Lucille’s first instance of loving dogs was in her childhood. She took care of her neighbor’s dog when they went on a vacation to another town. She had remembered how sweet it was and it motivated her to want a dog of her own.

The first dog she got was a small, long-bodied dog with a black and brown coat. She and her older brother Theo had fought to see who got to name the dog, to which she lost. The dog, Jacque, was sweet. Lucille, who was wary of potential allergies, kept washing her hands every time she touched the dog to the point that her hands became dry. Her mother, worried that her daughter had an allergic reaction, gave the dog away to a neighbor, upsetting both Lucille and her brother at the time; they did manage to get over it later on.

The second dog she got was a small black and white dog with a flat face. She had gotten him as a gift after enrolling in a magic academy. Assuming the dog was female, she gave him the name Cherie, but still kept the name when the animal doctor told her the dog was male. She only had Cherie for a short while as he had health complications that caused his heart to have problems. He eventually died before he was two years old. It had been a devastating moment in her life. Fortunately, she was able to move on, but swore to not take care of another dog because she didn’t want to experience heartbreak.

However, she broke that promise to herself when she had met Ange and Noir years after Cherie’s death. They had been badly injured; blood had been gushing out of their sides. While the image of Cherie flashed into her mind, she still reached out and saved the two dogs because she didn’t want them to die. Once they were healed, the dogs had wanted to stay with her, despite Lucille wanting them to live with a better family. One look at their big round eyes got her to come around and have them as her pets for the next eight years. She gave Ange her name because her white coat made her look angelic. She gave Noir his name because of how beautiful his black coat was. 

They had been the happiest moments of her life–a respite from the extreme stress from the job she had quitted. The way they needed her as much as she needed them had her realize they were no longer master and pet. They were family. She’d do anything to keep them safe. If anything or anyone had tried to harm them, she knew that would be when she’d become the most furious.

The sight of Ange squealing in pain underneath a dog much larger than her infuriated her. Her protective instinct sharpened as she pointed her staff at the large mutt and yelled “TEMPEST BLAST!” The pinwheel motif on her staff started spinning and the turquoise gems started glowing as a burst of wind aimed itself towards the enemy mutt and blasted him off of Ange. The dog landed on the ground far away from Ange.

Noir, a usually timid but sweet dog, started growling as he stood in front of Ange to protect her from the enemy. Thomas did the same. He started yelling to the crowd, “Who’s dog is that?” The townspeople shrugged and did not claim ownership of the rabid dog.

The mutt stood up and lunged for Noir, but Lucille used another Tempest Blast to blow him back. She ran to shield Noir and Thomas as she pointed her staff at the dog once more. She usually had a soft heart towards animals, but she would never forgive any creature who hurt her precious dogs, even if they were fellow dogs.

When the dog ran towards her, she then yelled, “Ice Javelin!” The bottom of her staff turned into an icicle as she used both of her hands to attempt to pierce the dog with it. The enemy mutt dodged the attack and lunged towards her, biting her arm. She yelled and winced at the pain, but she did her best to stand her ground.

“Get off of her!” An unknown voice yelled out as Noir lunged at the dog, trying to bite him. The mutt let go of her arm and proceeded to shake Noir off of him. He was about to attack Noir when Peter rushed towards Noir and protected him. However, it didn’t last long as the mutt decided to change its target to Peter and started mauling him.

“Peter!” Thomas cried for his brother.

“Don’t go to him!” Lucille yelled through the pain. She couldn’t stand not being able to help. Peter was going to die and Thomas and his family were going to hate her for it.

Noir decided to howl. The sound was quite loud, but it did cause the mutt to stop attacking Peter. Lucille’s eyes widened as she saw her dog glowing. Suddenly, light blue wings manifested behind his back. He started flapping them and they allowed him to fly.

“Do not hurt the people and Ange anymore, you deranged mutt.” Noir’s voice was soft-toned, but it was also stern.

Lucille recognized that voice from a moment ago. She could only gape at the realization that her dog was flying and talking. She was bewildered. She was rendered even more speechless when the enemy dog howled and golden wings started to form on its back.

“Hey, I’m just getting rid of the humans who are in my way.” The enemy canine spoke with a masculine voice.

“Then, why harm Ange?”

“I guess I wanted to pay her back for running away from me and taking you, a peasant mutt, along.”

“Did the kingdom send you or is this your own doing?”

“If you want to know, beat me in a fight. Oh, but you’re not suited for fights at all, right?”

The way the golden winged dog was taunting Noir angered her, so she used another Tempest Blast on him, blowing him away from Noir. Her arm was in pain, but it meant nothing unless Noir was safe.

“I don’t know why you dogs are talking right now, but anyone who dares hurt Noir will have to answer to me!”

The dog clicked his tongue. “Damned sorceress.”

Noir flew to Lucille. “Lucille, I’ll explain everything later, but cast another spell! I’ll use my powers to enhance its power.”

“Right.”

Lucille recited, “Flame Dance!” Meandering streams of fire came out of her pinwheel. Noir howled. The flames were thin, but they grew in size and aimed straight for the villainous dog. The dog looked bewildered at the sight of fire as he howled to summon a barrier and deflected it. He just cursed under his breath once the attack dissipated and flew off.

Noir barked, “Come back here, Cooper!”

When Cooper was out of their line of sight, Noir flew back down onto the ground and his wings disappeared. Lucille, ignoring the sights of the townspeople watching her with shock, went to check up on Peter who was still alive.

“Miss Doctor, can you tend to my brother?” Thomas was dragging an unusually dressed woman towards his brother. She wore a very high necked double breasted coat that covered half of her face. She had short bobbed blonde hair accessorized with a black newspaper boy hat. She wore long black gloves and boots over her coat sleeves and white trousers. She also carried around a large satchel that was stuffed.

She knelt down and examined Peter. “He’s still breathing, but he needs to see the main doctor real fast.” She turned around. “Can anyone take this boy to the clinic?”

“Why can’t you do it?” One man asked.

“I only specialize in animal treatment. Now, stop dawdling and get this boy to see the doctor right now!” Her once soft, mumbling voice gradually got louder and aggressive in tone. It scared some male townspeople that they did as she said and gently took Peter in their arms and took him to the clinic. Thomas followed them.

Lucille took another good look at the doctor in front of her. She was a petite woman who only went up to her shoulder. Her hazel eyes stared straight into Lucille’s. 

“Are you that white dog’s owner?”

“Y-yes!”

“I have treated her wounds, but she might still need a thorough examination to see if any bones or muscles were damaged. Can you take her to the clinic?”

“S-sure!”

Lucille returned her staff to storage and went over to the now bandaged Ange, gently scooped her into her arms and followed the petite doctor to the clinic; Noir was following behind. She didn’t have time to process everything that had transpired or the reaction of the townspeople at the square. None of those mattered since her dog was her first and top priority.