Always Be Appreciative of Opposable Thumbs

Chapter Forty-Seven: When a Curse Works Out

 Hugo was exhausted by the time they got to Inez. They'd chased Sera and Jyoji around for at least an hour before Sera finally transformed into her human form. Together again, they all made their way back to Inez's shop. When she opened her door and found them standing there, she seemed slightly surprised but invited them in nonetheless.

"Well, you're in one piece, so that must be a good sign," she said as she closed the door and turned to them. "But I don't see a Fairy, so I'm guessing you didn't succeed."

"Oh, no, we succeeded," Sera said as she collapsed into a chair and let out a long breath. "Took care of your little king problem, too."

Inez raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms over her chest. "What do you mean?"

"The king will be unable to perform his duties for a while," Jyoji said, sitting on the edge of a table and stretching out his long legs.

Eyeing them all carefully, Inez leaned against the door. "But you didn't get your wishes. This one is still a goose, and as far as I can tell, Dragon Girl over there hasn't changed either."

Hugo settled onto a crate, letting Willow sit on his lap. "Well, things got kind of messy."

"My birth defect caused a bit of a detour," Sera clarified. "But Ailsa should be coming to meet up with us soon."

Inez furrowed her brow and shook her head. "All right, so when you say the king will be unable to perform his duties—"

There was a knock at the door, and Inez quickly opened it. Ailsa stood on the steps and gave a smile and a wave. "Sorry for the delay. Had to coax the basilisk out of hiding. Took quite a few fruit-flavored pebbles, but he's purring like a kitten now."

She stepped inside, clutching the fairytale book in her arms.

"Did you get the Mermaid to water?" asked Jyoji.

"Niamh? Sure did. Said the moat would work as a temporary home until we can get her back to the sea."

"She wasn't afraid of the krakens?"

"Pfft, afraid? She cooed and fawned over them like they were puppies. They're putty in her hands."

"Wait, wait," Inez said. "Basilisks? Mermaids? Does this mean you destroyed Teodric's collection?"

"The room? Yes," Ailsa said as she moved further into the shop and took a seat in a rocking chair. "The creatures and people in the room? I prefer to think they've been liberated."

Inez followed Ailsa and looked her up and down. "I'm guessing you're the great and powerful Fairy Teodric kidnapped?"

"Indeed I am. Name's Ailsa. A pleasure to meet you."

She put her hand out to Inez who took it and gave it a firm shake. "Inez. Technician."

"So I've heard. You're the one who's been supplying Teodric with the Tech to capture us, right?"

"Yes, I am. But in my defense, I did it to protect those I love."

As Inez spoke, her two mice-sons climbed up her arm and settled onto her shoulder. Ailsa's eyes followed them. She lifted her eyebrows and let out an understanding hum.

"I put you two to bed hours ago," Inze scolded as she scooped the two mice up into her hand.

"I see," Ailsa said. "Well, I can't fault you for being a good mother, now, can I?"

Tucking her sons into her apron pocket, Inez again crossed her arms over her chest. "I've been told our king has been dethroned. Is this true?"

Ailsa's lips twitched. "Something like that. He's a little preoccupied."