Loading User Commands:
[X] Ask about the curse.
[X] Ask about the Mansion's previous guest.
[X] Ask about Sakuya.

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"There are many questions to ask," says Patchouli. "Why don't you start?"

Grey clears his throat before he speaks. While there are certainly a lot of questions to ask, he must first deal with those that seem urgent. Remilia did leave him with this task, so some questioning shouldn't be out of place.

"This might be a strange question," says Grey. "But may I ask, respectfully, if you have heard anything about a curse upon this place?"

Patchouli's eyes widen slightly at the question, but she shows no other reaction. She calmly takes a sip of her tea before answering. If anything else, she seems to be intentionally acting neutral.

"I suppose that it was only a matter of time till you heard about the curse," she says. "While many of the residents in the Mansion know of it, few dare discuss the topic openly. Remilia herself instructed that no one speak of the curse."

She turns to read her book before she continues.

"Remilia made it clear to all of us that it shouldn't be made known, especially to you," she adds.

"What is this curse?" Grey asks. "And why must it be hidden?"

"..."

Patchouli continues reading, showing no further intention to speak. After a few minutes, Grey calms himself down and decides to ask the next question.

"There was a guest in this place before I arrived," he says. "What happened to him?"

This time, Patchouli almost stumbles off her chair. It takes her a few moments to compose herself. She looks deep into his eyes, as if trying to scry his true motives. Her speech is slow and careful.

"He left," she says.

"What?" says Grey.

"I said that he isn't here anymore!" Patchouli cries out.

Grey backs off in reflex, shocked by her reaction. Suddenly, Patchouli starts coughing violently. She waves off Grey's offer to help, muttering that she just needs to rest for a bit. The next few minutes follow awkwardly in silence. This must be a really sensitive topic in the Mansion. But in spite of this fact, it is the pink and purple wizard that finally breaks the silence.

"That person was kind," she says. "But something went wrong. He started changing. Remilia got seriously injured."

"What happened?" asks Grey.

Patchouli turned to look at him, the saddest expression upon her face.

"He left," says Patchouli. "He vanished without a trace."

"I see," he manages. He better not push the topic any further. The magician turns back to her book as he thinks about something else. Perhaps he can talk about someone who is still living in the Mansion.

"May I ask if you noticed anything strange about Sakuya lately?" he asks.

Patchouli raises her eyes from her book, looking at him thoughtfully.

"She suspects me," says the magician. "But that is expected. Trust has become a rare commodity in this Mansion."

"Does she have good reason to suspect you?" asks Grey.

Patchouli pauses, looking straight into his eyes with determination.

"This place is my home," answers Patchouli.

She returns to her reading, occasionally taking a sip from her tea. Patchouli hasn't touched the biscuits.

"Koakuma is on the way here," she says.

[ ] Offer to answer a few questions in return.
[ ] Grab a book and start reading beside her.
[ ] Sit silently and wait for the little devil girl.
[ ] Excuse yourself and leave.
[ ] Custom