Boundaries

Following their little sightseeing break, it was time that Eda got to business with her apprentice's new friend.

While she led the way toward her home, King and the strange white creature kept pawing at each other with some comments from her roommate.

"Luz, tell this beast to stop poking me!"

Luz crouched down and scratched under its chin. "King, Fou's just playing around."

"No way. I can feel the look in its eyes. It's challenging my authority."

"What authority?" added Eda. "If I recall correctly, I'm letting you live with me rent-free."

"But… I…" He turned to the one known as Shirou. "You! Take control of your pet, or I will have to establish my dominance over it!" King attempted to make himself look more intimidating by standing on a nearby log, only for him to nearly fall over.

Shirou sweatdropped when he looked at Fou, seemingly chuckling at the little demon. "Believe me, King. I can only do so much to the Beast."

After a few more minutes of walking, the four stopped outside Eda's home. Just as Eda expected, the owl's face on the front door extended out toward the stranger in their group. "Hoot-hoot! Password, please!"

Shirou's eyes widened at the sudden owl-tube creature popping up. A glance at his master and the others showed that they were unfazed by the owl thing, all expecting how he would answer. With an internal shrug, he gave a guess. "Open sesame?"

The owl creature narrowed his eyes at him in suspicion. "Hmm. You win this time. Hoot-hoot! Eda, who is this guy?"

"That's what I would like to know too." Eda turned to the redhead. "You don't attack first, so that's good. Now, what's this about Luz calling you her servant with her the master? It better not be what I think it is. She's way too young for that sort of thing."

Luz pushed her face into her hands in embarrassment. "We're not like that!"

Shirou's expression went deadpan. 'Should have expected that...'

Suffice to say, when King heard that Shirou was Luz's servant, he was appalled. He jumped on the girl's shoulder. "You've only been on the isles for two days, and you already have a minion!"

Shirou rolled his eyes. "The term is "servant."

King turned to the man. "Do you do whatever Luz tells you to do?"

The hero open and closed his mouth before answering. "... Basically."

A boney claw was pushed against his cheek. "Ha! So, you are her minion."

Shirou stopped bothering to correct the little guy.

King turned back to the girl. "Quick, Luz. Become my minion. That way, by the chain of command, he becomes my minion as well."

Eda picked King off of Luz's shoulder. "Just so you know, if anyone is getting a minion by the chain of command of Luz, it's me."

Shirou looked at the two, annoyed, before facing his master. "Luz, are you going to correct them, or should I."

A bit awkward at the situation, Luz nodded. "Please…"

Shirou sighed and clapped his hands to get their attention. "Sorry to burst your claims of ownership, but that's not how it works. I am magically contracted with Luz as my master. Chain of command does not matter."

After hearing those words, Eda dropped King and picked up Luz from her arms. "Luz, is this true? Did you sign a magical contract with some stranger?"

The girl stared at her teacher nervously. "Uh…" She slowly lifted her left hand, showing the command seals.

The Witch's eyes widened as she slowly placed the girl down. "Oh, dear Titan."

King walked up to Luz and examined her hand."Cool. How do I get one of those myself? I want another minion."

"I wouldn't recommend that," answered Shirou. "The circumstances of gaining these seals are far and between. Luz's case is a unique one, and it's recommended you don't intentionally seek them out."

"If these seals are so dangerous, how and why did you get Luz to agree to one? What's your game, Shirou?"

Luz quickly got between the two. "No, Eda, it's not his fault. I swear. I was touching stuff that didn't belong to me, and the world or something responded."

Shirou shrugged at the explanation "That about covers it." He gestured for Luz to move aside, and she obliged. "I can assure you, Miss Eda. I have no malicious intentions toward your ward. By the will of the world and my own, she is under my protection and guidance until she no longer needs me."

Eda huffed. "Big words." She crossed her arms and sighed. "Then again, I did see you in action against those puppets for Luz, so there's at least some truth there. You said your name's Shirou, but who are you anyway? Some warrior? Wanderer? Witch?"

"I prefer to be called a mage, but I would like to consider myself a hero."

"Ha! A hero?" Eda laughed.

Shirou smirked. "Considering how my master helped you back there." He turned to Luz with a smile. "I would say she's well on her way to becoming her own."

Luz beamed at the thought of being like Azura one day.

Not wanting to depress Luz more than what the fake wizard already did, she didn't argue. "Fine. I guess since Luz is willing to have you, then I'll tolerate it."

"That's good to-"

Eda cut him off. "But this is still my home with my rules. Until I say so, you'll be camping outside." She pressed a finger to the teen's chest.

"Come on, Eda. Shirou seems like a great guy," argued Luz with a frown.

"He may as well be, but he didn't prove himself to me yet." Eda pushed open her front door. "If he can't live outside for a few days, how can I expect him to protect you, Luz? Let's see how well he does for a while."

"Oh, boy! I have new outside friends!" exclaimed Hooty.

Eda smirked devilishly. "Yep. I'm sure you'll get to know each other well."

"Eda…" Luz was about to say more before she felt a hand on her shoulder.

Shirou shook his head. "There's no need to worry, Master. I'll do fine out here."

"Are you sure?"

"I want to familiarize myself with the area, not to mention exploring that town when we have a chance."

Luz's eyes shined for a moment. "Bonesborough! I can't wait to show you around."

"I'm sure we will enjoy ourselves." He gave her a little nudge toward the house. "In any case, it's getting late. I'll see you in the morning."

"Okay then." With that, Eda, King, and Luz walked into the Owl House. She turned to her mentor. "Do you think he'll be alright?"

Eda shrugged uncaringly. "Worst case scenario, Hooty drive him off physically or emotionally."

Luz cringed at the thought.

"Uh, I think he'll do just fine."

The two turned to see King looking out the window and followed his eyes.

A little distance away, they see Hooty happily eating a dead swallow from Shirou's hand. Somehow, Shirou had covered himself with a white cloak and black vest. His other hand was scratching the side of his head with Fou resting on Hooty's body.

Eda blinked at the sight. "That was fast."