Author's Note: I've becoming a bit preoccupied with school, but I won't let it stop me from trying this out! I hope you enjoy this chapter, and don't worry If you think that there was too big of a change with Louise Here. There'll still be a lot of conflict between her and Daine and Colete. By the way, Daine's the torture monkey of this fanfiction, even if he is my character. I have no qualms about him getting kicked all around~!
Disclaimer - I do not own Mabinogi or the Familiar of Zero. Colete is a character within Mabinogi made by my friend while Daine is -based- off mine.
Hope you enjoy!
"Hm… now how shall I wake thee?" A female's voice echoed in the room. "Shall I do it with a kiss, or maybe I should summon a golem on top of you? I know I have to do this quickly though…. Hm…"
Colete stood in front of the sleeping figure. It's a good thing that there isn't any snoring to distract me. She chuckled, staring at the figure. Colete snapped her fingers, smiling mischievously as an idea came to mind. "I know."
Thankfully, Colete and Daine can feel the mana flowing in this entire land. Louise herself had hinted that they weren't the only magic users, which means that there should be some mana to use. While the moon, or moons in this case, had not exactly charged the Milletians' reserves, there was still much to go around.
Colete smiled as she quietly produced a wand from her person. She grinned as the five yellow orbs slowly formed and circle her body. There. Giggling like she does when pulling a joke on her close friends, Colete pointed the wand at the sleepy head and declared "Thunder."
…..
"I'm sorry for waking you up doing that, Louise." Colete laughed, holding her hips as she tried to control herself. It was about 15 minutes after the results of the incident. Louise promptly screamed in terror at the sight of Daine being electrocuted before getting out her wand and casting an explosion near Daine, shouting out "WHO ARE YOU PEOPLE?!"
"... and me?" Daine grumbled, obviously very agitated. "Seriously, who the hell wakes up a person using freaking lightning magic?"
"Nah." Colete waved dismissively at Daine. "I won't say that I'm sorry if I plan on doing it again… Then again…" She grinned with the same mischievousness she always has as she placed her fingers on her chin. "Actually, I promise I won't wake you up with lightning magic ever again…"
"Colete." Daine glared at his guild leader, still fixing his hair that was forced to stand up from the electricity running through him. "I know you're going to plan on using Hail Storm to wake me up next. Justin even told me about that prank you did and how… unpleasant the experience was." Justin, like Daine, was a member of Colete's guild. He was a bit crazy and passionate when it comes to fire magic and alchemy. So when Colete used Hailstorm on Justin while he was asleep, his reaction was... less than pretty.
"Oh. so you know about that, huh?" Colete giggled.
"Both of you, just be quiet!" Louise shouted. She was even in worse shape, having been forced out of her dreams by the sound of her male familiar screaming in pain as thunder repeatedly boomed right next to her. Apparently, the Crash Shot last night knocked the human Milletian out, forcing Colete to drag him all the way to the room without being spotted. Well, she was by a glass-wearing blue haired girl, but that one student paid her no mind. "You two made enough noise to wake this entire tower, so the last thing I need is the two of you yelling at each other."
"Actually, it's more of just me yelling at her." Daine pointed out, rolling his eyes.
"SHUT UP!" Louise returned with a sudden backfiring spell to Daine's face, causing him to fall flat on his back. The reason for her sudden need of silence wasn't really that, but Louise is already having a headache after being rudely awakened by a force of nature. "And I am to be referred to as Master, since you two are the familiars here!"
"Sorry." Daine and Colete sighed, the former rubbing his forehead.
"And for being so loud and rudely waking me up, the both of you will have to skip breakfast and have to wait outside the dining hall until the meal is over!" Louise declared. The two Milletians glanced at each other, with Daine shrugging.
"Alright." Colete stared at Louise. "Just tell us where to go."
"Eh?" Louise blinked.
"If you're going to 'punish' us for something so minor with something like that, then we'll gladly have some time away from you, Master." Daine explained. He and Colete both seemed indignant towards Louise.
"..." That explanation seemed to strike a nerve at Louise, who then shouted "Then get out of my room!" Colete glanced at Daine before leaving the room. However, Daine merely sighed and stayed inside. The noble stared at Daine, a mix of puzzlement and anger at the defiance of this command showing in her face. However, a few more emotions were also revealed to Daine.
"Master, before you tell me to get out again, we need to talk." Daine said, closing the door.
"... What is there to say?" Louise glared at Daine. "You're both my familiars, so you have to obey me."
"And that's where the problem is." Daine replied. "Louise, let me tell you something-"
"No, let me tell you something!" Louise yelled at Daine, who raised his eyebrow. "I am your master, you are my familiar! It's as simple as that!"
Daine sighed once more. "... Nevermind. I'll wait for you outside."
"And for waking me up in such a terrible way, the both of you will have to skip breakfast and wait outside the dining hall until the meal is over like the rest of the familiars!" Louise added, though immediately a dead silence took over.
"... Alright then." Colete muttered, staring at Louise. "Just tell me where to go so that I won't have to see you during the meal." She said before glancing at Daine and walking out of the room.
"..." Louise grit her teeth, glaring at the last sighting of Colete. "How dare she…!"
"Louise-" Daine sighed.
"It's 'Master!'" Louise shouted at Daine, who sighed once once more.
"Master, let me tell you something-"
"No, there is nothing to say at all." Louise interrupted, glaring at Daine. "I am your Master, and you are my familiar. I order you, and you have to obey me. It's as simple as that!"
Daine shook his head, staring at Louise. "You know what? I'll just wait for you to cool down. I'll just leave you alone for now…" He said before walking to the door. As he grabbed the knob, however, Daine heard the pink-haired noble… sniffling? Sighing, he lets it go and glanced behind him. The sight itself was just heartbreaking on its own. Daine turned around and walked back to Louise, sighing once again.
…..
Colete held her hand on her face as she controlled herself. 'How dare that little brat..!' Colete gritted her teeth. 'I'm not some kind of animal! I might have to punish my pets but that doesn't mean that I force them to starve!' During her venting, the Milletian felt someone tap her shoulder. Colete promptly turned to the side in which she was tapped, her hand raised in preparation for a slap. "What the hell do you want from-" She stopped herself, seeing that the source of the disturbance were mere strangers. "Sorry…" Colete sighed, shaking her head and dropping the hand.
There were two people in front of her. One was a red-headed dark-skinned woman who would've won the hearts, or rather just mere lusting attention of any male she crossed. The other was a smaller girl in height with blue hair and glasses. Both of them wore the same uniform as Louise- a cape over a white blouse and skirt with stockings. While the red-head seemed to enjoying the little scene, the blue-haired girl seemed less interested at the interaction of her company and the newcomer and more interested in that book of hers "Oh, my. It seems the Zero has already driven away one of her co-conspirators." The red-head smirked at the Milletian. "But it's alright; the Valliers have a history of being hard to deal with, anyway."
"And what do you mean by co-conspirator?" Colete narrowed her eyes at the speaker, her body tensing up once more.
"Well, it's obvious that the Valliere can't even use magic, let alone use Summon Servant. She must've paid you and your little cohort to somehow appear when she failed the spell." The red-head smiled at Colete still, which further added to the burning rage within the latter.
"Are you insinuating that I intentionally dragged me and my own friend to a land where I have no idea when the sun even rises and sets to put up with a little kid than stay with my own family and friends in the lands I love?!" Colete asked angrily, her anger flaring at the red-head, who backed away slightly.
"She was merely joking." The blue haired girl said, her eyes not diverting from the book. "Rivalry between her and Louise."
Colete looked at the girl, then the red-head. She cooled down somewhat, controlling herself. "Sorry. I'm royally pissed of right now." She sighed.
"Has the Valliere really treated you that badly?" The red-head raised an eyebrow.
"Took away our eating privileges after 'rudely' awakening her." Colete rolled her eyes.
"Oh, so that was you and your friend..." The noble blinked, then shook her head. "Well... My name's Kirche Von Zerbst, The Ardent, and this is Tabitha, the Snowstorm." Kirche introduced herself and the blue-haired girl, now known as Tabitha. "I know how much a handful the Valliere is, so you can come to me to vent whenever you like. Or maybe Tabitha her-"
"No." Tabitha interrupted, her eyes staring blankly at Kirche that asked a question. 'Really?'
This seemed to cheer the Milletian up as she began to giggle at this. "Well, at least you two are really friendly. My name is Colete. I guess since you're giving me your titles, I might as well give you one of mine." Colete shrugged. "Formally, I am Colete, the Royal Alchemist, leader of the guild Dispell."
"Royal Alchemist?" Tabitha raised an eyebrow.
"The Zero summoned a noble?" Kirche blinked.
"Royal Alchemists are just a small group of top alchemists." Colete shrugged. "I mean, sure we get a uniform and a title, though only temporary until you leave the group. However, alchemy pretty much has reached its peak. The Royal Alchemists are having trouble now in discovering something new. It isn't really royal, but it just means that we're the top alchemists in the lands." Colete shrugged.
"That's... Amazing..." Kirche blinked.
"I still have the clothing and all... But..." Colete shrugged. "I'm not sure how long they'll last. People get kicked out if they stop researching too much and get lazy. I'm pretty much unable to participate with the others, so I won't exactly stay as a Royal Alchemist for next year..."
The door suddenly opened, and Louise came out, much calmer. However that changed very quickly as she glared at Kirche. "And what are you doing here, Zerbst?" Louise demanded.
"Introductions." Colete stared at Louise. "I might as well get used to the people I'm stuck with. Like Daine for example."
"See, this is why sometimes I question my continued presence in your circle called 'friends.'" Daine rolled his eyes.
"Oh? And who are you?" Kirche smiled seductively at Daine. Daine furrowed his eyebrows before Louise interrupted the two (not)love birds.
"Get out of here, Zerbst!" Louise yelled at the red-head. "I don't need you defiling my familiars!"
Kirche giggled at Louise's reaction. "As fiery as always, I see. Oh well. I'll see the both of you later." Kirche smiled at Daine and Colete before she and Tabitha walked down they hallway.
"... What was that about?" Daine blinked.
"That was Kirche von Zerbst." Colete shrugged. "Apparently she and Louise have a rivalry."
"I'm right here, you know." Louise glared at Colete.
"She remind me of you when you pretended to be a Lolita." Daine smirked. "Now, Master. I suppose you have something to say to Colete." Louise looked at Daine, then sighed.
"Colete... I'm sorry for acting so harshly to the both of you." Louise muttered. "..."
"... What exactly did you do to Louise in there?" Colete eye'd the Milletian next to the noble, who raised an eyebrow.
"Are... You implying something?" Daine blinked. "We just had a talk."
"About what?"
"Talk about it later." Louise interrupted. "We need to go to breakfast." The two nodded and followed their master to the dining hall. It was nothing short of beautiful, it's architecture only second to the interior of the guild castle However, there was something wrong as they entered the hall.
"Oh no..." Louise stopped.
"What is it?" Colete asked.
"Familiars aren't allowed in here..." Louise sighed. "It's the academy's rules. You'll have to wait outside." She pointed to the door. "... You'll have to wait outside anyway. I can order a maid for you two to get food from."
"Alright." Daine responded before Colete could, grabbing the latter's hand and going out the door. After going through the door into the yard, Colete managed to tear her arm away from her friend.
"What exactly was that for?" Colete glared at Daine.
"Look Colete." Daine stared back at the elf. "I had just talked to Louise. If anything, she at least understands that we aren't animals and would treat us somewhat better than before. Starting another scene because we aren't allowed in there doesn't help her mental state right now."
"And what do you mean by that?" Colete's anger vanished, but she still stared at Daine.
"I mean.." Daine sighed. "She really thinks that she is a failure. Apparently, she's a noble and nobles are supposed to be able to use magic, with their familiars as some sort of visible scale. However, Louise can't get her spells to work correctly and she thinks she summoned two helpless summoners."
"... You managed to find out all that?" Colete raised an eyebrow.
"You were venting for a long time, let me tell you." Daine sighed. "It's only after I heard you through the door that I quickly finished up my conversation to calm you down next." Colete then followed suit, sighing herself. 'Leave it to Daine to be the glue...' She thought. After all, Daine was basically the one guy to cool everything down once tensions rise. He does everything, from reason to just absolute humor.
"Well… thanks, Daine." Colete smiled at him, which he promptly returned.
"Always welcome." Daine shrugged. "Now, then. I suppose we should look for that servant and the group of familiars. You know, just so that we'll be where she can find us."
"They're right behind you." Colete blinked, stepping back a bit.
Daine raised an eyebrow at the reaction before turning around and yelling "Whoa!" while drawing his short sword. What levitated behind him was a lone eye with bat-wings attached to it. It stared, unblinkingly, at Daine, and did nothing more. Furrowing his eyebrows, Daine slowly sheathed it. Colete, noticing Daine's lowering his guard, stepped forward and joined his inspection of this unique creature. "... This… is new." Daine said, staring at it. It seems he and the creature had unintentionally started a staring contest. "Any idea what this is…?"
"... I have absolutely no idea…" Colete muttered.
"Oh, it's you two again." A familiar voice was heard from behind them. Colete jumped, very nearly drawing her bow before she realized who it was. Siesta. "And that is a bugbear."
"..." The two Milletians stared at each other once again. "... Bugbear?" Daine asked, scratching the back of his head.
"Bugbear." Siesta giggled at his reaction.
"... It looks nothing like a mix of a bug or a bear, though…" Colete muttered, glancing at the bugbear once more. However, it had turned its… er… back of the eye to them and started flying away.
"Anyway, I guess you're that servant that Louise sent us?" Daine asked.
"Oh? She was going to send a servant?" Siesta blinked. "What for?"
"Getting us food." Colete shrugged.
"Oh my. There's no need for sending a servant." Siesta smiled. "Come, follow me. I'll send one of the maids to tell Miss Valliere that you're in the kitchen."
"The kitchen? Alright... I guess..." Daine muttered.
...
"Wow, Siesta. This is really good!" Colete commented as she ate more of the soup. It was 10 minutes after they arrived. The Milletians were introduced to Marteau, the chef of the kitchen who seemed to especially despise nobles but especially wanted to help the two familiars. Right now, their soup was the result of his wanting to help, and a mixture of Siesta's assistance.
"Thank you." Siesta blushed slightly.
"Is there anything we can repay you for this?" Daine asked.
"Well, there is the fact that we have to serve snacks and drinks to the nobles later." Siesta pondered.
"Oh?" Colete and Daine blinked. "What for?"
"Getting to know their new familiars." Siesta answered.
"That... Makes sense." Daine muttered.
"So can you help me?" Siesta asked.
"I don't mind." Daine shrugged.
"Well, I have to at least stay with Louise then." Colete shrugged.
"Better stay with one dislikeable person than have to serve multiple. Besides, I don't feel like running around and handing cups of tea." She smirked.
"Pick your poison." Daine chuckled before nodding to Siesta. "Let's go."
...
"Hm..." Louise looked for Colete. A servant had told her that they traveled to the kitchens, as another servant had took them in.
"I'm right here, Louise." Colete said as she ran from the far end of the kitchen. Louise furrowed her eyebrows at the sight of the young elf having an apron on. Noticing this, Colete chuckled. "It's been too long since I cooked. I usually spend my time fighting alongside my friends that I don't practice certain skills."
Louise stared at Colete strangely for a few more seconds before she sighed and gestured for the Milltian to come. "Today's the day that we get to know each other, instead of going to classes. So we have to go to the courtyard nearby."
"Oh? Lead the way then." Colete shrugged, following her master to the courtyard where all the other nobles were flooding into. There were a vast number of tables for the students and their familiars, which were all animals. There were frogs and snakes to… bugbears, was it?- and dragons. Despite all of these creatures, Colete seemed unimpressed by the creatures. In fact, the presence of all of these things very much reminded the Milletian of how everyone just hung out in Dunbarton.
"You don't seem to affected by this." Louise said, noticing Colete's indifference and not-so-excited face.
"Honestly, I've seen a lot of things like this." Colete shrugged. "People like being with their pets where I come from." She smiled, remembering the memory. However, how long will it be until she see the sight again.
"Oh… Daine told me you had a lot of pets." Louise said, grabbing a chair and sitting down.
"Yeah. And so does he." Colete shrugged. "The reason why I kind of… reacted how I did earlier was that we both have a hatred of people who treat their pets, who should be loyal and loving to them, like dirt." She said, taking a chair and sitting down. "And we can't even get them out of the influence of the said people, so as long as they live, so they'll only be able to live under them."
"You mean, it's permanent?" Louise blinked.
"As long as they exist." Colete sighed. "Just like this contract, apparently. A horrible cast of the die for them, I'd say."
"Oh…." Louise looked down.
"Hey." Colete sighed. "What did Daine talk to you about?"
"... He told me about how you hated people like what you described." Louise said. "Daine also told me that I should at least have more patience with you two, at least..."
Colete nodded. "I'll try to behave a bit better, but only in the condition that you don't treat me like a stray animal."
Sighing, Louise nodded. "I'll try."
"Deal?" Colete held her hand out
"Deal." Just as they shook hands, Colete sensed that something was wrong. It was that leader's intuition that her subordinates were in trouble.
"Hey, Valliere." Kirche appeared, approaching the table. Her salamander followed suit, matching her in speed as the red-head ran with urgency to their table "I think your other familiar has gotten into trouble."
"What makes you say that? And why do you care?" Louise stared at Kirche, her eye narrowing at her. However, Kirche had that honest-to-god looks of worry.
"He just stopped Guiche from punishing a servant, and by now I'm sure that their argument would escalate into a duel made by Guiche." Kirche explained quickly.
"WHAT?!" Louise exploded from her chair as she ran, with Colete following behind her. Now that she was looking around, everyone was crowding around something. Shoving her way through the crowd, she heard the few sentences that would've caused her heart to stop.
"I CHALLENGE YOU TO A DUEL, IN THE VESTRI COURT, WITHIN AN HOUR!" The self-proclaimed ladies's man shouted over the murmurs of the crowd.
"I accept." Another voice replied, all too calmly. "I shall see you then. Bring your best, boy."
Author's Note: My only issue is that I felt like the ending to this chapter was rushed. I hope that I have somewhat of a good pacing and that I switched things up slightly with an ever-changing relationship. So Colete is more in favor of Kirche with a hint of forgiving Louise and Daine is trying to help Louise flat out.
By the way, I love reading how the characters amaze the crowds by beating up Guiche and/or his golems. It kinda gives me that feeling that one gets when they try out a new video game or something.
And some of my time shall now be devoted to Smashing everybody. With Robbin preferably.
Oh, and I forgot to mention. I need people to review this, because I don't really know how good or bad I actually write. I also won't get better if no one tells me that I'm in need to get better as well. So, as the standard of Author's Notes, please review!
