Siesta carefully slipped into her room, making sure no one could see inside. Utsuho and Louise both looked up as she closed the door. "Welcome back," Louise said.

"Oh, you got a present?" Utsuho asked, peering at the bottle.

"Montmorency gave it to me as an apology. I think." She placed it on the table and started putting away her tools.

"Did you check it for poison?" Louise asked.

Siesta chewed her lip. "Yes," she admitted. It was gauche, but she wanted to be careful. "I didn't sense anything deadly though."

She heard Louise snort. "Probably went flat. Oh well, shall we have a glass? Because it'll definitely go flat if we let it sit too long, preservation spells or no."

"Of course. Go ahead while I change." She began removing her work outfit. It was amazing how badly the various components stained clothing so she'd pieced together something that she didn't mind getting dirty.

Siesta had learned a laundry spell as soon as she could, but you couldn't just magic away spots. At least she couldn't. Her spell required a tub of hot water and soap, with the magic handling the labor. It was still infinitely better than doing things by hand.

Behind her she heard Louise pulling out some glasses. "Want some. Utsuho?"

"That's the bubbly stuff? No thanks," Utsuho replied.

"Okay." There was a clink of glass as Louise poured the wine. "Oh hey it might actually still be good."

Siesta finished putting on her clothes and grabbed the latest book she'd borrowed. "So it's still fresh?" She'd never had champagne before. Even the older maids never got their hands on such delicacies.

She turned around to see Louise had drained the glass already. That was strange. Her friend was also staring at her intently while fidgeting. "Louise?"

"Eh?" Louise started then looked at the glass. "Oh! It just had such a strange sweet taste I couldn't stop. Sorry." Her cheeks were red, like she'd somehow gotten drunk.

"Are you okay?" Siesta walked over and reached out to feel Louise's forehead. "You look a bit flushed."

Louise reached up and pressed the hand to her cheek. "I'm fine," Louise replied. "After all I'm here with you right now."

"Eh? Eh?!" Siesta blinked as Louise nuzzled her hand, then planted a soft kiss on her fingers. "Louise that's-"

Louise pouted as tears gathered in her eyes. "You don't like me Siesta?"

The question sent Siesta's heart fluttering. How, how could she answer that? "It's not that Louise it's..."

Her breath caught as Louise pulled close, eyes shimmering. "Then let's not worry about the rest." Siesta could feel her friend's shaky breath, see the longing in Louise's eyes. Their bodies pressed together and Louise stood on her toes to bring her lips closer and closer...

And then Louise yelped as Utsuho pulled her away. "Alright, there was something in that drink that's making you weird."

"What are you doing?" Louise sputtered. "I'm not acting weird at all! I just decided to follow my heart!"

"Yeah I don't need to be Satori to read how your body language shifted there." Utsuho set Louise back down on her chair. "Siesta can you detect magic or whatever you do to find weird stuff?"

Siesta blinked a few more times before collecting her thoughts. "Love potions are illegal though," she muttered as she peered at the remaining glass.

A whispered spell later and the champagne glowed bright pink. "Oh. Oh dear. It really was one." What was Montmorency thinking?!

Louise broke into tears. "Why don't you believe me? Believe in my feelings? Is it because we're both girls?"

The pain on Louise's face tore into Siesta. "No! It's not that at all! It's just-"

She cut herself off. Nothing Siesta could say would help Louise. Right now they needed to confront Montmorency and figure out what potion the idiot had used so Siesta could brew up a counterspell. And to do that she needed to get Louise out of seduction mode.

This called for a servant's most important skill. Creative reinterpretation of the truth. She forced herself to look like nothing was wrong before continuing. "It's just we need to cure that curse Montmorency put in our wine. I can't bear to see you like this Louise. You're very dear to me."

Louise blinked away her tears. "Really?" She sniffled. "Wait, curse? I don't remember a curse."

"That's part of the curse," Siesta replied. Which was technically true.

Utsuho and Louise both looked confused at that. "Really?" Utsuho set Louise back down. "Is that how it works?"

"It couldn't possibly work otherwise," Siesta pointed out. That was why love spells worked better when ingested. It had to act internally to block off all those pesky thoughts that started up when people told you that you'd drunk a love potion.

Louise sprang forwards and hugged Siesta tightly. "Oh thank goodness. I was afraid you didn't love me." Louise nuzzled her cheek on Siesta's chest.

Siesta bit her lip to keep from making matters worse. After a moment she settled for a hug and gently pulling away. "Let's go confront Montmorency and get this all sorted out."

"Right." Louise smiled up at her.

Utsuho folded her arms. "Hrm. I can't threaten her in this form though. And I doubt she'll just hand over the information if what she did is illegal."

That at least was easy to solve. Siesta grinned. "Just sit on Louise's shoulder and glow when you get angry. Montmorency should get the message."

"Oh! That works great!" Utsuho shifted to raven form and nestled onto her Master's head. "We go," the bird croaked.

Utsuho looked over at the door to this 'Montmorency' human's nest. "So should I blow the door open?"

"Nah. Let's save that," Louise thought back. She stepped up and glared at the door before kicking it in. It was heartening to know master was still dangerous while suffering from that potion.

The blonde woman and the idiot who'd traveled with them were both inside sitting at a table with more of that bubbly wine. "What's the meaning of this?" Guiche asked as he stood.

"Your stupid girlfriend hit me with some curse," Louise snapped.

"A love potion," Siesta corrected as she walked up and tapped Guiche's glass. Montmorency went pale as the champagne glowed pink. "Probably the same one that she used here."

Guiche looked startled. Utsuho almost felt sorry for the idiot. "But why?"

"You keep looking at other girls." Montmorency sniffled. "Can't I be enough for you?"

"Ah my dear Montmorency, I may be a lover of beauty, but my heart-"

Utsuho tuned the idiot out as he began his rambling nonsense. She didn't feel any more sympathy. "Let's get what we need out of these fools before they start a kabuki play."

"Yeah."Louise walked over and kicked Guiche in the shin. "Give me the cure for this curse so I can get back to my love life and leave you to yours!"

"And we'll need an untainted glass of champagne as well," Siesta said, grabbing the bottle on the table. Clever. Utsuho approved of skilled scavenging, and Siesta was a master.

The idiot couple both flinched. Montmorency forced herself to look unconcerned. "It was diluted so it should resolve itself in a week."

"Your diluted potion lasts a week?" Siesta whirled on Montmorency. "That's ridiculous! What did you put in it?"

"The tear of a water spirit," Montmorency replied. "Anyway it should be fine so-"

"You idiot!" Siesta's outburst made everyone cringe. "You mixed that with champagne? You're an elementalist! You should know better!" Siesta advanced on Montmorency shaking her finger. "Champagne contains all four of the elements! Using the tear of a water spirit will over saturate the water aspect, making it even more effective at influencing the mind. That potion will last at least a month!"

Montmorency was looking pale, and Guiche was a little queasy. Apparently he just realized drinking a love potion was bad. Humans were so dumb about these things.

Louise giggled and hugged Siesta from behind. "You're so good at magic Siesta! I'm so glad we met."

Utsuho decided to try to help. "You're ruining the threat I think."

"Too bad," Louise thought before nuzzling Siesta's back. Well that was a bad sign. Utsuho clacked her beak and moved to Siesta's shoulder. She'd need to back up the maid directly.

Montmorency turned away. "Unfortunately I don't have another tear of the water spirit. It doesn't look too bad. Surely you can ignore this for a month. Everyone already thinks you're together anyway."

Siesta smiled and coaxed Utsuho into her hands. It was a good youkai smile. She must have learned it from Orin. "I'm sorry. I didn't hear the last part. You said you'd help us meet the water spirit and ask for a new tear, right?"

Utsuho took that as her cue to start glowing. The sweet taste of fear wafted up from Montmorency and Guiche. Guiche was almost praying for mercy, which was quite nice for a god. "We'll help any way we can. Right Montmorency?"

"O-o-of course," Montmorency said, her knees shaking.

"Hm," Louise shifted behind Siesta. "You're starting to look pretty strong too. I wanted to be the defender in the relationship, but this is kinda nice too." Siesta blushed brightly at that. It looked like Louise was getting more suitors. Well that was good for a young girl.

The door burst open again, causing everyone to look over as Kirche entered followed by Tabitha. "Louise, we've got a great adventure for you, and-" She stopped dead in her tracks at the sight.

Tabitha lazily blinked, then floated up to pat Kirche on the head. "It's okay. You did your best." Utsuho stifled a laugh with her wing as Siesta started to stammer.

Kirche batted Tabitha's hand away. "I haven't lost yet!" Utsuho wisely took to the air, right as Kirche pounced. The redhead's embrace caught Siesta and Louise about equally, but she only shifted a little after they hit the ground. Strangely Louise didn't seem to care past the initial impact. Utsuho wondered if her young master had been reading too many of Satori's books.

Montmorency kicked Guiche, and turned her gaze to Siesta. "If she's under the effects of a love potion why isn't she complaining about that Germanian hussy?"

"As long as Siesta's okay with it," Louise said.

Utsuho shook her head as Siesta turned bright crimson. Definitely too many romances. She'd need to tell Satori to cut them off.

Louise happily held Siesta's hand as they made their way to the water spirit. Everything was going swimmingly. Montmorency was miserable, Siesta was by her side, and they had everything they needed to get that cure for the curse she was under. She was still curious what the curse was specifically, but she'd find out after it was lifted.

The scenery was lovely too. The lake reflecting the stars, stretching out beside them. It was a popular place for lovers to go. She'd have to come alone with Siesta.

"What an amazing coincidence that you needed to see the water spirit too," Kirche said as she and Tabitha trailed along with Sylphid. "This should make it easier to settle the matter diplomatically. I was worried we'd have to fight."

Tabitha nodded. "Un."

"I can't believe you were ordered to attack the water spirit! Even if she's flooding some of the surrounding areas." Montmorency groused. "She's a powerful servant of water! It's sacrilege!"

"Also she can probably defeat us," Guiche pointed out quietly.

That last bit was probably true. Or rather it would be if they didn't have Utsuho with them. Louise would bet on her familiar over a lake spirit any day of the week. But a water spirit in their element was a deadly foe.

Finally Montmorency reached a spot she liked and began her ritual. Louise didn't pay it much mind. She much preferred leaning on Siesta's arm.

Ripples formed on the surface of the lake, and Louise forced herself to keep an eye on it. Soon the water began to rise forming a massive woman formed of the purest liquid. The water spirit looked down at them, expressions flickering over her face. Annoyance, surprise, and fear. "Child of the pact, why have you brought the sun of hell to me? What brought this betrayal?"

Montmorency went wide eyed at that. "Sun of hell? What?! I don't mean to attack you." She fell to her knees. "Please great water spirit we only wish to ask a favor."

The spirit looked down at Louise. Wait, no, it was looking at Utsuho! "I know how those from the lands of fantasy ask for favors."

"Looks like she's caught us," Utsuho thought. "Guess I'll have to speak to her directly."

"Okay," Louise replied. "I'll handle the threats."She sighed and looked over the others. "If any of you tell anyone about this, Utsuho will cook and eat you." She paused then turned to Tabitha. "Oh yeah, I'll still keep my promise of course."

"Appreciated," Tabitha replied.

"Wha-" Kirche's confusion was cut off as Utsuho hopped to the ground then appeared in her human form with a flash. The others stared in shock as Utsuho adjusted her cape.

Fortunately her familiar didn't start boasting. She just looked up at the water spirit. "Hi! I'm actually from the former hell, but you knew that. We aren't as battle crazy as the Gensoukyo crowd."

"Sure." The water spirit didn't seem convinced. "Still I will hear your request. Speak."

"We need a tear," Utsuho said. "And uh..." She blinked a few times. "What was the other thing?"

"We want her to stop flooding the area," Louise hissed. Seriously her familiar was still such a birdbrain.

Utsuho nodded. "Oh yeah. We wanted to ask about why you were flooding the place. Seems like an incident, so if you wanted to just wait for the shrine maiden that's fine, but-" Louise sighed.

"One of my treasures was stolen," the water spirit replied. "The Ring of Andvari. A band of thugs led by a man named Cromwell took it. I seek its return."

"That bastard," Louise snarled. Well that made things easy.

Utsuho shared her thoughts. "Oh, we're going to kill him anyway. So after that we'll bring back your ring!"

The water spirit's face showed amusement for a second. "I suppose that is acceptable. It is a purple ring with a single dark blue square cut stone. It can bring back the dead, though any soul brought back in that way is under the control of the user."

Leaning down, the spirit offered a tiny drop of water that Montmorency caught. "I offer you a tear in return for your efforts. I shall wait for you to fulfil your promise, black sun of hell."

"Thanks. We'll try to get it soon too. Shouldn't take more than a decade," Utsuho replied. The water spirit nodded in acceptance and sank down again.

As the ripples began to fade, Kirche looked over at her. "So, when were you going to tell us your familiar was some kind of demon raven, Louise?"

"Never," Louise admitted. "It was supposed to be a secret."

"Also I'm a hell raven," Utsuho added, "not a demon raven. I just live in hell. I'm not some personification of evil or whatever devils are." She preened. "I'm the strongest hell raven though. Even before I gained the power of the Yatagarasu."

Siesta coughed. "Sorry to interrupt, but could you give me the tear so I can finish the reversal potion, Montmorency?"

"Eh?!" The water mage blinked and held out the tear. "If you insist but I could brew it faster."

"Unlikely, because I'm mostly done," Siesta replied, pulling out a flask and dropping in the water spirit essence. It was so wonderful how prepared Siesta was. Louise needed to find out how to get her as head of the Valliere household or something. Then they could quietly live together, spending their nights whispering sweet nothings to each other... ah it was a lovely fantasy~.

As Siesta started shaking the potion Kirche raised her hand. "So back to the hell raven thing. What's a Yatagarasu?"

"The herald of the sun," Louise said, before Utsuho could bring up that god stuff. "It's a three legged three eyed crow with great power. As you've seen."

"They've seen the weak stuff," Utsuho said with a cape flip. "In this form I can really cut loose! I'd have eaten Wardes' eyes already if he'd attacked me at my strongest."

Guiche and Montmorency looked ill while Kirche folded her arms. "Still a raven at heart I see."

Utsuho beamed. "Of course! Ravens are the best after all."

"Louise." She turned to see Siesta there with a glass of champagne. "Here. This should cure your curse so we can go back to how we should be."

She just barely kept herself from kissing Siesta right then and there. "You're the best," she said with a wink, before taking the glass and draining it. And-

Oh dear God.

Waves of embarrassment flooded over her and she sank to her knees. Maybe she could ask Satori to wipe the last day from everyone's minds. That had to be possible, right? Or maybe she should just vaporize Guiche and Montmorency.

Utsuho's hand patted her head. "It's fine. We kept you from doing anything bad. And no one will say anything about this. Right?"

Louise looked up to enjoy the terror on Montmorency's face. That did make her feel better. The blonde water mage gulped and bowed. "I'm very very sorry for my actions. I beg your forgiveness Lady Valliere and Baronet Tarbes."

Siesta folded her hands. "I'll leave your punishment to Louise, since she was the one most affected by this nonsense." That was nice of Siesta, given how embarrassing the mess must have been to her too.

After considering her options Louise decided to set it aside for now. There was just too much going on for revenge, even if it was well deserved. "You owe me for this Montmorency. Big time. But we've got more important things to do right now."

"Unyu?" Utsuho blinked. "We do? I mean we have to kill that Cromwell guy but that's gonna be hard. Don't we need an army or something?"

Kirche folded her arms. "I imagine it would be explaining your presence to us. And the crown."

"The princess already knows," Louise replied. She turned her attention to tonight's idiots. "Guiche and Montmorency don't get an explanation, and I'll tell you everything later. Right now we need to warn the princess about that ring."

Louise had to force down a sigh as everyone looked confused. Fortunately for her sanity Tabitha's eyes narrowed in understanding. "Bringing back the dead," she whispered harshly.

"I see how that would strengthen his army," Guiche said. "But why must we rush to warn her majesty? Certainly that can wait."

Now Siesta paled. "Except he controls them. He could turn a loyal servant and get them to kill her majesty. Just like that story of the old Duke of Lorainne's assassination."

"Servant? They could replace a noble, and no one would know," Louise said. "So we need to get to the castle. Soon."

"Syphid can fly us," Tabitha said.

Louise was expecting it to be hard to get into the castle. They were arriving late at night, and while Utsuho was back in raven form they weren't normal guests. She was not expecting a full squad of armed guards to be blocking the entrance.

Still Louise wasn't going to back down. She hopped off Sylphid and walked to the man up front. "I am Louise Francois de Valliere, and I must have immediate audience with her majesty. There's a great threat to her life."

The guard's eyes narrowed. "Really? What do you know?" His hostility surprised her. "Speak girl, we have no time for games!"

"Now now," Louise stepped back as a man in red robes slid through the guards. She recognized him as Cardinal Mazarin, the princess' highest advisor. "I understand your worries captain, but that attitude won't help." He looked down at her. "But please, do tell us what you know about the princess' kidnapping."

"Kidnapping?" Louise flinched. "What happened? Was she hurt?"

"There were no signs of struggle, apart from a spilled bottle of wine," Mazarin replied. "The royal guard is in pursuit however-"

Louise cursed. Was this related? Or a different attack from Albion? In the end it didn't matter. She had to chase after Princess Henreitta, and make sure the castle was safe when the princess returned. But how could she do both?

Utsuho flapped her wings. "Let me." The raven hopped down and with a slight pop a black and red cat was there, looking annoyed. "Orin can help sniff out any zombies."

"Good work."Louise made a mental note to bring something for the cat girl before turning back to Mazarin. "We've learned that the new ruler of Albion has a necromantic artifact. It's possible the guards were compromised. Siesta, make sure there's no undead here. Guiche, Montmorency, help her until she's cleared enough of the guards to properly investigate. We'll bring back the princess."

Siesta nodded. "Of course."

"But-!" The Cardinal looked confused, but Louise wasn't willing to wait.

"You can either do it now or do it when Princess Henrietta gets back," she said as she helped Siesta get off Sylphid. "Which should be soon."

At least that was what Louise hoped.

As soon as their friends were clear Sylphid launched back into the sky. Tabitha looked around then steered towards the road. It seemed she'd picked up the trail.

They soared quickly across the fields of Tristain. It was dark, with clouds covering the moon, but Tabitha had assured them Sylphid could still smell the trail. Utsuho agreed, so they pressed on, as fast as they could.

"So-" Kirche leaned forwards so Louise and Tabitha could hear. "How do we kill something that's already dead?"

That was a good question. "Utsuho?"

The hell raven hopped off her shoulder again, and swapped forms. "It depends. There's lots of undead. Fire is usually the best choice. Incinerate the body so it can't fight. Which is why I'll need to be in human form."

"What about ice?" Tabitha asked.

"Unyu..." Utsuho thought for a moment. "If you can't freeze them solid, try hitting their joints so they can't move well. It won't last but it'll help."

Tabitha nodded grimly. A few seconds later she started to descend. "Sylphid smells horses. And blood."

Louise felt sick to her stomach. That was a very bad sign. The Royal Guard was supposed to be ahead of them. "Utsuho, can you create a light?"

With a wave of her hand Utsuho called up a bright orb that illuminated the countryside. Louise gasped as she saw the devastation below. Fallen horses and men littered the rolling hills. Many were dead, some were wounded.

Tabitha landed next to the largest group, where one of the least injured was trying to help his comrades. Louise hopped off, wishing she'd brought some of Siesta's healing potions. "What happened?"

"We cut them down, but they rose again." The man cursed. "They can't have gone far without horses. Please, Hurry! You must save her majesty."

"Right." Louise wanted to stay and help, but Tabitha was the only decent healer among them. Maybe if the princess was unhurt she could help out.

Louise rushed forwards as fast as she could with her short legs, the others keeping pace. As soon as she crested a small hill she saw them. A group of twenty nobles at the edge of the forest, the princess. And standing next to Henrietta was Prince Wales. Or at least his reanimated body.

"Disgusting," Kirche snarled, mirroring her own thoughts. How dare Cromwell do this! How dare he stoop so low!

"Louise?" Henrietta seemed surprised. Had she been drugged? Or enspelled? Louise didn't know.

Still she had to try to reach her friend. "Princess Henrietta. That man isn't the real Wales. He's a fake brought back by Albion."

The princess gave a sad smile. "I know Louise. How could I not? But he knows me. He remembers the oaths we swore. My love at least is real."

Louise flinched. In all the stories love conquered all. She knew them by heart. But this was reality. "You can't save him," she said.

"She's right." Utsuho's hand fell on her shoulder. "There's a soul there but it's just being puppeted. The magic's in control"

Henrietta shook her head. "I have to try. Please Louise, I ask you to leave me. This is my last command, as your princess."

Louise clenched her jaw. "I'm afraid I have to refuse that order princess. Utsuho, obliterate!"

A blast of plasma sent the undead Wales diving for cover, and the battle began.

Louise focused her mind, drawing on her power and weaving the complex void spell. She'd have to hope that Utsuho could keep her enemies stalled long enough to finish the incantation.

She didn't need to worry. The raven woman's cloak rippled in a cascade of wind that seemed to flow straight from Utsuho herself as she raised her arm. Seconds later orbs of pure energy rained from the sky. The undead knights of Albion scattered in fear.

Behind her Tabitha and Kirche began their own attack. Tabitha alternated between pinning targets and disrupting spells, while Kirche incinerated foes. One wind mage tried to attack the duo from above, and instead got grabbed by Syphild. As the dragon started eating the man Louise looked away.

Finally the power within her flared. As the runes on Utsuho's chest flared blue she pointed at the largest group. "Explosion!"

The blast tore through the land, leaving nothing but a smoldering crater. Louise sagged, drained by the rush, but she forced herself to breathe, going through the training Marisa had given her to replenish her willpower.

She turned her eyes back to the Princess. Henrietta was standing there, swaying as the battle raged. Her friend looked almost drunk. Meanwhile Wales was standing again as well, waiting. Why? He could run now, with the princess as his shield. But if he stayed eventually he'd get burnt like the rest of his minions.

Then Louise felt a drop of water. "Oh founder," she muttered.

Henrietta's eyes lit up. "God favors us! A water mage is invincible in the rain!"

"Let us join our power," the false Wales said, raising his wand.

As the rain started falling in earnest, the Prince and Princess began their spells. A waterspout began to form, air and water turned into a deadly curtain. "Please run Louise," Henrietta said as the deadly wall of water advanced.

Utsuho stepped in front of her, and Louise felt her heart soar. "I am the Yatagarasu, herald of the sun. And I say the rain will not fall here!" She pointed to the sky, and an orb of flame burst above them. A miniature sun that seared away the rain. Louise flinched away from the heat, narrowing her eyes in the bright light.

And yet the wall of violent water kept surging forward, crashing into the waves of heat. Utsuho flapped her wings, and the sun burned brighter. Louise winced as the heat started to become unbearable. She looked back and saw Tabitha forming an ice barrier to protect everyone, but it melted away almost as fast as she created it.

"It's too hot!" she yelled at Utsuho. "You have to keep it down!"

"Eh? Hold back more?," Utsuho called back. "But if I do that I can't fight that tornado!"

Louise ground her teeth. If Utsuho put any more power into it they'd all be incinerated. But it was the only thing keeping them from being washed away.

There was only one thing to do. Louise had to destroy Henrietta and Wales' spell.

She'd never mastered Dispel. And if she did this wrong the explosion might be as dangerous as Utsuho's flame. But it was the only option. She had to do this. So she would.

The words fell into her mind as she reached out with her willpower. She felt the magic in the air. The ebb and flow of power that controlled the elements. Wind, water, fire, and Utsuho's insane rippling void.

"Void isn't just change, it's the absence of change."

The words flowed through her, the magic following, and she held up her wand, then froze in place. "Dispel!" she called out. But the final word was nothing. Silence.

And then that silence fell on the battlefield. The burning light was gone. The wind and rain were still. The undead slowly dropped one by one to the ground. All that was left was the pain from her sunburn, and the fatigue that filled her body.

A strong arm helped steady her. "Thanks Utsuho," she said as her familiar resummoned the light. "Can you take me to check on Henrietta?"

"No problem." Utsuho helped her walk over to the princess.

Henrietta was sobbing next to Wales' body. "I'm sorry Louise. I'm so sorry. I just wanted... just this once-"

"I-" Louise paused. She wasn't sure if she did understand. But she didn't blame her friend. "It's fine. Let's go help the survivors of the Royal Guard. Tabitha can't heal them all."

"That's-" Henrietta wiped her eyes. "Of course."

Louise relaxed against Utsuho. Her familiar would have to go back to raven form soon, but until then she intended to get as much out of it as possible.

"Well that was fun," Kirche said, walking over. "Are you okay Louise?"

"Just a little sunburnt. And tired." Louise yawned. "You?"

"Same." Kirche looked at Utsuho. "We should have a talk sometime, now that I know you're a person."

Utsuho grinned. "Sure!" Louise sighed. That was going to be a mess. Well it was unavoidable.

"Hm?" Utsuho suddenly looked down at Wales' body. "Oh that's interesting. There's still a bit of soul left. Probably slip out in an hour or so but..."

"What?" Louise stared for a moment, before turning to Kirche. "Quick, tell the Princess!"

As Kirche ran off Louise knelt by the stirring Wales. Maybe there wouldn't be a happy ending here, but she'd salvage what she could.

A little longer then usual, but there were many things to handle. Holidays are coming up, so I can't say I'll have anything resembling a schedule. Just that it's unlikely there'll be another 5+ month hiatus.