Be my Slave! (QB X Celeste)

[Kyubey]

Nathaniel Bluhm - The 'Master'. A rather strange oddball.

Tia Owens - Shy, yet not a push over. A rather short girl.

Alexander Medici - Tia's crush, a rather modest and plain young man.

Mackenzie Atwood - A childhood friend of Tia, having returned from Ireland and attending the same school.

Sarah Richards - A friend of Tia. Rather friendly and outgoing.

Ethan Owen - Tia's younger brother. Same height as his sister.

Leon Owen - Step sibling, same age. Not known to be related to Tia.

Megan Raymond - Another friend of Tia's.

 

[Kyubey]

"You know..." Sarah pointed towards Tia's neck with her salad fork, talking with her mouth half full with Caesar salad, "That choker doesn't fit you. Looks more like a dog collar." she said. Of course, while what she said may have come off as insensitive, no one can deny that Sarah had an eye for fashion. Keeping up with all of the women's magazines, it was amazing how she was able to do it all: keep up with the track team, slim up her waist and on top of it all, study for decent grades. What she or Megan did not know, however, was how she got that 'choker'.

In reality, it wasn't that. It was an actual dog collar, given to her by Nathaniel, her 'master'. Of course it looked like he was more playing around than actually being serious, but he egged her on by 'half' blackmailing her to reveal to Alexander that she had a crush on him after he snooped in on her diary. He was often calling her slave, but that usually ended whenever Ethan or Leon would be around. "And besides, I heard you live with that Nathaniel kid...he's a bit strange, isn't he?" she began to envision the strange boy always seemingly covered in bandages. He always went on about some strange fantasy regarding sin and some atonement as an angel and all...he always had his head in the clouds. Sarah sighed.

"You know, you've got to be assertive around that kind of creep. Who knows what pervy things he does when you're not around..." the thought made her cringe, but she smiled as she chowed down onto her lunch. "If you ever need help pushing that guy back, you know who to call!" To think about it, this wouldn't have happened if she bought the slightly expensive diary with a lock. Oh, and if her house hadn't burned down. Living alone with her brother, their parents were abroad and couldn't send enough money while the insurance agents worked out the fine prints of the plan. In the meanwhile, they had to share an apartment room with Nathaniel who, in most cases was now her 'master'.

Sarah closed up her lunch, looking towards Megan. "Got plans for tonight, Meg~?" she asked, placing her arm over her shoulder and softly poking at her chin, "I saw you giving Mackenzie some stares...do I smell a lovestory being written?" she asked, softly poking at Megan's stomach. Sarah didn't mind close contact, especially with her friends.

 

[Kyubey]

Even Sarah knew when to stop poking around. Everyone had their secrets, for one Sarah was no saint when it came to just that. "Ahh. Alright~" she tried to play off her unease with a smile, but anyone with a perceptive mind knew she was a bit put off by her sudden hesitation. While Tia was a bit of a timid girl, when she was displeased she becomes a bit...hard to deal with, so to speak. An ounce more bitter, resolute and spiteful, to say. Of course Sarah did not like it, but judging by her actions she wasn't feeling the least bit happy with something. If only...

Megan, on the other hand, didn't seem the least bit restrained when she made that comment about being a dog. "Ehehe...I...I guess so..." Laughing nervously, she patted Megan's shoulder, usually a physical sign that she shouldn't poke too far. Sometimes Megan was a bit dim, but Sarah knew she was only doing her best to cheer her up, that's for sure. Well, about the next part, she might have to disagree. If anything he seemed to try and avoid people whenever they may be, but whenever she was close or when he 'thinks' no one is there you would often hear him rambling about or mentioning some sacred artifact which, in reality was just a mundane object he so glorified. But for now, as to soften her mood, Sarah nodded in agreement.

Sarah chimed in as well. "You know, Mackenzie's cute and single. You should toooootally make a move towards him!" she said, "I'm sure he likes you too!" Then again, everyone seemed to like him. It was so easy to make him blush and lose his words, often left stuttering as red as a beet, trying his best to assemble his words. He was just the archetypal 'shy yet handsome' kind of person. Even she thinks that he was quite handsome, but he wasn't her type, so to say. When Tia mentioned going elsewhere, she wondered "Where are you going?" she asked, tilting her head. Judging by the way she said such words she knew that she wasn't in the mood to be deterred. When she was gone, she asked to Megan "Where has she gone to?" taking a sip out of her juice box, she couldn't help but wonder. Perhaps the washroom? Or a teacher's office? Who knows? But for sure, she just ate her lunch, pressing Megan as she asked "So...what do you like most 'bout Mackenzie? Is it the looks~?"

<><><>

"Halt, servant of the Eightieth Planeswalker!"

Oh dear, not HIM of all people! Standing at the end of the hallway, just beside exasperated students stood the same blue-haired boy, hand opened and blocking his eyes, arm held out beside him diagonally in some sort of a corny pose reminiscent of an action manga, "A slave must not go without her mentor! It goes against the natural order of things!" While 'Slave' to him meant pretty much servant, it was easy to take it out of context, just as Tia had. The fact he spoke in a voice slightly louder than normal talking voice served to further the embarrassment. "Who knows when the wicked Minions of Waldstein would strike?! Is it not better to join hands at a time when battle is nigh, Naila Lazen?"

For anyone's information, Naila Lazen was his fantasy name for Tia, when he had to use a name that wasn't either servant or slave: apparently Naila Lazen was the apprentice to the Eightieth Planeswalker Balodren Moonfall, someone he has yet to introduce to her. Him? He considered himself as Judecca, the Angel of the Eight Seal, destined to bring light to the world. Or something. "Come now, Oh slave of the Eightieth, let us feast! Sustenance for now can sustain a soul for many days!" Translation? Let's go eat Lunch. By this time, alot of the students grew tired of making snide remarks about Nathaniel, who often gets irritated when not called Angel of Judecca, the Angel or any variation thereof. And while Slave and Servant seemed rather interchangeable or even a sign of respect, it was degrading and almost embarassing to be called as such in public!

And so, he held his hands. "What say you, Naila, Slave of Lord Moonfall?"

 

[Kyubey]

"Ahhh...so that's why." Sarah kindly smiled. Yes, Mackenzie wasn't like any of the other boys. He was indeed awkward and timid, but he was thoughtful, in a kind way. If anything, Mackenzie acted his usual self: often eating alone, reading a book in his free time and stuttering when someone came close. With a sigh, Sarah blushed softly. "I see...you know he'd make a gooood husband! I mean, how many kids do you want to have with him~?" she asked, tickling Megan's sides playfully. Mackenzie seemed like a perfect fit with Megan; a cute couple, too! Mostly on how awkward the two of them would be.

After her tickling, Sarah placed her arm around Megan's shoulder. "Reeelaaaax~ I'm sure he'll understand if you tell him the truth. Heck, he might even go out with you to buy a new umbrella~" she chirped, whispering softly into her ear. It was so fun to tease her friends, but moreso Megan since it was so easy to tell what her feelings were. "Plus...I bet he looks at these every so often~!" Whenever no teacher was around, Sarah would, with a slight fluster, molest her friend Megan playfully. Laughing softly, she went back to tickling Megan. "Come ooonn~ Tell him the truth and I'll stop tickling you!" she said, her tomboyish side showing.

<><><>

"Tia? Nay, your name is not that, Naila! Have you forgotten your awakening, the moment when you and your existence was attached to the eternal Root of this world, to awaken to your true destiny as Naila Lazen?" In a way, it was almost admirable to notice that he had just come up with something like that on the spot. A vast, imaginative universe all in his head...was it the work of a budding author or a deranged student with his head in the clouds? Yet, he tilted his head in seeming confusion. "Huh? Not there? You are well in here, and I know it well not to be an illusion, Naila!" he said, softly patting her shoulder, unable to see that she was quite angered by his words.

He stood by, seemingly dumbstruck in confusion until she mentioned 'that name'. However, the pain came before that. "Aahhh! Why do you strike me so, Naila?! Are we not both warriors of justice?" Limping on one foot, all that changed when he heard that name and almost instantly, he reflexively gagged her with his hand, covering her mouth biting through the pain. "S-shush! No one must hear of that forbidden name! I am Judecca, Angel of the Eighth Seal! I am not this 'Nathaniel' you speak of any longer!" He looked rahter flustered, as if eager to move her along. And judging by the reflexes and how easily he moved her along, he was quite strong. The entire hallway was pretty much laughing, snickering and joking of the moment as he slowly moved her to another hallway.

Panting, with her back against a wall he leaned in close, hands against the wall quite close to her. "That was close, Naila!" he said, looking around. The other students who passed commented on how aggressive he was, but to him, it was none of that. "Who knows when the evil Waldstein and his minions could have discovered my mortal shell...we should not speak our names out here in the open!" he warned her, sounding rather concerned.

Meanwhile, Alexander looked curiously towards the commotion, only to see Tia, back against the wall while Nathaniel being suggestively close to her. When he turned to look at him, Alexander sighed softly. "Judecca, why are you pestering Tia again..." he asked, smiling softly. "Ahh! Espathel of the Lance! How great of you to be here!" he said. The two were quite close friends, yet Alexander didn't seem bothered by playing along with him at all. Then, he noticed Tia and said "I sure hope Judecca hasn't bothered you much, Tia." he said. "That's Naila, Espathel!" Nathaniel said, in a matter-of-factly voice. "Aha...is that so..." Alexander offered his hand, smiling gently as Nathaniel limped, feeling the pain onto his foot when she drove her heel into him.

 

[Kyubey]

Tickling Megan brought much joy to the obvious tomboy Sarah. Occasionally she would often press onto her breasts, tickling and making her laugh in teasing spirit. Megan was always there for her, from the time she was lost at their street and when she tried to get past the tumultuous divorce that pitted her father against her own mother. She was always there for her. One time, with only the tear stained clothes on her back and a pillow, she begged Megan to let her sleep over while her parents fought for the settlement terms. Megan didn't hesitate, even preparing some hot chocolate for her. Friends like Megan was the kind of person she loved most in the world, enough to tickle her like such~! When she begged to stop, she stuck out her tongue, winking. "Make me~" she teased. She did stop, however, when she grasped her wrist. Helping her up, she rubbed Megan's back only to flinch slightly when asked the same question she posed to her.

"Oh...a crush, huh...Well...To be honest...I...Ehehe..." she blushed. Now it was her turn to fluster carelessly. "Well...don't think me as strange, but...you know...I have a crush on...that guy." she said, feeling a bit bad. "You know that guy, Leon Owens? Well...he's just so...so...masculine...but he's such a jerk! But still..." she saw him as so dreamy, always so firm and very composed. He didn't like how he always messed with Tia, but sometimes...even girls like jerks. "I wonder what kind of a boyfriend he makes..." he said, flushing and shyly fidgeting with her fingers.

<><><>

"Ahh! Espathel, I was wondering whe- Ahhhhhhh!" he was kicked, by the force of Tia, right against the wall, leaving a crater and dust flying nearby. She had some strength in her legs despite being so short! From the comical mess of rubble, a single hand poked out weakly. "I...I'm okay..." he said. Alexander heard what she said, quite oblivious to Tia's embarassment. "Hah. They do say, even though some people are strange, a strange friend is still a friend. While Nath- I mean, Judecca gets out of hand, I'm sure he's not really trying to harm you. I hope you can understand that." he said, placing his hand onto her shoulder. Now this was the young man that she fell for.

Emerging from the rubble, with an x-shaped bandage onto his forehead and covered a bit in dust, Nathaniel joined the conversation. When she accepted, Nathaniel gawked. "But Naila! Didn't you say you just ha-" Alexander smiled thoughtfully, happy that she would make it. "That's great, T-, I mean, Naila. Do you have a bento?" he asked, walking with them to the roof. And there, after Nathaniel set up the 'anti evil barrier' (which was a nice picnic cloth, he revealed his meal. "Here, eat up! This is a Level 93 Cooking skill creation Heavenly Bento 3!" he said. It was quite a good creation, with varieties and the cute little sausage octopi. "Heh...like it? I made it with some Chocobo stock and the rice was fluffed with butter! All very rare ingredients!" He sure knew how to embellish, but the taste was a little better than expected, atleast. "These are quite good, Judecca. Thank you." "Always a pleasure to help in your sustenance, Espathel."

The two had quite a blast, talking about things ranging from dragon slaying, destroying the evil forest of Velun and the dangerous encounter with Waldstein. In reality, he seemed to be talking about taking the trash, mowing the lawn and meeting with a teacher, by coincidence. And to think Alexander seemed so immersed in it. He wasn't playing along; it was like he lived in it. "So, how was your day today, Naila?" asked Alexander, taking a piece from his bento. "Yes, I desire to hear more from what you have learned upon the movements of Waldstein's forces!"

 

[Kyubey]

Sarah wasn't exactly shocked that Megan subtly disapproved of it. Even she wasn't very sure of her feelings; Leon was rather handsome, but it was mostly her attitude that she had a love-hate relationship with: given how her father was always the type to be pushed around, she strongly disliked weak men, like Mackenzie. Just how romantic would it be, swept off your legs by a strong and capable man. And the second...she was into bad boys. The type who look so gruff and unapproachable but are actually kind deep inside. What she disliked the most, however, was the fact that she bothered Tia excessively. What a creep! Or maybe it's because he has a crush on her... "Ehehehe...I thought about that too...what can I say, I'm just a girl who's pretty easy to captivate..." she laughed it off, convinced her feelings were just an infatuation.

Putting her arm across her shoulder, she leaned in a bit...close to Megan. "Don't be so embarassed, Meg! I'm fine if you say you don't like him. To be honest I'm not even sure what my feelings are...but I'm sure he has a good side in him. Everyone does!" Now that was the optimist that Megan was perhaps acquainted with. "But you know...that guy Alexander looks really hot...I wish I could spend time in his arms~ Ahhhh~" Yes, she was the dreamy girl, having already forgotten about her infatuation with the abrasive Leon and focusing on the kinder Alexander. "Betcha you can get their attention with...these!" he said, sticking out her tongue right behind her as she grabbed Megan's breasts. "Ooohhh~ Did they grow from when I last groped them? Teeheehee~" she naughtily giggled, smiling.

<><><>

"You'd be surprised how good Judecca is at cooking. Maybe you should cook for them as well, Judecca." Alexander said, suggesting it to Nathaniel. Naturally, he looked triumphant, hand against his puffed-up chest saying "Hah! I would be privileged to cook for an ally of justice like Naila! I was just a bit afraid she would not approve of such..." Alexander didn't really think much into it, looking towards Tia just when Nathaniel went on about his 'reconnaissance'. That face...he was familiar with that all too well, looking down onto where her arms fiddled about with her skirt. Then, just like that time, he reached out his hand towards Tia, holding her dainty, small hand with his right, helping her up.

Nathaniel looked a bit confused. "Where are you going, Espathel? Are you needed elsewhere?" he asked, in between slurping down some noodles he made. Alexander smiled, saying "I just remembered, Naila and I have some matters to settle with Professor this afternoon." he quickly turned towards her, then winked hoping she would play along. Nathaniel didn't seem to mind, though he did walk up and give her a small steel crucifix. However, as he did so, when his upper button was removed, there was a small, plain little locket that could be briefly seen, sparkling brightly before falling hidden again. "Take this amulet of Warding...it is sure to protect you from the geists that dastardly Waldstein has raised!" Alexander took it, smiling. "Thank you."

"Fare thee well, brave warriors of justice!" Nathaniel said, waving farewell as he sat back down, eating the bento. When they were alone and no longer holding hands, Alexander turned towards Tia. Then, after a moment of silence, he bowed softly. "I am very sorry my friend has been bothering you. He's a rather eccentric one, but I'm sure he means you no offense." Alexander humbled himself, yet seemingly showed no sign of detesting the course of action he took. "I know it's a bit hard, but you can always just play along. You'd be surprised how liberating it is, to think up of things we used to when we were young...roleplaying and pretending we were knights..." Alexander sighed longingly. "But speaking of which, I heard you moved in with him, sharing the house...has he treated you alright?" From experience he was slightly more 'normal' at home, but that was probably because he was alone. Maybe he acted as he did here when there are guests over at home.

 

[Kyubey]

"Ehehehe~ Make me!" Sarah stuck out her tongue, smiling cutely. "You know I'll just...get back...at you...double!" she said, softly feeling up her breasts. It was a bit obvious, but even Sarah was jealous of how Megan had grown to be such a beautiful woman, while she, in particular, remained quite slender, in a good way of course! She only loved teasing Megan about her bust, suggestively complimenting or outright groping her. Making her best friend blush brought her much delight! After a few more moments, she stopped soon enough, softly patting her head. "Don't worry! I'm sure you'll be able to get his attention! I'm sure he'll be attracted to your gentle personality!" he said, encouraging her to follow through who she had the hots for. "You won't be young forever, you know! You two could leave by the time school passes, so you need to grab the opportunity by the tail!" she said, packing up her bags as well, preparing to go to the other classroom. "Well, see ya after school! I'll be waiting at my locker again!" she said, waving farewell to her friend, wondering just what Tia was doing...

<><><>

"Sometimes, my friend Nathaniel gets into a bit of trouble...but I've always been there to pull him out of it." he said, looking down for a bit as if having remembered something rather...painful to recall, only to look at her with a kindly smile. "...Then again, there were a fair share of times when he pulled me out of trouble when I needed it. A strange person he may be, but his friendship I treasure very much so." he admitted. To him, Nathaniel was brave. He may just be running away from his sorrowful reality, but he faced every difficulty with a smile and a mind full of a colorful adventure, a world beyond reckoning, all in his head... "I'm sure you've felt a bit pestered by him. I mean, being called a Slave in public isn't exactly something to brag about..." He wasn't as clueless as he seemed, having overheard their little conversation before.

The moment other students began to wander the halls to their next class, he continued to walk with her, towards where her class would be. "I assume your next class is 3-C?" he asked, perhaps for formalities knowing that he was in the same class as him and with her friend Megan. "If Nathaniel is really bothering you...just tell him to stop. He might be rather imaginative, but he is not without sentiments. He understands others, perhaps...even better than me." he said, relieved as he opened the door for her to pass through, walking with Tia up until she got to her seat, right beside Megan as he himself too his seat, taking out his textbook with a smile.

Right beside him, Mackenzie took his seat, quietly taking his book out as he gleamed a few paragraphs before the class officially started...