...a dance with the Zero in the pale moonlight"

The trip back had given both Louise and Kirito time to think. There was a lot on their minds, even more so when they got back. Ushered in to the headmaster's office, they were partly horrified by the source of the whole incident which was touched off by the old man's shameless indiscretion. He admitted to being played by a pro, never mind the fact that he hired a commoner mage. To Louise, it was a disgrace for him to stoop so low. If he had hired a proper noble then the theft would not have occurred in the first place. Were he not above her station she would have given him a piece of her mind. Kirito, who was by her side was fidgeting, had an altogether different reaction. It was probably due to Kirche who was smirking amusedly and sneaking glances at her familiar now and then. Tabitha remained stoically unreadable as she read another one of her books.

"Which is why I've put you, Miss Louise and fraulein Kirche, forth to receive the title of chevalier," the headmaster somehow arrived at the following conclusion, "And since mademoiselle Tabitha is already a chevalier, I have put her forth to receive the Elven Medallion."

Kirito's name was not mentioned and he wanted to say something about it as the headmaster continued.

"Since we are also holding a Ball of Frigg, I am also making sure that you are all the guests of honour to commemorate your heroic deeds," the headmaster coughed once and turned to the other adult in the room, "Jean, can you please escort the ladies out."

The balding teacher seemed a bit indignant of being reduced to performing such a task. Still, there was no denying the headmaster especially after catching the elder's expression. Kirito did not but he was pretty sure he was reading in between the lines correctly. The headmaster wished to speak to him in private. As the door shut behind them, the headmaster waved his staff about a few times before turning back to him.

"I am sorry, mister familiar. It is due to your station that I cannot reward you as I wish."

"Ah, it's alright, I didn't want that kind of reward anyway, and please Kirito is fine."

"I am relieved mister Kirito," the headmaster seemed evidently so, "But tell me, surely you would like some kind of reward."

"I do, if it's not too much trouble, headmaster," Kirito began.

"As long as it is within reason."

"Answers," Kirito replied and continued at the old man's urging, "I want to know how your Staff of Destruction ended up here."

"It is not its true name," the headmaster supplied, "I simply gave it one when my saviour used one to save me from a dragon."

"The M72 LAW is a fifty, no, sixty year old weapon design in my world," Kirito stated glumly, "I don't think he'd still be here today."

"I'm afraid not," the old man confirmed with a frown of his own, "When he arrived, he sported terrible wounds that our magic did little to heal. Within the week, illness and infection had taken him."

Kirito sighed.

"You wish to return home," Kirito nodded, "If what you say is true then at least there is a connection between your world and ours."

"It could be a one way trip."

"Possibly, but that does not mean it is so," the headmaster spoke encouragingly, "Take heart mister Kirito, if you have yet to find an ally to help you return home, then I will gladly be your first. It is the least I could do for one such as you."

"I never turn away a quest reward," he smiled in return.

"Then perhaps now you can return to your master's side and take your mind off of these troublesome thoughts and enjoy the night."

"Well there is one more thing I wanted to ask."

"Then perhaps you can wait until you complete another quest, hmm?" the headmaster made to usher him out.

"I guess so," Kirito chuckled as he made his way out, "Thank you headmaster."

"It is quite alright," the old man replied, "and Osmond is fine."

The door shut itself gently, leaving a somewhat satisfied Kirito outside. Osmond truly was a wise and kindly old wizard, matching his exterior and despite his flaws, Kirito concluded. He'd made some progress towards his goal, which was better than nothing, and so tonight, he could probably enjoy himself like the old man said he should.

Louise on the other hand was not at peace. There were many questions unanswered for her, about herself and her familiar. The spell she cast wasn't fireball at all. It was simply an explosion. As for her familiar, he had said that he was not from her world and he wielded the Staff of Destruction as if he knew how it was supposed to be used. She wouldn't be surprised if the staff came from his world, if he was telling the truth. He probably, no, definitely wanted to return to his world if he could. What would she be then without him? That and he still refused to dress her. This was special occasion as well. Why did this commoner maid have to be the one to help her instead of him? He was in for a scolding she thought.

"I think it looks perfect for you Miss Vallière," the maid told her as she finished.

Louise recognised the maid as the one that spoke to Kirito. If it were not for that then she probably would not have noticed her at all, especially how much bigger the commoner seemed. It was unfortunate but she was being talked to and it was rude to not reply, even if it was just a commoner.

"I think it shall be wasted on my stupid familiar."

"I may be presumptuous in saying this but I do not think so Miss Vallière."

"Do you have a name?" she asked the presumptuous maid.

"Yes Miss Vallière, it is Siesta."

"Well, Siesta, why do you think so?"

"Because he is a man Miss Vallière," the servant replied cheerfully.

"He will not look at another woman in that way," Louise countered, "He is already married."

Siesta seemed a touch saddened by her declaration. Did the maids too harbour some feelings for her familiar, Louise wondered. She couldn't deny that he was not an affront to the eyes.

"But then he must have admirable qualities if he could court a woman so," Siesta answered after a while.

"Hah, knowing him, he's probably married to an Amazoness of some kind," Louise shot back.

"Yet he is still loyal to her," Siesta sighed.

"Truly admirable if he were not my familiar," she huffed, "His loyalty should be to me, his master."

"Are you perhaps jealous?"

"Hah, me? Jealous of a commoner like him?" Louise quickly denied it, "And no more of that talk or I'll have you whipped for slander."

"My apologies, Miss Vallière," Siesta hastily apologised and bowing, "It was a slip of the tongue, it shall not happen again."

"See that it doesn't."

"Enjoy the ball."

Louise only grunted and left her room.

Kirito wasn't as surprised as he wished he would be. The ball room, which was separate from the dining hall, was just about the same size. It was round and on a higher floor, decorated with panelled wood instead of plain stone. The lighting was provided by candles suspended from invisible chandeliers. Well, it wasn't exactly invisible, more transparent since when viewed at certain angles their outlines were visible.

The other students milled about in groups, their own little cliques, and gossiped about this or that. Kirito hazarded that they would be talking about the apprehension of Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt. Out of the corner of his eye, he spied Tabitha, who had secluded herself in the corner of the room with a plate laden with food, casually ignoring the whole socialising aspect. Kirche was on the opposite end of the room, surrounded by a gaggle of boys, some of whom he recognised from a while ago. They never do learn do they, he thought to himself. That left only one other guest of honour, his master, who had not yet arrived it seems.

It was as he we searching that he bumped in to another familiar face. The face was suitably less than friendly.

"Watch where you're going commoner."

"Sorry."

"You better be."

Guiche de Gramont still had an attitude and the look he threw at Kirito was a step down from a glare. No doubt because of the sword on his back. Kirito returned the gaze though with a much more neutral and inquisitive expression. Thankfully the staring contest did not last long.

"Is once not enough for you Gramont?" Kirche interrupted, "Then again, you always were quick."

"This doesn't concern you Zerbst," Guiche replied.

"Oh?" Kirche seemed pensive as she sneakily caught Kirito in her grasp, "Both darling and I are guests of honour."

"You're not a very good liar Zerbst. I bet he did nothing but fret over his useless master."

It was insulting, as it was meant to be. Kirito had only wanted to enjoy the evening. Now his cheerful mood had been ruined. It would have been complete if it were not for Kirche's laughter.

"The Zerbst embellish, exaggerate and imply Gramont, but we never lie," the Germanian replied.

With that comment, she dragged him off for a dance. He didn't mind until Kirche mentioned that Louise was probably going to kill him for allowing her to have the first dance with him. The classical music seemed much more ominous now.

"Honestly, she could stand to be a lot less frigid," Kirche had remarked.

That was true, Kirito thought, spying Louise as she joined the ball. Her dress was creamy, held in place by the shoulders and was wavy below her waist. With the matching gloves and hair decorations that pinned up her hair in to a ponytail, she truly looked like a doll. It was a shame that there was scowl on her face whenever she looked at him. Excited by her arrival, Kirche soon broke off and tried to engage in a conversation with the Vallière, only to be rebuffed, as she rebuffed many of her other male classmates. It didn't stop the Germanian in the slightest. Kirito wondered idly, as he made his way to the open air balconies, why he never did notice Kirche's green number until now.

The moons were barely out but it did provide a little bit of illumination. He stood at the edge of the balcony basking in the cool night air and the pale light as the ball's orchestral accompaniment seeped through the entrance behind him. Certainly more enjoyable than having to interact with other stuck up nobles though the waltz with Kirche, while awkward, was also enjoyable in its own way. It wasn't long until that pleasant thought was dispelled.

"We were not finished talking," his diminutive master joined him at the edge.

"Hai, hai," he replied resigned.

Though Louise said that, she was at loss at what to talk to him about. She had contemplated on what she knew and had reached her own conclusions. However, giving voice to them now seemed scary all of a sudden. He wanted to return to his homeland, to his wife and daughter that awaited him. Knowing that someday he probably would, leaving her back where she started as the Zero. She didn't want that.

"I'm still here you know," his voice shook her.

"Then," she hesitated, fumbling inwardly before finally saying it, "Don't leave me."

"Not when you're like this," he smiled reassuringly.

She couldn't tell she was crying until she tasted her own tears. His words spelled it out for her. He was leaving, but not quite yet. There would be a time when they were going to part. The thought was, as ever, frightening.

"But our contract," she finally eked out.

"I just need to help you right?" he asked, echoing words spoken a few days ago.

It was a familiar's duty after all.

"I haven't found a way back yet," he continued, "But even then, I don't think I can leave until I've helped you."

She didn't know how he could such a thing but the words were comforting. His tone conveyed a promise. It would have to do for now, she thought. He was going so far for her despite his own wishes, beyond mere duty. Though duty was often its own reward, she offered him her hand.

"A dance?" he asked.

She nodded. It was the first time she felt his touch out of her own volition. His hand was warm, as if forging a bond in times of peace, and it reassured her as his words had done while they danced the night away.