008 ~*~ At least she can't drink and fly...

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Action : Olney's Tavern : Open ]
[ If you're a regular at the bar, you might notice a new sigth in one of the stools. A tall red-haired Chinese woman in a plain green dress is making herself right at home, even if the drone workers don't particularly care about serving her anything other than weak, fruity, feminine drinks.

That doesn't mean she hasn't been trying to sweet-talk them into it for the better part of an hour. And by sweet-talk, I mean whining pitifully because she really doesn't want to get thrown out for taking matters into her own hands. ] --c'mo~on. Can't you just pour me something a little stronger? I'm going to need a whole lot more than this. [ She remarks, fingernail grazing the edge of the colorful cocktail glass. ]

---

[ Action : Around Town : Open ]
[ Later, no matter how much she had to work at it, she managed to get herself sufficiently smashed (for a short while, at least)! You can encounter her:

1) Wandering the neighborhood, humming some old tune to herself as she sways.
2) Attempting to enter your home and not realizing why her stupid key isn't working...
3) Napping on your front lawn. ]

Comments

[perfectandelegant]

It's not a stupid thing to be bothered by. When someone gets droned, it's a reminder that it could happen to you. But it's still not a good idea to dwell on it. Don't hide your feelings, but don't drown them in alcohol, either.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ She clutches her knees. ] A reminder that it did happen to me... I watched it happen. I remember everything. [ Meiling's jaw is tense, and she has to force the words out through clenched teeth. ] And I couldn't stop it...

[perfectandelegant]

I think I see what's going on. [It's really rare for her to be so empathetic, but something's struck a nerve with Sakuya. She puts her hand on top of one of Meiling's.]

You're scared that because it happened once, it could again. I...I remember fighting it not too long ago, being unsure of what was real and what was them. It's frightening. The important thing, though, is that we're both okay now. That time's gone now.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ She nods. ] But what about next time? Or the time after that? [ The uncertainty is what gets her. Back home, she had a job to do, and it was straightforward. "Protect the mansion from all intruders!"

Easy, even if she wasn't always successful. The important fact is that Meiling was dedicated and fearless. Sure, she might have slacked off on occasion, and she was trampled over a number of times, but she never backed down and never moved from her post when it mattered.

Here, she was coming to learn the hard way just how powerless she really was, and that brought just one thing to mind: ] I really am afraid, aren't I?

[perfectandelegant]

Listen well, because I won't repeat this: you are a stronger person and a braver one than you're giving yourself credit for. You'll get back up and keep going, just like you always do.

[Because she always does; sure, Sakuya had caught Meiling slacking more times than she could count, and sure, occasionally people got in that shouldn't be in the mansion. But when it really mattered, and when it came straight down to it? The mansion was a family, every person important, everyone doing what they needed to.

And Sakuya is nothing if not fiercely loyal to her family, even here - no. Especially here. She may have other connections that she values, but her family mattered most.]

It's fine to be a bit afraid of the future, but the important thing is not to let it control you.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ She knows that tone, and so Meiling straightens up so she doesn't even give the impression that she's not listening. ]

I'm not just afraid for myself. I'm afraid for Flandre. And for Patchouli, too, especially.

She is...

She shouldn't...

[ The youkai doesn't even know where to start with this explanation. She pulls her hands away, determined to try and drink some tea to give her a moment to think. ]

[perfectandelegant]

We'll do as we always do: protect Flandre as best we can.

[She tilts her head, noting the tone when Patchouli's name comes up.]

She's what? What's going on with Patchouli-sama?

[Worried meido is worried.]

[not_so_great_wall]

Do you remember that one black-white witch who keeps sneaking into the library, back home?

[perfectandelegant]

Of course. Marisa's here, too, and of late has been acting foolish, even for her.

...don't tell me she's giving Patchouli-sama trouble. I've warned her.

[not_so_great_wall]

She might be, but... I don't think she thinks she's doing anything wrong? [ If this sounds confusing, that's because Meiling is still sorting things out. She chews on her bottom lip a moment, and then takes another sip of tea. ]

And maybe it's not wrong. Maybe. I don't know...

[perfectandelegant]

[Suddenly, Sakuya is deadly serious; she's sitting bolt-upright and her body tenses.]

She hasn't been well for a while now. She stole magic she isn't supposed to have, and it's dangerous to be around her. Dangerous as in she could kill someone without realizing it.

Meiling, what is she doing to Patchouli-sama?

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Shocked, Meiling stood up out of her chair. ] That's--! I wouldn't let that happen! [ Quickly, she clamped her hands down over her mouth. She promised to be quiet, but it was hard to keep calm, now that she had that bit of information.

Her eyes darted toward the door. Maybe she should leave. ]

[perfectandelegant]

[And Sakuya stands up, too, looking Meiling square in the eye.] What's going on? You need to tell me and not go off doing anything stupid. You're not thinking straight.

[not_so_great_wall]

I'm not-- [ A wobble and she braces herself with her hand on the edge of the table, then sits down again. ] I can't do anything, anyway.

[perfectandelegant]

Would you just tell me what's going on already?

[not_so_great_wall]

[ Swiftly. ] Marisa said she's trying to court Patchouli, and that Patchouli was okay with this! I don't know where this came from, I didn't even know things could go like this, it doesn't even seem right, does it? The way she's always breaking the rules and flying where she's not supposed to, and running me over, and then there's the fact Patchouli was already hurt by a boy she came to know while she was here but then he disappeared for a long time and she was really sad and wouldn't come out of her room or eat her food and I was really worried and now-- [ Meiling takes a deep breath before catching her face in her hands. ] I don't know what to do...

[perfectandelegant]

[What is this she does not even. Okay, break it down, meido. The important points: Marisa is interested in Patchouli, who she claims is okay with this. Meiling is worried less because of the who, and more because of the what, because Patchouli's gotten hurt before.

...now it's broken down, but this makes it more complicated, because Sakuya knows what Marisa's like right now and there is a very real chance she could actually hurt the wizard. Well, shit.]

The important thing right now is keeping a close eye on Patchouli-sama. I don't think there's a need to go do anything rash, but I can't say I like this, either...

[not_so_great_wall]

Mm. [ All she can do is nod, slowly. This is all very tiring to think about and process. ] I'm sorry. [ She stands now, steadier through sheer willpower. Meiling has to get to that door. ] Every time I come here I make so much trouble for you...

[perfectandelegant]

...you do. But I'd be more worried if you weren't causing trouble for me, to be entirely honest. If you weren't, I'd wonder if you were still you.

[Sakuya stands, putting a hand on Meiling's arm to stop her.]

Wait here. I'm going to get changed and walk you home.

[Because, even if it is causing trouble, it's Sakuya's duty to look after everyone. She goes into her bedroom, and comes out a moment later, in a simple dress, nodding once.]

[not_so_great_wall]

[ It doesn't sting, because she was expecting that, but she does really wonder why she makes herself such a bother at times. Meiling should be able to handle these things... except she can't because there was little prior experience to brace herself with. ]

--but! [ Too late, Sakuya steps out, and it leaves one very nervous youkai behind to lean against the door-frame for support. When she reappears, the redhead has almost fallen asleep right on the spot (it doesn't take long...) ]

[perfectandelegant]

[ It's hard for everyone, really, but Sakuya's better at hiding her emotions behind a mask than Meiling is. The dragon wears her heart on her sleeve, and it's the opposite for the maid; she hides hers so well that people have questioned whether she even has one.

But she does, and it kicks in when she sees Meiling practically asleep in the doorway. Sakuya sighs, shaking her head a little, and taps her shoulder. ]

Okay, okay, you don't have to go home right now. Just wash your face, comb your hair, and get some sleep. You can stay in the guest bedroom overnight.

[not_so_great_wall]

Huh?! [ She jerks awake, and turns the wrong direction, slamming her forehead right into the edge of the door jam. It doesn't fully register, but Meiling knows she should be in pain so the hand comes up to cover it regardless. ] Ahh, damn it...

[ Then she blinks at Sakuya with her uncovered eye, genuinely surprised. ] ...are you sure I can stay here with you? I don't want to cause more trouble.

[perfectandelegant]

It's not causing trouble if I say it's okay. Besides, you're in no shape to walk home right now. Just sleep it off and head home in the morning.

[not_so_great_wall]

[ She meant "for the others", but the maid had a point. Meiling leaned off the wall with one arm, the other hand moving from her face and stretching out toward Sakuya. ] Mmkay. Show me...?