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"I told you to go wait by the dolmen!"
🕑 Added 2023-03-02 03:11:37 +0000 UTCI scolded Burnside.
"I did," she protested. "I waited a minute or two, then decided to mosey on over here."
I sighed in exasperation but could find no fault with Burnside's technical compliance. She might be Unseelie, but she was an elf through and through.
"And what do you mean, you just woke up?" I demanded, turning to Angela. "Have you been sleeping on duty?"
"Know sir!" the Ixie exclaimed. "Eye was in teh infirmary recovering from an attack of teh Vapors."
"It took an entire day to recover?"
"Sum times it takes longer, LOL."
I really needed to give Angela a thorough check-up, since there was clearly something wrong with her transmogrified body, but I didn't have time right now.
"You and Burnside go wait by the dolmen," I ordered. "And by that I mean wait there until I command otherwise! Burnside can fill you in on what's happened so far."
"I was unconscious through most of it," Burnside pointed out.
"Just tell Angela what you know. Now scoot! I am trying to have a conversation with my magick pupil here."
"Did you say I used elfmind?" Rebecca asked uncertainly. "Isn't that how elves magically talk without speaking, and how you can read our thoughts?"
"Correct," I nodded. "When Didelphis was ranting at me, I heard you call out very clearly, 'My Lord, you're losing them!' It was elfmind, no doubt about it."
"I could tell that the rest of the coven was losing interest," Rebecca explained. "The scene was dragging on, and they were starting to have second thoughts about following you. I wanted to warn you, but interrupting would only have made the situation worse. Is mental telepathy something lowfolk can do?"
Was it? I took a moment to ponder the question.
"It's an established fact that lowfolk can learn magic," I stated. "But I always assumed elfmind was exclusive to elves. It is called 'elfmind' after all. I have never heard of 'lowfolkmind,' which doesn't really roll off the tongue, does it? And 'folkmind' sounds like the name of a band that smokes a lot of pipeweed and plays hurdy-gurdies."
"How was I able to do it?" Rebecca asked. "You didn't teach me, and the Foxspell didn't even mention it."
"No, the Foxspell wouldn't have," I nodded thoughtfully. "Because elfmind is not a spell. It's an innate ability. Now I have two theories, both of them very unlikely. First theory: If you truly were visited by Fuma and Saint Reynard, and it wasn't just a fever dream, then it's possible that an elfmind ability was bestowed upon you by divine fiat. If Fuma has blessed you in this way, it would also explain how you are learning everything so quickly."
"I do like the idea of being Chosen by a goddess and a saint," Rebecca grinned dreamily. "But what is your other theory?"
"My second theory," I declared, "and please keep in mind that this is VERY unlikely, is that you are a changeling."
"A changeling??" Rebecca gasped.
"A changeling??" Burnside exclaimed.
"CHANGELING!!" Angela squealed. "Its fun too shout!!!1!"
"I told you to wait by the dolmen!" I yelled.
"We ARE waitin' by the dolmen," Burnside pointed out. "I can still hear every word you're sayin. Ain't that far away, an it ain't like y'all was whispering or anything."
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Comments
>Adler: Well, quit eavesdropping! This is a private conversation! >Burnside: Does it really need to be? Whether or not she's a changeling, you're all going to find out eventually. >Adler: Private! This is a mentor to pupil moment. Such exchanges are sacred. >Burnside: Well fine! You can go patrol the woods out of earshot! That'll give them loads of privacy. >Adler: No, you need her close by because you're going to talk to her as soon as you finish speaking to Rebecca. >Burnside: Come one! What does he expect you to do? Cover your ears and sing a song? >Adler: Actually, that's a good idea. >Burnside: You let out a weary sigh. Sometimes you wish you were getting paid for this. You turn around, cover your ears, and begin loudly humming. >Angela: What about- >Adler: Her too! >Angela: You follow Burnside's example. >Adler: With a huff, you turn your attention back to Rebecca. >Rebecca: Uhhhhh- It takes a moment to shake out of your bewilderment. How can he be sure? Are there tests to find out? >Adler: You're not sure. Like you said, her being a changeling is very unlikely. No offense, but no elf in their right mind would leave their child in that rabbit village. Not to mention, with Faerie falling apart, who would have the space or resources to care for a swapling? You're sad to say the situation in your home is too desperate. >Rebecca: Actually, if the situation in Faerie really is that terrible, wouldn't that give elves even more incentive to have their kids raised in the lowfolk realm? If they are incapable of caring for the "swapling" on their end, would they even bother taking one? If they are well and truly desperate to make sure their child is safe, couldn't they just stash the elf baby in an orphanage or on someone's front doorstep? >Adler: Well- You remember Rebecca telling you before about her parents claiming they found her in a cabbage patch. She has a point. As for tests to find out. The fact that she managed to use elfmind could be an indicator. Another big one, is elves age much slower than lowfolk. >Rebecca: If he wants to see how long it takes you to become an old lady, you're both going to be waiting for a long time. Are there any others? >Adler: You manage to list one or two more ways to tell when you are interrupted by your ixies returning. >Ixies: The witches all safely returned home, and Oonagh the baker was overjoyed at the new addition to her family. Didelphis, not so much. >Typantronn: Well, the mission is over and you've all been debriefed sooo... You expectantly hold out your hand. >Ixies: You all glumly hand over her winnings.
Rick2tails
GASP! "Burnside is so cute!"
