After her explanation-slash-confession Nia and I ended up just watching each other quietly for another few minutes as the two of us remained in her bed. We were both still blushing too, but possibly for different reasons. She looked embarrassed or ashamed, while I had a lot of different thoughts and emotions all swirling around inside.
I finally asked, "That's why you haven't taken on anyone as a familiar? Because you're afraid you'll take advantage of them?"
"Pretty much," she sighed. "I mean, it's a huge commitment, and a big responsibility too. It's not a forever thing, like when you form the pact you always set a time limit that both parties agree to in advance. Almost like an employment contract I guess? Could be for a few months, could be a few decades, but from what I understand it's usually somewhere between one and five years. With options to renew, assuming both parties are happy and want to keep working together."
That left me frowning, "So what's the problem then? I mean, first off I can't believe you'd take advantage of anybody. The fact that you're so worried about it tells me it's not going to happen, plus I know you and I know you're a good person. So there must be more to it than that."
Nia made a face then sighed, "I guess I'm also avoiding it because my mom's been pushing so hard? Plus the only candidates I've even had so far are people she's found and tried to force on me. And I know I just compared it to an employment contract but it's a lot more than that. A witch and her familiar have to vibe together, there has to be that kind of close trusting relationship."
"Mom says that comes in time," she added with a little eye-roll. "Like you work at it and build rapport and stuff? But I don't know, it doesn't sound right. And I'm not sure I could ever entirely trust a familiar my mother selected for me. I'd always be wondering if they were spying on me for her, or reporting back to her, that sort of thing."
By that point I was frowning at her even harder, and I couldn't hold back any more. "You and I are best friends, we already have a strong trusting relationship. I want to help you with your magic, and I'd love to maybe learn some of that myself. And I already trust you not to take advantage of me. Heck we just spent the night together, you didn't take advantage of that."
Her cheeks went bright red again as she pointed out, "I pulled you up against me so you couldn't get away then left my hand on your boobs all night long!"
"And I had the best night's sleep I've ever had in my life!" I retorted. "Sounds like win-win to me."
The gorgeous fae girl puffed out her cheeks into a brief pout, before trying again to dissuade me. "We haven't even talked about the 'pet' stuff yet. You'd be all but signing away your freedom for the duration. You'd be relying on me for food, clothing, a roof over your head. You'd be with me twenty-four-seven. I'd be your boss, your mistress, practically your owner, telling you what to do..."
I just frowned at her for another second or two, then with a little more bravery than normal I looked her in the eyes and asked, "So when do we get to the downsides? Because so far all this sounds fucking awesome to me."
That left her temporarily flustered, but only for a moment. It almost felt like she was grasping for ways to put me off the idea though, as she came up with the next point. "You're a mousekin. Part of being a familiar means you'd be embodying those traits even more, and I'd be the one bringing them out in you. Which means there will be times I might literally turn you into a mouse."
"Ok," I took a deep breath as I had to consider that angle. "We're still best friends though, and I still trust you. Even without knowing the details you already said both parties benefit from the arrangement. So if I'm a mouse now and then, I'm sure there'll be a good reason for it. And I know you won't do anything to hurt me, or endanger me. Heck for all I know being a mouse might even be fun once in a while."
Nia sighed, "You're impossible."
"I'm also your friend," I told her. "And I want to help you, I want what's best for you."
"Thanks Kiki," she replied with a weak smile. Then she made one last half-hearted effort to put me off the idea, "What if I were to give in to my unspeakable urges, what if I take advantage of you? What if I used my power as your mistress to have my way with you? I could strip you naked and ravish you... or something... I don't know. Evil."
I actually had to force myself not to giggle when her attempt to scare me tapered off into nonsense. Instead I managed to stay serious long enough to respond, "I honestly don't believe you'd ever do anything like that... Which is a shame because for a moment there you were starting to turn me on."
Sure enough her eyes went wide as she stared at me in shock. I stared back, then after a beat both of us dissolved into giggles. That lasted a minute or two, and it helped dissipate a lot of the tension that had built up under the surface between the two of us.
Once the laughter subsided I got serious again and said, "I'm glad you're looking out for me Nia. I want to look out for you too. I know there's still a lot more you need to tell me about this stuff, like we haven't even touched on what I'd actually be doing or how having a familiar can help you. But I'm still seriously interested in doing that with you, for you."
"And being your pet mouse-girl sounds like a pretty decent perk too if I'm honest," I added with a little smile.
She gave me a sad smile in return, then let out another long sigh. "Thank you Kiki. I guess... Ultimately I'm afraid I'll end up like my mother. Like you saw her last night, mask off for the first time. I never want to become like that."
"You never will," I assured her. "I know you Nia, you're too good, too kind, and too compassionate."
That left her with another little blush, along with a happier smile. That faded after a few seconds though, as she sighed once more. Not another long dramatic sigh though, this was shorter and more mundane.
"We should probably get up," she pouted. "I'm sure mother's going to have words with me for wasting half the day in bed. How do you feel about breakfast?"
I smiled, "My tummy has positive things to say on that subject. Although I still need to address the whole clothing situation."
Nia shrugged, "Nightshirts are fine for now. Food first, clothes later."
"Deal," I agreed, then the two of us finally got up out of bed.
She let me go first again for the washroom, then once we were both freshened up the two of us padded barefoot down the stairs then made our way into the kitchen. There we discovered two plates of french toast and bacon waiting for us, kept warm with the power of magic. There was also fresh orange juice and a pot of hot coffee on the counter, and neither of us wasted any time diving in to all that yummy goodness.
"What happened to your folks?" I asked in between forkfuls of eggy toasty joy. "Are they at work or something? Or it's Saturday, do they work on weekends?"
"Actually do they work at all? Do fae get jobs here?" I added as I tilted my head to one side in curiosity.
Nia smiled as she munched on a piece of bacon, "We work, we have jobs, but it's not quite like things back in the mundane world. For one thing there's a lot fewer rules and regulations here, which can be both a good and bad thing."
"Most folks are able to do what they want, or what they're good at," she continued. "There's way fewer bosses here, but there are some. And you see more instances of families all working together, children taking over for their parents when the time comes."
Finally after a gulp of her OJ she added, "I'm sure mom's out in her workshop doing witchy stuff. Dad might be visiting the market, or he might be out delivering some of mother's wares to her various customers."
I hesitated, "Your dad works for your mom? Like a delivery dad?"
My friend giggled, "He helps out sometimes, but no. Actually he's a teacher here too, like he was in the mundane world. That's a lot less regulated here too, but it is what it is."
"Huh," I commented as I thought about all that.
It didn't take long before I was full, after barely touching even half the food on my plate. Nia was still eating though, so I just sipped some coffee as I sat with her. Eventually though I came up with another question.
"So what are we going to do today?" I asked. "Or what would you be doing if you weren't playing host to a little mouse-girl tag-along?"
Nia grimaced slightly, "We should probably visit mom's workshop. She's your best bet for clothes, she can conjure up something that fits and won't just fade away when you're not looking."
"Ok," I nodded slowly. "Should I put my t-shirt and hoodie back on first? It's not much but that might be better than walking around in just a nightshirt."
"Nah she won't care. I'll stick with my nightshirt for now too, we can be barefoot buddies."
That made me giggle a bit. Then when she was finished eating we both got up, and I helped clear the table while she rinsed off the dishes. I'd have helped with that too but the counter was a little high so I couldn't reach anything.
"That's going to take some getting used to," I commented afterwards. "Not being able to reach anything I mean."
Nia shrugged, "Mice are good at jumping and climbing. I'm sure you'll have it all figured out in no time. You just have to stop thinking about human hang-ups, like jumping on counters and climbing bookcases."
I ended up thinking about that as I followed her out of the kitchen, then right out of the house. Next thing I knew the two of us were heading across the backyard towards the barn. That got me blushing again, like it was one thing hanging out in the house wearing nothing but a nightshirt. But now we were practically out in public. Even if there wasn't anyone else around there weren't any fences or anything.
It was also a bit chilly to be outside in nothing but a thin nightshirt. Nia wasn't complaining though, so I kept quiet about it too. And we weren't going far, only over to the barn. As for why we were going there, that became clear as soon as Nia opened one of the doors. Instead of containing animals or hay or whatever people used barns for, this one was absolutely witchy inside.
The interior was basically one big wide-open space, with a big magical fire-pit thing in the very middle. That was surrounded by several concentric circles carved into the grey stone floor, and those circles had even more carvings inside them. There were pentagrams, runic symbols, strange text in mysterious languages, the works.
The wall across from where we'd come in was set up with a wide counter that stretched from one side to the other, home to a number of cauldrons in varying sizes, some over magical stoves while others sat idle. There were numerous jars and glasses and cups and bowls scattered around the counter as well.
The other three walls were full of shelves that looked to stand at least two meters tall. And those were subdivided into countless little storage areas and cubbyholes, containing all manner of ingredients, reagents, and other mysterious substances. Some loose, some in jars, or boxes, or even little vials and ampoules. And the ones that weren't home to spell components were instead full of books. Or scrolls. Or manuscripts. Magical tomes or texts of various shapes and styles.
The whole thing was well-lit by a chandelier sort of thing hanging from the ceiling and covered in more of those glowing magical lights. And I found myself staring in wide-eyed wonder at the entire scene, which seemed like something out of some amazing fantasy show or game or something.
"Well hello you two," Mrs. Brennan greeted us from where she was standing near that counter on the far side of the workshop. She was dressed similar to the night before, in another long flowing black gown.
She also had a hopeful smile on her face as she asked, "Does this mean you've reconsidered? Have you come to borrow my workshop to perform the familiar ritual?"
Nia rolled her eyes, "Sorry mother. We're here to ask a favour. Kiki hasn't any clothes, and if I conjure something up for her it'll just fade away a few minutes later. So I was hoping you might be able to help her out with something more permanent?"
The fae witch seemed to consider a moment before replying, "I could, but not yet. First there's something we need to discuss."
"Apparently," Mrs. Brennan continued, "There was some small excitement at the crossroads last night after you girls left."
My friend frowned, "What sort of excitement?"
Her mother responded, "Sara can relay it best, as she was there at the time. Sara?"
Some movement ontop of the counter caught my eye, and that's when I suddenly noticed the Siamese cat lazing alongside one of the cauldrons. It sat up and did a big stretch, then moved to the edge of the counter and sat down again, where it was suddenly an attractive and very naked catgirl. She had cream-coloured hair while her ears and tail were all cocoa-coloured. And I absolutely recognized her.
My cheeks went red as I tried not to stare. It was hard though, because in addition to being stark naked she was very attractive. And she wasn't even trying to hide anything either, she didn't seem the least bit bothered about being naked in front of a complete stranger. And for that matter I realized Nia didn't seem to think there was anything unusual about the naked catgirl either.
"Incase it isn't obvious Sara is mom's familiar," Nia commented. Then she addressed the catgirl, "So what happened at Gruffudd's Grove? I didn't even realize you were there last night."
The naked beastkin smirked as she gave me another hungry look. Then she leaned back and in a bored lazy voice announced, "At around midnight someone else came over from the mundane world. He looked human, but most curiously he also looked and acted like a cop."
Just like that I was cringing as my heart raced, and I subconsciously moved a little closer to Nia's side.
Meanwhile the catgirl continued, "The man started asking questions. Had anyone seen a human boy cross over in the company of a young woman? He described them both, and mentioned a couple names. Nia Brennan was one, and some human fellow named Moodie was the other."
"Oh no," I mumbled softly.
"It was odd though," Sara commented as she stretched her arms up over her head while her ears folded back and her tail stuck out behind her. "He knew our ways well enough to get into the crossroads, but obviously didn't know Gruffudd's rules against asking after other patrons' comings and goings."
"So needless to say no-one told him a damned thing," she added with a wry smile.
Nia and I exchanged a worried glance then she asked what I was wondering, "What happened to the man? Do you know where he went?"
The catgirl shrugged then licked the back of her hand before rubbing that against her forehead and temple, "I believe he decided to leave, once he realized nobody was interested in talking to him."
"Except," she paused for another lick and rub, "That's when he discovered some of the missing boy's clothing, stuffed under a table. Jeans, underwear, shoes, socks. That seemed to make the man excited. He gathered up the discarded clothing, then he left again. Back to the mundane world."
My heart was still racing as I asked, "Um, miss Sara? Can you tell us what the man looked like?"
"Of course little mousie," she replied with a smile that was just wide enough to show off her fangs. "He was a big muscular fellow, with short red hair and beady blue eyes."
I gulped and shook my head, "I don't understand. How could my dad come here? How could he even know about this place?"
"As I said last night dear," Mrs. Brennan responded in a voice that was sort of calm but also carried some 'know it all' vibes, "You most certainly have some non-human blood in you. And you know that had to come from somewhere."
Her next words took me completely by surprise when she suggested, "Perhaps he learned of our ways from your mother?"
"I think it may be time we took a closer look at your family tree," she added.