My Obstinate Familiar
Chapter 1: Questioning a Familiar's Status
Why do witches have to have familiars?
Naminé sighed as she added an ingredient to the big black cauldron containing a lavender-colored liquid. It bubbled and boiled, turning to a lighter shade of blue. She reached out to grab one of the vials sitting on a nearby table while she continued to stir.
To some people, making a pot full of blue liquid in a dark basement by candlelight would be a strange and suspicious activity. But it wasn't such a strange thing, considering that Naminé was a witch.
Since she was young, Naminé displayed a gift for the magical arts. Thus, she practiced and studied at an academy for witches and warlocks and was considered one of the school's top students, but she disagreed with some of the practices, including the dark arts. When she graduated, she decided to use her magic and talents solely for the purpose of helping people. So she moved to a cottage at the edge of the woods near a town and tried to help as many people as she could. Because of this – and the fact that she chose to wear a white dress around customers – the townsfolk dubbed her the "White Witch."
Her work was mostly with potions though. She was very adept at spells and charms, but she rather enjoyed the challenging process that potions gave her. Every potion she completed and every difficult recipe she managed to overcome made her happy. She enjoyed every bit of it. She also made sure to choose the appropriate potions to suit the requests of her customers, because she felt a responsibility to protect and to be careful with what she makes and sells to people.
Currently, she was working on a potion for a customer who suspected that her husband was having a secret affair with one of the barmaids. She called on Naminé to help her find out the truth. At first, she refused, but then after the customer's insisting, Naminé agreed to the deal on the terms that the potion would be used solely for finding out only information on her husband. If he indeed was unfaithful to her, she must not use the potion to find information or even harm the mistress.
Once the customer agreed to the terms, Naminé devised a potion that would turn her faithful cat temporarily into a human so that the cat could relay messages to her master. Of course, she could have used other potions like the truth serum or the surveillance potion, but Naminé believed that the human transformation potion was the safest method. The truth serum would only cause more problems if irrelevant questions were asked, and the surveillance potion would take too long to make.
On the other hand, the recipe for the transformation potion was quite difficult, but it didn't take that long to make. It took her about a week to make and to maintain, requiring maximum concentration and supervision, but it looked to be almost complete. She was happy that it came out the way it should be, but she had hoped that her familiar would have helped her with the process.
Even though he was very intelligent, he was such an unruly, stubborn familiar. That Roxas…
Why couldn't she have had a more obedient, more respectful familiar?
It was the one requirement that the academy enforced on their students. It was also a requirement to graduate. Before a witch or a warlock completes his or her studies, they must have a familiar spirit, a companion for their works, studies, and travels. It was not known why a witch or a warlock had to have one. Naminé once asked her teachers about it, but even they couldn't give her a straight answer.
It wasn't that she disliked the idea of a familiar. She was actually looking forward to having one to assist her with her work and studies. She was still curious as to their importance, but since it was a requirement for graduation, they must have held some kind of significance to the life of a witch or warlock.
Then there was the process that everyone went through to acquire a familiar. Some students immediately found their familiars while doing mundane tasks like studying or playing games. Others found their companions by meditating. Then there were students like Naminé who had to summon their familiar spirit.
Naminé tried to wait patiently, tried to distract herself by studying and doing various activities, and even tried to meditate! Only to find unyielding results. It didn't even help that graduation was looming closer.
So she tried the only method she knew, the one that other students use when their familiar had yet to appear. She summoned him.
Of course, out of all the other familiars, she had to summon the incorrigible wolf who went by the name of Roxas. She heard her teachers say how fortunate she was to have him as a familiar, but she thought he was impertinent and hard headed. Her expectation to have a helpful familiar went up in smoke.
Why couldn't she have had a loyal, eager-to-please familiar like Sora? Kairi, her best friend and fellow witch graduate, was lucky to find such an adorable and reliable familiar, a brown lion that followed her everywhere. Both of them were inseparable and obviously happy with each other's company. To think that she found him while doing laundry!
Naminé sighed once again, wiping a sweat off her brow and pushing back a sleeve. The potion was almost done. She had to let it simmer for about an hour and then add the final ingredient. Then it would be complete.
She washed her hands at the basin on the far corner, blew out the candles, and headed back upstairs. She winced as the bright afternoon light hit her eyes, which were slow to adjust from the darkness of the basement. She blinked a few times and wondered what Roxas was doing since he was obviously not interested in helping her with the potion.
"Roxas!" she called through the cottage. There was no answer.
She huffed. Of course he wouldn't answer her. He was most likely taking a nap!
She rounded the corner and saw the tan-colored wolf lounging in his usual spot on the cushion in the living room. He lay on his back with his feet in the air and his tongue rolled out. She wrinkled her nose. He was so lazy! He obviously knew that she called for him.
She walked over to his lazy body and prodded him with her foot. He snored in response.
She kicked him a little harder, making him yelp. Roxas rolled to his feet and glared at her, angry that she disturbed his slumber and dared to kick him to get his attention.
"I know that you're faking it, Roxas. Don't pretend that you didn't hear me," she chastised.
He rolled his blue eyes.
"Don't you give me that," she said. "Now I want you to go to Ms. Larxene's house and fetch her – and don't give me that look," Naminé commanded as she saw him give her a quizzical look, "You know your way around town already. Stop being so lazy and be a good familiar for once."
He gave a defiant expression, challenging her authority.
"Okay, fine. Then there won't be any supper for you," she threatened. His snout turned upwards as if saying that it doesn't matter since he could hunt for food. He turned around and plopped right back into his cushion with his back facing her.
"Oh, that's right. I was going to bake that apple pie today," she looked upwards with a finger under her chin, pretending that she just now recalled it. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw his ears perk up at the sound of the treat.
"I guess that since you won't be having any dinner, you can't eat dessert. So then I'll just have to enjoy the delicious, scrumptious, mouth-watering apple pie by myself," she secretly snickered as she saw some drool pool from his mouth and onto the cushion. This trick worked almost every time. She knew that he couldn't resist the temptation of the sweet dessert. Her apple pie was his favorite.
She wiped the grin off of her face when she saw his head turn around, give her a glare, and head right out the open door. She watched his form walk on the road leading towards town.
"Don't even think about going near the butcher's! I won't save you like I did last time!" she shouted to him even though he was already gone. She knew he heard her though.
Wiping the dust and grime off of her hands, Naminé headed back in, ready to do some more chores while the potion was simmering. She could probably even get started on making that apple pie.
Acting on that thought, Naminé headed towards the kitchen, put on an apron, and gathered the materials and ingredients for the apple pie. She washed the apples, peeled them, sliced them, and then she put them into a bowl filled with water and a bit of lemon juice. She was about to reach for the dough she had made that morning when she heard Roxas' howl from the distance.
She smiled as she wiped her sticky hands on the apron. She walked to the door to greet her guest and was almost barreled over by Roxas, who ran straight towards the kitchen. He came right back, his expression almost disappointed that the pie wasn't ready. Then he headed over to his cushion and sat with his back facing her, most likely sulking for waiting for his reward.
Naminé chuckled as she greeted the lovely but spunky Larxene.
"Hello again," she smiled as she directed her to one of the couches. "I hope Roxas wasn't too much of a trouble to bring you here. I would have fetched you myself, but I needed to stay by the potion in case something happened."
Larxene nodded in response. "That's fine," she said while looking over to the wolf. "Besides, he looks like he needed a walk. I don't know what you're feeding him, but it looks like he should cut back on the sweets!" She laughed out loud. Naminé giggled as she saw Roxas turn his head to glare at the guest.
"I was lucky enough to get him out the front door," Naminé laughed, "If it wasn't for that apple pie, he probably would have slept all day like he always does!"
She saw his glare switch to her and snorted, obviously not liking her teasing. He got up and walked out the door, most likely going to rest near the flowerbeds at the side of the cottage.
Naminé looked at the grandfather clock and excused herself to go check on the potion. Meanwhile, Larxene made herself comfortable, taking a seat on the floral couch next to Roxas' cushion.
Naminé went to the big black cauldron, nodding as she examined its baby blue color. She scanned the shelves full of odd ingredients and reached for one with the label Moon Dust. She took a pinch and added it to the concoction, watching it gurgle and spit. Then it turned into a nice shade of aquamarine. She grinned in victory as she stretched her muscles.
It was done. Now all she had to do was to bottle and cork it.
She turned around and took a box full of empty vials and a ladle. She carefully scooped up the contents and dispensed them into the containers. When she was done, she counted how many vials she used. There were about 13 in total. It was more than enough for the order, but Naminé thought that she might as well make a batch in case there was another order for it. Besides, the potion was due to expire in 5 years.
She smiled at her accomplishment as she took one of the vials and stored the other 12 in a cupboard filled with other completed potions. She left the empty vials on the table and cleaned the cauldron before heading back upstairs.
"Sorry for the wait. Here's your order, Larxene," she said as she reached the top of the stairs. "The effects only last about 2 days, which is probably more than enough. I'd recommend giving the potion to the cat in the morning after Axel leaves for work so that you would get your full money's worth. But I must warn you that even though you're cat will be temporarily human, it will still act as thought it was still a cat."
Larxene stood and took the vial carefully from the witch's hands. She wrapped it in a handkerchief and gently placed it into the pocket of her apron. "So…he'll still chase mice and all those things?"
Naminé nodded. "He'll still be the same cat, but you have to tell him not to be distracted by anything. I'm sure that if you give the order, he'll obey since he's that loyal to you."
Larxene hugged the witch with such intensity that was quite unusual for the woman. "Thanks, Naminé. You're a lifesaver."
It was sad to see that someone as strong as Larxene would have to use these measures because of the possibility of an affair. It must be worrying her more than what she showed on the surface. Naminé was glad that she accepted the job and that she could at least help with this predicament. The witch owed her a lot since it was Larxene who noticed Naminé – who had just arrived that morning – wandering around town and was kind enough to show her around. But the witch sincerely hoped that there really wasn't a relationship between Axel and the barmaids. Otherwise, he'd have more than Larxene's wrath to face.
Larxene handed her a few silver coins and a couple of copper coins along with a small pouch filled with cookies as payment. They stayed and chatted for a bit before Larxene had to leave to make supper for her husband and the children. Naminé waved goodbye as Larxene's form disappeared in the woods. She looked up at the sun which was already beginning to set. She was surprised at how late it became.
As she was waving goodbye, Naminé felt a tug on her dress. She looked down to find Roxas with a mouthful of her skirt, looking up at her as if pleading for his reward. She smiled and petted him on the head. He may be lazy, but he also has his cute moments. Even when he uses them to get the things he wants.
"It'll be done in a moment. I just have to put it in the oven," she chuckled as he scowled. He was impatient for the apple pie and didn't fancy the thought of waiting another minute. Then he snorted, knowing that he'll have to wait more. He walked back over to his cushion, plopping down on it.
"You know, I think Larxene was right. Maybe you do need to go on a diet. Perhaps, this will be the last time you'll be having that apple pie," she teased as he lifted his head, his eyes wide in fear of the thought of his last apple pie. Then he saw the mirth in her eyes and then glared at her. He huffed, obviously not amused by her taunting.
Naminé giggled as she entered the kitchen and prepared the oven for baking. While it was heating up, she continued to roll out the dough, put it into a shallow pan, added in the apples, the cinnamon, her special ingredient, and other spices. She then put another piece of dough over it. She poked some holes on it and then sprinkled more of her secret ingredient that made her apple pie more special than any other apple pie. Once she thought that the oven was ready, she put the pan in and timed it for about an hour.
About half an hour in, she could smell the sweet smell the dessert gave off. Her mouth watered as the smell wafted throughout the cottage. Then she realized something.
It was noticeably quiet, which she found quite peculiar. Usually, whenever he could smell a hint of the baked goods, Roxas would come bounding in. Then he would sit right by the oven, his tail swishing about as he enthusiastically waited for the moment when it was done. Sometimes he would come running even before Naminé could even smell it.
But she didn't hear anything, not even one peep before she entered the kitchen. Curious, she poked her head out the doorway and saw that he wasn't on his usual spot on the cushion. He wasn't even lounging around outside near the flowerbed, which was his second favorite spot.
Naminé went back into the cottage.
"Roxas!" she called. "The pie is almost ready! I'm sure you could smell it by now! Get over here before I eat it myself!"
He didn't answer. She found it very strange and began searching all and around the cottage, calling for him. She became frightened at the thought that he might have gone and run away.
She shook her head. She knew that he was waiting for the apple pie. He wouldn't just abandon it. He wouldn't. He wouldn't abandon her, would he?
Then Naminé realized that there was one place she had yet to search: the basement.
He wouldn't go down there, would he? She tried once to get him to keep her company and to share her passion for potion making when she was making batches upon batches of potions, but he wouldn't even climb down one step. His nose flared, and he snorted, obviously not liking the smells her ingredients gave off. He always refused to go down there, so why would he be there now?
Still, it wouldn't hurt to go and see. It was the last place to search, after all.
So Naminé grabbed the candelabra, lit it up, and slowly climbed down the stairs. The shadows of her workplace danced as she brought the light further down into the abyss of the basement.
"Roxas?" she called. She heard shuffling further back near the bookcases and cupboards and a sound of clinking glass. So he was down here after all! That little rascal, trying to play tricks on her!
Naminé increased her pace down the stairs and walked towards the back.
"Roxas, you'd better not have touched anything. Come back upstairs. The apple pie is already – " she stopped midsentence as the light reached the figure standing before the cupboard that contained her completed potions and stores.
There was a naked man standing before the open cupboard with an empty vial at his feet. She saw some of his messy blond locks swirl around the top of his messy head. He was staring at his hands, inspecting every inch of it. Noticing the light from the candle and her hesitation, his lazy blue eyes turned to meet hers, and she felt stunned.
In her mind, she recognized her familiar's features, his blue eyes, the color of his hair, and the way his eyes seem to speak more than his facial expressions. This was definitely Roxas. But it seemed as if he had transformed into the epitome of an Adonis.
A naked Adonis.
A naked Adonis that was standing in the middle of her workplace in his naked glory.
Realizing what he had turned into, she gasped. She rushed over the open cupboard, pushing the naked Roxas to the side as she inspected every vile. She saw the box that contained the potion she completed earlier in the day and counted them. Her heart sank as she counted only 11 of the aquamarine concoction. He drank the human transforming potion!
But why? Why did he drink it? What made him come down here and drink it?
All of these questions swirled in her mind, clouding her thoughts. She didn't see or hear the shuffling of his approaching footsteps and the voice that called out from behind her. That low, husky voice.
"Naminé," he said. It gave her shivers up her spine. She felt his big hands snake around her waist and froze on the spot.
She felt his breath on her hair.
"I smell apple pie," he took a big whiff from her hair. Naminé felt the blood rushing to her face as she became increasingly aware of the close proximity. She was very uncomfortable with the warmth that was spreading from his arms to throughout her body. She didn't even appreciate the knots forming in her stomach.
She got mad. She turned around in his loose embrace and pushed him away with an arm. He staggered back but kept his balance. She stood glaring up at him, who was apparently a head taller than her now. She had one hand grasping the candelabra and the other hand pointing to his chest.
"Why did you drink it?" she asked. "Roxas, why did you drink the human transformation potion?"
He looked up, thinking about how to answer. When he looked back into her angry blue eyes, he shrugged and said, "I don't know."
"You. Don't. Know?" she seethed. He noticed the apparent fury in her voice.
"I was curious," he finally revealed, surprised by how angry she was, "I knew that you were making it and wanted to know what I'd be like as a human."
It was a petty excuse, which only made Naminé angrier.
"I don't know what you're so angry about. It was only one potion," he said, oblivious to the growing fury in Naminé's eyes.
"One. Potion," she heaved. "Roxas, you knew. You knew that I cherish my potions. I told you that every potion is precious to me and that I'm very careful with what I make and who I give it to. Potions aren't something to take just because you were curious."
He shrugged. "Well, I guess I forgot," he smirked.
She slapped him, earning a surprised look from him.
Then she grabbed him by the arm and dragged him back upstairs, not wanting him anywhere near her potions anymore. When they reached the top of the stairs, she immediately recited a spell that would light up the whole cottage. She set the candelabra down on the table and made Roxas sit down on the floral couch. She looked at him as he held one hand to his cheek, nursing his wound.
"STAY. PUT," she said with such force. He was still in shock, never seeing her this angry with him.
She stomped over to the kitchen, pacing back and forth as she seethed in anger. She was trying to calm herself down but wasn't succeeding. Just one potion. Just one potion? Nevermind the fact that he could speak now, he had the nerve to say that he forgot how much her potions meant to her.
She put her hands on the counter, her shoulders heaving up and down from her fury. She took a big breath and exhaled slowly, her mind becoming calm. Then she sniffed the air and remembered about the apple pie. She walked over to the oven, grabbed oven mitts, and took it out. It was a perfect looking apple pie. Too bad Roxas wasn't going to savor it.
She placed it on the counter to let it cool and shut off the stove. Then she heard shuffling from outside the room.
She turned around to see Roxas peek his head in, looking very eagerly at the pie.
Naminé glared at him. He looked remorseful, but she knew it was an act.
"I'm sorry, Naminé," he apologized. "Please don't be mad. I really am sorry for taking it."
She would have taken the apology if he was more sincere and had not been staring at the apple pie the whole time. So, he was only apologizing so he could get a slice, was he? He was so greedy, so impudent, so…so impossible!
She sighed at his expression. Naminé walked past him, grabbing his arm once again and dragging him back to the living room. He still had his eyes on the pie.
Once she got him to sit down, she walked over to the doorway, grabbed some spare clothes from the closet and threw it at him. When he caught them, Naminé held her hands before her, reciting a spell. She placed a simple barrier on the door that forbade him from leaving. His eyes narrowed, already knowing what she was doing.
"You, Roxas," she said as she stood with her arms folded across her chest, "Are forbidden to leave this room. You will sleep here tonight, and I will decide what to do with you in the morning."
"And the pie?" he asked.
"You will not have any. This is your punishment," she turned around and headed towards the stairs that led up to her room, not feeling up to dinner herself. She heard him growl in the background.
"Goodnight," she said, calling off the spell and plunging the cottage into darkness.
Before she did, she saw him glare at her in return.
She closed the door to her bedroom and slid down the door with her hands over her face. Tears threatened to spill out, but she held them in. He didn't know how much his careless actions affected her. He just didn't know. And the fact that he completely forgot how much her work meant to her had hurt even more.
What's worse is that she could still feel the warmth of his arms around her waist and remember the way his bare form stood in the candlelight. She became confused by this, which only made her angrier.
It was then that Naminé had regretted ever summoning that wolf.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note:
Hey, guys! So...yesterday, I was surprised to find out that I actually had time to finish writing the rest of this after I took my exam (I got an A, by the way! Yay!), but I'm glad that I actually got to post it before the week got more hectic. So this story...yeah. I know the concept is a little similar to "Correspondence with a Demon," but I couldn't help but write it. :3 I was originally going to post it as a oneshot, but since it was too long and there were many details I wanted to include, I decided to make it into a three-chapter story. I say it will be a three chapter story, but I'm contemplating on making it four chapters. Haha.
So after a lot of thinking, I also decided that this was going to be rated M (Oh gosh. My first rated M story!), because there's going to be a lot of...things happening in the upcoming chapters. I don't know if I can do it, so I'm quite nervous about it. Hopefully, I'll be able to pull it off. Haha.
I hope you guys enjoyed this and will stay tuned for the next chapter! I don't have a fixed date for this story, but I'll try and see as I write the next chapter this week.
Please review! I promise I don't bite. ;D