All Purpose Negima Fanfiction Thread

Negi had been surprised to see a lineup of girls in skimpy bustiers. Louise hadn't managed to get out of having to wear one herself. Sure, they had enough to last a week under normal circumstances, but her refined palate would likely murder their wealth in a very short amount of time.

If he didn't eat, then they'd have a full week of living expenses paid. His own work as an assistant on the kitchen wouldn't cut it.

“You heard me, girls?” Scarron spoke, still doing so in the girliest way possible.

“Of course, master Scarron!” It was like a goddamn guild there. It was scary how cheerful they were, for girls that were working on a sleazy bar that bordered on prostitution.

“I've told you already!” Scarron yelled, wiggling in place once again. “Call me My Mademoiselle!”

“Yes, My Mademoiselle!”

“Tres Bien!”

Hey, at least they were having fun.

Louise, meanwhile, was contemplating suicide as she stood to Scarron's right in a white bustier just as skimpy as the rest. “I've got you big news, my fairies!” Scarron began, clapping to obtain their attention. “Today we receive a new friend here, the Enchanting Fairy Mansion!” He then turned to his right. “Louise!”

Said girl took a few steps forward, her expression twitching both in embarrassment and anger.

“Her father was about to sell her to pay for the debts he made on the casino, but she ran away with her older brother. Her story is so sad!” Why the hell did he sound so enthusiastic about it, then?

“Ah, how unfortunate!” One of the girls replied. Of course, it further provoked Louise as she didn't like being pitied one bit.

“I-I A-Am L-Louise, i-it's a p-p-pleasure to meet you!” Okay, it was mostly embarrassment by this point.

They gave her a warm welcome, which helped soothe her nerves somewhat.

Negi sighed, as he heard her. “She's not ready for this...” He muttered. “I so miss Haruna right now...” he finished. For two reasons, mostly. One, Haruna would have absolutely no problem with engaging in this particular activity. Two, Haruna was a master at obtaining both information and money. Nobody crosses Haruna Saotome if they value their decency.

“Hey, new guy, help me with the dishes!” The most conservatively dressed woman of the house called to him. A long green dress and a white apron. Possibly the most practically dressed one, too. “We're about to open.”

“Ah, yes, sorry, I got sidetracked!” he apologized, rushing to his duties. He was starting to get tired of always having to wash things.

“You have a very cute sister!”

“Uh... Thank you?” He replied, tentatively, only to see her look at him with what could only be described as a knowing smirk.

“Hm... My name is Jessica, what is yours?”

“My name is Negi.” The redhead replied almost instantly.

“Negi? What a strange name...” Jessica questioned, turning to him with clear curiosity.

“Really? It's not that strange...” He could blame it on his father being a weaboo, but the term would fly right over her head.

“Either way, it's a pleasure to meet you, Negi! If you need anything, just ask me.” Negi smiled and nodded.

“Ah, thank you!” replied Negi, this time with noticeably more confidence.

Louise rolled her eyes. Always the same with her familiar. He just had women flocking to him. Stupid perverted familiar. He and Kirche were terrible influences on decency.

“Okay, girls!” Scarron's voice called across the entire room. “Since we met a new face today, I will announce what you were all waiting for: The Tip Race Week!”

Louise's questioning of WTH it was was drowned by the squeals of delight from the girls.

“The fairy who earns the most tips until this weekend will not only take home a special bonus, but also...” Pause for a dramatic drumroll (provided by Jessica from the kitchen), and to pull on a convenient rope, opening a set of curtains and revealing a mannequin wearing the single skimpiest bustier the Mansion had.

Louise wondered how what amounted to fetish wear could have illustrious ancestry behind it. And how wearing it could be considered a prize.

“The Enchanted Fairy Bustier!”

It was incredibly cute...

“Really, My Mademoiselle?” The girls chorused, between squeals.

“Tres Bien!” Scarron was rather pleased with their enthusiasm. “This Bustier has been enchanted to capture the fascination of your clients, so that even the most inexperienced girl can make a fortune!”

Louise's alarms went off. With that, she wouldn't have to put up with her familiar cutting costs anymore!

“The girl who wore it last year got so much money that she retired and went back to her home town! Girls, put in all of your effort so you can wear it too!”

She HAD to have it! There was nothing else to say about it! Even Louise joined the last cheer, although a bit late.

––

Pro Tips: Get close. Call clients 'My Dear Master'. Giggle at their stupid jokes. Respond positively to their touch.

Four basic indications that should have made the collection of tips that much simpler.

But every time she got close she noticed the goddamn smell.

Every time she called them 'My Dear Master' she wanted to puke.

Their stupid jokes made her want to gouge out her eardrums.

And every touch made her want to tear their fingers off.

It took her about ten minutes to blurt out her title. Luckily, it had been at a particularly busy moment and nobody had heard her, otherwise, she would actually be in trouble. Scarron pulled a save at the best moment. The fat man seemed strangely pleased with that turn of events...

Negi sighed at the riot Louise had caused. That was a bottle of wine that would come out of their little remaining wealth. Truth be told, Scarron kept the place very controlled. Any time any of the consumers got carried away he was there in a flash to separate them from their object of desire. Jessica at least was understanding enough that she excused his distraction every time Louise was in trouble.

She called them Big Brother Instincts. He would have, at any other point, made a point about it not being protecting Louise from the customers, but protecting the customers from Louise.

––

All in all, their first day... hadn't gone well. He hadn't been able to get much done while keeping an eye on Louise.

“T-This isn't possible! Why does the daughter of a duke have to do this sort of thing?” To say she was a ball of nerves would be like saying a nuclear explosion is a little noisy.

Negi frowned. “There is not much we can do. Our mission requires obtaining rumors, and a bar with good wine means loose lips... Not to mention, nobles frequent this place, as well...” Although the information would be questionable at best, it was the fastest way to obtain any sort of information for Henrietta, and the faster they did that, the faster Louise could go back to a life of luxury. Then she'd stop whining. “Besides, with the amount of money we have, we cannot be picky.”

“B-But our room is a cellar in the attic!” She whined, clearly unused to the conditions.

Negi removed the arm guards of his outfit and set them on a cupboard.

“You are one to talk. You are always chatting with that girl...”

“Ah, Jessica?” He asked. “She's nice.” Negi commented, leaning against a wall for support.

“More importantly, how can you let a noble like me sleep in a place like this? We have money!” She nearly yelled, still not precisely used to having a cover to blow.

Negi smiled at her. “Master, I have money. I am the big brother, remember?” He said, his tone clear and showing that he was enjoying himself for the time being. “This was your ruse, little sis.”

He shouldn't be doing this, but seeing her suddenly blush in embarrassment was too good to pass up. “A lot happened today. You should rest. Tomorrow will probably be even busier.”

“Aren't you going to sleep?” Louise asked, tilting her head.

“... Maybe later...” He said, looking aside.

It was confusing. To be certain, she had never actually seen him sleep. He was always up before her and always put her to bed. It was getting disturbing, how inhuman her familiar became with each passing day. When she'd first met him, he was just a random commoner in her eyes. Ever since then, he had only gotten more and more impressive and less human.

She sighed before pulling the covers on herself and trying to sleep against the tough mattress. With the light gone, all she could see was the distant moon. She wondered if he really had no problem at all with doing this...

Then a screech almost made her lose control of her bladder. The beating of wings signaled the coming of three black shapes that swooped down on her. She failed miserably at swatting them away.

Her familiar had a much easier time doing so, as he caught the damn things and tossed them out the window. She was still left startled, however, as she knew that they could return at any time. Who knew flying rodents would cause her to become such a scaredy cat?

“Uh... Negi...” She was fidgeting. “Could you uh... s-sleep with m-me tonight?”

Negi blinked. Then he pointed at himself, and she nodded. Then he pointed at the bed, and she nodded again.

“Please...”

“Close your eyes, Louise.” He said, smiling comfortingly. She looked at him, clearly confused. Then he tapped the rim of his glasses, and Louise's mouth formed an O.

She was embarrassed and she could barely believe herself for asking what she'd asked for. But even so, she happily fell asleep in her familiar's arms.

Fire. Fire everywhere. A bomb. Designed to kill humans. Greatly underestimating his regenerative capabilities. Dark miasma gathered under his feet. The moment his blurry sight cleared and he saw through the smoke, the miasma was covering his entire body. The enemy ran.

With a howl, the beast sought the enemy.

Defeat the enemy.

The beast prowled. The enemy tried to run.

The beast was fast. The beast was strong. The beast was invincible. The enemy stood no chance. The enemy tried to defend itself. The enemy failed.

Everything fell apart under the beast's might. Steel, wood, concrete, nothing could hold it back. Water, Ice, Fire, Wind, all but mere annoyances in its path. It broke through everything. It chased The Enemy to the end of the world.

Kill the enemy.

Claws tore into soft flesh. The beast's fists clashed against the enemy time and time again, splashing everything of red when the claws tore through soft meat.

The enemy gave one last cry before it's skull shattered under the pressure.

The beast ran. The beast ran to her. And the beast cried when it held her in its arms and watched the life slowly drain from her. The beast pleaded her not to leave him.

The beast cursed the heavens, for trying to take her away. The beast cursed the enemy, for being the assigned delivery man.

But most of all, the beast cursed itself for failing to protect her when she most needed him.

And so the beast cried.

––

Blasted dreams.