A Lesson For Louise 18

Chapter 18: Bargains

<<<Louise>>>

Either Rei was rubbing off on her, or maybe she never realized she had a talent for teaching, but either way Louise found herself enjoying her time with Plantier’s son far more than she expected. He was an attentive student, didn’t possess the hang ups normal for nobility, and much like herself there was that drive… that hunger to prove everyone wrong.

Though he did seem pretty sheltered and lacked that spite that Louise had nurtured for so long, that Obsidia brought out of her. But she felt her student was lucky in that regard, being angry and spiteful? Carrying that around you, always in the back of your mind whispering to you? That is exhausting beyond belief and she didn’t realize it until her first session with the ‘councilor’ back at the academy in the Other world.

Truly, such a wonderful thing. Louise wondered if nobles would be less assholeish if they all have ‘councilers’ to help them work through their issues?

On the other hand, he did have a temper; as shown when he slammed his fist against the wall had enough to make himself bleed in frustration that he just… wasn’t getting it. “Fucking dammit…” She got the feeling she wasn’t supposed to hear that by how mumbled it was.

Yeah, that anger was very familiar to her.

“It took me months before I could use my wand,” Louise said, “And I did the same exercise you're doing to familiarize myself with the wand. What you’re experiencing is what I went through. Years of self-doubt…”

“I’m not feeling anything from it,” He growled, seeming close to snapping at her before sighing and just slumping on ‘her’ bed. “Sorry, I know you’re trying, I shouldn’t have snapped at you. It was unbecoming of me.”

“... Nothing?” Louise just scratched her cheek, “It’s fine, honestly if I was in your position I probably would’ve exploded on someone myself…” Though she was wondering about his lack of connection to his wand.

She had a theory… but she simply wasn’t sure how to go about finding out if it was true or just wild speculation on her part.

“I am right here to ask, darling,” Rei noted, voice amused, “His connection with the elements is so low as to be non-existent and his magic supply will never be useful. To use magic, he’d need it gifted from someone else… like a divine spirit of some kind.”

“Hmm, I suppose finding out if the connection to the Spirit world is safe to use from here,” Louise thought as she rubbed her chin, “Unless you happen to know if it is or not.”

“You’d need to contact someone very strong and noble, someone elegant and wise,” Rei continued seriously, “I don’t know if you know someone like that… and then bargaining for it would be even harder than finding them! Truly, you are stuck…”

“... Really… you’re going to make me ask?” Louise snarked, more amused than annoyed at her dramatic familiar.

“I’m going to make you bargain,” Rei replied, her phantom form appearing upon a nearby table, “But he must agree first.”

“Fine,” Louise said before sighing and turning to Charles, “Ok, I might be able to get you some magic from a spirit but… there are going to be rules and drawbacks. Like you’ll need to follow rules that the spirit gives you and, uh, I’m going to be negotiating with them on your behalf.”

“I… I’d want to hear the rules first and what I’d be giving up for, uh, bargaining?” He started, “And, uh, would that make the inquisition angry?”

“You can,” Louise said, “And well… leave the Inquisition to me, okay?”

“First, you’ll need to give energy for me to appear before him,~” Rei noted, “Of course, you may charge him for this in some way.”

Louise just raised a brow, and gave her the necessary energy to manifest.

In swirling golden light, Rei-no, Inari stepped out from nothing; elegant in their golden plate mail, blade at their side, spear on their back, and some form of tube with a wooden handle in her hand. “Hello Charles,” They started, their very presence making Louise sweat and Charles’ knees tremble, “You wanted magic? Louise will be negotiating with me on your behalf then. She’s the closest thing to a human Miko here, after all…”

Louise had not signed up for that, she thought she’d be negotiating with Rei, dammit!

“Now then,” Inari continued, shifting to sit on a throne that had appeared from… somewhere, a throne that looked like it was made from wheat and rice and forges, “I require from you three things. The first is that you must follow my tenants; which are quite simple. Bathe in running water regularly, be productive, protect foxes, be generous… things you should be doing regardless, no?”

“She’ll know if you don’t do those things,” Louise said, hand going up, “And you will be punished depending on the severity.”

“Exactly,” Inari said with a nod.

“Those… don’t seem too bad,” He agreed with a slow nod, though he was only barely standing still. “What are the other two?”

Inari’s eyebrow rose. “It is customary to bow, but it is your home I suppose…” The pressure receded some. “The second is that you deliver my punishment to your father.”

Charles only sighed, “... What did he do…” Louise was pretty sure even Inari heard the unspoken ‘this time’.

Inari gestured towards Louise. “Did you believe she was here by choice?” They asked. “For his continuous perfidy, insults and punishments without merits to the workers under him, and for his shunning of industry… he needs to be punished, harshly.”

“... Foolishly I hoped so, but I knew…” Charles admitted with another sigh.

“Thus, my second requirement is that you depose him; and I don’t particularly care how you do it,” Inari continued, “The more humiliating and permanent, the better. I’ve been assured by the god he supposedly worships, Brimir, that his afterlife will… not be pleasant.” The god shrugged gracefully, “But the method I leave to you. Perhaps being imprisoned would be enough to humble him?”

“Lord Inari? If I may?” Louise spoke up for the first time, “While I won’t disagree with you that the man should be punished, he is still Charles’ father.”

“There have been many sons that have slain their father for power,” Inari noted, “But those would rarely be ones I’d sponsor long term, true. Do you perhaps have a replacement for that request?”

“As you said, his afterlife will not be pleasant, no matter how much he recants or repents.” Inari nodded, “I suggest he be confined, indefinitely. And stripped of his ability to use magic. Would this be suitable for Lady Inari?”

“I never said he had to kill the man,” Inari replied, “I distinctly remember suggesting that locking him up would be an option. Do not forget my words again, but I’ll forgive you this once.”

“...  I’ve spent too long around Obsidia…” Louise muttered, getting an amused smile from Inari and a look of concern from Charles.

“Now that we’ve gotten that… misunderstanding out of the way,” Inari started, “My third requirement will be the most difficult; you must plead my case for me in the halls of your head church. Not now, not soon, but eventually.”

“... You don’t ask for much do you…” Charles muttered, unable to keep the disbelief in his voice out.

Louise agreed, while she is a devout follower of the Church (despite the ‘shady shit’ to, paraphrase Rei and Obsidia) and she knew one of the biggest… Well, not tenants per say was that ‘Thou Shalt Worship Another God’ which the Church had adhered to… violently. During the early days when the country was still a wildland there were many different religions.

They weren’t around any longer.

Inari smiled. “I am a God, were all my requests easy there would be many more graced with my power, no?” The scent of a fresh harvest of wheat filled the room for a moment before fading away. “But do not fear for your safety, I can assure it. I simply need a mortal agent in the right time, in the right place, doing the right thing. If you think this is too much, either of you may suggest an alternative.”

“No, no that’s… fine…” Charles said slowly.

“Good,” Inari replied, forming a golden ball in her hand and flinging it into Charles, “The bargain is struck. Enjoy your new magic… but remember to keep your end of it.~”

Inari, and the overwhelming pressure of their presence, vanished and sound resumed from the outside world. Charles collapsed sideways, panting from the aftereffects.

“... She has that effect…” Louise said, only keeping steady due to having experienced her lesser presence in Rei… and exposure to other powerful spirits in the Other world.

“Fuck… I feel… weird,” He said, “I can… it’s like I can hear the effort that went into building this house. A-and I can feel the tools and nails…”

“Huh, that’s peculiar…” Louise muttered as she thought, “I… wait. I have an idea. Considering what her domains are? Your magic is no doubt connected to it. Industry, farming, and so on perhaps. Very useful for you to bring your future land to prosperity, eh?”

“I don’t know how it would help deal with my father though…” He replied, sounding annoyed.

Rei actually appeared then, leaning against a desk in her full kitsune form. “That’s because you lack imagination. Imagine all the effort that goes into forging a blade, mm? How much strength you can call on from that act. Or perhaps you simply build a cell around your father with your own will and the metal, the stone, he had used to build this estate?” Rei bounced a coin through her fingers before bouncing it off Charles’ head, “You have something in there, use it.”

Charles blinked and Louise snickered faintly. “That’s Rei, my familiar,” She introduced.

“Daughter of Inari, ender of tyranny, all around perfect example of fox kind; pleased to meet you,~” She said with a wide smirk, eyes sparkling, “Truly, you should feel honored by my presence alone.~”

Charles just snorted, “Modest, isn’t she?” Most nobles would be offended, but Charles sounded rather amused.

“Very, but I love her regardless,” Louise admitted, giving her Rei a fond smile, “Even if she drives me crazy at times.”

“I am a fox, darling,” Rei replied, “I will never stop driving people crazy, it’s funny.”

“Anyway, I suppose we should get ready for dinner,” Louise said

“True,” Rei agreed, “And I suppose I should mention that your friends, girlfriend, and inquisitor interrogators are just waiting for a signal. The mercs left a while ago.~”

Louise nodded and looked at Charles, “How do you want to do this?” She asked, “As angry as I am, he is still your father.”

“I… I’ll confront him,” He replied, “And if he tries anything… I’ll do something, I don’t know what…”

“If he hesitates,” Rei started, “you will need to push him into finishing it.” Her hand waved and, within her hand, a whistle appeared, “But no one said that you had to be the one to give the signal either…” Then she tossed it to Charles.

“Cheeky fox,” Louise grumped with an amused smile.

“I do so try,” Rei replied, “I serve my Lord Inari to the best of my abilities, I just have some fun with it when I can.~”

Louise just shook her head and looked to Charles, “You should get ready as well, I’ll get ready.” She said, “But I do hope we can resume these lessons later.”

“... Yeah, I’ll… I’ll step out, sorry just…” His head shook, “It’s a lot.”

He almost looked traumatized as he left, eyes distant.

“I’ll make sure no one notices his state and help… reassure him that this is the right path,” Rei said with a soft bow, “Any specific requests?”

“Thank you Rei,” Louise said, “He’s a good man. And… well, I’m curious to know if Obsidia is planning anything special? For my host or perhaps the mercenaries?” She added curiously

“Many things, but I’ve had to veto most,” Rei replied with amusement, “And the Inquisitors. And Kirche. And Tabitha. And he’s not a good man… but he could be. He just needs hands on training and someone to look up to.” The fox vanished in a flurry of lights; which were rushing towards Charles if Louise wasn’t mistaken.

Louise just shook her head and started to get dressed, and despite herself she had to give Plantier at least one… two things, actually. Having good taste for dresses (whether said taste is his own is the question) and having a son that wasn’t a copy of himself.

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