"He didn't say anything else?"

"No, he didn't," replies Grimnír. "He just walked away and disappeared. We didn't go after him, since it was dangerous."

She looks down into her teacup and stirs her tea idly. Then, she looks up at him, her eyes still in deep thought.

"I think I'm starting to understand," she says. "But I need some time to think..."

Grimnír only watches her. After he finished telling his story, her eyes were filled with something he couldn't place. Was it sadness? Regret? Anguish? Relief? Confusion? Or perhaps, it was a more complex combination of emotions. Vampires may feel them differently, after all.

"Anyway, as for you," says Remilia as she puts down her tea cup. "You can leave if you like."

"You are... letting me go?" says Grimnír.

"Of course not," replies the vampire. "However, I find that most humans are only useful to me once or twice in their lifetime. You can go about your own business until you are needed. I expect that you will respond to my call without question, once I give it."

"I guess I have to," he replies.

"Good," says Remilia. "Just stay within the mansion grounds for a couple of hours before you leave."

"Is that an order?" he asks.

"No," she says. "Just a little friendly advice."

...

Grimnír finds himself standing outside Remilia's chambers. Two hours is a long time. He should find something to do, unless he wants to leave immediately.

[ ] Wander around aimlessly.
[ ] Leave the mansion right now.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Stay silent.

---

"I haven't had any for a long time~" whispers the vampire. For a moment, her eyes turn glassy, as if remembering something pleasant. She starts giggling to herself, and then she gives him an almost gentle smile, with just a hint of mischief.

"..."

"Oh, don't be so nervous," she says. "It's not like I'm going to eat you or anything like that."

Without warning, Remilia vanishes from sight. Grimnír blinks stupidly for a moment, mouthing the word "huh" silently. Then, he hears someone breathing directly behind him.

"Unless you want me to~" she whispers.

"..."

Before he can turn around, the vampire grabs him by the shoulders and forces him to face forward. He struggles reflexively against the girl's hands, but to no avail. Her physical strength is definitely beyond that of a normal human. This young and beautiful girl must really be a vampire.

"Don't turn around or I will break your neck," says Remilia firmly.

Grimnír barely manages to stifle a gasp. Slowly and carefully, he nods his head to show that he understands.

"That's better," says the vampire.

She starts to loosen her grip on his shoulders, one finger at a time. Then, he feels her let go of him completely. He sighs silently in relief.

"Now take a seat over there," says Remilia. "You are too tall for me when standing."

"..."

Grimnír reluctantly obeys, taking his seat at the table once more. Just as ordered, he takes care not to turn around. He isn't in the position to refuse her, and he doesn't really feel like risking death. Yukari did say that he would have no chance against this vampire or her sister.

"Very good," she says. "Now stay very still."

"..."

He can hear her tiny footsteps as she walks closer behind him. In a few more seconds, he can feel her small hands gently stroke his shoulders and neck. She seems to be feeling around for something. Is she looking for a vein?

Before he can ask, he suddenly feels the vampire breathing heavily over the back of his neck. Remilia starts panting quietly, as if aroused. Or is she just famished? He can't tell which as he waits for her to act, frozen in place by both fear and anticipation. A faint, sweet aroma wafts into his nostrils from the girl, filling both his body and mind with wild excitement.

"Maybe... just a little..." whispers the vampire.

Suddenly, he feels her press her lips against his neck. He closes his eyes tightly as he awaits the sensation of her fangs against his skin. This must be the exchange that she meant. Blood for blood - a rather fair trade, actually. But as a minute passes, he realizes that she hasn't bit him. Slowly, he opens his eyes. Then, the girl pulls away from him softly, as if ending a kiss.

"Alright, this is enough," says Remilia.

The vampire calmly walks across the table back to her seat, as if nothing happened. She gives him a polite, business-like smile as she takes her teacup. After a sip and a biscuit, she turns to him.

"I need something from you," she says. "Rather, I need something you know. Understand that no harm will come to you if you cooperate."

"..."

"Now please," whispers Remilia. "Tell me everything you know about that human in the Forest."

Loading User Commands:
[X] Accept.
[X] Custom

---

"I want him in exchange," says Remilia.

At those words, Grimnír stays silent and takes a glance at the others. Alice looks both shocked and insulted, but she can't seem to find any words to say. Grey maintains a polite smile, though he looks a little confused. As he turns back to Remilia, he can see the vampire stare straight at him, a wide toothy smile upon her face. He takes a moment to clear his throat before speaking.

"Greedy, aren't we? Recruiting a personal harem?" he asks.

Remilia only smiles wider at those words. She takes a sip of tea before looking at him, then at Alice.

"If you don't feel that the trade is fair, then you are free to ask my younger sister instead," says Remilia. "I'm sure that she will enjoy the company."

"Ah! W-what are you saying! This is completely unaccepta-" mumbles Alice uneasily.

"I accept," he says.

"Yes, that's right!" cries the puppeteer. "There's no way he can - wait... what?"

"Wonderful!" says the vampire, clapping her hands together. "Then it is settled."

Remilia suddenly stands up and walks toward one of the numerous cabinets in the room, each easily twice her height. She opens it and starts searching for something. Then, the vampire effortlessly hovers to search the higher shelves. Her wings flap lazily as she does so. After a minute or so, she returns with something in her hands.

"This vial contains what you need," says Remilia. "A generous sample of vampire blood."

Wait a minute. Why does she have that in stock? Something is very strange here. As if reading his mind, Remilia gives him a small wink. Then, she hands the vial roughly into Alice's hands.

"Don't ask too many questions," says the vampire. "You now have what you need."

"Wait!" cries the dollmaker. "We haven't even -"

"It's alright, Alice," Grimnír says to her. "It will be alright."

"B-but -"

"Don't worry about me," he says. "Just make sure that Marisa recovers, alright? I'll be fine."

He forces a smile. For a moment, Alice looks like she is about to shove the vial back into Remilia's hands in disgust. But she calms down after looking at his eyes. Then, without warning, she runs up and holds him in a tight embrace. After a bit, he feels something hug the back of his head. Even Shanghai...

"I-I'll come back," whispers Alice softly.

They stay like that for a little bit longer before parting. Alice reluctantly pulls away poor Shanghai, who refuses to let go. When he finally turns back at the vampire, she looks extremely amused. Grey, on the other hand, looks almost apologetic.

"Grey," says Remilia. "Please escort Alice to the door."

"Of course," says Grey. "Now, Miss Alice, please come this way..."

The puppeteer holds the vial close to her chest as she follows the butler outside of the room. She pauses for a moment at the door, taking one last glance at him. Then, the door closes with one last click.

"..."

Grimnír swallows nervously as he realizes that he is now alone in the room with a dangerous and powerful vampire. As calmly as possible, he turns toward Remilia. He barely manages an uneasy smile as he looks into those deep crimson eyes.

"Well then," says Remilia. "I wonder how you taste~"

She licks her lips as she appraises him. He can't tell if she is seducing him, or she is just hungry, but he can't help but feel a little bit excited. Her ambiguous words echo in his mind again and again. No matter how hard he tries, he can't read her intentions.

"Ah! Well.. that is..." mumbles Grimnír. He almost trips on his feet as he takes a nervous step backward.

"I haven't had any for a long time~" whispers the vampire. For a moment, her eyes turn glassy, as if remembering a pleasant memory.

Suddenly, he realizes how extraordinarily beautiful this girl is, despite having a young appearance. Her skin is fair and unblemished. Her short blue hair falls neatly along her neck, contrasting perfectly with her deep crimson eyes. Her pink European style dress, though it isn't very revealing, contours and highlights her small and delicate figure.

[ ] Stay silent.
[ ] "Of the highest quality, I believe."
[ ] "Good enough, probably."
[ ] "I'm just average. Nothing special."
[ ] "Not good at all. I don't recommend it."
[ ] "Horrible. Just, horrible."
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Request for a blood sample. (Custom)

---

"So this is the magic-user," says Remilia. "Looks like another unusual Outsider has turned up, but you never mentioned him at the shrine meeting."

Alice slowly puts down her cup.

"And you never mentioned your new butler," she says coldly. "Should I remind Reimu when I see her?"

"Fair enough," replies the vampire, turning to Grimnír. "I don't suppose this one has a name, does he?"

"Grimnír," he says. "Grimnír the Grey."

"Is it, now?" says Remilia. "Interesting. This one has a lot of potential. Can I have him?"

"He is my apprentice," whispers Alice. "And we have more urgent business to discuss."

"I wonder what that could be," says the vampire, her smile growing a little wider. "Indeed, why would the puppeteer of the Forest come all the way to my home? And why would she want to speak to me?"

Alice hesitates for a moment. She takes a long sip of tea before speaking again.

"We need a sample of your blood," she whispers.

At those words, he notices Grey position his right hand beside his coat pocket, ready to pull something out. The butler maintains a polite smile, though his eyes narrow slightly. Remilia, in contrast, doesn't look surprised at all. If anything, she seems amused.

"Pardon my curiosity," says Remilia. "But isn't this situation a little awkward? Why would you need my blood?"

"We need it to save Marisa's life," says Grimnír suddenly.

He takes a glance at Alice, who looks mildly surprised at his interruption. After a moment, the dollmaker gives him a small nod of approval, though she mouths the words "be careful" silently.

"Curiouser and curiouser," whispers the vampire. "Do explain the circumstances of our good friend, the black-white."

"She is hurt," he answers. "We need your blood to cure her."

"I see," says Remilia.

The vampire nibbles on a biscuit before looking straight at him with her crimson eyes.

"What is her injury?" she asks. "I've never heard of vampire blood used in medicine."

"She was attacked in the Forest by a lunatic," says Grimnír. "Some crazy guy carrying a trident."

"Really, now," comments Remilia lightly. "A trident-wielding youkai?"

"No, he was human," he replies. "At least, I think he was."

"An ordinary human who could take down Marisa?" says Remilia. "I've never thought that possible. The black-white is surprisingly resilient."

"He... wasn't ordinary," says Grimnír.

"How so?" whispers the vampire.

"He almost killed us," hisses Alice. "He raised a strange field of influence when we went after him. We were lucky to escape unharmed."

"A field of influence," repeats Remilia. "Could you explain it in more detail?"

"We are wasting time!" cries the puppeteer. "Why so many questions? You already know what we want!"

The vampire ignores the outburst, and she calmly finishes her biscuit before speaking again.

"So you two went down the rabbit-hole to help our good friend, and they told her that they need a sample of my blood?" she says.

"Err..." mumbles Grimnír.

"I wonder if the folks at Eientei can be trusted," whispers Remilia. "Kaguya was acting odd during the shrine meeting. Even Mokou noticed it."

"Wait, we didn't -" stammers Alice.

"Alright," says the vampire. "I'll give you the blood sample on one condition."

Upon hearing those words, a chill runs down Grimnír's spine. Then, the vampire raises a finger and points it straight at him. She can't possibly be thinking -

"I want him in exchange," says Remilia.

[ ] Accept.
[ ] Refuse.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Go meet Remilia. Maybe you can get her help.

---

"Forgive me for intruding," says Grey. "The Mistress insists that you both come and meet her. I am to escort you upstairs."

"Ah! E-er..." mumbles Alice.

Surprised at the newcomer, Alice takes a glance at the other magician, but Patchouli immediately returns to her reading in response. The elemental wizard does not seem at all surprised at this turn of events.

Then, the dollmaker turns to Grimnír. He pauses for only a moment before giving her a small nod. They may as well see the vampire while they are still welcome in this place. They might not have the opportunity later.

...

The hallways of the Mansion are unusually long, so they end up with some time to talk to the butler. Grey seems to be an ordinary person, though surprisingly sociable and good with words. Grimnír simply can't understand how an ordinary person like him can end up employed by deadly vampires. But then again, this is Gensokyo.

"So Miss Alice," says Grey. "I believe that your specialty is doll manipulation and puppetry?"

"H-how did you know?" stammers Alice. "Are you sure we haven't met before?"

"There are few in Gensokyo who have such cute things following behind them," the butler says with a smile. "Does the doll have a name?"

"Ah, of course!" replies the dollmaker. "Her name is Shanghai. She is one of my best works."

"A beautiful name for a beautiful child," whispers Grey as he stops to examine the doll.

As Grimnír watches him stare at the doll, Shanghai gasps slightly in surprise to the sudden attention. She clasps her hands and turns her head away shyly. The doll is wearing an embarrassed expression upon her face, and is she blushing?

"Very impressive," says Grey as he turns back to Alice. "A beautiful name indeed, though Alice is pretty, too."

"E-e-eh? Ah!"

At those words, the dollmaker almost trips on her feet. Her face bright red, she immediately mumbles a few random words as she turns away. Alice seems to have a small smile on her face. For some reason, Grimnír feels irritated at this whole situation, though he can't understand exactly why.

"Ah, forgive me," says Grey with a small bow. "I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

"I-It's alright," whispers Alice.

"That is good to hear," replies the butler. "Now, dear guests, shall we meet the Mistress of the Mansion?"

...

In front of them, a young girl calmly sips her tea as they come in. The first thing he notices are her wings, which are similar to those of a bat. The girl smiles at his curious stare, and stretches her wings slightly in response. Yep, those things are definitely real, and unless this is some kind of illusion, they really are attached to her back. Now that he thinks about it, that sparrow youkai Mystia had wings too. Perhaps they are a common feature among non-humans.

Grey gives them both a bow before walking away. He stands patiently behind the girl, ready to satisfy her orders. Wait. Then this little girl dressed in pink is the Mistress? Yes, she does look unusual with her blue hair, red eyes, and wings, but she can't be anything more than a youkai girl.

"Have a seat," says the girl. "Feel free to have some tea and biscuits."

Alice takes the center seat across from the girl, while Grimnír takes the seat to her left. There is a third seat prepared to the right of Alice. Somehow, it seems odd that there are three seats prepared when there are only two guests. He looks up questioningly at Grey, who simply shrugs. Then, he turns to girl, who only smiles a little wider.

This girl must be the vampire Remilia.
[ ] Request for a blood sample. Don't explain the reason.
[ ] Request for a blood sample. Explain Marisa's condition only.
[ ] Request for a blood sample. Tell the whole story.

Optional (up to two):
[ ] Talk about the repairs around the Mansion.
[ ] Talk about the incidents around the area.
[ ] Talk about the Voile Library.
[ ] Talk about vampires.
[ ] Talk about Yukari.
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Ask if you can borrow the book.

---

This book feels really important . But Grimnír can't just take it. Even if no one is sees him, that would be stealing. The last thing he needs are more enemies. He has enough to worry about already.

"Why don't I offer you something in return?" says Alice to the other magician. "Perhaps we can find something that you want."

"There is no need for my involvement," repeats Patchouli, not looking up. She flips another page of her book.

"Then maybe we can -"

"Excuse me," interrupts Grimnír, his voice faltering a little.

He holds the book up in front of him so that Patchouli can see it.

"May I borrow this?" he says.

"W-what? This is no time for -"

Without warning, the pink and purple magician looks up from her book. Alice jumps a bit, startled by the sudden change. Patchouli ignores her, staring first at the book, then at Grimnír.

"Do you think you can finish that?" asks the purple-haired magician.

"I think so," says Grimnír. "I can try, I think."

"Curious," says Patchouli.

She continues staring at him, as if looking right through his eyes and mind. After a couple of minutes, she turns to the dollmaker.

"If he dies, please make sure to return that to me, Alice."

"E-eh? Are you really lending something to a complete stranger?"

"Thank you very much!" says Grimnír. "I really appreciate it."

"Good luck..." whispers Patchouli as she turns back to her reading.

Wait, what?

"Anyway, there is no need for my involvement," says the pink and purple magician.

"How do you know that?" cries Alice.

Patchouli slowly raises an arm to point at someone standing behind the two visitors. Dressed in a simple traveller's coat and pants ensemble in the style of early 18th century Europe, the newcomer gives them a polite smile. Grimnír eyes are immediately drawn to the gun and holster that he wears. He knows this person.

"Good to see you again," says the man. "Grimnír, wasn't it? An unusual name for an Outsider. Did you choose it yourself?"

"..."

"And Miss Margatroid," he says, turning to Alice. "It is a pleasure to have you with us."

"Ah!" squeaks the dollmaker. "H-have we met?"

"Don't worry about it," says the man. "I was sent to fetch our guests. Lady Remilia is already waiting for you."

"But who are you?" says Alice. "I haven't seen you around here before."

"My name is Grey. I am the butler of the Scarlet Devil Mansion. A pleasure to be in your service."

[ ] Go meet Remilia. Maybe you can get her help.
[ ] Stay in the library a little longer. Let Alice deal with the vampire.
[ ] Have Grey escort you elsewhere. (Specify)
[ ] Custom

Loading User Commands:
[X] Apologize for your sudden intrusion.
[X] Follow after Alice.

---

"Forgive our sudden intrusion," says Grimnír. "We have some urgent business with the elemental magician, but we mean no disrespect."

"N-no, it's alright!" cries the red-haired girl. "It's my fault for not noticing our guests earlier. I-I'm sorry for the trouble."

She attempts to give him a low and formal bow, and in the attempt, the topmost book of her stack starts falling. Thankfully, he manages to catch it before it hits the ground. He smiles gently at the girl as he hands her back the book.

"Careful," he says. "You might hurt yourself."

"Ah!" squeaks the girl.

"Anyway, I better follow after Alice," says Grimnír. "Good luck with your work, Miss."

"T-thanks," mumbles the girl.

Leaving the strangely winged girl behind him, he quickly follows after the dollmaker. As he approaches the two magicians, he notices that they seem to be talking about something. But by the time he walks within earshot, they both fall silent. Then, Patchouli turns to him.

"You are a magic-user," she says suddenly. From the tone of her voice, it wasn't a question but a statement of fact.

"So I'm told," replies Grimnír.

"Interesting," she says, turning back to Alice. "Is he the reason for your visit?"

"W-what?" cries Alice. "Of course not! Like I said earlier, it's about Marisa -"

Upon hearing that name, Patchouli immediately returns to her reading, as if completely disinterested.

...

"-and that's why we need a sample of vampire blood," says Alice.

"Is that so?" says Patchouli lightly. "Then why don't you ask her yourself?"

"E-eh?" cries the dollmaker. "Can't you help us convince her?"

"Not interested," replies the other magician. "There is no need for my involvement."

"B-but we need your help! Marisa is going to die if things go on like this!"

"Humans die when they are killed," says Patchouli.

Grimnír turns away from the argument. By the looks of things, the pink and purple magician doesn't want to get involved in this mess. But strangely, she doesn't seem to be trying to stop them, either. Is she planning to observe quietly from afar? Or maybe, she has other plans. He can't read her intentions at all.

"..."

Then, something catches his eye. The longer he stares, the more he feels like he needs to approach. Before he realizes it, he loses track of the magicians' conversation completely. Instead, he finds himself drawn closer to one of the shelves. Upon it, he looks at a seemingly ordinary book. But immediately, a voice from deep within whispers that this one is unique.

"Theoretical Boundary Binding and Intervention," its title reads.

For some unexplainable reason, this book feels really important...
[ ] Take the book while no one is looking.
[ ] Ask if you can borrow the book.
[ ] Ignore the book.
[ ] Custom