As it was, they were still in the library/basement of the mansion, which was why James was still on end. "That's exactly what we're trying to avoid. I heard the younger sister approaching, so I'm getting us out of here before she breaks everything we have. I promise you I'm not leading you anywhere, I'm getting you away from an unnecessary danger. To be honest I wish I could just show you what Flandre's like without you actually having to fight her or anything..."

(Well, here she is playing soccer.)

"Don't worry, that's the only difference." James answered for the librarian. "The name of the spell you get is based on what you entered as your birthdate, according to the western Zodiac..." Suddenly, he heard a quiet ring, like the sound of a muted bell, and a girl's laugh. Quickly he turned to Alicia, unsure if her human character had been able to hear it. "We're getting out of here." he told Alicia, walking the other way. "Now. Thanks for the new equipment, Ms. Knowledge; I look forward to the next time we meet." he stopped to bow once to the newly distracted librarian before taking AC's hand and almost running out of the immediate area.

Patchouli remained silent for a full two minutes. Then, "Just how is your need for a map considered urgent by any standard?" she asked. "Here..." she sighed, standing up and pulling out a few pieces of parchment from her desk. "I haven't had much of a chance to update these at all, but they should at least give you an idea of where you're going. I've gone and marked the Scarlet Devil Mansion of this area on the maps, so that they can find this place anytime. Also, if you're going to be fighting, it'd be best if you were able to keep track of monsters. So..." she started, reaching into her desk and pulling out two dusty-looking books that looked like they hadn't been used in ages and giving them to the two of them. "Use that." she ordered. "As a monster list. Furthermore..." she trailed off, pulling out two slips of paper, inscribing something on each of them, and giving them to James and Alicia. "This spellcard will allow you to see an enemy's data. Collectively the technique is known as Zodiac, but the name of the technique varies from person to person." she explained. "Do you have any more business with me?" she asked.

SARI_91 Learned Pisces

AC_EPIC Learned Virgo

As it was, the violet-haired librarian had indeed heard James and Alicia, which was just one of the many reasons Alicia's next action pissed her off so much. First reason was because she had been reading that. Sighing once, she looked up. "What's urgent to you is not necessarily urgent to everyone. Your logic is quite flawed. So tell me, what is it that is so 'urgent'?" she asked, reaching up and taking her book back.

James, meanwhile, began to slowly take a few steps back. Patchouli wasn't much physically, but if Alicia went and pissed her off to enough of an extent, her magic would make it near impossible to get close. And, even if they did get close, that book of hers was modified by her own spells to be about as heavy as a 120-lb warhammer. A warhammer that could be swung around with as little effort as a rapier.

James nodded. "It's a nice step from standard, though normally you'd be right. The only reason this place is different is because the Scarlet family is rich. Also, because of Patchouli's importance, you'll find more mansions just like this once we reach the mainland. Either way they all lead to one place, and in fact there is a room in this mansion which is something of an overhead world in which you can warp to any Scarlet Mansion you've been in. Also, you're half-right. The optional boss is the Mistress's younger sister." he explained, remaining quiet afterward. Something about the maid's countenance bothered him, and he felt that beyond the ones and zeros that made her programming, that she may truly hate him if he insulted her master.

"The library is just through these doors - do not steal anything." the maid warned, pulling open the doors and allowing them to gaze into the library. Bookshelf upon bookshelf, all lined with huge books. His gaze focused on a book that looked much smaller than the rest. The title on the spine was Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Very strange...

Snapping out of his reverie, James looked about. "Alright, she should be somewhere in this place... She's more than likely sitting at one of the desks, reading. Don't worry, you'll know her when you see her." he assured, as he began to look up and down the bookshelves.

At last he found her, sitting in a rather comfortable looking chair, reading a discourse on the philosophy of logic. "Ms. Knowledge." he called out to her, to no response. Great... she's lost in the book. he thought to himself sheepishly.

[EDIT: I'll fix the link later. In the meantime, just look up "Patchouli Knowledge" on photobucket or something.]

(It's actually a monster scan skill. Doing battle with a monster will put it in the bestiary (Species, Subspecies, and Appearance), using the skill will fill in the monster's HP, MP, SP, EXP, Base Stats, Where it can be found, Items dropped, Items stolen, Strengths, and Weaknesses, all for further reference.)

James watched as Alicia pulled on the door handle over and over again, to no avail. Sighing, he turned his head toward the doorbell and pressed it in. The door gave a light shudder and opened, as a girl stood before them in a maid's outfit. "Do you have an audience with Mistress Scarlet?" she asked, a dark, uncaring glare in her eye as she stared the two of them down.

"We wish to speak with the librarian Patchouli Knowledge." James answered clearly, noting how hostile the girl seemed. From a third person view, there was no way to see the girl's face because she mostly kept behind the doors, but looking through the character's eyes James could tell she genuinely looked scary. And, given the nature of the Scarlets, he had to say he was reasonably pleased with the effect.

The maid stood there silent for a few seconds, as her eyes shifted from James to Alicia, and back to James. "Very well. Follow me." she ordered, turning around and calmly leading them into the mansion, opening a door visible from the outside to reveal a downward staircase.