During the morning in the very-well-known Academy of Magic, a serious talk was taking place outside and next to the Spa Zone, where at a table are seen seated together Aristidis, Louise, Siesta, Kirche, Charlotte, Eleonore, Cattleya, and other two rather peculiar to the eye female-looking characters, with a cup of coffee for each instead of the usual tea this time.
The FIRST one is of short stature, who has lime-green skin and pale chartreuse yellow hair styled into a tetrahedron shape, dark green eyes that are tinted by the yellow color of the visor she wears, with a greenish gemstone located on her forehead, which resembles an inverted triangle, and wears a bodysuit that covers her entire chest, which is dark green at the top with a pale chartreuse yellow star on the front, bright green leggings with a dark green star on each knee, and pale chartreuse yellow boots, and the SECOND one is of a somewhat taller stature, who has a slim figure, cyan skin, cobalt blue chin-length hair with long bangs and fringe that covers her entire forehead, royal blue eyes, and a bluish gemstone embedded in her back, which resembles a water droplet, and wears a backless, halter crop tank top that is blue on top and navy on the bottom resembling half a star, puffy dark-blue pants, which represent the second half of the star tied up by a bronze-gold ribbon, and matching sandals. [Peridot and Lapis Lazuli, from Steven Universe, here for the friendly chat]
"And that is ultimately the reason about why I believe Percy and Pierre from Camp Pinning Hearts are literally made for each other." Peridot proudly tells them, indicating she brought the subject up at some point while not on screen, with Lapis simply smiling in a supportive manner with the former expressing her overall enthusiasm about the said show.
"O-Ok..." Eleonore trails off with a sweat drop, with some others of the group looking at the green one in the same way, before putting the tips of her own fingers from both hands together, focusing as best as she can while preparing to question an important detail. "Not that I want to be impolite toward you or anything, miss Peridot, but... Isn't that homophily?"
The lime-green gem becomes confused upon hearing her asking that, before looking at Lapis as if expecting to be told something by her, only for the blue one to just shrug her shoulders to showcase her own lack of understanding, and then turns back to Eleonore. "What is that word you just used? I can't say I am familiar."
Especially the blonde Noblewoman is quite surprised by the question.
How can one not know what homophily is about?
Aristidis's amused chuckle draws attention on him while looking at the said Noblewoman. "Sure, expect the technically genderless and anthropomorphic gems to understand about humanity's gender-type taboos, they certainly think the same way you do." Says with mild sarcasm.
Upon hearing that, the group doesn't take long to understand what he is pretty much telling them, with Eleonore feeling quite silly for even attempting to ask them that to begin with, and with the two gems still trying to understand the logic behind Aristidis's words.
A beeping sound suddenly gets his attention, as he brings from below the table with a hand his phone to look upon, which he deactivates almost as soon as he does so, while nodding once, before putting it back as he looks at everyone around the table. "It appears to be the time for our departure, in order to visit her Majesty in the Royal Palace Of Tristania like scheduled."
After that, the Storyteller gets up while putting two fingers at the side of his head as he turns around away from the rest. "I will have the Tome-Personnel prepare the relaxing ride that is our carriage."
As he does that, Louise looks at her two big sisters curiously. "So, now that the war with Albion is over, what will you do? I mean, the teachers are coming back, so..."
"Since our presence here is no longer necessary, we shall return back to the Valliere mansion." Eleonore tells her.
Cattleya smiles at Louise. "But we will make sure to come visit you as often as possible, little sister."
The pink-haired girl smiles back. "I look forward to it."
Aristidis turns around toward them again, while clapping his hands once with a kind expression, drawing attention on him. "Alright, everything is ready! Peridot, Lapis, thank you for the nice little chat, you may return to the Tome now, I will call you along with Steven and the rest the next time your company is needed, and also do not forget to inform everyone in your planets about Fouquet's search, it is VERY important." Says the last part while bringing with a hand out from behind him the Tome, and then setting it upon the grassy ground wide open, with his expression showing the seriousness and concern he feels about the Fouquet part.
With that, the lime-green, and the bluish gems get up and begin walking toward the said Tome, before the former turns to wave with both hands farewell at the others while walking backward. "I'll tell you more about the show next time! By~e!"
"Bye." Lapis says her own farewell at the group behind in a more simple manner, as both of them step within the pages of the Tome.
The pitch-black Storyteller then picks up his Tome, and focuses his now composed attention to Louise's elder sisters, as they get up along with the rest that moment. "So, my ladies, would you like to reconsider my offer about coming along to visit the Queen? I am sure she will be more than happy to thank you personally for your good work here as teachers during the time of war. Plus, it will give me the opportunity to finally show you the list of candidates I have been making so far, who I believe each will be the appropriate, future other half for you, lady Eleonore." He says the last part while clasping his hands together close to the side of his head, greatly elated at the very thought of it, with the maid Cinderella coming from the side next to him with a long piece of paper in her hands, which is most definitely the list he was talking about.
The blonde Noblewoman smiles awkwardly at him while trying to be as composed as possible. "A-As enticing as that sounds, Aristidis, we will once again have to kindly refuse. Both Cattleya and I have important duties back in the Valliere Mansion, so it would be best for us to return as fast as possible. I hope you understand."
The pink-haired Noblewoman puts a hand in front of her own mouth, and chuckles quietly out of amusement at her elder sister's awkward way of avoiding the offer for a second time today.
"I suppose it cannot be helped." Aristidis says with a somewhat disappointed face while lowering his hands, not seeing any reason to press the matter further for the time being, while Cinderella walks away off the screen with the list, before his expression turns kind as he puts two fingers from one hand at the side of his forehead. "I will at least prepare you a proper escort party, so you two may have a safe return to your mansion."
"That is very kind of you, thank you." Cattleya gratefully tells him with a respectful bow, with her blonde sister following her example a second after.
"Which will be the incredible company of the following gentlemen." He then announces with playful enthusiasm while pointing with an upside-down hand behind them, making them that way to turn and look where he points at, where they all see in front of two carriages a good number of two separate soldier-looking groups, and three special-looking individuals before those.
The FIRST group wears uniforms of indigo-color with white details, a similarly colored cape and a Lotus patterned mantle around the shoulders, and helmets with an insignia on it depicting a white lotus, and the SECOND group wears gray-colored and technologically advanced full-armor, with varying guns as their equipment, from ones of rapid fire, to explosive ones. [White Lotus Sentries mainly from Avatar: The Legend Of Korra, and Brotherhood Of Steel Soldiers from Fallout Franchise, the latter wearing both variations of T-51 and T-60 for armor, present and ready]
Now moving on at the individuals in front of the two groups, with the FIRST one is a tall man, over two and ten meters, who is shirtless, showing a large frame of exceptionally-sculpted and well-defined muscles, has blue-eyes, his head is completely bald, save for a single lock of curly blond hair hanging from just above his brow, his eyebrows are bare of hair as well, and he sports a thick, blond handlebar mustache, which hides his mouth while accentuating his strong, cleft chin, and his whole being sparkling, somehow, the SECOND one is an also tall man, over one and eighty meters, with black-colored, long and spiky hair, black eyes, a diagonal slice-type scar across his right eye, which was not deep enough to damage it, and another in the shape of an X at his left cheek, but not hindering his good looks, while showcasing shirtless his also well-defined muscles with a bold smile, and the THIRD one is a short, expressionless man, has short, straight black hair styled in an undercut curtain, as well as narrow, intimidating dull gray eyes, with dark circles under them and a deceptively youthful, quite charming face, his physique is well-developed in musculature, though not as thick as the previous ones, and despite the other two, he wears his uniform normally, which is a light gray button-up shirt underneath a brown jacket, and in turn underneath a green cloak, along with a white ascot, and also wearing some kind of specialized harness which is mostly obvious by his legs and hips. [Alex Louis Armstrong from Fullmetal Alchemist, Yamcha from Dragon Ball, Levi Ackerman from Attack On Titan, present, flexing, and being complete show-offs, most of them at least]
Eleonore at the sight of the three, immediately turns around while crouching a bit while flustered and holding her nose with both hands, Cattleya puts a hand just below her open mouth, not even bothering to truly hide her astonishment at the amazing sight before her, with Siesta being just as astonished for the same reason, Kirche outright exclaiming where she stands at the incredible to her spectacle, especially at the serious yet charming-looking one, as her eyes turn into metaphorical hearts as hearts float upward from above her head, and with both Louise and Charlotte sweat dropping, understanding very well the reason for those three specifically.
The mouthless Storyteller's expression turns kind. "Your personal belongings are also already inside the main carriage, so you can move out with them all immediately. Hope to see you again soon- do not forget to write~!"
As he says the last one while proceeding to bring out a white handkerchief to wave at them farewell, the two groups pretty much move the two Noblewomen inside their carriage, with the filled with embarrassment blonde woman struggling a bit due to having second thoughts about leaving now, followed by the special three who will sit in the same carriage with them, with some of the Sentries of the White Lotus moving into the second one, and the rest walking along the calm pace of the two carriages as the horses begin to pull them toward the gate, and on the way to the Valliere Mansion.
The girls approach their Storyteller, with the confused pink-haired girl drawing his attention. "I know what you did there, but wasn't the man with the mustache too old-looking? I mean, did you not once say-"
"He is actually in his thirties." Aristidis explains while interrupting.
"Oh... Ok, he is safe enough." Louise understand after it was made clear the age difference is not too great, but then something else appears to not make sense of. "Also, how come and that other, shorter guy did not appear with his shirt off like the other two?"
The pitch-black Storyteller shrugs with a sweat drop. "He refused to cooperate with the idea. It was quite the trial to convince him in becoming a candidate, so I should feel glad that being the only part he did not accept. The guy is simply THAT serious when it comes to his lifestyle choices, which is understandable, but still."
The girls imagine how the conversation between the two must have been like, and cannot help but chuckle awkwardly about it.
"Anyway, let us move out as well." Aristidis then tells them as he turns to move toward the open gate, with the rest following him soon after. "Our own carriage awaits, and the Queen must be looking very forward to hearing out my report. Still, I want a calm ride for once, so I hope no one minds we will in a sense let her wait a bit longer for that reason."
The four girls look at each other while chattering for a moment about it, not really showing to really mind the fact.
They know that they will still reach the palace in the time of the meeting nevertheless, after all.
~An Hour Or So Later~
The scene cuts at the outskirts, as the four horses pull at a calming pace the main cast's open carriage through the dirtroad toward their destination.
"Seriously now-" The Storyteller begins with an incredulous expression as he turns his head toward the Siesta, and seen seated with his Tome open next to her, with Louise sitting by his other side, and Kirche with Charlotte at the seats across them. "I still cannot believe the fact you never took part in this very special game of ours, my beautiful Siesta."
The black-haired girl smiles awkwardly. "I-I guess I never really thought about it at the time."
"Well, fear not. For we will make up for the lost opportunities of the past." He tells her with a somewhat serious face, before closing his Tome with a now joyous one. "Give me a random thought about what might not exist within the Tome's pages. Come on."
"U-Umm..." Siesta trails off troubled as she proceeds to think about it, being asked to do so this quickly bewildering her a bit.
Everyone awaits patiently about her thought, while very curious to see if she will be able to describe something that does not exist inside those vast pages of his, while also the scene that moment moves enough to show their carriage driver being Alfred Pennyworth from Batman.
"A rabbit..." The black-haired girl begins her thought hesitantly, as some of the girls raise an eyebrow at that, showing that they expect something more than that, before finishing it with an embarrassed smile. "Th-That eats people?"
The girls were actually somewhat surprised with the idea she came with, actually finding it much more peculiar than they expected in the end.
When their attention goes to the Storyteller, they see him with a kind expression petting upon his lap a white and ordinary-looking rabbit. [The Rabbit Of Caerbannog, from Monty Python, yes, the famous killer rabbit]
They stay as they are for a moment longer as they look at the small animal, right before all the girls quickly move in the seats across them together, and pressing themselves as back upon the seats as humanly possible while appearing to be alarmed by the creature they keep their eyes on, being very worried for themselves upon remembering carefully the small detail Siesta described about it not too long ago.
Aristidis sweat drops while looking at them. "Girls, we have established many times already how the different, dangerous beings of the Tome are under my control and that you are safe from them, come on..."
The four girls relax once they realize how much each of them acts like an idiot, and with surprise still on their faces, they move closer to inspect the supposedly carnivorous rabbit, as it simply remains relaxed there while Aristidis pets it as if it was an everyday pet.
The redhead especially is rather perplexed, considering the previous fact. "But, how can such a cute, and harmless-looking rabbit even eat people, so much kill them to do so?"
"Corpse eater?" Charlotte makes a guess while tilting her head in contemplation, thinking of it as the more likely case.
The mouthless Storyteller is slightly amused with their little confusion about the rabbit. "Actually-"
"Sir, we have some unexpected company expecting us." Alfred interrupts them as he brings the carriage into a halt, before the group turns to look at the front, where they see not too far away a big group of bandit-looking people expecting them, approximately thirteen in numbers, with bold smiles, clubs, and medieval guns.
The bandits approach and surround the stopped carriage, as the girls watch a bit annoyed instead of worried at the whole thing, with the one in command moving close to the side as he looks at the Storyteller. "Well, if this isn't a surprise. The famous Storyteller we have heard so much about, honors us with his appearance."
Aristidis stops petting the rabbit as he raises an eyebrow at him. "May I ask your reason for stopping us from our important strolling? Because if this is about gold, you could always move into any city of Tristain to make some through incredibly simple labor. You do know how easy it is nowadays after my little interference, no?"
The bandit in command utters a chuckle at that. "Think we don't know how to handle ourselves?"
"I mean, your intentions seem clear, and you do know who I am." The pitch-black Storyteller states with his eyes narrowed in an incredulous manner, pretty much saying that he believes as much.
"Well, taking from others is much easier, and more rewarding." The man tells him, and then with a smile takes out and aims a flintlock at the Storyteller. "Not to mention how much we will get from you of all people. And don't try any funny business. We know you can die like any man, after the rumors that have been spread once that Tristain-Albion war was over with."
While the girls look at each other, wondering how stupid those bandits are, Aristidis stays as he is for a moment, as if considering how to properly approach this situation.
He decides with a hand the rabbit in his possession, his expression seemingly kind. "Tell you what. It you can manage to kill my pet rabbit, then I will comply."
As the rabbit jumps off his hand and lands in front of the bandit in command, the latter's expression turns incredulous, with his men sharing the feeling as they look at each other, with the girls' eyes widening as they look back and forth at the former, and then the said rabbit.
"That's a... Weird condition, but sure, whatever makes you more-" While the man was saying that, and taking out with his free hand a knife from his person, the rabbit cuts him off... Literally, and via decapitation, having been jumped in the blink of an eye, with the deed being done just as fast through sharp, rabbit teeth, as blood escapes the falling, headless body of the man, while everyone watch with eyes wide open at the whole thing, right before the rabbit jumps straight onto its next target.
As the girls watch the now screaming bandits being slaughtered by the small menace, much to their great disbelief of fact, Aristidis turns his head toward them, unbothered with what is taking place. "By the way, whatever happened with Julio of Romalia?"
The pink-haired girl turns to him confused for a moment. "Eh? Oh, him. He must have went back to Romalia after the war was over with, to report about it to the Pope. Why?"
"Just checking for the news I missed while not present." The pitch-black Storyteller answers as he turns his attention back to the slaughter.
~Moments Later~
After the whole situation with the bandits was resolved, the main cast upon their open carriage were once more on their way, the rabbit no longer with them.
This time with the extra company of a tall, very muscular man with long jet-black hair, a white mask covering half his face, shark-like teeth, sharp nails that make his hands appear clawed like a demon's, and wearing a sleeveless purple and white maid outfit. [Kogarashi from Kamen No Maid Guy, here for a chat]
"And that was my official first day at master's household." Kogarashi tells them with his known grin.
The girls just look at him for a moment longer, till Louise desires to ask the following. "Ok, but was REALLY the hose between her breasts necessary?"
Aristidis utters a small chuckle. "It gave me more of a chuckle than it needed to, that is for sure."
His ladies sweat drop at that, his humor once more put into question.
The middle-aged butler notices something at the distance ahead that moment once again. "Sir Storyteller, it appears there is a similar encounter on our way."
Louise, and the rest, looks at him with a sweat drop. "It is not a second bandit group, is it?"
Alfred sweat drops. "Well, unless these ones recruit children..."
That causes both the confusion and curiosity of the group, and when they lean toward the sides to be able to look forward, what see that what their butler and rider noticed forward, being a kid sized figure of a knight, with a helmet covering the entire head, a red scarf tied around the neck, a simple cloth of blue/yellow covering the body and feet as if it was a dress, a sheathed sword by the side, and a shield equipped in one of its small arms.
The redhead, and the rest, turns her head toward Aristidis. "That is not yours, is it?"
"Nope." He simply answers.
The maid guy is seen about to make his move and take care of this, but is stopped by Aristidis hand blocking his way.
"Let us not be hasty, friend." He tells him, and then as he looks at the small figure again, his expression turns to that of interest. "I want to see what is this about, before any decisions are made."
The scene cuts forward, showing the carriage stopped, and the group now standing before the small knight.
The pitch-black Storyteller crouches right in front of it, and with a kind expression wave a hand at the said knight. "Hello there, small one. Do you need anything from us?"
The small one says nothing, and simply proceeds to point a gloved finger toward a forest close to the side of the road.
When they look at it, they understand.
"Not a big talker, and wants us to step within the forest." Aristidis says, and then straightens himself up. "Possibly to meet someone."
As Aristidis begins to walk toward the location, with the rest following him, the small knight moves quickly in front of the group with extended arms, causing them to stop.
While trying to understand the reason for it all of a sudden, the small one points at Aristidis and Louise.
"It wants only the two of you." Charlotte concludes.
The pink-haired girl turns to Aristidis with a roll of her eyes. "Aristidis, come on, it is as clear as day that this is a trap, we have seen a lot of stories already following the same pattern. Plus, do we even have time to waste on something like this? Do not forget that her Highness-"
"Worry not, dearest Louise, if we did not have the time, I would not bother ourselves with it from the start." The mouthless Storyteller interrupts with a dismissive hand, showing his lack of worry, before looking at the rest behind them. "Ladies, you stay by the carriage and wait. Kogarashi, be on guard and ensure they are safe."
"Kukuku. You may stay calm. If anyone comes, they will regret coming face to face with me. The maid guy!" The demon-looking maid guy proclaims while striking an embattled pose, with his hair flowing independently toward different directions, and emitting a darkened aura, with the three girls he is to protect taking a step away from him out of intimidation.
With that, Aristidis and Louise follow the small knight within the forest, where little light was passing through the density of the many leaves above.
After reaching a specific spot, the small one stops, with the two stopping in response, as it turns toward them.
"I will be honest, you made it far easier to reach you than I expected." A female voice is heard echoing from somewhere in the forest, the tone making it obvious that she is of pretty much matured age, as the pink-haired girl looks around her semi-frantically to spot her exact location of the said woman. "Very nice to meet, Aristidis the Storyteller, Familiar of the Void, and you too of course, Miss Valliere, great inheritor of the Void."
The pitch-black Storyteller remains calm and unbothered as he looks a bit upward in front of him at the lower branches of the tall trees there. "If you truly know me, specifically, as you say, then why bother hiding or keeping your distance?"
After a small pause, a figure in a darkened cloak is seen landing at an appropriate distance in front of them, alarming Louise for a moment while turning toward it, and once pulling the hood down, they see the person being a smiling and pale-skinned, gorgeous yet sinister-looking woman with long black hair, who is very familiar to the viewers. "I suppose you have a point."
"Always." Aristidis pompously states, and then his expression turns mildly gleeful. "Sheffield Magistrate, Familiar of the Void, and of the Myozunitonirun power."
Louise looks at him with shock once she hears the surprising information she had no idea of.
As for Sheffield, she is mostly impressed. "Informed as always, I see. But, I suppose I should not be surprised with the fact at this point."
The pink-haired girl turns to Aristidis, appearing confused, while also frustrated at the obvious and annoyingly secretive nature of his. "How- WHERE do you know her from?"
"Excellent spies are a thing- Also spoiler alert... She was the leading figure of Reconquista." The mouthless Storyteller answers, surprising his lady even more than before.
He continues as he keeps his eyes at the woman. "Thanks to the Ring Of Andvari it was rather easy. Causing Albion's rebellion, later taking full control of the floating island, we all remember the events of the time."
Aristidis takes a few steps forward, getting somewhat closer to Sheffield, with her remaining unafraid where she stands, his expression that of curiosity. "The real question here is, what you, and whatever possible, leading figure you work for, want from us two, to be invited in this current discussion? Because honestly, I do not see you as the one to actually pull the different moves around this chessboard of yours, no matter how capable you appear to the eye."
The pale woman keeps on smiling as she proceeds to explain, with the pink-haired girl finding her composure enough to focus on this talk. "It's as you say. I indeed work for a most elegant master."
"More elegant than me?" The pitch-black Storyteller questions a bit amused with a raised eyebrow, before doing a spin around himself, and striking with a pompous face a full of elegance pose, while sparkling for the moment. "I highly doupt it."
Both the woman and the pink-haired girl sweat drop at the show of arrogance he is showing, with the latter then getting upset over it as she moves next to him like before. "Aristidis, not now- treat this seriously!"
"As I was saying-" Sheffield continues normally. "My master has taken quite the interest in you, after your many accomplishments, and the uniqueness of your magic. He would like to invite you both to where he is, so you all may hear him out, and consider helping him with something of great importance to him."
Louise's eyes narrow a bit, feeling rather insulted by this. "He dares ask for our help in anything, after the war you have caused? Why should we?"
The still smiling pale woman lifts her hands in front of her, signing her to stay calm. "Now, now. My master is not truly an evil figure, nor wishes to conquer Halkeginia."
"I press X for doubt!" Aristidis says while a hand-sized button with an X in its middle appears midair before him to hit with the underside of his fist, with the said button vanishing a second after, his face neutral during all that. "Because even if the last one is very likely to be true, he still began a war to achieve whatever goal he wanted to achieve, resulting in a great loss of life for a selfish reason. That would make him either evil, a complete idiot, or both, which is the more likely case by my honest opinion."
Sheffield's smile turns upside-down at that comment, while Louise gets a bit confused about what an X-button has to do with doupt, making obvious she does not quite like him ridiculing her master. "Make whatever assumption you have a need for, I know what is true and what is not about my master."
Her sight turns toward the side for a moment, her expression now somewhat more relaxed, before looking at Aristidis again. "Still, I will admit that his ideas back then were less than... Necessary. Which is why he needs your help specifically. After all, who would be better in this, than the power and knowledge that is the Storyteller, who like him there is no equal?" Says the last part with a bold smile.
The mouthless Storyteller raises his head upward with pride, enjoying the praise he is given. "If you have more compliments and praises like that, they are highly accepted, and appreciated."
The pink-haired girl on the other hand, does not trust the woman one bit as she keeps on looking at her with doubt.
She then takes notice of Aristidis moves close to Sheffield, before starting to walk in circles around her, and doing so with a mischievous expression, while both the former and the woman wonder why he does so.
"But still, what you both did was rather naughty, and if I just agree to go with you on that meeting, it will be like accepting your actions as nothing serious of an offence." Aristidis tells her, before stopping right behind her, placing both hands upon her shoulders with a seductive face, and as soon sliding them slightly down in a caressing and affectionate manner, as he moves his head next to her ear. "Now that would not be right toward the many who suffered because of you, would it, miss Sheffield?"
Louise just looks at him with great shock as one of her eyes twitches out of annoyance.
Seducing even the villainous woman- really now, Aristidis?!
The pale woman looks at one of his hands upon the side of her shoulder, and narrows her eyes back at him a bit annoyed, understanding very well what he is doing there.
She moves her shoulders where she stands, wanting to force his hands off her that way, with him as soon unhanding her while taking a step back on his own and with his hands raised for the moment, and an expression that makes him appear as if saying in a cheeky way that he did nothing, with her then turning toward him with her arms folded. "And what do you propose?"
"Simple enough." The pitch-black Storyteller states with a kind face, and with a quick movement moves himself right next to Louise, with the latter finding her composure, and folds her own arms in a serious manner while looking at the woman. "All you have to do, is convince your superior to sincerely admit his crimes before Queen Henrietta, and you my word that he will be forgiven, while also allow him to receive the not-evil help you say he requires. Fair, no?"
Sheffield simply looks at him for a long moment, before deciding to give her answer. "I will speak to him about it, and give you his answer at a later time."
Aristidis shrugs his shoulders, while the pink-haired softens her gaze a bit satisfied. "I have no issue with it."
"By the way-" The woman then begins with a seemingly sinister smile as she puts a hand upon one of her hips. "You know about dear Charlotte's mother, don't you?"
Louise's expression turns surprised yet serious at the mention, wondering how exactly she knows about them.
And as for the Storyteller, he remains emotionless for a moment, till he raises an eyebrow. "Excuse me, who's mother?"
({Don't react, Louise.}) His voice is then suddenly heard within the pink-haired girl's mind, who reacts for a quick moment slightly in surprise with her eyes. ({Pretend with me here.})
Louise understands what her cunning Familiar is doing here.
Sheffield raises an eyebrow at Aristidis, as he then turns his head toward Louise, seemingly confused.
"Help me out here, do you know who she is talking about?" He asks her in a whispering manner.
The pink-haired girl tries her best to appear just as confused, while also upset, which comes rather easy to her, and putting both hands upon her chest while at it. "Wh-Why should I know? YOU are the one who constantly tries to seduce every relatively interesting girl and woman you meet!" Says the last part while pointing a finger at him accusingly.
The mouthless Storyteller turns to Sheffield again. "May we have some context about that Charlotte character you speak of? Also her mother, since she sounds to be rather important to ask me about her."
After hearing their dialog, and while keeping her calm composure to keep face, the pale woman understands this as them having no idea about any of the two, which is quite surprising to her considering...
"Nevermind." She tells them with her usual sinister smile back, before extending a hand toward him in an expecting manner. "Now, I don't know what exactly happened at the end of that massacre of yours back on Albion, but it doesn't take much to understand after your people's sudden disappearance, that your life was close to death's door. May I know how it happened?"
As the pink-haired girl looks at him, wondering how he will respond to that, Aristidis puts a hand on his chin, and thinks about it for a moment. "Will... telling you that the one responsible for my overwhelming magic did not like how I used it in a much more overwhelming way during that event, suffice?"
Sheffield in a similar fashion takes into consideration what she has been told, finding the information rather interesting. "What can you tell me about him? He is really your creator like the rumors state?"
"Not answering the totally obvious part at the beginning, and also like I keep telling the ones closest to me, he was not around for long after my first official meeting with him." The Storyteller tells her honestly. "And in our random meetings in the recent times, he more or less acts like a proud father figure, but also quite odd in character, as you would expect a god-like entity to mostly be. Maybe even more than myself, excluding the father part." Says the last part happily.
Louise folds her arms while sweat dropping. "I like how you admit being an odd one, and that you understand it very well, yet you do not even try to act like a normal person."
"You cannot suppress such uniqueness, my pinkiest of dears." Aristidis tells her while putting a hand in front of his chest to indicate himself, much to the girl's annoyance at being named in front of a stranger again.
The pale woman nods to herself, thinking that this information might prove useful in the future, and then brings a hand forward in an expecting manner, smiling while doing so. "One last thing. May I take a look at your interesting Tome?"
"Sure." The pitch-black Storyteller simply answers as he begins approaching her while taking with hand from behind him the Tome, with Louise looking back and forth at the two as she realizes much to her exclaiming shock what he is doing, before stopping before her to hand it to her, which makes her smile widen slightly.
Sheffield begins to moves a few steps away from him, with the pink-haired girl running next to him, and lifting her hands up enough and with an expression that pretty much screams silently while asking what the hell is he doing, only for him to sign with a hand toward her to remain calm, showing his lack of concern.
"By the way, did you happen to forget about my ability as Myozunitonirun?" The woman asks, before turning around toward them again, and upon her forehead the engraved runes, which depict the runic title she just called herself, reveal themselves that moment with a violet glow, indicating the activation of the Void magic within. "In translation it means Mind Of God. Which gives me the ability to have full control and knowledge of use over all magical artifacts in my possession."
As Louise gets extremely shocked at the fact, understanding very well what that means since the woman now possesses his Tome, Sheffield looks at it, while still closed, and her face that moment shows her mild surprise. "Huh. Much simpler to use than I expected it to be."
"No wonder you were able to show such sights of-" She then starts with the usual smile as she proceeds to open the Tome, but once doing so, she stops while her eyes widen from utter confusion and shock, the scene a moment after revealing that the pages she is looking at, are blank. "What?"
The pale woman turns page after page, only to see the same blankness upon every single one. "What is this- why are the pages blank? The power of Myozunitonirun should have the content revealed to me! I know I can use the great power of the Tome!" She says the last part with great frustration, with Louise surprised that it did not actually work after hearing out what her runes' power do.
"Oh, I am sure you can." Aristidis tells her gleefully, drawing her immediate attention toward him, while having both hand behind his hips, as he takes a few steps forward. "Although, you seem to be forgetting of a teeny, tiny detail. The power of Myozunitonirun gives you the knowledge of how to use any magical artifact, yes, but not necessarily fulfilling the criteria the said item asks for. And when it comes to the Tome, you need to have full knowledge of each story existing within it, before you can actually use it. And your special runes do not give proper literature knowledge, do they?" His eyes flash for a moment at the end there, indicating his gleeful joy.
Sheffield is taken aback, learning that she is being denied by the Tome for such an outrageous detail.
The mouthless Storyteller shrugs his shoulders while looking upward to the side in an amused manner. "Not to mention, that even if they did, you would still be required to HAVE the magical capacity to summon anything that can be of actual help against me to begin with. And considering you are no mage, that amount is rather low." He says the last part while looking at her and bringing with a hand forward two of his fingers which barely touch each other.
The pale woman finds her composure quickly, and while closing the Tome she narrows slightly her eyes at him. "If I cannot, then neither you will."
She vanishes from sight that moment, shocking the pink-haired girl as a result, only to appear less than a second after while midair, her position diagonal with her body faced up, with her feet at the front, and the hand holding the Tome extended back, seemingly losing her balance from being suddenly pulled by that hand where she was, much to her surprise, and as she falls down, she finds her balance in time to land with her feet safely upon the grassy ground.
When Sheffield tries to pull the Tome where she stands, she notices being unable to, making it feel to her as if trying to pull something through a very small opening in a wall.
Aristidis's chuckle draws her attention. "Sorry to disappoint you, but there is a spell casted upon it to prevent any unwanted distancing from my location."
The pale woman narrows her eyes at him a bit more, disliking being prevented once more like this, and given no other choice. "Then-"
She was about to stab the Tome with a knife she takes fast with a hand through her darkened cloak, but just before reaching its cover, the Tome flies off her hand, with her stopping the knife in time to avoid striking her own hand, and she watches surprised as it makes its way back into Aristidis's extended one.
"Now why would I allow that?" He asks her as he takes ahold of his Tome and putting it under his arm, the look upon his face a mix of arrogance and glee. "Let us not kid our own selves here. You knew this would not be a simple matter to take care of for your master."
Sheffield tightens her grip on the dagger's handle as she utters a quiet growl, frustrated with how she's been played and countered like this.
His magic is just too absurd to deal with.
While the pink-haired girl brings a fist forward and being absolutely livid with the woman daring to attempt what she attempted, the mouthless Storyteller with a cordial expression is about to state something toward the said woman, which draws the former's surprised attention at the fact. "My offer still stands though, just so you know. Simply tell him to do as I said, and-"
"You truly believe I will tell someone as great, to perform such a humiliating act?" The pale woman questions with a seemingly amused chuckle as she puts the knife back within her cloak, and then looks at him with a bold smile, her eyes partially showing how offended she feels. "The mere thought is more insulting than it should be allowed to be."
With a quick movement of the same hand then, throws around her thirteen seed-looking objects, which with the activation of her runes transform into a group of tall and muscular, bipedal gargoyles, with the very first of her rune being shown glowing upon their chest to indicate her control over them.
"Know that I was not planning to use force. But your audacious attitude forces my hand in this." Sheffield explains, with Louise alarmed preparing her wand to defend herself.
"Aw come on, let us not partake in such an unnecessary activity now." Aristidis tells to Sheffield with a roll of his eyes while remaining cordial about this, before folding his arms. "After all, we did confirm that you know what I am about. Let us just sit down, and talk about this like the civilized people we are."
The pale woman's smile widens a bit more, sinister as ever. "As nice as that offer may sound, you are not really in a position to act as if you're in control of the situation."
When she says that, both Aristidis and Louise notice the small knight which led them here, having raised its sword behind of the pink-haired girl, the tip close at the girl's back.
Sheffield chuckles for a moment. "Despite its looks, my doll is not exactly slow. You are a special case that can most likely get away from everything I throw at you. But her, not as easily, right? From reports I've received so far, even with your added magic and training, she is still not as noteworthy."
The pink-haired girl feels quite insulted with the woman looking down on her like that, but her attention is then drawn by her Familiar, who speaks to her via telepathy.
({Lift the knight-doll right behind me at a safe distance once I finish saying the following against her.}) He tells the girl, with her awaiting for the said signal as she understands he will do something to make the woman eat her words.
The pitch-black Storyteller utters a chuckle that indicates his mild amusement, causing some confusion to Sheffield, before looking at her with a sinister expression of his own. "You are giving too much and too little credit on the wrong sides, dear Sheffield. And like a wise man once said, remind yourself that overconfidence, is a slow and insidious killer."
After telling her that, which somewhat alarm her, much to Sheffield's surprise soon after, she witnesses her doll magically floating right behind him all of a sudden, with her noticing that the girl is the one to do so using her wand, and as the woman then wonders of the reason lifting it where she did, something occurs that shocks her the next second.
A hatchet passes real close and quick right next to her head, cutting her lightly onto the lower part of her cheek, before it hits the doll behind Aristidis as he was tilting his head to the side, casually avoiding it that way, resulting in the doll being thrown away and onto the ground, the hatchet's blade attached onto its helmet/head, supposedly ceasing any future movements of its because of it.
While she quickly places a hand upon the mildly bleeding scratch she received alarmed, a hand sized disc comes out of nowhere, and in a matter of seconds cut down all of the thirteen gargoyles she summoned, crumbling where they were standing upon receiving their fatal wounds, as she looks back and forth at the ones she was able to notice being stricken by it, before following the object's movement till it eventually reaches the shadows of the wood at a moderate distance there, where it seemingly vanishes.
And through those shadows, she can barely make out two figures standing there, with the first being a silhouette resembling a tall person with a face or head resembling a hare, understanding by the standing and long, uneven ears at the top, and the second silhouette is not much different in height, but it is also invisible, or rather, extremely transparent yet still obvious to the more careful eye, which other than its strong-looking build, still doesn't make as clear what it is like with the first case.
She can also just now make out an eerie humming of an unknown song coming from their position. Some sort of a lullaby, if not mistaken. [The silhouettes belong to The Huntress from Dead By Daylight, with the lullaby she hums being the Bayu Bayushki Bayu, and one of the Predators, also known as Yautja, from Predator Franchise, here to do their part]
The more the woman looks at their direction just staring at her as they do, and hears the creepy humming through the shadowy woods, the more she is filled with dread, understanding now well just how frustratingly outmatched in actuality she is here, and how little she is underestimated for him to use what she believes is demons out of a horror story.
"See what I mean?" The mouthless Storyteller's voice draws her attention, with her turning to see him right in front of her, crouching enough to be at her height lever, with his arms, and Tome, behind his back, and his head slightly tilted as he gleefully looks at her.
As the still in-disbelief-woman just stands there and looking at him for the moment, he puts his free hand upon her injured cheek while straightening up himself normally again, with her uttering confused at his move, his expression now kind. "It would be a great shame to let such a beautiful face remain injured as is."
After saying that, a green glow is emitted by his palm, and in a second or two, the light dissipates as he pulls back his hand, with her bringing a hand to her cheek to touch the now healed part, somewhat surprised with that action of his, with the pink-haired girl wondering about it in the same fashion too.
"There. Isn't that much better?" Aristidis asks with a much kinder face, before stepping back to give her some appropriate space. "Now as I was saying, are you ready to have a talk with us? We will be more than happy to listen proper. And I will be more than happy to assist you in whatever way necessary." He says the last part as he leans toward her with a seductive expression.
While the woman looks at him as she tries to decide her next move carefully, while also a bit freaked out due to the way he looks at her, a familiar voice in her head draws her attention.
({Retreat for now, Myozunitonirun. You cannot win a direct confrontation against an opponent like that. Wait until you find the better chance. There is always the possibility he might bring us to the missing piece of this little game of ours as well. I have faith that you will do things as you must.}) Is what her master tells her calmly and with much of expectation.
Without losing more time, Sheffield vanishes from sight, teleporting away from the location, with Louise alarmed beginning to look all around to spot her.
"Do not bother yourself, she made her official retreat for the time being." The pitch-black Storyteller simply tells her while straightening himself up, drawing the girl's attention, as he looks boldly toward the location Sheffield run to. "Bet it will not take long till the next time she decides to ambush us for her master's evil/highly questionable purposes."
As the two stay as they are for a few seconds, the pink-haired girl sweat drops while looking at him. "And despite that, you still plan to seduce her in the future."
"Oh, absolutely!" He answers enthusiastically without hesitation.
At the sound of that, the fist of Louise's free hand, and the grip on her wand from the other tighten dangerously as her sight moves downward, pressure obvious all over her face.
"You stupid... Insufferable... Womanize~r!" She eventually yells the last one, being absolutely fed up with his said tendencies, while for the duration of the yelling she was, and jumping high into the air with her wand raised, as it is enveloped in the meantime with soft-golden light which forms into a giant hammer made out of it in her grip.
Aristidis turns around and looks up, where he watches her closing in, her clear intention causing him to sweat drop while slightly troubled about it. "O~h boy."
~Meanwhile At An Unknown And Pitch-black Location~
The scene shows upon their known couch, the black-cloaked man with the M-shaped hood Kremant, and the also black-cloaked man with the expressive white mask Derflinger, both looking onto their TV about the moment, as the splashing sound with the combination of something hard hitting the ground being heard through it, the whole situation they watch happening off-screen through yours.
"HA! Now that's what I call deserved." Derf states amused while pointing with both index fingers at the TV.
"I'm actually surprised it took her so long to reach this point." Kremant honestly admits, his mild surprise being apparent.
{To Be Continued}