[Closed (see notes!)] Now's the time, read the signs

[parlezvousnaps]

CHARACTERS: parlezvousnaps and the other visitors
LOCATION/SETTING: Scarlet Devil Mansion, Paris, France
DATE & TIME: The day after everyone else is already settled.
WARNINGS: A for Awkward
SUMMARY: Mei-Ling arrives late to the gathering that she didn't know she was arriving late for? What.

Comments

[floweringknight]

Just one day back and Sakuya was already settled into the old routine. Of course, there was the the fact that Patchouli was here this time, but that wasn't so odd. All three of the girls - well, him as well - had various assignments to work on, but even with that there was plenty of free time. Even with his chores, Sakuya was finding time for leisure - though he could tell it was because the Lady Scarlet wasn't having him work at full capacity. Perhaps he'd speak with her or the head butler about that

[parlezvousnaps]

That surprise goes double for her, and she turns right toward him. "S-Sakuya! I'm sorry, I didn't... I don't..." Poor girl wasn't shivering, but definitely uncomfortable. She just nodded lamely and accepted the towel when it was offered, starting with her exposed arms and face.

"Thank you. I don't really know why I'm here. I think the driver took me to the wrong address, but he insisted he was right." Meiling dug into her pocket and handed him a small piece of paper with the address written on it. A large property such as this, she didn't see a sign at all for the address, just a nameplate, but he'll know the address is, indeed, correct.

[floweringknight]

"Sometimes they can be stubborn like that," Sakuya admitted, taking the crumpled piece of paper and taking a moment to straighten it out. Reading it over though... "Not in this case though. He brought you to the right address."

So... why was Meiling here?

"Where was it you said you thought you'd be staying this summer?"

[parlezvousnaps]

"I don't know!" Taking the paper back, staring at it in consternation before putting it away again. "All I knew is that my parents made the arrangements and that they would send someone to pick me up from the train platform.

"They also said I'd know more when I arrived, but I don't know how." Maybe they left a note, or they'll call soon. One of those had to be true.

HALLWAY

[redsynonymhere]

Unsurprisingly, Remilia had heard the odd commotion in the house but wrote if off as one of her father's friends making a short visit. Once she was sure whoever it was was gone, she took the time to exit her room. Catching her father would be difficult but her curiosity drove her to find out something.

In the dim light of the hallway, she spotted the red haired Meilnig easily.

"What are you doing here?"

[parlezvousnaps]

She stopped in her tracks and turned to face-- oh, wait, she knows that voice. "Oh, hello! You're the girl from the network the other day. Sakuya's... friend?" No, that didn't seem quite right, and she put a finger to her chin as she processed that again.

[redsynonymhere]

"Employer. Sakuya is my butler." That much should have been simply enough to know! Sakuya was the best butler ever.

"I'm just wondering why you're in my mansion right now."

[parlezvousnaps]

"Oh, that's right." It's been explained to her, but it can still be a little difficult to believe.

Meiling scratches at her cheek. "That's, um... My family sent me here to study and to meet everyone that I might be working alongside in the future." She's surprised then, if Remilia lived here, that no one would have warned her. Then again, kids seem to be only be told what they need to know in times like these.

LIBRARY

[verrouillefille]

-Unsurprisingly, Patchouli had NOT heard the odd commotion in the house. She was so far buried in her reading that no amount of noise could really stir her... This was normal, of course. Though it was likely the visitor would find her soon enough.-

[parlezvousnaps]

[ The library is HUGE. Is this even more than the school has on its shelves? Meiling is wandering between the impressive aisles, wide-eyed.

That is, until she has to double-back to a row because... was that a familiar head of hair she spotted? ] Ah! [ It was!

Swiftly, she dashes over and... well, hopefully Patchouli is sitting somewhere comfortable, because she's being pounced. ]

[verrouillefille]

-There is an oof and a yelp in response. Patchy looked up to the other girl, confused.-

Meiling?

[parlezvousnaps]

The one and only! [ Don't imagine there being more of her. She lets go so she can crouch next to the seat and beam over at her friend. ] I didn't know where I'd find you, but this makes sense. [ Looking around. ] It's huge!

[jolie_aile]

Sometime in the midst all of Meiling's wandering, a small extra shadow had appeared at her elbow. Probably soon after she had discovered the hallways. Flandre had crept up alongside, though she didn't precisely mean to; but. She was quite good at sneaking about by now, given her tendency to hide from doctors. And there was nice soft carpet in the hallway; if she wasn't wearing shoes, she would have wiggled her toes in it at least twice.

Finally, the little shadow at Meiling's elbow piped up:

"Hello!"

Sneaking up on people is totally a legitimate greeting.

[parlezvousnaps]

Meiling nearly jumped out of her skin -- and into a small stand that held an expensive vase. Shrieking, she turned again, diving and managing to catch it between her hands so as to protect it from harm, even as she landed face-first on the carpet.

Good thing that was soft, huh?

[jolie_aile]

Flandre jumped backwards herself--almost teleporting and certainly being quick enough about it that it was easy to assume such. One moment she was by this tall stranger's side and the next three feet distant and leaning back on her heels precariously, as if she were deciding whether to move again or not.

"--oh." Her voice was much smaller and much more...stunned, really. This was not a reaction Flandre had been expecting; surprise, maybe, but not...this.

A more rational mind probably would have seen the logical conclusion to sneaking up on people, but Flandre was not really in possession of such.

So she just kind of stared, and blinked, and wavered on the decision of running away or not.

[parlezvousnaps]

With a groan, Meiling dropped a hand to the floor so she could roll herself over, clutching the vase to her chest. "Whew! That was close," she panted as she sat upright. "...oh! Hi there!" She's not even mad, just surprised.