The good news was that Volibear was sober. The bad news was that Volibear was sober, in a hallway instead of a fluffy bed.

"So..." Saito began, not sure what he was to do while his master was in the Headmaster's office. He was told to wait outside with the blue-haired girl's familiar, I think her name is Tabitha, until he was called in or further orders from Louise.

Yes, he was sit on the stone floor, trapped between a wooden door and a bear that could flip a giant made of dirt and stone with the same ease as he could a table. And Saito thought his night couldn't get any worst. Just when I thought that this place couldn't get any weirder with the magic, now we have talking, transforming bears as well.

"You are a talking bear?" Saito said, hoping that a bit of conversation would pass the time at best, or at least give him an opportunity to thank the bear for saving his life.

"And you are a talking human. What is your point?" The words came out a little harsher than intended but Volibear was not in a good mood.

Dear spirits.. my head.. The tiny bear wanted nothing more than to find a bed and sleep. His recent transformations seemed to have purged the alcohol from his system, leaving nothing behind but pain. Lots and lots of pain. Which was made worse by a certain cub in a blue tracksuit.

Saito shrugged, not noticing the edge in Volibear's voice or the pained look on his face. He had no idea his fellow familiar was suffering from one of the worst hangovers in his life. "Just never met a talking bear before... I just never expected them to be a fan of American television." The teen choose his words carefully with a small smirk. If it wasn't for the recent events, he'd have mistaken Volibear for a toy.

Volibear growled quietly as he brought his paws up to massage his head. "What in the name of the elements is an American?" He asked before lying down, letting the cold stone floor work it's magic to soothe away the pain. It didn't seem like this conversation would be going away anytime soon, so he might as well get comfortable.

"You don't know what an American is?"

"Obviously." Oh yes... much better..

"Well.. how did you do the thing then?"

"What thing?"

"The thing with the glasses."

"Cub, you are going to have to be specific."

Saito paused for a moment, scratching his chin as he tried to recall the name of the show. "CCY:Miami! Or something like that. There is this character that always made a weird joke before putting on his glasses, then the scene would cut to black."

"Never heard of it."

"Then how'd you copy it perfectly?"

"Cub... I don't know what an American is.. or a Miami. All I know is that when I originally signed up on the force, my boss, Caitlyn gave me very specific orders. The first was to grow out a mustache. I don't want to talk bout how long that took to do to her satisfaction. Secondly, I was to find a pair of gloves and cap that fit, which took a week and more trips to the tailors than I care to think of. And finally, the most important order was given to me along with a pair of black shades. I was told that at the end of every case, I was to put them on and make some unbearable pun, or weird joke."

"... So... A cop, your boss told you to do all that? Shouldn't you have been.. like arresting people or something?"

Volibear coughed in embarrassment and refused to meet the teenagers gaze. "We had a lot of free time between cases.."

"At dawn you three will ride out with Miss Longvueville to track down the thief. I suggest you ladies get some sleep. There is no telling how far they have gotten."

The three teens bowed slightly at the dismiss before quietly shuffling out of the room, a mixture of expressions on their face. Louise couldn't look happier, it was finally her chance to shine. Now to make sure the Dog doesn't embarrass me.

Tabitha and Kirche were wearing looks of boredom and exhaustion respectively, neither looking forward to the early wake up to go chasing after some thief. Especially one with now possessing the Staff of Destruction, as well as more Earth Golems.

Thinking about the Golem's brought the petite mage's thoughts back from preparations for tomorrow to her familiar. Eventually she and the bear would need to sit down and have a chat. The ability to lift two tons of earth with ease while a pleasant surprise seems like something she should have known about.

As soon as the door opened, questions formed on her lips, Tabitha stopped. Volibear and Saito were side by side against the wall, fast asleep.

Tired. Reasonable. Question later, sleep now. The frost mage thought Volibear had the right idea.

Louise thought otherwise, as she looked at her lazy familiar. If she had to stay up, so did the Dog. "B-"

Tabitha didn't even hesitate to cast a silencing spell on Louise, before she floated Volibear up to follow behind her.

"Bye bye~" Kirche waved with a pleased grin as they went off to bed, rather enjoying the sight of Louise stamping her feet in frustration that she couldn't remove the spell.

"It's a horse."

Tabitha raised an eyebrow at her familiar. She'd rather pleased that until now he'd displayed a certain level of intelligence. Now he was just stating the obvious, as they waited in the stables for Kirche, so their little group of adventurers could set off.

"It's a horse. I'm a bear." Volibear repeated, as if she was the idiot.

"And?"

"I'll kill the poor thing?!"

"...?" What? Irrational hatred of horses turned into equist-icidal rage? Lack of control over other form? Both highly unlikely.. Tabitha's mind raced as Volibear continued to speak.

"I weigh a ton, even without the armor! The beast wouldn't make it out of the school before it dropped dead!"

"Oh." Oh.

"Oh?"

Current form is abnormal to Volibear. Transformed form is considered standard. Not an idiot. Just forgetful and still unused to change.

Tabitha knelt down, looked Volibear straight in the eye. She pointed to herself. "Petite." Then at Volibear. "Tiny."

"Tiny!? I'm a 8 foot tall killing machine that-.. that.. is currently the size of a cub...oh..." I'm an idiot. He thought.

She gave her familiar a small pat on the head and a nod, as if reading his thoughts.

Sighing in defeat, Volibear stood up on his hind legs, stretching his front paws up and spoke in the tone of a man going to the gallows. "Lift me up.. please.."