The Familiar of Zero – Trouble In Paradise
Chapter 2 – of Maids, Dragons and Royalty
Back In Halkeginia…
Siesta was busy cleaning around the mansion as usual. She'd just seen her Master and Mistress leave though the portal to Saito's world… Earth… the world from which her Grandfather came from originally, and found himself unable to return to. She wished that she could've gone with them, but had decided to remain behind and look perform her daily duties. She knew that this was going to be an awkward meeting, so keeping the number of new faces to a minimum on this particular visit was a must if Saito's parents were to understand everything that had happened to him since his disappearance.
Saito had promised to take her one day in the future, and she knew he would. He was a man who always kept his promises. Siesta cared for Saito, and deeply valued his friendship, as well of that of Louise's, though she knew that they'd had an on-off friendship in the past… mainly around trying to win Saito's affections. Siesta sighed, and looked out the window. Much had changed since the battle against the Ancient Dragon. The various Kingdoms had signed up to a new alliance planned out by Queens Henrietta of Tristen, and Charlotte (or Tabitha, as her friends called her back from when she changed her name during her time at the Academy) of Gallia, in which all would work together to help rebuild the damage in Romalia and Albion that had been caused in the wars and by the Ancient Dragon. Tristen and Gallia had also begun work on improving relations with the Elves, who, under the command of Vitartial, had sent a fleet to help defeat the Ancient Dragon.
Both sides knew that it would be a very long time until both sides began to fully trust the other. The distrust between Human and Elf kind ran deep, and had caused countless wars. Some on both sides were claiming that this peace should never be agreed upon, that only one race deserved to exist, but these people were a small minority. After so long as enemies, and after the recent events, most people wanted to give peace a chance.
Since Saito and Louise had gotten married, a small but skilled workforce had begun building now homes and stores in Ornières. The workforce was paid for by Louise's parents, claiming that as a noble, she should at least have people who look up to her on a daily basis… Saito had spoken to Louise's eldest sister, Cattleya at the wedding about the gift, who admitted that the real reason was they at least wanted to make life as comfortable for Louise as possible. Cattleya had always been the most understanding of Louise's two sisters, and the only member of her family to support their marriage without any issues. Saito had been helping the workforce on wherever he could, and many had already decided to remain in the area after their work was done with their families.
As Siesta looked out over the lands, her eyes were drawn to a figure in the sky, then several coaches and people on horseback on the road. As the coaches came better into view, she noticed that they bore the Royal Insignia's of Tristen and Gallia, and the Dragon was none other than Slyphid, Tabitha's familiar.
"Looks like I've got company…" Siesta thought to herself. She readied a few cups before she headed down to meet the guests. Siesta hadn't seen any of her old friends since Louise and Saito's wedding. Despite the majority of them being nobles, and royalty, most spoke to her as they would anyone else.
Siesta emerged at the front door just as Queen Henrietta was helped down from her Carriage. Her clothes were, as always, amazing. A pure white dress with a small purple cape… It was generally agreed that no matter what she wore, she always looked incredible. Tabitha was dressed in a light blue dress, and was wearing a black robe identical to the one she wore as a uniform at the Magic Academy, but with Gallia's emblem on the back. Siesta smiled as the Royal Party approached.
"It's been a while Siesta" Henrietta said kindly. "I hope you've been well."
"Very, your Highness, and how about yourselves?" she asked, as she curtseyed.
"As well as can be expected, after everything that's happened." Henrietta replied.
"Same" Tabitha added, nodding. She still wasn't a person who liked showing her emotions.
"I saw the work that's underway in the town… looks like you're making some good progress" Henrietta added, looking back down the road.
Siesta nodded. "Yes, things are moving fairly smoothly, but come inside, I'll get us some drinks and something to eat, and we can catch up properly."
Henrietta and Tabitha nodded and followed Siesta inside. Their guards remained outside, as did Slyphid, who was wishing she could take her human form for and join her Master inside… but, her master had asked to remain in this form unless told otherwise, so she had to obey.
As Slyphid prepared to lie down, a flash of green light caught her attention, as well of that of the soldiers nearby. A strange circle had appeared, and had drawn the attention of the nearby guards, who quickly raised their weapons. Slyphid let out a low growl, confused by this strange thing that had just appeared, and Tabitha quickly appeared at a nearby window, reacting to her familiar's call.
"Portal" she said simply, as Henrietta and Siesta appeared beside her.
"Isn't that Louise's Void magic?" Henrietta asked.
Siesta nodded. "Yes, but they only left an hour ago… it's too soon for them to be returning. But if they are, we might as well go and greet them." The three left the window and headed back outside to greet their friends
Slyphid approached the portal slowly and bent down to look through it. She thought she saw movement from the other side of it. As she looked closer, she recognised Louise, began to purr and without a second thought, stuck her head through the portal to say hello to her Master's friend. Siesta, Tabitha and Henrietta appeared at the front door. Henrietta saw the troops with their weapons trained on the portal, and then she noticed Slyphid's head had gone into the portal
Henrietta and Siesta were slightly surprised, while Tabitha just shook her head. "Curious" she stated simply.
A scream could be heard, and everyone looked around, trying to pin-point the source, until they realised it came from the portal.
Siesta's jaw dropped, having just remembered something Saito had told her before they left.
"Tabitha, get Slyphid to pull her head out quickly" She yelled.
Tabitha nodded, and gave a whistle. Slyphid's head slowly re-emerged from the portal, rather sheepishly. She knew she'd done something wrong.
"Do you know something?" Henrietta asked
Siesta nodded slowly. "Saito took Louise to meet his parents on Earth about an hour ago… He also said that they may have to open a portal in order to prove the existence of magic, and our world, to them."
Henrietta and Tabitha were both silent. They remembered what Saito had told them about his world, about his home. A world of Technology, a world without magic, or dragons or many of the creatures that they would see in their day-to-day lives.
Henrietta gulped gently, having just realized how much trouble Slyphid might have just caused… and the possible panic if she'd appeared in a public place. Tabitha had also clearly had the same train of thought. "Awkward" she muttered, which Siesta thought was the understatement of the century, while an anime style sweat drop appeared on Henrietta's head.
Henrietta looked towards the guards, who still had their weapons trained on the portal. "Lower those guns" she ordered, the soldiers did so, slowly. It was clear to see they were worried about this srange thing that had just appeared before them.
Back in Saito's house…
Saito's parents were shaking; they'd been scared out of their wits, just as most people would have. After all, it's not every day you see a dragon stick it's head through a portal… well, it's not every day you see a portal full stop, but I digress.
Saito looked over at Louise, who was completely fine, if not a bit shocked herself. He quickly headed over to his parents and helped them up. He looked back over to the portal and saw Slyphid slowly pull her head out of the portal. "Was… that a dragon?" Mrs Hiraga asked, trying to calm herself down. Saito nodded, "Yes, it's the familiar that belongs to one of our friends... though just what she's doing at our home is anybody's guess". He turned to Louise, who had come over to check if Saito's parents were alright.
"Was Tabitha meant to be visiting us?" he asked. Louise shook her head.
"No, last I heard, she was still in Gallia sorting out the peace plan with the Elves" she replied.
Saito sighed. "So much for everything going smoothly" he thought to himself. He knew he had to find out just what was happening on the other side. After all, better safe than sorry. He walked over to the portal. "Just give me one moment" and with that, he put his head through, and hoped to find out just why Slyphid was here.
Back in Halkeginia…
There was tension in the air. Though the soldiers had been ordered to lower their weapons, they were still on edge. Siesta was toying with the idea of walking through the portal herself, to make sure everything was alright on the other side. As she and the Queens continued to stare at the portal, they could see a shape getting closer. "Someone's coming" Tabitha murmured. A few moments later, Saito stuck his head through the portal suddenly, making everyone jump. Siesta almost screamed, and several of the guards re-aimed their weapons, and one even fired a shot that luckily went just wide of Saito's head.
"ARGH!" Saito yelled in shock, he was barely able to stop himself falling completely through the portal and into Halkeginia.
"SAITO!" Siesta yelled, and ran towards him without thinking. The next thing Saito knew, Siesta had lunged herself at him, knocking him back through the portal completely, and both vanished through back to Saito's house.
Tabitha sighed and shook her head, while Henrietta sweat dropped. "Why do I get the feeling this isn't going to end well for Saito?" She asked allowed. Tabitha looked at her and nodded. "Louise" was her sole answer, and both suspected what would happen next.
Back in Saito's House…
Saito fell back through the portal onto the floor, and Siesta landed right on top of him; his face was buried in her chest. Siesta was fixated on the room and was looking around like a kid in a candy shop, but still did not get off Saito. She'd crossed into the world of her Grandfather…Earth. She could see Saito's parents in the corner of the room, their mouths open in shock. She then sensed the murderous intent that filled the room. As her eyes found the source, she paled. Louise was in full rage mode.
"Saito… Just what do you think you're doing with Seista?" She asked, her teeth grinding as she spoke.
"mmph msn't mpy mpault!" (This isn't my fault!") came the reply from underneath Siesta's chest.
Siesta saw Louise raise her wand, and braced herself for what was coming.
"EXPLOSION!"
Part 3 will hopefully be up in the next few days