Song Used: The Last Night by Skillet

David smiled, plucking the strings of his guitar as he tuned it, having finally gotten it back from Louise. He had opted to stay in the room while Louise had class today, as he wanted to discuss his plan with Derf, who was oddly receptive to the concept of his wielder being from another world and aware of events to come.

It hadn't taken much to convince the sword to keep everything he said confidential, hidden away from Louise. Derf was smart, he understood how important it was that everything go in the proper order.

Well, mostly proper order. David thought to himself, as he finished tuning the guitar and began playing a song, one with words that he gladly sang in time with the notes.

"You came to me with scars on your wrist. You said this would be the last night feeling like this." he sang, eyes closed as he mouthed the words, his voice echoing in the small room. Derf was silent, quietly listening to the music.

"'Just came to say goodbye, didn't want you to see me cry. I'm fine.' But I know it's a lie."

As he sang, he went over his plan in preparation for Count Mott to arrive. This one I can change. he thought, going into his world of music and music alone as he played, letting his subconscious mind think independently of the words coming from his mouth.

"This is the last night you'll spend alone. Look me in the eyes so I know you know I'm everywhere you want me to be."

I'm sure as heck not using that crappy ornament. Derf is coming along. It couldn't hurt to get my hands on that 'summoned book' from Kirche before he arrives too...though I don't know how I'll broach the subject yet.

He chuckled in his mental world, though the sound did not interrupt his singing. Literally just a hentai manga...I wonder if I'll have heard of it? Probably not.

"This is the last night you'll spend alone. I'll wrap you in my arms and I won't let go. I'm everything you need me to be."

Another internal chuckle. Maybe I'll check it out when I get it from her. Couldn't hurt...and it's not like I'll actually use it for its intended purpose. Probably in Japanese though, I won't be able to read it. Just curious though.

"Your parents say everything is your fault, but they don't know you like I know you. They don't know you at all."

He frowned, his subconscious slipping back to concentrating on reality, and as he heard the lyrics he was singing, he sighed.

Louise. he thought. This song fits Louise, come to think of it. Didn't I find this one in an FoZ AMV?

"I'm so sick of when they say, 'It's just a phase, you'll be okay. You're fine.' But I know it's a lie."

I doubt I can grow to love her like Saito does...but I can't just leave her out to dry with her parents. I'll have to figure out some way to help her before I go back home…

Despite the fact that she still abused him, albeit much less often than she does to Saito, he still couldn't bring himself to hate her. He could barely fault her, after witnessing the reason behind her tsundere tendencies. It all stemmed from her high-strung family after all, what with the Duke de Valliere and Karin of the Heavy Wind on one side and Eleonore on the other.

"Partner." came the metallic voice of Derflinger, cutting him from his thoughts.

He stopped playing, his hand hovering over the next note, and looked at the sword. "Hm?" he asked. "Sorry, I got disracted."

"No problem, partner." the sword replied. "I just wanted to ask what you were playing. I am not familiar with either the instrument or the song. It's quite good, though."

David smiled. "Thanks for the compliment. This instrument is called a guitar, and the song is The Last Night, by a group of musicians who call their group Skillet. Both are from my world." He wasn't sure how to explain bands, as he doubted that Halkeginia was modern enough to have bands, nor was he sure how Derf would react to the odd name the band used.

As usual, Derf seemed to shrug it off as just another oddity of humans. "It is able to placate Louise, is it not? Your playing."

David laughed. "Sort of. If she's not already angry, it helps keep her level-headed. Helps me in the same way too. I can think clearly when I'm playing."

"I know." the sword affirmed. "We are connected through the power of Gandalfr. I'm sure you already know the extent of that power."

The corner of his mouth lifted. "Yeah, I do. I understand most of the powers of the four Brimiric runes."

"Don't spoil too much." Derf chided. "It's no fun if we don't learn together!"

David laughed. "See, this is why you're one of my favorite characters. So nonchalant and optimistic."

If the sword could have smiled, it would have. "And likewise, you are one of my favorite partners. Your predecessors were usually older, and prone to ignoring me for the most part. Seems they assumed I am just a normal weapon despite my ability to speak."

David laughed. "You're a good source of advice." he said. "Plus...you're fun to talk to. Much nicer than talking to Louise. At least with you there isn't the ever present threat of getting whipped."

"She does seem quite volatile, doesn't she? I still think you'd be alright together."

David laughed, waving a hand dismissively. "No thanks, not interested. She's not my type."

The tone of Derf's voice made David clearly visualize the sword raising an eyebrow, though the metal stayed unchanged. "And Princess Henrietta is?"

David blinked, before laughing again. "You're kidding." he said. "My views on Henrietta aside, that's a ship that could never sail. I am basing my plan in reality, and that's not realistic in the slightest...plus, I don't plan on staying long enough to get to the point where she starts loving Saito."

"Hmm." Derf grunted, a sound that clearly showed a layer of disbelief in David's words. "Plans almost never go quite as expected. Things may change in a flash...especially since you're planning on relying on her political power."

"I keep work and home separate." David countered. "I don't need a romantic relationship with Henrietta, I just need her to trust me enough that she'll follow my plan. Business partnership comes first, love is a very far second. Save that for when I'm back on Earth."

Derf obviously didn't believe him. Well, that or the sword was just continuing to tease him, because that's what Derf enjoys most, teasing its wielder about their relationships.

"Wouldn't be that bad getting to be a king though, wouldn't it?" it suggested. "You would probably not get that in your world."

"Derf, stop!" David said, getting ticked off by the sword's prodding. "I'm not shipping myself with Henrietta!"

If Derf could smile, it would be grinning ear to ear. "You don't sound like you care that she's royalty, you don't even call her Princess!"

David shouted in annoyance, setting his guitar back in its case and walking over to the sword, picking up the sheath and slinging it on his back over his hoodie. "We're training."

"I think I won this argument." the sword said, before closing itself into its sheath with an apology at the glare David gave it.