The next morning, Saito and Louise watched as the local guards took the thief to prison. "Did you really try and take on those guys yourself?" Saito asked. Louise turned away indignantly, "It was your fault! You're the one who left me alone." "You were the one who told me to 'get out,'" he retorted, rolling his eyes. "Look, I was scared!" Snapped Louise. "I'm a Void Mage, and I'm supposed to help save the world! I just, thought I should be able to handle this myself..."
"Jeez, you're an idiot," Saito playfully scolded. "W-what do you mean by that!? I am not an idiot!!" Louise went red at the insult. "Well you're definitely reckless then," he replied. "How dare you speak to your Partner like that!" She said with irritation. "That's right, we're Partners," Saito replied. "That means neither of us has to fight alone. You can count on me to be there for you, even if we occasionally piss each other off."
He leaned in and hugged Louise, making her blush slightly. "I get how much pressure you're under, so let me help share the burden, ok?" "Saito..." Louise's arms come up slowly and she hugs the boy. "Oh! I didn't know you were out here," said a voice. The two turned to see Tiffa, still wearing her green nightgown.
Louise separated the hug, looking flustered. "Tiffa! Um, we were just talking about last night!" "Yeah, things got a bit crazy," Saito added. "What were you doing with Mr. Colbert, by the way?" "He was helping me with something, but I don't think it worked..." said Tiffa, a little dejected. Saito was curious about this, "Oh, that's too bad. Well Louise and I are gonna head into town for a bit, see what's around. Do you wanna come?"
She smiled, but shook her head in response. "I think I'll stay here for now. I want to speak with Mr. Colbert when he's able." Saito shrugged, "Alright then." With that, he walked downstairs with Louise as Tiffa stared at them, somewhat longingly.
"Saito, over here! Hurry!" Louise had run ahead through the crowd. "Wait up, will you?" Saito pushed his way through to get to her. "This bazaar is popular, it'll be sold out before we get there!" Louise looked around for an open market stall. "If you don't hurry, I'll go ahead!" "You were attacked last night. I don't want you too far away from me!" He scolded, finally catching up.
She didn't seem to hear him, however. Louise was fascinated by all of the jewelry and glass figures on display. Jeez, how can someone so small be so much of a hassle? But at the same time, it made the boy happy to see Louise smiling in spite of the burden placed on her by the Pope. She picked up a little glass house. "It's so pretty!" she exclaimed with bright, wide eyes.
"You want it?" He asked. She looked at him in surprise. "Really?" "Sure, I've got money," Saito handed the vendor some coins from a pouch in his cloak. "Thank you, Saito!" Louise said with a smile. "You know, I think this is the first gift you've ever given me!" "Sure thing. Just don't break it, ok?" He smiled sheepishly as they walked off.
"It's nice having a small salary," Saito continued. "Being a Knight definitely has its perks. Who knows? Maybe one day, I'll have enough to buy a real house of my own! Probably not a mansion though..." "A real house..." Louise pondered. "Well yeah," he replied. "You're not gonna be an Academy student forever, and I can't keep sleeping in the same bed as you." "What's wrong with my bed??" She whirled at him. "Nothing, it's fine!" Saito quickly replied, putting his hands up in defense, "It's just a matter of wanting my own stuff, you know?"
Louise sighed, "I suppose you have a point. But what about me? You're still my Familiar, I don't want to be too far away from you..." "Ok then, you can move in with me," he said simply. "What!?" Louise went beet red at the suggestion. "But I'll expect you to earn your keep," Saito teased. "You know, do my laundry, run some errands, 'things like that are to be expected'!"
Louise's jaw dropped, recognizing her own words. "How do you still remember that!?" "I've got a good memory," he grinned. "Relax, I'm just kidding. I don't even have a place yet, it's a long ways off." Louise pouted, "That wasn't very funny..." "Says you!" Saito chuckled, then looked up thoughtfully. "Still, I never really thought of life outside the military, let alone having my own house." "Well there's no time like the present!" Said Louise brightly. "When we get back to Tristain, I can help you look around if you'd like."
Saito smiled, "Sure, that could be fun." Louise took his hand and pulled him towards more vendor stalls, "Come on! Let's look over there next!""Alright, alright! Slow down!" He said with resignation. This girl, Saito thought to himself. She's hot tempered, spoiled, and tends to get in way over her head. Louise looked back at him and smiled cheerfully. But damn it if I'm not having fun with her. I promise Louise, whatever happens next with this gathering, I'll protect you.
Later on, Saito walked back to Louise's room after a bit of training with the Undine Knights. He was stunned when upon opening the door to see Louise, wearing a beautiful white and gold robe with a matching headpiece. "Welcome back, Saito," she said. The boy blushed, even in comparison to her more formal outfits, he'd never seen Louise like this.
"W-wow, you look..." He didn't quite know what to say. "It's the uniform of a Priestess," she said, a bit hesitantly. "I wanted you to see it before anyone else. It's a bit much, isn't it?" "You look... beautiful," Saito finally said. Louise blushed slightly, "Y-you think so?" He nodded, "Yeah, I'm pretty sure everyone in the cathedral's gonna be looking at you."
Louise looked away in embarrassment, "Stop it, I'm blushing!" "Oh sorry," Saito replied nervously. "I'm just not used to seeing you like this is all. Do all the Maidens dress like that?" Louise nodded, "Yes. Tiffa will be wearing something like this too. By the way, I spoke to her earlier." "Oh?" Saito tilts his head. "I told her I was hasty in my decision making and I should've considered her feelings as well," she said. "And that if she didn't want to be a Maiden, she doesn't have to."
Saito smiled, "That's good. What'd she say?" "Tiffa said that the fate of the world was dependent on everyone working together," Louise replied. "So she's more than willing to do it." The boy sighed with relief, "I'm glad that's all resolved." "What l'd like resolved is your chatting!!" Said a voice through the wall.
The two turned towards it as the voice spoke again. "Enough with the foreplay and do something sexy already!" Saito and Louise went bright red in the face. "Malicone, you pervert!!!" Louise whipped out her wand and Saito instinctively dove away for cover. A second later, the wall was blasted into pieces and the Noble was crashed against the opposite side of his room, dazed and covered in rubble. "Guess we're finding another room tonight," Saito said sheepishly.