Tsukaima no Chrono
Chapter 7: Espionage basics
Waking up at the crack of dawn, unable to sleep longer due to the uncomfortable sleeping conditions, he remembers he was given a duty to perform in exchange for food, he picks up the pile of dirty clothes Louise had chucked at him the previous night. How am I meant to wash these? There's no way I'm going to be able to find a washing machine, they probably use magic to do that here.
Holding up the chain that he has been attached to a bed post in order to keep him from 'running away', Chrono lets out an exaggerated sigh in depression. Not that I can get anywhere with this chain still attached to me. I guess I could cut the chain myself with magic, but then I'd have to explain how I freed myself.
As Chrono ponders his situation, a maid, more specifically a young maid with short black hair walks into the room with what appears to be a woven laundry basket.
Spotting Chrono standing and looking at her like a kicked puppy, the maid walks over, kneels down in front of him and rubs the top of his head with a warm and gentle smile on her face she kindly whispers.
"Poor thing, what did you do to get yourself chained up like this?" Inside, Chrono was actually fuming for being treated like a child, but the maid continues quietly with no condescending overtures and introduces herself. "My name is Siesta, one of the maids in this academy. I've heard about you from rumours that Miss Vallière had summoned a human familiar. May I know your name?"
Gaining confidence from Siesta's kindness, Chrono replies softly as not to wake Louise, who is still sleeping, up. "My name's Chrono Harlown, nice to meet you."
Noticing the dirty pile of clothing Siesta replies. "Nice to meet you too Chrono. Is that Miss Vallière's laundry?"
Chrono answers her sadly. "Unfortunately yes, it is. I was ordered by my master over there to wash these then prepare her clothes in the morning. I have no idea how to do this though, I'm chained up for one, not that I've ever had to wash any clothes before."
Siesta smiles widely and cheerfully rubs the top of Chrono's head again and says. "Well, you're in luck! I'm usually in charge of doing the laundry, so I'll take that off you."
Siesta suddenly grabs Chrono and hugs him tightly to her ample chest making him drop the pile of clothing and gushes. "You're so cute, trying to act all mature!"
She then cheerfully picks up the dirty clothes and walks out of the room leaving Chrono dazed and looking like a deer in headlights.
Regaining his capability for conscious thought Chrono lets out a low growl. Grr! What's with the people in this world treating me like my mother does! Other than that bald headed dude that was staring at me the first day, none of these people including my maser Louise over there look that much older than me.
Seeing that his hands are now empty he cheers up slightly from rage to mere annoyance. Well at least that wet stinking pile of clothing will get washed. I guess I couldn't have expected that maid to let me out of these chains. Pulling at the chain, Chrono notices it is as tough as it looks and that there is quite a bit of length to it. The end of the chain that was wrapped around one of the bed posts had been magically wielded together so it would be impossible for him to untie it. The collar end of the chain consisted of an uncomfortable leather band wrapped around his neck and a locking device.
Looks like this lock is the only way I can free myself. I don't sense any magical energy from this, so it should be a simple mechanical device. Now where can I find something to pick this lock with? Chrono studies his surroundings in more detail than he did the first night and spies a vanity unit hiding in the shadow cast by to the wardrobe.
Walking around the room towards the limits that the chain imposed on him, he finds that he can walk past the table and all the way to the wardrobe and the vanity unit in the room. If I were to be able to find any pins or something thin to pick this lock with, it'd have to be on the vanity unit.
Seeing no such objects on top of the desk area of the vanity, he pulls out the drawer and begins to search the objects inside. Hmm… Nothing to pick a lock with in here either.
As he continues to rummage through, he stops as his hands find a gap at the back edge of the drawer. Oh? A false bottom, wonder what she's hiding in here.
Taking out all the cosmetics, jewellery and other regular items that filled the upper portion of the drawer and bearing in mind exactly how everything was placed, Chrono removes the plank and pulls out something rectangular and leather bound. Looking back towards the bed to make sure Louise was still asleep, he pulls out the object. What's with everything being locked today? This must be her diary. I should keep the location in mind. I should have expected someone like her to hide her secrets diligently like this, this could be useful information in the future.
Chrono the puts everything back as he remembered them to be and closed the drawer. Espionage basics: Never leave evidence of you ever being there and take note of all information that might be useful no matter how obscure.
Chrono then takes a moment to study the wardrobe. There shouldn't be anything in here, but as always, leave no leaf unturned.
Opening up the upper portion the wardrobe that consisted of two outward swinging doors and two drawers below them, he looks inside and prods around. Nothing interesting here, looks like she's quite wealthy with this room's furnishings and judging by the quality and range of her clothing. She seems to have many dress gowns made of silk and velvet. Doesn't seem to have any casual wear though, must be a boring person.
Closing the upper portion, he opens up the two drawers underneath as well and again checks for hidden compartments. Hmm… Nothing interesting in here either. Well, guys my age are supposed to be interested in girl's panties but I don't get what the fuss is about.
Pulling out a pair of the unmentionables he looks at it, stretches it, sniffs it, then returns it to the bottom drawer. Just another piece of cloth, don't see why they get so angry at me when I see them. Then again, I don't think this Louise girl cares, maybe they don't have such a social stigma about underwear and nudity in this society?
Closing the drawers perfectly in the position he found them and remembering something from the entertainment channels on Nanoha's world I'm such a ninja!
Chrono then plods back over to the pile of hay he had slept on last night and sits on it, sighing. Guess there's nothing to do until Siesta comes back with the washing…
-Author's Notes-
Hope you enjoyed chapter 7 of TnC. Another short and boring chapter, but I was at a loss as to how to extend this in an interesting way. It was necessary in my storyboard as I was annoyed at the fact that Saito managed to wash Louise's uniform or at least get rid of the washing in the anime while still chained to her bed. Anyways, thank you for reading. Look forward to chapter 8 which will be a bit more interesting.