A/N: because I was gone for so long, I'll throw in another chapter. How about that?

Passion and a Day Out

*Curiouser and curiouser...* Kamvex pondered as he wandered the halls. The meeting he eavesdropped on was very interesting to the young man, and gave him a clue as to what to look for and avoid.

*If the Gandalfr is made for war and battle, I'll have to really dig into what this mark can do,* he thought. "For now though, I should get back to Louise. I never shut the hologram off and if she hasn't broken it already, she might be ready to."

Nearing the room, he came to a stop when he saw a large red lizard in front of the door. Hearing his footsteps, the creature looked up from it nap and eyed the captain.

"... something tells me I'm gonna be in trouble soon."

[Louise's Room]

Would the confusion of this day never end? Good, bad, sad, scared, worried, and angry. Her emotions had been put through the ringer today. All she wanted to do was sleep. However, the glow from the hologram projector was still running, still displaying that elf in the corner of her room.

Louise had thought on the things that Kamvex had told her. Of simplified magic. Of other races beyond what she'd seen. Looking back, it was the anticipation of the elf that had dulled her response to the others. Metal men and four armed aliens? Unbelievable. Talking rats? Improbable. Giant honorbound lizards? Sure, lizardmen made home of some swamps and lakes at times, but those were savage creatures.

But it was all true, if only by word. But so far, his words were powerful and true. He had seen things that she hadn't. Experienced adventure, comradery, and friendship. Things she lacked or truly had no experience with.

She looks at the elf again, more conflictions coming to mind. By Brimiric teachings, elves were devil's. Plain and simple. They were evil, vile creatures that needed to be purged from this world. There was no 'talking' with an elf, as they were just as likely to kill you as you were to them.

That thought got her think further. If everyone already thought they were going to kill each other, then why would they even think of diplomacy. *They wouldn't, * she thought. *If I expected a knife in my back I'd never consider talking...*

Perhaps she could dwell on this further later. Maybe start somewhere closer to home. Germainia and Kirche sprung to mind. Though their families and countries had warred against each other for decades, she had never felt maliciousness from her rival. Perhaps... she could start there...?

Her door opened to reveal Kamvex, though he was quite disheveled. There were scorch marks and burns to his clothes, lipstick marks on his cheek and neck, and a very familiar perfume...

*Nevermind, I will kill her slowly instead...*

[Kirche's Room - 15 minutes ago]

Not wanting to hurt the salamander, Kamvex allowed himself to be dragged around by it, sure he'd be able to get out of whatever situation he'd be faced with. *What's the worst that could happen? * he thought.

He was dropped unceremoniously in a dark room, small candles and incense burning. The salamander walked off to small bed where it curled up to either sleep or nap.

"Welcome to my suite, Darling."

The captain turnd his head to face the room's owner, the curvaceous, and currently scantily clad, Kirche von Zernst.

"Ah. Hey there Red. Didn't realize I was gone that long."

She giggled lightly, keeping her form completely in view. His ancestors had to be playing with him. *Bard's luck my ass.*

"Well, don't just stand there. Come to me." Kirche cooed with her most captivating voice.

He shrugged, figuring he could find out what this all was and maybe more. "But of course M'lady." He strode over to her bed and sat down next to her. He finally noticed two things: first, what underwear she was clad in was shear and mostly see through. While he had been experienced in many areas, women was not one that stood out. There was a small flame here and there, and according to Saleris he was a natural flirt at times, but he was still only seventeen. His heartbeat started to dance as she scooted closer to him. *ELSEWHERE! Focus somewhere else damnit! *

His eyes came to hers, and the worried look on her face.
Though still distracted, he could read her face clear as day, and latched onto that focus. Though she showed a look of worry, he could see the seductive undertones in the face and body language. *Okay, I can work with this...*

Kirche made a long sigh, and worriedly shook her head.
"You must think me a lowly, despicable woman. To be thought so is inevitable. Do you understand? My runic name is 'Ardent'."

"So 'Passion' in layman's terms."

"That's why I suddenly called you here. Don't you get it? Isn't this really bad of me?"

She began pressing her impressive bust against him, arms slipping up to remove his coat. "That is indeed very bad."

"But... I'm sure you'll forgive me." Kirche looked at him with moist, watery eyes. Any man would show his most primitive instincts after looking at those eyes.

Fortunately for Kamvex, he was no ordinary man. "Forgive me, Kirche, but I do not understand..?" It didn't mean he wouldn't play along though.

Kirche suddenly clasped his right hand, enveloping it with her warm palm, as the other tossed his coat to the side, before slowly caressing through every finger, sending sparks through his spine.

"Loving you, my dear. To you, my love is that sudden."

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's not how love works, Red." She must be joking. Despite that thought, Kirche's face looked serious.

"Your grandeur in defeating Guiche was... just... so cool... like a hero of the legends. I... when I saw you right that moment I was in love. Can you believe it? I was attracted to you just like that! Passion! Oh, this is a passionate love!"

*Not so sure about that...* he thought, though it was getting harder to fight off temptation. *She's sexy as hell, I'll give her that. But Louise is definitely more attractive, just a different kind of fiery. * With that, though she began to approach, he turned his head from her lips, thought it didn't stop her from assaulting his neck.

"Why?" She asked, continuing her task.

"I do believe that you are getting lust and love mixed up." He said shivering. Oooh she knew exactly what she was doing.

"Regardless, " she started, a slow lick from his jawline to his ear, "you don't seem to be complaining."

"Who would?" He then removed her hands from his person and scooted away. "However, you can't just fall in love so quickly Red. Otherwise it'll start to cau-"

At that moment, a voice from outside the window interrupted her. A beautiful playboy looked inside indignantly. "Kirche... I came to check because you weren't there on time..."

"Berisson! We'll meet two hours later then!"

"That wasn't what we agreed on!" Kirche nonchalantly took out her wand from between her breasts, and waved it without even looking at him. Flame shot out from a nearby lamp and flew into the gentleman at the window like a snake.

"What an annoying owl."

Kamvex looked at her incredulously. "Boy trouble?"

"Not with you here Darling." As she said this, she tried once again to initiate contact with him, before another disturbance occured.

A sharp-looking man peered into the room with a sad face. "Kirche! Who is that guy? Aren't you going to heat up the night with me?"

"Styx! How does four hours later sound?"

"Who is that guy, Kirche?" Styx was getting mad, and as he was about to enter the room, Kirche waved her wand again. The fire flew from the lamp again, hit the man, and sent him to the ground.

Kamvex raised an eye at this, "One person is all that matters, huh?"

"Well, this was last minute I'll admit."

He shook his head. "Sorry Kirche, I have no interest in being someone's boy toy or one night stand." He stood and retrieved his coat before turning back to her. "If you want a friend however, I wouldn't mind. You can even keep up your flirtation if it suits you, just don't expect anything from it."

[Louise's Room - Present]

"So I walked out past some more angered... suitors..." Kamvex sat on his knees as he recounted the last part of his evening. The glow of the lamp and hologram lit in an odd glow. The contrasting lights brought an air of etherealness to Louise's form as she laid across the bed. It was alluring in a different way than he'd previously experienced not a little bit ago.

"Is that so..?" She questioned, flipping her hair back a bit. The move exposed her a bit more of her figure to him, and still being a bit heated, he drank everything in as he nodded in confirmation. She gave a cute frown before motioning to his form. "And the burn marks? "

*Oh right,* "She was none too pleased with me taking my leave and more boys to annoy her. So she blasted the others and I got caught in the edge of the blast."

Louise looked down at her kneeling familiar before a bemused smile came across her face. "Ha! I'm glad that you got away from that siren's call, though I wish I could have seen her face." Her smile faded to a neutral frown again, "however, I wonder why you allowed her to do as she pleased in the beginning. "

He gave a nervous chuckle. "Well, originally I wanted to just see what she wanted. But as it continued I knew it was nothing serious. " he trailed off looking to the side.

Louise wasn't having any of that. "Explain."

"What? A guy can't be a gentleman?"

Louise looked hard into his eyes. "There are a plethora of lords and nobles that have mistresses or concubines. Most of them are gentleman in their social circles."

"There are probably a few noblewoman who are the same, Louise." He fired back. "Example as of now, Kirche."

She hummed in thought before relenting. "I suppose you're correct." She rolled off the bed and stood, walking to the projector. "Now show me how to put this light out so we may sleep. It has been a... trying day."

He could understand that. Kamvex motioned her to bed as he deactivated the projector remotely. That done, the two climbed into their respective beds and fell into comfortable slumber.

It was a few days removed from the incident with Guiche, and now things were finally normalizing for the young pinkette and her familiar. Today was The Day of Void, as Kamvex found, a day of rest for Halkeginia. Something he desperately needed.

The days were spent listening to lectures for magical practice and theory that he had only a small grasp of. It didn't help that he couldn't read anything during the days, lest he ruin his plans for nights and reconnaissance. He'd have to learn to read the language at some point, but it wasn't a priority yet.

His afternoons and nights were spent running the grounds and learning the area. He'd mark down specific locations, such as Louise's classes, the Library, and special doors and buildings. The Tower of Void was supposedly unused, but he'd seen Professor Colbert enter and exit several times. He'd figure that the important literature was there, so he could make a start there next week.

This was all in between the several chores he had to do for Louise. Most of these were menial tasks he hadn't minded, but it did bring him to a new thought as he did laundry.

"Clothes."

Louise gave him a questioning stare as she looked up from her book. "Don't you have clothes already? Why do we need to go to town for more?"

"Well for one, the fabric is much different. Not only in how it's made, but what it's made of." He started to explain. "It will start to stand out sooner or later, and I can always get into some armor I have really quick if the situation calls for it."

Louise didn't look convinced. "If we are just around here, then there should be no real need for new clothes then Kamvex. "

"Alright fine! I'm also bored!" He exclaimed. "There's got to be a town nearby right? I'd like to go and visit. Do some sightseeing you know. This is like a vacation for me, but I'm stuck at the hotel."

Louise thought for a moment. It was true he'd had nowhere else to go since getting here, and it wasn't likely to change much. But... "Fine. We'll go into town today, but dont expect this every Void Day. I only get so much from home for spending."

"No worries, I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to think so."

She huffed as she closed her book. "Alright, then we'll leave immediately. The capital is three hours by horseback. "

As they started making their way down, Kamvex's eyes lit up at that. "Horses huh? Sounds exciting! Never ridden a horse before. ... Or any animal come to think about it."

"Huh? You don't have horses?"

"Well our modes of transportation are vastly different." He explained. "I have one we can use next time. It's usable for up to two people in the correct mode."

"Then you'll have to show me next time. However..." they reached the bottom when the pinkette turned and pointed to the prosthetic arm, "what are you going to do about that? Have you not fixed your haloguise?"

"HOLO-guise, and no, I just dont have the components to do so." The captain struck his thinking pose for but a moment before snapping his finger. "Got it! Grab the horses and I'll be at the entrance in a bit!" He shouted as he took off.

"Wai-" she tried to shout, but he was already turning a corner. "Ugh, what does he have up his sleeve now?" With nothing left to do, Louise made her way to the stables.

[Kirche's Room]

Kirche groaned as she woke up, still groggy from her nights activities. She looked up to see her window now repaired from its destruction a few nights ago. It was the thought of who was in her sights that night that got her waking mind functioning, and with a sultry smile, began to get herself ready. It was during her application of lipstick that she looked outside to notice that her rival and dashing familiar begin riding away from the school.

*Leaving for a day out, are you?* she thought. Wrapping her cloak around herself, she strode out with a purpose. Kirche knew exactly who to talk to.

[Tabitha's Room]

For Tabitha, the Day of Void was a gift. A time to relax and get lost in one of her books. She didn't much care for others when she had this time, and usually was not disturbed.

Unfortunately that would not be the case this day, as loud, strong knocks rocked her door. Without getting up she grabbed her staff, casting a spell of Tranquility, to stop the noise and allow herself to reimerse herself into her story.

It wasn't until the book was yanked away from her that she notice Kirche, babbling silently through her spell. Seeing no other way, she canceled her magic to listen to her friend.

"Tabitha! Get ready, we're going out!"

Tabitha only softly explained to her friend, "Day of Void." That explanation was enough for Tabitha, who attempted to take her book back from Kirche's grasp. Kirche stood up and raised the book high in the air, their height difference barring Tabitha from the book.

"Yes, I know how Days of Void are important to you, I really do. But now's not the time for this talk! I'm in love! It's love! Do you get it now?" She didn't, and shook her head. Kirche was propelled by her emotions, but Tabitha was a calm and collected thinker.

"Right… you won't move until I explain. Geez… I. AM. IN. LOVE! But he is going out with that annoying Louise today! I want to go after them, and find out where they're going! Do you get it now?" Tabitha still didn't, because she still didn't know why that mattered to her.
"They just left! On horseback! I can't catch up without your familiar, you know? Please help me at least with that!" Kirche started crying.

Tabitha finally nodded. *So that's why… you need my familiar to catch up.*

"Oh thank you so much… so… let's hurry up!" Tabitha nodded again. Kirche was her friend, and she couldn't help it if her friends had their problems that they couldn't take care of themselves. It was a bit annoying, but she didn't have a choice. She opened her window, and whistled. The sound of the whistle rang in the sky for a moment. She then jumped out of the window, Kirche following close after. Then, a Blue/Silver dragon flew into the air and received its two passengers.

"Sylphid is still so awesome no matter how many times I see it!" Kirche grabbed a protruding spine and sighed in admiration.

The dragon swiftly and perfectly caught the upward draft around the tower, and reached 200 miles in the air in the blink of an eye. "Where?" Tabitha succinctly asked Kirche.

Kirche immediately cried, "I don't know… I was panicking."

Tabitha didn't mind and commanded her wind dragon, "Two people on horseback. Don't eat them." Her dragon made a short grunt, showing understanding. Its blue scales glittered, and its wings flapped strongly to the wind. It flew high in the air, scouring the ground for two riders on horseback.

[Capital City of Tristain]

"Oh that's smarts." Kamvex complained. The ride had been rough for the spacefarer, never having done this before. Everything was sore, especially since he fell once or twice.

"I told you we could have ridden together." Louise remarked. Her familiar however waved her off.

"Thanks for the concern, but I probably needed to learn anyway." He replied. "Besides, it was fun!"

Louise smiled and shook her head. It amused her how chipper he was after the long ride here. He complained about the trip for the first half, and loudly after his second fall. But upon starting to really learn to ride, he started to have his fun.

It was his quick learning that brought her back down. "I'm honestly surprised you learned that quickly..."

The Envoy could immediately pick up the change in tone and inflection. Past that and looking to her he noticed her sagging shoulders and slightly downcast face. He smiled and put an arm around her, pulling her into him as the got to a side of the road. "I had a good teacher," he said winking at her. "Besides, I know how to go slightly faster than a trot without falling off. I'm not that good."

The girls face flushed with a newly familiar heat. Somehow, at least once a day, her partner would do something to get her blushing and even stammering. This was the first time since the summoning that he'd pulled her close. The thought of what transpired not a week ago... that kiss...

Her mind overloaded as she pushed herself away from him. "Wh-w-w-what do you think you're doing, p-p-putting your hands on me in such a way!?"

He chuckled. "I'm thinking that you're adorable when you get like this." He put his hands up apologetically. "If it's a bit too much I'll try to tone it down."

She huffed and folded her arms, blush still present on her face. "I'm not used to such... displays. Especially not from a boy."

"Got an old friend then?"

She smiled as she recalled her only real friend. "I had the honor of being the princess's playmate when we were children."

Kamvex whistled, "Wow. Talk about friends in high places." The two began to walk some more before he spoke again. "Think you could get us an audience with the queen then?"

"And what business would you have with her majesty?"

"I require a bigger meal, magic stone be damned."

With that, he got a desired effect as Louise laughed.

After a moment, she began to think to herself. She had heard some of his complaints and overheard him speaking with the maid. That the chef had wanted to feed him behind closed doors, referring to him as 'Our Star' for his defeat of Guiche.

Kamvex however, politely declined the offer. Why she didn't truly know, but after this week she figured she could be lenient. "If you keep things professional, I'll allow you to have those extra meals with the servants." His stunned face was enough of a win for her here as she smiled smugly.

His stunned face was for good reason though. He schooled his face and began following her again. It was true he'd been talking to Siesta, but a lot of that had been during times away from Louise. *I thought she said she couldn't do normal things with me as a familiar...* he thought. *Then again, it doesn't seem like shes seeing through my eyes... Could she..?* he dismissed the thought. He could delve further into things at a later point.

~《45 Minutes Later - Outside the Clothing Store》~

"A bit muted for now, but it should work." The freshly dressed familiar said. He was now dressed in a more servant fashion, if a bit more flashy. His boots had been replaced with a pair of active dress shoes, leading to black slacks. A white dress shirt much in the style of Guiche's was tucked in under a red vest with a hood attached and gold buttons running down the center. On his hands were two white gloves, meant to match and hide his 'horrifically scarred hand' that he'd bandaged up prior. The only things remaining from his old attire were his headband, as it had too many applications for him, and his kapenia secured around his waist. In his hands he carried a few boxes of other clothes he'd asked for and planned to put into his storage unit.

Louise had caught herself a few times just staring at her familiar . He looked good in her world's style of dress. VERY good. She shook her head momentarily. She would NOT turn into Kirche!

... but that didn't mean she couldn't appreciate the view at times.

She caught herself again and cleared her throat to speak. "At least you will be able to blend in more when we are out. Though I have two questions. "

"Shoot." He said moving to an alley.

"Why did you need all these other clothes, on top of your old ones? Not to mention some sort of secret custom outfit."

He smiled as he started to register his new clothes. "Most of my items use several power sources I have, including my clothes and armor," he started. "That being said, the power is not unlimited, so extra clothes is the least I can start with."

He turned and started walking with Louise in step. "The commission is for true dress clothes I jotted down and designed. I figure I'll be at a party at some point, so it'd be nice to have."

The mage nodded. While she didn't quite grasp the concept of clothes taking some form of power, she could understand taking necessary steps to make things easier. Even the forethought to have a suit of some sort made for him was great insight on his part that she was embarrassed to have not thought of.

Noticing her mood dampening for some reason, her familiar decided to keep the conversation going. "So what was the other question? "

Oh! "Right! Why did you add a hood to the back of that vest?" It didn't make much sense to her. "Would a cloak not work just as well?"

He looked at her for a moment before beginning to laugh. "Sorry sorry. It's a trope from a lot of different stories and plays where I'm from. A defining characteristic of the hero is that they've somehow got a hood on clothes that dont really fit it. I honestly couldn't resist!"

Louise's eye started to twitch. "Are you sure your an experienced adventurer and not a kid that got lucky?"

He chuckled and looked toward her, catching something in the corner of his vision. "Why can't I be both. As an example, we are going to turn right at the next cross section, and you are going to take a glance back at where we've come from. Say nothing, and keep walking."

She quirked an eyebrow at him before resigning herself to his game. As they made their turn, she looked to see a familiar head of red hair and a staff too large for the one it belonged to. Her eyes widened as Kamvex pulled her down the street before she could yell.

"What are they doing here? " she hissed.

"Don't know but I think they're following us. "

Louise's eyes snapped back to him, "then we should confront them."

"Nah, let's make sure first."

She looked up to him, a quick peek behind to see they too had come this way. "And then?"

"And then, Miss Louise, we have some fun."

~《Two Hours Later - With Kirche and Tabitha.》~

For hours now, the red and blue haired pair had been following their quarry. Kirche, out of near desperation, had asked Tabitha to keep track of where her 'Darling' had visited with her rival.

So far, by the petite girl's count, they had visited three different shops, a clothing store, a book store, and a potion maker. The second stop was what had caught her eye, as she had no clue as to what they might need there.

It was then that they took a sudden turn down an alleyway that Kirche's attention was drawn away from her daydreams. "Do you think they saw us, Tabitha? "

She paused a moment. "Possible." She said quietly. "Observant familiar. "

"Then we have to catch up to them!" The busty redhead exclaimed as she began to run to the alley. Tabitha however continued to walk. There was no reason to hurry herself. Besides, Kirche needed her help to get back to the academy anyway. Perhaps she could find a quiet shop to sit and re-

"KYAAAA!" Kirche's voice screamed out from the alleyway. This had Tabitha's interest peaked. *What could have..?* she sighed and moved to the near catatonic red head before peering down the corridor.

There in the darkness were their targets, in a tight embrace, and lips locked firmly in place in a loving kiss. Louise was on her tip toes, arms wrapped around the neck of her familiar as he stood over her, hands at her waist but holding her close.

Kirche couldn't take it another moment before running forward. "Darling! You must get away from tha-" as she reached them, she reached to pull Kamvex away when she passed straight through, running right into the wall.

Tabitha walked to her friend, waving her staff through the couple before the image dissipated. "Illusion Magic. Basic, but well placed."

"Ow... I'm glad you're impressed..." Kirche complained as she stood. "I didn't know Louise knew illusion magic. When did that Valliere learn to do that?"

Tabitha looked around before spotting two figures on a roof not too far away. The taller of the two waved before sweeping the other off their feet and jumping away. "Familiar."

~《With Kamvex and Louise》~

Two more rooftops away, Kamvex stopped still laughing at what had transpired. Even Louise couldn't stop after being put down again. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be able to get that Zerbst harlot to embarrass herself like that!"

"Good thing you listened to my idea then right?" Louise had originally been against such a display, even if it was an illusion. Her thought being that if the wrong person saw, then her reputation would further decline. The counterpoint from her familiar was that it would be in a place that only their quarry would see, and by the time anyone else did, Kirche would be on the floor.

"Mmmm... fine, I guess you were right." She admitted. "But don't think too highly of yourself for just that. You're lucky it worked the way you wanted."

The Varasian shook his head light heartedly, "Yes yes Louise, I understand. " He looked over the distance, another destination coming to mind. "Hey Louise, where is there a weapon shop? I think I need to get something a little more with the times, you know?"

Louise looked to him, about to retort but held her tongue. It was true that he had weapons of his own, but like his arm they would stand out. If what he'd said about his clothes was true, then his weapons were a last resort. She looked out on the cityscape before pointing.

"I believe there's one a few streets away. Let's get down and-"

"And miss a quick rooftop run? No way!" He replied quickly.

"What? I can jump across buildings like that!"

Kamvex ignored her and began to scan a path. There was a fairly easy one he was sure Louise could do. Smiling, he turned back to get her to follow him, but saw the look of terror on her face. He had the decency to look bashful, hand coming to scratch the back of his head, "Alright, we won't have you do any running."

Louise sighed in relief before she was picked up in a bridal fashion again. "W-wh-what do you think you're doing!?"

"You have to get used to how I travel in case of emergency, Miss," he replied swiftly. "Here we go!"

*Ehh!?* And with that, they began a swift decent.

Had they been taking the roads, the journey may have been a twenty minute walk. But running and jumping on the rooftops cut that time down to five. The wind whipping in her hair, the fast pace; it was all so exhilarating, so fun, so-

"- DANGEROUS!" The pinkette screamed, hitting her familiar's shoulder repeatedly. She had suprising force in such a small frame. "If you ever think about doing something like that again? I'll... i'll... "

"Alright alright already. I wont do this unless your life is in danger otherwise." He conceded... "Unless it might otherwise be fun."

"Kamvex!"

"Relax Miss. I won't truly endanger you in any way." He smiled, guilt plastered on his face. "I have a terrible habit of getting like this during times that aren't serious. I like to poke and find breaking points in people.."

Louise looked in confusion. What exactly was he trying to say?

He shook his head and turned to the store and began to head in. "Nevermind Miss. I'll just try not to make this a habit." The pinkette tilted her head. This guy was getting more confusing by the second. Wasn't he supposed to be some fearless space captain? Not a hyperactive fool or an insecure boy.

*Well,* she pondered as she began to follow, *its not like I'm a shining example of a mage...* she looked down in distress. Geez, how had things gone from excitment to a low for her this quickly?

Kamvex opened the door for her and noticed the downcast look, filing it away for later. It wasn't a look that suited her, and he didn't like it one bit. She usually had it when she messed up but could quickly mask it with pridefulness or anger. Out of the blue like this though? He'd have to dig into it more.

Despite the bright daylight outside, the shop was a bit dark inside. A gas lamp flickered. The walls and shelves were filled with unorganized weapons. A detailed suit of armor decorated the room. A man in his fifties smoking a pipe eyed Louise suspiciously. That is, until he saw the pentagram on her golden button. He removed his pipe and said, "My lady! My noble lady! All of my wares here are real and reasonably priced! There's nothing criminal here!"

*If that not the sketchiest thing I've ever heard...*

"I'll be your customer." The mage responded.

*TOO NAIVE!*

"Oh… that's rather weird… a noble buying a sword! Quite strange."

Louise tilted her head "Why is that?"

"Well… priests wave sacred staffs, soldiers wave swords, and nobles wave wands. Isn't that the rule?"

"Oh, I'm not the one using it. My familiar is looking for a new blade."

"Ahh… a familiar that can use a sword, huh?" The shopkeeper spoke in a lively voice, and looked at Kamvex. "I believe that would be this gentleman over there?"
Louise nodded.

As the two talked, the familiar in question browsed quietly. He wondered how many times his ancestors had been in a shop like this before, ordering either their first set of weapons and armor, or their finest magic blades.

He had wanted to find a rapier, a sword many of his past namesakes had held. But it seemed too fancy a weapon that this shop didn't keep in stock. *Another time then...* After a while, he turned back to the shopkeeper and Louise to see him trying to sell her a golden sword that was encrusted with jewels.

"How much?" she asked.

"Well… it's made by the famous Germanian alchemist Lord Shupei. It can cut through metal like butter because of the magic infused in it! See this inscription here?" The shopkeeper proudly pointed at the words on the handle. "You can't get this cheaper anywhere else."

"Well… I'm a noble." Louise held her head up high.

At that, the shopkeeper bluntly gave the price, "Two thousand écus, or three thousand new gold coins."

"What?! You can buy a holiday home with a garden with that!" Louise said, shocked. While this world's currency was foriegn to him, either of those prices were like that of Platinum Pieces of the old world.

"A famous sword is worth as much as a castle, my lady. A holiday home is quite cheap compared to this."

*While true, I can tell he's messing with her...* Kamvex picked up a nearby knife and entered a quick stance, the power of his runes flowing through him. He set the knife down and briskly walked forward, taking hold of the Alchemist's Blade.

*Nothing.* The bronzed man looked toward the blacksmith and sneered. "How dare you try to trick my mistress with such a decoration."

"What are you talking about, boy? That blade is-"

"Flimsy and nothing special." He countered. "This thing couldn't cut through butter!" He threw the blade down where it broke in two.

Louise and the shopkeeper looked down in horror, one at the thought of being duped, and the other at the thought of lost coin. The second turn angry though. "You had better have the coin to pay for that missy!"

Louise started to panic before an outstretched arm came before her as Kamvex spoke. "Do you not know whom you speak to, cur? This is Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière, third daughter of the Duke and Duchess de la Vallière. An YOU," he pointed at the man for emphases, "tried to sell what is her personal guard a faulty piece of equipment at best, and a lie at worst."

The shopkeeper flinched at this as Louise stared in awe. Was this the Captain that she'd summoned?

"Who knows how many others you've done this to as well. I should have you brought to the palace personally for endangering not only the nobility, the the loyal soldiers and guards that protect them!"

"Please!" The shopkeeper begged, "I can't be thrown in prison! My wife and children depend on this coin!"

Kamvex truly felt for the man. He was about to come to a compromise with him before his charge spoke up. "Kamvex. Behind me." He looked to see that she had an impassive face on, and that she would deal with the rest of this. He stood and backed off. If nothing else, he could smooth things over better.

The young noble stood over the trembling man, arms crossed and imposing. "So you admit to trying to swindle me?" The man nodded weakly. "And this was to keep your family well kept?"

"Yes, Lady Vallière." He responded. "My wife does all she can to help our children and parents, but it leaves me as the only one that works for pay. We try to give the children the schooling that we did not have, but it took this to do so."

Louise looked toward her familiar who nodded. She turned back to the groveling man and spoke again. "It is good that it was not my Mother or eldest sister that you tried this on, commoner. You may have been killed on the spot." He flinched at that thought. "You will sell us whatever weapon my familiar wishes, for 100 new gold, and never try to sell those as real weapons," she decided, pointing to the broken blade. "Do this, and we shall never speak of this again. Are those terms acceptable? "

"Th-they are... Lady Vallière."

"Very well. Kamvex?" The familiar nodded and went about looking before the three heard a deep voice.

"Wow! Those two really let you have it, didn't they?" The voice rang out before a metallic laugh rang out.

*The hell?* Kamvex though moving to the barrel that the voice came from. "An Intelligent weapon?"

"Wow, seems your eyes aren't just for decoration. Right here buddy." Kamvex scanned the barrel to see the clinking, moving metal on the hilt of a broadsword. With that settled, he pulled out the blade.

"I always wondered what kind of mage could make a sword speak… but it's got a rotten tongue, always arguing with my customers."

"That's because most of your customers are fools that don't know the difference between the hilt and the pommel." The sword replied.

"This is what I'm talking about! Couldn't you be a little less mouthy Derf!"

"Derf huh?" Kamvex questioned. "Sounds a bit short for a legendary weapon."

"HA! I like you kid! The full name is Derflinger." The blade replied.

"Derflinger. Fantastic name! Mine is Kamvex Zamfi."

The sword fell silent, and it seemed to closely observe Kamvex. After a while, it silently spoke. "So you came… are you a user?"

"That's rather ominous. " the captain said. He then lowered his voice so the others couldn't hear. "If you mean a special or specific familiar, yes. But I dont know enough yet, neither does the girl. I'd like to find more before I say anything. "

"I see," the sword accepted. "Well then, regardless, take me with you partner!"

"Huh!?" Louise exclaimed. "You want that thing?"

"Absolutely. " Kamvex confirmed. "There's a reason intelligent weapons are rare. Honestly, I'd have paid what you were asking for the decoration for this guy."

"Haha! Someone knows what I'm worth!"

The mage sighed. With his vast adventuring knowledge by himself and his family's past, she knew better than to question him. "Fine, take my wallet and pay the man." Kamvex smiled and nodded, pulling out the money needed to give.

As the shopkeeper counted the coin by the broken blade, his buyer spoke up. "By the way, this blade? Reforge it and sell it for what it is. Tell nobles that they can have guards wear them as decoration, with a real sword thrown in for true protection." He winked, "trust me, people eat that stuff up."

The shopkeeper looked up and smiled slightly, "I'll keep that in mind." He put the coin away and produced a scabbard. "If Derf gives you any trouble, just shove him in here. That should take care of him."

"Thanks. " Kamvex slid the blade in and slung him over his shoulder before turning to Louise. "Shall we M'lady?"

"Hmph, fine. Let us be on our way." She turned to the shopkeep. "Remember your promise and my generosity this day, understand." Without another word, she turned, flipping her hair as she walked out. Kamvex waved and trailed after her.

The keeper looked towards the two, then the blade on his counter, recalling the young man's words. "Decoration huh?" He took the blade back and started thinking on new ideas.