3 Preparation begins!

"This is the standard three-piece suit. You'll be wearing it in formal environments, such as in a banquet room or conference room. They come with shoes and accessories. We've prepared three sets for you…"

"…And this is the sporting attire. You'll need this during outdoor activities and games. There are four sets."

"…Besides the above two types of clothing, during every other occasion that you are outside your room, you will wear the casual suit. Also four sets."

We were inside my apartment. Chloe, Mrs. Drake, her two servants and me.

As per our arrangement, Mrs. Drake had come over to coach me on the 'way of the familiar' (as I called it in my head), starting today.

After quickly inspecting my tiny studio apartment (which I'd frantically cleaned up), and commenting that it was "cozy," Mrs. Drake went straight to business mode. She had her servants taking stuff out of the suitcases they were carrying and introduced them to me one by one.

She began by familiarizing me with the style of dressing. Three suits for three separate occasions, which will be communicated to me when needed. Her servants helped me putting on the three-piece suit, while she emphasized the finer points. The other two sets of clothes were, conveniently, being worn by the two servants, so I didn't have to waste time changing to see what they looked like or how to properly wear them.

That done, she handed me a small booklet. Each page has a picture of a person along with their introductions.

"You should learn about these people. Remember their faces, names, and positions. When you see them and we are not around, you should know how to greet them."

Afterward, she had her servants demonstrating the basic etiquettes. The way to walk with the person you served, how to greet people, and so on. The cramped apartment was not the best place to practice walking, so some awkward fumblings ensued.

We practiced through the day, pausing only for lunch (Chloe ordered takeouts from our favorite Chinese place).

"Well, that's probably enough for today," Mrs. Drake said, as I noticed the sky had turned dark. "You could practice by yourself."

One of the servants handed me a flash drive. As it turned out, they had recorded a demonstration of normal etiquette so that I could peruse and imitate it in my own time. How thoughtful.

"Three days from now, you'll learn dining etiquette. Dan here" she nodded at one of the servants "will pick you up at 6 a.m. Is that okay with you?"

"Yes, Mrs. Drake."

"I'd love for you to call me Stella, but that's not how a familiar is supposed to address me." She said with a slight smile. "So, for now, you'll have to stick with Lady Drachonius or ma'am. Likewise, you will address my husband as Lord Drachonius, and my daughter Lady Chloe."

Then she turned off her "business mode." She talked to me with what could only be described as a motherly concern.

"Owen. I know that this is a lot of information for you. But you know what? You can forget them all. Except for this one thing." I paid her full attention.

"The most important thing you need to keep in mind… is this." She handed me a metallic badge. I turned it over in my hand. It had an intricate pattern of a stylized lily. "This crest marks you as a familiar of the Drachonius Clan."

"More permanent familiars would get a tattoo. But I doubt you would want to do this for the rest of your life." I nodded.

"In gatherings like this, humans without a crest or tattoo are considered 'owner-less', and are thus fair game." She closed her eyes as if reliving some unpleasant experience.

"In the past, some b*stards… " She caught herself, coughed with a fluster, then continued "Please excuse my language. Some… less than mature individuals have been known to prank other clans by stealing the crests of their familiars, and leave them to be kidnapped or killed."

"So the first and foremost rule is to keep your crest visible at all times. You'll have several extras. Keep at least one in your pocket in case the one you wear is lost. You should get used to wearing it from now. Be mindful of it every time you get changed."

I gulped. I kind of felt like a sheep walking into a wolf den. This tiny piece of metal was the only thing keeping me from becoming vampire slushie.

As if sensing my fear, Chloe approached me and give me a half-hug, then patted my back. Stella let out a chuckle.

"Relax, you'll be fine! You'll be around Chloe all the time anyway. Don't worry!" Stella said chipperly, trying to dispel the moment of dread earlier.

I nodded, still unconvinced. What if one of us needed to go to the bathroom? I could probably hang around to wait for Chloe. But she wouldn't be able to wait outside the men's room while I'm doing my business, would she?