't know better I'd think you were trying to bribe me! But I heartily accept!"
> Meiling smiles, and starts scarfing down the lunch, dropping a compliment every so often.
> Hearing your remark, she swallows and asks "Hm? What do you mean?" still smiling.

>Have a seat. "There's no good or easy way to tell you this, but...I,"
>Sigh
"Well, I played a role in the maids running away."

>_

[Fightest]

>Have a seat. "There's no good or easy way to tell you this, but...I,"
>Sigh
"Well, I played a role in the maids running away."

>_

> Meiling looks confused, her smile faltering. "What do you mean?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"The faeries of the lake have, for the time being, accepted me as one of their own. They are trying to work together to win the tournament, and I've been aiding them as I can. One of their early plans was to infiltrate the mansion, join up with the maids, and escape with them. Afterward, we used their numbers to lead an successfully attack on Eientei. And, in the process, I misled you. For this, I can only offer my apologies."
>Brace self.

[Fightest]

> Meiling stops eating, no longer smiling, and slowly puts down her chopsticks. She doesn't talk for a while.
> "It's not the maids I am bothered about, even though I am now obligated to report the matter to the Mistress. It is not even the fact that you tricked me - it was a good ruse, well-planned and executed."
> "It was that you went into combat with dangerous enemies when I implored you not to. That I taught you my techniques, trusting you would not use them and find yourself in danger. That is what saddens me."

[Hello Purvis]

>Did she say that? Looking back, the closest seems to be mentioning that she wouldn't teahc us stuff for fighting spellcards and we should leave that to the violent weirdos.
>If this matches what we recall (as Akyu has a better memory than me), gently suggest she never said that, and that perhaps our rush to press her for new knowledge caused her to overlook it?
>If we do recall her saying that, just sigh and leave it at that.

[Fightest]

>Did she say that? Looking back, the closest seems to be mentioning that she wouldn't teahc us stuff for fighting spellcards and we should leave that to the violent weirdos.
>If this matches what we recall (as Akyu has a better memory than me), gently suggest she never said that, and that perhaps our rush to press her for new knowledge caused her to overlook it?
>If we do recall her saying that, just sigh and leave it at that.

> She did mention that you shouldn't get into a fight against a proper Spell Card user, which is exactly what you did with Kaguya. Considering you said that you attacked Eientei, it would be a fair assumption to make that you would run into someone who uses Spell Cards.
> The air in the room grows heavy as neither you nor Meiling speak for some time.
> Meiling then frantically waves her hands, breaking out into a smile again, trying to lighten the atmosphere in the small gatehouse. "No, no, I did not mean to sound so...reproachful. I would certainly be more so if you said you had lost, but you say you won? I cannot argue with results, no matter if they go against my words! Whom did you fight? What was the Spell Card like? Did they use several? How did you defeat it? Were you hurt? Don't just sit there, speak, I'm dying to know!"

[Kasu]

> Enlighten Meiling of our story starting at when we began the assault up to after we retreated due to the mystery bombing.

[Fightest]

> Enlighten Meiling of our story starting at when we began the assault up to after we retreated due to the mystery bombing.

> Meiling listens with rapt attention as you regale your story of conflict and combat. She gasps and oohs at all the right moments, and, when the story is finally over, she gives you a tight hug, a wide smile on her face.
> "You do not know how happy it makes me feel that a student of mine - no matter how briefly you studied with me - achieved such success in such a short time. A somewhat selfish sentiment, but do indulge me just this once. Of course, equal praise goes to you."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Well, all I did was fit the pieces of the puzzle together. It is you that gave them to me to begin with."
>Smile.
>"Still, thank you for your praise. Alas, I fear my work isn't done yet. I have to find the person who did that, and learn why. And, if needs be, make sure she won't do it again. It is part of why I came here today."

[Fightest]

>"Still, thank you for your praise. Alas, I fear my work isn't done yet. I have to find the person who did that, and learn why. And, if needs be, make sure she won't do it again. It is part of why I came here today."

> Meiling pulls back from the hug and looks at you.
> "Then, until your mission is done, I will... forget what you told me about the maids."
> She taps the side of her nose, grinning mischievously.
> "What can I do to help?"

[Hello Purvis]

>"You continued support, at least. I would hope, even if I use what you've taught me agressively, at least I've used it well enough to allow you to continue to teach me. There is another thing you could do, and it is another reason why I decided to stop hiding the truth. You may recall the technique that the Princess used to call upon her doctor. They are willing to share it with me, and I could think of no one better suited to share such a thing with than the person who has showed me everything I know about self defense. Hopefully, you would gather some small use of it yourself."

[Mr_Bob]

Hopefully, you would gather some small use of it yourself."

Meiling's use of Two Fight As One would go like this: Meiling sleeps while astral Akyu reads manga. Multi-tasking!

[Hello Purvis]

Alternately: Challenging Sakuya to Memory Match games.

[Fightest]

>"You continued support, at least. I would hope, even if I use what you've taught me agressively, at least I've used it well enough to allow you to continue to teach me. There is another thing you could do, and it is another reason why I decided to stop hiding the truth. You may recall the technique that the Princess used to call upon her doctor. They are willing to share it with me, and I could think of no one better suited to share such a thing with than the person who has showed me everything I know about self defense. Hopefully, you would gather some small use of it yourself."

> Meiling pauses to think for a moment.
> "Of course, I wish nothing but the best for you, but... what is required of me for this technique? I do not have the luxury of being able to leave my post for long periods of time."

[Hello Purvis]

>"The spell required for it is supposed to be simple, from our perspectives. From us, it would require a half hour's meditation in a quiet room. I suppose, if you require it, they could come here and do it, though it would probably be a bit more difficult."

[Fightest]

FIghtest's note: Apologies for unreliable update schedule. Experiments to run and research to be done, etc. etc.

> Meiling nods. "Okay. I reckon I can slip away for half an hour or so. It's not like the Mistress hasn't noticed me for days before. I don't think she's even back yet. When do you think is a good time? Right now could be possible, if you think it wise."

[Hello Purvis]

>"Sooner would be better for me. We'll see what can be done. If there's a problem I suppose we could ask Reisen to take your place for a little while."
>Pause.
>"And thank you for forgiving me."

[Fightest]

>"Sooner would be better for me. We'll see what can be done. If there's a problem I suppose we could ask Reisen to take your place for a little while."
>Pause.
>"And thank you for forgiving me."

> "Let's go now, then. Seize the day, as they say!"
> She ruffles your hair with a smile.
> "Don't relax just yet, I do have to report back to the mistress eventually. Don't worry, I'll vouch for you."
> Are you ready to go, or is there anything else you need here?

[Mr_Bob]

>"Carpe Diem!"

[Hello Purvis]

>Let's go!
>Back to Villa Hieda.

[Fightest]

> You head back to your house. You're making good time.
> You find your house much cleaner than it was when you left. The fairies and rabbits are still there, but there are quite a bunch of them up and about, mopping floors, polishing windows, and doing a generally good job of tidying the place after the chaos it was left in when everyone moved in. Reisen and Cirno are moving to and fro, supervising the mop-up operations.
> "'Sup!" says Cirno when she notices you.
> "Hieda," says Reisen, acknowledging you with a nod.

[Hello Purvis]

> You head back to your house. You're making good time.
> You find your house much cleaner than it was when you left. The fairies and rabbits are still there, but there are quite a bunch of them up and about, mopping floors, polishing windows, and doing a generally good job of tidying the place after the chaos it was left in when everyone moved in. Reisen and Cirno are moving to and fro, supervising the mop-up operations.
> "'Sup!" says Cirno when she notices you.
> "Hieda," says Reisen, acknowledging you with a nod.

>Well, it's nice to see something good come out of that.
>"Cirno, Reisen, good to see you both. Where are The Princess or Doctor Yagokoro?"

>_

[Fightest]

>Well, it's nice to see something good come out of that.
>"Cirno, Reisen, good to see you both. Where are The Princess or Doctor Yagokoro?"

>_

> Cirno grins, then shrugs.
> Reisen says, "The former I saw heading off towards your bedroom just a few minutes ago. The latter has promised to be back quickly - she's looking for ingredients to replenish her medical supplies."
> She sees Meiling behind you, who's looking around curiously, and raises her eyebrow.

[Hello Purvis]

>"Would you be able to do us a favor, Reisen? Obviously, Meiling's here, and this leaves the gates of Scarlet Devil Mansion unguarded. Would you take her place for a short time? Hopefully, it won't be too long."
>Thank her if she agrees, and regardless of her answer, go to seek out the Lunarians.
>...Knock on the door first.

[Fightest]

>"Would you be able to do us a favor, Reisen? Obviously, Meiling's here, and this leaves the gates of Scarlet Devil Mansion unguarded. Would you take her place for a short time? Hopefully, it won't be too long."
>Thank her if she agrees, and regardless of her answer, go to seek out the Lunarians.
>...Knock on the door first.

> Reisen narrows her eyes, then stiffly nods. "I'll have to inform Eirin of my absence, first."
> She heads off.
> Meiling shrugs. "I...don't think that'll please the Mistress any more than me being gone in the first place... but at least the gates are guarded."

> There is no response to your knock.