CHAPTER 2

Louise's Bedroom

"Earth?" Louise asked while starting to re-remove her cloak.

"Yup, until your little spell kidnapped me I was an American" Rashaad replied, annoyed.

"I don't believe it. For a different world to exist…"

"Tough titty… I ain't from this world, and I'd like it if you returned me to where I came from."

"Impossible."

"You make it seem like you really want me here…"

"Don't fool yourself, regardless of the circumstances the contract is absolute."

Louise continued undressing down to her underwear, "The hell, you're givin a random man a peep show now? I knew you were loopy but this takes the cake."

"Man? You're nothing but a familiar"

Rashaad mumbles, "And this bitch still clings to that term like a life raft.."

"I expect those clothes to be washed."

"Fuck that."

"Who do you think will be taking care of you? Rest assured though, if you do your job properly you will be fed."

"Kiss my ass, Master." Rashaad said with seething sarcasm. Louise had already drifted off to sleep though, so he felt angrier that she didn't hear him.

Rashaad saw a bale of hay in the corner with was obviously what his summoner expected would pass as a bed for him. Being contrary, he made sure to sleep sitting up in the same corner that he resided in earlier. "Even if I'm stuck here, I won't let myself be stuck in a hellish situation again!" he though as he fell asleep despite the chilling air in the room.

A Certain Bluenette's Dreamscape

Tabitha found herself floating and looking down on a scene she would never forget. The clouds she saw were far unlike those she'd seen standing on the ground, giving a chilling feeling in her soul that they were no longer anywhere near ground. But worse on her psyche was the apparition standing in the middle of a series of ancient columns that seemed to go on forever. It looked to be human at one point, but the spikes assembled as wings and the distortion of the sun-moon mask it had as a face would become her tormentor in all of her nightmares after this dream, but what surprised her more was the person she saw willing to go against the creature.

The man she saw as her classmate Louise's familiar stared at the thing with determined eyes. His left one gleamed emerald green, matching the crystalline substance surrounding the same eye as he stood firm against the demon's taunts. His body language showed no fear of the fact that he faced a true monster on what appeared to be an alter in the sky. Rashaad, the name she's eventually learn, had a disk shaped appendage hovering slightly above his back and spinning rapidly with the yin-yang symbol carved inside of it. Though his clothing is mostly ripped, the cloak he wore over it stayed intact. The crimson material with black flames at the bottom seemed sentient as he charged forward.

Tabatha shot up in her bed, awoke and sweating bullets.

The Next Day

Louise woke up startled by the sudden lack of warmth, as Rashaad snatched the covers off of her. "Morning. You told me to have you've clothes ready but fuck that so here are the ones you wore yesterday." He said as he turned to allow her privacy. She huffed and let her face become red with anger, but then replied with a threat.

"No food for you if you can't follow simple instructions. Even a dog listens more than you."

"Don't fool yourself into thinking that I can't fend for myself, dumbass. I can get my own food."

Louise noticed that he would not back down and lied, "Either way, its mandatory for familiars to head to breakfast with their summoners for a short time the day after they're summoned."

With that in mind, and knowing that it would be better to follow the rules if he wanted to eventually learn how to leave.

Cafeteria

"They're here." The dark skinned woman from last night said to the blonde beside her. "The rumored runaway familiar and his master."

Louise led him toward the seat she would take as he took time to marvel at the amount of food on the table. Though his face gave away nothing, he really did hate that the person he was stuck with was so stuck on the power trip that the nobles obviously had. He absentmindedly pulled out the chair for the girl, which he immediately regretted. She pointed down toward the ground to a plate, obviously meant for him. He flipped.

"So you still continue to treat me like a dog even NOW? YOU brought me here! I'd rather not die to end the contract you told me about, but I'll be DAMNED if I do anything other than keep ur scrawny ass alive." Rashaad said as he resolved to wait outside.

Louise simply shrugged it off along with the sideways looks their dispute had earned her. The noblemen said their prays before eating and even though people were curious about the commoner familiar, no one would ask questions.

Outside

"Normally familiars sit outside during breakfast. I specially let you stay with me. Why can't you accept the kindness that I show you?" Louise asked with no kindness in her voice.

"Piss of Girl." Rashaad said as he looked up. He mumbled, "A gathering? Looks like I was spot on last night…"

Without being asked Louise informed. "Second years have the day off today to get better acquainted with their familiars, though you make it quite hard to be motivated about it."

"Oh?" said the tanned beauty. Once Rashaad saw what was beside her he hopped back and into a defensive position.

"What the hell is that?!" He asked, only retaining some of his usual calm.

"Is this your first time seeing a salamander?"

"What do you think?" He said while keeping his body tense, he was uncertain on his chances against it but survival was a must.

Seeing his discomfort, she said. "He won't attack you. Familiars under contract faithfully obey every order from their master, and they never run away. Isn't that right, Flame?"

Louise countered, "Don't give me that!"

The woman continued antagonizing. "You know, didn't you just sneak in a peasant walking around in the area? You covered it up with that explosion."

"That's not true! I completed the summon properly! This guy just happened to show up!"

"Well, he's very befitting of Louise the Zero."

The buxom young woman known as Kirshe walked off laughing and Louise just fumed. Eventually she decided to take her anger out on Rashaad by ordering him around. "Don't just stand there! Bring me some tea, at least!" He walked off without acknowledging her 'request.' Walking around to take in the surroundings of the place he was trapped in, he ran into a creature that was basically a floating eye with a purple skin coating. Rashaad hopped back a bit on reflex and bumped into a young woman in a maid's outfit.

"Ah, my bad." Rashaad said, noticing that he knocked over the dessert she was about to serve

"No, it's all right." The maid stated

They both reached out for the cake and their hands touched, causing a slightly awkward moment.

After a bit of silence the young maid asked, "Could you be the one who is now Miss Vallière's familiar?"

"That'd be me it seems… but how'd you know?"

"It's all over the rumor mill that a peasant was summoned as a familiar."

"What's with the damn noble and peasant shtick goin on around here?"

"Those that can use magic are nobles, and those that are peasants cannot."

"Oh. So that's all? And if I'm able to guess, you can't use magic."

"Right! I am Siesta, and I have the honor of serving here. I'm a peasant, just like you."

"Name's Rashaad Warrent. Call me Rashaad, but leave the peasant shit at the door. We are all people."

Siesta looked a bit troubled and was about to reply until she heard. "Oi! Is the cake ready?"

Rashaad immediately found himself annoyed at the arrogance of the blond and offered to take it to him. He was in earshot to hear the boy talking in high regards about his familiar, which showed some good but not enough for a saving grace.

"Here ya go."

"Oh, bring a bit of tea while you're at it." He then turned to his companion. "Your familiar is so cute, just like you."

"As always, you're such a flatterer." The girl named Montmorency said

"I won't lie to your eyes" Both Guiche and surprisingly Rashaad said at once.

Montmorency shrugged it off as a coincidence before saying, "But I heard rumors that you're dating a first-year recently."

"Such nonsense! There's nothing hidden behind my..."

"You're doin it wrong."

This was aimed directly at Guiche and the boy knew it. "And WHAT might I be doing wrong, Plebeian?"

"Easy Kid, you gotta have variety in what you say! Ever heard of a one trick pony?"

"What is he talking about?" asked/demanded Montmorency.

"Hurry up and get back to your business, waiter!"

"What waiter do YOU see?" Rashaad said, sweeping his hands downward to show is in descript white shirt and smoke grey jeans.

"Guiche, just WHAT was that about?"

Said boy tried to cover up his tracks by talking about how he helped Louise catch Rashaad, but fate was not on his side that day. Rashaad noticed a certain brunette walking by. "You looking for the gallant one you were with last night?" he said, barely able to hide the mischievous glint in his eyes. The girl blushed and nodded as he led her toward the table he had just left.

"Would this Tea be to your liking?" Rashaad asked with a taunting smirk

"Lord Guiche! I thought I'd bring you my handmade soufflé, that I was talking about at the tea party last night."

"And who exactly is she to you Lord Guiche?"

"What are you going on about Plebeian? You're starting to found needless misunderstandings."

"What misunderstanding? You're datin em both and failing miserably at hiding the fact."

After Rashaad's words factored in, both girls realized that they had both been led on. Guiche tried to use his normal compliments down on Montmorency until Katie said that he told her she was the only one. Even trying to calm them down was the wrong move as he eventually got slapped for his trouble and everyone around laughed, knowing that he deserved every bit of it.

"It seems that you don't know how to pay respect to nobility." Guiche said in a low tone seething with anger.

"What respect have you earned, KID? And besides the world I come from isn't nearly as blind."

"Very well then… I challenge you to a duel. You're nothing but a commoner AND a familiar, and yet you mocked me and made to young ladies cry!"

"Oh?" The condescending manner of voice showed that he wouldn't back down. "It seems you did more crying than they did when you got slapped!"

"Prepare yourself! I'll be waiting for you at Vestori Square!"

The laughter at Guiche's expense hadn't died down in the least, even though they knew in their hearts that a commoner could never beat a noble in a duel. Most reasoned their lack of care to the fact that the familiar himself wasn't worried while others didn't care as long as they saw the fight. Louise walked up and attempted to grab his arm.

"What in the Founder's name were you thinking?" She said as she reached for his arm.

"Fuck off me, Girl." Rashaad shook her arm from his and turned toward the crowd.

"Anyone willing to show me where this 'Square' is?"

Osmond's Office

"There are no records of a peasant familiar ever occurring until now." The old man stated.

"That's not the problem at hand, Sir." Colbert corrected. "I didn't recognize the familiar's rune when it appeared so I did a bit of research." He showed his superior a page from a book with the runes on a picture. "The man's runes were similar to this one here.

Osmond sent his assistance out of the room, but not before she managed to take a peek at the book.

Vestori Square

"I praise you for not running away." Guiche said with a voice full of confidence.

"I figured a little kid like you could use a spankin, and even if I were to die here I had no way home anyway."

A few people in the crowd visibly flinched but no one reacted otherwise.

"Wait!" Louise cried out as she approached the duel. "Stop this at once! Duels are forbidden!"

"Stop gettin in my WAY!" Rashaad yelled. "If he's bull headed enough to challenge me and I accept it no longer concerns you."

Guiche swiped his rose out in front of himself and allowed a petal to hit the earth. Once it made contact, a Valkyrie burst through the earth. "I am known as Guiche the Brass, and my Valkyrie shall be your opponent." What he didn't realize was that Rashaad had already started charging toward him the moment he swiped his rose. The only thing that he was aware of was feeling the wind get knocked out of him after his monologue. "Shut the hell up and fight!" Rashaad said, before getting attacked from behind by the summon.

Seeing him roll forward from the strength of the punch Louise yelled, "Do you get it now? Peasants can never win against mages!"

Rashaad ignored her and hopped back up, ready to keep fighting. The Valkyrie rushed toward him again.

Osmond's Office

"The rune in this book only exists in legend. Furthermore, considering the fact that he was summoned by the third daughter of the Vallière family this has something to do with the lost corner of the Pentagon."

"It can't be!" Colbert exclaimed.

"Whatever the truth may be, you cannot speak one word about this to anyone!"

"I understand."

Back at Vestori Square

The tanned man found himself on the defensive, allowing the brass doll's attacks to slide by him. He had to gain a feel for the opponent's skill before attacking, since he knew that the mage would have to fall for it to be his victory. Once he had a decent feel for its speed, he lashed out with a powerful straight jab. It hurt his hand, but it also seemed to affect the doll as well. Having finally gathered his breath Guiche commented. "The fact that you can dodge my Valkyrie is impressive, but you still cannot win. Besides, I'd feel bad breaking something Louise owns."

That set the man from another world on fire. Racism in his own world was bad, but he was never treated like someone's property before. Rashaad started focus on damaging the boy's foolish pride. He started using mental focus to augment the strength of his fists enough to damage the Valkyries as well as speeding up his reaction time. "I might have to kill you now…" Rashaad said as he dashed forward far faster than had before and throw an uppercut which beheaded the Valkyrie.

Guiche, starting to panic started to summon more of the brass protectors as Rashaad attacked and defended against them. The blond boy started to lose the anger from being humiliated the longer the fight lasted. And it gave way to fear. Not only was the dark skinned commoner fighting against his brass creations, but the look in his eyes seemed more at home on any beast of prey. So due to fearing for his life he told his Valkyrie to attack to kill.

Those watching the fight forgot that it was a fight between commoner and noble, so enthralled by the fight itself that the clamoring of the mages crying out for whoever they wanted to win drowned out the actual sounds of battle. Kirshe found herself quite interested in the commoner, since he was able to stand against a noble's magic. Siesta was silent, yet inwardly the loudest supporter of his fight since it was the first time a commoner was ever seen matching a mage. Tabitha was more focused on learning more about the man who appeared in her horrific dream, hoping that the strange powers she saw would not manifest out of the fear of the other being. Louise was more shocked to see that her familiar was actually quite capable, and found herself more accepting of him than before. Everyone's eyes widened as they saw the Valkyrie's next move.

Rashaad closed the gap between himself and one of his opponents to deliver a liver blow, but twisted his body to the side and narrowly dodged a spear. He quickly grabbed it and the runes on his hand began to light up. Deftly spinning it around, he destroyed the two Valkyries at his side one at a time before throwing the spear through three more that were standing in a line of defense for Guiche. Not done by a longshot, Rashaad picked up a dropped spear and twirled it over his head before leaping into the air and landing with the spear right in front of the blond mage.

"Now tell me why I shouldn't kill you?" Rashaad asked with an empty tone, resigned to spill the boy's blood.

Guiche had fainted the moment Rashaad landed. Once he himself realized this, he let go of the borrowed weapon. "I am NO ONE's property and anyone who believes otherwise are quite welcome to try me and end up like your friend here." Instead of people screaming in fear of him, he was met with the cries of surprise and adoration for the great fight. With the battle high gone and his use of the runes Rashaad quickly collapsed into a comfortable sleep, standing up. Without being aware, he had used up all of his energy.

Louise's Bedroom

"Have you awakened? Thank goodness! You've been asleep for three days now."

"No wonder I feel stiff… but why are you here though?"

"Miss Vallière instructed me to bring you some food."

Said pinkette was currently asleep at a desk.

"She's been watching over you the entire time without sleep. Mr. Warrent."

"So she actually does have some good in her…"

I only tweaked this chapter a little here and there.