Knowledge of infantry, mecha and guerrilla tactics. Ruthlessness. Dead shot that in any other world would make him a top class sniper. Knowledge of improvised weapons and devices to easily turn just about anywhere into a death trap with enough time. Experience that might (depending on the soldier) get him some friends in the military. I'm not saying that Sousuke wouldn't have some real advantages in ZnT, just that Molotov Cocktails wouldn't be much use unless he didn't care what happened to the battlefield. Dead falls, punji sticks, musket balls turned into small explosives and any number of other traps would be more pragmatic.
SSC Prologue- The Familiar of Zero x-over thingie
- Thread starter Ghostface
- Start date
Ah, I see.
...You think communist rhetoric is also on the table?
Even though Sousuke probably doesn't care about that sort of thing, he was educated partially by the Soviet Military. I don't see him starting a revolution with it, but I think it might be a interesting character quirk.
Plus, didn't he also design that Bonta-Kun suit? I forget whether if he got it commissioned or he designed himself, but doesn't that suggest a knowledge of mechanics or business?
I admit, the suits did flop if I recall and he did take a personal loss, but he still got some company or started a company to make the things.
...You think communist rhetoric is also on the table?
Even though Sousuke probably doesn't care about that sort of thing, he was educated partially by the Soviet Military. I don't see him starting a revolution with it, but I think it might be a interesting character quirk.
Plus, didn't he also design that Bonta-Kun suit? I forget whether if he got it commissioned or he designed himself, but doesn't that suggest a knowledge of mechanics or business?
I admit, the suits did flop if I recall and he did take a personal loss, but he still got some company or started a company to make the things.
Probably not. Sousuke (from what I remember after two books and several anime series) didn't show much political or economic interest. I suspect that for him it's really all the same. Considering that he was trained to be a child assassin there probably wasn't much expectation that he would actually survive long enough to ever give orders.
As for the suits I had assumed that he had been involved in the field testing. It's possible that he does have some business knowledge but he seemed very mystified as to why the sales were so bad. He might know enough about the actual suits for field repairs but probably not much about actual design. That sort of thing requires degrees in computer science, physics and engineering just to figure out how it would work. Besides it's a moot point. No matter what kind of magic you have, at ZnT's level of technology there's just no way to make something like that. Computers, materials to absorb the impact of bullets, infrared...he can't make anything that advanced.
As for the suits I had assumed that he had been involved in the field testing. It's possible that he does have some business knowledge but he seemed very mystified as to why the sales were so bad. He might know enough about the actual suits for field repairs but probably not much about actual design. That sort of thing requires degrees in computer science, physics and engineering just to figure out how it would work. Besides it's a moot point. No matter what kind of magic you have, at ZnT's level of technology there's just no way to make something like that. Computers, materials to absorb the impact of bullets, infrared...he can't make anything that advanced.
Ok, now I'm really curious. I'm not all that confident in this ending, so I wanna gauge some reactions, I have an idea on what to do here, but like I said I wanna see how you all like this first before I continue.
========================================================
*******************
Earlier....
You know how I said that the author's a tease?
ôHey there, bossàö
Well... he doesn't hold a candle to this chick.
"Oh man...."
As that shopkeeper from a few scenes back was finding out.
Kirche was sitting atop the store's counter as she played with her hair, a charming smile on her lips. It was also noticeable that one of her buttons under her generous cleavage was long unbuttoned, giving the store's owner a peek at more of her generous assets. His face turned deep red under the sudden seduction that the young girl was giving him.
It is a good thing that Halkeginia doesn't have anything relating to Viagra, otherwise Kirche might have been the victim of a bad doujinshi at that moment.
Still, as she crossed her legs in front of the old shopkeeper there was a method for her madness. ôDo you happen to know what that noble bought not long ago?ö
The shopkeeper gulped deeply as he answered the question, ôS...S...S...some ammunition... a. a...a few throwing knives.... and a s-swordà she bought a sword.ö
Kirche nodded, ôI seeà so she did get him a swordà what kind of sword?ö
The old shopkeeper's breathing was getting heavier as he pulled at his shirt collar, ôA d-dirty and rusty one.ö
The young seductressÆs eyebrow rose slightly, ôRusty? Why?ö
"B-B-Because that is what he requested," The man answered. 'Oh god, I saw lace last time. LACEY!!!' ôUhà is my lady here to buy a sword, too?ö The shopkeeper perked up, even in his lust induced haze he was first and foremost an entrepreneur.
Besides, the longer the girl stayed the greater the opportunity that he might get to see more of her goodies.
ôHmmà" Kirche crossed her legs once more, and the old perverted shopkeeper had to hold in his hoot of joy at the display between the girl's legs. "Show me your best blade and we shall see.ö
The man walked inside, brushing his hands in excitement. He returned, of course, with the broadsword he just showed to Louise.
ôAhhà a very well-made sword!ö Kirche chirped as he handed her the golden weapon.
ôYou have a good eye, my lady. That noble not so long ago had a servant that really wanted this one, but it was too much for them.ö The shopkeeper lied.
The bombshellsÆ eyebrow rose at the shopkeeper's lies, 'Is that so? The nobleÆs servant? So Sousuke wants this! Perfect... this is too perfect!' Kirche laughed, her hand to her chin. ôShe went broke! ValliÞre! Your DukeÆs house will cry for this!ö
ôOf courseà this sword is made by the famous Germanian alchemist Lord Shupei after all. It can cut through metal like butter because of the magic infused in it! See this inscription here?ö The shopkeeper repeated his sales pitch from earlier.
Kirche nodded. ôHow much?ö
The shopkeeper asked for more, seeing how Kirche looked a lot richer, ôHmmà for new gold coins, forty five thousand new coins.ö
ôHmmà thatÆs a bit pricey.ö Kirche frowned.
ôWellà great swords need to be paid for their worth, you know?ö
Kirche thought for a while, slowly moving her body towards the shopkeeper. ôGood sirà you honestly don't believe this isnÆt just a little bit expensive?ö Upon being caressed at the throat, the salesman suddenly lost his breath. Damned hormones.
The shopkeeper gulped one more as he fought off his ingrained sexual desires, ôPerhapsà butà great swords areàö
He was almost reduced to a pile of gooey hormones at the stacked redhead placed a foot on the man's chest. "My.... oh my goodness," he croaked as his eye's locked onto Kirche's well toned thigh.
ôIsnÆt the price a bit too high?ö
ôYou... you're rightà thenà four thousand new goldàö
Kirche raised her skirt further so that he could almost see in between her legs.
The poor horny man whimpered, ôAhà nonono, three thousand would doàö
ôItÆs getting hot in hereàö Kirche ignored him, furthering unbuttoning her shirt. ôIt feels as though there is a sun in here. Would you be a dear and help me take off my shirt, please?ö She threw her most attractive expression at him.
ôAhà I got it wrong, I got it wrongà itÆs twenty five thousand!ö
Kirche undid one button, and the shopkeeper almost lost it in his pants.
ôA thousand! A thousandÆs fine!ö
Kirche stepped down from the counter, quickly wrote a check, and slapped it on the counter. ôSOLD!ö She then picked up the sword and left the shop, "Thanks mister!" she said as she left, leaving the salesman to stare at her check.
After a moment, he suddenly regained consciousness, holding his head. ôDAMMIT ALL TO HELL!!! I SOLD THAT BABY FOR JUST A THOUSAND?!ö He took a bottle of liquor from his cabinet. "Women... they are the most pleasant death of a man."
Well said, you horny bastard.
*******************
That night...
The two moons shone warmly on the battered courtyard of Vestri. In the past few days it had been host to an unenviable bevy of battles involving the displaced sergeant that was quickly garnering an infamous reputation around the academy.
Tonight, a new player would add yet another battle to it's worn out field.
Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt crouched down upon the ground, clutching a small clump of dirt. Despite it being the middle of the night, the two moons made for clear vision. FouquetÆs green, long hair moved with the wind, and Fouquet briskly stood, as if realizing something.
"Yes... the time is now..."
It was a whisper that somehow carried throughout the wind, as if it was the calm before the storm. Fouquet started chanting a long spell, waving his wand at the ground. When finished, a mild smile formed on his face.
"Now then.... let's see how they handle this."
*******************
Elsewhere... a slight bit earlier...
"What are you doing here, Zerbst?" Louise frowned as she looked at Kirche and Tabitha standing in the hallway.
Tabitha didn't look up from her book while Kirche simply smiled at her rival, "Is that anyway to greet a fellow classmate, Louise? I simply came to bring you good tidings!"
Louise folded her arms across her chest as she eyed the buxom beauty hostility, "You don't honestly expect me to believe such a fantasy do you? You're up to something."
Kirche simply giggled, "Dear Louise... there is no need to hold such a hostile tone with me. I honestly came with the most noble of intentions!"
"Supposing I was fool enough to believe you Zerbst," Louise began. "What are these 'noble intentions' of yours?"
"I've come to make peace with you and your familiar," Kirche answered. "I would like to give the man who's stolen my heart a simple gift to show my love and affection!"
Louise barely kept herself from visibly rolling her eyes and settled with raising her eyebrow at the buxom redhead. "A gift", she repeated for confirmation.
Kirche nodded, "Indeed. A simple gift that I know my beloved is looking for. So... is he in?"
Louise stood outside her door and gazed back at Kirche and smirked. "Yes, he is".
Before Kirche could move forward Louise went through the door, "You can wait until tomorrow".
With that, Louise slammed the door shut.
Kirche jerked her head back as the door was slammed in her face. A scowl adorned her lovely features as she pulled out her wand, "Ok Zero... if that's how you want to play it... let's play little girl!"
Tabitha turned the page.
*******************
Sousuke looked up from his small area with a curious glance at Louise's satisfied smirk, "May I ask who was that?"
"Just an annoying little bug who's forgotten her place," Louise said smugly.
Sousuke shrugged, "If you say so."
-BOOM-
"GET DOWN!" Sousuke cried as he tackled Louise and hovered over her protectively. Pulling out his pistol, he pointed it towards Kirche, "You again..."
Kirche coughed as she and Tabitha entered Louise's room, shooing away all the dust and wood chips that had fragmented in the resulting blast. "Goodness! -coff coff- Sousuke, my love are you all right?"
Louise growled from her position on the floor, "Zerbst?!? What the hell?!" She frowned as she felt Sousuke's hand on her chest, "And you...Sousuke get off of me!"
Sousuke complied but continued to have his weapon trained on the buxom redhead, "Don't move. If you refuse, I can't guarantee that my finger won't slip."
Kirche pouted as Tabitha walked over to Louise's bed, to engrossed in her book to notice or care about the standoff going on around her. "Beloved... you don't believe that I caused that explosion do you?"
"OF COURSE YOU DID!" Louise cried out. "You can't wait one day to see Sousuke, you damned barbaric woman?!"
Sousuke's eyebrow rose, "You're here to see me? Why?"
Kirche smiled as she pulled out her bundle from behind her, ôWell darling, I heard you went shopping for a sword earlier. Word also got out that you were unable to get the weapon that you really wanted and had to settle for a rusty blade. I believe a man of your caliber deserves a fine weapon, so I came here to give it to you.ö
Louise had her arms on her waist as she glared at her rival, "So that's why you blew up my bedroom door?! You... you damned harlot!! Have you no regards for anyone but yourself?!"
Louise's eye twitched as the air that rushed by her was indeed Kirche who pointedly ignored her to present her gift to Sousuke.
"Please take this weapon as proof of my devotion and loyalty my dearest Sousuke." Kirche pleaded as she presented the weapon to Sousuke.
The scarred sergeant blinked as he took the weapon. He unsheathed the sword and stared at it. 'This is.. that expensive weapon from the store.' he thought. Louise's eye twitched all the more as she too noticed the extravagant weapon from earlier.
'So that's the harlot's plan,' Louise thought irritably. 'Do your worst, Zerbst... I won't let you have your way with my familiar!!'
Sousuke frowned as he felt a familiar pulse upon his left hand. When he looked down to find the inscriptions in his left hand glowing. The familiar feeling that his body had when he defeated Guiche was coming, although it was nowhere near the level it was on that fateful day. A part of him wanted to swing it around, but he was indoors. He still couldnÆt figure out what the deal about his left hand was. All he knew is that it glowed if he held a sword.
'Although... I have to wonder how true that is,' Sousuke thought. He would have to investigate it further when he had the time.
"Sousuke!" Louise cried, rousing the sergeant out of his thoughts.
"Ma'am?"
ôGive that back! DonÆt you already have that talking sword?ö
ôJealous words are quite unmannerly, ValliÞre!ö Kirche trumpeted triumphantly.
Louise's lips formed a thin line, ôJealous? WhoÆs jealous?ö
Kirche smirked, ôAren't you? I, Kirche, easily got SousukeÆs most desired sword as a gift. You canÆt say youÆre not jealous, can you?ö
ôJealous, my arse! That aside, I will not accept even a tiny little bit of generosity from a Zerbst! ThatÆs all there is!ö
Kirche looked at Sousuke, who stared at the decorated sword in LouiseÆs hands. ôYou see that Zero? My dearest loves this sword, got it? This sword was created by GermaniaÆs very own alchemist Lord Shupei!ö Kirche threw a seductive glare to Sousuke. ôListen Sousuke... and listen good. All that is good under the sun, be they swords, wine, or women, can only come from Germania! Tristainian women, like Louise, are all extremely jealous, impatient, miserly, and snobbish, and nothing can change them!ö
Louise glared at Kirche her teeth grinding. Kirche simply smiled confidently at the smaller girl, ôWhatever is wrong little Zero? Did I strike a nerve? IÆm just telling the truth. My darling deserves that much.ö
ôOhà howà amusing. Women like you are all romantic-minded idiots! Did you hook up with too many guys back in Germania, making nobody trust you, and ending up dropping out and running all the way over here to Tristain?ö retorted Louise with a cold, uncompromising laugh, interspersed with angry shivers.
ôYou have guts, ValliÞreàö KircheÆs face darkened.
ôWhatever is wrong Zerbst? Did I strike a nerve? IÆm just telling the truth.ö Added Louise victoriously, "My familiar deserves that much."
-THOOMB-
The two noblewomen glared icily at one another for several moments.
ôHey.ö Kirche turned to Louise. ôGuess itÆs time to get this over with.ö
-THOOMB-
Tabitha paused in her reading as she noticed the ground shaking slightly. Sousuke simply frowned at the vibration, 'An earthquake?'
Louise nodded, ôHmmà youÆre right.ö
-THOOMB-
ôI really hate you, you know that ValliÞre?ö
ôSame to you Zerbst.ö
ôWe think quite alike.ö Kirche smiled and raised a brow.
Louise, too, defiantly stuck her chin up. She frowned as she felt Sousuke grab her arm, "What?!"
"Don't you feel that?" Sousuke asked.
"Feel what?" She asked irritably.
-THRBOOM-
Sousuke once more pulled Louise close to him and towards the floor as Louise's bedroom wall exploded in glass and dust. "What the hell was that?!" Sousuke asked.
Tabitha had gotten up from Louise's bed and was now near where her door used to be, "Golem" she said. Her voice barely carrying over the breeze.
"A what?!?" Kirche cried out in shock from where she was crouched. Right then, Kirche felt something behind her. She turned around. She couldnÆt believe her eyes. ôThat... that's impossible!ö Her jaw dropped. What she saw was a huge earth golem's hand moving towards her. ôKyaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!ö Kirche cried as the golem grabbed her and pulled her outside.
Sousuke frowned as he looked at the titanic earth construct. It was easily as big as an M9 Arm Slave from what he could see. "What's going on here Louise?!" he asked as he got off of Louise.
öIÆm not sureà but itÆs one gigantic earth golem! Somebody must have summoned that!ö
öSomething that big?!ö
Louise frowned, ö...whoever summoned this must be at least a triangle level mage.ö She then gasped as she felt herself being pulled up from the floor, "Wha?"
"We're getting out of here. NOW." Sousuke's tone broke no room for argument. "This is the last place we need to be against something like that." Grabbing his bag and holstering it over his shoulder, he dragged her towards Tabitha, "As your guard, I would be reminisce If I let you die on my watch after all.
"What about Zerbst?" She asked.
Sousuke frowned at the mage, "We'll let the staff get to her. We need to leave now!"
Louise nodded absently as she and Tabitha were dragged by the sergeant out of her ruined room. Looking behind her, Louise saw Kirche continue to struggle in the golem's grasp. 'But... but hat about Kirche?' she thought, 'I can't just leave her there... right?'
She shook her head of these thoughts, 'What am I thinking? That's my blood rival! This golem has given me an opportunity to end our war for good! I can't worry about her!'
Still..
She jerked her arm free of Sousuke's grasp. Sousuke frowned as she stood still, "Louise?"
'...No.... no I can't do that. I'll see her humiliated and humbled at my feet. ALIVE and humbled.' She smirked as she turned back towards her room, 'Saving her life is a good start to her humbling.'
"Damnit," Sousuke growled as he took off towards the mage.
Tabitha looked on for a moment at the sprinting duo before she two followed their charge.
*******************
Louise brandished her wand as she stepped back into her room. "You're going to owe me so much for this, Zerbst." The golem had yet to notice her as he was busy making havoc in the main courtyard. By now a few of the assembled guards had gathered around the golem, and Louise was assured that the teachers wouldn't be far behind. Still... if she was to save her rival and have her begging for forgiveness, she had to approach this carefully.
'Spells like ôfireballö have high accuracy rates, and as long as the target doesnÆt move I can hit it.' Louise thought. Of course, Louise had more than that to worry about û she had to make the spell work in the first place. 'What would work? Wind? Fire? Water? Earth is out naturallyà and it has to be strong enough to get that behemoth to drop Kirche. I canÆt fail this one.'
She picked fireballs. Aiming a large one at the target, was risky. If she failed, it reasoned to assume that the golem would target her next. With this thought in her head, she recited the short spell. She finished reciting, and with her utmost concentration, flicked her wand. If it worked, a fireball would come out of the tip.
Naturally, nothing came out of the wand.
-BOOOOM-
Near the golem's feet, the border wall of the academy exploded. The shock wave shook the assembled forces off their feet and even wobbled the golem slightly. From her position in the golem's hand, Kirche growled.
"It has to be Zero. No one else could mess up a rescue as badly as she could!"
Louise collapsed, hitting the floor in frustration. "Damnit!" She cried. "Damn it all, I missed!" Angry tears began to flow down her face, "Why?! Why can't I even do a spell as simple as a fireball at a time like this?!"
-THRBOOM-
Louise let out a bitter laugh as she saw the golem walking towards her. She laughed bitterly, "Perfect. Absolutely perfect. A perfect end for a Zero, isn't it?" As the colossal construct neared her room, Louise could not move her legs. Be it from exhaustion or a small part of her resigning to her fate she could not say. "So this is how I die?" she whispered.
The golemÆs fist rocketed towards her.
Louise squinted her eyes, feeling the hot tears roll down her cheek in humiliation knowing that her failure again would lead to her death.
"...Damnit."
*******************
End Chapter Five
Author's notes:
A clifhanger?! FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU~! Make it stop, make it stop, make it stoooooooooooooop!!!!
========================================================
*******************
Earlier....
You know how I said that the author's a tease?
ôHey there, bossàö
Well... he doesn't hold a candle to this chick.
"Oh man...."
As that shopkeeper from a few scenes back was finding out.
Kirche was sitting atop the store's counter as she played with her hair, a charming smile on her lips. It was also noticeable that one of her buttons under her generous cleavage was long unbuttoned, giving the store's owner a peek at more of her generous assets. His face turned deep red under the sudden seduction that the young girl was giving him.
It is a good thing that Halkeginia doesn't have anything relating to Viagra, otherwise Kirche might have been the victim of a bad doujinshi at that moment.
Still, as she crossed her legs in front of the old shopkeeper there was a method for her madness. ôDo you happen to know what that noble bought not long ago?ö
The shopkeeper gulped deeply as he answered the question, ôS...S...S...some ammunition... a. a...a few throwing knives.... and a s-swordà she bought a sword.ö
Kirche nodded, ôI seeà so she did get him a swordà what kind of sword?ö
The old shopkeeper's breathing was getting heavier as he pulled at his shirt collar, ôA d-dirty and rusty one.ö
The young seductressÆs eyebrow rose slightly, ôRusty? Why?ö
"B-B-Because that is what he requested," The man answered. 'Oh god, I saw lace last time. LACEY!!!' ôUhà is my lady here to buy a sword, too?ö The shopkeeper perked up, even in his lust induced haze he was first and foremost an entrepreneur.
Besides, the longer the girl stayed the greater the opportunity that he might get to see more of her goodies.
ôHmmà" Kirche crossed her legs once more, and the old perverted shopkeeper had to hold in his hoot of joy at the display between the girl's legs. "Show me your best blade and we shall see.ö
The man walked inside, brushing his hands in excitement. He returned, of course, with the broadsword he just showed to Louise.
ôAhhà a very well-made sword!ö Kirche chirped as he handed her the golden weapon.
ôYou have a good eye, my lady. That noble not so long ago had a servant that really wanted this one, but it was too much for them.ö The shopkeeper lied.
The bombshellsÆ eyebrow rose at the shopkeeper's lies, 'Is that so? The nobleÆs servant? So Sousuke wants this! Perfect... this is too perfect!' Kirche laughed, her hand to her chin. ôShe went broke! ValliÞre! Your DukeÆs house will cry for this!ö
ôOf courseà this sword is made by the famous Germanian alchemist Lord Shupei after all. It can cut through metal like butter because of the magic infused in it! See this inscription here?ö The shopkeeper repeated his sales pitch from earlier.
Kirche nodded. ôHow much?ö
The shopkeeper asked for more, seeing how Kirche looked a lot richer, ôHmmà for new gold coins, forty five thousand new coins.ö
ôHmmà thatÆs a bit pricey.ö Kirche frowned.
ôWellà great swords need to be paid for their worth, you know?ö
Kirche thought for a while, slowly moving her body towards the shopkeeper. ôGood sirà you honestly don't believe this isnÆt just a little bit expensive?ö Upon being caressed at the throat, the salesman suddenly lost his breath. Damned hormones.
The shopkeeper gulped one more as he fought off his ingrained sexual desires, ôPerhapsà butà great swords areàö
He was almost reduced to a pile of gooey hormones at the stacked redhead placed a foot on the man's chest. "My.... oh my goodness," he croaked as his eye's locked onto Kirche's well toned thigh.
ôIsnÆt the price a bit too high?ö
ôYou... you're rightà thenà four thousand new goldàö
Kirche raised her skirt further so that he could almost see in between her legs.
The poor horny man whimpered, ôAhà nonono, three thousand would doàö
ôItÆs getting hot in hereàö Kirche ignored him, furthering unbuttoning her shirt. ôIt feels as though there is a sun in here. Would you be a dear and help me take off my shirt, please?ö She threw her most attractive expression at him.
ôAhà I got it wrong, I got it wrongà itÆs twenty five thousand!ö
Kirche undid one button, and the shopkeeper almost lost it in his pants.
ôA thousand! A thousandÆs fine!ö
Kirche stepped down from the counter, quickly wrote a check, and slapped it on the counter. ôSOLD!ö She then picked up the sword and left the shop, "Thanks mister!" she said as she left, leaving the salesman to stare at her check.
After a moment, he suddenly regained consciousness, holding his head. ôDAMMIT ALL TO HELL!!! I SOLD THAT BABY FOR JUST A THOUSAND?!ö He took a bottle of liquor from his cabinet. "Women... they are the most pleasant death of a man."
Well said, you horny bastard.
*******************
That night...
The two moons shone warmly on the battered courtyard of Vestri. In the past few days it had been host to an unenviable bevy of battles involving the displaced sergeant that was quickly garnering an infamous reputation around the academy.
Tonight, a new player would add yet another battle to it's worn out field.
Fouquet the Crumbling Dirt crouched down upon the ground, clutching a small clump of dirt. Despite it being the middle of the night, the two moons made for clear vision. FouquetÆs green, long hair moved with the wind, and Fouquet briskly stood, as if realizing something.
"Yes... the time is now..."
It was a whisper that somehow carried throughout the wind, as if it was the calm before the storm. Fouquet started chanting a long spell, waving his wand at the ground. When finished, a mild smile formed on his face.
"Now then.... let's see how they handle this."
*******************
Elsewhere... a slight bit earlier...
"What are you doing here, Zerbst?" Louise frowned as she looked at Kirche and Tabitha standing in the hallway.
Tabitha didn't look up from her book while Kirche simply smiled at her rival, "Is that anyway to greet a fellow classmate, Louise? I simply came to bring you good tidings!"
Louise folded her arms across her chest as she eyed the buxom beauty hostility, "You don't honestly expect me to believe such a fantasy do you? You're up to something."
Kirche simply giggled, "Dear Louise... there is no need to hold such a hostile tone with me. I honestly came with the most noble of intentions!"
"Supposing I was fool enough to believe you Zerbst," Louise began. "What are these 'noble intentions' of yours?"
"I've come to make peace with you and your familiar," Kirche answered. "I would like to give the man who's stolen my heart a simple gift to show my love and affection!"
Louise barely kept herself from visibly rolling her eyes and settled with raising her eyebrow at the buxom redhead. "A gift", she repeated for confirmation.
Kirche nodded, "Indeed. A simple gift that I know my beloved is looking for. So... is he in?"
Louise stood outside her door and gazed back at Kirche and smirked. "Yes, he is".
Before Kirche could move forward Louise went through the door, "You can wait until tomorrow".
With that, Louise slammed the door shut.
Kirche jerked her head back as the door was slammed in her face. A scowl adorned her lovely features as she pulled out her wand, "Ok Zero... if that's how you want to play it... let's play little girl!"
Tabitha turned the page.
*******************
Sousuke looked up from his small area with a curious glance at Louise's satisfied smirk, "May I ask who was that?"
"Just an annoying little bug who's forgotten her place," Louise said smugly.
Sousuke shrugged, "If you say so."
-BOOM-
"GET DOWN!" Sousuke cried as he tackled Louise and hovered over her protectively. Pulling out his pistol, he pointed it towards Kirche, "You again..."
Kirche coughed as she and Tabitha entered Louise's room, shooing away all the dust and wood chips that had fragmented in the resulting blast. "Goodness! -coff coff- Sousuke, my love are you all right?"
Louise growled from her position on the floor, "Zerbst?!? What the hell?!" She frowned as she felt Sousuke's hand on her chest, "And you...Sousuke get off of me!"
Sousuke complied but continued to have his weapon trained on the buxom redhead, "Don't move. If you refuse, I can't guarantee that my finger won't slip."
Kirche pouted as Tabitha walked over to Louise's bed, to engrossed in her book to notice or care about the standoff going on around her. "Beloved... you don't believe that I caused that explosion do you?"
"OF COURSE YOU DID!" Louise cried out. "You can't wait one day to see Sousuke, you damned barbaric woman?!"
Sousuke's eyebrow rose, "You're here to see me? Why?"
Kirche smiled as she pulled out her bundle from behind her, ôWell darling, I heard you went shopping for a sword earlier. Word also got out that you were unable to get the weapon that you really wanted and had to settle for a rusty blade. I believe a man of your caliber deserves a fine weapon, so I came here to give it to you.ö
Louise had her arms on her waist as she glared at her rival, "So that's why you blew up my bedroom door?! You... you damned harlot!! Have you no regards for anyone but yourself?!"
Louise's eye twitched as the air that rushed by her was indeed Kirche who pointedly ignored her to present her gift to Sousuke.
"Please take this weapon as proof of my devotion and loyalty my dearest Sousuke." Kirche pleaded as she presented the weapon to Sousuke.
The scarred sergeant blinked as he took the weapon. He unsheathed the sword and stared at it. 'This is.. that expensive weapon from the store.' he thought. Louise's eye twitched all the more as she too noticed the extravagant weapon from earlier.
'So that's the harlot's plan,' Louise thought irritably. 'Do your worst, Zerbst... I won't let you have your way with my familiar!!'
Sousuke frowned as he felt a familiar pulse upon his left hand. When he looked down to find the inscriptions in his left hand glowing. The familiar feeling that his body had when he defeated Guiche was coming, although it was nowhere near the level it was on that fateful day. A part of him wanted to swing it around, but he was indoors. He still couldnÆt figure out what the deal about his left hand was. All he knew is that it glowed if he held a sword.
'Although... I have to wonder how true that is,' Sousuke thought. He would have to investigate it further when he had the time.
"Sousuke!" Louise cried, rousing the sergeant out of his thoughts.
"Ma'am?"
ôGive that back! DonÆt you already have that talking sword?ö
ôJealous words are quite unmannerly, ValliÞre!ö Kirche trumpeted triumphantly.
Louise's lips formed a thin line, ôJealous? WhoÆs jealous?ö
Kirche smirked, ôAren't you? I, Kirche, easily got SousukeÆs most desired sword as a gift. You canÆt say youÆre not jealous, can you?ö
ôJealous, my arse! That aside, I will not accept even a tiny little bit of generosity from a Zerbst! ThatÆs all there is!ö
Kirche looked at Sousuke, who stared at the decorated sword in LouiseÆs hands. ôYou see that Zero? My dearest loves this sword, got it? This sword was created by GermaniaÆs very own alchemist Lord Shupei!ö Kirche threw a seductive glare to Sousuke. ôListen Sousuke... and listen good. All that is good under the sun, be they swords, wine, or women, can only come from Germania! Tristainian women, like Louise, are all extremely jealous, impatient, miserly, and snobbish, and nothing can change them!ö
Louise glared at Kirche her teeth grinding. Kirche simply smiled confidently at the smaller girl, ôWhatever is wrong little Zero? Did I strike a nerve? IÆm just telling the truth. My darling deserves that much.ö
ôOhà howà amusing. Women like you are all romantic-minded idiots! Did you hook up with too many guys back in Germania, making nobody trust you, and ending up dropping out and running all the way over here to Tristain?ö retorted Louise with a cold, uncompromising laugh, interspersed with angry shivers.
ôYou have guts, ValliÞreàö KircheÆs face darkened.
ôWhatever is wrong Zerbst? Did I strike a nerve? IÆm just telling the truth.ö Added Louise victoriously, "My familiar deserves that much."
-THOOMB-
The two noblewomen glared icily at one another for several moments.
ôHey.ö Kirche turned to Louise. ôGuess itÆs time to get this over with.ö
-THOOMB-
Tabitha paused in her reading as she noticed the ground shaking slightly. Sousuke simply frowned at the vibration, 'An earthquake?'
Louise nodded, ôHmmà youÆre right.ö
-THOOMB-
ôI really hate you, you know that ValliÞre?ö
ôSame to you Zerbst.ö
ôWe think quite alike.ö Kirche smiled and raised a brow.
Louise, too, defiantly stuck her chin up. She frowned as she felt Sousuke grab her arm, "What?!"
"Don't you feel that?" Sousuke asked.
"Feel what?" She asked irritably.
-THRBOOM-
Sousuke once more pulled Louise close to him and towards the floor as Louise's bedroom wall exploded in glass and dust. "What the hell was that?!" Sousuke asked.
Tabitha had gotten up from Louise's bed and was now near where her door used to be, "Golem" she said. Her voice barely carrying over the breeze.
"A what?!?" Kirche cried out in shock from where she was crouched. Right then, Kirche felt something behind her. She turned around. She couldnÆt believe her eyes. ôThat... that's impossible!ö Her jaw dropped. What she saw was a huge earth golem's hand moving towards her. ôKyaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!ö Kirche cried as the golem grabbed her and pulled her outside.
Sousuke frowned as he looked at the titanic earth construct. It was easily as big as an M9 Arm Slave from what he could see. "What's going on here Louise?!" he asked as he got off of Louise.
öIÆm not sureà but itÆs one gigantic earth golem! Somebody must have summoned that!ö
öSomething that big?!ö
Louise frowned, ö...whoever summoned this must be at least a triangle level mage.ö She then gasped as she felt herself being pulled up from the floor, "Wha?"
"We're getting out of here. NOW." Sousuke's tone broke no room for argument. "This is the last place we need to be against something like that." Grabbing his bag and holstering it over his shoulder, he dragged her towards Tabitha, "As your guard, I would be reminisce If I let you die on my watch after all.
"What about Zerbst?" She asked.
Sousuke frowned at the mage, "We'll let the staff get to her. We need to leave now!"
Louise nodded absently as she and Tabitha were dragged by the sergeant out of her ruined room. Looking behind her, Louise saw Kirche continue to struggle in the golem's grasp. 'But... but hat about Kirche?' she thought, 'I can't just leave her there... right?'
She shook her head of these thoughts, 'What am I thinking? That's my blood rival! This golem has given me an opportunity to end our war for good! I can't worry about her!'
Still..
She jerked her arm free of Sousuke's grasp. Sousuke frowned as she stood still, "Louise?"
'...No.... no I can't do that. I'll see her humiliated and humbled at my feet. ALIVE and humbled.' She smirked as she turned back towards her room, 'Saving her life is a good start to her humbling.'
"Damnit," Sousuke growled as he took off towards the mage.
Tabitha looked on for a moment at the sprinting duo before she two followed their charge.
*******************
Louise brandished her wand as she stepped back into her room. "You're going to owe me so much for this, Zerbst." The golem had yet to notice her as he was busy making havoc in the main courtyard. By now a few of the assembled guards had gathered around the golem, and Louise was assured that the teachers wouldn't be far behind. Still... if she was to save her rival and have her begging for forgiveness, she had to approach this carefully.
'Spells like ôfireballö have high accuracy rates, and as long as the target doesnÆt move I can hit it.' Louise thought. Of course, Louise had more than that to worry about û she had to make the spell work in the first place. 'What would work? Wind? Fire? Water? Earth is out naturallyà and it has to be strong enough to get that behemoth to drop Kirche. I canÆt fail this one.'
She picked fireballs. Aiming a large one at the target, was risky. If she failed, it reasoned to assume that the golem would target her next. With this thought in her head, she recited the short spell. She finished reciting, and with her utmost concentration, flicked her wand. If it worked, a fireball would come out of the tip.
Naturally, nothing came out of the wand.
-BOOOOM-
Near the golem's feet, the border wall of the academy exploded. The shock wave shook the assembled forces off their feet and even wobbled the golem slightly. From her position in the golem's hand, Kirche growled.
"It has to be Zero. No one else could mess up a rescue as badly as she could!"
Louise collapsed, hitting the floor in frustration. "Damnit!" She cried. "Damn it all, I missed!" Angry tears began to flow down her face, "Why?! Why can't I even do a spell as simple as a fireball at a time like this?!"
-THRBOOM-
Louise let out a bitter laugh as she saw the golem walking towards her. She laughed bitterly, "Perfect. Absolutely perfect. A perfect end for a Zero, isn't it?" As the colossal construct neared her room, Louise could not move her legs. Be it from exhaustion or a small part of her resigning to her fate she could not say. "So this is how I die?" she whispered.
The golemÆs fist rocketed towards her.
Louise squinted her eyes, feeling the hot tears roll down her cheek in humiliation knowing that her failure again would lead to her death.
"...Damnit."
*******************
End Chapter Five
Author's notes:
A clifhanger?! FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU~! Make it stop, make it stop, make it stoooooooooooooop!!!!
Well, for me, the resolution is seems a bit obvious in that Sousuke will save her. Probably using that gifted sword too. But if I am wrong, I'd imagine her survival is guaranteed given the point of this fanfiction & the fact Sousuke can't exist without Louise. I suppose the only issue is whether Louise changes due to her near-death experience. Given Sousuke's trials in FMP!, this is probably part of his typical morning.
The amounts thrown around during the sword bargaining do not make much sense...
forty five thousand
four thousand
three thousand
twenty five thousand
A thousand
Also... he mentions it is 'new' gold coins... how is that different form 'old' coins? Or are they new due to Henriettas new position and had to be reminted?
I'll have to check, I do not think they had checking accounts back then
EDIT:
'hat' s/b 'what'
Also:
I really don't think Tabitha would just stand and watch Kirche get grabbed like that.
forty five thousand
four thousand
three thousand
twenty five thousand
A thousand
Also... he mentions it is 'new' gold coins... how is that different form 'old' coins? Or are they new due to Henriettas new position and had to be reminted?
I'll have to check, I do not think they had checking accounts back then
EDIT:
'hat' s/b 'what'
Also:
I really don't think Tabitha would just stand and watch Kirche get grabbed like that.
Well, I thought even though he was probably a disposable child assassin, he'd still be given a political education even if it is just to indoctrinate him.
Do XXX/YYY for the good of the motherland and the Soviet people.
Even if he follows orders just because they are orders, it is my opinion that his Soviet handlers would try at least give him a grounding in Soviet Rhetoric just in a attempt to produce a loyal tool for the party.
Do XXX/YYY for the good of the motherland and the Soviet people.
Even if he follows orders just because they are orders, it is my opinion that his Soviet handlers would try at least give him a grounding in Soviet Rhetoric just in a attempt to produce a loyal tool for the party.
NECRO HO, BITCHES!!!
Who said this fic is dead?!? How dare you make me work on this to make you wrong, damnit!!! Anypoo, teaser for what's to come. Chapter's about 30% complete atm.
*******************
The next morningà
At the Tristain Academy of Magic, there was much commotion from last night's events, just as though a waspÆs nest had been stirred. The cause was simple, the Staff of Destruction had been stolen. The thief Foquet had managed to sneak in and steal the horrific weapon by using an Earth Golem to attack the school, causing a healthy distraction and endangering the students and faculty.
Truly, the dephs that this horrible thief was willing to go to in order to achieve what he wanted were downright ruthless. It was a miracle that no one was hurt more than some wounded pride and a crushed dorm room.
'Yes,' Lord Osman thought as he eyed the group gathered before him, 'The fact that these children managed to come out of that enocunter in one piece is a miracle. But then again... if the boy is who I think he is... perhaps it's no mere miracle at all.'
Before him stood Sousuke, Louise, Kirche and Tabitha. The group had been summoned by him and brought by by Professor colbert who stood to his right. Sousuke was standing at attention, casuing Louise to blush slightly as she was unaware of how Sousuke was showing respect to the elderly nobleman in his own way.
Little it did for the butterflies swimming in her stomach under Lord Osman's eyes.
ôPlease tell us about the event in depth,ö Osman said as he looked at Sousuke with great interest.
"Sir!" Sousuke barked out as he folded his arms behind him and stood at ease. "At aproximatly 2041 hours, Miss ValliÞre and myself were greeted by Miss Zerbst and her companion."
Louise turned and gawked at Sousuke. What was he doing? He was a familar, and yet here he was speaking so freely to Lord Osman! It was all she could do to keep from sputtering in her stunned silence. [Louise is like you said, aghast. Though she is kinda warmed up to him, he as a commoner is addressing Osmand when he should be silent. Who knows what kind of reprimands will come to him and to her for daring to speak? She may take Osmand's silence as a warning sign. Before she can say anything she actually beings listening to what Sousuke is saying, and not really getting most of it]
Unbenonst to her, all Osman did was raise an eyebrow sligtly as Sousuke continued.
"At 2100 hours we were attacked by that strange creature you call a golem. It managed to capture Ms. Zerbst and Ms. Vallire tried to fight it off, and was almost killed in the effort until I and Ms. Zerbst's companion managed to rescue her."
Osman gave a harsh look at Louise, who managed to gulp and look down in embarrasment before facing Sousuke again, ôAfter that, what happened?ö
===========
Kirche is a agush at Sousuke's bold actions. Taking charge in telling Osmand of how he singlehandidly sent the golem and Fouquette away. Taking charge is exactly what a man of his stature should do, and receiving that charge is what she must do. In other words, she's getting hotter under the collar
===========
"After we managed to get out of the dormatory, destroy the golem, and rescue Ms. Zerbst. During the rescue attempt, I managed to catch sight of a hooded figure running off with something. I would assume it was something of great value, sir?"
ôSoà that is what happenedàö Osman said while stroking his beard. "Were you able to acertain any other information, Mr. Familar?"
"Negative, sir." Sousuke answered as he shook his head.
Lord Osman frowned slightly as he turned to Mr. Colbert, öProfessor, Where is Miss Longueville?ö
Colbert looked to the side in thought, ôIÆm not sure, I havenÆt seen her since morning.ö
Lord Osman let out a breath in fustration. For once not looking like a dirty old man but a man of action, ôWhere could she have gone to during these trying times?ö
ôDid you call for me Lord Osman?"
It was a credit to Osman's frame of mind that he did not leap out of his seat or clutch his chest when his secertary finally made her long awaited re-appearence. He simply nodded at the statuesque woman, "Indeed I did. Thank you for finally gracing us with your presence."
Miss Longueville spoke to Old Osman in a very cool and calm manner. ôMy applogies Lord Osmand. I was doing some investigations. Soàö
"What have you learned so far, Ms Longueville?"
She nodded, a determined smirk upon her face, ôI've learned quite a bit Lord Osmand. I have gotten hold of the whereabouts of Fouquet." Osman raised an eyebrow curiously as his secertary continued, "According to the commoners around the area, they saw what seemed to be like a person wearing a black hooded cloak entering an abandoned house in the nearby forest. I think that the person is most probably Fouquet and that abandoned house is most probably his hideout.ö
ôWhat!?ö Mr. Colbert spoke with amazement. "That's incredible!"
Sousuke nodded, "Especially since the crime took place so soon. You would think a criminal with such a reputation would take care not to draw any attention tho himself."
"Indeed", Osmand agreed, nodding at the words.
"That could mean one or two things," Sousuke continued. "Either this criminal is incredibly arrogant in his thought process, or he fed this information to the locals to lead any persuers into a trap."
"A trap", Mr Colbert repeated, brining a hand to his chin. To his side, Miss Longueville began coughing.
Sousuke nodded, "If this... 'Staff' is as powerful as you all claim it to be, then it stands to reason that Forquet could be trying to ensare any persuers into a trap to test the weapons abilaties. Either because he wishes to keep the weapon for his own purposes or he intends to sell it to the higest bidder and wants to ensure that the weapon is the real deal."
"That is a reasonable analysis", Mr Colbert said, eyes squinted in thought. "The question is; how do we turn this to our advantage"
Sousuke turned to Loungville, a thoughtful frown on his face, "Ma'am, How far is the target's location from here?"
Loungeville turned to Sousuke, looking slightly pale. "B-by foot it takes half a day, by horse it should only take four hours."
"Four hours..." Lord Osman stroked his beard in thought, "That should be enough time to gather a search party to invesitgate the area."
"And what about the possibilities of this being a trap?" Colbert asked.
"It's a risk we have to take," Osman sighed. "By the time we report this to the imperial court, it's just as possible that Fouquet will have made his escape. Besides, if we canÆt even handle such a small problem on our own, weÆre not fit to be called nobles! Since the staff was stolen from the academy, then itÆs the academyÆs responsibility to get back the staff ourselves as quickly as possible.ö
"Sir," Osman blinked as Sousuke stepped forward. "If you would allow me, I would volenteer to go and capture this Forquet for you."
"You would good sir?" Osman asked.
Sousuke nodded, "Sir. I belive I have a sutible plan to deal with this criminal if you would allow me to join in this mission."
Placing his gaze on Sousuke, Osman nodded, "Very well then. I will allow you to join this mission. If you are so confident that you can bring in this criminal, I would like to see your efforts play out."
Mr. Colbert also enthusiastically added; ôYes! Yes! Because he is the legendary Gandàö
Lord Osman hastily covered Mr. ColbertÆs mouth before he could finish his sentence. ôA.. Hahahaà HeÆs talking nonsense! Haha!...ö
Sousuke's eyes flashed to Colbert quickly, narrowing slightly as he laughed nervously along with the headmaster. When the older gentlemen calmed down, Osman continued, "Now I suppose all that's left it to find some proper nobles to assist you in you..." He trailed off, seeing that Louise had raised her wand. "Yes Miss ValliÞre?"
"Headmaster," Louise began. "If.. if you would permit me to do so... I would like to assist in capturing this thief."
Seeing that Louise had raised her wand, Kirche too raised her wand, with nary a trace of reluctance.
Mr. Colbert even more surprised, exclaimed; ôMiss Zerbst! ArenÆt you a student too?ö
Kirche replied nonchalantly, öWell, I simply cannot lose to the ValliÞre family. Be it in love or valor.ö Her lips curved into a seductive smile as she glanced back at Sousuke. "More importantly, I cannot allow my dearest Sousuke to go off into battle alone can I?"
Said familar simply ignored the statuesque Germanian as Louise ground her teeth and glared at her. "Be serious for one moment in your life! We're volenteering to hunt an infamous criminal and you're trying to take my familar again! In front of the headmaster no less!"
"What does it matter?" Kirche returned. "As a memember of this academy I'll ensure that this thief gets his due justice. To be able to follow darling and show him what a true noblewoman is just makes it all the better."
"Unbelivable," Louise groaned.
Osman gave a small coff to get the groups attention, "Yes, well... as... 'entertaning as that was, would anyone else like to assist Miss ValliÞre and her familar?" When silence greeted the headmaster he gave a small nod, "Allright then. itÆs all up to you four now. I shall pray for sucess in your endavors."
"Four?" Kirche asked when she felt a slight tug at her cape. She turned to see Tabitha holding onto her cloak, ôTabitha, no! You need not do this! This does not concern you at all!ö
Tabitha just answered, öIÆm worried.ö
Feeling touched, Kirche looked at Tabitha with gratitude. "Well then thank you Tabitha."
Louise at the same time also muttered, öThank youà Tabitha.ö
Lold Osman nodded to the group of four and said, "The academy awaits the capture of Fouquet then!"
Louise, Kirche and Tabitha stood to attention and said, öWe swear upon our wands to capture Fouquet!ö After that they pulled the edges of their skirts and made a curtsy. Sousuke stood at attention and saluted Lord Osman. The headmaster nodded to him, and he returned to an at ease position.
ôWell then, ready the carriage and set off as soon as you finish your preparations. You must conserve your energy before you reach your destination.ö He turned to his secretary, ôMiss Longueville, could you go with them, too?ö
ôYes, Headmaster . I had wanted to go with them as well,ö said Miss Longueville as she gave a slight curtsey in response. She rose and turned to the assorted teenagers, "I will be waiting for you at the entrance. When you're ready, we'll set off. Understood?"
"Yes Ma'am." Sousuke nodded and quickly left the Headmaster's office to prepare.
"Ah, Darling! Wait for me!" Cried Kirche as she quickly followed.
Louise frowned at the Germanian's retreating back before letting off a small sigh and following. Things were rapidly spiraling out of control, and she had no clue as to how things got so horribly complicated. Was this how a familiar was supposed to act, or was it simply just her luck as the... 'Zero'? She sighed, hoping to at least bring Forquet to justice quickly, and get back to the growing mystery that was her familiar.
*******************
Who said this fic is dead?!? How dare you make me work on this to make you wrong, damnit!!! Anypoo, teaser for what's to come. Chapter's about 30% complete atm.
*******************
The next morningà
At the Tristain Academy of Magic, there was much commotion from last night's events, just as though a waspÆs nest had been stirred. The cause was simple, the Staff of Destruction had been stolen. The thief Foquet had managed to sneak in and steal the horrific weapon by using an Earth Golem to attack the school, causing a healthy distraction and endangering the students and faculty.
Truly, the dephs that this horrible thief was willing to go to in order to achieve what he wanted were downright ruthless. It was a miracle that no one was hurt more than some wounded pride and a crushed dorm room.
'Yes,' Lord Osman thought as he eyed the group gathered before him, 'The fact that these children managed to come out of that enocunter in one piece is a miracle. But then again... if the boy is who I think he is... perhaps it's no mere miracle at all.'
Before him stood Sousuke, Louise, Kirche and Tabitha. The group had been summoned by him and brought by by Professor colbert who stood to his right. Sousuke was standing at attention, casuing Louise to blush slightly as she was unaware of how Sousuke was showing respect to the elderly nobleman in his own way.
Little it did for the butterflies swimming in her stomach under Lord Osman's eyes.
ôPlease tell us about the event in depth,ö Osman said as he looked at Sousuke with great interest.
"Sir!" Sousuke barked out as he folded his arms behind him and stood at ease. "At aproximatly 2041 hours, Miss ValliÞre and myself were greeted by Miss Zerbst and her companion."
Louise turned and gawked at Sousuke. What was he doing? He was a familar, and yet here he was speaking so freely to Lord Osman! It was all she could do to keep from sputtering in her stunned silence. [Louise is like you said, aghast. Though she is kinda warmed up to him, he as a commoner is addressing Osmand when he should be silent. Who knows what kind of reprimands will come to him and to her for daring to speak? She may take Osmand's silence as a warning sign. Before she can say anything she actually beings listening to what Sousuke is saying, and not really getting most of it]
Unbenonst to her, all Osman did was raise an eyebrow sligtly as Sousuke continued.
"At 2100 hours we were attacked by that strange creature you call a golem. It managed to capture Ms. Zerbst and Ms. Vallire tried to fight it off, and was almost killed in the effort until I and Ms. Zerbst's companion managed to rescue her."
Osman gave a harsh look at Louise, who managed to gulp and look down in embarrasment before facing Sousuke again, ôAfter that, what happened?ö
===========
Kirche is a agush at Sousuke's bold actions. Taking charge in telling Osmand of how he singlehandidly sent the golem and Fouquette away. Taking charge is exactly what a man of his stature should do, and receiving that charge is what she must do. In other words, she's getting hotter under the collar
===========
"After we managed to get out of the dormatory, destroy the golem, and rescue Ms. Zerbst. During the rescue attempt, I managed to catch sight of a hooded figure running off with something. I would assume it was something of great value, sir?"
ôSoà that is what happenedàö Osman said while stroking his beard. "Were you able to acertain any other information, Mr. Familar?"
"Negative, sir." Sousuke answered as he shook his head.
Lord Osman frowned slightly as he turned to Mr. Colbert, öProfessor, Where is Miss Longueville?ö
Colbert looked to the side in thought, ôIÆm not sure, I havenÆt seen her since morning.ö
Lord Osman let out a breath in fustration. For once not looking like a dirty old man but a man of action, ôWhere could she have gone to during these trying times?ö
ôDid you call for me Lord Osman?"
It was a credit to Osman's frame of mind that he did not leap out of his seat or clutch his chest when his secertary finally made her long awaited re-appearence. He simply nodded at the statuesque woman, "Indeed I did. Thank you for finally gracing us with your presence."
Miss Longueville spoke to Old Osman in a very cool and calm manner. ôMy applogies Lord Osmand. I was doing some investigations. Soàö
"What have you learned so far, Ms Longueville?"
She nodded, a determined smirk upon her face, ôI've learned quite a bit Lord Osmand. I have gotten hold of the whereabouts of Fouquet." Osman raised an eyebrow curiously as his secertary continued, "According to the commoners around the area, they saw what seemed to be like a person wearing a black hooded cloak entering an abandoned house in the nearby forest. I think that the person is most probably Fouquet and that abandoned house is most probably his hideout.ö
ôWhat!?ö Mr. Colbert spoke with amazement. "That's incredible!"
Sousuke nodded, "Especially since the crime took place so soon. You would think a criminal with such a reputation would take care not to draw any attention tho himself."
"Indeed", Osmand agreed, nodding at the words.
"That could mean one or two things," Sousuke continued. "Either this criminal is incredibly arrogant in his thought process, or he fed this information to the locals to lead any persuers into a trap."
"A trap", Mr Colbert repeated, brining a hand to his chin. To his side, Miss Longueville began coughing.
Sousuke nodded, "If this... 'Staff' is as powerful as you all claim it to be, then it stands to reason that Forquet could be trying to ensare any persuers into a trap to test the weapons abilaties. Either because he wishes to keep the weapon for his own purposes or he intends to sell it to the higest bidder and wants to ensure that the weapon is the real deal."
"That is a reasonable analysis", Mr Colbert said, eyes squinted in thought. "The question is; how do we turn this to our advantage"
Sousuke turned to Loungville, a thoughtful frown on his face, "Ma'am, How far is the target's location from here?"
Loungeville turned to Sousuke, looking slightly pale. "B-by foot it takes half a day, by horse it should only take four hours."
"Four hours..." Lord Osman stroked his beard in thought, "That should be enough time to gather a search party to invesitgate the area."
"And what about the possibilities of this being a trap?" Colbert asked.
"It's a risk we have to take," Osman sighed. "By the time we report this to the imperial court, it's just as possible that Fouquet will have made his escape. Besides, if we canÆt even handle such a small problem on our own, weÆre not fit to be called nobles! Since the staff was stolen from the academy, then itÆs the academyÆs responsibility to get back the staff ourselves as quickly as possible.ö
"Sir," Osman blinked as Sousuke stepped forward. "If you would allow me, I would volenteer to go and capture this Forquet for you."
"You would good sir?" Osman asked.
Sousuke nodded, "Sir. I belive I have a sutible plan to deal with this criminal if you would allow me to join in this mission."
Placing his gaze on Sousuke, Osman nodded, "Very well then. I will allow you to join this mission. If you are so confident that you can bring in this criminal, I would like to see your efforts play out."
Mr. Colbert also enthusiastically added; ôYes! Yes! Because he is the legendary Gandàö
Lord Osman hastily covered Mr. ColbertÆs mouth before he could finish his sentence. ôA.. Hahahaà HeÆs talking nonsense! Haha!...ö
Sousuke's eyes flashed to Colbert quickly, narrowing slightly as he laughed nervously along with the headmaster. When the older gentlemen calmed down, Osman continued, "Now I suppose all that's left it to find some proper nobles to assist you in you..." He trailed off, seeing that Louise had raised her wand. "Yes Miss ValliÞre?"
"Headmaster," Louise began. "If.. if you would permit me to do so... I would like to assist in capturing this thief."
Seeing that Louise had raised her wand, Kirche too raised her wand, with nary a trace of reluctance.
Mr. Colbert even more surprised, exclaimed; ôMiss Zerbst! ArenÆt you a student too?ö
Kirche replied nonchalantly, öWell, I simply cannot lose to the ValliÞre family. Be it in love or valor.ö Her lips curved into a seductive smile as she glanced back at Sousuke. "More importantly, I cannot allow my dearest Sousuke to go off into battle alone can I?"
Said familar simply ignored the statuesque Germanian as Louise ground her teeth and glared at her. "Be serious for one moment in your life! We're volenteering to hunt an infamous criminal and you're trying to take my familar again! In front of the headmaster no less!"
"What does it matter?" Kirche returned. "As a memember of this academy I'll ensure that this thief gets his due justice. To be able to follow darling and show him what a true noblewoman is just makes it all the better."
"Unbelivable," Louise groaned.
Osman gave a small coff to get the groups attention, "Yes, well... as... 'entertaning as that was, would anyone else like to assist Miss ValliÞre and her familar?" When silence greeted the headmaster he gave a small nod, "Allright then. itÆs all up to you four now. I shall pray for sucess in your endavors."
"Four?" Kirche asked when she felt a slight tug at her cape. She turned to see Tabitha holding onto her cloak, ôTabitha, no! You need not do this! This does not concern you at all!ö
Tabitha just answered, öIÆm worried.ö
Feeling touched, Kirche looked at Tabitha with gratitude. "Well then thank you Tabitha."
Louise at the same time also muttered, öThank youà Tabitha.ö
Lold Osman nodded to the group of four and said, "The academy awaits the capture of Fouquet then!"
Louise, Kirche and Tabitha stood to attention and said, öWe swear upon our wands to capture Fouquet!ö After that they pulled the edges of their skirts and made a curtsy. Sousuke stood at attention and saluted Lord Osman. The headmaster nodded to him, and he returned to an at ease position.
ôWell then, ready the carriage and set off as soon as you finish your preparations. You must conserve your energy before you reach your destination.ö He turned to his secretary, ôMiss Longueville, could you go with them, too?ö
ôYes, Headmaster . I had wanted to go with them as well,ö said Miss Longueville as she gave a slight curtsey in response. She rose and turned to the assorted teenagers, "I will be waiting for you at the entrance. When you're ready, we'll set off. Understood?"
"Yes Ma'am." Sousuke nodded and quickly left the Headmaster's office to prepare.
"Ah, Darling! Wait for me!" Cried Kirche as she quickly followed.
Louise frowned at the Germanian's retreating back before letting off a small sigh and following. Things were rapidly spiraling out of control, and she had no clue as to how things got so horribly complicated. Was this how a familiar was supposed to act, or was it simply just her luck as the... 'Zero'? She sighed, hoping to at least bring Forquet to justice quickly, and get back to the growing mystery that was her familiar.
*******************
That is awesome. :hail:
Hmm...this iss a bit off topic and focused on DnD, but I think the link to Communism is interesting.
I forgot how I found it, but I recalled it just now. It is a bit weird, but I think it seems relevant given Sousuke's training as special forces...which now that I think about it might not have included native force training. :blink:
<a href='http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Dungeonomicon_%28DnD_Other%29/Economicon#Bringing_the_World_out_of_the_Dark_Ages' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Dungeonomicon...f_the_Dark_Ages</a>
Any thoughts? ^_^
Hmm...this iss a bit off topic and focused on DnD, but I think the link to Communism is interesting.
I forgot how I found it, but I recalled it just now. It is a bit weird, but I think it seems relevant given Sousuke's training as special forces...which now that I think about it might not have included native force training. :blink:
<a href='http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Dungeonomicon_%28DnD_Other%29/Economicon#Bringing_the_World_out_of_the_Dark_Ages' target='_blank' rel='nofollow'>http://www.dandwiki.com/wiki/Dungeonomicon...f_the_Dark_Ages</a>
Any thoughts? ^_^