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The Stray Girl and the Incompetent Mage
Chapter 10: La Rochelle
...
The exhaustion from the day is palpable. Riding a whole day without pause is completely inhuman, at least from Sachiko's point of view. She isn't used to long rides. She never left Japan even once. Heck, the farthest place she has traveled to was to Kyoto with her family when she was thirteen, and that was just a few hours on plane.
She's more than happy when Wardes tells them they will rest for the night at the city and part tomorrow to Albion. She needs a good night's rest. The city itself is not very big. It has a population of only three-hundred, but it's always crowded with travelers, merchants and mercenaries who travel from one country to another. The buildings and houses are all carved in the rock of the mountains, and because of its high walls, sun is scarce even in the day, making the night darker.
They decide to stay at La Rochelle's fanciest hotel: 'The Goddess' Temple'. It's at a higher level than the rest of the buildings in the city, so they have a panoramic view of La Rochelle when they ascend. After they check in, Wardes and Louis go out to the pier to reserve a ship for tomorrow. The rest wait for them in the lobby.
"This place is amazing…" Sachiko says while looking around. The floors and tables are made of the finest marble, there's a chandelier above their heads shining with gold decorations, and even the staff is perfectly dress with uniforms.
At her side, Guiche puffs out his chest proudly. "It's only expected of a hotel for nobles."
"This is too much, if you ask my opinion. And why do you look so proud? It's not like the hotel belongs to you…"
"Do you think they'll take long? I could really use a bed now" Kirche stretches her arms above her head, letting out a big yawn.
"I don't think so; the pier is just down the street."
"Where's the pier?" Sachiko decides to ask now that it was brought up. Guiche and Kirche look at her with frowns. "Because this is a mountain, is the ocean to the other side?"
"Wait… you don't know where Albion is?" Guiche asks with surprise. Sachiko shakes her head, making him laugh; "this is too much! Even for a commoner, not to know such a thing!"
"I don't have common knowledge of this world and please don't assume I do."
"I've never been to Albion myself, so I'm really curious to see the pier too" Kirche says, folding her arms. "In any case, I can't believe that Viscount is friends with Louis. He may be handsome but when looking carefully his eyes are so cold, like he's empty inside, while Louis is so full of life… Someone like him will never understand passion."
"You're just saying that out of spite" Guiche comments with a grin.
"As if."
They keep talking a little more. Sachiko looks at the blue-haired girl silently standing to the side, holding a book to her face. She hasn't spoken a word since they arrived. Now that she thinks about it, Sachiko can't remember even hearing the sound of her voice since she was summoned. She casually approaches her.
"So, is that dragon your familiar?" she asked Louis when they were still on horseback. The girl nods, but otherwise doesn't lift her eyes or acknowledges her presence. "That's pretty impressive. It must be really cool having a dragon as a familiar. You can travel to distant places comfortably and look at everything from the sky. Would it be too much asking if I can ride your dragon someday?"
She nods again, but Sachiko can't discern if she means it would be too much asking or that she can ride it. She's opening her mouth to ask for a clarification when Guiche interrupts.
"I have a familiar too! Do you want to see it?"
"I wasn't talking to you, and no, I don't want to see your familiar. Moreover, do you actually have one?"
"Of course I have one. Everyone in their second year has one" he says, apparently feeling insulted. Sachiko shrugs.
"I have no interest."
"You will just love it, Verdandi!" he calls, once again ignoring Sachiko. She growls, but is taken aback when a brown thing suddenly appears from a corner of the lobby. Where was this thing hiding? "This is Verdandi, my familiar. Isn't he adorable?"
"What the heck is that thing?" Sachiko asks, leaning closer. Guiche huffs.
"It's not a thing, it's Verdandi! Are you alright, my cute Verdandi? Following us all the way from the academy underground didn't tire you, right?"
The brown creature shakes its head. Guiche hugs it and rubs his cheek against it, calling it cute and all sort of other stuff Sachiko can barely believe. She squints her eyes at the thing, and after a few moments of observing it, can finally put a name to the creature.
"Is that a giant mole?" she asks, astounded. Kirche sighs.
"Even after we said you couldn't bring it with us. We're going to Albion, how do you expect your familiar to follow us there?"
"Hey, you have a dragon, so telling me that when you can easily carry him with us is just selfish of you. Besides, we didn't know we were going to Albion first. We only followed your sweetheart."
Guiche has a smart grin. Kirche narrows her eyes, looking at him with a dangerous expression. So Guiche also knows Kirche likes Louis… Sachiko thinks with bemusement. She kneels down and looks at the mole more closely. It has a big nose and shiny eyes. Those eyes turn to look at her when she extends a hand to caress its head.
"I guess it's kinda nice, in an ugly-cute sort of way…"
"Verdandi is the cutest familiar in the world!"
If only Louis thought of me like that… Sachiko frowns. Wherever that thought came from? Just in that moment, Verdandi's nose catches a smell. He starts to sniff Sachiko, getting closer and closer while the girl just tries to get away.
"H-hey, Guiche, what is your familiar doing?"
"Well… do you have some jewel on you?" he asks, putting a hand under his chin. Sachiko raises her right hand, where the ring is placed. "I see. Verdandi loves jewels; he always looks for them for me, since I'm an earth mage" the mole decides to go even closer to Sachiko, and climbs on top of her, making her fall. She yelps.
"Ah! Guiche, your mole is trying to attack me! Eh… no! Stop it, don't touch me!" she tries to get away, since the mole is now sniffling her all over, but the more she fights, the more Verdandi seems determined to find the object of its search. With its nose, the parka is lifted, showing the white skin of her belly, and only going higher; "Guiche! Do something!"
"Ah, yes, right away…" he's blushing at the sight. Rolling her eyes, Kirche hits him on the head while Tabitha uses her staff to blow Verdandi away, its body clashing with a column on the other side of the lobby. "Ouch, what do you think you're doing? My Verdandi!" he strokes his head and runs to his familiar.
Kirche passes a hand to Sachiko. "Are you alright?"
"Yes" she accepts Kirche's help and stands up; "thanks."
"Verdandi!" Guiche cries out. The three girls ignore him.
"By the way, where's Flame? Didn't he come with you?" Sachiko asks, noticing the salamander is nowhere in sight. Kirche shakes her head.
"I left him in the academy, for safety reasons."
"Safety reasons?"
"Yes, right now he's…" she closes her eyes for a second, concentrating, before opening them again; "taking a nap. I think in half an hour he'll start looking for food."
"Wait, you know what Flame is doing right now?" Sachiko asks with surprise.
"Of course, he's my familiar after all. I just have to use our bond to sense where he is and what he's doing."
"So, do you think I can do something similar with Louis?" that would be an awesome power. Kirche ponders a little, a finger on her lips.
"I don't know. I mean; the bond between master and familiar varies depending on the individual. Tabitha for example can't sense what Sylphid does" Sylphid is the name of Tabitha's dragon. Sachiko looks at her, but the girl keeps reading, not looking at them. "Besides, I have no idea if you, as a familiar, can sense what your master is doing."
"It's worth a shot though" she closes her eyes and concentrates. Louis, Louis, Louis… she thinks; taking out her tongue at the effort.
"What's going on here?"
"I can hear his voice!" Sachiko says happily, before turning to the entrance. "Ah no, he's here…"
"What is that creature there? And why is Guiche crying over it? And you, just what are you doing?" Louis has returned, Wardes close behind him. Sachiko lets out an embarrassed laugh.
"Ah, well, you see… that's Guiche's familiar and…"
"Let's talk about this later" Wardes interrupts, going to sit at a table. The group quickly follows his lead. Guiche is cradling Verdandi tenderly, tears in his eyes. "The ship for Albion leaves the day after tomorrow, so we'll have to stay two nights here" he explains.
"Even though this mission is very urgent…" Louis points out.
"Why are there no ships tomorrow?" Kirche asks curiously.
"The moons will overlap tomorrow, so Albion will be closest to the continent then."
What do the moons have to do with this? She knows Earth's moon has an effect on the tide, but what does that have to do with the distance of an island to the continent?
"Anyway, I'll give you the keys" he takes them out of his pocket and places them on the table. "Kirche and Tabitha one room, Guiche and Sachiko another…"
"Huh?!" three voices say simultaneously. Those are Louis, Guiche and Sachiko. Sachiko stands up.
"I refuse to share a room with this guy and his mole!"
"Hey! What did Verdandi ever do to you?"
"Are you serious?!"
"Wardes, Sachiko is my familiar so…"
The viscount stops their complaints by raising a hand. "I'm aware of that, but I arranged it this way because I need to talk with Louis about something important. Besides" he smiles at Guiche and Sachiko "you two seem to get along pretty well. I don't think it should be a problem, right?" more than a question, it sounds like an order for them. Sachiko puffs her cheeks but says nothing. Guiche just blushes and lowers his head submissively. Louis is not as compliant.
"If that's the case, then Sachiko can sleep with Kirche and Tabitha."
"Every room has two beds. Wouldn't she be more comfortable with one of her own instead of sharing with the girls?"
"But…!"
"It's alright Louis" Sachiko says; "it's just the place where I sleep."
"Yeah, it's not like I would do something to her" Guiche adds with a roll of his eyes. Louis looks at him with distrust, but in the end, there's nothing he can do about it. His shoulders sagging, he gives up with a sigh.
"I want the bed near the window!" Guiche says as soon as they enter the room, jumping on the king sized bed placed next to the balcony. Sachiko shakes her head at his childish behavior and lets her body fall on top of her bed. With a happy hum, she hugs the pillow to her chest, remembering this is the first time since she was summoned she has a bed of her own.
"I'm going to sleep so well tonight…"
"Hey, don't fall asleep, I'll get bored" she feels a weight on the mattress and opens her eyes with a start. Guiche is kneeling on the bed, almost on top of her; "oh good, now before you sleep…"
"Get off!" she pushes him, and once he's on the floor, proceeds to hit him with the pillow. "Don't get near me! I only accepted being in the same room with you because the Viscount requested it!"
"Argh, what's wrong with you?! Stop hitting me!"
"That should be my question!" she puts the pillow aside and sits on the bed, crossing her arms. Guiche is mumbling angrily while still on the floor. "What do you want from me? Why did you have to follow me all the way here?"
"I didn't have to, I just wanted to…"
"Exactly! So my question remains: why?!"
"…" he bites his lips, looks down, scratches the back of his neck; "I'm just… I don't know, I feel draw to you, for some reason…"
"Get off my sight."
"But not in the way you think!" he hastily clarifies. "Really, you're far from my type, so you don't have to worry about that."
"Then what do you mean?" she involuntarily relaxes at his answer, her arms resting at her sides now and a small frown between her brows. Guiche shrugs.
"Wasn't I clear that day after the duel? You impressed me. I never thought a commoner could defeat me in a duel, but more than that… is your determination. And…" he blushes, turning his face to the side; "I've also been thinking… I guess I do owe you an apology, for almost killing you…"
"That should have been the first thing to do, actually."
"Not really" Sachiko frowns, but Guiche continues before she can say anything; "so that's how it is. What I did weights in my conscience and I don't think I'll be able to sleep peacefully again if I don't take it out of my chest."
"So the roses and stalking…"
"I've never stalked you!"
"Sending me roses every single day can be considered a form of stalking."
"…I'm sorry."
He hangs his head, looking truly regretful. Sachiko stares at him for a long moment. Really, if he wanted her to forgive him, he should have said so from the beginning. She sighs, kneeling next to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. He looks at her with surprise.
"I… kinda looked for a fight myself" it's difficult to say this, but she forces herself. She needs to clear things out once and for all. "I understand you couldn't back off once it began so… maybe one day we can become friends."
She gives him a small smile, hoping to be soothing. Guiche looks at her without blinking, making her feel uncomfortable, and she has to turn her eyes away, feeling a small blush spreading on her face. Then, out of nowhere, he grabs her chin with his fingers and leans in for a kiss. Without thinking, Sachiko takes the pillow from the bed and starts hitting him again.
"You bastard! Didn't you say I wasn't your type?!"
"Ouch, hey, stop! It's not my fault! You can't expect a man not to do anything when you make that kind of expression!"
"Oh, so now it's my fault!"
Their little fight is stopped when they hear someone knocking on the door. They look at each other, before Sachiko stands up and goes to open it. At the other side, a smirking Kirche along with a still in pajamas Tabitha stand.
"What, no one dead still? From outside it sounded like Sachiko was crushing Guiche's head against the wall" she jokes before stepping in, Tabitha following her. Sachiko takes a step back to let them enter, and closes the door.
"Let's not talk about that. Anyway, why are you here?" she asks with curiosity. Tabitha sits on her bed, her eyes focused on her book, while Kirche positions herself in the middle of the room, her arms folded. She smiles mischievously.
"Don't you want to know what the 'important thing' the Viscount wants to talk with Louis is? Because I surely do" she says, looking at each of them. Guiche frowns, dusting himself off as he stands up.
"Whatever it is, it's none of our business. You shouldn't think about it" he answers, but Kirche simply shrugs it off.
"Come on! I'm curious! You can't tell me there's not a single part of you that doesn't want to know what's going on!" she exclaims. Guiche shakes his head.
"Maybe, but even so…"
"I think I have an idea of what it is" Sachiko interrupts in a pensive tone, and everyone turn to look at her; "though I'll like to confirm it." Kirche smirks.
"I knew you would agree with me. You'll have to tell me what your idea is…"
"Wait; don't tell me you're going to eavesdrop!" Guiche exclaims, letting his eyes open in shock.
"Not eavesdropping, just… information recollection, you can call it that."
"You three are really terrible" he says with a sigh. Kirche lifts an eyebrow.
"Us three? Guiche, I know as good as you that you're also dying to know what those two are talking about, so just stop pretending and come with us. If you don't, we're not telling you later, no matter how much you beg" she declares. The two look at each other in defiance, Guiche with a frown and Kirche smirking, before he starts to tremble and finally crumbles to the floor.
"Alright, I want to know, let's just go already!" he says. Kirche laughs and Sachiko rolls her eyes.
"Good. Let's get going then."
"I notice you very anxious" Wardes says as he pours wine in two glasses. Louis shrugs, dismissing his words even though he has been fidgeting for the last fifteen minutes, his eyes sliding to the door every few seconds.
"I don't know what you're talking about" he says quickly. Wardes raises an eyebrow.
"If you say so" he hands him one of the glasses, which Louis accepts with a small nod of thanks. "Is it because your familiar is sleeping with Mr. Gramont?"
Louis was about to sip some of the wine, but luckily stops with the glass a few centimeters from his mouth; otherwise he would have spit it in surprise. "What are you talking about? I don't care about them at all."
"Sure, that's the reason you were so opposed to them sharing a room."
"Sachiko is my familiar, it's only natural she stays close to me."
"If she had slept with Kirche and Tabitha she wouldn't have been close to you either."
"I don't trust Guiche" he finally admits, putting down the glass on the table. He's sitting on a small couch, Wardes across from him in another. Their bedroom is a little more high-class than the ones from the others. "I don't want him near her."
"And it has nothing to do with the fact he's a guy?"
"What are you implying?" he senses what it is, and the thought makes him frown… and blush a little. Wardes shrugs.
"Sachiko is really pretty. I've never seen a girl with her features, but that's what makes her charming."
"Oh…" he narrows his eyes, clenching his hands until his knuckles turn white; "is that so…"
"Are you jealous?" his tone is full of amusement. Louis snorts, ignoring the heat that's accumulating on his face.
"Of what exactly? She's just a familiar, there's nothing special about her."
"I beg to disagree. She looks like quite an interesting person."
Louis stands up, glaring at him. "I get it now. You got close to her on purpose. And I thought she was the one getting ahead of herself."
"You can't blame me. You know I love seeing your reactions, and you looked pretty bothered when I pulled her to the griffin with me" he grins, making Louis roll his eyes.
"I should have seen it coming. You've been like this since I can remember."
"And you've been like this since I've met you. I'm glad you haven't changed much in the six years we didn't see each other."
"There wasn't much to change, really."
"Oh, but one thing is different for sure" Louis frowns, but by Wardes' grin, he knows what he's going to say before the words leave his mouth. "You weren't so interested in girls the last time I saw you."
"I knew you were going to say that, I just knew it…"
"What do you think they're doing now? And answer honestly. Do you really think they would… engage in such activities at a moment like this?"
"If they do I'll kill them!" he says in a loud growl, unconsciously starting to pace around the big room. "Especially Guiche! He's been bothering her all this time behind my back! Who does he think he is to send roses to my familiar? What right does he think he has to follow us all the way here simply because she's with us?!"
"You haven't answered yet."
"I don't know!" he stops pacing, throwing his arms up in the air impatiently. "And I sincerely don't want to think about it! I just know I want him as far away from Sachiko as possible! She's mine! He can't have her!"
Wardes laughs, making Louis feel embarrassed at his own words. He didn't mean anything strange with them. It's just how things are. Sachiko is his familiar, so it's natural that she belongs to him. But for some reason, the thought of her depending on anyone else but him was really annoying, to the point he felt like hitting someone. It wasn't like that before, but lately, he's been imagining scenarios where he punches anyone who comes close to her and keeps her to himself. Especially that black-haired servant she always hangs out with. And now Guiche.
"It's strange though" Wardes interrupts his thoughts. He looks at him; "I always thought it was the princess who held your heart."
Louis scowls at this. "Henrietta is just a friend, and Sachiko doesn't 'hold my heart'" but some part of him scoffs at the last bit. He immediately shushes that part with irritation.
"I heard you were intended to marry the princess in the past."
"My father's idea" he sits down again and takes the glass, finally taking a few sips from it, glad at the change of topic. "Since we are childhood friends, he saw it as a good opportunity. Of course, the court and the king weren't too inclined to the idea considering my lack of magic. Regardless of my title they couldn't allow the princess to marry someone like me and having me becoming king. By the way, this is a good wine."
"The finest from Albion, I've been told, and what you say is ridiculous."
"Please" he finishes the glass in one gulp and reaches for the bottle to pour himself another one; "my family may still be blinded by useless hope, but you and I know better. What good is training night and day with a sword, getting better in combat or studying if it won't change the fact I'm not suitable to be a noble, more so a duke or, gods forbid, the king?" he has to roll his eyes at the last word. "In the end, it's nothing more but overcompensating, and with the way I am, that's just as good as giving a dress to a monkey and call it a lady."
"You're too hard on yourself" Louis shakes his head.
"I am a failure. I already accepted that."
"I don't think like that" Wardes says, earning a look of disbelief from Louis. "You are not a failure. Personally, I think you have a great magical power within you, you just need to practice it…"
"As if I haven't been doing that my whole life! You know how it always ends: with an explosion."
"That's exactly what I'm referring to: the explosions" Louis frowns, so Wardes quickly explains. "No one else besides you can do that. That's not some kind of magic from the four branches, I can assure you, what drives me to believe that perhaps, you have a special ability, something no one else possesses."
His words make him tense involuntarily. He thinks about the void, before shaking his head. "You're imagining things."
"Let's talk about your familiar again. This afternoon, I had a very interesting conversation with her. I noticed the runes in her hand, and after asking her, she told me she is Gandálfr."
"…" he puts down the glass again, because if he doesn't he might spill the contents with how much he's shaking. She told someone. Even if it's Wardes, she told someone without consulting him first. How can she be so careless? "They could just be very similar. It doesn't mean what you think they mean."
"Well, I must admit she wasn't sure herself if she was Gandálfr, but the confirmation came later, when we were ambushed. She grabbed that sword of hers and the runes glowed. I don't need any other proof than that to confirm my suspicions: Louis, you have the void."
He wasn't asking. He was stating it with an awful lot of confidence. And Louis could think of nothing to deny it. "I don't think… I really don't believe… I mean, I have always been considered a failure. I'm just a zero, everyone says so…"
"Everybody's an idiot! They don't know what they're talking about!" Wardes yells as he stands up, shocking Louis at the intensity of his words. "I just have this feeling… that you'll become a mage who will leave your name in history, just like Founder Brimir!" he speaks with fervor. Louis can only look at him with his mouth open.
"Wardes…?" the young man asks, taken aback by his imposing attitude. Wardes blinks then, like he had just woken up from a dream, and eyes Louis apologetically.
"I'm sorry. What I'm trying to say is that, right now, you shouldn't worry about your magic" he walks up to the sofa Louis is sitting on and sits on the other end, close enough but keeping his distance. "We'll have time to explore it later. Right now, it's time I tell you what I wanted to say from the beginning."
"…And what would that be?" Louis is a little wary now. He chastises himself in his mind. This is Wardes, there's no reason to feel suspicious of him. Even if he's acting a little weird.
"What are your plans for the future?" the question is so off topic Louis feels disconcerted for a moment. He swirls the wine in the glass, thinking.
"Succeed my father."
"Is that what you truly want?"
"It is my duty."
"But do you want to?"
"…I don't know. It's what my parents expect of me, but sincerely, Eleonore would do a much better job as duchess than I ever could. However, there's nothing else for me."
"I don't think so" Louis looks at him with a frown. "You have great abilities Louis. Someone like you would be wasted as merely a duke. You should aim higher."
"How much higher? I have no interest in becoming king or being powerful. You know it would be a lost cause even if I did want it."
"No, that's not it. Don't you want to do great things? Change the course of the world… with your power you could do it."
"You mean… getting into the griffin corps?" he's getting more and more confused the more Wardes speaks. Is he inciting him to renounce to his name and title to become a member of the Imperial Guards? "With or without the void, there's no way someone without magic like me would ever be accepted…"
"Not the griffin corps. After this mission is over, I plan to leave Tristain."
"What?!" the news greatly surprise Louis. Why would Wardes do that? Why waste years of effort, just to leave everything he worked so hard for behind? Wardes sighs. His eyes suddenly become sad, looking at him with something akin to longing. Without thinking, he grabs one of Louis' hands.
"When this mission is over, I want you to come with me."
"Where?"
"To make things right again."
"What did they say? I can't hear a thing!" Kirche complains while moving around, as if a better view would proportionate the words she can't hear. Sachiko frowns.
"Kirche, please, if you keep moving we're going to fall" she warns. Guiche sighs.
"I knew this wasn't a good idea…"
"Oh, shut up!" the two females shush him, glaring at him. Guiche puffs his cheeks and folds his arms, looking away. Kirche growls.
"Did they use some kind of silence spell? Great! This is totally useless!"
"If only I could read their lips…" Sachiko murmurs. She looks down at Tabitha, who is calmly reading a book on the ground, leaning against a tree. They themselves are doing their best to maintain their balance while on the windowsill. She sighs dramatically. "Maybe it would be better if we just leave it…"
"Aren't they a little too close?" Guiche asks out of nowhere. Sachiko immediately looks up, and has to contain a squeal of delight. The two nobles eye her with confusion.
"What's wrong?" Kirche asks, looking between her and the pair inside the room. She lifts an eyebrow once the pieces start to connect, and gives her a mischievous grin. "Oh, I didn't know our little Sachiko was into this kind of thing."
"What kind of thing? What's happening?" inquires Guiche, but they ignore him. Sachiko blushes.
"N-no, I mean, it's just…"
"Sitting together, Louis looking sheepishly at the floor, and the Viscount holding his hands… I think I know perfectly what's going on" she folds her arms, a smug look on her face. Guiche frowns.
"Excuse me, but I want to-"
"O-okay, you're right, happy now?! But I can't help it! I mean, don't you think it would be just…" she stops; and this time gives out a little squeal after seeing Wardes putting away a lock of hair from Louis' forehead. Louis blushes, and looks at the side but doesn't try to get away from him. Guiche gasps in realization.
"So you're-!" he screams. Kirche rapidly jumps between him and Sachiko and puts a hand on his mouth.
"Stay quiet! You want them to know we're here?!" she whispers heatedly.
"Hey! Kirche, I can't see, move!"
"Do you want to be discovered as well?"
"No, but there's not a lot of space here, you know? So please, move already."
"Alright, alright, but first, promise you won't scream, got it Guiche?" she requests sternly. Guiche nods, starting to become blue for lack of oxygen, and Kirche finally releases him. He takes big mouthfuls of air and glares at her.
"What is your problem? Actually, what is wrong with the two of you?" he asks, looking from Kirche to Sachiko. The Japanese girl blushes, but nonetheless speaks firmly.
"Just let me enjoy the show for a little bit, ok?"
"Show? You actually like seeing two guys together?!"
"Yes, it's really alluring" she says matter-of-factly, before going back to look at the pair. Guiche looks dumbstruck, while Kirche chuckles slightly.
"Mmm, you may be right. Seeing it this way, it is kind of alluring, in an odd way…"
"I knew you'd understand."
"You two are crazy…" Guiche shakes his head, earning an annoyed glare from Sachiko.
"I'm of the opinion there's nothing sexier than two hot guys all over each other, and I won't let you tell me otherwise."
"I've never imagined Louis like this. Maybe it makes a little sense. He always rejects all the girls trying something with him. I still would like to know what they're talking about though, if it gets them like this."
"That doesn't matter anymore. If you concentrate enough, can't you hear their declaration of love?" Sachiko swoons, and while Guiche looks more and more disgusted, Kirche can't help but be amused at the situation. She puts a hand under her chin.
"Mmm, yes; Louis would totally work as bottom, too."
"Exactly! Though it's kind of difficult. I mean, with his appearance, you'll kind of expect him to be bottom always, but seeing his character, it would be a little troublesome if the other party wasn't strong enough."
"Of course, Viscount Wardes can keep up with Louis' personality. He's the absolute top in that relationship. Besides, isn't there something enticing about a strong-willed person being so submissive to other with a stronger air?"
"Yes, knowing that he will not bow down to anyone, except that special person. That only he can make him feel so vulnerable and loved enough to–"
"Ok, that's it! Enough!" Guiche interrupts, his voice low, while looking at the two girls as if they're completely out of their minds. "I really can't believe you're discussing… that, and about two men, of all things!" he says with indignation. Kirche scoffs.
"Please, stop acting offended just because you know you'll be bottom with Louis" she counters in a devious tone. Guiche blushes scarlet and Sachiko has to cover up her mouth to muffle the laugh it inevitably escaped her.
"Don't make things up, you vile woman!" he says in a splendidly high-pitched voice, which just elicits more laughs from the two females at his side. He growls. "And besides, why would I even be bottom with Louis, I'm taller than him!" he complains, much to the girls amusement.
"Come on! There's no way Louis would ever let you top him! Of course you'll be bottom" Sachiko says, crossing her arms. Kirche nods in agreement.
"And with Viscount Wardes? He's top with Louis, isn't he?"
"You really think you'll be able to be top with the Viscount when you can't with Louis?" Sachiko asks derisively, an eyebrow rose.
"But I don't want to be bottom! I refuse being bottom!" he says, closing his eyes and yelling to the skies. In that same moment, the window opens. The three rapidly turn to see a very angry Louis watching them with twitching eyebrows.
"What are you doing here?" he asks in a low, threatening voice. Though the question is directed to all of them, he's looking solely at Sachiko. She gulps, and as she can, tries to hide behind Kirche. She doesn't feel safer though.
"Oh, nothing, we were only discussing what your role would be in a guy-guy relationship. Sachiko was just now saying that you looked like an ideal bottom when paired up with the Viscount" Kirche says, pointing nonchalantly to the girl hiding behind her. Sachiko freezes immediately after hearing that, her brain automatically disconnecting from her body, leaving her completely blank.
"W-w-w-w-ha-hat?! Bo-bottom?!" Louis is completely red. His entire body is shaking with fury. The redhead just laughs, making a gesture as if to downplay the situation.
"If it makes you feel better, Sachiko said you'll totally top Guiche. Though he doesn't look too happy about it" she adds the cherry to the sundae. Before Sachiko can even think of an excuse, she finds herself falling to the ground, from the second floor, and lands in a not very delicate way on her back. She opens her eyes and looks at Louis, who has one leg raised, obviously having just kicked her from the windowsill. She groans.
"What is wrong with you?! I could have broken my neck and die!" she screams, trying her best to lift herself. Tabitha leaves her book and helps her; and Kirche and Guiche rapidly go down as well. Louis laughs bitterly.
"I wish, that way you would stop being such a nuisance once and for all, you stupid perverted dog!" he shouts, and then shuts the window with enough force to leave it shaking on its hinges. Sachiko stares, dumbfounded, just before anger takes her over completely.
"I can't believe it! Did you just wish I die?! Well, you know what? Fuck you!" she shouts as well, letting Kirche and Guiche take her weight and guiding her to her room. Guiche clicks his tongue disapprovingly.
"Such a rotten tongue, but I have to admit, that was really dangerous. And all thanks to you, Kirche" he looks accusingly at the redhead next to him. Kirche averts his gaze, feeling sheepish, and mumbles under her breath:
"W-well, sorry, I was just trying to have fun. I didn't think…"
"It doesn't matter" Sachiko interrupts, sighing. She separates from them and stands on her own, moving her legs and arms to verify everything is in order. She nods after a while, and starts to walk on her own, the other three following her. "I'll make sure to settle accounts with him later."
"You look… pretty calm after what he did to you" Kirche says with surprise. Sachiko shrugs.
"I'm starting to know him better, that's all."
"You're Louis' familiar, but even like that he has to comprehend you're still a woman, and he can't just go beating you as he pleases. Right, Tabitha?" Kirche turns to her blue-haired friend, who gives her a short nod. Guiche also nods, standing next to Sachiko.
"That's right! Beating a woman is unforgivable!" he exclaims. Sachiko smirks.
"Are you talking about yourself?" she couldn't stop herself from asking, and Guiche goes to a corner to sob about it. They ignore him and continue their way, "but really, it's not like he beats me up daily. But thank you all. You don't have to worry about me though. I know how to take care of myself" she winks at them. Kirche, Guiche and Tabitha look at each other, before smiling. They return to their rooms.
That woman, really, thinking those things, just who does she think she is? And then insulting me with such a… vulgar vocabulary. I shouldn't be feeling sorry for what I did, why am I even here? Louis thinks, deeply frowning while in front of Sachiko's door. He lifts his arm, but doesn't knock. For some reason, he's shaking. What's wrong with me? She's just a stupid familiar. Come on, knock, say 'you're forgiven for last night, never do that again' and that's it! It's not something to feel nervous about… but even if he was thinking that, it wasn't easy. And his hand just wouldn't stop shaking...
He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. Trying not to think too much about it, he knocks, and waits patiently. Approximately one minute passes before Guiche opens the door, his face sleepy and groping one eye.
"Louis? What are you doing here so early in the morning?" he asks, giving a loud yawn. Louis winces. That isn't an appropriate attitude for a noble… he shakes his head, he's not here for this. Clearing his throat, he pushes past him.
"I came to talk to Sachiko. She… is not here" he says, a little surprised after seeing her empty bed. Guiche closes the door.
"Ehm, yeah. She isn't here, that's why I opened. Took me a whole minute to realize it" he says drowsily, throwing himself on the bed once again. Louis frowns.
"Do you know where she is?" he asks, turning to him. Guiche shrugs.
"I thought she'd probably go wash your clothes or something. Do you want to apologize for last night?" he asks, his eyes closed. Louis blushes.
"As if! Well, if she's not here, it's just a waste of time to remain in this place. Bye" he turns around and leaves the room, feeling a sudden burst of anger. Where did that girl go?
He goes to the bar, thinking she's probably having breakfast, but she isn't there. He searches in the lobby and public areas, before going out to the courtyard. Even if he doesn't want to admit it, he's starting to get a little worried…and irritated. Just where is she?!
The last place he searches is the parade ground. When he's approaching it, he hears voices, and immediately breaks in a run after hearing what he thinks is Wardes' voice. Now that he thinks about it, he hasn't seen him this morning in the room. He suddenly has a bad feeling, which is confirmed when the first thing he sees upon entering the parade ground is a feminine figure being thrown mercilessly against a pile of beer barrels. The empty barrels crush under her weight, and she gives a loud yelp of pain.
"Sachiko!" he yells, running to her after recognizing her voice. He kneels down next to her and takes his wand out on instinct, just to stop dead at seeing Wardes slowly walking towards them. It surprises him the sudden burst of fury that overwhelms him, and he unconsciously gives a low growl. "What is the meaning of this, Viscount?" he asks, surprised again at hearing the icy tone of his voice. Wardes is taken aback, but he immediately raises both hands, as if to prove his innocence, and says in a calm voice.
"I just wanted to test her abilities. We were dueling."
"Dueling?" he asks, the word feeling foreign in his mouth. In that moment, Sachiko stirs, and he diverts his attention back to her. "Sachiko, are you alright?" he tries to help her up, but she rapidly moves away. That gesture hurts him, but when he remembers it's probably because she's still mad for what happened yesterday, he frowns.
"I'm alright" she answers, laughing lightly. "Viscount Wardes came this morning and asked me if I wanted to duel with him. I said yes and here we are. By the way, you're incredible, ouch…" she laughs again, but this time with less cheerfulness and more pain. Louis' frown deepens.
"It's strange though, even though you're Gandálfr, your speed and movements are like those of any ordinary human. I shouldn't have used my full power on you."
"It's ok, I asked you to. I sincerely thought the runes would activate if I was in a life or death situation, but it didn't work…"
"Maybe because you unconsciously know I won't really hurt you" he kneels down and holds out his hand, but Louis quickly puts himself between them, stopping the older man from touching Sachiko.
"I'll take care of her. She's my familiar, after all" he says, positioning one arm under her back and lifting her. Sachiko blushes considerably at his contact, and looks away. Wardes just chuckles.
"Alright, I'm sorry for taking away your familiar Louis, but there's no need for you to be so angry" he chuckles again, and this time it's Louis' turn to blush. He mumbles something under his breath, before Derf's voice takes him out of his thoughts.
"Partner, you're bleeding" two pairs of eyes look at her immediately. Sachiko raises a hand and touches her forehead. It's sticky. She winces.
"Your head… you probably hit it really badly when you crashed with the barrels" Louis says. He stands up, taking her with him. Wardes follows them.
"I'm deeply sorry Sachiko, it wasn't my intention…"
"It's alright, you didn't do it in purpose" Sachiko says with what she hopes is a cheerful smile. Louis frowns once again, and takes her away from the parade ground, hoping Wardes won't follow them. He doesn't.
They arrive at the outer part of the hotel, in a big balcony with sights to the city. Louis makes Sachiko sit on the edge.
"Wait here, I'll see if I can find something to clean that wound" he says, and turns to leave. Sachiko stares at his retreating form until he's out of sight. She sighs.
"And I was planning to ignore him all day long…"
"He looks like he would crumble if you do that. That guy is starting to fall hard…"
"Huh? What are you talking about?" Sachiko looks at Derflinger in disbelief. The sword scoffs.
"I'm old enough to understand when a boy is falling for a girl."
"Don't be ridiculous, it's Louis…"
"And he's starting to fall in love with you. Mark my words partner, mark my words."
"If he is, he has a weird way of showing it" she says, remembering last night. She shakes her head, pushing the ludicrous thought away, just in time to see him returning. He has a wooden box in his hands. "What is that?"
"A first-aid kit. They gave it to me in reception" he opens the box and takes out a small bottle and a clean cloth. He pours some of the liquid on the cloth, and brings it closer to her forehead. Sachiko closes her eyes instinctively, waiting to feel the sting of the alcohol, but instead, she just feels the cool sensation of the damp cloth against her skin. She opens her eyes again.
"What is that liquid?" she asks, looking at the bottle still on Louis' hand. He pours a little more on the cloth, and continues cleaning her wound.
"Curative water. It'll close your wound real fast" he purses his lips, apparently in thought, and after a little while, says: "I'm sorry for last night."
"Eh?" Sachiko looks up in surprise, before understanding what he means. She shrugs. "Apology accepted. Just try not to do something like that again."
"You're my familiar, I have to discipline you if your behavior is not good" he retorts, frowning a little. Sachiko frowns as well.
"Maybe… but it's not necessary to do it in such a dangerous way" she crosses her arms. Louis blinks, before rolling his eyes.
"It's not my fault if you just make me act that way" he responds in the same tone. Sachiko gasps.
"Huh? I make you act that way? Come on, you get mad for the smallest of things! There is no way to get on your good side!" her voice raises quickly. Louis simply grunts.
"I'm trying to apologize! Can't you just accept it and be quiet afterwards?!"
"I accepted your apology already!"
"But you keep talking back!"
"Why do you have to make everything so difficult?!"
"I'm not…!" but he bites his tongue and continues cleaning the wound. "You shouldn't have accepted a duel with Wardes" he says after a while. Sachiko sighs.
"I can't continue like this. Even though I'm Gandálfr, I'm completely useless. The runes don't work anymore. Even when I hold Derf, they don't glow. I… I wanted to do something about it."
"And you thought fighting with Wardes was the way to go" Louis puts down the cloth and the bottle, and looks at her sternly. "I think I told you already, but I'll repeat it since your memory seems to be foggy: don't do something like that again. Even if the other person is someone you trust, if you know you don't stand a chance, don't fight. Is that clear?"
She glances down, her lower lip pushing out in a pout. "I get it, I won't do it anymore."
"I don't believe you."
"Hey!"
"But this is the best I can get for now" he sighs, closing the wooden box and looking at her. "Did you have breakfast already?"
"Eh?" Sachiko is a little surprised at the sudden question. She shakes her head. Louis nods.
"Good, let's go eat then, I'm hungry now" he turns around and leaves. Sachiko looks at his back, frowning with confusion. She thinks about Derf's words… "Don't stay there like an idiot, let's go eat!" he says when he notices she's not following him. Shaking her head, she dismisses any kind of thought that has to do with that and runs up to him. After all, she could think of few things more unlikely than Louis beginning to like her.
That night, the whole group reunites in the bar to have a few drinks. Sachiko is eyeing her glass of beer with pursed lips. She's not used to alcohol yet. Her parents never allowed her to get close to anything that resembled alcohol, believing she would not be able to tolerate it. She looks at Louis, and to her surprise, he's making a face, taking just small sips and trembling every time he gulps down some of the liquid. He was the first to complain when the shopkeeper told them he didn't have any more wine. Derflinger is leaning on the table next to her. She brought it with her after he complained he didn't want to be left alone in the room.
"So you slept all day today, I'm envious" she says to Guiche, raising the glass to her lips and drinking. She raises her eyebrows, looking at the beer in the glass. She actually likes it better than wine. She drinks a little more.
Guiche frowns. "I didn't sleep all day. You make me sound like a slouch."
"But that would mean you're well rested. We can count on you the moment we arrive in Albion" Wardes says. He's drinking his second glass of beer. Guiche blushes.
"I'll do my best."
"Talking about Albion" Kirche puts down her glass, eyeing Louis and the viscount with narrowed eyes; "you really can't tell us what the mission is about? Why do you have to go to Albion while the civil war is going on?"
"Zerbst, I told you already, it's none of your business" Louis says sternly, folding his arms. "You were not even supposed to be here in the first place. Be grateful Wardes has allowed you three to stay, and don't ask for anything more."
"You're as unbearable as always, Vallière!"
"Then, can I ask something?" Guiche raises his hand, as if he's in class. Louis rolls his eyes.
"It depends; it has something to do with the mission?"
"Yes, but I don't need to know what her highness asked of you. Since Albion is in a state of war, what are we going to do once we reach our destination? I mean, wherever we are supposed to go from there, won't it be difficult considering the nobility has taken over all ports?"
"That's a good question" Wardes nods, putting down his glass. "I already have a plan, so you don't have to worry about it. But I won't tell you just yet. Let's wait for the moment we're reaching Al-"
He is interrupted by the sound of breaking glass and people screaming. In a few seconds, the tavern is drowning in chaos.
"What's going on?" Sachiko stands up, just in time to see a cloud of arrows flying in her direction. She shrinks in fear, but Wardes and Tabitha save her, blowing the arrows away. Kirche also stands up, throwing the table to the side and urging them to hide behind it.
"Do you think they're the nobles from Albion?" Louis asks. Wardes looks out, but retreats just before an arrow flies next to his ear.
"Nobles wouldn't use arrows, but I do think they were sent from Albion."
"They're letting the other patrons leave" Guiche says, confirming their suspicions. Kirche is repelling some attacks with spells. She can barely look out without a rain of arrows flying towards her. On the other hand, Tabitha remains calm. She's still reading her book. "I'll use my valkyries against them!"
"Stop joking! You only have a few valkyries and they greatly outnumber us!" Kirche says, grabbing his sleeve and pulling him down when he's about to stand up.
"I am the fourth son of General Gramont! I won't lose to a band of mercenaries!"
"I know more about battle than you do, so shut up and just listen!"
Louis grits his teeth. He looks at Wardes worriedly. "Someone leaked the information that we were going to Albion. No one was supposed to know and yet they sent mercenaries after us."
"I'm wondering that too, but it doesn't matter right now, the way things are, we have to leave now."
"But how? They're blocking the exit!" Sachiko hugs Derflinger, just the weight of the sword enough to give her the illusion of safety. She closes her eyes and touches the hilt, but when she opens them again… nothing. If not even in this situation will they glow then when?
Wardes thinks for a second. He looks at the five of them. "If we want this mission to be successful, we'll have to separate. Otherwise, they'll keep attacking us and we'll never be able to leave this place" he says in a firm voice. Sachiko turns to him, her eyes open wide.
"You can't be serious" she says, but to her further surprise, Tabitha closes her book, and with her staff, points at herself, Kirche and Guiche.
"Bait" she utters, her voice soft, barely there. Is the first time Sachiko has ever heard her say anything.
Wardes nods. "Then, we three will go to the harbor" Tabitha nods, but Sachiko shakes her head.
"No! We can't leave you behind!" she says. Kirche sighs.
"Can't help it, right? Whatever, we didn't want to go to Albion with you, anyway" she says, passing a hand through her hair. Guiche sniffs his rose.
"I'll show you father. I'll make you proud."
Tabitha nods at Sachiko; "go."
"B-but…"
"Let's not lose more time! If you distract them we can leave by the backdoor and reach the pier!"
"Come on Sachiko" Louis takes her hand. Kirche puts a hand on his arm before they can fully stand up. "What do you want Zerbst?"
She smiles, before pulling him to her and kissing him on the lips. For a moment they're all paralyzed at the sight, Louis with his eyes wide open and Sachiko with her jaw slack. Kirche pulls away softly and looks at him tenderly.
"Just for luck, now I feel reenergized!" she softly pushes Louis away; "now go! And when you come back I'll give you another kiss!"
"Y-You… w-w-why…"
"Louis, let's go!" this time is Wardes who grabs his arm and drags him, while Sachiko can just follow them, as shocked as Louis. A wave of arrows flies towards them, but thanks to Tabitha, who waves her staff just in time, they continue unscathed. When they're in the kitchen, they hear a big explosion. "It has begun" Wardes mouths. He leans his ear against the outside door.
"Um, Louis…" Sachiko touches his arm. He blinks, before shaking his head and wiping his mouth with his sleeve.
"She knows I hate when she does that. At least she didn't use her tongue this time…"
"She always does this?" Louis blushes and looks at Wardes, ignoring her. She pouts but doesn't insist. Now is not the moment.
"There seems to be no one" Wardes says and opens the door. He goes out, Louis and Sachiko following him. Indeed, the dark streets are completely deserted. It seems like everyone else is at the front, in the bar, watching attentively the combat taking place there. "The pier is over there" he indicates a narrow street. Sachiko stands close to Louis, feeling a little safer with him near.
She briefly wonders why they seem to be going up when they're supposed to go to the pier.
A/N: Sachiko is a hardcore fujoshi don't even try to lie. But I apologize for the crappy attempt at humor. I'm not a fan of yaoi, even though I don't dislike it (I can think of only one yaoi anime I like) but I'm not sure if Sachiko's behavior is the one expected of a yaoi fangirl. I didn't want to use the terminology 'uke' and 'seme' either, even though it had the same result...
Is Guiche's behavior explained now? Or did I do a horrible job?