AN: About two chapters ago, I realized that I forgot these guys. So I'm doing them now. I probably won't update again until after the summer, unless inspiration strikes me. Speaking of which…I have one more idea for a chapter, but after that I would love suggestions! (Other than to make them longer). I'm afraid this chapter might not be quite as long(3 ½ pages), but I made the attempt. Oh, and virtual cookies to Kuroi Neko-kun, R2K2J, Lily Silver, and Wind Omega for reviewing the last two chapters.

Disclaimer remains the same…it's not mine.


Session 8: The Leftovers

Mio surveyed her patients for the day, and frowned. There were only four this time, and three of them had similar problems. As for the other…

The fanfic author pulled a card from her notebook and handed it to Ace. "Here. Why don't you give this a try?" she suggested.

"AA?" he queried, frowning drunkenly at the card.

"Alcoholics Anonymous. It's a wonderful organization for people like you…so off you go for now!" Ace vanished with a small pop, and the author gestured for the others to begin.

Mio sat slowly. "Right. Well. I do apologize for not getting to you until now, but, well, here we are. Now, if I understand it right, Reed and Samus are here because of Lilly, and Rody is here because of Estella."

Silence met this pronouncement. Mio cleared her throat. "Well then. Perhaps it would be best if we began with a discussion. Reed, Samus, how are you treated?"

The two exchanged brief glances before launching into rants.

"She treats us like…"

"She's always giving orders as if…"

"…dogs that she can…"

"…we were her slaves, which…"

"…kick around as she pleases…"

"…we practically are, because…"

"It's always 'I want an ice cream' or…"

"…how do you say 'no' to her father?"

"…'what did you do with the money?'"

"...It makes me just want to…"

"…Never-mind that she's the one…"

"…strangle her with her purse or…"

"…spending all the money! And then…"

"…smother her with the stupid hat…"

"…she yells at us for the least little…"

"…we have to do all the dirty work…"

"…mistake, but Runes forbid you…"

"…but Runes forbid she do anything…"

"…point out her mistakes. Of course…"

"…except stand around and give orders…"

"…she's too proud to admit anything…"

"And I want out!"

"And I want out!"

Mio looked a little taken aback, and Rody was staring in amazement at the two.

"Well, that's a start, I guess. What about you, Rody?"

Rody straightened in his chair. "Oh, Estella's nothing like that! In fact, she's very knowledgeable about magic, and she's very helpful."

"How is she helpful?" Mio inquired.

"She's always giving me hints. Like paddling twenty laps in the bath to improve water magic. Or standing in Bright's fire to improve my fire-magic. That sort of thing," Rody explained with animation.

Reed and Samus exchanged bemused glances, and Mio seemed displeased. "I'm beginning to see the problem," she murmured. She made a few more marks on her clipboard, and then looked up.

"Okay. You two have an abusive employer. We'll have to work with that. And Rody, Estella is a chronic liar who is not helping you in any way. You need to distance yourself from her…"

Rody stood up, suddenly angry. "She is not a liar! She is the best magician in the world! And…and…I want to be a magician, too!"

Samus snorted in disbelief. "Look, kid. The way to improve magic is to take lessons from Emily or a tutor. Not to paddle water or get fried by a dragon."

"Is too," Rody insisted.

"Even Lilly wouldn't claim such a thing, and she surely would just to annoy us," Reed put in.

"You're just jealous," Rody declared. "Because my mistress has done great things and has great power, and yours is just a brat!"

"Hey now!" Reed protested, looking around wildly.

Samus seemed less worried. "This isn't a contest about our mistresses, because they're both terrible…"

"Estella is not terrible. She's terrific!" Rody insisted.

Samus simply continued over Rody. "…this is about getting help for our problems."

"I don't have a problem!" Rody shouted.

Mio was unfazed, merely nodding. "Would you sit please? I understand your feelings, and there's no need to shout. Mistress Author, have you anything to add?"

The author nodded briefly. "Yes. He didn't mention the lovely firefly rune Estella put on him. He's always the target in battle, poor guy."

"It's for training," he insisted half-heartedly, sinking into his chair.

Mio turned away from him, giving him time to cool off. Facing the other two, she said, "Now, let's see what we can do about you two. I'm sure we can manage something, at least."

They both breathed identical sighs of relief. "We will be so glad…" Samus began.

Just then, the door crashed open. In the door stood a fire-breathing monster with a horrible hat. (No, not Bright, Lilly)

"Reed! Samus!" she screeched. "Where have you been? You were supposed to give me a foot massage after my bath half an hour ago! You are not supposed to go off on your own unless I tell you to! What if I need something? Did you ever think of that? My father will hear about this!" She paused in her scolding and looked around the room with some confusion, taking in the plastic chairs and the austere environment. "Uh…what are you morons doing?"

Reed explained hastily, "It isn't out fault! One minute we were waiting outside the baths for you, and the next we were here. They say we need therapy."

Lilly sniffed. "Well. Maybe they can therapize you into better servants. Now come on. I need to go shopping in Iksay." She spun to head out the door, obviously expecting them to follow.

"How is she gonna pay for anything?" Samus muttered under his breath.

"What was that?" Lilly demanded fiercely, spinning to face him menacingly.

"Nothing, milady," Reed assured her as he rose. "Nothing at all."

Samus glowered at her back, but he also rose and made for the door.

Mio looked for a moment at the doorway, then at Rody. "I suppose we are done for the day."

"Good," Rody said shortly. He scurried out, muttering about finding a bowl of soup to cool.