“Alright let’s try this again,” Lily said as we sat on the bed we had taken from the ruins in the basement of the stone cottage. We had setup camp in the basement as it was the most secure location in the house at this time. Plus, it allowed me to practice my magic and use some of the lights we had taken from the ruins. “Light should be as easy for you as fire, and telekinesis were.

“It’s not though. I can feel the energy, I just can’t seem to grab it.”

“Hmmm, you’re not paying attention to me,” Lily muttered as she stared at me. She snapped her fingers. “I got an idea! Don’t peek!”

“Peek at what? And I am paying attention!” I retorted as Lily spun in a circle muttering something about the power of the moon. I covered my eyes as a bright light flared around her.

“I told you not to peek,” Lily chided me. I rubbed my eyes.

“Yeah, I’m ok,” I replied. When I could see again, I stared dumbfounded at my familiar.

“What do you think? Will this outfit hold your attention?” Lily asked me. She was now wearing a midriff bearing white shirt, a red plaid skirt that ruffled when she spun, knee high white socks, and black spiked shoes.

“What the heck is that and where did you get it from?”

Lily laughed. “This is a schoolgirl outfit and I got it from the getting place.”

“Really? The getting place again?”

“Yep. I thought this outfit would help you focus while I taught you and I could sing,” my pixie said as she bent over partially and stuck out a hip. I smacked myself in the forehead as she started singing. “Ow! Got it bad, so bad…”

“Please stop Lily. That’s not going to help and neither is that outfit.”

“Is it because I’m so short or that you think I’m fat?” Lily asked glaring at me.

“What? Neither! Why would you think that?”

“That’s usually what they think when guys stop paying attention to their girls.”

“Who told you that? I’ve never heard such a thing.”

“That’s because you’re from a small fishing village!”

“So are you. And you didn’t answer who told you that.”

“Well, you got me there. And I got that from old stories.”

“Are all old stories true?”

“Nope.”

“Did you know if that one was true or not?”

“Not really. I’ll find out for sure when we get the computer setup though.”

“You really think the computer network will work out here?”

“Yep. I’ll explain more when we set the computer.”

“Alright.”

“Now, why doesn’t this outfit help?”

“What?”

“You said this outfit doesn’t help your learning. Why not?”

“It’s distracting,” I replied turning away from her.

“Oh? Why is it distracting?” Lily asked flying up into my face and grinning at me.

“Come on, Lily. Don’t make me say it.”

“Say what?” Lily asked innocently.

“Lily, you know I think you’re beautiful.”

“Uh huh.”

“That outfit shows off a lot of…skin and is…”

“Tantalizing?”

“…yes.”

“Ha! I knew it!” Lily exclaimed before kissing me on the cheek.

“Knew what?” I asked.

“That you want me.”

“What? Lily!”

My familiar started giggling and couldn’t stop. Within seconds she was crying from laughing so hard. A couple of minutes later she had herself under control.

“Are you through having fun at my expense?”

“For now,” Lily replied giving me another kiss. “I love you Jase.”

“I love you too.”

“I’m going to change. Don’t peek!”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” I replied as she flew behind me. A moment later she flew in front of me wearing this absurd outfit that made Lily look like a squirrel, complete with ears and a face on the hood. “What is that?”

“It’s a onesie! Isn’t it cute?” Lily asked pulling on the tail.

I could sense her desire for approval and held back the laugh that threatened to come out. “You are very cute in it.”

Lily beamed at me. “Thank you! Ok, let’s try this light spell once more. You should be relaxed now.”

*

The next morning found Lily, Willow, Yam, and I exploring the forest around the cabin. All three pixies were wearing ribbon dresses. Lily yellow, Willow green, and Yam red.

“Is that some of the ribbon we had found?” I asked.

“Yep.”

“How did you find time to turn it into dresses?”

“Pixies are very industrious,” Yam answered and then slapped her left hand over her mouth.”

“Yam, you have a big mouth,” Willow told her fellow pixie and then slapped a hand over her mouth while Yam pointed at her. Lily and I laughed.

“It’s ok. Jase will keep our secrets,” Lily told the others. “Besides, if you’re going to help protect Jase, you’ll need to talk to him some.”

“Why can’t I just zap him when he’s in danger to get his attention?” Willow asked.

“You will not hurt my Jase!” Lily exclaimed getting into the face of the other pixie. Yam laughed.

“Sorry Lily,” Willow replied looking afraid of my pixie.

“I’m sorry too. I’m just…”

“She’s very overprotective of me,” I said for her.

“Yes, that,” Lily agreed. “Maybe one day you’ll have a human of your own and see what it’s like.”

“No way! They are cruel and stink!” Willow replied. Her eyes widened as she looked at me.

“I do smell some. It’s been a while since I took a bath,” I admitted. The pixies laughed.

“We need to get that tub installed in the house,” Lily said.

“You have a working bathtub?” Yam asked grabbing hold of Lily’s shoulders.

“We sure do!”

“Can we use it too?” Willow asked pulling Lily away from Yam.

“Take it easy. Don’t hurt my Lily,” I told the other two pixies. “I’m sure we can…”

“We’ll allow you to use the tub once it is installed correctly and you guys help clean the water pipes,” Lily said interrupting me. The other two pixies exchanged a look and nodded.

“Ok. We agree!” Yam and Willow chorused.

“That’s great,” I said. “How about showing me any herbs and other helpful plants nearby.”

“Ok!” Yam replied. “Follow me.”

Lily flew to me and kissed my cheek as Willow followed Yam. She whispered, “I’ll explain later why I told them they had to help.”

“Alright,” I replied following the pixies as Lily took off after the others.