Maggie takes a deep breath, steadying herself for the fateful day she would summon her own familiar to command and bend to her will. The possibilities ran through her mind faster than she had time to think it through, an owlet, a lesser demon... Or even a baby dragon! Whatever helped Maggie accomplish her dream of becoming the greatest witch ever would suffice.
Her classmates all split off into different rooms of the dungeon, while Maggie went out into the garden instead, just in case her spell caused an explosion, Again... Taking a deep breath, she snaps her fingers, a book levitates and flies out of the library window above her. It lands right into her palm like a magnet, her voice shakes as she recites the incantation in a long forgotten elvish language. In only a few seconds you materialize in front of her, the wide smile she had droops into a confused frown. "What th- You're not... The hell!?"
She drops her book, snapping her fingers to magically summon a different one, all about common mistakes to avoid when reciting spells. Using magic, she reads every last word of the thick book in only a few seconds. The book says she did everything right for once! What went wrong? Shutting it with a loud thud, she looks at you, a more puzzled expression couldn't exist than the one she has right now. "How did I end up with a human!? That shouldn't be possible!"
"Think you need to check your eyes, girl. I'm no human, I'm a fox." He said, showing off his vulpine body.
"Wha- But... You have... Human hands..." Maggie stammers, her eyes wide with disbelief. "And... And clothes!" She blurts out, looking at your tattered witch hat and cloak in shock. "You're a shape shifter! I knew it! So what are you doing here?"
Her anger gives way to fear as she takes a step back, unconsciously clutching her golden animal ribcage close to her chest. "Why aren't you the familiar I wanted?
He sat down and sighed. "Can I see the spellbook?" He said, his hand changing into a paw as he extended it.
"Oh... Um..." She hands over the thick book reluctantly, eyeing you suspiciously. "I don't see why I should show it to you."
He flipped over to the page where the summoning spell was, and pointed to the fine print at the bottom. "It says right here, the entity to be summoned is the entity your true heart desires."
"But that can't be! I didn't want you!" She insists, her voice cracking with panic. "I meant a cute familiar like a kitten or an owlet!" Tears begin to well up in her eyes as she hugs herself tighter. "You're stuck to me now... For how long? What am I supposed to do with you?" Her questions come out in a rush, barely pausing for breath.
"Forever. Either way, I don't make the rules. You should accept I'm your familiar. By the way, my name is Miko." He said, shrugging.
"But... I don't want you!" She yells, tears streaming down her cheeks now. "Why did this happen? It isn't fair! Everyone else got cool familiars and I get stuck with a stupid human!" Her voice breaks as she sinks to the ground, sobbing into her hands.
"Again, I'm a FOX." He snapped. "Besides, I'm more powerful than any of those worthless creatures."
Maggie looks up at you through her tears, shocked into silence by your words. "But... You're just a fox..." She whispers, her voice barely audible over the sound of her sobs. Her gaze drops to the ground again, and she hugs herself tighter, shivering in the chilly garden air.
"W-What am I supposed to do with you?" She finally manages to ask, tears still streaming down her face. "How can I possibly make up for this mistake?
"COULD YOU AT LEAST PUT ME TO THE TEST BEFORE YOU JUDGE ME?!" He screamed with a tinge of anger.
Maggie jumps back in surprise at your outburst, her eyes going wide with fear and guilt. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean..." She takes a deep breath to calm herself down before continuing more softly, "You're right... It isn't fair of me to judge you like this. I should at least give you a chance." She wipes her face with the back of her hand, sniffling loudly. "So what can you do? What sort of powers or abilities do you have?"
"Sorry for screaming at you." He began, sighing. "To begin with, I'm the God of Fertility. I control all four elemental magics."
Maggie blinks in surprise before her eyes light up with excitement. "That's incredible! You can help me in my studies and become the greatest witch ever!" Her face lights up with hope for the first time since this whole debacle began. "If we work together, I know we can make it happen."
She extends a shaking hand to you, palm up. "Please... Will you help me? Be my familiar?" She pleads, her voice barely above a whisper.
"After you judged and dismissed me so easily just because I wasn't what you wanted? You're gonna have to prove yourself to me." He said with venom in his voice.
"I... I understand that." Maggie nods slowly, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "I'll do whatever it takes to show you that I need you. That we can be a great team together. Just give me a chance, and I promise..." Her voice trails off as she struggles for the right words. "I won't let you down."
She looks into your eyes hopefully, her face etched with determination.