Chapter 6: One of the Family
Chapter 6:
One of the Family
WE LEFT THE DUNGEON, still running through the dazzling sunset light. The wind felt cool and wonderful against my skin. If you’re wondering how fast we were going, I’d say just fast enough to outrun the wolf monster just behind us.
<Shall we help the poor creature?>
“I’ll handle it.”
Said poor creature was the rabbit the wolf monster was hunting. Circle of life and all that, but wolf monsters frequently went after humans, so it struck me as a good idea to take it out. I fired off a Stone Bullet that was about two feet in diameter.
The wolf monster shrieked and crumpled. It didn’t look like it was about to get up again.
<How far shall I take you, Noir? Ought I let you off at the entrance to town?>
“If you’re up to it, why not swing by my place? It’s not very big, but we do have a yard, and my father’s always talking about how much he wants a guard dog.”
<In that case, I shall join you.>
Tigerson increased his pace and in no time at all, we arrived at the town gates. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we caused a bit of a stir.
The gatekeeper trembled, his jaw hanging agape. “M-m-monster attack!”
<Fear not, I am without hostile intent.>
“He’s telling the truth. He’s my familiar.” I slid off Tigerson’s back like it was no big deal and proceeded to give him a series of demeaning orders. “Sit! Shake!”
Tigerson obliged with an expression of utter passivity. Thankfully, the gatekeeper bought our act and we finally got permission to enter. Sorry for treating you like a dog, Tigerson.
As we walked through the town, all eyes were on me and my colossal new friend. Murmurs broke out all around us.
“What is that? A familiar?”
“Why does it have a flower on its head?”
“Whatever it is, it sure is imposing. I wonder if it’s really under that kid’s control…”
<People seem rather fearful of me.>
“Hey, don’t worry about it. I’ll just convince them you’re my familiar and you’ll be popular in no time.”
“Noir?! What are you doing up there?”
All of a sudden, I ran into a familiar face—a beautiful girl who looked like she’d been shopping on the outskirts of town. Emma was as glowing as always, and her chest bounced as she ran toward me. She slowed a little as she got closer, taking in Tigerson’s impressive presence.
“I’ve never seen a monster like that before… Is it your familiar, Noir?”
<I am Noir’s friend, Tigerson. It is a pleasure to meet you.>
“Same here! My name’s Emma.”
<Would you care to climb onto my back as well?>
“I can’t say no to that, can I?”
Emma hopped on behind me. She marveled at the view, then wrapped her arms around my waist and hugged me tight. The close contact was enough to earn me some LP, which was nice, but something was bugging me.
“What’s up with you, Emma?”
“I’m scared of heights, but this makes me feel better.”
“But we spend so much time up at the top of the town clocktower and stuff, when did this phobia develop?”
“About…ten seconds ago?”
Huh. I guess people can develop phobias pretty easily.
Tigerson glanced back to check on us. <Noir, you and Emma are quite close. Are you in a romantic relationship?>
“Huh?” said Emma. “Oh, no, we’re not. Right, Noir?”
“Yeah, we’re just best friends.”
“How can you agree with that so easily! Am I that unattractive?!”
“What? That’s not…”
“Whatever. I’m not talking to you anymore. I’m mad at you.” Even though Emma pouted, her arms were still wrapped tightly around me.
On the way to my house, I spotted a couple of other familiar faces. First was Lola—the guild receptionist in a green uniform with shoulder-length brown hair which gave her a cute, energetic image. Next to her was a half-elf beauty, Luna, with her perfect figure and her favorite magical firearm holstered on her hip. She had a cool air and a lively tongue.
A pair of men were hovering around the girls, trying to pick them up.
“Oh come on, it won’t be long. I’ll pay for your meal too.”
“Please? It’s not a bad deal, is it?”
I was a little leery as we approached, but Lola was handling the situation expertly as she walked along.
“You know, we have extremely high standards,” she said.
“Tell me what your type is, then,” one of the men insisted.
“My ‘type’ is my boyfriend.”
“Boyfriend? You have a boyfriend… What’s he like?”
“His name’s Noir, and he’s very thoughtful.”
She must’ve dropped my name to get them to stop hitting on her. The men seemed pretty disheartened, so I guess it worked. But they weren’t about to give up completely, and they turned their attentions on Luna.
“Lemme guess, you have a guy too?”
“I do indeed.”
“Wh-what’s he like?”
“His name is Sir Noir and he’s the third son of a noble family.”
“What in the?!” both men shouted in unison.
I figured it was a good time to play backup, so I swung by and announced my presence. “Hey guys, I’m the Noir everyone’s been talking about.”
“What?!”
The two men were shocked—and probably a little terrified—to see a man ride up on a giant black lion.
I put my hands on Tigerson’s ruff. “Lola, Luna. This is my new friend. Wanna ride?”
“You know I do!” said Lola.
“Absolutely,” said Luna.
“Thought so.”
The two girls climbed up onto Tigerson’s back. Despite the fact that there were now four whole people up there, we had plenty of space. Even so, a fight broke out over where everyone would sit. They all agreed I should be in front, but Emma and Lola argued over who got to sit behind me.
“That’s my spot! Why are you trying to squirm your way in here!”
“That’s not set in stone. I’m Mr. Noir’s receptionist, after all.”
“Two can play at that game. I’ve been his best friend since we were kids. Clearly I’m more deserving of the position.”
“Really? You’re still stuck at ‘best friends’ even though you’ve known him for over ten years. Where do you get off acting all high and mighty?”
“Excuse me?!”
Emma and Lola always fought. It was too bad, really. They had such similar personalities. Luna just watched from the sidelines, shaking her head.
“Well, as a compromise,” she said, “I suppose I’ll sit behind Sir Noir.”
“Like hell you will!” the two of them shouted simultaneously.
Tigerson seemed to admire their energy. <Your friends are quite vigorous, Noir.>
“It never gets boring with them around, that’s for sure. My family’s no less ‘unique’ either.”
<I look forward to meeting them.>
Eventually, we dropped the three girls off and all agreed to meet up someday soon. Finally, Tigerson and I entered my neighborhood and ambled down the street to my house. My family had a small yard on the other side of a stone wall, and beyond that, we could see straight into the living room. It was a lovely, warm day. The windows were open, and I could hear my parents and Alice talking.
“I’d protect you even if I knew I’d die. I’d even go up against a dragon to protect you and Alice,” said my father.
“Goodness, dear, what about Noir?”
“A man’s gotta be able to protect himself. Maybe I’ll have to train Noir when he gets home.”
“Are you certain you do not mean he will train you, father?”
“Yes, I’m certain, Alice! I’m still stronger than him! And I’m still his father!”
Father seemed to be bursting with energy as always. Honestly, I was glad to see he was acting like his usual self. I went around and opened the door. Thankfully, Tigerson fit through, if only just. Father must have heard us because he ran over to the front door to greet me.
“Hey, Noir, welcome ho—whaaaa?!” My father fell to his knees when he saw Tigerson. I was standing right next to Tigerson, but he didn’t seem to notice me. “Eeeek! Honey! Alice! Save me! There’s some awful thing here…”
My father crawled back into the living room like a sextuple zombie. Just as he vanished, mother and Alice emerged and blinked up at Tigerson.
“Goodness, how remarkable. Welcome home, Noir.”
“Brother, is this your familiar? It’s marvelous.”
They were comparatively calm. Finally, the sturdy pillar of the Stardia family noticed my presence, stood up, and started strutting around. “Ahem! Your familiar?” said my father. “How wonderful. At any rate, welcome home, Noir.”
“Father, I hate to inform you, but your pants are falling down.”
“Oh no! I almost flashed everyone!”
Don’t worry, no one wants to see that.
“I’ll get straight to the point: I want to keep Tigerson here.”
“Shouldn’t that be ‘Lionson’ or something?” my father asked. “More importantly…it doesn’t bite, does it?”
<I would never do such a thing. Noir is my dear friend, so I consider his family as my own.>
“It can talk?! Wow, how smart.”
“He should be able to get around just fine in the living room and the yard, and he could guard the house during the day, too,” I said.
There were actually a number of ne’er-do-wells in our neighborhood and, even though we were poor, we’d been burgled a few times. Though the thieves typically went after food, not money.
Alice and my mother were absolutely in favor of the new family guard…cat. They had already started petting him. Meanwhile, my father was still afraid.
“Umm, but how will we explain this to the neighbors?”
“Can’t we just say he’s my familiar? You don’t mind, do you, Tigerson?”
<Not in the slightest. I am perfectly content to be your familiar, or your pet, or whatever you will.>
“See? So, what do you say?”
“Fine… It’ll probably eat me if I say no anyway…”
He’s not gonna eat you, for cryin’ out loud. But father had agreed, so from that day on Tigerson was basically another member of our family. My mother was already calling him “Tigey.”
“I believe we’ll have to do something special for dinner tonight,” she said. “Please, have a seat, Tigey.”
<Your kindness is most appreciated.>
Tigerson crouched down and Alice delightedly combed through his mane with her fingers.
“Hey,” father whispered in my ear. “What’s with the tulip on its head?”
“Oh, that…?”
It didn’t really look like I was going to have to explain it—Alice was gently stroking the flower.
<Ahh, that’s—ahh!>
Clearly, it was a uniquely sensitive spot.
“As you can see, doing that makes him act a little silly.”
“I see. It’s just like when your mother—”
“I think you should just leave it there.”
Father looked like he was going to try and touch the flower, but ultimately gave up. Poking Tigerson’s happily swaying tail was about as far as his courage could take him.
And that was how Tigerson became a part of the Stardia family.