Saito was incredulous, "You wanna run that by me again?" "We kidnapped you," Luctiana reiterated. "You see, I'm a researcher interested in studying human culture. So I asked the others for permission to keep you for my studies. That's why you both are here." "Enough with the haughty tone," Saito said irritability. "Anyway, why did you kidnap us?" Luctiana nodded at Tiffa, "Because this girl can use a demon's powers."
"What? A demon?" Tiffa asked nervously. "Oh wait," Luctiana put a finger to her chin. "In human terms, I think you're called a 'Void Mage'? And you," she looked at Saito. "And you're the familiar, 'Gandarble'." "It's Gandálfr," the boy corrected. "Anyway, she's still a weak existence that doesn't have a familiar of her own," Luctiana went on. "So it was relatively easy to kidnap her." Tiffa looked downtrodden, "A weak existence?"
"So why'd you take me too?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. Luctiana looked back at Saito, smiling sheepishly, "You I kinda kidnapped for the heck of it!" Saito fell backwards in his chair. The elf then got serious, "The elders of this land fear that Four Void Mages will come together and invade us with their power." "Well they don't have to worry about that," Saito said, getting back up. "One of the Mages is dead, so there won't be any 'gathering' for a while. Besides, I doubt there's any plans to conquer your people."
"Regardless," she continued. "Arie wanted to capture you because you were strong enough to defeat our Uncle." "Your Uncle?" Saito was confused. "Now it's my turn to ask questions!" She winked at the two. "What do you eat? Do you believe in the devil called Brimir? How did her breasts grow so big?" But before they could answer, a loud flapping noise cut them off. "Oh, that must be them!"
Luctiana ran outside to meet another elf landing on a dragon. Saito gasped, recognizing him as the one he fought during the mission to rescue Tabitha. Now the "Uncle" bit made sense. The elf regarded the boy, "Long time no see, human warrior." "Bidalsha," Saito replied, Tiffa hiding behind him. "I see you learned my name," he continued. "There's no need to worry, I only came to ensure my niece is properly fulfilling her role in keeping you. Luctiana, I'm going to check the mansion." With that, he walked forward, pausing briefly next to the boy.
"What happened to that girl's mother from Gallia?" He asked, still looking ahead. "You mean Tabitha's mother?" Asked Saito. "I heard she's fine now." He nodded, "I see." And he walked inside. "Huh," Saito commented, not expecting him to ask about a former captive.
Later that evening, Saito and Tiffania walked around the perimeter of the mansion. He had learned they were free to walk about, but that the two would be kept within the Oasis by an enchantment. The boy tested it once, and was swiftly dragged back by magic. "I'm sorry Saito," Tiffa apologized. "This is all my fault." "Huh? No it's not," he reassured. "But it's because of my weakness that I was kidnapped, and you were caught up in it," she said sadly.
"Do you want to go back to Tristain, Tiffa? Saito asked. "Y-yes... I do," she replied. "I do too, so let's stick together. It's all we can do right now," he said. "Alright," said Tiffa, hesitantly. Saito could see that she needed to get her mind off their predicament. Looking at the water, he got an idea. "Well then, since there's nothing else to do right now, how about a swim?" He took off his shirt, tags and shoes, jumping into the water with a big splash.
"S-Saito?" Tiffa was a bit confused. "We can worry about this later. Right now, we're in a beautiful place with cool water! So let's have a little fun for now," he smiled, turning to swim off. "You should join me!" The boy swam a good distance until he reached a miss covered rock in the middle of the water. He turned back, but Tiffa was nowhere to be found. "Tiffa?"
Suddenly, she emerged from under the water next to him! "Whoa! Don't scare me like that!" Saito laughed, the half elf joining in. He stopped however, as he realized she was not wearing any clothes. Blushing, he turned his head away so as to not embarrass her. "S-sorry! I'm trying not to stare," he said. "I-it's alright," Tiffa replied nervously. "You're my friend, so..." "Um, are you sure?" Saito asked, turning bright red. "It's fine!" She assured him, blushing a little herself. "You can even touch them if you wanted. Because we're friends..."
Saito couldn't believe what was going on, like something out of a bad movie. He struggled to keep his composure, "I... It's not that I wouldn't want to, per say," he said. "It's just, we're in deep water, with nothing but this rock for cover." He tapped it nervously with his hand, and was surprised when it made a slight clang! "What the?" Saito removed his hand, a bit of moss coming off. This was no rock at all, but some kind of metal.
"What's wrong?" Asked Tiffa. "Wait here a minute," he replied. Saito took a deep breath and went under the water. Swimming down, he couldn't believe what he'd found. It was the wreckage of a fighter jet! This is... from my world, he thought. The bit above the water was the end of the tail. There were two 'dragons' in that story Siesta told me. I guess this is what happened to the other one... Saito quickly rose to the surface. "Is everything ok?" Tiffa asked. "Tiffa, you're never gonna believe this!" Saito replied, excitedly.