[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/aplBTZm.jpg[/img][/center] The Magierprinz looked over at the voice that suddenly approached him. After a brief look over the nobleman, Swen drew the conclusion that he was truly pompus indeed. And seriously? Sir Magierprinz? It was a bit odd for his former employer to be up here, but the nobleman decided to return his peer's respect with a slight bow appropriate for their relative stations in the noble hierarchy. [color=gray]"Myself and Lady Gwynn Foghlu both did our best in your employ, Lord Kostis, and are glad that you are satisfied. This is rather distant from your demesne however, so pardon my manners for asking perhaps what brings you towards Boreas? If you require somewhere to stay on your travel, no matter it's cause, my family will be glad to be your host."[/color] Simply being polite, but also getting to the point. The man truly was out of place here. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/KDNoPCb.jpg[/img][/center] [color=8dc73f]"...have I ever told you I hate those uniforms?"[/color] ... did her mistress simply hate the way she dressed 90% of the time? Wasn't it sort of cute in a way? Why hadn't she been told this before? Did she need to ... [color=8dc73f]"Anyways, come on Maoin! Adventure waits for no one!"[/color] Maoin's ears perked up as she heard those dangerous words. This couldn't be good. The kitten gasped as she was dragged out of the room suddenly, out of the dorm building, passed a confused pink hair (who she still owed cookies), across the school and straight to the training grounds. The cat briefly contemplated asking what was going on, but realized that it would be pointless. Hopefully it simply wouldn't be something dangerous. Shaking her hand slightly as it was released to relieve dragged-by-owner-across-campus syndrome it suffered once every few weeks, her owner looked at her with a mischievous grin. Certainly not good. They were breaking in somewhere. [color=8dc73f]"Alright! So. Remember when I said I'm gonna teach you how to fight? Welp, hope you're ready, I'm not gonna pull any punches and I only teach through practical demonstration."[/color] The kitten let out a sigh of relief as she realized that they wouldn't be vandalizing the school again, and her eyes widened as her mistress finished her statement. If her owner truly meant to not pull any punches, she'd end up as a well bruised kitten in record time ... Suddenly, a thin shortsword appeared in her owner's hand, the hilt colored black just like her own hair. Simple, but seeming well crafted in truth ... [color=8dc73f]"Here ya go."[/color] [color=darkslateblue]"Is ... is this for me ...?"[/color] Her mistress never did fight with blades this small, and the servant realized it was perfectly sized for herself ... It was unlikely that her owner would be able to dodge the ballistic hug that ended up going around her, sword narrowly avoiding her owner's side and tail wrapping around her. [color=darkslateblue]"Thank you!"[/color] Maoin was practically bouncing in cheerfulness for having finally received something, eyes watering just a bit out of some sort of sheer uncontrollable joy! A year and a bit more of cleaning, dusting, cooking, and being a maid, but it was worth it! Various comments including but not limited to: [color=darkslateblue]"My mistress is the best mistress!"[/color] and [color=darkslateblue]"It's so pretty!"[/color] and [color=darkslateblue]"I'm so glad I'm your familiar!"[/color] were let out while the noble woman was hugged. After a half a minute as if the black haired girl had some sort of uncontainable energy, she was forced to let go before skipping around for a bit and giving the sword a few celebratory and completely impractical swings. All in all, her little celebration lasted for an adorable couple of minutes before she managed to collect herself, wiping the tears off her face with the unburdened hand. Then a thought occurred to the ever responsible familiar, who was still holding a wide smile that was starting to show a hint of being suspicious. [color=darkslateblue]"... where did you get this ...?"[/color] She really hoped her owner hadn't stolen something to get her a gift. [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/HuFvrKV.jpg[/img][/center] [color=a187be]"Don't worry dear, you don't have to do anything else today if you don't want too."[/color] Fia let out a sigh of relief as she was let off work for a day. It seemed that her mage did have some sort of sense of mercy regarding the unending pile of paperwork. Would it be worth asking to ... [color=a187be]"...play with this if you want while I work. The dusty old thing is just taking up space at the moment."[/color] The phoenix hadn't ever really played with anything, but wasn't she a little past the doll playing age even for a child who grew up ... normally? She did wonder what that was like. Still though, she picked up Kathrine's doll obediently and put it against her chest, wrapping her arms around it. Suddenly a question occurred to the crimson haired girl. She hadn't really seemed to talked to one of these things since she was taken from the tower, and well she did have a question or two for it. Though the doll wasn't likely to go anywhere. Fia softly asked the doll the question posed in her mind. [color=salmon]"... did you ... help kill... old master?"[/color] She wondered if this was one of the dolls that was assigned to that mission.