There was little Volibear enjoyed more than a post fight nap, and the sun, the shade, even the breeze were perfect. It was a one in a million day for a pleasant nap outside. Too bad a problem he had even in his world had decided to follow him to the next.
He'd hoped that showing off his true form would scare the cubs away.. but no.. if anything it almost seemed to encourage the tykes. After all, in his mini form he was too small to be handled by more than a couple people at once. But now, now he was a nine foot tall giant with fur as soft as a cloud.
Which the cubs can't get enough of.. Volibear sighed. He was surrounded on all sides, his master napping on his back, seemingly able to ignore the wave of 'aww's' and soft coo's he was enduring. Other students, the bold, brave or in some cases stupid decided to follow Tabitha's example and take a seat by his side to have a quick nap.
Kirche charged them for the privilege of course, but still. Volibear felt like a cheap stuffed bear, to be loaned out as they wish. Sadly, just like in the League, he could never bring himself to complain. He'd sooner die than admit it out loud but the scratches were pleasant, and the fact that he could cheer the cubs up brought a smile to his face. It was his eternal weakness.
'Under all that armor, muscle and thunder Volibear, you really are nothing but a big softy. A giant pile of fur and cuddles.' Were Sejuani's exact words.
Well Sejuani. A warrior can't wear their armor for all eternity. There are times when even the strongest must relax, if just for a moment or they may burn themselves out before they are truly needed. Was his answer then and now.
Volibear almost purred as a certain brown haired first year found a sensitive spot behind his ears. I could get used to this. The giant bear smirked as the rhythmic scratching lulled him to sleep, thanking the spirits that the cubs were more interested in his immense size and fur instead of the fact he probably scared the blonde cub for life.
Hopefully the blue cub makes it.. he doesn't seem like much, but he's got fire in him. The familiar thought with a yawn before falling asleep.
Twenty minutes later, the majority of the lazing students got a rude awakening as their giant pillow and back rest disappeared in a puff of smoke back to his tiny form to the amusement of a watching Kirche as she counted her take. The only one who managed to sleep through the change was Tabitha, with her arms now rapped around Volibear like the oversized cuddle toy he was.
"Up." Tabitha gently tapped at the sleeping forms of Kirche and Volibear with her stave. Yesterday had been fun, even Tabitha would admit that. But they had class today and Tabitha was the best student in her year, much less the school. And I don't intend on losing my perfect attendance.
"Ugh.. Tabitha... no need to be so loud.. I'm up.." Kirche complained as she reluctantly threw of the covers. I always forget how much of an early riser she is.. Though Kirche couldn't complain. The sleep over last night had been amazing. An entire night full of teasing and cuddling with her Cutey was cheap compared to the hour of sleep she lost out on.
Volibear for his part just kept snoring away. Years in the League had taught him to sleep through anything he desired, be they void terror's looking for breakfast or incompetent summoner's destroying half the compound in an attempt of creating a new spell. Magic was chaotic, and Volibear wasn't going to let that stop him from his beauty sleep.
"Up." The blue-haired mage repeated herself, poking Volibear in the side. His response? Roll over into the covers to form a shield from the rude object that tried to bring him out of his bream world of meat and snow. Sadly Tabitha wasn't having any of it.
"Up." Tabitha said for the third, and final time as she levitated Volibear and his personal cocoon of sheets of the bed by a good few feet, before stopping the spell and letting nature take it's course.
Cubs need to learn a little respect.. or at least the health benefits of a good nights sleep. Volibear crumbled to himself, as he struggled to free himself from the blankets. He could just tear them to ribbons. But that'd be rude to the maids and wasteful.
It took the trio another 5 minutes before they left for another day of classes. Most of which passed with relative ease, and only a smiggen of teasing for the pink-haired cub. Seeing as his master was making no move to interfere, Volibear kept back as well. He'd learned in his years that while you are allowed to take pride in your accomplishments. Unfound arrogance leads to little more than broken bodies and dead comrades.
"Tabitha~" Kirche sang as she sat down next to her friend. It'd been a few days since the duel, and Louise's familiar was finally healed. So a perfect time to steal him away. Nothing personal Louise, but someone needs to teach you how to lighten up~
"Morning." Tabitha greeted back with her usual apathy, Volibear in her lap slowly chewing on a small bundle of marinated pork fat, while she was given a simple breakfast of toast, sausage and eggs, straight from the Head Chef himself.
Not that either small creature was going to complain. Tabitha had always been one of the more tolerable nobles among the students, and a common rumor among the servant's painted her as asking her familiar to intervene to defend not only Siesta but the Zero's commoner familiar. Volibear on the other hand was just cute, and polite. A very rare combo among the nobility.
Free food is good food. Was the shared sentiment between master and familiar if they'd be pressed to comment on the treatment, but so far, no one asked.
"Do you have any plans for today?"
Tabitha simply shook her head. It was a rest day for the students, so aside from her usual reading, now with Volibear shaped backrest, she was entirely free. Just the way she liked it.
"Excellent! We are going into town today! I just saw Louise kidnap her familiar, probably off to bribe him away from me! Hah! She'll learn that a Zerbst can't be deterred! We can even do the shopping we missed out on a couple days ago, what do you say?" Kirche leaned across the table with a pout on her face as Tabitha kept slowly flipping through her book.
Shopping?... Unimportant.. but do need a few things.. could wait..Hassle? Tons.. Staying? No hassle.. Tabitha gave Kirche's waiting face a slow look over. Staying... greater hassle.. Get Volibear treat for good behavior and apology. After all, she wasn't Louise. She'd summoned a clearly sentient creature, who most likely had a family and friends left behind. It was only right she treat him with something bordering on respect or kindness.
After all, what kind of monster would she be, if she treated Volibear like a common dog?
Tabitha's mind went back to the memory of how Volibear's claws cut through bronze like wet paper. Answer? Dead monster.
So Tabitha gave in with a small nod as she finished her breakfast. Volibear was only half paying attention to the conversation. All he knew was that they were going to a town, something regarding Kirche's chest having a weird accent, and the blue cub.
No, Volibear was lost in thought. One step at a time Volibear.. first you need a way home.. -then- you kidnap the chef... the food in the league has nothing on this... what I would do for some of Gragas's ale right now.. He was so lost in thought, he missed the devious smirk that Kirche sent his way as the trio went to leave.
"I hate you..."
"Aww isn't he so adorable~ Girls, go get the other one! No, no! Not that one! The pink one!"
"I hate all of you.." Volibear spoke up, only to be ignored.
"There it is~ Look at this cute whooty~"
"I'm going to kill you. I'm going to enjoy ever second of it." Again, the small bear cub was ignored.
"Ah~ Kirche darling, you have such good taste. You are right, the blue one looked so much better!"
"I'm going to feast upon your flesh and devour you whole as punishment for this... children will weep upon hearing your name for the memories of what I will do to you... My name shall be carved in blood upon this country, as the thought of what remained of you will drive the most harden soldier to their knees, make the most pious priest renounce their faith in god, and prevent another She-Devil such as yourself from ever coming into existence..." It's not like he was being quiet, sure he wasn't shouting, but he knew everyone in the room could hear him, they just choose to ignore the words coming out of his 'cute wittle' mouth.
Well, except Tabitha. The traitor.. She was sitting in a corner, pretending to read a book as Volibear was subjected to the current torture.
The evil She-devil shall pay for this cruel joke.. Volibear thought as he continued spewing death threats to Kirche, and the she-devil, the bane of his existence, spawn of all things unholy, mother of deceit, master of treachery and his mortal enemy. Zilean isn't half as bad as -her-.
Her, being the tailor that Kirche dragged himself and Tabitha to on their day off. At first he'd agreed. His master was a young women, and in his limited experience with woman that weren't trying to kill him in various creative ways, he was led to believe that women liked shopping, or clothes, or whatever else it was that girl cubs did.
Until they decided he needed some clothing. Of course he protested.. But noooo. Since I'm Tabitha's familiar I have to come along and do as I'm told... after all I wouldn't be so rude as to make a girl cry now would I?.. Funny enough I don't see Flame anywhere..
Unannounced to Tabitha and Volibear, Flame was keeping a discreet eye on Louise and Saito for his master's later plans. Leaving Volibear to curse him as the second traitor in this grand conspiracy against his pride.
So here they were, in a store that specialized in making dolls and stuffed toys for nobility, with Volibear standing on a stool as Kirche and the She-Devil used him to play dress up. It didn't start off too bad. A few suits, respectable wear. He'd even gotten to try on a set of toy armor after it'd been magicked into his size along with a top hat and monocle.
But it soon went to hell, or more specifically, the She-Devil took over. Kirche was content to let her Cutey stay as the knight in shining armor through it all, but no. The She-Devil had to bring out the dresses.
So there he stood, four dresses later, in a frilly pink ball gown, with little black bows in his fur and a little bit of blush on his cheek. Why? I don't even know..
"Aww.. if only there was a way I could get a picture of this.." The She-Devil spoke up as she looked over her work.
Like hell I'd let you! Volibear growled under his breath.
Kirche came up behind Volibear to hug him in what had been dubbed his cute-form. Not that I had a say in the matter. No, that was Kirche again. All of this was her fault. I'll just rip up a dress or something of hers when we get back to the academy.. that'll be payback enough..
"Oh~ Just when I think you can't get any cuter~"
Spirit's please... save me from this torture, leave me with some semblance of dignity.. Volibear prayed as the She-Devil took the dress off of him, muttering something about a lime green ballerina's outfit. I'm visiting Marteau tonight.. I need alcohol.. and Tabitha can suffer through her betrayal by sleeping alone tonight..
With his master's punishment in mind, Volibear put on a grim face and continued mumbling death threats at the continued torture.