A Lesson For Louise 17

Chapter 17: Meeting Plantier

<<<Louise>>>

When she first went to the Other World her dreams were wild and restless, often requiring Rei to keep her arms wrapped around her to get some restful sleep (an opening that Obsidia was all too happy to fill while at the academy). She theorized it was simply her mind being over active and stimulated beyond the norm, the very air of the Other World was filled with magic in a way that her home simply lacked.

Another theory, that Rei offered, was that her status as an Outsider (not to be confused with Those-That-Dwell-Outside) drew the attention of Primordial Spirits that could be considered Gods of the Other World. Through the lens of her dreams they learned and tested her, and apparently she got their approval as about… three months into her schooling her dreams became fleeting.

Truly, she barely dreamed anymore. Just a deep sleep, in truth she preferred it that way. Oftentimes her own insecurities would mess with her through nightmares.

But she shouldn’t let herself be distracted as her ‘escort’ (and she used the term very loosely) arrived at where they were supposedly meeting Florentin Plantier.

Several soldiers met them, several with their own wands, and gestured for Roz to come forward. She couldn’t quite hear what they said, there was a wind shield blocking it, but he came back with some slight annoyance.

“Girl, you and I are going to go to Lord Plantier alone,” He said, instantly explaining his irritation, “He wants you to come naked… and from the implication, that isn’t for sexual reasons.”

Louise’s expression must’ve given away her… violent thoughts judging from the snort and crooked grin he gave her.

“Who knew a Valliere could make such a vicious expression,” He quipped.

“My girlfriend is infinitely worse,” She stated, “And if she gets her hands on him, Plantier will beg; which will just make her work harder.”

Then ignoring Roz completely  Louise started undressing, getting a whistle from Roz before he quickly turned away, “I’ve never seen a noble with those types of scars at your age, your girlfriend must work you over really good,” He said.

“I like to think I give as good as I get,” Louise grunted, “But you’re not wrong. Now let’s get this farce over with… I desire to express my feelings…” The viciousness of being the girlfriend of a dark elf slipped into her voice.

She did get a few other… she’d think of them as compliments to avoid starting a slaughter too early as she walked.

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“You look so much like your mother…” That combined with the way the older man leered made Louise’s skin crawl as she covered her breasts and glared bloody murder at the man. “Your hands, please?” He asked to be shown, ignoring Ros entirely, “If you don’t have those scars then, well, I suppose I’ll just have to behead dear Ros here for trying to cheat me… and then you for going along with it.”

Louise grunted and showed her hands, and as he gazed at her breasts she snarled and… her temper slipped a little.

“Get a good look, because I WILL rip your Birmir-damned eyes out!” SHe hissed, the urge to simply reduce the fool to cinders rising.

“To tell you the truth,” He started, “I was looking for surgery marks. Your body type has changed much since I last heard, but I suppose that the last portrait I saw of you was last year…”

That didn’t soothe her growing rage, but she didn’t comment about her time in the Other World.

Then he clapped. “But I’m relatively convinced it is her, you’ll have your payment Roz and Louise here… she has a date with a cell underground. Don’t worry, you’ll be joined relatively soon with family.”

Ros nodded before looking at Louise, “Well, like I said girly. Nothing personal.” He said before giving her a quick wink, “Give’em hell kid.” He added before he turned with a wave as he and her ‘escort’ walked off.

Louise just grumbled, “Can I get some clothes at least?” Not that she was bothered… Rei and Obsidia were very… adventurous and well… actually, let’s just leave it at that.

“You’ll find some in your cell,” He replied, waving her off and towards a few of his soldiers, “I have a letter to write.”

“Oh, he thinks he’s clever!” Rei said with a laugh, “He wants to draw your sister and your mother here with the threat of your execution before trying to kill them and marry you to his son! Truthfully, it isn’t a terrible plan… but I suspect that your mother would end his ambitions quickly.”

“If I don’t…” The thought of this wretch trying to force her to marry his equally pathetic spawn irritated her… 

“Hmm, your temper has been rising since you came back,”  Rei commented, “For understandable reasons, of course, but you really should get back to meditating like you learned. It wouldn’t be good to blow up when your mom tries to browbeat you or something.” Rei paused for a moment before her smugness grew. “Besides, you haven’t even met the son. He might be an apple that rolled away from the tree. It isn’t likely, but…”

Louise grumbled internally as she followed the soldiers.

“I hate it when you use logic against me,” Louise thought.

Rei just giggled.

Her cell, as it turned out, was a guest room with the door locked. The windows were barred and the door had steel inserts; but the protections seemed more aimed at keeping people out rather than in. And the clothes that had been laid out for her…

“Not bad…” Louise said as she held up a dress and looked at it, irritated by the fact she liked it.

“You are not to inform the Lord’s son that you are being held against your will,” Her ‘escort’ said, “If you do, you will be executed.”

If he expected her to be cowed, she could only imagine his reaction when she just snorted at his threat. Compared to her negotiations with the more esoteric spirits, an execution was a fast and relatively painless way to go. Spirits could be creative and vindictive when they felt they had been cheated of their due.

“You will be expected to attend dinner in two hours,” He continued, face passive, “Come dressed for it.”

“Mmm, does Plantier often pay to have ladies stolen to present to his son?” Louise asked dryly, “Most would simply take their son out to fish for the sake of family bonding.”

“No,” He replied. “Have a good evening,” He continued before about facing and leaving, the door’s lock clunking into place from the outside as he did.

“I’d say the same to you, but you work for that wretch,” Louise muttered before she started to get dressed and started looking around her cell.

There were… a laughably large amount of things she could use to hurt or kill someone. Granted, they wouldn’t work well against someone throwing magic her way but it wasn’t like they’d always be in a position to do that either.

And she had magic of her own, but they didn’t know that part yet.

It would almost be trivially easy to escape, even without her stay in the other world, as long as she had a wand. She’d just have to start blowing up the walls. She didn’t have that wand, they’d taken it from her very soon after arriving, but it would have worked… maybe if she borrowed, or ‘borrowed’, the son’s wand?

Then she heard talking through the door, followed by a scuffle, and the door opening; a boy that looked much like a younger version of Plantier walking in and brushing himself off.

“So…” He started, “You’re the mysterious guest I was told about?” He asked, “Weren’t you supposed to be the fiance of someone else?”

Louise couldn’t help but snort at that, “Yes, but either your father is a fool or lives in his own world,” She dryly said, “Besides, my relationship with Wardes is in question.” She would’ve expanded more but well… being kidnapped didn’t make her feel like sharing.

“Mm, he gets… obsessive sometimes,” He admitted with a sigh, “I’m Charles.” His hand went out for a shake, “I admit, you probably know more about magic than me, I don’t have any talent for it at all.”

“Louise,” She replied as she shook his hand with a faint snort, “It’s… rather complicated. But I doubt it’s that you lack talent and more teachers don’t know what they’re talking about.”

No, she wasn’t bitter… she wasn’t…

Maybe if she told herself that often enough she’d even believe it?

“Mm, maybe, can’t make a wand do anything to save my life though. Not even an explosion or whatever,” He replied with a shrug, gently kissing the back of her hand. “So I think you might be mistaken. I’d love to learn otherwise, of course…”

Maybe… she should introduce him to some basic exercises she learned? Would they help him?

“Hmm, well it’s a long story. I won’t go into it in detail but I spent a year and a few months in another world.” Louise said, “And well… learned how to use magic. So I know a few exercises we can try, I think I’ll start with something I learned in Enchanting class.”

“Well, I wouldn’t be opposed,” He replied with a grin, “Even if I suspect you’re a bit crazy now.”

“... I hate that I can’t disagree with that…” She’s pretty sure her dating a Dark elf caused her sanity to slip on occasion…

He snorted, “That doesn’t make me stop worrying, you aren’t going to come out of your room and start stabbing, right?” He was clearly joking.

Louise just shook her head and smiled, “Want to see a trick?” She asked, figuring it’d probably be best to distract him and prove she wasn’t crazy… well not like he seemed to think.

“Sure,” He replied, sitting on her bed, “Always willing to learn.”

“Just so you know, I don’t have my wand,” Louise said before she focused and the air started to swirl and colelese into a vaguely humanoid form.

An Air spirit (not to be mistaken for a Wind one, and yes she still found the distinction confusing). The spirit ‘looked’ around before seeing Louise and flittered over and seemed to hover around and hugged her making Louise smile.

Air spirits were so relaxed, only Wind spirits were even more relaxed.

“This is Breezy,” Louise introduced, “An Air spirit, she… he… they, they’re very friendly and relaxed.”

“... Alright, you’ve got to teach me how to do that,” He replied after a moment. “That is so cool.”

Louise just smiled and giggled, “Well, all the spirits I’ve contracted come from the Other World. I’ll have to test to see if any of the spirits here are safe to negotiate with. But I can teach you other things until I find out,” She said, “Interested?”

His focused nod was all the answer she really needed, though his… expressive way of saying yes helped. “Fuck yes.”

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