Mother of Magic

Green Flash

Ava flashed into view in the exact same spot she had disappeared from the previous year. She was wearing a new version of the vestment. It has sleeves and dropped all the way to the floor. The now overcoat-appearing jacket was laden with The Mother's perfect Lodestones. It looked heavy.

Stephanie pushed Vanessa's feet off her lap and jumped up from the couch. She ran over and hugged Ava. "Ava!"

"What the fuck?" Vanessa asked sincerely from the couch, her book suddenly forgotten.

Stephanie introduced Ava casually. "This is our friend Ava. She's not from around here."

Vanessa looked at the door and tried to think if she had somehow missed Ava walking in instead of, apparently, popping in. The door to the porch had never opened. The outside cold air never gusted into the room.

"I thought I'd come and see if you would like to come for a visit now? I think I have the timing right? It is after the baseball season again? Right?" Ava asked.

"Yes, Ava. Baseball season is over. Now is perfect. We hoped around now would be the time you would pick to come to scoop us up. Nice new jacket!" Stephanie said.

Ava held out her arms and showed off the drape of the wire mesh. "The Mother added some additional Lodestone Mesh yet again. Soon it will be a queenly train! Last time gave me a few more minutes here. Since that worked, The Mother made this new version to make it even safer. More margin."

Ava lifted an eyebrow at the new and undeniably attractive woman looking at her from the couch. Vanessa was not someone who needed on-air makeup. Her natural self had plenty of presence. If anything, her casual self might have been even more remarkable. Her current clothing enhanced the effect.  "Hello. Who are you?"

"I'm ... uhm ... Vanessa?"

Ava found that humorous. "You don't sound sure."

"I'm sure I'm Vanessa. Sorry. I'm trying to deal with the fact that Stephanie and Le act like people popping into the room in a flash of green light is normal. Expected even."

"Kind of is. Both normal and expected. Wasn't the first time, but now it is." Stephanie assured Vanessa.

Vanessa turned her head to watch as Le scrambled to the bookcase and began pulling books off the shelf and into a couple of large canvas bags he had ready. "I was hoping you come back. I have been collecting a pile of books for Silena." He explained over his shoulder.

Le held up one "This one is about batteries and how to make them." Le tossed that into this bag. The next was "This is is chemistry. Advanced course I did not have."

Le stopped explaining the books to accelerate loading the bags.

"I am so confused. What the hell, Le?" Vanessa asked to absolutely no answer.

"Silena has been doing very well, but she'll appreciate that those. Batteries are still the hangup for the electric carts." Ava laughed lightly at the frantic way Le was loading up the bags.

"Hey. Vanessa. Come with us. You'll have fun. You'll like Tasha for sure." Stephanie invited.

Vanessa was very confused and looked around and again at the back door as if some explanation would now appear. "Come... where? Tasha who? What the fuck is going on here?"

"I'll explain when we get there. Ava does not have much time." Stephanie said. She thought to ask Ava "You can carry three, right?"

"No problem. It's about time in this hostile place, not weight. As long as I have Lodestone, we are good to go. Who is Vanessa here? I mean, I know who she is but... no. I don't."

"Our live-in stray cat." Stephanie said

"I am not your stray cat!" Vanessa protested, pulled away from her confusion for a moment.

"The hell you are not. Not to worry: Ava has one too."

Le came over to Ava. "Ready"

"I'll carry one of those." Stephanie took a book bag from her husband.

"Thank you. These are damn heavy. Every book I could think of that would help at the shop."

"Vanessa. Get over here." Stephanie ordered, "Put your arms around Le and I."

"Finally. Something I understand in all of this. Not sure why we are doing a group hug, but that I at least understand the how of." Vanessa did as instructed. "Humm. I feel underdressed for this hug."

"You were closer to ready for bed, and Ava has to dress that way. I'll explain later." Stephanie told her 'stray cat'.

Ava observed Vanessa with appreciation now that she was close-up and not lounging with a book. "I don't know what the term 'stray cat' means in this context, given that you appeared to be quite comfortable on that couch. I would not term Tasha as being a 'Stray' either. Cat? Yes. Stray? Not so much. Also, you are not dressed as a visitor might be, even in this world. Very comfortable and casual with a clear lack of undergarments. Ready for bed? I infer you are more than a friend." She said

Vanessa nodded dow at herself. "Le is a horn dog, and Stephanie occasionally needs help taking care of him. OK. Frequently."

"Oh, please. I think who needs who is a little backward there." Stephanie scoffed.

"I have new, higher standards. Sue me." Vanessa tossed back.

"You upgraded your standards a year ago. Hardly 'new'." Stephanie teased.

"Still feel new. As for what I have on? Till someone takes it off me, it's comfortable. The house is warm in the winter. Especially when the fireplace is going." Vanessa explained.

Ava nodded. "Comfortable and barely there. Seems it might be removed easily. I am not complaining. I am sure no one is. Well: Silena might. She is not used to having competition for that sort of attention. Not that she strays from Bob and Standing Bear that I know of. Her meeting you will be interesting."

Ava looked away from the attractive live-in sportscaster. "Good point about the fireplace. Should not leave that as is." Ava waved at it and the fire went out.

"What the..." Vanessa started to say as she watched Magic at work.

Ava did not explain but remained on topic. "Also, I can believe what you say about Le although Stephanie has always seemed up to the task. First night I met her she crawled into his bedding.  Otherwise, Tasha would have made another pass at him. Miriam. Vivian. A few others. We'll get more into that later. Le left a few broken hearts. For now..."

"I did no...." Le's protest was cut off by a green flash and the exit from the local Universe.