The Familiar of Zero – Trouble In Paradise

Chapter 7 – Food Brings People Together

Arie left the mansion quickly. "Damn that woman" he thought. He knew she was always playing him on, but there wasn't that much he could do about it. Even when they were kids, she'd always been able to wind him up, to the point where he pretty much just accepted it now, knowing he'd never win an argument against her. Still, it was that part of her personality that he did love, and was one of the reasons he married her. As he approached the Ostlant, he saw Vitartial talking to Queen Charlotte. Despite all that had happened between them, the two had moved on pretty well, though Arie could see that Charlotte was still on her guard around him. But he guessed that was to be expected. He knew he'd be in the same situation, which did make him chuckle. Until a few months ago, he never knew just how similar Elves and Humans really were, yet it was only when he met Tiffa and her human friends that he realised it.

As he walked began to approach he saw several members of the human crew that served on board the Ostlant. "Hey, Arie" One called out to him with a wave. "Hey" He replied. "Tiffania's asked us to use some of our supplies to help get these people fed. I trust we can count on your skills in the kitchen?" he asked. The crew nodded. "Sure, any particular meal?" The chef asked. Arie didn't really know, human and elven cuisine was quite different, especially when it came to large meals. "Something that'll boost the people spirits. After all they've been through today; they're going to need it." The chef thought about it for a second. "I know just the recipe, leave it to me." Arie nodded. "Just don't burn the food again." He joked, which made the chef laugh "Hey, it was Kirche who burnt the food, not me." Arie groaned, remembering that night well. Kirche had decided to follow the mantra of "the way to a man's heart, is through his stomach. The end result was a meal that was almost black and spicy beyond belief. Arie felt sick just thinking about it. "Let's just not let her loose in the kitchen this time." He replied laughing, as he pulled on an apron. "Wait… you're going to help?" one of the crew asked in surprise. Arie nodded. "I take it Luciana threatened to divorce you again if you didn't huh?" one of the crew members asked. Again, Arie nodded. "She's just playing around, besides… this gives me a chance to get even with her." He replied with a glint in his eye, making the chef laugh.

Back inside the mansion, Louise and Tiffa were catching up with one another. Saito had gone for a lie down, feeling a little tired after the day's battle, while Siesta had gone to see if anyone else needed any help. As he lay in his bed, he could hear the people outside. He could hear some of them crying, those who had friends and family that had been lost or were missing. Some were thanking the Queens, the crew of the Ostlant and the guards for coming to their aid and helping in their hour of needed. Others were laughing and joking with one another. He smiled. This was the part about being a Noble that he loved, and wanted others to copy. During this time of crisis, everyone had come together, regardless of their social rank. It had meant nothing to any of them when it mattered. He sighed. He knew that very few of the other nobles would adopt this kind of approach to life. Most valued coin more than their fellow man, which led to huge problems at times.

Saito briefly began to doze off, when he heard a knock on the door. It opened slowly, and Louise walked in, closing the door behind her. "How you feeling?" she asked as she sat on the end of the bed. Saito sat up. "Tired… but that's a given with the day we've had… Where's Tiffa?" he asked. "She's talking to Henrietta outside." Saito yawned "I haven't felt this sleepy since the day after our wedding." He joked, making Louise blush a bright, crimson red, as she remembered the night of their wedding. Neither of them slept that much that night. "Still… I have to wonder…" Saito thought aloud. Louise looked puzzled as she snapped out of her memory. "Wonder what?" she asked, not sure of where this was going. "Wonder why none of our plans ever work out like we hope they would." Louise sighed at his response. He'd broken her out of her happy memory for that? If he wasn't injured, and more to the point, if his parents weren't here, she'd probably have hit him for it. "I don't know, but things always seem to work out in the end." Saito leaned over and kissed her neck tenderly. "You know, I doubt the food will be ready for a little while yet, and besides, the people are getting served first…" Louise knew what he was hinting at, and pushed him down, then lay on top of him. Her pink hair brushed against his face. She moved her face closer to his, as Saito put his arms around her, and the two kissed passionately…

Outside, the food was being prepared. The chef was working miracles in the Kitchen, seemingly squeezing out the most from everything he used. Arie watched closely when he wasn't running around trying to help… and not get in everyone's way. Luciana, wondering where her husband had disappeared to, poked her head into the ships kitchen. "So this is where you've been hiding" she said plainly. Arie glanced over at her. "They need as many hands as they can get, so I offered to do what I could… we are cooking for almost 400 you know" Arie was busy slicing a load of carrots. "Just don't give everyone food poisoning, that's all I ask." Luciana sighed. "If you do, we're…" "Getting a divorce?" the cooking crew interrupted, before bursting out with laughter. Luciana couldn't help herself and starting laughing as well. "Well, it seems they get the idea anyway" she said, trying to calm herself down. "I'll see you at dinner Arie!" she called as she disappeared from view.

Saito's parents, meanwhile, were sitting with Professor Colbert and Kirche inside, telling him about their world, and how technology, while it had made life easier, had come at a cost that the world was now having to try and deal with in the form of Global warming, food shortages, rising prices etc. Kirche was pretty lost, but did understand a basic form of what they meant. For Professor Colbert, it opened a whole train of thought he never had considered about the world around him, and how peoples actions could affect things to come in a far bigger way down the years than he ever thought possible. If technology did become as big and widely used in Halkgenia as it was on Earth, could there world face the same problems? Earth was a more complicated place than he ever thought. He definitely had to go and visit one day, so he could see things for himself.

Queens Henrietta and Tabitha were talking with Vitartial and Tiffa, using the opportunity to catch up and get a better understanding of how things were going between the pursuit of better human and Elven relations. Tiffa explained to them that, although things were tense at times between both sides, so far, the response had been largely good. The Elven council was currently in debates over whether or not to send an invite to the various Kings and Queens in the human lands so they could have a debate in the Elven territories on how best to proceed. Tiffa also pointed out that there were many forming groups to oppose the other race being in each other's land on both Human and Elven kind. They'd been causing some problems along the borders for years anyway, so they weren't anything new, but now that both sides were looking at a peace plan, they'd started to become a real thorn in the sides.

Agnes was talking to the troops who had gone into the town. She was more than a little surprised by there report. Slavers being so far out and going after a remote town didn't make sense, especially when you considered that many in the town were elderly. She came to the conclusion that desperate times from the past few years had made people consider becoming slavers purely to help get by. Indeed, many a noble would probably by a slave because it was often cheaper than hiring a servant. Still, she was proud of the men under her command. They had done their duty will, and she had been informed that they would be honoured later when the food was served.

Finally, Siesta was lying under a tree, gazing up at the night sky, deep in thought, having finally been able to get some time to rest herself. Her mind was racing with the day's events, and what she'd seen in her few, brief, moments on Earth, the home of her Grandfather… she was the first member of her family to set foot there since he stumbled into Halkgenia. A smile appeared across her face. She was excited about the idea of visiting Earth, and desperately wanted to go there when Saito's parents returned.

After about an hour, the cooking crew on the Ostlant, with the help of the guards, began distributing the food and drinks among the people. They were gracious for the hot food; sat down under the Shelters that Vitartial and Luciana had created with their Elven magic. Saito and Louise emerged from the mansion, with Saito giving Louise a quick peck on the cheek, before going off to help hand out food. Louise went and sat down next to Saito's parents. Mrs Hiraga moved over slightly so Louise could sit next to her. "I wondered where you and Saito disappeared to." She said, looking up at the clear night sky. Seeing two moons, one pink and one blue, in the sky was a really strange experience. Louise blushed slightly. "Saito asked me to help him change his bandage" Louise lied, and saw Mrs Hiraga's expression as she gazed at the stars. "Saito had a similar look on his face, you know, when he first saw the twin moons." Mrs Hiraga laughed. "It's not really surprising when you think about it. In our world we only have one, which is white and it's not this close or bright in the night sky." Louise looked back up at the sky. It was hard to imagine a moon like that, but it was something she really wanted Saito to see.

As the food was handed out, to everyone, and everyone was seated, Henrietta tapped a glass and stood up, drawing everyone's attention. "Before we all eat this wonderful, much appreciated meal, I would like to propose a toast to the incredible courage that everyone has shown here today. I have been greatly inspired by what I've seen here today. I know that among us, there are those who have lost friends, family… and loved ones. But, as your Queen, I swear to you, that I will not sit by. As I have told Lord Saito, upon my return to the capital, I will be ordering troops be sent to help keep the town safe from future attacks, pursue any surviving slavers, and will also be sending financial aid to help the rebuilding of the town." A round of applause erupted from the people gathered. "Secondly, I must also thank our Elven friends Vitartial, Arie and Luciana, who have helped us out today, showing that Humans and Elves are making real progress towards a permanent peace between our races." A second round of applause erupted from the crowd, though not quite as loud as the first. "Finally, it goes without saying that we owe the crew of the Ostlant a huge thank you for providing the supplies for tonight's meal, and for aiding civilians and wounded guardsmen to escape to here. Your actions saved many lives today." Another cheer erupted, and Henrietta sat down. Saito stood up next. "I'm not usually one for making speeches, as anyone who knows me will tell you." He began, causing Louise to face palm. "He just had to go with that opening" she thought to herself. "But, on behalf of everyone here, I feel the need to make this one. Your highnesses, my friends, family, crew members of the Ostlant, and members of the Royal Guards. The people of Ornières owe you all a debt that I doubt any of us will ever be able to fully repay. Without your assistance, things could have been a lot worse here today, but thanks to everyone's help, Ornières can rebuild. On behalf of everyone in Ornières, I would like to extend an invitation to you all. When the rebuilding is complete, we would be honoured if everyone could come and visit." A cheer erupted from the crowd, and, as Saito sat down, everyone began to tuck into their meals. Though just a simple meat and vegetable dish, it tasted amazing. As Mr and Mrs Hiraga ate, they both had the same thought. "Our son has found his place here"

Arie, meanwhile, was watching Luciana eat carefully, waiting for her reaction. He'd added some strong spices to her portion just before serving it up to her – his way of getting her back for winding him up all the time. However, she didn't seem fazed by it. "Is your meal alright?" he asked, taking a sip of wine. Luciana nodded. "It's great, a real unusual flavour, I might have to get you to cook more often." She replied. Arie sighed. "It seems she doesn't notice the heat…" he thought to himself, as he began to eat. As he put the food in his mouth, his eyes widened like saucepans, and his mouth felt like it was on fire. He quickly swallowed and took a mouthful of wine, gasping as he tried to catch his breath, "Is everything alright honey?" Luciana asked, and lent over and whispered in his ear. "You've got to be better than that if you want to get one over on me…" Arie noticed the glint in her eyes. "This woman… is dangerous" he thought to himself, taking another sip of wine.

Authors Note:

I've had a request to have a certain individual turn up in the story. I'm not going to say who this person is, as it was sent in a PM, but I will see that they will be making their presence known in a very, very funny way. Keep watching the story, and as always, I love reading your reviews and feedback - I like to think it helps my story evolve better, and you guys have some awesome ideas

Also, I will be announcing the name of my next fan-fic in the next few chapters. As I have said before, this will strike a much darker tone than this one, and feature OC characters as the main, but will still involve the traditional cast. I have also decided not to link it to the events in this story directly, but I may reference one or two points where possible.