Alright, chapter 2, let's go!

Learning

Colbert and Neboqyu spent the rest of the day exchanging information and sharing history.

Colbert explained the previous six-thousand years as best he and other scholars understood them, from the Founder's crusades to the formation of the current kingdoms and social systems. Economics, politics, blood relations, and other small but crucial details filled the time between larger events, such as wars.

Neboqyu, feeling ever more anxiety fill his gut, did the same. Asha and Urgash's birth from the cosmic egg, their war at Genesis, the sealing of the mad chaos dragon and Asha's subsequent weaving of the moon. The choosing of the elemental dragons by the new races, as ordained by Asha when she created them, and the kingdoms they made. The wars fought between them, the peace made.

Colbert listened to such tales with rapt and near euphoric attention, marking near every word down with feverish speed. As far as he knew, this was the lost history of the world before the Founder arrived to guide them. So many legends and types of government, societies and knowledge lost to time!

Neboqyu… had a different feeling.

Six thousand years was indeed a very long time, but… to have no ruins? For entire mountain ranges to disappear with no mention of a catastrophe? For the map to not match a single iota of the land the hydra knew?

It came to a head long after the sun had set, the hours of sharing information paused as one of the hydra's heads glanced out a window. It was rather surprising that the library doors of this castle were large enough to admit him, but the desire to show off had its uses.

"Sir Colbert?" The middle head asked, interrupting its tale of the Griffin Duchy. "Why are two of the moons so close together? And they've taken on colors at that, but I don't see the third."

Colbert looked confused. "A third moon? Sir Neboqyu, there's always been but two moons. The blue is Sérénité and the red Impulsion, the two opposites that define human nature. Such has it been for ages untold."

Neboqyu stared at the moons, vainly trying to think of a reason for the third to vanish.

Asha could have at last healed from her battle and left her cocoon. Perhaps, seeing the world in balance, she took her children and left for the spirit realm. That would explain the missing moon, but everything else…

Realization set in and the hydra collapsed, his bulk shaking tomes and scrolls from shelves as the library shook.

"Good heaven!" Colbert yelped, barely dodging a cascade of parchment. "Sir Neboqyu, are you alright?"

The middle head sighed, the others curling up in frustration. "Sir Colbert… you've guessed it already, haven't you?"

Colbert shook his head. "Guessed what?"

"That I'm not of this world!" Neboqyu snapped, fangs bared in an open snarl. "Or this time! I heard that the spell which summoned me here could reach across time and space. The land I stand on is not my own, this stone is not of Sylanna's back and that is not Ylath's sky. Elrath's sun does not shine here, Malassa does not skulk in the shadows, Arkath does not burn, and Shalassa is absent from the flow."

Colbert put on his best neutral face. "And how do you know this?"

"That map!" Neboqyu spat, head gesturing to the one on the table between him and Colbert. "It is far too different from my home, no matter that six millenia have passed since this Founder. You mention no ruins, no dwarves or necromancers, even the elves are considered tales. I have traveled far and wide across the lands of Ashan, there is simply no way for something like this to happen."

He reined in his anger and sighed. "Not without some great cataclysm occurring, one that would be burned into your entire species' memory. This is not my world; I am as far from any home as I can be. And ultimately…"

The hydra slumped further and curled into himself. "I am alone."

Colbert and the denizens of this world wouldn't know what he meant. In this place, this Tristain, the hydras had been solitary and fiercely territorial. It was not the case in Ashan, where broods were raised by not only their parents but the entire extended family. It was how they created their great communities in the cave depths, where prey was hunted in groups and divided as needed.

Only the eldest hydras lived in anything remotely like seclusion, and even then, because they hibernated for long periods of time. Neboqyu himself was amongst the first born, and sired many broods of his own, but even his search for knowledge would never last longer than a week before he visited family.

That family became invaluable when the elves came, enslaving them and doing all possible to destroy what they'd built. Seen and treated as animals, children beaten and starved into unthinking savagery. It was all any of the elders could do not to weep.

But none of that mattered now. Neboqyu was alone, truly alone, for the first time in his millennia long life. All because a child saw fit to cast a spell that took him from his home.

Colbert was silent for a time, stunned by the despondent hydra, before shaking his head. "Sir Neboqyu… I can only apologize, but there's something you should know. It concerns Lady Valliere."

Neboqyu's heads erupted out of the curl, eyes blazing gold in the candlelight. "What about the whelp?! It is her that brought me here, stole me from my freedom and kin! Were it not for this damnable brand, I'd rip out her throat!"

The candles flared as Colbert met the hydra's murderous gaze with a glare. "And I would summarily reduce you to ash. Now please, calm yourself and refrain from threatening my students in my presence."

Neboqyu snarled but pulled back. "Fine… what's this about the whelp?"

"She is as alone as you." Colbert stated with nary a stutter. "While I don't know all the details, the girl is practically abandoned by her family and her peers are often cruel to her. Whilst her propensity for vanity and bluster doesn't help, she is in many ways a stranger in what should be her own home."

Neboqyu reared back, gazing disdainfully at the mage. "That can't be. She clearly has a powerful mage and the headmaster of the institution vouching for her, surely she's not a pariah."

"Besides this morning, she's never casted a spell correctly in her life." Colbert sighed. "Well, anything that wasn't incredibly basic. The moment she tries to cast anything of even minor substance, the results are… explosive."

Which explains why my head was blasted off when I arrived. Neboqyu thought with a snarl. "Then why is she here? How did she summon me?"

Colbert shook his head. "Were that I knew, Sir Neboqyu. The spell worked, which is all she needed to remain for her second year. It wouldn't surprise me if her family heard of the news before week's end."

Neboqyu hissed, eyes seeking to set Colbert aflame. "Why does any of this concern me? Are you trying to make my slavery more appealing? Make my 'master' sympathetic so that I follow her inane commands?"

"I am trying to say that you have something in common." Colbert answered calmly, drawing on a deep well of patience. "Lady Valliere can be insufferable at times, but I have seen her when the bluster fails. She's so desperate to learn so that she may be worthy, and there's a kindness in her that lies buried."

Colbert bowed his head to the hydra. "I only ask that you try and guide her. While I will do all in my power to see you freed from the bond of servitude, if you can make the most of it and turn Lady Valliere into what she can be…"

"You will have this instructor's eternal gratitude."

Neboqyu stared down at the man, contemplating snapping his neck, but curiosity won out. "Is she truly possessed of such potential? To the point a supposedly impartial party would ask this of me?"

Colbert raised his head. "Indeed. Her desire for knowledge is the greatest I've yet seen, to the point she is far superior academically to her peers. The problem is no mentor has stepped forth to assist her, at least one that hasn't given up."

The instructor sighed and leaned back. "Nor, truthfully, is she the only one to lack that. There are several students amongst the current crop that are extraordinarily gifted, Lady Valliere among them. They have the potential to be the greatest generation of mages in centuries, if not the last millennia."

Neboqyu was… intrigued. "Is that so? Then why not do it yourself? Surely it would be the greatest honor you could hope to achieve as an instructor."

"I am at the limits of what I can do." Colbert informed, melancholic. "I cannot assist Lady Valliere in practical magic, her issues are beyond my reach. The others, it's mostly personality and I don't have the ability to change such ingrained issues with my brand of teaching."

Neboqyu's center head snaked close, on level with Colbert's gaze. "We've just met, Sir Colbert, and I've made my displeasure and anger well known. Despite this, you would still ask me to teach this welp of a 'master'?"

Colbert nodded. "I would. Despite your anger, there is clear wisdom in your manner. You speak with deep knowledge and understanding of many things that our worlds share, along with a clear mind and unjudging view. Even if the elves of your world were cruel, you did not jeer at their sufferings, nor revel in their failures."

Neboqyu huffed and gave the mage a half-lidded glare. "You make your point, Sir Colbert. Know this though, I do not teach unwilling students and my methods are harsh. Many have sought me out for this tutelage, yet the few granted it rarely make it to the end."

Colbert nodded. "It's all I can ask."

The hydra pulled his head back and stretched with a groan. "Very well, we shall see if dear Lady Valliere is open to the idea. If not, she'll be treated as a begrudgingly tolerated annoyance. If so… well."

Colbert gulped as the hydra adopted a sinister grin across his maws.

"Let's hope she can take the pain."

-Louise-

"Founder, what was that?"

Louise glanced around her room, a shiver running down her spine. It was still warm outside, no need for a chill in the air, yet dread had settled across her.

Shrugging, she flipped to the next page and read. "'Hymn of the Dragon Knights'… that sounds interesting."

Humming under her breath, Louise started to transcribe the folksong into Tristatnian, the way the music was marked under the lyrics foreign to her. There'd be no way to know how it sounded unless someone who knew the markings sang it.

After a few minutes of translating, Louise put her quill away and stretched. Night had settled on the academy long ago, but she simply couldn't sleep.

The main reason? She had a guest.

"Why are you here again, Tabitha?" Louise asked, turning in her chair to stare at the other girl. "Last I checked, you never went anywhere beyond the classes and library."

Tabitha shrugged from behind her tome. "…Interested."

"In what, my tomes?" Louise queried, not buying it. "You've been… helpful getting the ones I retrieved transcribed, but you've asked for nothing in return. What's your game in this?"

Tabitha glanced over her tome. "…Knowledge."

"If you want to know about the hydra, ask him yourself!" Louise bit, annoyed by the vague response. "The thing doesn't look like it's going to be a good familiar and listen to me anyway."

Tabitha kept gazing at Louise. "…Sure?"

"Very sure." Louise groaned, turning and slumping on her desk. "He's intelligent to start with, and rightfully mad to be bound. If only it would sink in that we're stuck together, but just from our first talk it sure doesn't look like that'll happen anytime soon."

"…Many talks left." Tabitha commented as she closed her tome. "…Done?"

Louise waved to the door. "For tonight, yes. Leave me be and don't you dare tell Zerbst about any of this."

Tabitha rolled her eyes and stood, grabbing her staff from beside the door before slipping into the hall. Louise waited a minute before slumping further, a long sigh floating past her lips. "What a day… Founder, I still need to write my letters to Cattleya."

Her sister would be glad to hear she'd successfully summoned something. At the very least, her parents would let her finish out the rest of her time at Academy before the betrothal with Captain Wardes went through.

Louise buried her face in her arms before deciding against it. The letters could be written tomorrow when she had a better grasp on just who her familiar was and what he had to offer. Then they could figure out a deal.

"Milady?"

Louise looked up as a knock followed the quiet voice. Curious why a servant was there so late at night, Louise stood and strode to the door. Opening it, a young maid with a pretty face and bright blue eyes greeted her. "Lady Valliere, good evening. I bear a message from Lord Colbert."

Louise blinked a couple times, surprised at herself for staring. "Well, what is it? I need to rest soon."

The maid bowed her head, the black hair she sported an oddity Louise had rarely seen. "Of course. Lord Colbert wishes you to know that your familiar will be waiting outside the tower come morning. It appears… Sir Neboqyu, as the lord called him, wishes to speak with you prior to breakfast."

Louise hummed and nodded. "Very well, thank you for informing me. You may tell Professor Colbert I will meet my familiar at the agreed time, now be on your way."

The maid kept her head bowed. "As you will, Lady Valliere. Good night."

Louise felt something grip her and she called out to the maid. "Wait!"

The maid paused, half-turned to leave. "Yes, Lady Valliere?"

Louise cast about for a reason to call out to the maid, confused by her own impulse. "Um… what is your name, maid? Surely you're someone of import amongst the staff if Professor Colbert asked you to deliver the message."

The maid turned back and curtsied, clearly embarrassed. "Oh, I'm not all that important, milady. My name is Siesta of Tarbes, I only joined the staff two months ago. Lord Colbert simply chose me because I was close by."

Louise felt herself start to stare again but shook her head. "I see… well thank you again, Siesta of Tarbes. If all the staff were as polite as you, there'd be a lot less problems."

Siesta kept her curtsy, flattered. "My deepest thanks, Lady Valliere. Good night."

Louise bid her goodnight as well and slipped back into her room, door shutting quietly. Sliding the latch into place, she wandered over to her wardrobe and started getting ready for bed.

Tomorrow was bound to be a long day.

-Neboqyu-

When the meeting with Colbert came to an end, Neboqyu took to wandering the courtyards. He'd been informed that attempting to leave the academy was un-wise, as the brand would cause debilitating pain should he get too far from his 'master' without permission.

With that in mind, the hydra skulked and stalked through the shadows of the castle. Sleep would not come to him that night, not with so much running through his skulls, but he could at least map out his current residence.

Doing so wasn't terribly easy. The towers reeked of various perfumes and salts, marking them as residences, while other halls and buildings carried chemical and animal scents. While it was easy to mark them based on the strength of the smell, the yards were such a menagerie of scents it turned him around more than once.

Eventually, after setting up a mental map of all the important structures, he made his way to one of the towers. The courtyard surrounding it was empty, the servants long turned in for the night, but the hydra started to peer through windows curiously.

Most were blocked by drapes, but here and there he found open views. The lower windows had what appeared to be a real fop of a boy bragging to a very large mole, a vial of some-kind in hand. Another held a girl with impressive blonde locks hunched over a cauldron, something mystic within producing a glowing mist.

One whiff of it made Neboqyu grimace, mind-magic in a bottle. That had trouble written all over it.

Storing that for later, the hydra carefully reared onto his hind legs and leaned against the tower, stone holding strong under his bulk. With the extra height, he was able to see all the way to the highest windows, even if he had to stretch a bit.

Traveling down one of the halls was a young maid, the girl focused on something other than the windows. What it was, Neboqyu didn't know, but he recognized a flattered blush when he saw one.

Storing that, he found another clear window that showed an empty room, only a cloak hung by the door showing anyone occupying it. An awkward shuffle later put him next to an opening in the wall, one of his heads slithering through to find the center of the tower hollowed out. There was a great deal of greenery hugging the walls, a skylight their source of sun, and more windows peering into the dense plant life.

The hydra grunted and stood on the tips of his paws, granting just enough extra length to look around the hanging gardens. Per usual, many of the windows were shrouded by drapes, but one of the higher ones was clear. Within sat a sensuous young woman, dressed in a nightgown and gazing at something on her vanity.

Whilst curious, being branded a peeper was not high on the list of Neboqyu's priorities. Didn't matter he held no interest in the human form, once that was over his heads, it wouldn't leave.

Pulling away with none the wiser, he hummed as the last clear window came into sight. It appeared to be directly across from the last one he'd seen into, and the drapes were a unique pink compared to the blues he'd seen until then.

The hydra placed his central snout to the windowsill and sniffed, a familiar scent wafting through the minute crack. It appeared he'd found his 'master's' room. Bringing all three heads to bear, he peered into the room.

Louise was long asleep, her small frame occupying a tiny portion of the large bed she laid in. Beyond that, the room was bare of all save the essentials and an impressive work-area that wouldn't be out of place in a Master Magister's workshop.

"So, it's true." Neboqyu mumbled to himself. "She clearly works hard if the state of those tomes means anything. Can't help but wonder if there's anything I'd be able to teach her, or if she'd even be receptive to the idea. She showed the steel to be worth the effort, but this isn't home."

He sighed and pushed off, turning around to catch himself with a great thud. Much to his surprise, a young dragon met his gaze, a girl with blue hair astride the fledgling's back.

"You do your ancestors great shame, letting a human ride you." Neboqyu spat at the dragon. "Were this home, you'd be banished from the brood."

The dragon drooped and cooed, the girl glaring at him. "…Rude."

"Merely an observation." Neboqyu answered smoothly. "As I implied, this is not home, thus the rules are different. I'm sure the fledgling can tell as much by my scent alone, no?"

The dragon cooed again, the girl answering instead. "…Different indeed. …Why here?"

"Exploring." The hydra answered, nonchalant. "This is all so very new to me; I have to build my knowledge base. It wouldn't do to insult someone with enough blue-blood to see me dead."

One of his heads slinked close, maw stretched in an amused grin. "You wouldn't happen to be royalty, would you? I've picked up enough from my discussions with Colbert that dragon-kin are rare in this place."

The girl kept her stare in place, apparently bored. "…No."

Neboqyu chuckled and stomped around the pair. "Then we have nothing further to discuss. Fledgling, feel free to speak openly with me, I will offer what advice I can to one so young. As for your master, perhaps you can join my 'master' tomorrow as well."

His central head looked back, a clever gleam in its eye. "And bring the girl with red-hair as well. I have a feeling this gathering will be… enlightening."

Dragon and master watched the hydra disappear into the shadows. Once sure he was gone, the dragon looked to her master. "Big sis Tabitha… he's really scary. Lots of knowledge."

Tabitha hummed, eyes glued to the spot Neboqyu had vanished into. "…Agreed, dangerous."

She looked to the tower, gaze locking onto Louise's windows.

"Louise… dangerous."

-Louise-

Sleep was a blissful darkness for only a short time before the dreams came.

Visions blurred past her eyes, switching views and positions like flickering candles. Each was clear for but a moment, just enough to understand at least a fraction.

A world teeming with magic, titanic dragons of eye-watering majesty delivering blessings to the land and life. Horrific fiends of twisted flesh and hell-fire screeching into the world through gouts of flame. Spells of horrific destruction flying between great armies as angels, dragons, elves, dwarves, men, and other creatures sought to turn the tide.

Light and Dark turned against each other, shadowy essences and blazing wings of glory snuffed out. Angels charged her with blazing blades held high, some in simple cloaks, others heavily armored, but all terrifying in their majesty. Dragons and puppets met the charges, rending bodies and wings with withering power.

The fiends came again, this time met by horrific fusions of man and beast alongside the risen dead. Constructs and beasts rose anew to fight them, gleaming armies of golden metal marching alongside the horrors to stop chaos itself. Creatures of pure light rained destruction as water and air lashed out, earth holding victims in place as fire immolated all it could find.

And again, the tide was turned, only for former allies to turn and fight again. She saw great cyclopes charge her with brutal clubs raised, wyverns diving to seek her flesh, spider-women flinging globs of malefic poison, and the remains of great dragons tearing into flanks.

In the end, all who charged her lay dead. Even dragons of emerald scale were slain alongside those of molten skin, every glance and memory showing champions falling before her and entire companies destroyed in her ferocity.

Then came… other visions.

Great libraries and halls, crystal and marble and gold of all kinds. Meetings with those who radiated authority and power, even the very angels she'd once fought against and beside. Long nights with scholars of incredible wisdom, longer days spent chained to cruel masters.

Warmth bloomed in her mind as the next set arrived, of observing a pupil at work. Training young and promising outcasts to become some of the greatest leaders of their countries. Freed by the one elf to be called friend on his deathbed. Taking residence in a cave and gathering all she'd learned as prospects from all the lands came to ask her advice…

It was a long life lived, one that had seen triumph and tragedy in equal measure. A life served beside some of the greatest figures in history.

And one worthy of dragon-god's attention.

Louise woke with a start as a vision of unfathomable darkness greeted her eyes, mind incapable of making any sense of the endless dark. It had felt alive… could something elemental be considered alive?

A bell ringing broke her thoughts from dwelling on the vision, many of the others swiftly fading. Louise stretched and yawned, a glance to the window showing a dawning sun. "It's… that early?"

Shrugging, Louise flopped out of bed and dragged herself to the wardrobe. Breakfast wouldn't be for a bit yet, so she could take her time getting dressed. As she opened the wardrobe, she made a face.

…Bath first, then dress.

Louise grabbed the necessary items and slinked into the hall, no one up yet. She was one of the few that woke at sunrise on a regular basis, so the baths were bound to be free. It was this lone thought that kept Louise in a somewhat chipper mood despite her lethargy.

Upon her arrival to the floor's baths, however, her chipper mood died a sad death. "Zerbst?"

Kirche looked up from the water she was lounging in, usual smirk rising to her lips. "Well, so this is when you find the time. To think, a whole year and this is the first time I see you here."

Louise grunted and went to the edge of the large bath; her items deposited a ways from Kirche's. "And hopefully the last. It's one thing to see your udders straining under a shirt, it's another to see them free to graze."

Kirche smirked and put her hands behind her head, showing off the top of her bountiful bosom. "Please, I thought we were beyond the cow jokes. I could forgive yesterday on nerves, but you're cleverer than this."

Louise wasn't expecting a compliment. "…Whatever just go away. I'd like to bathe in peace."

Kirche's smirk remained. "Louise, I just got here not five minutes ago. At least let me enjoy a soak of my own, we need not be enemies here."

A hand came from around her head and trailed down her chin, voice turning sultry. "We could even… have some fun."

Louise's foot shot out and met Kirche's head, sending the chocolate beauty into the water. "How many times do I have to tell you! You and I are enemies and I will never fall for your malicious seductions, you horny bitch!

Kirche came up sputtering, eyes set in a glare. "Hey, I flirt with everyone and you know it! Geez, I thought you'd at least be a little more relaxed."

"And why should I be?" Louise snapped, stalking to the other end of the bath after snatching her things. "You think I would ever relax around you? After everything that you've done and said?! Founder is it any wonder our families hate each other?"

Kirche scowled and splashed as she sat again. Louise, angry despite the victory, swiftly disrobed and sunk into the steaming water, far enough from Kirche that the steam obscured any view. It was silent for a time, Louise focused on scrubbing herself clean and getting away from Kirche.

It was hard being in the same bath as her… former tormentor? While it wasn't forgivable, Kirche had laid off the insults and general nastiness almost two months ago. It was slack picked up by most everyone else, but Kirche's insults weren't… genuine anymore. It sounded more like they were going through the motions.

"What's been up with you?" Louise asked, mouth moving faster than her mind. "You've been a lot less of a nuisance lately, it's not like you at all."

Kirche blinked several times, briefly stunned by the question. After a moment's consideration, she shrugged. "Even I mature, Louise. Being enemies when we literally just met and our days of… battles have grown tiring. It's just endless fighting between us, and I for one don't wish it to continue."

Louise gaped at her. "B-but you continue to tease and taunt me day in and day out! You enjoy getting a rise out of me, you did it right after I walked in for Founder's sake!"

"That's just because your reactions are adorable." Kirche giggled. "You get the cutest blush whenever I use innuendo around you, and that quivering lip when you're blubbering over an off-color joke is priceless."

Louise blubbered at being told she blubbered. "W-what?!"

Kirche giggled and stood, steam hiding her body from sight. "Case and point. I prefer this, to tease you as a friend over an enemy. The only question I have is if you want to be that. Would you not prefer a friend over an enemy?"

She turned to get out of the bath, but not before slyly cocking out her hip. "And who knows…? Maybe you'll want a piece of this."

Louise sputtered and tried to cast a silencing spell as Kirche ran from the bath, laughing all the way. It took several rapid cries of 'shut up!' before Louise realized she didn't have her wand. Grumbling under her breath, Louise swore to salt the bath before leaving, if only to purify it of Kirche's presence.

Though… if nothing else, a truce could be had for today. It was supposed to be where they got to know their… familiars…

"Elf tits, I kept him waiting!" Louise cried in panic, scrubbing herself quickly before hopping out of the bath, drying off, and dressing in under three minutes. She'd been wise to bring one of her uniforms along, though she never remembered grabbing it.

Didn't give her the best amount of time to do her hair, but luck was on her side that morning. As she ran down to the main foyer, who but Siesta of Tarbes should be dusting a table. "Siesta!"

The maid looked up and curtsied as Louise jogged up to her, hair a mess. "Yes, Lady Valliere?"

"Can you help me brush my hair?" Louise asked, a bit out of breath. "I don't have time to style it myself, but I'm sure even a servant can brush it straight."

Siesta rocked back in surprise. "M-Milady, are you sure? Surely one of the more experienced maids-!"

Louise cut her off with a frown. "You're the only one I know in this room right now and I'm in a hurry. I don't care if you have to wrestle out the knots, just get on with it!"

Siesta bowed and followed Louise to a chair beside one of the mirrors in the foyer. Years of experience dealing with squirming siblings kept Siesta's hand calm as she brushed the tangled pink mess into its more usual straight style.

Louise quietly admired the sure hand, barely feeling a tug as Siesta straightened the unruly mess. "You're quite handy at this. What else are you skilled in?"

Siesta gave a demure smile in response. "Oh, not much else, Lady Valliere. I mostly assist in tasks from cooking to serving and laundry. My main duties are cleaning, though I have my siblings to thank for the experience there. Always making a mess back home."

Louise couldn't help the twinge of sadness in her heart at the mention of siblings. "I see… well, you're doing an ok job for someone so new to the academy. Keep it up and I'm sure your supervisors will reward you."

Siesta finished brushing Louise's hair and bowed, humbled. "Thank you, milady. I hope my efforts are up to your standards."

Louise looked herself over in the mirror and nodded. "Quite. Well done, Siesta, you may return to your duties."

The maid curtsied and returned to her work, Louise looking herself over one more time before taking a deep breath and striding from the tower. Only to yelp as a bored hydra head met her at the door.

"Finally, took you long enough." Neboqyu drawled, his head pulling back to show his body lying nearby. "I've been here since first light. Your instructor called you an early riser, but much of the staff beat you to it."

Louise swiftly gathered her composure. "Do you see anyone else in my uniform up and about? I'm the earliest riser of any student in this academy, I even awake before most of the faculty. With some occasional exceptions."

She muttered the last part, but Neboqyu heard her all the same. "I see… well, regardless, I've promised to at least be civil with you today. Whether that extends beyond today is ultimately up to you, so I will only answer questions if asked directly. Otherwise… I plan to observe."

Louise scowled at him. "Well that's a fine idea, considering the whole point of today is getting to know our familiars. What do I have to do, smack you with a stick to get answers?"

The hydra chuffed, amused at the image that conjured. "As if you could ever reach, but no. If today is as you say, then we'll learn of each other, and go from there. Maybe see if we can't start breaking your anti-social behaviors."

The hydra reared his head back as Louise dove to smack his snout. "You take that back!"

"Blame your professor, he's quite loose-lipped when excited." Neboqyu chortled. "May I ask what the bell was before you arrived?"

Louise's scowl morphed into a puffy pout. "…Breakfast."

The hydra felt the overwhelming urge to reach out his paw and pat the girl's head, but he resisted. More than one young ebon spider had tried to give him the cute look only to sink their fangs into his hide. "Then lead the way. I assume one of the large halls is to host the meal?"

Louise nodded and waved for him to follow. Neboqyu did so with his gaze following her, intent to study the girl's every mannerism and tick.

She did her best to ignore the gaze, head up and eyes straight as she led the way. The staff greeted her when she saw them, as per protocol, but Louise kept going with nary a glance. She had to be strong in front of the hydra, no time to indulge in pleasantries, not even with the few staff that had been kind to her since the beginning.

Her familiar saw far more than that. It was well known that if you wanted the true measure of someone, you gave them two things. Power and underlings. Depending on how those were used, no mask could hope to hide the core of a person.

Even the Faceless agreed with that, despite their ever-shifting views on truth.

Every greeting was made genuinely to Louise, a healthy respect in the servants' tones as they walked by. A few of the older laborers and maids even had the slightest hint of affection in their voices when they greeted Louise, who the hydra noticed had to restrain herself from returning.

Genuine respect and even affection amongst the staff, those that a lesser woman would use and terrorize at her leisure. A kind heart, under the steel mask.

Louise didn't know it, but Neboqyu's respect for her went up a notch.

Then, as they arrived at a pair of large doors set into a very large building, other students appeared. While Neboqyu engendered a quiet respect by his sheer presence from the students, he could still hear the whispers made just loud enough Louise would hear.

Insults, calling her lucky, the summoning was a fluke, she was still worth nothing, etc. The kind of things that the jealous and malicious made with the sole intention to hurt. Neboqyu had seen it before with more than one unfortunate bastard.

A glance to Louise showed her gritting her teeth, clearly desiring to set the record straight, but she held back. Again, the hydra felt some respect for her worm into his mind. It wasn't easy to face such salacious attacks when they were this brazen, but she was holding out to try and be strong in front of him.

Once the group of hecklers was gone, Louise took a deep breath and looked at Neboqyu. "While I'm sure the doors could admit you, the hall would be cramped. They've… set up a corral for the new familiars over there, but…"

The hydra shrugged, muscle rippling as he shifted. "I've eaten in far less dignified places, believe me. I'll ask one of the servants for my meal, but don't be surprised if I… peek in."

The hydra rumbled with laughter as he strode off, cries of panic from the familiar corral following shortly thereafter. Louise desperately wanted to tell him not to do that, it'd only get her in trouble, but he was already gone.

Sighing, Louise swept into the dining hall and made for her usual corner. There weren't many people in there besides the hecklers from earlier and a few servants, so it was a quick walk to her spot. If there was one thing she liked about rising so early, it was getting first pick of the pastries that came fresh out of the oven.

"Oh, Lady Valliere, fancy meeting you here."

Louise blinked and looked over to find Siesta walking towards her, a serving cart piled high with pastries pushed before her. "…Weren't you cleaning the Vestri tower?"

"I got reassigned, one of kitchen maids fell ill this morning." Siesta answered with a courteous smile. "Chef Marteau pulled out his specialties for the occasion, so please, take your pick."

Louise didn't look entirely convinced, but pointed to several of the divine smelling items. Siesta gladly set the pastries onto Louise's plate before gesturing to another part of the cart. "Fruit milady?"

Louise paused, half-way through a cupcake already. "…No, thank you."

She needed her comfort food today.

Siesta kept her smile and bowed before pushing her cart away, a small glint catching her eye. Glancing around, she leaned in to inspect the shine and gasped, a gold coin staring back from where she'd grabbed the cupcake for Louise.

The maid looked back to see Louise absorbed in her sweets, gratitude filling her breast.

Neboqyu, watching through one of the high windows, hummed at the sight. "Her diet's terrible, I'm amazed she still has teeth. Yet generosity of that level… does she have that much to throw around or is she just that starved of a friend her age?"

The hydra watched carefully as Louise worked her way through the pastries and sugary confections. It was not what he'd call a full breakfast, but the girl looked like she was feeling better as she ate.

"Big bro?"

Neboqyu looked down to find the dragon fledgling looking at him, a small magma hatchling next to her. "Yes, young one?"

The dragon pawed at the ground, like she'd been caught sneaking a treat. "Um… big sis and her friend want to sit with your master when breakfast is done. Is… is that ok?"

The hydra smiled and pushed off the wall, waiting to land before he answered. "I certainly don't mind, fledgling. It is ultimately up to those in the hall if that should happen."

He looked to the small lizard. "Now who's this? I don't recall hatchlings of Arkath ever growing scales."

The red lizard croaked and shook its tail, a merrily burning flame at the tip.

"Oh, you're a salamander." Neboqyu answered, surprising the fledgling. "And your name is Flame. Based on the scent about you, your master just went inside correct?"

Flame croaked and nodded, eyes going to a trough set off to the side.

"Go and eat, don't let me keep you." Neboqyu chuckled. "Same to you, fledgling. I'll go see if a servant can procure me something appropriate, I'd rather stop causing a panic over there."

The fledgling dragon looked over to see most of the other familiars huddled opposite the hydra, clearly scared stiff. She cooed at them, only to droop as it had no effect. "Ok…"

Neboqyu's right head snaked close and nudged the dragon's snout up. "No need to be sad, fledgling. Go, nourish yourself. One who flies as much as you needs the energy."

The young dragon cooed again and followed Flame, her new friend watching them go before he too set off in search of food.

It… took a while, what with most of the staff running from him in panic. After it happened for the sixth time, a single maid simply froze at the sight of him after ducking out of a hallway.

"Finally." Neboqyu sighed, all his heads crowding around the maid to stop her from running. "Pardon me, milady, but could I ask for some assistance? It's been quite a trial finding any sustenance recently, and I've caused enough chaos with the other familiars."

The young maid audibly gulped. "Um… of course, sir. W-W-What would you like."

Neboqyu smiled at her, the sight only serving to intimidate her. "I'm quite easy, whatever meat you can grab and some apples."

He glanced around before dropping his voice to a whisper. "I need something to keep it regular, you don't want to know what happens if I don't have some ruffage."

The way she paled made Neboqyu rue the attempt at humor. "Regardless, if you could bring it over to those tables, that'd be grand. If I had to guess, that's where everyone's going before long."

He gestured to a gathering of white tables; garden chairs set around them. With that, he got a bow in answer and retracted his heads, the maid somehow able to keep a modicum of composure and not run away.

Adaptable and not easy to shake… Neboqyu thought as the maid disappeared behind a door. There were Sun Crusaders who would quail at the sight of me, but not her, nor that girl last night, or my 'master'. These girls have spines on par with those many years their elder.

Shaking his heads in amusement, the hydra strode off to find a large enough spot by the tables. He had a feeling this whole 'getting to know each other' farce was bound to start soon.

"Neb!"

Speak of the-… wait a second.

"What did you just call me?" Neboqyu asked as Louise stalked up to him, steaming mad if the way she stomped into the grass meant anything. "I think I misheard."

Louise stormed past him and dropped into a seat, face set in a scowl. "I'm not calling you by your full name, it's too many syllables. Neb is short and sweet, so get used to it.

Neb, as he would be known from here on, snarled at her. "I don't recall granting you the use of a nickname!"

"It's not yours to grant!" Louise countered. "I'll call you whatever I like, it doesn't change what your name is. Be glad it's just a shortening, I could be cruel and completely take it away!"

Neb's snarl turned into a full show of teeth; maws stretched in anger. Only the burning at the base of his necks kept him from snapping forward.

Louise huffed and looked away, anger fading in place of fright at the terrifying visage. She couldn't let him see her afraid, it would only give him power. Just like Mother had always taught.

It was silent for a time, other students streaming out of the hall and taking places at the tables. If Neb weren't furious, he'd have noticed only black-cloaked students were there.

Eventually, one of them had to break the silence, and after her anger calmed, Louise sighed. "…I'm sorry, that was uncalled for."

Neb kept the snarl, though his rage cooled slightly at the admission. "Quite uncalled for. My name is all I yet own in this world, I let none take it from me for no reason."

Louise glanced towards him, but kept her head turned away. "I… guess I can respect that, considering your position. How's this? If you… call me Louise, I call you Neb."

"Not much of an offer…" The hydra noted as he dropped the snarl. "…But if we're going to be stuck together for now, a more casual way of addressing each other would be preferred. I'd go mad calling a whelp like you 'Lady' all the time."

Louise turned her head to glare at him, a trio of smug grins greeting her. "…Whatever, I'm still calling you Neb. Now what in the Founder's name were you doing over here?"

"Waiting for my own breakfast, madam sugar-tooth." Neb drawled, a deep breath proving his point. "I wonder if you'd taste as good as you smell…"

Louise leaned back from his maws, a brief flash of horror in her eyes.

Neb marked yet another failure as the joke fell flat, he just couldn't do them well despite ages of attempts. "Not literally, what do you take me for? I may eat meat, but that doesn't mean I kill willy-nilly."

Louise looked very skeptical at that, and Neb noted many a table not-so-subtly scoot away from them. Well, looks like he'd have that hanging over his heads for the next while.

The soft sound of feet on grass heralded the arrival of Tabitha and Kirche, the pair looking at Neb with carefully concealed wariness and open curiosity. Behind them followed their familiars, both looking a bit rotund.

"You ate too much, didn't you?" Neb asked his fellow reptiles. "Come now, there's no reason to eat that much. It's not like we'll be on fast for the next six months."

Tabitha shot a subtle glare at the dragon, silencing her. "…Excited."

"So was my dear Flame!" Kirche exclaimed, leaning down to snuggle her salamander. "The way he waddled after the morsels was beyond adorable! He's my good boy!"

Flame croaked and returned the affection, Tabitha taking the seat next to Louise in the meantime. "…Better?"

"About that fop and his fiancé, no." Louise huffed, anger returning. "The gall of that boy, trying to schmooze up to me in front of everyone because of Neb. Then Montmorency has the audacity to act like I'm the one making a move on him."

Kirche took a seat across from them. "You've heard the rumor he's wooing someone else already right? Not just flirts, the whole package."

"…Idiot." Tabitha sighed, nods going around the table. "…Who?"

As the girls gossiped, a sight that not two days ago would've caused a scene, Neb observed them and the goings on around them. To his left, the maid was walking up with a basket of apples in hand while two large men carried two sides of beef each. On his right, a blonde boy was posing and bragging about his familiar.

Oh, that's the mole I saw last night, so the boy must be his master. That girl next to him was the one working on the mind-magic brew too.

"Siesta, are you following me?"

The question made Neb turn his attention back to the girls, the maid sporting an embarrassed blush. "I assure you, Lady Valliere, that I'm not following you. We just seem to be running into each other is all."

She bowed and strode over to Neb, the basket offered with only slight hesitation. "Your apples, Sir Familiar. I apologize for the delay; it took some time to find some a couple helpers for the meat."

Neb nodded appreciatively. "It's alright, I was expecting you to be much longer. I'd tip you if I could."

Siesta curtsied, deeply flattered. "T-That's quite alright, good sir. It is my honor to be of service, and I hope to live up to the standards of this academy."

"You may as well stick around." Louise suggested, grabbing Siesta's attention. "We're going to be here for a while, so while we have you, orders can be taken. I'll have tea, three cubes of sugar and a splash of milk."

Siesta nodded and looked to her helpers. "Derrick, Jason, thank you for your help. I've got this, you can return to the chef."

The helpers bowed to the students and left, Siesta looking to Tabitha next. "For you, milady?"

"…Same."

Kirche started her order before Siesta could ask. "I'll have tea too, one sugar. And grab a few grape bushels while you're at it."

Siesta bowed and set off after placing the basket on the table, the girls turning back to their talk. Well, mostly Kirche talking as Louise gave annoyed responses and Tabitha one-word answers. Neb was busy tearing into the sides of beef, the girls pausing their conversation to watch the three heads pull the meat in different directions.

With a great wet tear, one side of beef tore in three pieces, Neb's fangs flashing as he shook and tore out hunks of flesh. He was quite pleased with the meal, as his grunts showed, but it was a tad unnerving to see him tear into what amounted to an entire cow with such gusto.

Even more so when one of his bloodied maws would swallow a rib, make a pleased face, then shift over the table to grab an apple with his tongue and munch on it.

Neb noticed the revolted gazes and he shrugged at them, the lone unoccupied head speaking. "What, do you expect table manners from a hydra? You'd be better served looking over there, your drink orders appear delayed."

The head struck the beef and yanked off the leg, the sound of crunching bone driving the girls from the table. It was good they did, as the scene that greeted them not far from there was… less than desirable.

Siesta was trying desperately to reason with a blonde fop of a boy, his cheeks red with hand-marks and anger as he raged at her. Kirche noted long blonde curls running in one direction while a brown cloak ran in the other, the reason for this clear. "He finally got caught."

Tabitha spotted a vial of perfume on the ground next to Siesta, piecing the scenario together in an instant. "…Tried to return that."

Louise was far more incensed. "Gramont, what the hell are you doing to the poor girl! It's your own damned fault for two timing and you know it!"

"This maid caused two maidens to cry bitter tears!" The fop declared, the crowd around the display parting for Louise. "Attempting to pass that vial off as mine when I've never seen it! I'll have her job for this insult!"

Louise marched up to him and growled up into his red face. "You're the one who got himself into this, have some pride and take responsibility! Don't blame it on a poor maid who just tried to return a vial you dropped so carelessly!"

The boy grinned smugly at her. "Oh, you would protect this maid? Is she under your employ? Or is this just bluffing as always, Zero? After all, your claim assumes that vial is in any way mine! Which it is not!"

Louise snarled and pointed at the vial. "Siesta, give that to me!"

The ashen-faced maid shakily grabbed the vial and held it out, Louise snatching it and tossing it to Tabitha in the same motion. "Tabitha, have your dragon smell that. I'd bet my skirt he reeks of it."

Tabitha caught the vial and whistled, her dragon landing beside her a moment later. "…Sniff, Sylphid."

Sylphid took a whiff and scrunched her face, the perfume far too strong for her tastes. But, the bond between her and Tabitha swiftly filled her in on what to do next, and she padded over to take a big whiff of the boy.

The dragon tilted her head and looked back at Tabitha before nodding.

"And there you have it!" Louise declared, assured of victory. "That vial's yours Guiche, no way around it. You shame yourself and still have the gall to blame a commoner, how low you sink."

Guiche snarled and fired back. "At least I can cast more than flukes like you, Zero! And have a familiar that isn't an afront to the Founder like yours! Calling yourself a noble with no magic is far more disgraceful!"

He turned on his heel and stalked away. "And I'll still have her job, both for the insult to the girls and to me! She can thank you for being thrown into the street!"

Several lackies ran after him, the crowd chattering at the outcome. Louise was beyond incensed now and sought to go after the fop, but light sobs stopped her cold. "Siesta!"

Kirche was already beside the distraught maid. "Dammit all, Louise! I know your heart was in the right place there, but you jumped the horse! Guiche's going to have her fired within the hour now, we won't be able to get around it."

Louise growled, knowing Kirche was right, much as it galled her. "Siesta… I'm sorry you had to be dragged into that, I only made you a scapegoat."

The maid hid her face in her hands, silently offering apologies to her family as tears gathered. She just wanted to be nice and expected that the lord would be kind like Lady Valliere. How naïve of her to assume the noble girl wasn't an exception to the norm.

The crowd watching the drama scattered as a hellish screech washed over them, Neb stomping forward with bloodied maws. He'd been the source of the screech, every head watching the scene with razor-sharp attention to detail. "Surely, there is more to this than simply giving up? I was told you, Louise, were far above such a petty idea as leaving the innocent to rot."

Louise looked back to him, a frown in place. His gaze was searching and judging, as if his entire view of her hinged on this outcome. But… what could she do? Siesta, while innocent, was still just a commoner and easily replaced. There was no justice in it, but why should she get involved any further?

Vindication. An angry voice answered, the word echoing through her mind. The fop has set you as both villain and scapegoat in addition to the maid now. Should she indeed lose her livelihood, shame is cast upon our name. The summoning has cast some off, no more can be allowed.

Louise squashed the voice, agreeing with it silently. Her anger and indignation burned too hot to let Guiche get away with this, but what was there to do? The fop has too many yes-men lackies to try and go through the instructors…

"…Wait a minute." Louise whispered, a vicious smirk rising on her face. "Tabitha, is there any rule about personal servants for students?"

Tabitha tilted her head, silently scrolling through the various rules and regulations of the academy. "…Heavily advised against."

Louise took those three words as gold, for there were few who got more than one word out of the stoic girl. "Good, my reputation's far too clean for them to complain. Siesta, list your skills."

The maid was shaking as she revealed her face, trying desperately to put on a professional face despite the tears staining her cheeks. "I… I clean… and cook… *hic*… do laundry… just about… anything…"

Kirche caught on as Siesta sobbed, a raised brow going to Louise. "Oho? Are you really going to do this? What would you even offer her?"

"My allowance more than covers my idea." Louise answered coolly, keeping her gaze on Siesta. "And I think the great lizard who just joined us is reason enough to splurge."

Neb snarled at her and muttered something under his breath.

Louise ignored him, watching Siesta's visage of despair twist into a sick kind of hope. "Lady Valliere… what do you mean?"

Louise smirked and crossed her arms. "Well, it's real simple. While we can't keep you in the Academy's employ, you can certainly enter my employ. The fop suggested it himself, and I think his recommendation comes well earned."

The offer, while genuine, was dripping with saccharine politeness where Guiche was mentioned. Siesta merely stared at Louise in utter shock, barely able to utter: "What?"

"I want to hire you." Louise answered simply. "I've already seen your work firsthand today, and it's at the very least passable. My work load's bound to increase dramatically the coming year, so I was going to be in the market for a handmaid anyway."

Siesta started to stutter, unable to articulate what the offer meant to her. Louise kept going like no answer was going to be given. "I do need to know the details of your contract, but assuming my allowance doesn't decrease or stop altogether…"

She paused to do some mental math, Kirche slipping behind the maid while Tabitha started to rummage through her cloak's pockets for smelling salts.

"I can…" Louise started with a light tone. "…Start you at about five gold a week. How's that?"

Siesta fainting dead away and into Kirche's waiting arms was her answer. After making sure the newly minted handmaid was comfortable, Kirche gave Louise a flat look. "How much do you get in a week to pay her that much. Average pay here is great, but it's only twenty silver a month."

Tabitha looked to the sheepish Louise. "…Duke's daughter."

"Let's not make it about her wealth." Neb advised, reminding the girls of his presence. "Good use of words and meaning to turn the situation around, Louise. Now you look far more the noble than that fop of a boy could ever hope to be."

The hydra reared to his full height and pointed his right head towards the walls. "Once you have Lady Siesta comfortable, meet me outside the walls. Bring… who are you two again, we were never formally introduced?"

"Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt-Zerbst" Kirche introduced herself. "I'm from Germania, Louise's family are our cross-border neighbors. We're… friendly rivals."

Neb noted the awkward pause, though Louise didn't see fit to counter the claim.

"…Tabitha." Tabitha said, shrugging at Neb's confused look when she said nothing further. "…All that's needed."

The hydra could respect that. "I like you already, Tabitha. Anyway, if you could all meet me outside the walls after dear Siesta is seen to, I have a proposal to make."

The central head smiled widely; Neb very interested in seeing how this would go.

"Maybe, we'll figure out just why you can't cast the magic your society holds so dear."

Ch. End

Alright, two chapters up and done at once! I'll get right on the third chapter as the last of this batch to kick off the rewrite, so I hope everyone's enjoying the new start so far!

See you all in the next chapter!

Ciao!