During the earliest hour of the afternoon, inside the throne room, our main cast, Aristidis, Louise, Siesta, Kirche and Charlotte, were standing before Queen Henrietta upon her throne, and the Captain of the Musketeers Agnes, with Iroh and Lu Ten from ATLA being the only bodyguards and guards in general in the room, where the Storyteller was close to finishing with both the story of what happened to him during his work upon that one battlefield at Albion, and of course his report of how he and the pink-haired girl were attacked not too long ago by the woman called Sheffield.
"And in the end, she teleported away." Aristidis finishes.
Henrietta is in some disbelief about both cases, but mostly the last one. "To think there was more to this than meets the eye..."
"I know. What were the odds of a different type of Void Familiar with her master to be part of this entire situation, right?" The pitch-black Storyteller asks, the whole subject making apparent in his face just how greatly interesting it is to him, before his expression turning mildly bold as he points a finger at her. "And not mentioning Julio, pope Vittorio's Familiar, there is fourth one yet to be introduced to, according to that one book I read back in the day, that is."
Louise, and the rest of the girls, turn to him quite surprised. "Wha- Julio was a Void Familiar all this time, and the pope's no less?"
Aristidis shrugs his shoulders while looking at her. "Sensing and understanding the different magical signatures is a simple matter, after I properly became acquainted with yours that one day. Now whether he is the Right Hand Of The God or The Heart-"
"Stop talking for a moment!" Agnes interrupts him, before taking a step forward as she she appears rather upset with Aristidis. "You tell us you just let the one directly responsible for that war leave like that, instead of capturing her for interrogation so we may learn of the one who orchestrated it all? Why?!"
"Because I already know who it is thanks to my Tome-Spies." The mouthless Storyteller simply answers, with Louise grunting quietly, annoyed at his Tome-Namings, before his expression turns mildly gleeful. "The current Gallian King. Joseph De Gallia."
Everyone in the room, minus Charlotte who doesn't seem surprised in the slightest, exclaims out of shock upon hearing that.
It is a rather serious accusation toward someone like the king of a kingdom, but they are sure the Storyteller will properly explain himself as usual.
He looks outside of the window as he remembers of the time. "I began a little investigation from way back after I have first taken notice of that woman Sheffield. I thought how peculiar she was for a simple secretary of the rebel king, so I've sent eyes at the closest places around the floating island, specifically at the residences of people who hold the most power/influence in each, which allowed me to discover something rather special in that one room belonging to the Gallian King. A very detailed, sculpted piece resembling Sheffield upon a map designed for strategy, placed where the capital of Albion was, making my assumption more correct than I could anticipate. Talk about amateur's move, no?"
That explanation is more than enough to convince them, as a great deal of dislike forms mostly into the Queen and her Captain of the Musketeers.
Aristidis turns his attention back at the Queen. "That is the reason I asked for your guards to step outside and leave us on our own, before giving my report. For we want to avoid the possibility of them knowing of the Gallian King's actions, and resulting in him learning one way or another that we know. Now that, along with the fact I let Sheffield go back then, is because I wanted to avoid the possibility of war between Tristain and Gallia."
As most of the group utters while being caught off guard by what he said, he continues as he lifts and wags a finger vertically. "It is quite likely that his hand will be forced that way, and thus the reason for this needed secrecy of mine. You can win the war against him easily with my help, your esteemed Majesty, but I know you do not want any unnecessary war happening again, correct?"
Henrietta almost immediately nods in confirmation. "Y-Yes! I do not want to force another war upon my kingdom and people."
The mouthless Storyteller nods himself, and turns around while taking a few steps away before stopping, both his hands behind the back. "We will keep this information to ourselves, and keep an eye out for them. Hopefully their king will be smart enough to understand his mistake, and make amends to earn the forgiveness of the ones he wronged, mainly mine." He finishes with some pride.
Something then comes to his mind as he puts a hand upon his chin for a few seconds, and then slides crouched right next to Charlotte in a secretive manner, much to everyone else's confusion. "Charlotte, can I reveal to them who you are? I mean, at this point there is literally zero reasons to keep them in the dark."
Charlotte looks at him for a moment as she considers this, before nodding in agreement.
Aristidis's expression turns happy with her decision, and then goes back to serious as soon as he straightens himself up while looking at Henrietta and Agnes. "Both of you should know of this. It is a rather sad story."
~A Quick Storytelling Later~
The Queen was saddened by Charlotte's story, not wanting to believe it, while the scene shows Charlotte with her face looking downward as expected.
And as for the Musketeer Captain, she was currently tightening her fists out of utter frustration. "To do such a thing to his own family... Such people deserve nothing but the very worst."
Henrietta gets off her throne, and approaches the blue-haired girl, right before grabbing both her hands with her own as she raises them together, gaining the latter's attention, the former's expression kind, with signs of determination. "Know that you will have my full support once you are to take your rightful place upon the Gallian throne. Princess Charlotte."
Charlotte is moved by her words, and soon after offers her a sincere smile. "Thank you, your Highness."
While Henrietta and the rest smile content with that exchange.
"Also-" The pitch-black Storyteller begins as he draws full attention on him. "Keep in mind that our secret Gallian enemies do not know that we know of who Charlotte is. I made sure of that thanks to that cunning play Louise and I pulled on Sheffield. That bit might prove useful in the future in case they decide to call for her services, so please no spoilers to anyone. One thing for sure, their reaction will be quite something once they take that wrong step." He states the last part with playful mischief.
Kirche clasps both her hands next to her head out of great admiration. "That's our incredibly smart Aristidis for you! Always one step ahead, and of unparalleled beautiful."
Aristidis lifts both hands up proudly as he enjoys the praise. "Yes. Praise me."
"You're amazing!" Siesta states with the same admiration Kirche showed him, not wanting to lose the opportunity to praise him like he asked.
Charlotte turns toward him, wanting to praise him too. "Your knowledge impeccable."
"Praise me harder!" He then tells them in a seemingly more demanding manner now while winking at them, startling them for a moment there.
At that, Kirche, Siesta, Charlotte, and even Louise begin to exclaim, in that order, praises to him like "No one can compare to you! The most awe-inspiring and graceful existence! A true pinnacle to be jealous of. Y-You are so much that I can't use them all in one sentence."
"Aah, I think I will faint from all that love." The Storyteller says while appearing overwhelmed by the pleasure of the praises, before slowly falling back seemingly unconscious, till he reaches the floor where he phases through, much to everyone's surprise, only to appear through the ceiling above, only to fall down to phase through the floor again, with the same thing occurring unceasingly as everyone sweat drops at both the bizarre display, along with the excessive sense of self-importance that supposedly caused it.
Lu Ten leans sidewardly toward his father to speak secretly. "Father, I believe you should have a talk with him about his ridiculous ego."
Iroh sweat drops as he turns his head toward him. "Trust me, son, it is easier teaching a fish to breath air, than teaching the Storyteller humility."
After the Storyteller was done with his supposed fainting, and was back to his original position before the Queen along with the rest of the four, Henrietta fakely clears her throat to draw attention on her as she smiles. "Anyway, back to the Tiffania case. I believe I speak for everyone when I say that we and Halkeginia as a whole owe her much for saving Aristidis's life as she did. Could you bring her here in the Royal Palace for me?" Says the last part while mostly looking at the Storyteller.
"Happy to see we think alike." Aristidis states pleased, and then puts a hand on his chin. "What is your plan for after official introductions are completed?"
"I believe a tea party as a start at the palace's garden will be more than adequate." She answers.
The Storyteller likes the idea. "Ooh, I have never been there before, but can already see the peaceful beauty of the area we are to visit. Adequate indeed."
A thought then comes to his mind that changes his expression to a more serious one as he stays as he is for the time being.
That causes the people in the room to wonder about it, with Louise feeling concerned due to knowing him. "What is it, Aristidis?"
Aristidis makes up his mind, and looks at them all. "Just to avoid any unnecessary shock from occurring, cause there is no way it will not happen on this case too, I will share one last bit of information, which you will need to keep a secret as well."
~The Next Day Just Before Midday~
After a day of preparation and proper rest, Aristidis, Louise, Siesta, Charlotte and Kirche embarked on their way to Albion via the comfort of the Zeppelin the former summoned as their today's way of transportation.
While at it, everyone was currently enjoying the outside view with a glass of juice, wine, or chocolate in their hands while at it, with the black-haired maid just now coming out of the Tome to give the Storyteller his glass, as both then clink their glasses together before drinking.
Well, all except for the pink-haired girl, who seemed worried for some reason, before looking down at herself as she proceeds with both hands to press her own, small chest.
The redhead takes notice of the way she acts, and with a kind smiles moves in front of her, understanding what this is clearly about. "Anything you want to share with us, Louise?"
Louise looks at her confused for a bit, with the rest turning toward the former's way curious about, before moving her hands behind her own back while turning to the side, her face showing the awkwardness she feels. "N-Nothing. Nothing at all- wh-what's with that question all of a sudden, Kirche?"
Everyone else just looks at her for the moment, with her looking their way one more time, and then signs after a small delay, her expression now somewhat saddened as she looks down once more. "Alright. I may be feeling a little self-conscious about my body, after hearing about how Tiffania's is."
"Oh, Louise..." Kirche trails off as both she and Siesta feel genuinely bad for her, while Charlotte understands her, since she too is of small size at the chest area.
Aristidis walks before her, and with a calm face places both his hands onto her shoulders. "You know that you are beautiful, and are loved as you are. And I mean, your body is still in the process of growing. It is not like you will stay as you are forever."
The pink-haired girl turns to him with an anxious expression. "Still!"
Something comes to the girl's mind then, and with a hopeful smile she grabs Aristidis's hands with her own. "You can do most things! Is seeing one's future part of that?"
Her close friends utter with some surprise, never expecting such a thought.
"You could see how I will look in the near future, right? You should be able to, right?" Louise questions, her expression showing her great want for it.
"I mean, yes, I could." The mouthless Storyteller answers, but afterward as he unhands her while turning to the side, with her unhanding him in response as well, he appears rather sceptical about it. "But, I don't know... If I do this, it will totally ruin the surprise for us all."
The pink-haired girl places both her hands together forward, and smiles in a pleading manner while moving in front of him. "Please? Oh, pretty, pretty please, the most elegant and unbelievably incredible person that I have so much love for?" Says as she moves around him with the same posture.
Aristidis stays as he is for a few more seconds, and then shrugs, his expression quite pleased. "What the heck. It will not really hurt to learn sooner."
As he takes and opens his Tome to search through the pages, with the pink-haired girl being really happy with him accepting, the other three move next to her with smiles of interest of their own.
"Can we learn about ours too, dear?" The black-haired maid asks.
"This sounds very interesting. Count me on that as well, love." The redhead tells him.
"Very well, very well, I will do you the favor too." The pitch-black Storyteller tells them with an amused roll of his eyes, before reaching the page he wanted, and grabbing with a hand magically from within it a pair of unique-looking glasses, while the girls give to the approaching maid Cinderella their drinks upon the tray she carries, with her moving them onto a table nearby for later.
The Glasses have a metallic, bronze colored skeleton, with the lenses made of large, light-blue crystals, and with the skeleton above the lenses having an eyebrow type design. [The Crystal Glasses from Xiaolin Showdown.]
"These should do for this one." Aristidis states as he puts them on, and through his view the viewers see the future image of each of the girls before his eyes, at their supposed prime. "Ooh, look at you, Louise! Gained some height, approximately a head taller, the hips slightly bigger and looking very nice, and your chest... They grow enough to be as big as Siesta's! Such an impressive figure."
Louise exclaims with excitement while hopping in place for a moment, obviously liking what she has heard, with Kirche putting a hand upon her shoulder while giving a thumb up with the other to congratulate her friend, which the latter appreciates with the same energy, as the other two clap their hands for her.
The Storyteller moves his sight to the black-haired maid. "Siesta, you gain some height too, and your face somewhat matures, giving off an elegance many Noblewomen would be jealous of."
Siesta loves what she hears as she looks back and forth at her equally pleased with her friends.
He then looks at Kirche. "Hm. Looks like you will not be any different from your current appearance. You already have everything you were meant to have."
She flips her hair with a hand, pompously satisfied with that. "Well, I suppose it was to be expected. You can't improve what is already perfect after all, no?"
The rest of the girls sweat drop at her ego. Like the Storyteller's arrogance is not enough to deal with as it is.
Aristidis finally turns to the blue-haired girl, and unlike with the other three, he seems to be a little hesitant with her somehow, as he puts a hand on his chin while skeptical. "Charlotte, as for you... You do not change much. You gain adequate height like the rest, despite still being the shortest in comparison, and your face shows signs of adulthood. Your chest though, barely grows. Forcing you to remain in the same alphabetical-size-category that you are now."
Charlotte lowers her head upon hearing that, sad with how unfairly age will treat her, while the rest try to comfort her with a hand to the shoulder, feeling bad for her about the fact.
The pitch-black Storyteller takes off the Crystal Glasses, and approaches her as he puts them back inside his Tome, before with a hand takes her hand, drawing her attention, and pulling her away from the rest and toward him, hugging her by the waist with both hands, and Tome, while looking at her with a kind expression. "Despite that being true, I will still never look at you any more differently than I do right now. For like with the rest, you need no actual change to have the love and adoration I feel for you."
The blue-haired girl blushes softly, with the rest uttering delighted in response, being very touched by his words, as she then smiles heartwarmingly while stretching herself up enough for her face to reach his as she brings her arms around his neck, and gives him a passionate kiss upon his mouthless area, which he obviously accepts happily.
Once done, she pulls her head back while stopping with the stretching of her feet, bringing herself back down to her normal height level, as she keeps on looking him in the eyes. "I cannot love you more than I do right now."
"Do not swear just yet, I might do something to prove that you actually can." Aristidis tells her as he presses playfully with a finger her nose, which makes her chuckle for a moment, before unhanding her while taking a few steps away with both hands, and Tome, behind his back as he keeps on looking back at her with half an eye, and a mildly serious face. "Also trust me when I say that you could have it much worse. At least you will look like a decent adult during that age."
After saying that, two female figures come walking from the left and right each, appearing from off-screen when no one was looking, and stop next to one another before Aristidis as they look at the four girls.
The FIRST one is a short woman, around 1,28 in height, of a relatively slender build and overall young-looking appearance, with shoulder-length green hair that is ties in a ponytail, green eyes, and who wears a gray-colored office suit, with her appearing a bit awkward as she stands there, and the SECOND one is an also short, petite, relatively young-looking woman, approximately 1,42 in height, with emerald green eyes, matching green hair that naturally curls up on the ends, and who wears a form-fitting V-neck black dress with a high collar, long sleeves, and four high-cut leg slits that show off her shapely long legs and black low-heeled shoes, with her having her arms folded while appearing both serious and pompous, as if about to exclaim Hmph! [Futaba Igarashi from My Senpai Is Annoying, and Tatsumaki from One Punch Man, here to be a specific example]
"Unlike these two who are stuck as they are." The mouthless Storyteller states while turning toward them, his arms open to indicate the two, and then tilts his head toward the shorter and awkward one, and later at the other while proceeding to state something more about each of them in order. "Futaba here is twenty-three years old, and Tatsumaki is twenty-eight. Do they look like their age?"
The girls are in utter surprise upon hearing that.
"They are... And yet..." The black-haired maid trails off, being at a loss of words due to the fact.
The redhead approaches and walks around the two, plus the Storyteller who stands pretty much between them, having a hard time believing the said fact. "By my great love's name, they truly do not look their age at all! This Tatsumaki woman in particular looks as if she is around our Louise's age."
"Inconceivable!" The pink-haired girl adds, showing her own disbelief.
Tatsumaki narrows her eyes a bit at them, while somewhat unsure whether they mock the way she looks or not. What keeps her from taking actual offence to their comments, is that she is not really treated like a kid here. There is a difference between a kid and a teenager after all, despite still not being considered an adult.
In the meantime, Futaba sweat drops while thinking about how young she appears in comparison to the rest of the girls in the room as she looks at them.
Aristidis continues in a semi-dramatic manner, and a fist raised beside his head. "And there are more examples like them in the Tome, just so you know. Appearing younger despite the adult age, with different people never taking them seriously, and treating them like children and babies- the last one not the kind a man playfully calls his girl, just to be clear." Says the last part seriously but calmly while pointing with a finger mostly at the blue-haired girl, which makes her nod in understanding as she sees how she could turn out if her genes were like their.
She would hate it if others would never see her as an adult, despite the age.
"I dare anyone to treat me that way. They'll never get off from the hospital bed they end up to." The green-haired one with the tips that curl upward states with utmost seriousness, with an intense energy of green outlining her entire body during the last part, making her appear rather menacing.
The girls, along with Futaba who moves next to them, take a step back from her, their hands raised in front of them in a defensive manner, sweat dropping while being intimidated by her.
The pitch-black Storyteller chuckles amused, as he then proceeds to look upward. "I remember how you treated me back then when testing both your power and patience. Throwing/splashing me up to the moon and pulling me back down, only to throw a meteor on top of me the next moment to scatter me into raining droplets. It was truly something."
"She did what to you?!" Louise exclaims her question while she and her close friends appear shocked by that revelation.
Tatsumaki turns to the side away from him as her threatening energy dissipates, her arms still folded and her expression once more pompous. "You were asking for it. Also, I still can't believe how you can just survive attacks like that."
Aristidis looks at the rest. "It was during my first ever visit within the story of her world. Let us go take a sit by one of our tables, and I shall tell you all about my little adventure there."
"Wait." Futaba Igarashi draws attention on her as she is seen approaching Tatsumaki, before pointing with a finger at her hair, then at hers, with the former repeating the action one more time as if seemingly coming to a realization.
"We... Is it a common theme in your stories people of our stature to have green hair?" She finally asks in her surprise while turning her head toward Aristidis.
The mouthless Storyteller suppresses his need to laugh amused at that assumption, and shrugs his shoulders. "Not really, you both just happened to have green hair when choosing you as examples."
~Some Time Later~Within The Thick Forest Of Westwood~
Somewhere in the forest during midday, the scene shows Tiffania traversing through the woods, walking on her way to reach her cottage, the usual hat covering her head.
Like most of the time, she was carrying a basket filled with needed ingredients for a good meal.
A show of concern becomes obvious in her face as she moves on, having in her mind how her money were getting dangerous close to not being enough for her everyday needs.
This forest can only provide that much for her, and if nothing is done soon, hunger will not be far.
But, that is not the main reason of her worries.
In her mind, it was a close friend of hers that was all about. "It has been some time since she visited. I hope she is alright working in that magic academy she was telling me about."
Not too long after, she reached her cottage.
Just like she left it like always.
While walking toward the door, the blonde girl was thinking about that Aristidis the Storyteller character she healed a couple of days ago, along with his words of coming to visit her again one of the following days.
She would really like it to chat some more with him. He was a very friendly person.
As Tiffania reaches the handle of her door, it suddenly opens as two pitch-black hands grab her quickly as soon by the shoulder and arms, and pull her inside the cottage, causing her to yelp startled, with the door closing behind her almost as fast.
The scene then moves inside to show Aristidis holding her in midair diagonally below him by the said shoulder and arm, and being the one who pulled her inside as he did.
"Surprise~, how do you do, Tiffania? Your day as good as it should be?" He ask the surprised Tiffania with much of joy, with the scene moving enough to show Louise, Siesta, Charlotte and Kirche together not too far in the middle of the room.
The blonde girl gets over her surprise as soon as she realizes it was him, and smiles elated, but still a bit shaken because of the scare she got not long ago. "Aristidis! I-It's so good to see you again and so soon."
"The feeling is mutual, my dear blonde!" The Storyteller tells her while straightening her up normally before unhanding her, and then with a hand turns her along with him toward the rest. "And let me introduce you to your definitely-soon-to-be-friends: Louise, Siesta, Kirche, and Charlotte."
"Hello, nice to meet you, Tiffania." The black-haired maid happily greets her first with a raised hand.
The pink-haired girl proceeds to do the same, but somewhat more awkwardly, with the other two simply raising a hand with a smile. "S-Same."
"Ah- nice to meet you too, everyone!" Tiffania greets back with a quick and respectful bow, caught a bit off guard there for a moment because of the extra people she just now noticed, while the girls look for the first time, and with relative surprise and jealousy at the blonde one's large chest as they take notice of it.
"Also apologies for intruding in your home out of nowhere, but I really wanted to give you a proper surprise- WHICH includes the celebratory air provided by yours truly!" Aristidis states with enthusiasm while putting an arm around her shoulders, right before indicating with his free hand at the room around them, with it a quick moment after filling around with tied, colorful ribbons and balloons, the once normal-sized table becoming appropriately longer, as a purple cloth dresses its surface, and plates of different and unique foods appearing upon it, with the room itself brightening with both a warm light, and odd cleanliness.
Tiffania was uttering with childlike astonishment upon witnessing the miraculous to her change that occurred in her house before her eyes.
The pitch-black Storyteller points with the same hand at the table while moving her along with him to approach it. "Let us take our seat, as the ladies and I proceed to tell you of our story."
And so they did, with the Storyteller and the pink-haired girl taking their seats right next to to Tiffania, while in the meantime were eating from their plates for the few minutes it took to speak of their said story.
"So, that's how it all started." The blonde girl understands after hearing specifically about the story of his life here, and then smiles in further astonishment. "It's almost like one of those fairytales I used to read when little, about spirits and more giving help to the heroes of the said stories who most needed it."
Aristidis with a kind expression points a finger at her. "Not a bad analogy."
He then moves his finger slightly to point now at the hat she is still wearing, while relaxing his face at the same time. "Now that you know all about us, I will ask you with all respect to remove your hat. Must be rather uncomfortable wearing it inside your own house."
At the sound of that, Tiffania puts both hands over it, obviously concerned due to the suddenness of it. "Th-That's..."
"Do not worry your thoughts." The mouthless Storyteller tells her with a semi-raised hand to calm her, before leaning back on his seat in a relaxed manner. "We already know what you hide under it."
She gasps surprised at the fact. Just how did they found out?
Aristidis proceeds with explaining. "Other than hearing the story of a friend who met you during his time of need, me seeing you in person, and connecting those dots, I also used the services of Mighty Angelo the flea from Looney Toons to take a single strand of your hair without your notice, give it to me for a quick test back in the magic academy through the Tome-Personnel within my Tome, where the DNA result revealed your racial identity, so I can see how correct my assumption was."
"It was always one or the other in this case, so I am not too surprised you were the most rare case of this scenario." He continues with a shrug, with his face as he rests his elbows upon the table, and his palms supporting the jaw, becoming mildly gleeful. "You, are a half-elf. Will you not tell me I am right, dear Tiffania?"
The blonde girl does not know the meaning of that DNA he speaks of, but she is in great disbelief at how he was able to discover her secret just like that, and be as precise as to even tell she is not a full-blood elf.
She then looks at everyone in the room, along with the maid Cinderella who stands in the background waiting like usual, and sees how calm and unbothered everyone appears about it, which to her is unexpected to say the least, knowing how much she knows humans hate elves and all.
Tiffania decides, with much of hesitation, to to remove the hat from her head, revealing her long, pointy, and slightly leaning downward ears. "Y-You're right, I'm a half-elf. Are you... Not scared or bothered by that at all?"
The Storyteller straightens himself on his seat normally while putting a hand upon his chest, his expression a mix of kindness and pride. "I myself have no reason to, for I judge character, not race. And as for them, they are more open minded than the average human you have come to know, so no discrimination you will receive from them of all people."
"You are among friends here, Tiffania, be sure about it." Louise tells her with a friendly face.
The blonde half-elf smiles moved by the surprising fact, never expecting to meet people who would not only not see her as a threat to them, but actually treat her like one would a friend.
In fact she is so moved, that tears were forming on her eyes, with her trying to hold them back almost as soon.
Aristidis leans close, and with a hankerchief proceeds to carefully wipe the said tears that formed. "Now, now, no need for unnecessary tears, keep them for when we watch a dramatic movie together."
As he pulls the hankerchief back once finished, the half-elf now looks at him confused. "Movie?"
Kirche smiles awkwardly at her, remembering her own confusion back then when hearing of those new stuff like that the first time. "You will learn about those soon, trust me, sweet Tiffania."
With the blonde one becoming even more confused because of it, the pitch-black Storyteller draws her attention back to him with the closing of his Tome, which he opened a moment ago to put the hankerchief inside.
"We have told you about us, so it is only fair to now learn about you, lovely Tiffania." He tells her, his face as kind as ever. "I hope it is not too much to ask of you."
At the mention, and after getting to hear pretty much everything from them, she understands they want her to tell as much, to know about her very past.
She looks down to the side for a moment, hesitation obvious in her face, but then looks back at Aristidis, seeing that mouthless face of his, full of kindness and encouragement.
His very presence in general, makes the blonde half-elf have that feeling of safety, and that she can open up to him, despite the subject of talk, even the one she wouldn't imagine wanting to speak about, or remember.
"Know that you do not have to tell me absolutely everything, even though it is encouraged due to my curiosity." Aristidis tells her, wanting her to be as comfortable as possible, while still voicing quietly and with a bit of humor his want. "Let us begin with an easy one first. Which of your parents was the elf in that relationship? Your mother, or father?"
"My mother." Tiffania answers. "She was a mistress to the then archduke of Albion and father of mine."
That catches everyone's varying surprise, especially Louise's. "Mistress?"
"Was their relationship appropriate, or was she pretty much treated like a slave?" The Storyteller asks curiously with a hand on his chin.
"They both cared for one another." The blond half-elf answers, which makes him utter pleased and with much of interest.
"How did your mother, an elf, end up on Albion?" The pink-haired girl then asks utterly confused, because it simply makes no sense to her considering the whole elf factor.
Tiffania at that appears a bit troubled as she tries to recall about it. "I... I honestly don't know. Mother never told me about her past while together."
Aristidis appears quite disappointed with that as he folds his arms. "That is a shame. I really dislike it when parts of importance throughout history are lost for any reason. Nevermind that, please continue." He says the last part while relaxing his posture and face.
"It was a quiet life." The blonde half-elf admits, before lowering her head, sadness obvious in her face as she proceeds to continue further. "Then one day, when I was still little, I don't know why, but soldiers were searching all over the castle for us, and I could tell by how alarmed mother was while pulling my hand to run with her, that it was not for good. Eventually, she placed me inside a closet, and told me to not open it no matter what. That was the last time I saw both her and father."
That makes everyone feel sorry for her upon understanding what happened.
But whether they were wanted dead for the position the father had, or because the elf fact was discovered, is unknown, and can only be guessed at this point with the little information they received about it.
Tiffania looks normally at them again as she continues. "After some time, my best friend Matilda, who's father was the viceroy of my own father, came to take me, and together left the castle without anyone noticing. For a time, I was living with the orphans at the village of Westwood not too far from here, until I was old enough to care for myself. My friend made sure to visit me often, and once I left the orphanage, she took me to stay in this cottage that as I know was built before mother became a mistress."
"Once I officially moved in, Matilda always made sure to bring me both money and groceries during her day offs. But for some reason, she suddenly stopped visiting for quite some time." She then tells them concerned, before looking to the side as she ponders about it. "I hope she alright, and that she is just way too busy in that magic academy she told me she works at."
"Wait just a millisecond there!" The pitch-black Storyteller tells her while appearing to realize something, with Louise and Charlotte being the same, while Siesta and Kirche look at each one confused with their sudden reaction, both hands raised into a double stop sign for a moment, as he proceeds to make a few things clear. "When you say magic academy, you mean the most famous one within the Tristain kingdom, or a different one?"
"Yes, the one at Tristain." The half-elf answers, and then almost instantly remembers an important detail, which makes her get up and lean toward him with an excited smile. "I've heard you stay there! Could it mean that you know her?"
Aristidis puts a hand on his chin while contemplating about it. "That is what I want to find out. Whether is the one I imagine to be, or not. Describe her for me, please."
"She has green, long hair, glasses, and works as the Headmaster's secretary." She says.
It was at this moment that out main group fully understood about the woman she was talking about, and it's so surprising that even the now wide-eyed Storyteller is caught off guard there, along with another very-well-known fact that has to do with her. "Oh my entire collection of gods..."
"Fouquet who was posing as Longueville? Is that her actual name, or is that another pseudonym?" The pink-haired girl questions confused as she looks at him, while still in her surprise.
"How many different lives can one person even have?" The redhead now asks them while utterly confused, wanting to be sure of their answer before she thinks of the fact as way too ridiculous, which she does nevertheless.
Tiffania looks back and forth at them, troubled and unsure about what is this about. "Wh-What is it? Is everything alright?"
Aristidis finds his composure, looks at her for a moment longer with a calm expression, till he decides to tell her the truth. "Your friend is trapped within my Tome."
"Wh-What?!" The blonde half-elf exclaims from surprise at the sound of that.
The pitch-black Storyteller sweat drops. "Let me explain how it reached that point, and about what I can understand is a life your friend kept a secret from you."
~One Quick Explanation Later~
Tiffania is in disbelief after hearing everything she was told. "I can't believe that Matilda was stealing things for others all this time..."
"Taking into careful consideration what happened in the past, along with how an underdeveloped society can be with lonely-looking children most of the time, her turning into a thief is not that much of a surprise, really." Aristidis explains, with his face then relaxing and turning kind. "And after all, caring for you, all this time, shows that she did it mostly for you."
"Eh?" The blonde half-elf utters confused as she looks at him.
The mouthless Storyteller elaborates, with some dramatism toward the end. "Think about it. You are the last person that remained from Matilda's once happy and Noble life. Everything that she had from then on. She made sure to protect you the best and most accessible way possible from day one, and had to make difficult choices to further ensure that. Even if she went through a filthy path, she did so, so you may live as comfortably as possible, for if she did not, with the way things are in the society's current way of thinking, you would not be able to survive just like that. And her heart would not be able to bear that."
Tiffania is emotionally moved upon hearing what is considered as the full reason of her childhood friend's actions, while also now having a better understanding of the pain she must have went through herself during all this time.
"So please, do not think ill of her, for her actions were in this case justified. Will you not agree with me, my ladies?" He asks the last part while looking at everyone else by the table.
Louise stands up with a serious expression. "Of course we shall."
Kirche with a smile leans back on her seat in a relaxed/unbothered manner, with Siesta and Charlotte at the moment nodding with agreement in response at what the Storyteller asked. "Without a shadow of a doubt, love."
As the blonde half-elf looks back and forth at them all, the half-elf is somewhat in a disbelief at how supportive they are of Matilda, despite her actions, with the feeling soon after being replaced by happiness, and a smile that shows once more how great she feels at meeting such open minded and friendly people.
But as her expression relaxes and her feelings calm down, a thought comes into her mind which causes her understandable concern about a detail she has been already told, while turning to him. "Ar-Are you sure my friend Matilda is in no danger inside your Tome?"
"My Tome-Personnel did not find any trace of her in THE worst places she could end up to, so it is safe to assume that wherever she is, is not a threat toward her well-being." Aristidis explains, as Louise at the moment sits back down on her seat. "Worry not, she will be found, and be brought back to you as soon for a welcoming hug."
Tiffania clasps her hands together while uttering elated at the nice thought, looking forward to see it happen soon, with the rest of the group sweat dropping at how easy she is to please.
As she sits back down on her seat, the pitch-black Storyteller leans back upon his own, while looking up to the ceiling somewhat dissatisfied with a thought of his. "Now, if only she did not have such a mistrust against Nobles and mages in general, we would not be here right now worrying about her whereabouts and overall health."
Siesta smiles awkwardly and raises her hand forward toward him, wanting to calm that dissatisfaction of his. "I-I'm sure she will see you differently after she sees how close you are with Tiffania, and that you are no danger to her like she thought. You know, after she gets out of the Tome."
"I know..." Aristidis trails off while staying as he is, understanding how likely that scenario is, but still can hardly get over what happened because of his past carelessness.
Then seconds later, he leans down and reaches with his hands for something below the table, before lifting with one hand a large board with black lines of hexagonal-type of design upon its front, and with his other having the index finger raised while magically lifting at the space slightly above it different red-colored decks, his expression now all of a sudden rather enthusiastic. "So, who is up for some Card Wa~rs?"
[Yes, the card game straight out of Adventure Time]
The four girls were more than interested at what might be considered as a new game to them, with Tiffania appearing very surprised as she looks at it, then below the table, and once more at it again as she wonders much to her utter confusion where did that even come from, while also about whether she always had it and never noticed it somehow, which causes the said girls to chuckle much to their semi-pitying amusement while looking at her, since they understand very well that reaction of hers which all of them experienced in the past.
~Hours Later~During The Night~
The last of the sun's rays vanish from the horizon, with the darkness of the night and the light of the two moons officially taking their place.
Inside of Tiffania's cottage, the game they were playing was already over as it shows the table free of its presence, replaced by cups of warm, sweet chocolate, with the Storyteller for the moment appearing to be speaking to the half-elf about something regarding himself, his expression joyous. "And once I have my magical power back to its maximum state, I will ensure the world will experience nothing but the best of treatments! Because all I want for the many deserving people residing upon it, is to be happy, fulfilled, and at peace in general. Forget all the bads you used to hear from then on, for every day that passes, will be nothing but blissful experience for all."
"That's sounds like a dream..." Tiffania trails off while looking upward as she imagines how a future like that could be with his unbelievable power and goodwill, with him currently taking a sip from his cup.
Aristidis lowers the cup, and points a finger from the same hand at her, while winking playfully, gaining her attention again. "Correction. A dream waiting to be true. And it will."
The blonde half-elf smiles at him. "In that case, I look forward to when you get all of your magic back, Aristidis. If everyone will truly be happy thanks to it, it's the least I can do. No one deserves to have a bad life." She says the last parts with hope and mild sadness obvious on her face while looking downward, her thoughts reminding her both the time of her parents' ending, to the orphans who were just like her, and to all those who die in wars and more.
And everyone in their own way understands how she feels, especially after getting to know her story, and they too agree with that thought as they feel bad for her and other people who did not deserve their unfair fates.
The Storyteller proceeds to move a hand toward the half-elf with a kind expression, and the best of intentions in mind.
"Wait-" The pink-haired girl begins upon remembering something, stopping the Storyteller as a result and drawing the group's attention on her. "With all that during the past hours, we completely forgot to ask the obvious question here. Tiffania, how did you save Aristidis's life exactly. A healing spell unique to the elves, and taught by your mother?"
"No." Tiffania answers, and then brings one of her hands up to remove and present before all a white, square-shaped ring from her finger, which has four semi-sharp teeth close to the corners, where a stone/gem would normally be expected to be held in its empty spot. "This rings belonged to my mother, who told me of its healing abilities, before gifting it to me. The stone dissolved and disappeared when I saved Aristidis. It was really surprising when his melting half was literally gathering every small bit back to form his legs and feet once I healed him." She says the last part flabbergasted and with a sweat drop.
Louise, and the rest, gasps from shock. "Melted half?!"
Aristidis appears a bit pleased while putting a hand on his chin. "Aah, so my body would indeed react that way after being damaged too much. Just like I theorized."
Everyone looks at him with a sweat drop, wondering who in their right mind would want to know how his body will react when dying.
"Back to the ring now, the way I see it, especially thanks to the whole Guiche fact, it most likely works like one of those magical items that can have a certain number of uses, before the magic in it depletes, and either become unusable from that point, or needing important refiling to be used again." He then speculates, which is more than enough to impress the group due to the great knowledge and understanding they know he has, before folding his arms while looking in sceptical manner at the said ring in her hand. "Still rather basic for a magic item, considering it can affect only a single target with each use. Just a slightly better version of Phoenix Down, pretty much."
That confuses Louise, and the rest, obviously, as she raises an eyebrow. "Phoenix Down?"
"Final Fantasy story." The pitch-black Storyteller simply answers, with his now mildly serious attention then going back to Tiffania. "But tell me, was it not a great risk to literally save the lives of everyone that ended up your way? If one of them happened to be a fanatic or truly obsessive person, your secret could have been revealed right at the moment they opened their eyes to look at you, especially if in your hasty response you forgot to keep your ears hidden."
The blonde half-elf just looks at him for a moment, before smiling in a longing manner while looking down at her mother's ring upon her palm. "My mother always said to help those in need. I never really considered the risk you just spoke about, but even if I did, I could never bring myself to abandon someone who needs my help."
She moves her sight back at the Storyteller. "Just like with you, Aristidis. Even if your father didn't ask for my help, I would still use the ring in order to save your life the moment I saw you in the state you were."
That moves the rest of the girls emotionally, with most of them uttering from how obviously moving that sounded from her, with the Storyteller seemingly not sharing the feeling.
"So foolishly pure of you." Aristidis states, causing the half-elf's smile to drop in response, before his expression turns kind. "Yet greatly admirable, and an example I love meeting."
That brings back her smile upon realizing he was not really badmouthing her choices, with the girls appreciating his known open mindedness.
He then gets up while turning toward the half-elf normally, as she looks at him curiously for that. "I need to be honest with you, dear Tiffania. From the moment I gazed upon you, you have become a truly likeable to me lady. And I would like to think of you as more than just another friend. Like the ladies you see in this very room, minus Cinderella, I want for you to be part of this whole situation we have. Consider you that special someone in my life."
Siesta and Kirche have put their hands together with delight while they witness what they see as a heartwarming love confession, with Louise and Charlotte rolling their eyes but still smiling at him for it, pretty much expecting that move sooner or later from the moment he told them of his intentions.
As Tiffania tries to understand what he is trying to tell her, the mouthless Storyteller takes one of her hands with both his as she sits there, and lifts it a bit closer to him while somewhat leaning forward with a now mildly seductive expression. "Tiffania. Would you like to be part of my harem?"
The blonde half-elf remains silent for a moment, with her then tilting slightly her head with a sweat drop, and obviously confused. "Um, I'm sorry, but what is a harem?"
Aristidis at that utters a short-lived chuckle out of amusement while staying as he is. "How I knew you will proceed to ask in the way you did. Well, my lovable blonde-"
"Storyteller!" A very-well-known female voice coming from outside yells, drawing their confused and alarmed attention toward the way of the closed door it comes from, with Aristidis not showing any of those feelings the others show in the current situation. "I know you are in there along with your little ladies. Come out, and let us have a talk you and I."
"That's Sheffield!" The pink-haired exclaims in realization as she and her three close friends get up alarmed.
Tiffania is yet again confused as she looks back and forth at them all worried. "Who?"
The pitch-black Storyteller's face turns bold as he keeps his eyes at the door. "Looks like she is back for more like I predicted."
He then turns at Tiffania with a neutral expression, as he takes ahold of his Tome with a hand. "Tiffania, it would be best to remain hidden here in your cottage along with your newest, goodest friends till Louise and I handle the situation outside. The ladies will explain while ensuring your safety."
After saying that, and without expecting for any response, Aristidis with a flip of his luxurious and twinkling cape proceeds to the door, as Louise follows after him, while the rest, with different feelings each, look for the moment at them go.
With a casual wave of his free hand, the door opens for him on its own, and at the very moment he steps outside, while Louise currently behind him and not yet outside herself, two wild-looking, dark-purple wolves, who are marked by Sheffield's Familiar rune of power, jump from the side above with jaws wide open, and aiming for the side that has the Tome, with the Storyteller seemingly not noticing them as they do so, just before they are both stopped by a large, round shield of red with yellowish trim moving fast in front of them, with them falling upon it instead, and with the unknown-for-now individual as soon retreating it to the side as they quickly use a much smaller and yellowish shield to strike them both in an uppercut type of manner, causing both beasts to vanish once knocked back.
As the pink-haired girl comes to the realization of what just happened, two more wolves are about to pounce at the Storyteller from the rooftop above, only for another unknown figure to fall swiftly behind them, shovel first, and deliver them upon landing a quick and devastating horizontal swing, causing the second pair of beasts to vanish too in their defeat.
Sheffield, who was currently across them at the distance with more of those wolves by her sides, watches with surprise at the whole thing, as then the scene moves back to Aristidis and Louise, to show the two figures who protected him, with the one carrying the shovel jumping down to land and stand next to them, with the FIRST one being a short man, somewhere around 1,40 meters tall, wearing cyan-blue-colored full plate armor, his helmet tightly closed, with the T-shaped opening being too dark to show the part of the face there, with the armor's waist, pauldrons, and the base of each of the two white, thick ox-like horns coming from the sides of his helmet being yellowish trimmed, and the SECOND one is a slightly taller female, at least a head taller than the first one, wearing red-colored full plate armor, with an open helmet showing her face, and the small mole upon the cheek under her left eye, the said helmet extending a bit upward, giving it a near-conic shape, with a pair of winged-shaped feathers at its lower sides, who carries at her left arm the large red shield that proves to be more than half her height, with the MUCH smaller yellowish shield on her right one, and both in their respective battle stances, ready to face the adversary forth. [Shovel Knight and Shield Knight from Shovel Knight Franchise, here to perform their chivalrous duties]
The mouthless Storyteller puts both hands, and Tome, behind his back, and raises an eyebrow while looking at the pale woman, his arrogant nature showing, while in the meantime Siesta and Kirche are peeking through from the sides of a nearby and closed window to watch at the whole situation outside.
"Really? You thought a sneak attack like that, will be enough to catch me off guard? Please, I have witnessed ambushes throughout multivers's histories with more success than this." He states in a somewhat mocking manner, before a mix of seductiveness becomes apparent upon his face. "You did not even hide in those beautifully piercing eyes of yours the intent of striking at my hand and Tome, when in the process of your disarming plan."
The pale woman forms and tightens a fist, frustrated at her newest failure to have the appropriate to her result.
Also, having him keeping on sweet-talking to her in the way he does is becoming more and more insulting the more she hears him doing so. How dare he, when she has made obvious she belongs to her master and no one else, no less!
Aristidis folds his arms, with Louise looking at the woman with focused seriousness. "In any case, I was wondering when you will decide to finally visit us here! One would think that with those butterflies of yours all over the place, will make you move and plan at a faster rate."
Sheffield's eyes widen while gasping from surprise upon hearing that, with the pink-haired raising an eyebrow a bit confused while half-looking at Aristidis, realizing that he somehow knew. "You..."
The mouthless Storyteller's expression turns quite gleeful. "Come on now, you should have noticed that something was off with your little magic, butterfly eavesdroppers."
A brief flashback shows different occasions where one of her butterflies, which had her personal void mark like the rest of her magical possessions, was always nearby and hidden from view, like upon a wall right next to a window and so on, with the Storyteller at every occasion looking their way with half an eye, despite the previous fact. "How you could hear most of the dialog each time, with the exception of specific details, receiving nothing but odd static for the small duration as a result, while at the same time I was making sure to purposely let you listen to information needed in leading you toward the path I wanted you to."
"So it was you..." The pale woman trails off while narrowing her eyes in her great disbelief and frustration, hating the fact she has fallen into one more of his elaborate traps.
"Of course he would." Louise says quietly to herself with a weary sigh as she softly face-palms herself, due to this not being the first time he does something absurd without her knowledge, just to show their enemy how small in comparison they are to him.
"That is correct, dear Sheffield!" Aristidis begins while extending both hands, and Tome, to the side out of excessive arrogance. "You were nothing but a simple chess-piece in this all along! Not to mention that no matter what other ways you could think of trying here against me, I have already seen through them all. In fact, I am so overwhelmingly prepared for anything that might be thrown at us all, that even Seiya from Cautious Hero would be impressed!"
The pitch-black Storyteller's expression then turns a bit more bold as he continues, while Louise, and the two girls through the window sweat drop because of how hard he flexes his arrogance right now. "And all that just to show you once more the futility of your actions against the greatness that is I. Not that there was any doubt to begin with, of course."
He then relaxes both his posture and face, his expression after a short pause showing now his mild disappointment. "Which is rather disappointing, considering you tried to defy the already proven fact anyway. I can tell you are smart, and yet... But actually, should I blame you for such a move, or that master of yours?" Questions seemingly curious while putting a hand on his chin for the moment.
Sheffield absolutely mad at the very nerve of him insulting her master as he did, proceeds to point a finger at him, planning to order her wolfs to shred him to pieces, only to stop herself halfway there, as she then bends that finger back slowly while struggling hard in place with her own self.
And as she looks at him and at what would normally be a haughty smirk if he had a mouth, which he shows the said expression to her as soon as he sees her about to act, she understands very well that no matter what she tries right now, there is indeed no way to win against him as things are.
The woman's best course of action right now, is to retreat, and ask forgiveness from her master for failing so shamefully in such a manner once again.
"Anyway, I do believe it is about time to wrap things up. Do you want to see this time how your creatures fare against Shovel Knight and Shield Knight? Please say yes, I REALLY want to see you try." Aristidis says the last part with some enthusiasm, with both the named knights of blue and red stepping forward with their unique equipment at the ready, more than prepared for battle.
That moment though, the pink-haired girl grabs lightly with a hand the middle of his arm, drawing his curious attention, her expression serious while keeping her eyes at the pale woman. "Wait. Let me take care of this one, this time, Aristidis. I have a lesson to teach her about not taking me seriously as she should." She tells him the last part as she slightly narrows her eyes at her while unhanding his arm, making obvious the fact of how personal this is, with the two knights turning to him confused as they wonder what they are supposed to do in this case.
Aristidis's face a moment after becomes highly curious as he rubs his chin with the free hand a bit, and then moves the said hand again to signs both the knights to stand down, which they comply by relaxing their stances and stepping back right next to him.
This, he considers, will be a rather interesting thing to watch.
After hearing that, and seeing how this change will be allowed, Sheffield's frown of frustration turns into a bold smile, thinking of this as her chance to turn this around, AND get what her master wants by the end of this.
The woman folds her arms while looking at her with obvious condescension. "Well, miss inheritor of the Void, since you're so sure about yourself, how about a little bet between us?"
"Bet?" The pink-haired girl repeats with a raised and still serious eyebrow, questioning what she means by that.
"If I win, both you and the Storyteller will have to do what my master asks you to." Sheffield states boldly.
As the girl becomes wide-eyed as she tries her best to stay composed and not explode with absolute anger at what she considers an audacious insult toward her, especially since it shows she is still not taken seriously, the mouthless Storyteller decides to ask their adversary the following out of curiosity. "What about the part where she wins against you? What we receive as a reward?"
"Well. Nothing." The pale woman simply answers, the bold smile never leaving her face, even if she stopped her current thought of word choices for a moment there for some reason.
He folds his arms. "Someone sounds rather selfish here."
Sheffield's expression turns neutral. "You literally have everything. Not much to offer, don't you think?"
Aristidis lifts a finger as he unfolds his arms. "A fair point."
Once finishing that sentence, the serious-looking Louise is seen with a hand in a sense shoving her book upon his chest, which draws again his attention, her eyes still upon Sheffield. "Hold my magic book."
The Storyteller giggles almost as soon at that while he takes it from her, somewhat amused with the reference she probably, accidentally used when telling him that, with her then walking toward the woman, and toward the pack of wolves, as he puts the said book behind him.
The pale woman chuckles sinisterly for a bit, seeing this as an easy win, while at the moment part of the wolf pack is seen secretly moving back into the darkness of the night and the shadows of the trees.
She knows that the Void element in general is not to be underestimated in terms of power, especially the girl's before her, since it has been both rumored and seen the few times she used it just how much it changed.
Wardes and Cromwell, while they were alive, also never informed her of anything special about her changed magic, which they both most definitely saw/experienced in person.
Lastly there is one very-well-known way to beat a mage, which is the main reason the woman feels so confident about this.
After walking enough, the pink-haired girl stops at an adequate distance in front of the woman and her wolf pack, ready to face her like expected as she takes out her wand with a hand. "Before we begin, I will have to let you know that I am not the weak Noble you consider me as. Just so you may have it in mind, and not tell me later that I never warned you. Keep opposing me as you do, and only one thing you will see me as. Your end." She states the last part with an air of menace, showing that she is not joking one bit.
"Oh really?" Sheffield questions while smiling in a haughty manner and keeping on looking down on her, just before a wolf comes rushing from behind and the side of the girl, and snatches the wand off her hand, which didn't even faze the girl when happening, as it brings and drops it down before the woman's feet, with the whole scene surprising Siesta and Kirche behind of the window as the latter exclaims for it.
"Still feel like it, little mage?" The pale woman then asks her, believing she has already won.
Something causes her confusion that moment though, as she notices how oddly composed the girl remains, while the said girl also at the moment puts both hands behind the back, despite losing the means of defending herself.
Sheffield's eyes then widen when a shocking thought comes to mind, with Louise smiling cockily the moment she sees that, right before the latter with a sudden movement leans forward, her serious expression back, as each eye unleashes forth powerful red beams, which move with extreme speed and performing constant angular-like movements while doing so, with them both passing through each of the former's wolves, turning them all to ash in a matter of seconds, as the woman just stands there in her shock upon realizing what just happened.
After finishing, the pink-haired girl straightens herself up normally again, with both her friends through the cottage's window applauding at the incredible feat they just witnessed, as Sheffield takes a step back while looking at the girl's now emotionless face, finally understanding just in how much danger she actually is.
It literally took a single spell from the girl to effortlessly destroy her entire wolf pack in but an instant. One!
"And I did not mean it metaphorically, or rhetorically, or poetically, or theoretically, or in any other fancy way." Louise explains as she somewhat tilts her head from side to side while calling each said way, and then looks straight at her with a menacing expression. "I will truly be your end. Straight up."
The pale woman just stands there, still unable to get over the shock of disbelief she is experiencing.
"Let me make it a tiny bit more clear, since you are obviously quite the slow learner and all." The pink-haired girl then tells her, before all of a sudden the pale woman is forced by some kind of power into a kneeling position, as she struggles in place just to remain where she is and not fall face first down, while at the same time the former is now seen right in front of her, barely floating above the grassy ground, with her entire being now emitting a greenish glow that shifts in places from its lighter version to darker unceasingly, while an aura moves her hair and part of the clothing in multiple directions as if it was the nature's very collection of winds blowing all over her, with the combination making her presence appear both divine and frightening before the woman's now trembling, and wide-open-from-even-greater-shock-eyes.
[To make it easier for the viewers who do not get the reference, she is in a sense doing what Galadriel from The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring did during her talk with Frodo about the One Ring. Yes, she is literally pulling a Galadriel here ;D]
Louise's voice now ethereal, as she proceeds to say the following. "I am here to be nice and proper...! And I am all out of niceness."
As that causes the incredible awe of both her close friends watching behind of the window, and of the two knights as well, Aristidis that moment puts both hands, and Tome, at the left and right side close to his mouth.
"Great use of both references, and even better recreation at the last one, pupil Louise!" He tells her proudly from the distance.
"Thank you~!" She semi-yells happy while turning toward him with a tilted head, and both hands clasped and extended downward to the side, delighted of being approved in the way she was.
Sheffield having enough of this, and not willing to risk any further than she already has, uses the power of the runes that glow upon her forehead, the Mind Of God, causing attention to be pulled back at her, and through the magical artifact hidden somewhere in her clothing, she teleports herself away from where she was, ending up at a different location deep in the forest, the influence that was keeping her down now gone, as she is finally able to move freely.
As she remains kneeling there, she lets out a few gasps while trying to find her composure from the ordeal she went through.
It doesn't take her long to do so, before deciding to stand up, and about to make her next decision.
"Will it not be better to resolve this entire situation right now while still possible?" The voice of the pitch-black Storyteller coming from behind draws her immediate attention as she turns around to see him standing there, at an arm's distance, his expression kind, while she once more is in disbelief of him reaching her so fast as if nothing. "You know you are incapable at this point to defeat me, not mentioning my dear pupil like we both saw."
In an instant, he vanishes from sight, and just as soon appears right behind Sheffield, both his arms resting around her shoulders, with his head next to hers, the whole action startling her, yet the shock keeping her completely still where she stands, with a cold sweat running across her face.
Aristidis continues, his face now having a small menacing mix on it. "You are no actual fool, after all. So, what say you do as I asked not too long ago, giving me that way a reason to offer the help you say he needs? There is no true shame in admitting your misdeeds, after all. Especially if it leads to something you know that you both want."
The pale woman does not respond, her feelings and position unchanging.
Aristidis utters where he is for a moment, as if something annoys him in a mild manner. "I feel you still do not want that for him. You hold him in quite the high regards, despite everything I said, and how unnecessarily despicable his actions obviously have been thus far. And I thought Dio's followers obsessing over him was a ridiculous thing to witness."
He unhands her as he steps back, with her turning around almost as soon, her frustration and anger obvious enough, while also in a somewhat defensive stance, not wanting to be touched by him again.
The mouthless Storyteller folds his arms as he looks at her with utmost seriousness. "What life is there for you, if his orders end up sacrificing you? Makes one wonder if he will even care in the case you are no longer there for him. Are you more worthy to him than a simple tool in his eyes at this point?"
Sheffield points accusingly a finger at him. "The great man I have come to know, you do not truly understand like I do, so don't you-"
"A man with such a surprising and great ambition, that you can't help but be infatuated with?" Aristidis guesses with a bored expression while interrupting, the accurate description catching Sheffield completely by surprise as she recoils in place because of it, before continuing. "Trust me when I say that traits like that one are not as special as you believe they are, dear Sheffield."
Once more, she is in great disbelief because of the being before her, and unsure of how to properly respond to him after proving that he understands more than she thought he does.
Yet, despite all that has been said, her anger and frustration returns as she looks at him.
She will not listen to the words aimed against her master.
The pitch-black Storyteller moves one of his hands forward and waves it in a dismissive manner. "Now off with you. Back to your master. And give him this message."
He takes a step forward with both hands behind his, and leans enough for his now sinister face to be right in front of hers. "Keep acting as you do... And I shall personally come for you."
After telling her that, Sheffield teleports away without a second thought, leaving without saying anything more.
And with that over, Aristidis teleports away himself, reappearing back outside of the cottage, where everyone, along with Tiffania as well, were expecting him.
With Louise, who is now back to her usual appearance, not quite happy with him. "Why did you let her leave just like that once again? She has made her intentions clear twice already! Even YOU must see how that decision of yours is pointless at this point, Aristidis."
"Probably." The pitch-black Storyteller somewhat agrees with her thinking, before looking upward upon the filled with star night sky, pondering. "Still, I want to see if anything will change at all with those little chats of ours. We will never know unless I do so, after all." Says the last part as he looks at her with a kind expression.
As Louise folds her arms while respecting his thought, even though she doesn't fully agree with it, Tiffania takes a step toward him, rather conflicted about this whole case. "But your intentions are so good, and you have helped so many people already. Why that Sheffield and that master of hers would even be so against someone like you?"
He turns to her with a neutral expression. "Because no matter the good you do, no matter if the majority supports your actions, there is always someone who will still want to be against you, either because they just do not believe your way as proper enough, or simply for their own selfish reasons, which can vary depending on the personality we are talking about."
The blonde half-elf blinks a few times, not quite understanding what he said there.
A somewhat amused chuckle escapes Aristidis. "I-he-t's alright to feel confused about it. The whole concept is idiotic anyway."
"In any case-" He stops himself that moment as he spins quickly around himself once, and from his extended to-the-side-hands colored confetti appear while shot outward, which startles everyone to a small degree, his expression elated. "Congratulations, my great and powerful Louise!"
The Storyteller moves in an instant next to Louise, an arm of his placed around her shoulders while the hand holds the more distanced shoulder, as he offers with his other hand her magic book. "You have officially mastered your magic book to the point that not only you do not really need it to cast anything from its pages, but also memorized its content from start to end as intended. I can hardly feel more proud than I do for you right now!"
The pink-haired girl smiles as she takes back her book, while her friends clap their hands for her to congratulate her as well, absolutely happy to hear that she has finally achieved her goal. "Thank you so much for this, Aristidis! I literally couldn't have done it without you."
After saying that, she turns and stretches herself enough to reach his face, and give him a kiss upon his mouthless area as a thank you, before moving herself back, and back down to her height normally.
"I love you too." Aristidis tells her with a playful wink.
Louise smiles at that, and then a sudden thought comes to her mind, which turns her smile even wider from delight. "Does that also mean-"
"That I will organize a grand celebration back at the Academy for your second greatest achievement?" He interrupts while guessing correctly, and nods slowly with enthusiasm. "Oh yes, you better believe we will do as much, do not even question it."
"Second-" The pink-haired girl begins confused, but stops for a moment as she realizes what he is talking about, and sweat drops with a bored expression. "Wait, my first greatest achievement was having you, isn't it?"
The mouthless Storyteller giggles a bit amused at that, showing it to be the case.
Louise sighs and rolls her eyes with a smile. "Of course it is. You truly are arrogance incarnate."
"And you better never forget it." He tells her as he taps her nose playfully with a finger, to which he chuckles at in response.
"We couldn't even if we wanted to. You literally remind us of it every day." She then tells him, as she and the rest begin laughing with the fact.
As they slowly stop laughing, Tiffania can't help but smile at the whole exchange, happy to see people like them having fun and being so close together.
"Alright-" Aristidis begins as he turns toward Tiffania, drawing attention on him. "Back to explaining about what a harem is. Want me to tell you now, or while on our way to Tristania's palace?"
The half-elf blinks a few times understandably confused. "Eh? Tristania's palace?"
"Precisely. For saving the life of one of the most important people upon your world, which is obviously me, the Queen of Tristain, your dear cousin, has invited you to express her gratefulness." The Storyteller answers with a raised finger, as the rest of the girls that moment look at him with absolute shock about the cousin part, before he looks back at them. "I have taken the opportunity to look through Halkeginia's royal family tree in my free time, and yes, thanks to her father, she has that type of connection with Queen Henrietta. An interesting thing destiny can be sometimes, no?" He questions at the end with some excitement at the fact, for he can hardly wait to see the look on Henrietta's face when telling her of it.
{To Be Continued}