AN: I'm Back! Kinda. Things got kinda hectic over the last month so please forgive the wait. Also, I have a new cover image I had commissioned with Kamvex and Louise. Check it out! Anyway, on with the show!
Preparations
[Absalom Station - Docks]
Three weeks they had stewed in this. Three weeks of rest, of healing, of weakness. The Thirteenth Gate, the battle with an insane Android and the sacrifice of an AI theybcame to call a friend. It lead directly to the near destruction of the Maiden in their largest battle aboard the ship yet, and then the fight through the Empire of Bones...
It was through luck and sheer force of will that the group had made it through the Ultranaught in one shot, though it wasn't like they had a choice. Every officer aboard that hellship was granted a new death, every monster torn asunder and every machine and trap torn apart. And then there was Admiral Seravox. Gods they tore the crew apart. If not for a lucky final blow from a tandem of Galshir and Karikta, all of them probably would have perished.
The admiral was wicked however, as they shattered the control deck to the ship. In the aftermath, Saleris figured the monstrosity would regenerate within a few days, hoping that that was enough to stall the group. And it might've worked, had any of them not been willing to sacrifice themselves.
For three weeks, the survivors beat themselves up for it. Kamvex was a good talker and negotiator. He knew exactly what to say to get his crew on board with his plan, and eventually to safety. They heard nothing, feared the worst, and had somewhat excepted his loss, even if Mini never stopped looking over the Dimensional Comm Unit.
Now with a renewed sense of hope, the knowledge he was alive. "We will get him back," the half dark elven woman said as the crew stood before their ship. The Vagabond Explorer ship had been repaired and repainted to its pristine white with red and blue accents. It had more than enough space for the whole crew as they made their way inside, each taking up their stations.
"Everyone get to your stations," Faerin, the woman who spoke before ordered. "We need to make sure the Maiden is in top working order for however long we're in the Vast."
"You got it, boss," a light blue skinned man, Kail0 Vas said. He turned to a thin man with long red hair. "Prime, can you help me with the engineering check?" With a nod, the two headed toward the back of the ship.
"I shall check our weapons systems." Karikta growled, moving to his station.
"General ship diagnosis is running," the four armed kasathain, Galshir spoke. "It will take a few hours."
"As long as we get it done right." Milky eyes turned to the other vesk and their ysoki science officer. "Mini, what do you got?"
A few keys and screens lit up in front of the small rodent woman. "Chew!" She said indignantly, "I just got in, you can't rush this, chew!" She punched in a few keys before inserting the DCU into the console. Her hands began to glow as she took a look at the inter workings. "Give Chew a few, I'll have it."
Faerin sighed while Saleris giggled at the exuberant ysoki. "Hey Vers," the redheaded woman began, "let's go re stock on provisions. I don't wanna eat rations for months on end."
"Hnph, you can say that again, smart one." The Vesk woman chortled before to two headed back out of the ship.
Faerin stayed momentarily. The beeping and tapping of the consoles stopped. Each of the original members of this group looked with heads down. They started this together. The bridge wasn't the same without the youthful captain.
"We'll find him Faerin," Karikta said determinedly.
"I know."
"Then we had best get started, shouldn't we?" Galshir piped up. He spun back around, bringing up their adventure log he'd kept, both for interesting things that had happened during their adventure and the facts themselves. Clicking a few more options, the log shut into a hologram of a book, with a new one opening. "A new start."
"Chew will find him! And get this dumb old Kishalee tech working!"
Faerin spared a chuckle and a faint grin before looking up. "I leave the bridge in your hands, lady and gentlemen. I need to inform some higher ups." With that, she turned and headed to her quarters. Some old contacts needed to be given information that the crew now had. The hologram of an insectoid creature, a shirren, came up on her comm unit.
"Chiskisk, we have some good news..."
[Anveiria - Tristan Magic Academy; late night]
Louise sighed as she got ready for bed, taking one last look at her now sleeping familiar. It had taken about an hour for Kamvex to calm down enough for the two of them to begin their trek back to the Academy. She was glad that by some luck or divine favor, no one had noticed their return. Whatever the case was, she didn't care. The experience this night was... intense seemed the right word.
The song he had performed had not only been sung with such passion and heart, it elicited emotion from her as well. Now having the time to digest it, Louise could only compare it to a peasants festival. This... was the boon of a God. To bring back the dead, even for so little a reason. Though they were spirits, they danced and played along with him, he smiled gleefully that first half it seemed before... His family.
Somehow, he'd summoned his family from across the stars, and all his ancestors quieted themselves for the second refrain for them. They sang with relief, sadness and happiness. She could feel their hearts as they sang to him and he to them.
And only now was the toll he'd taken onto himself to remember rearing its ugly head. Louise had done her own research into the Servant Sealing spell, and after searching near fruitlessly, she'd found the theory on the spell. For most creatures, the spell cut off all other ties to their past, pouring all of those connections, no matter how base they were, onto the Master. With something like Kirche's Salamander or Guiche's Mole, they were animals. Magical beasts, but still animals. Their base needs had been met in a symbiotic relationship that the Master/Familiar bond gave them. Even greater magical beasts like Sylphid were young and not fully developed. In the span of two weeks the young dragon had replaced whatever her previous bonds were with, as Kamvex explained it, her Big Sis Tabitha.
Kamvex, though young for a human, had developed far more than average. His gift for gab and storytelling were phenomenal, and not one of his tales of his adventures left her with lingering falsehoods. He had more true connections than many of her colleagues and contemporaries would have in a lifetime, and all in maybe a single year longer than she. He had seen more in one year than most mages in Halkeginia had in their entire cushy lives.
*Perhaps the only one I could think of is Mother,* the girl thought. The original point of this small performance was to show her his talent. It seemed so insignificant to her now. Of course she wanted to win and show Henrietta that her familiar was talented, but first she had to make sure he was taken care of.
Which now brought her to the present, and her sleeping familiar, quietly snoring upon her bed. The pinkette gulped as she looked over everything, depositing her dirty clothes in the basket nearby. It didn't feel right that the suffering man be forced to sleep on the floor like this. So, tired out and unable to fight, she'd insisted that he sleep next to her. Now she just had to fulfill her part.
She was red faced as she climbed into bed. Her breathing heavy, she waved her hand as a small glyph appeared and the lights went off. The girl then tucked herself in for sleep. Ten minutes pass. Twenty. Thirty. And all Louise could do was stare at her admittedly handsome familiar. She didn't know why, but she moved forward, till her head was nestled against his chest. Kamvex's own breathing seemed to level out further at the action. Louise peeked her eyes up to his face before laying a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Goodnight, my Envoy."
It was later in the night when he woke, finding himself more comfy than he'd been... ever. Violet eye blearily blinked open as a low groan reverberated in his chest. Kamvex looked down to see a neat mop of pink hair laying on his chest, contently sleeping the night away. He smiled lightly before looking to his free right hand. He quietly snapped his fingers to change into his sleepwear before turning to his mistress, throwing his arm around her and pulling her closer. Taking a deep breath, pulling in her sweet scent, he allowed her breathing to lull him back to his own slumber.
Just not before he gave her an unconscious kiss to her forehead.
[Early Morning ]
Siesta was worried. She had meant to tell Ms Vallière and Kamvex about a change in her duties to help get ready for the Familiar Exhibition. But neither master nor familiar were in the Vallière room last night for dinner. The maid had waited as long as she could, but the two never returned to the room. She'd left dinner for them and gone back to her duties. Though she could have sworn about an hour later, she and several others heard a faint singing and clapping. It reminded her of home and her childhood.
The last two weeks had been great. Though she had heard some... scandalous rumors about her and Ms Vallière. Had it *just* been Kamvex she'd been this friendly with, perhaps no one would say a thing.
But Siesta had been more than familiar with Louise when she could, at times pressed a bit closer while serving her, talking with a more friendly air between them. Little things, it seemed, began to add up. Perhaps she should talk with Kamvex about it. Surely he's noticed. Then again, it's not like he was getting any less affection from her.
The poor girl was still so confused about her feelings and was unable to truly sort things out yet. Perhaps she should be more aggressive? Maybe with Kamvex to fluster his master, she was always cute at those times. But when would she ever have the chance to do so with Louise herself?
She sighed and knocked on the door, "Ms Vallière, I came to... oh my..." the young woman gasped lightly at the scene of the room before swiftly moving herself in and locking the door. Siesta took in a large breath before turning to face the room. There sat the cold dinner, untouched by the occupants of the room. The bedroll that Kamvex kept to the side was empty, and in the large four poster bed, was said familiar, metallic arm wrapped around his small master who rested her head and hand on his chest.
*Well Siesta, * she thought to herself, *when the opportunity presents itself.* No time like the present she figured. The young girl smiled mischievously as she made her way to the bed. Though as she started to look the two over, she noticed the tear stains on Kamvex's face. *What could have happened?* she thought. She looked over the pair some more, noticing the grip that the man had on his master. It was protective, but somehow... desperate.
She looked them over and with a sigh, shelved her thoughts for now. The two probably had much to do, and at least Louise needed to be awoken for her classes. She leaned down to whisper into the noble girl's ear, "Ms Vallière. It's time to wake up. You need to eat and go to morning classes."
Louise groaned cutely as she was roused, sleepy eye opening to Siesta before closing and nuzzling back to her warm pillow. That was rising with breath. Her eyes flew open now, vision filled with a scarred bronze chest. Her eyes then moved to the slyly smiling maid.
"Tell no one of this..." the pinkette whispered, slowly pushing her way up, trying not to wake her sleeping familiar.
"I wouldn't dream of it, Ms Vallière," came the cheerful reply. She placed a hand on the bed, a long face crossing her as she looked at the male. "May I ask what happened?"
Louise looked over the face of her sleeping familiar. "He... was reminded of what he can't regain." She turned to the maid. "I have a feeling you will be invited to experience his talents at the Exhibition though."
Siesta tilted her head in confusion. "But won't the servants be busy preparing for afterwards."
"Ha. I wouldn't be surprised if he refused to play before a full audience." Louise turned then and dropped her nightgown, opening her armoire for her clothes.
Siesta noticed, how could she not, and blushed fidgeting slightly. "Ms Vallière, please allow me to dress you." She offered.
Louise noticed what she was doing, and began blushing as well. She was starting to get used to dressing herself, seeing as Kamvex challenged her only once, and she didn't dare try again. She gulped lightly, "yes, that would be welcome... Siesta."
Siesta decided that this would be a good chance to be that bit of... aggressive. She first took one of the shirts from the closet, initially just placing it upon the nobles arms, before closing in and pressing herself to the petite girl, buttoning the shirt up. It was a thrill, seeing the red in Ms Vallière's face. As the maid worked further down, she began to press harder to reach further.
Louise was sure that while the red in her face was readily seen, the wide eyes she had were not. She didn't understand what this... lusty maid was doing. Was she trying to make her feel inadequate, pressing herself to her own smaller frame? She didn't want to wake Kamvex, so she held her tongue. But by the Founder she wanted to yell and scream. She didn't like feeling like she wasn't good enough, that-
"You really are enchanting, Ms Vallière." The serving girl said, coming around and clipping on her skirt. Louise hadn't even seen her move, nor had she noticed the pinprick tears she started to have. "I know that Mr Kamvex has said so as well, but perhaps from another girl, you'd listen more." The maid then pulled a chair for Louise to sit in while she retrieved some stockings.
The pinkette sat down, waiting for the maid to resume. As she did, Siesta spoke up again. "I believe," she started hesitantly, "that most nobility is quite gaudy. They dress up and pamper themselves up in such a way that... it's like some are trying so hard. For what reason other than image..?"
Slipping the second stocking on, Siesta considered her words. They were quite bold, but she felt they were what the girl needed to hear. "You however, I've never seen with makeup on. You don't have an overpowering perfume or the like. I'm sure you do for certain occasions, but you don't flaunt such things unnecessarily. You're... natural. Your beauty, your grace. Your pride in your line. If I were asked what nobles were like, I would say most are like Lade Kirche or Lord Guiche."
She then stood, grabbing the black second year cloak, and clasping it around the stunned noble girl. Having finished and bowed deeply. "But if pressed on the best of nobility, without question, I would give your name." Siesta moved to the the door, stopping just before opening. "I would say proudly that Louise Françoise le blanc de la Vallière, is a noble I'd trust beyond all reproach. And that... I'd happily be friends with if given the chance." She opened the door and bowed again, "have a good day, Ms Vallière." And with that, the maid took off after closing the door.
Louise looked at the door as she thought of the things said to her. Then taking another look at her sleeping familiar, she stood and strode to the door, an air of confidence to her. She silently shut the door, and went to proceed with her day.
With the click of the door came the sigh of its occupant. Kamvex finally sighed and opened his eyes. In truth, he'd already been awake for a while, watching the sleeping face of his mistress. Siesta's knock and subsequent time in the room was good for the young girl. Her self esteem had done a near 180 in the month they'd been together, but there was still more to do it seemed.
Violet eyes turned to his bag, and a book still within. From how Colbert had been reacting lately, it seemed he'd finally nicked the right book. There were plenty of legends within, but the one that interested him most was that of the Void Mages and their Familiars. Louise definitely showed the signs of such magic, possibly with the strongest connection to Brimir in her blood if his favored spell was anything to go on. Osmand had said nothing yet, but Kamvex had the suspicion that if this didn't come out before the Exhibition, it never would until it was too late. But with the Book of Legends, as he'd dubbed it, and what he had overheard, Kamvex hoped this was enough for Louise.
He sighed again and got up now. "Baggage for both of us now it seems. Hope Siesta's words really reach her." He looked out to the courtyards as he began his own daily prep. As he did so, his mind wandered back to the book and the symbols on his arm. They looked and felt familiar to him, but for what reason he didn't know. He shook his curling hair and got back to getting ready.
An hour later, refreshed, dressed and full, it was time to get to work. He still had three days. He had two ideas for songs, but that wouldn't cut it. A true performance required three. For now though, he fiddled with the Null Chamber and pulled out a large box. *No time like the present.* The captain thought. He flipped open the lid, withdrew a pair of headphones, and started to think. He guessed he would work backwards then.
It had been hours now, classes were all over now, and Louise once again could not find her familiar. She didn't think he'd still be in her room, but it was the only place she hadn't checked. As she neared however, it seemed there was a small gathering of the girls on her floor. That and a small amount of noise, though muffled by more than the door it seemed.
"What is he doing in there...?" She wondered aloud. She walked her way forward to shooing away the harpies, telling them she would deal with the noise. Once the hall was sufficiently empty, she waited for a small lull in the noise to make her way in, to catch him in the middle of a song, though that's not what drew her immediate attention.
That went to the ABSOLUTE MESS the man had made out of her room! Mattress pulled from the bed and stuffed against the window, her heavy sheets lined up all around, and his silhouette showing on the thinnest part of the sheets.
"JUST WHAT IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT'S HOLY ARE YOU DOING IN HERE!?"
"GAH!" he jumped in suprise. He then hit something, stopping whatever sound he was listening to and poked his head out. "Oh, Louise. Done with classes then?"
"Don't 'Louise' me! What is going on here? Why is my room in such a state and WHY is my bed of ALL THINGS plastered against the wall!?"
The untamed hair jostled about as Kamvex looked at the state of the room. "Ah, right. Well I've been making my music and I needed some... sound cancelation to record the extra instruments."
Louise blinked in suprise. "Extra instruments? Recording? Why don't you play that beautiful song from yesterday? Or something like it if you cant?"
He shook his head, disappearing back into the mass of blankets and sheets. "That song won't work the same way for a year. For anyone in my family. Five for me since I played it." He replied simply. "That and I dont know any more songs like it. I know my music."
"And that is?" She questioned before a set of what looked like earmuffs was thrust out. She took them hesitantly. "Put these on?"
"Yep," came the reply from inside. "Its missing the main guitar and vocals, but the rest is currently in the right places." Louise looked at the assortment of sheets before placing the headphones on her head.
"They're on." And then, so was the rock. The sounds were hard and harsh, and like nothing she'd heard before. The rhythm was smooth despite the cruching percussion. And when she heard the few harmony vocals she took the headphones away and stared in awe. "What is this?" She asked.
"In general? My music." Kamvex answered. "What that is, is Rock and Roll. And this..." he pulled back the sheets to show himself still in his sleepwear, a few instruments strewn around, and a large box with a machine with a multitude of different buttons and bars. "This is how I mix it together. And with a few things still in here," he patted the box, "I can project that, and more, to my audience."
Louise looked to the machine and the other instruments laying scattered about. There were a few other guitar looking instruments and what looked like a set of round boxes with a few domed sheets of brass. "How does this all work?"
The musician smiled, sitting down on a small stool behind the boxes. "This is a drum kit, the loudest thing here." He took two sticks and used one to beat one of the hollow drums, a single beat of the percussion she'd heard before. He then pressed a small red button on the console. "Obviously I can't play everything at the same time, so I capture the sound here and can play it back." He proceeded to play a quick but simple beat, each thud causing her heart to pound harder to match. He then hit the same button as before, motioning her to put the headphones back on. "Press the sideways triangle. "
Upon doing so, the same beat came through near instantly. He then started to take things down, still leaving a large mess to the side, but pulling the mattress onto the bed again. "Now, played again, in a big empty room that has a slight echo." Once again he played the same tune, and by itself it sounded fine, if no longer muffled by the sheets. But listening to it this time, Louise found it a bit... off. The sound wasn't quite a crisp as before.
"See the sound bounces a little more like this. Which is fine when you're going live, but never for recording." He explained. He then pointed to her sheets. "Aaand that's why I had to take apart your bed. Made for decent sound cover."
Louise eyed the sheets before her look darted back to him. He at least had the decency to look sheepish and start promising to put things back together. "So is that it then? You were freaking out yesterday when I told you."
"Oh no," he replied. "I still have to make sure this all fits together correctly, i have to make sure to practice the main guitar to fit, and my lyrics..." He stretched out at that. "Aaaaand I need to write one more song. But I'd like it to be classical in sound. This place has a piano right?"
Louise thought for a moment before nodding. "Yes. But you say you want to perform three songs? Why is that?"
Kamvex hummed in thought as he began to remake the bed. "I guess due to time? One is just too short and two feels like it maybe enough... but I'd like to do a third in a classical style, maybe start with that." He sighed then, "but I'm drawing a huge blank on what it should be."
Louise sat in her chair in thought as well, watching her familiar haphazardly put her bed back together. Thinking of the piano gave her an idea. "What about the princess? I know that Henrietta loves the piano. Her mother hired a professional for years to personally play for us when we were small."
Kamvex nodded at that. "It's a good idea. But I need some information on the girl. So, care to share while I get this..." he gestured to the bed and mess of instruments, "manageable?"
Louise giggled. He was glad she was showing that more. She closed her eyes and smiled fondly before simply responding, "Yes."
AN the Second: So, I don't know when I'll be getting back onto full schedule again. I have MOST of the next chapter ready, then we'll get to Henrietta and the Exhibition. As I said up top, things became a bit hectic with a new job and now I'm helping take care of my ailing grandfather, so we'll see what happens when my passion to write comes back in full force. In the mean time, I'm also cross posting this on AO3 so maybe Ill experiment with that there as well. See you all next time!