"Got to feel sorry for the kid."
"Why?" Tabitha asked Volibear. He'd been woken up by commotion Louise caused. Poor guy didn't even get a ten minute power nap.
"The boy obviously has no clue what is going on. He doesn't have the bearing of a fighter, nor that sense of power you get from a mage. He's entirely a civilian, and he's been dumped into something like this."
Tabitha just nodded, going back to petting Volibear as the rest of the second years either laughed at Louise's misfortune, or well... Actually, excluding Tabitha, everyone's eyes were on Louise and her human familiar. The blue-haired mage knew quite a bit about magic for her age, but she'd never heard of such a thing. Definitely worth investigating.
"You know the pink haired midget?" Volibear moved his head, giving Tabitha better access to his favorite spot behind his ears.
Again Tabitha nodded. It was a simple yes or no question after all, she didn't need to explain if asked.
Lovely. It's like dealing with a Sona when she's mad at me...Volibear sighed. Well, hopefully I'll have time to figure her out.
"Willing to tell me anything about her?" He had to ask. Communication was the foundation of any relationship, and if he was going to be her familiar, they'd have to understand one each other.
With another nod Tabitha put down her book. The bear obviously wasn't going to try and go back to sleep. Not that she could blame him. She recognized a pointless venture for what it was, so for now she decided to humor him. Who knows, she might enjoy it? Probably not..Tabitha gave a mental sigh.
"Smart but proud. Zero success at spells. Important family. More?"
That was all Volibear needed to know, so he shook his head slightly. "No, I know the type, so any more info might cloud my judgment..." I wonder if I can talk to the elements here.. perhaps get a vision of the future or to see what this world is like... we shall see.
"Okay. Hungry?" Tabitha guessed that he could use something to eat, if he wasn't going to be getting his nap. He had mentioned fighting, so she probably summoned him after a battle... though the fact he didn't seem to have any scars meant he was either very good, had very little experience or his fur hid them. Find out later I guess..
"If you are hungry, I won't turn down food... I am assuming your people have fish, or at least some other type of meat." Volibear suppressed a yawn. He'd fought in worse conditions than a slight lack of sleep, so aside from the occasional yawn, he'd be fine.
Tabitha nodded and wrapped her arms around Volibear, picking him up as she stood. He was rather large but she felt like carrying him. He was tired after all, so it's the least she could have done.
It's a good thing I'm basically just fur or she wouldn't be able to pick up my paw, much less myself.. though thank the elements that I'm by myself.. or Sejuani would never let me live this down.. and probably punish me for being handled like a stuff toy by a little girl.
If Tabitha could see her familiar's face, she might have smirked at the look he was wearing. He was the Chieftain of the Ursine, a proud member of the Winter's Claw, and now.. now he'd basically been reduced to the level of Tibbers.. oh this food better be good for him to suffer such humiliation.
Passing students stopped briefly to look at the sight, which Volibear ignored. He had some pride to keep after all. Tabitha didn't even notice. He's so soft. Was the only thought running through her head as she waddled towards the kitchen, familiar held close. Didn't want to drop him after all.
"Excuse me."
"Ah, Miss Tabitha. For what do we owe the pleasure?" Head Chef Marteau met the mage just outside the kitchen, wondering what she could possibly want. Dinner wasn't for a few hours, and lunch had just finished. If he was a betting man, it had something to do with the snow-white bear cub awkwardly dangling in her arms. "And who is this little fella?"
I'll show you little fella when I tear through a months supply of meat..Volibear didn't voice that thought out loud, instead he just did his best to smile and let Tabitha answer for now.
"Volibear, familiar. Hungry. Anything?" She asked, looking up at the chef.
As a commoner working at the school, he couldn't just tell her to piss off. She was a noble after all. It took him a moment of consideration before he came to his conclusion. Tabitha seemed to treat everyone well enough. Well, she ignored everyone except Kirche unless she was specifically addressed, so she was better in his books than most nobles. And the little cub was adorable, it even looked annoyed. Hah, an disgruntled bear. As if.
Who knows, do a noble a favor, they might pay you back? It's unlikely, but in a world of magic, defying the odds is basically par for the course. Funny how that works... soon as you say the odds of something happening are a million to one, some jerk goes and proves you wrong... snap out of it you idiot. She's waiting for an answer.
Marteau nodded. "Yes, I'm sure that won't be a problem. We have more than enough. Hah, you'd be surprised by how much some familiars can eat. We make sure to stock up at the beginning of every year. So your cute little Volibear can eat as much chow as he wants!"
Volibear gave Marteau the best glare he could manage in his small form. The chef simply chuckled, and rubbed the cub's head. "Handsome little thing. Hopefully he doesn't get too big, or he might lose that cuteness of his."
"I am not cute.. nor am I fluffy, or adorable... I am a proud member of the Winter's Claw, Chieftain of the Ursine..I could turn this school to rubble given half a chance." Volibear grumbled, he'd had enough of the petting for now. Sure the female champions at the League could force him to stick around, but some of them had powers over creation itself, are elements given flesh, or just plain damn scary.
So no, he was not going to let someone call him adorable, cute, fluffy, lovable. None of that. Of course his threat was entirely unreasonable. It'd be far too much work to destroy the castle. He'd probably just give the cook a few smacks and an unbearable one liner as punishment.
Marteau just blinked. He'd been working at the Tristam Academy for years, and been in the service of various other nobles before. But never had he seen a talking bear. Much less one that sounded like a grumpy soldier. So this left him at a loss.
Do I treat him like a noble? Or a regular familiar? I'm getting rather tired of all this magic stuff... I wonder if there are any restaurants hiring..
Seeing the looking on Marteau's face, and guessing the thoughts running through his head, Volibear decided to take pity on the man. "Just call me Volibear.. I'm in a similar position as you are Chef. Now please, Tabitha wasn't kidding when she asked for food. I could eat a whole seal if given the chance.. but I think I'll manage with whatever your willing to spare."
Volibear bowed his head in thanks, while Marteau took a moment to process things. Tabitha just stood quietly holding her familiar in her arms, wondering when she could set the bear down to keep petting his soft fur.
Finally Marteau nodded, having a list of things that'd work. "I assume you'd want something with meat?" What? He had to ask. Sure Volibear was a bear, hell it was even in his name. But Founder only knows if a -talking- bear eats meat.
"I'd be thankful with whatever you are willing to spare. Meat would be a preference, but I do not wish to cause more trouble than needed."
"Alright... I'll whip something up.. do you want to eat here or would you like it delivered to your room, Miss Tabitha?"
Tabitha just nodded her head slightly. "Room. Thank you." With that said and done, the quiet bluenette turned and left.
"Now.. what to make.. probably enough for two in case Miss Tabitha is hungry as well.. hm.." Marteau muttered to himself as he went into the pantry. Well, could be worse.. could be one of the other 'noble' brats. Least Miss Tabitha was slightly considerate.
About one hour, and three pork chops with assorted veggies later, Volibear was curled up on Tabitha's lap as she read her book. Little did they know that dark forces were already at work. Dark sinister forces. Powers that have toppled kingdoms, slain gods and created monsters of men.
AN: Well, it's been a while. *cough* Apologies for the late update, just real life and my stupid self prevented me from getting this updated. Yaa, but that'll hopefully be fixed. But enough of this, might as well actually use this space productively. This is just a prior warning for future chapters, Embrace the Storm will have chapters shorter than Lich+Vampire and Someone to Protect. But, regardless, I'm absolutely floored by the amount of positive feedback I've been getting from you guys. I hope to live up to it. So hope you all enjoyed, and I'll see you (hopefully soon) later with the next chapter~