Timeweaver

Lyssandra, the Good Witch

Just when Tabitha felt she couldn't take another step, Lyssandra let go of her arm and announced, "Here we are." Tabitha looked up from the golden ground that had captivated her attention for the past half hour to see... exactly what she had expected to see. In the middle of a bright clearing, a quaint, one-story cottage sat. Out front was a very well-maintained garden with an abundance of exotic flowers and strange fruits and vegetables. There was a small, trickling fountain where multicolored birds and butterflies hovered.

"Wow," Tabitha breathed.

"Oh, I know, darling, isn't it wonderful?" Lyssandra beamed like the proud mother of a kindergartner and walked across the colorful lawn and up to the front door.

The inside of the house was a completely different story. Whereas the garden was neat and trim, the inside was a mess. Bowls and plates, pots and pans, cups and all sorts of utensils, most with a fluorescent liquid dripping from them, were piled high along the kitchen counters. Tabitha let out another "Wow," but this one was for a different reason.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Lyss shook her head. With a snap of her fingers and an indignant flourish of her hand, the mess tidied itself up. Dishes flitted throughout the room and stacked themselves neatly on the counter, in drawers, and in cupboards. Tabitha stepped aside as brooms swept the floor and chairs straightened themselves.

"Oh my gosh," Tabitha gasped. "Are you a fairy godmother? If so, I wish for a puppy, and a car-I mean, I can't drive but-,"

"Hush, child," Lyssandra interrupted. "There's a difference between a witch and a fairy godmother. First of all, the latter doesn't exist." Tabitha suddenly didn't care about her head throbbing or the fact that she had no idea where she was. She just felt like she had to get out, and fast. "Oh, I shouldn't have said that," Lyss frowned. "I didn't mean to scare you, dear. I'm not a bad witch, although those do exist. I don't mean you any harm."

"Yeah? That's exactly something a bad witch would say! Right before they cook you!" Tabitha yelled, causing the pain in her head to escalate.

"And what would a good witch say?" Lyss asked calmly with a genuine smile on her face. She sighed. "Listen, Tabitha, I'm just trying to help, but if you really don't trust me, no one is stopping you from leaving." The door swung open by itself. Lyss busied herself pulling out some spices from a cupboard made from golden wood and began dumping them into one of the many bowls standing on the counter. Tabitha hesitated then stormed out the open door. She ran straight ahead for a full minute before turning around and trudging back to Lyssandra's house.

"Glad you came to your senses," Lyss said without looking up from her stirring. "Now let's get you something for that headache."