Today was the day of the festival, and Louise was nervous. The academy had been redecorated with lots of banners, stalls and activities. The air was brimming with excitement as nobles and commoners filled the academy grounds, the colourful stores and lively music setting the scene for a grand evening.

Louise clutched the 'magitek' tightly. It was only an hour until the showcase. Most of the students had decided to do exhibitions dedicated to showing off their familiars and as such, prepared very little. Louise, on the other hand, was showing off skills that no-one had faith in.

Doubt and worry began setting itself up in her mind, and the pressure she once felt from the 'rule of steel' returned to her with a vengeance. The self-deprecating musings were interrupted by a hand holding pink fluff to her face.

"I thought you might need the extra pick me up", Noctis chirped. Louise took it with gratefulness and bit into the sugary pink threads. The flavour of the candy did little to ease the knowledge of her performance, but it did take the edge off her nerves.

"Thank you, Noctis" she mumbled. He looked at her with a small smile.

"It's okay" he replied, "I'm looking forward to all the people you are going to prove wrong", a small smirk made its way onto her face.

"I concur my faithful familiar," she said with mock ceremony. They both chuckled, the last of her fears washed down with a good dose of laughter.

Noctis took a glance at the stalls and displays in front of the duo. "I think we should explore this fun until the presentation begins".

"Then let us be off Noctis."

"Ladies first Miss Valliere", a smirk tugged on her lips as they melded into the festive atmosphere.

"How much further is it to the academy, Simon?" Squall asked impatiently. The man in question was taking huge gulps of air, pumping his lungs full of enriching fuel.

"We are just under an hour from the main gates", Simon gasped. The sky had darkened into the waning edge of evening bordering onto the night. Trees loomed over their heads and the dying light caste shapeless copies of the real world.

"And why do we need to travel to the festival?"

"Because it is part of our customs" Simon puffed, "this is an important day of celebration to the nobles and mages since Brimir brought magic into the land from the elves".

"But this is so absurd," Squall said, "why do we need to participate if it's dedicated to the upper class, surely they don't like our presence there?"

"Your issue is that you don't see the power of the masses. Mages love to gloat about their magic, riches and power, but they still rely on us to provide resources, money, their house and many things most would not even consider".

"In short, they can't afford to turn off the masses", Squall finished with realisation, "unless they want a rebellion on their hands". Simon's breathless state did not stop a cheeky wink from escaping him,

"Right, you are Squall".

Louise and Noctis had a ball of a time at the fair. The many food vendors had such a variety of cuisines that Noctis had never tried, many which didn't exist in his realm. He thought he'd seen, smelt and tasted everything. Ignis would've been banging out new recipes based on the smell alone. I wish you guys were here with me, Noctis thought sadly.

From the crowd, Louise ran up to him with a small plate piled with various pastries. The dish was shoved into his face, the smell tickling his curiosity. Without a word, he picked up a dessert and bit into it, a delicious flavour filling his mouth.

"Louise, what are these things? I must know!" Noctis said in delight, the pastry half-eaten in his left hand, the right waving in the worship of the finger food.

"It's called Pâte Sucrée; it's a tart that is considered mediocre by many" Noctis's face tilted in apparent surprise. "Personally I find them delightful myself", taking a small bit from her own Pâte Sucrée.

The two stood relishing the flavour of the bacon and cheese with smaller traces of other delicious treats hidden in the soft pastry.

"You know before you came, I had no real friends at the academy", Louise confessed, "it really hurt to think that I couldn't rely on anyone but my teachers and my self".

"I had people outside the academy that loved and cherished me, but it wasn't the same as having value at being able to cast a spell, gaining respect and actually performing well," She stared at Noctis, seeing a small smile on his mature face, "but you have enabled me to do all I have wanted at this academy and made me feel more connected than before." She moved quickly, wrapping her arms around his torso.

"I just wanted to say thank you for being my friend", her voice muffled by the fabric. Noctis said nothing, enclosing his arms around her protectively. Few people took notice of the exchange between the two, but none seemed bothered. Louise pulled out of the embrace a gentle smile on her face.

"Louise is that you?", A female voice called out. Noctis and Louise turned to face the speaker. Surrounded by seven guardswomen holding rifles, a woman stood in the centre. Lavender hair tied into a low bun, elaborate dress, purple cape and a small tiara gracing her head. Louise recognised her instantly.

"Princess Henrietta!" she exclaimed but quickly prostrated herself before the woman, "I mean, 'Your Highness'." The princess smiled warmly and motioned for the guards to let her pass. Gliding over to the kneeling girl, she delicately placed a hand under her chin and lifted it so that both eyes could meet.

"Louise, I have known you for a long time", she purred, "just call me Henrietta."

"Of course your maj... Henrietta". The pink-haired girl lifted herself from the ground. Both girls embraced in a tight hug. Noctis stood awkwardly during their exchange, waiting for the right moment to interject and introduce himself.

The princess and mage in training broke apart from the hug, Henrietta turning to face Noctis. "And who may this be Louise?" she asked, "Is he a suitor?" Louise's face flushed red, embarrassment oozing from her being.

"No, I'm actually her familiar", eyes snapped over to where Noctis stood, hands crossed with his arms. The guards all shared wary faces while the princess chewed her upper lips with a guarded expression.

"I see...", she murmured. She walked over to Noctis and lifted her hand in permission. He silently gave her permission. Delicate fingers caressed the side of his cheek, feeling out the unknown. Dark blue eyes stared back at her intrusion.

Henrietta withdrew the hand. Letting it drop to her side, she made her way back to the guards, sliding past a confused pink-haired girl. She stopped and tilted her head back.

"We should catch up sometime soon, Louise," she chirped, "it would do us good to spend some quality time together as friends."

"And good luck on your display, I look forward to seeing what you have in store for us". With that, the princess walked gracefully away, the guards following suit.

Noctis and Louise stood in uncertain silence, despite the fair going on around them.

"What was that?" Louise asked, "I've never seen her do something this strange." Her face was one of worry and uncertainty. "Just mentioning you were my familiar and then up she went and left, no warning."

"I'll admit that it was not normal behaviour", Noctis replied, "though I get the idea she was trying to get a feel of what I was. I mean I am a one of a kind familiar, none are human like me". Louise silently agreed. She looked at a nearby clock. It was not long before the magic display would be put on.

"I should probably prepare myself for my performance," she mumbled, "I'll see you after the performance." Noctis strode over and ruffled the pink hair on her head. She tried to slap the hand away, but he moved it with a chuckle.

"Good luck, Louise," he smiled, "not that you'll need it." She beamed at that comment before skipping towards the stage. Digging his hands in his pocket, he stepped around aimlessly, looking for something interesting to distract him.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come for all to bear witness to our next generation of noblemen and women. As part of the annual festival of the founder 'Brimir', it is customary to watch our promising students to showcase their talents. As her excellency is here to witness this sacred rite, please stand for princess Henrietta!"

"Thank you, everyone, for coming to this momentous occasion!" she declared. "It is my pleasure to watch presentations done by the students of the ever prestigious Tristain Magical Academy!"

"Each one of these pupils has worked hard to perfect spells, technique and their natural magical affinity in their previous years. Now that they have finally summoned their familiars, I look forward to seeing a glimpse of their true potential as nobles of Halkegenia."

Henrietta turned to the host, "I return the hosting back to you, Sir Abanathy". The man in question bowed humbly to the princess before springing back up moments later.

"Thank you, your highness, for your appearance always brings great joy to any gathering," he gushed, "And now for the main event of this elegant evening! First up from Germania of the house of Zerbst, Kirche the Ardent!" The crimson-haired teen strutted onto the stage, her hips rolling side to side in an alluring manner, catching many lustful eyes in the crowd.

Kirche halted at the front of the stage and took a small curtsy to the princess. Wand in hand she began muttering, flames licking at the edges of her casting rod.

Without hesitation, she whipped her wand hand in the direction of the ground. A fire suddenly burst from the floor, swirling into a fiery spout. It raged for two seconds before they faded to reveal a fire salamander, her familiar.

The crowds applauded gleefully at the display of magical prowess. Kirche bowed slightly before tugging at her familiar to follow her off stage.

"Thank you, Kirche! Next, we have Tabitha of the house of De' Orleans with her familiar Sylphid!" A blue-haired girl stepped onto the stage with a quiet disposition. With a non-plussed expression, she beckoned to the sky with her ivory wand.

A mighty roar resounded through the air spurring the crowd to take cover. Whoosh! Went a blue mass, twirling into the moonlight before spreading two veiny wings and descending to the stage.

A beast, the size of a horse-drawn carriage, landed heavily onto the stage; floorboards creaking under the immense weight. A gust of wind snorted from the dragon's nostrils and blew some of the crowd over. Some of the attendants cowered while others cheered on the magnificence.

The showcases went on, with almost all students showing off the might of their familiar. Few cast semi-complex spells to dazzle the commoners and impress the nobility. The show was a whirlwind of talents and awe-inspiring displays. Everyone lost themselves in fun.

"And finally, our final showcase tonight. Louise de Valliere!". The said pinkette cautiously approached the stage. Nervous jitters and butterflies buzzed in her stomach. She clambered the stairs, carefully measuring each step. The crowd whispered amongst themselves, and she could pick out the words' Zero', 'Talentless', 'Fraud'.

It burned her, and her nervous jitters turned to blazing anger. She knew they were wrong, and she would prove it. The magitek she held in her hand was squeezed ever so tightly.

"Don't fail me now", she whispered to the stone. A second later she stopped in the centre of the stage, tall, proud and unwavering. Wand in hand, she wove invisible signs in the air; the crowd silenced in anticipation. The princess herself leaning forward with hands knitted together in thought.

"Denuntiator, Cumulonimbus Agitate!" she declared. A whirling of winds created a miniature tornado the size of a wineskin. It hovered lazily on the spot, waiting on its summoner to guide it. The crowd of commoners looked unimpressed murmurs of how small it was held no impressed words.

The nobles were a different matter entirely. Each magician gazed at the spectacle, astounded that a mere 'zero' mage could achieve a borderline Square-class spell and maintain it without an ounce of effort. Louise noticed their expressions and smirked. She was ready to blow them out of the park.

"Object Galeo, Triplex!" she cried and the tornado was surrounded by three identical swirling winds. This caught the commoners interest, and murmurs of awe now permeated the air.

Louise swung her wand like a conductor of winds. The four tornados flew off the stage and into the crowd, to which they cried in surprise. The whirls of wind danced to an invisible tune, following their master's wishes. Children in the group jubilantly giggled and played with the wind, frequently getting knocked back by the concentration of power in the tornados; but still getting back and diving in for fun.

Alas her time was coming to a close. Louise held her wand above her and twirled. The small tornados instantly flew towards the beacon of magic, holding their position once at the desired location.

"Ventilabo", she whispered, pulling her wand arm down in a slash. The magic that held the winds faded as did the tornados. Louise tilted her head downwards and curtsied to the stunned crowd, before heading off the stage with a little skip in each step. Noctis waited by the stairs, a triumphant smirk on his face. Louise shared the sentiment.

"What did I tell you", Noctis remarked, "you did great!"

Louise beamed at the praise. "I know... I know... all hail the mighty Louise!" she proclaimed in an exaggerated noble accent. The master and her familiar doubled over in laughter. It was a moment of accomplishment that Louise desperately needed and would cherish for a long time.

Soft thumps in their direction caused the two to straighten up and face the visitor. A familiar scarred brunette and a man strolled up to the duo, wide smiles on both their faces.

"Noctis, it's good to see you again", Squall spoke with cheer. The aforementioned person smirked and caught Squall's handshake. Louise stood awkwardly, not aware Noctis made some acquaintances. An arm snaked around her back, and suddenly she was the centre of attention.

"Squall, I would like to introduce you to my friend Louise", the said girl blushed fiercely at the introduction, stopping only to shake Squalls hand.

"Nice to meet you Louise", he said with a casual demeanour, "this is my friend Simon, he practices medicine in the village you were at last time", the slight man curled his lips in warm greetings.

"It is my pleasure to meet you daughter of the 'Heavy Winds'", slightly bowing his head in respect. Louise's face turned neutral as she curtsied unenthusiastically. A tense silence followed, broken by the awkward coughs of Noctis.

"So Doc, what kind of things do you heal in your profession?" Noctis asked. The question broke the Simon out of his stupor.

"Ah yes, my trade is mainly concerned with physical injuries such as gashes, broken limbs and the like. Though I have dabbled in a bit a of potion chemistry that has the potential for sickness and disease", he explained, hopefulness glinting in his eyes.

Noctis and Simon traded words eagerly, leaving Squall and Louise to stand off to the side in silence. The pair looked at each other for a moment, swinging their heads side to side.

"Well, I truly say it is an honour to meet you, Louise", Squall comment. She returned an unsure smile, not knowing what to say to him. The festivities continued on through the night with Squall and Simon accompanying the two...though several pairs of eyes followed as well.

AN:

Just wanted to say thanks for being patient and watching this story, although I have doubts that I will finish its plot, it has been fun writing as I go along.