The Lokian Way (3/7) free porn video

* * * * * * * * * * Sunday * * * * * * * * * * Mercy woke up in darkness and to the strong smell of latex. She only saw dim outlines of her surrounding. Illuminated faintly by the glow from the kitchen lights they had forgotten to turn off. Mostly she felt her surroundings. The leather beneath her, the tight constriction of her latex outfit, and long braided woven hair. Most of all the mass of Victoria laying half on and half beside her. She also felt squeezed somehow. She nearly yelped out loud when it came to her. She had still the dildo fused to her and miraculously it was still buried deep in Victoria's sex. Thinking that enough was enough she unfused it. Then she thought of a better idea. *If Victoria likes this long dick so much I bet she wouldn't mind waking up with it attached to her* A second later it was Mercy straddling Victoria's dick instead of the other way around. While she was at it she decided to unfuse the rest. Their little game of dare and dare clearly over. Besides the couch was really cramped with both of them on it. Add in six air filled pillows fixed on Victoria's chest and it was a downright wonder no one had been pushed off the couch yet. First, Mercy shrunk the wig and then made it vanish together with the nurse cap of her latex outfit. Freeing herself from the strict bondage. Then her latex dress turned into a silken pajama. The latex stockings and her heels turned into a cute pair of short socks. Satisfied she focused on Victoria. The toys in her stayed put, but the butt plug lost its long latex tail. Next, she deflated the rubber breasts. Slowly Victoria slid closer to her and now she felt the soft warmth of her body. By instinct, Victoria nuzzled closer to Mercy. Something she didn't mind one bit. Slowly the paws on hand and feet melted away. The latex retreated upwards on arms and legs till there was just a tight body left. It too changed. Becoming a matching silken pajama to Mercy's. Satisfied, Mercy closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep again. * * * * * * * * * * The next time Mercy woke up it was with a moan. Rays of sunshine blinded her for a moment and Mercy quickly closed her eyes again. While lying she enjoyed the feeling that woke her. Slowly something hard pushed in and out of her. "I see you found my gift," she mumbled and gave a smile. She was rewarded with a few kisses on her chest and then neck. The last one found her way onto Mercy's lips. "It wasn't very well hidden," Victoria purred in her ears. "This certainly feels nice." Mercy opened her eyes and found Victoria's face only hovering a hand span from hers. "Does it? I barely feel anything. Might as well go to sleep again," Mercy teased. "Oh, that we can't have," Victoria murmured and steadily she increased her pace. It wasn't long before Mercy pulled her close and both shuddered as an orgasm flooded them both. Lazily they enjoyed the afterglow till Mercy's wandering eyes fell on the antic wall clock. "Say Victoria. When do your parents return?" "About ten. Why?" "Oh, nothing. Just .. it is half past nine." "What?!" Victoria got up with a shocked expression. Standing up her rubber appendage slid out of Mercy. For a moment she felt so empty without it. "Oh my gosh. We ... We have to tidy up. My parents can't find out about ... This! All this." Mercy snickered but got up too. "Don't panic. Let's split the load. I tidy up here and you hide all your toys." Victoria nodded and sprinted away. Only to return a moment later. "Mercy do you mind?" She pointed down to the good two feet of rubber gently swinging between her legs. "Oh I don't mind," Mercy told her with a grin. A moment later Victoria's pajama had turned into a light summer dress. Barely long enough to hide the phallus. "There! All hidden." "Mercy!" "Well, since you like that toy so much it will be the last toy to be put away. So you better hurry with the rest." "But..." "No buts. Now move." * * * * * * * * * * Nearly half an hour later they were done. Everything stowed away or cleaned up. They even had aired the living room as best as they could. Victoria had never been more happy to have a leather couch as it was easy to wipe it down. "Okay. All done but one thing. Come on do it now!" Victoria urged her. "Alright. Alright. I ..." Whatever Mercy wanted to say was interrupted by the sounds of keys unlocking the door. A moment later Victoria's mother walked in. "Oh. You both are already awake?" Awkwardly Victoria gave her mother a hug. Very deliberately leaning forward so that nothing could betray her not so little secret. "Your father will be here in a minute. Mercy you will be staying for lunch, right? We can drive you home afterward." "Wouldn't miss it in the world," she admitted. Doing her best to ignore the evil eyes she got from Victoria. "Is that a new dress?" Victoria's mother wanted to know. Put on the spot Victoria blushed heavily. "Yes. Mercy picked it out." "Oh, good choice. Let me see a twirl." "M-maybe later. Mercy. Let's pack up the rest of your stuff. Upstairs." "Aww. I wanted to see the twirl too," Mercy teased her but followed her upstairs nonetheless. Alone in her room, Victoria lost her cool. "Please Mercy. I can feel the skirt gliding over it with every step. It is driving me nuts." "Your begging is music in my ear," teased Mercy. Before Victoria could reply a heavy thumb could be heard. "Everything alright in there? I heard something heavy fall down," Victoria's mother asked coming in. Victoria had just barely managed to kick the offending toy under her bed. "Everything is fine. We will be downstairs in another minute." Once her mother was gone she gave Mercy a glare. It would have been intimidating if it wasn't for the unsuccessful suppressed grin. "Just you wait. I'll get my revenge." * * * * * * * * * * After a nice meal and a long chat with Victoria's parents she finally arrived home. Now she could finally take a moment to reflect on the weekend and everything around it. Most of all she was sad that she hadn't had time to talk with Victoria in private. She wasn't even two weeks a girl and she had, in a way, seduced and lured into an amazing evening of sex. Something she wouldn't have thought possible a week ago. But now what? Victoria still hadn't said anything that hinting at more. Had this just be a fling or was there more? She hardly could wait for the next day and school. There were a lot of questions she wanted desperately some answers to. The list of things that were a mystery to her nearly grew daily and even if she found one answer two new one popped up. * * * * * * * * * * Mercy's list of strange things to figure out: - not freaking out about new gender (body feels strangely familiar/no trouble with balance despite new center of gravity - unless sports; does not extend to social things!!) - Magic (TWO big and one small natural spell; might have other spells; need to learn about limitations; don't go over 100% or below 15% or bad things happen; I have way more magic than I should have - Al says to keep it a secret) - Spell 1 lets me change clothes (targets don't notice change unless I want them to; others might notice change; Mom, Dad, Al and Brian know my spell; Victoria too!; 150 feet and line of sight limit; tiring if more than 90 feet) - Spell 2 lets me fuse stuff to people (apparently it suppresses body functions if needed; target person feels fused items as if part of body; damaged fused items regenerate if damaged) - Victoria the deviant mystery (she is way more deviant than I am; freaking big sex toy collection; hides behind an act of being innocent and proper) - evil trickster mages (not all follow the lokian way) * * * * * * * * * * Monday * * * * * * * * * * To say Mercy was nervous going to school was an understatement. Today she walked extra slowly towards the school. There she would see Victoria. Prim and proper Victoria. But there was this other image that flashed through her mind. The same Victoria, but with a look of ecstasy on her face as she felt herself up in her latex catgirl costume. Moaning. Panting. Mercy shook her head to banish those lewd thoughts. Can't arrive at school as a quivering mess lost in arousal. But the question was how would she react to seeing Victoria? How would Victoria react to her? Leaden feet carried her to the school. Just as she arrived on the school grounds she saw Victoria exit a school bus together with a redhead. One that was familiar to Mercy. It took her a moment to remember. The girl had the locker next to Mercy in gym class. Mercy stopped in her tracks. What just happened? She could swear she saw Victoria look in her direction. Only to hastily turn away and practically running into the school. Was she avoiding Mercy? After all that they had shared over the weekend? With a clammy feeling, she headed to the school building. Lost in thought she nearly missed that someone was shouting her name. It was Mitch who caught her so unprepared. "You okay?" he asked. Concerned thoughts from Mitch? If her mind hadn't been elsewhere she might have laughed out loud. "Yeah. Fine," she said without really meaning it. "What's up?" "Oh, well. You know. The 'usual'," he said with a blush. Of course. How could Mercy have forgotten? One of her pranks had backfired and had made Mitch a closet crossdresser. Well, just panties, but it was enough to give Mercy a bad conscience. Especially after Mitch had been found out by his sister and father. To make her feel better, Mercy had offered to change his boring boxers into panties each morning. Then at school day's end, she would reverse the change. "What would you like today?" she asked after checking that no one was close enough to overhear them. Instead of answering Mitch pushed a drawing block into her hands. As she turned the cover pencil drawings of differently styled panties filled each page. Very detailed and she could even make out motives and patterns in the lacing. "Mitch, these are really good," Mercy had to remark. This earned her a proud, but shy and fleeting smile. A few pages in one set took up a whole page. It was a powder-blue pantie with detailing in a darker shade of blue. Framed by a matching garter belt. "Can you make this one?" he asked and Mercy could hear his nervousness. "With the ... accessory." "Sure," Mercy replied. "I might even get jealous a bit. Give me a moment." It took some time as Mercy had to check the drawing a few times. She hadn't made anything this intricate with her spell yet. After a minute she pushed the change onto Mitch's boxer shorts. She looked around once more and then whispered to him, "Want me to leave the garter empty or ..." "Stockings?" Mitch asked. For a moment he looked uncertain but then nodded with a small grin. Once she was done Mercy leaned over. "Mind if I wear a matching pair?" "Why would I mind?" he asked in turn. Honestly perplexed. "It's your design," Mercy reminded him. "It would be my pleasure," he said proudly. They said their goodbyes and walked away. * * * * * * * * * * Mercy was pissed. Well, not really. Angry and confused was more like it. In the last few breaks between classes, Mercy had tried to hunt down Victoria and get an explanation. Why she avoided Mercy or wouldn't answer her texts. But no more. There was one class they shared and this time there was no escape for Victoria. With sure steps, Mercy walked into the changing room for the girls. She gave the redhead who had the locker beside her a small nod in greeting and then turned to face Victoria. "We need to talk," she said and was surprised to see Victoria flinch for a moment. Victoria avoided her eyes and looked flushed. "Look. Can we talk later?" "You've been avoiding me," Mercy accused her. "Later," Victoria pleaded. With surprising quickness, she finished changing and rushed out to the gym. Leaving Mercy with a stunned look. "I thought your sleepover went great," the redhead remarked. "I thought so too," Mercy. "Now she is avoiding me. Has she said anything to you?" Then Mercy blushed. "Sorry, I forgot your name." "Sonja. And no. Not really." Grumbling, Mercy started to dress for gym. "Maybe it has to do something with this," Sonja remarked right when Mercy started to reach for her underwear. Looking down she blushed heavily. She still wore the set of lacy underwear designed by Mitch. It might be a tad overkill for a normal school day. Despite that Mercy doubted that it was the reason for Victoria's reluctance to speak to her. Then again if Victoria wanted to play games Mercy certainly could deliver. "If the prophet can't get to the mountain, then the mountain has come to the prophet!" Sonja patted her on the back. "Good luck with that!" Today was dodge-ball day which suited Mercy's needs just fine. She managed to get into Victoria's team and soon took position behind her. A quick scan confirmed her suspicion. "Oh no! Vicky is missing her favorite toy!" she muttered to herself in glee. Mercy envisioned a change in Victoria's panties and pushed the change through. Of course, without memory alteration. Victoria pushed out an ungrateful "eep" and stumbled. Strangely enough, it saved her from a ball that had her name written on it. Her hand shot to her bottom but stopped before it. She didn't need to touch it to confirm her suspicion. Mercy had stuffed her butt with a plug. Mercy saw the dirty look Victoria gave her and gave a shrug in return. Still not seeing the gain she hoped for Mercy increased the size of the buttplug step by step. Finally, Victoria jogged over while barely avoided some balls heading her way. "Stop it," she hissed. "Once we talk," Mercy countered. Whatever Victoria tried to reply was cut short by a ball she caught with her head. Not that Mercy fared better as a ball strafed her waist. Together they left the field. "After P.E.," Victoria promised. "Just not in the middle of the class. Please undo it." "Fine," Mercy relented. "I hold you to it. If not..." "I know. I know. You can do worse..." With a small smirk, Mercy turned away and walked it a little off. Passing by Sonja she whispered, "One to zero for the prophet." * * * * * * * * * * They met behind the gym and Mercy - short on patience - simply said: "Talk." Victoria had the decency to actually blush. "I guess I owe you an apology." "You guess? We had sex not two nights ago and I am pretty sure you planned for it to happen," Mercy accused her. "Not so loud," Victoria hissed back. "I admit that yes, I may have wanted that outcome." "Then why the cold shoulder today?" "Because I'm confused." "You are confused?" Mercy repeated as if she wasn't sure she heard right. "You remember when I told you I liked deviants more than any specific gender? You ask me if that means that I like you and I couldn't answer. I thought sleeping with you would make it clearer, but it only got more confusing." "So you are saying...?" "That I don't know if I am attracted to you as a person or you as the trickster mage," Victoria confessed. "I just ... Trying to sort this out and I am not making headway." Mercy wanted to say something, but no words came over her lips. Hadn't she fought with the same thoughts this morning? Pushing her own decision aside because surely speaking with Victoria would make everything clear to her. Now that she knew that Victoria was even more confused than her the question was: what now? "I guess I can understand that..." Mercy finally admitted. "I may need some more time," Victoria whispered. "So we are just friends for now?" "Maybe friends with certain benefits?" Victoria asked with a weak uncertain smile forming on her lips. "Fine!" Mercy agreed. "But no more running away for me." "Deal," Victoria half shouted. "Speaking of benefits. Now that P.E. is over I wouldn't mind a plug." Mercy couldn't help but chuckle. Now, this was the Victoria she knew and understood. "Sure," she said with a grin. As they rounded the corner they saw Sonja leaning on the wall waiting for them. "Did you two hash everything out?" she asked with concern while stepping closer. "Right as rain," Victoria said with a smile returning to her face. "Good. I was worried ..." Sonja started but was rudely cut off as someone threw her arms over her shoulder. "Are those two your newest conquests?" the cheerleader captain asked while the squad surrounded Sonja. "Bug off Stacy," Sonja shot back and shoved her away. "They are just friends." Stacy used the momentum to turn to Mercy and Victoria. "Watch out for that one. Or you might be next." Laughing Stacy gathered her gang of cheerleaders and walked away. "What was that about?" Mercy wanted to know. "They found out that I am gay," Sonja said with a grimace. "Apparently that is a crime." Mercy mimicked her grimace. After last weekend Mercy couldn't deny that she still was into girls. Very much so. She wasn't sure yet how she felt about guys, but she was at least a lesbian for sure. She spared a glance to Victoria. She might not be one. More a deviantsexual if Mercy interpreted it right. "Well, I don't like bullying," Mercy said aloud. "They are lucky I can't see them anymore. Or else ..." "Right," Victoria said with a contemplative voice. "You tamed Mitch Jenkins somehow. You still haven't told me how." "That's a secret I can't tell," Mercy shot back. "Anyway. Time for lunch. Brian probably wondering where we are." "Fine," Victoria relented. "Lead the way. See you around Sonja." Sonja waved and headed off to her own friends. * * * * * * * * * * "There you are," Brian opened when Mercy and Victoria arrived with their tablets at their usual table. "What took you so long?" "Victoria had to tell me something in private," Mercy answered. "Hadn't you enough time on the weekend to exchange little secrets?" Brian asked. "What were you up to when I left you?" "Nothing!" Mercy half shouted when pictures of their sex adventure returned to her mind full force. Victoria answered at the same time but kept her cool. "Mercy cried to a chick flick." "Victoria!" Mercy cried out. "What. Really?" Brian asked. "Sure did," Victoria grinned. "You'll pay for this," Mercy promised and shook her fist theatrical in her direction. "Pah! Without my prompting, you only do lame pranks. Took ages to get a decent one out on the weekend," Victoria remarked casually. Now Mercy decided she needed something to prove that Victoria was wrong. Of course, in exactly that moment Mercy drew blanks. She glanced at Brain for help and it came to her. "Whoopie cushion!" "A whoopie cushion?" Victoria repeated. Not really believing her own ears. "See? Lame." "Hey!" Brian protested. Of course, he would. A whoopie cushion was his first gift to Mercy after she had become a trickster mage and girl. Mercy, however, remained calm and gave her a predatory grin. "Sure. In fact two. I'll just change your panties so they cover your butt cheeks. And under each one sewed in a whoopie cushion." Victoria hesitated for a moment, but the gave her a grin of her own. "You forgot. P.E. day. I got spare panties. I can change." "Good luck trying after I fuse it on you for a week," Mercy said with a chuckle. "You wouldn't!" Victoria exclaimed. "Don't poke the bear or the bear pokes back," Mercy proudly proclaimed. "And this bear is a trickster mage." "Touch?," Victoria conceded. They both shook hands. For now, it was a draw. But Mercy knew that Victoria wouldn't stay quiet for long. She needed to come up with new things to keep her in check. A hassle. But one she preferred to the cold shoulder she had gotten this morning. Grinning she changed the topic. * * * * * * * * * * Tuesday * * * * * * * * * * Mercy was at her locker changing her books when she had to grin a little. Today Mitch had surprised her with another exquisite drawing of panties and garter. She had to admit she loved the silken feeling of her stocking rubbing against her legs. She also felt a little deviant running around with provocative underwear. Maybe that was what had Victoria hooked. The thrill of something lewd hidden and none the wiser. She had to snicker when a random thought entered her mind. Mitch still was a bad influence. Just of a different kind. A lacy one. At least he wasn't bullying anyone anymore. As she closed her locker her smile vanished. Down the hall, she could see the cheerleaders - led by Stacy - who had surrounded Sonja again. The cute redhead that had the gym locker beside Mercy in P.E. Yesterday Sonja had admitted that she was a lesbian and being bullied for it. Shaking her head Mercy thought about what to do. She knew she had to do something, but it couldn't be flashy. Best would be something hidden. Hunting for inspiration she looked through what the cheerleaders were wearing. Thanks to her magic Mercy could even see what they all wore underneath. There she hit paydirt. One of the girls was wearing panties with a slogan. "Cute guys can do me." Quick thinking Mercy changed it to: "Cute girls can do me." After all, maybe the girl would show some restrain if she wore panties that could draw the wrath of her fellow cheerleader. Liking the idea Mercy changed the whole bunch. One pantie gained needlepoint lettering proclaiming "carpet muncher", while another got the classical print "FBI: federal boob inspector." Stacy got Mercy's special attention. Her panties soon spelled out "Guys no admittance, girls ride for free." Her work done Mercy could see a visible change. All cheerleaders looked more nervous and glanced at each other. Mercy couldn't hear what they last said to Sonja, but not soon after the hallway was free of bullying cheerleaders. With a win under her belt, Mercy strutted proudly to her next class. * * * * * * * * * * Wednesday * * * * * * * * * * "Finally," Victoria exclaimed. "School day is over." Mercy followed her out of the school with a shake of her head. "I thought you loved school. Mommy's little girl always doing best." "Not even close but you gotta do what you gotta do to blend in," Victoria sighed. "All to hide a little secret," Mercy added. "Feels pretty big to me," Victoria corrected. Of course, she meant the big buttplug she was hiding from everyone. Mercy meanwhile took a seat on a bench in front of the school and Victoria plopped down beside her. "Don't miss your bus," Mercy teased. Victoria shrugged. "There are others," she nonchalantly replied. "Why the worry? Wanna get rid of me?" The truth was that Mercy indeed wanted just that. Not because Mercy wanted her to go, but it would certainly make things easier as she had two things on her list today before she could go home. "Just checking," Mercy quickly said to distract her. "Oh, right. Still staying for class president stuff?" Victoria looked flabbergasted. "You don't know? I quit last week." "Just like that?" "Sure," Victoria said with a shrug. "I knew with a trickster mage in our school I might have less time for boring stuff. To be honest I think they were glad I quit. Swear I heard murmurs of slaver and hardass muttered." Just then Mitch Jenkins exited the school. Mercy took a moment to focus to change Mitch's panties back to boxers. Else his father might get another fit of rage. Mitch had admitted that he still had to show each day that he wore boxers. Noticing the change he gave her a quick nod of his head. "What is up with you and Mitch?" Victoria asked. Mercy couldn't help but twitch a little. "Nothing." "I am not blind you know," Victoria chided her. "Every day you wait in the morning till you saw Mitch or even spoke to him. Same at the end of school. Should I be jealous?" "None of your business," Mercy said and gave her a raspberry. "But no. Nothing like that. Well, I've got to get going. Can't be late." As Mercy stood up Victoria quickly followed suit. "Now you are suddenly in a hurry," Victoria said and shook her head. "What mischief are you up to now?" "Ha. You wish," Mercy said with a shrug. "It is time to met the rest of the gang." As she saw Victoria's doubtful look she added. "Trickster mages. Today is group therapy or something." "Oh, that I have to see." "Are you sure? For one I have no clue if they let you in and on the other hand, I can't guarantee your safety." "That bad?" Victoria teased. "Probably not. Why the interest? Oh, is it because ..." "My run-in with a trickster mage a few years back?" Mercy nodded. Last weekend Victoria had admitted that she had run into a trickster mage before. One that had twisted her head in one of the worst ways. The mage had been on the run after a prison break. He had convinced Victoria's family that it would be the best idea ever to hide him. That was his signature spell. Make certain ideas attractive to a person. In Victoria's case, he had whispered into her ear that she could only be useful if she trained herself for him. That training included sex-toys. Victoria was fine now, but there was a time when her family moved just to leave those memories behind. "Maybe. But I admit I am curious. Your spells are fantastic. I wonder what they have." "Well," Mercy said with a sigh. "Your funeral." "Can't be that bad," Victoria countered. "Or they would be in jail." Together they started to walk towards the center. * * * * * * * * * * "Hey Al," Mercy greeted the older man who waited for her at the center's entrance. "Hey Mercy," Al said with a grin. "Who is your friend? Did you pick up a random new trickster mage?" "Ha, no. But she has the mindset. Al this is Victoria. Victoria this is Al. He is my 'mentor'." For the last word she added air-quotes. "I am the resident Mercy expert," Victoria said with a cocky grin while offering her hand for a shake. "Is that so? And why would Mercy bring her 'expert' today?" Al asked. "To coach her in how to best utilize her spells," Victoria said while crossing her arms. "I may be able to help you too. What is your spell?" Mercy facepalmed and then chuckled. "Smooth Victoria. Real smooth. A real secret agent you are." "Something I should know of?" Al asked. "Just trying to find out if your little circle of trickster mages is good or a secret sect of doomsday worshippers," Victoria explained. "She had a run in with a trickster mage a few years back. The bad kind. Now she wants to know how safe we are," Mercy translated Victoria's speech to plain English. "Well. Bad news. We all worship the lokian way," Al said with a chuckle. "Joke aside you have nothing to fear from trickster mages who follow the lokian way." "So I am safe?" Victoria asked. "Are you safe around Mercy?" Al asked in return. "I knew it! I am doooomed," Victoria howled with a grin. "I am not that bad," Mercy protested. "Let that be judged by your peers," Al said with a deep voice only to return to his normal one a moment later. "No, seriously. Safe you aren't. Trickster mages have to prank. Even those who follow the lokian way. But we try to keep the pranks small. Even if we have to do two or three instead of a big one." "So nothing to hide?" Victoria asked. "If you want you can come in," Al offered. "We have a group meeting in a few minutes." "Really?" Mercy asked. "I thought it would be more secret." "Mercy," Al started in a voice that Mercy immediately recognized as one used by teachers for unruly children. "The mission of this center is to educate others in 'the lokian way'. Not just trickster mages, but normal people too." "What are we waiting for? Let's head in," Victoria chimed in with a smile. "Okay. Okay. Follow me," Al said while holding the door open for them. They walked past Al's office and another one before stopping in front of double doors. Both propped open with wedges. Beyond was a small common room dominated by a loose circle build with plastic chairs. To the side, there was a table with coffee and donuts. They saw that two people had already arrived and chatted by themselves. "I think we are wrong here," Victoria commented dryly. "This might be the meeting for the anonymous alcoholics." "You couldn't be more wrong," Al countered. "Here we chastise people who not give in to their addiction. Come on. Let me introduce you to the gang." "The gang? Oh, my Mercy. You are in with a bad crowd," Victoria said and Mercy facepalmed herself. This could only get worse. "This is Clarissa Weeks," Al introduced the woman. "Works at the local library." The woman gave a nod to Mercy and Victoria. "And here we have Dave Miller," Al continued. "He worked in politics. Dave. Clarissa. This is Mercy and her 'personal coach' Victoria'." "Pleased to meet you," Clarissa said, while Dave gave a short, "Howdy." "Misses Cannon isn't here yet?" Al asked. "As always late," Clarissa remarked. She pushed up her glasses to accent her statement. Her whole wardrobe looked like the stereotypical librarian. Including a strict bun on her head and a no-nonsense expression on her face. "Well, then let's get started without her," Al said with a sigh. "Why don't we start with each of us introducing our natural spells. I'll start. My spell lets me temporarily switch out a word for another word in my victim's mind. They want to say one word and blur out the other one without noticing." "So, what pranks do you pull with that?" Victoria asked. Before Al could answer Mercy leaned over to Victoria and fake whispered to her. "You think my pranks are lame? Al thinks it is hilarious to make my Mom say 'funbags keepers' instead of 'bra'." "Dude, really?" Victoria asked. "I admit that wasn't my finest prank," Al admitted with a weak chuckle. "Clarissa, why don't you go on." "Fine," Clarissa said and pushed up her glasses again. "I am one of the weaker trickster mages. A power level between two and three. I can create localized areas that amplify vibrations." Seeing the confusion on Mercy's and Victoria's face Al jumped in. "She amplifies sound waves. Like a megaphone." "I'll have you know," Clarissa said with a small smirk, "that I haven't always been a librarian. In fact, I hated libraries. All those strict rules. But now they are an ideal playground." "So you what? Make people whisper really loud?" "That," Clarissa confirmed. "Or make page turning really loud. The squeaking of shoes. Stuff like that. Once I managed to amplify a fart from a co-worker. That was hilarious." "Sure. And you?" Victoria asked Dave. "I make sure people say the truth," Dave said a little annoyed by Victoria's bash ways. "So you are a walking lie detector?" Victoria asked. "Tell me, Victoria. Why are you really here?" Dave asked instead. "To find out if any of you are evil as the first trickster mage I met," Victoria said at a quick pace. Only to throw her hands over her mouth after she was done. "Dave. Go easy on her," Al chastised him. "An evil trickster mage?" Clarissa asked. "One who can put ideas into your head," Victoria replied defeated. "Then he makes those ideas really really compelling." "Gideon," Al practically hissed and the others suddenly looked very serious. "I am sorry," Dave said into the quiet. "That man should never have become a trickster mage. No one should ever have to suffer his presence." Nods came from all around her. Suddenly put on the spot Victoria blushed and looked down. Avoiding their eyes. In her lap, she saw her hand that had grabbed onto Mercy's as if she was a lifeline in a storm. She had to force herself to unclench and put on a brave smile. "Ancient history, right?" Victoria said with a weak smile. "So Dave can make people say the truth. Come on Mercy. Your turn. You can blow them all out of the water with your spells." "Spells? More than one?" Clarissa asked. "Two major one and one smaller," Mercy confirmed. "That we know of," Al added. "There might be more. On her power level, it might be possible." "Now I am curious," Dave said and leaned forward. "Apparently I am a ten," Mercy lied. Al had said she might be closer to a seventeen or so. If the scale would reach that far up. He also advised her to keep this a secret. To tell no one. "Tens are rare," Clarissa remarked. "Not that much," Dave added. "Isn't Misses Cannon a ten too." "Yes. Now, Mercy. Why don't you tell them what you can do," Al suggested. "I am particularly curious about your second major spell. When did you find out what it does?" "On the weekend," Mercy replied. "But maybe I should explain the others first as they build on each other. Well, the first spell I noticed is the small one. I just have to see someone and concentrate to know all the clothes they are wearing. Even those that aren't visible. I am impressed, Al. Today not only matching socks, but none has holes in it." "Of course," Al said to break down the chuckling around him. "I am a responsible adult." "With my first major spell, Al helped me," Mercy continued. "I can change clothing or even other things someone wears. Like make-up." "That could be useful," Dave commented. "No more buying new clothes." "Well, if I do it to others then I have two options. One is that they won't notice the change. They see the new clothes but make up some internal reasoning why they wear it. It might even change their memory or in extreme cases their personality. The other is to suppress that mind-altering part." "That sounds like the spell could lead to a lot of trouble," Clarissa remarked. "You have no idea," Mercy confessed. Seeing the questions brewing behind the faces around her Mercy hastily added, "It did lead once to unexpected trouble, but I can't tell you because it involves the secret of another person." "I don't know either," Victoria said with a shrug. "She won't even tell me." "I can tell you that my mother, who hates shoes with a heel, now suddenly has that one special pair were she doesn't mind the two-inch heel," Mercy said to steer the conversation away from the one very sore spot on her conscience. "So if we take this as an example," Clarissa mused. "Then slowly changing all your mother's shoes to one with a heel would mean she would lose her aversion to shoes with heels?" "Probably," Mercy admitted. "To be honest it scares the crap out of me. I don't want to change anyone. Especially not my mother." "Small pranks and it won't come to that," Al assured her. "Did your second spell help to shift off the pranking load?" "My second spell is related to the first one." Mercy pointed at Victoria. "She helped me to find it." "Oh, can I tell them," Victoria chimed up. When Mercy nodded, Victoria continued, "So we found this spell in a book that supposedly makes clothes safe. We couldn't exactly figure out how the spell is supposed to do that. But in trying we found out that Mercy can fuse clothes and other worn stuff to their body. It feels like they are part of their body. That and includes a sense of touch and sadly pain too. If damaged they heal too at a very fast rate." "It can also suppress body functions blocked by it. Or I guess substitute it with trickster magic. When I fuse something there is a small constant flow of magic going out from me. If I cut off that flow the spell comes undone," Mercy added. "That begs the question," Dave threw in. "If you fuse enough clothes to people could you offset the trickster magic influx normal to you and would it make your need to prank go away?" "I don't know and honestly I don't want to try that," Mercy admitted. "There are so many things that could go wrong and I would have to find people as victims. I am not comfortable with that." "And it is good that you aren't comfortable with it," Al said. Suddenly Victoria burst out into laughter. As she noticed everyone looking at her she tried to explain. "I am not sure how to say this, but why was I even afraid. Everything you do is lame. Al does some word mingling. Clarissa slightly annoys people. Dave can make people say some embarrassing things about themselves. And Mercy... You change a bunch of socks. You all are ... lame. Just lame." Murmurs of protest quelled up, but a single female voice cut through them. "She is right, you know." Victoria and Mercy looked behind themselves and saw a young woman leaning on the door frame. She wore very old fashioned clothing. Like someone would have worn a century ago. Mercy also immediately recognized her. For years, back when she had been Mark, she had seen her often on her way to school or back. It had always given her the creeps as she could swear the woman's eyes had always followed her. "It is also lame to always come late and wait for a dramatic moment to come in," Dave threw in. "It isn't my fault the people in this century over-value precision of time measuring," the young woman replied. "Mavis," Al said with a nod. "This is Mercy, our newest trickster mage in town, and her friend Victoria. Girls. This is Miss Cannon. She helped build this center." "Wasn't the center build ages ago?" Victoria asked. "Seventeen years ago to be precise," Mavis said with a smirk. "And to comment further on your observation. Yes, all trickster mages here are lame. And it is a good thing that they are." Mavis pointed at Al. "Imagine him in an air traffic control tower. Switching around numbers and letters in the controller's minds. It could cause mayhem. Clarissa here can project her field anywhere. Not just on the source of a sound. Even directly over the ears of a victim. Imagine anything you hear amplified by ten. You would either go crazy or go deaf. Dave's spell sounds like one to entertain people on a party till you realize the full extent of his spell. He could bring down our current political system by exposing all the half-truth and lies of politicians. As for Mercy. I think you know better than us what she might be capable of." Both girls looked shocked. It was Victoria who reacted first. "So lame is good?" she asked. "Maybe lame isn't the best word for it," Mavis said. "People who become trickster mages usually had a nice upbringing in a conservative family. Boring stuff." "But isn't that contradictory," Mercy asked. "Is it?" Mavis asked with a predatory grin. "Victoria here seems to be taking well to pranks. If she thinks those are lame pranks, what do you think would happen if she had your spells?" Mercy had to only think a few seconds before one word slipped her mouth: "Armageddon." "I am not that bad," Victoria said with a grin and playfully slapped Mercy on the shoulder. "Though I admit. Stopping would be hard." "She would at least rate as a minor natural disaster," Mercy told everyone. Earning her chuckles from the whole round. "Everyone knows that trickster magic chooses their mages, but you are saying they aren't chosen randomly?" "That is a lesson best reserved for another day." Cutting them off like that earned Mavis booing from the whole group. "So what can you do?" Victoria asked. It made Mercy slightly shook her head in resignation. Victoria was always so direct if she wanted something. "If you must know then look down on yourself," Mavis said with a grin. Victoria looked down and saw her skin grow paler, while a few spots here and there slightly darkened. She reached for her hair as her black strands turned to red. "You made me a redhead?" "You have green eyes too," Mercy remarked in awe. "Reminds me of Sonja." "Is this an illusion?" Victoria asked. "I can change bodies. Mine or someone else's," Mavis explained. Now Mercy was all ears. Her lips and mouth suddenly very dry. "Can you change anything?" "You want to know if I can make you a boy again?" Mavis said with a sigh. "Or if you made her a girl in the first place," Victoria said sharply. Mavis waved her hand and Victoria changed back to her old self. "I did not change Mercy into a girl. That day I wasn't around. And thankfully none of the others. There was so much trickster magic in that vessel that it would have flooded any trickster mage close by and put them into a pranking frenzy. Not an event I like to witness twice. As for changing you..." There was a long sigh before Mavis continued. "I always had trouble changing other trickster mages. They need to be a few levels of power below me. If what Al told me is right then you're a ten as I am. The trickster magic inside your body would resist my own spell. However, I may be able to help you with mastering your spells. As our spells are so related." Mercy was still pouting so Victoria jumped in with a question. "How so? Yours is a body changing spell and Mercy's are clothing related." "What makes you think..." Mavis eyed Al. "Oh, Al. What did I say about jumping to conclusions?" "Hey. I only knew two of those three and they pointed that direction," he defended himself. "Where was I? Oh, right. Minor spell lets you know someone is wearing on their body. The first major spell lets you change things on someone's body. And the second major spell lets you fuse things to one's body. One could argue that the common denominator is the body." "One could say the same for clothes," Victoria threw in. More out of proving Mavis wrong than actually believing it. "Let's find out," Mavis said with a grin. She pulled out a silken scarf and let it fall on an empty chair. "Is it the spell to change clothes or to change things on or near the body? Mercy. Please try to change this scarf." Mercy was a little flabbergasted that she hadn't thought before to try changing clothes that weren't on a person. Nonetheless, she tried to concentrate. Push another mental image of a piece of clothing over the scarf. But nothing happened. She couldn't even change the scarf's color. "It ain't working," Mercy admitted. "It must be on a body." "Mercy!" Victoria exclaimed. "Al," Mavis said and turned towards him. "Under the circumstances I suggest I'll be taking over as Mercy's mentor." Al was scratching the back of his head. Clearly flustered that he overlooked the possibility. "Maybe. That's for Mercy to decide." From one moment to the next Mercy could feel the focus of five pairs of eyes resting on her. She liked Al, but Mavis had a certain allure. One she couldn't deny. "I'd like to give Mavis a try. Sorry, Al." "It's alright," he waved it off. "Whatever helps you the most is best." "Well, that was exciting, but I have to get going," Clarissa announced. Just like that, the others noticed the time too. Everyone said their goodbyes and soon shuffled out. In the hallway, Al caught up to Mercy. "Mercy. A moment." When Victoria hovered nearby he added, "Alone please." Grumbling Victoria walked a few feet off. "What is it?" Mercy wanted to know. "About Mavis. Just be cautious. I've known her for years. She ain't always telling the truth or all of it. She's old Mercy. I don't know how old, but very. Sometimes she speaks like, as crazy as it sounds as if she knew Loki. The Loki. Founder of this philosophy we follow. And he hasn't been seen in centuries. Probably dead." "Thanks, Al," Mercy said with a nod. "I'll keep an eye out for tricks. Or pranks." "Do that," Al agreed. "And keep the things secret that I told you about." Again Mercy nodded. She remembered how Al had said that people might act irrationally if they knew how much trickster magic she controlled. "See you soon Al." "You too Mercy." "I don't trust her!" Victoria exclaimed as soon as she and Mercy exited the center. "She is creepy. You should have stuck with Al. He is lame but nice. Miss fashion backward can bite it." "I agree," Mercy calmly said. "Then why did you accept her as your mentor?" Victoria asked. "Because of her spell." "She can't change you back," Victoria countered. "Or do you think she is lying about that?" "Not a bit," Mercy admitted. "But there is something else. Al once said trickster mages could learn the spells of other trickster mages. Takes time and patience. I bet less so if both trickster mages have similar spells. If I could learn her spell then I could ..." "Become a boy again?" Victoria asked. "Do you miss being a boy that much?" "No. Not really," Mercy said after a moment. "And that frightens me. Victoria I don't want to change back into a boy because I miss being one. Being a girl feels normal and I have to wonder, would being a boy still feel normal too? That I have to know." "I guess," Victoria said. "You know what wouldn't change if you become a boy again?" "No. What?" "Your pranks still would be lame!" "Oh you," Mercy said and shook her fist in mock anger. "I'll show you my pranks aren't lame." "First you have to catch me!" Victoria shouted while running ahead. Mercy shook her head. As long as she could see Victoria, Mercy could use her spells on Victoria. But that was too easy. And lame. "I'll get you!" she shouted and gave chase. * * * * * * * * * * Mercy's list of strange things to figure out: - not freaking out about new gender (body feels strangely familiar/no trouble with balance despite new center of gravity - unless sports; does not extend to social things!!) - Magic (two big and one small natural spell; might have other spells; need to learn about limitations; don't go over 100% or below 15% or bad things happen; I have way more magic than I should have - Al says to keep it a secret) - Spell 1 lets me change clothes (targets don't notice change unless I want them to; others might notice change; Mom, Dad, Al and Brian know my spell; Victoria too!; 150 feet and line of sight limit; tiring if more than 90 feet) - Spell 2 lets me fuse stuff to people (apparently it suppresses body functions if needed; target person feels fused items as if part of body; damaged fused items regenerate if damaged) - Victoria the deviant mystery (she is way more deviant than I am; freaking big sex toy collection; hides behind an act of being innocent and proper) - evil trickster mages (not all follow the lokian way; name of the evil one who assualted Victoria is named Gideon) - I have a new mentor (Mavis Cannon; might be old as hell; can change bodies of herself or others; might have known Loki; Victoria and I don't trust her) - there might be a way for me to turn back into a boy * * * * * * * * * * Thursday * * * * * * * * * * "You are getting really good at this," Mercy remarked as Mitch handed her another sketch he made. Today's pantie design wasn't lacy, but no less impressive. It looked like a series of ribbons interwoven into a checkerboard pattern. However, the width of the ribbons wasn't uniform and tapered as they moved downward. "This also could be a great design for a bikini," Mercy added. "Really?" Mitch asked baffled. "I haven't thought about that. A matching garter was next on my list to design," he admitted quietly. "Well, panties for now," Mercy replied in an equally hushed tone. A moment later they wore matching panties again. Mercy couldn't help it. She liked his designs. Even if it meant that there was this weird result of them both wearing the same underwear. "Thanks," Mitch said enthusiastically. "See you after school." Mercy gave him a small wave as he walked off. With her early morning duty done she looked around for Victoria or Brian. However, a younger girl caught her eyes. Mercy didn't know her, but she recognized the look on her face. She was pissed off. "What did you do to my brother?" the girl hissed as she came close to Mercy. Only stopping when she was uncomfortably close to her. "Who?" Mercy asked confused. "Mitch!" the girl half shouted and then looked around nervously if she had drawn the attention of others. When no one cared she turned back to Mercy. "I am his sister Melanie. Now, what did you do to him?" "N-nothing," Mercy lied. She certainly wasn't telling that she had made her brother a closet crossdresser. One who had been found out. "Your father already accused me of the same. In front of the principal. Nothing came out of it." "I guess," Melanie reluctantly agreed. But all too soon the fire in her eyes turned. "But why are you hanging out with him? Every morning and sometimes after school for a few moments. Something is up. He acts ... differently." "You mean he isn't bullying anymore? Look," Mercy started. "All I can say is that, after your father accused me, we talked. Maybe because he can't do that with his father or you. If you want to know more talk to him. And just between us: isn't it better that he stopped the bullying?" "Yes, but ..." Melanie looked pained for a moment. "I worry about him." "Then talk to him," Mercy urged her again. "What if he doesn't want to talk to me?" Melanie asked in a small voice. "Then maybe you haven't earned his trust back. That is up to you." "Thanks. I'll try," Melanie vowed. She was about to head away when she turned back around. "Sorry for ambushing you like that." "It's okay. After all, it was because you care about your brother, right?" Melanie nodded. With a wave, she left Mercy alone. "What's with the interrogation?" The sudden voice made Mercy jump. Turning around she saw Victoria smiling like a Cheshire cat. "Can't tell," Mercy brushed her off. "Sorry, but I have a strict policy. Only one interrogation of me before the first class." "Party pooper," Victoria accused her. Mercy was about to answer when a shout got her attention. "Hey, Sonja! On the prowl again?" It was Stacy and her cheerleaders, who zeroed in on Sonja. A redhead Mercy knew from gym class. Sonja took a turn down a hallway and the cheerleaders followed like bloodhounds on a hunt. "Sorry Victoria," Mercy said. "We talk at lunch. It seems I have to change some panties before class." Victoria looked flabbergasted as Mercy stalked away. Those cheerleaders had no clue that they would go from being the hunters to being the prey. "And she didn't even have time to change my plug," Victoria complained to the air. * * * * * * * * * * Mercy was first sitting in the classroom. This was unusual, as she dreaded the physics class with all her might. It wasn't that physics was in itself boring. It was Mister Hesbrow. He was a walking fossil and to say his teaching was boring was the understatement of the century. It was time to mix things up. Play a prank. But Mercy drew either blank for pranks with her spells or they were just too much. She didn't want to be found out and most of her ideas involved putting him into embarrassing outfits. Something else needed to be done. For this Mercy decided to go old school. Her 'evil' deed already done she waited for the other students and Mister Hesbrow to arrive. Thankfully a few other students arrived first and made it less obvious that Mercy was the prankster. Mister Hesbrow walked in without a second glance around. Opening a textbook he prepared himself for the lesson. The bell rang and he stood up. "If you did your reading assignment, then by now you understand that..." Mister Hesbrow stopped dead in his monologue when he reached for the chalk and found a pink one. The school's usual white one gone. Frowning he walked to his desk and opened a drawer. As his frown deepened Mercy had to hide a grin. She knew what he had found. More pink chalk. She had switched out every last piece of white chalk for a pink one. Mister Hesbrow look through the class and his gaze stopped on Mercy. She gave her best innocent but attentive look. Holding the eye contact Mister Hesbrow walked over to his leather satchel. Opening a flap he pulled out a pristine new box of white chalk. Mercy had to do her best to not let her inner devastation show. She had been outsmarted. By a stuffy old teacher no less. Now he continued his monologue and wrote in his small writing on the board as nothing had been wrong. It made her furious. Mercy couldn't just let him win. She had to do something. Her more extreme options of spell powered pranks ran through her mind. Then a sudden epiphany blossomed in her mind. If Mavis - her new mentor - was right she couldn't just change things someone wore, but anything close to one's body. Like the white piece of chalk in Mister Hesbrow's hand. In a moment when Mister Hesbrow turned his back to his students, Mercy struck. She nearly jumped in triumph as her spell worked. Unknown to the students Mister Hesbrow held up a pink piece of chalk in his hands. He hesitated for a moment as if he tried to decide why he was holding up said chalk. Then he raised it and started to retrace a few chosen words. Highlighting them as especially important. Soon he picked up a white piece of chalk again and wrote another sentence. Only to switch to pink again at the end and to highlight another two words. Mercy couldn't help but grin. Success. The battle won, despite setbacks. She had changed Mister Hesbrow. It hadn't been her intention and it was only a little, but it made her proud nonetheless. She took the splash of color as a good sign. Maybe in time, she could help Mister Hesbrow become less stuffy and dry. Maybe she could... Someone shaking her shoulder brought Mercy's attention back to the classroom. One where Mister Hesbrow had her in his gaze again. "Is the Misses still daydreaming or are you ready to answer the question?" Mister Hesbrow asked sharply. Mercy winced. "Could I hear the question again?" she asked in a small voice. The war wasn't won. Turned out the battle wasn't yet either. Mercy vowed that it would be. With her the victor. * * * * * * * * * * Friday * * * * * * * * * * "I am not sure this is a good idea," Mercy said. Doubt coloring her voice. She stood a little to the side of the school's entrance and held Mitch's sketchbook. His latest two drawings continued the new design direction he had shown her yesterday. Patterns of interwoven ribbons that accented the body's contours. His new drawings featured a matching garter belt and bra to the panties of yesterday. "But..." Mitch started only to be cut off by Mercy. "The garter belt: yes. But the bra? Mitch. That might be a lot more noticeable. Do you really want to risk it?" "You are right," Mitch relented. "I was just so curious." Mercy sighed. It all started with one small prank. Boxer shorts to ruby panties. The consequence had been that Mitch had developed a crossdressing addiction to panties. Mercy had failed to notice how the addiction had evolved. It now included garter belts and apparently, Mitch was eager for the next step: bras. All because of her one prank. It made her feel guilty and in turn she had helped Mitch with his cross-dressing. But were would it end? "Tell you what," Mercy said as she caved to her guilt. "We can't do it here. Too risky. Let's meet Sunday at the park. At three?" "I'll be there," Mitch said enthusiastically. "It's a date. Well. Not a date date. Thanks, Mercy." "Sure," Mercy replied. "Anything else?" "Well. The pantie and the garter? Please?" "All right," Mercy agreed. Taking a moment to make the two sketches real for both of them. "See you when school is over." Mercy stole herself away before someone else could bother her. She ducked into a restroom that was further away from the entrance. It was curiosity that steered her action. While she had worn garters and panties designed by Mitch before, she hadn't really seen them on herself. Making sure no-one was there, she stripped out of her panties and studied her stocking clad legs. Framed by the garter and pantie. "Looks really nice on you." Mercy twirled around in shock, only to see Victoria who had snuck into the restroom. Mercy practically jumped into her slacks to cover herself up again. "Awww," Victoria said with a pout. "It was such a nice view." "I was just checking if there were any running lines," Mercy lied. "You know you could do that with your spells, right?" Victoria teased. "Is there a reason why you stalked after me?" Mercy asked a little grumpy. "Of course there is!" Victoria exclaimed. She pulled out a little case and opened it for Mercy to see. In it, Mercy could see two cat-eye contact lenses. "I want to wear them and you to fuse them to me," Victoria explained. "In other words, you want to abuse me for my spells again," Mercy concluded with a lopsided grin. "Mercy! I am shocked you would think so low of me," Victoria said with vehemence, but the small twitch of the corners of her mouth betrayed her real feelings. "I'll have you know that this is to gauge the extent of your spells. In this case the fusion spell." "Oh do tell professor Victoria. How will it help me?" Mercy mocked her. "Do you remember last Saturday?" "How could I forget?" Mercy asked in return. No way she could forget the sex marathon they both had. Mercy in a tight nurse uniform made of latex and Victoria a strange latexified version of a human-cat hybrid. "Right. Now we noticed that the tail you gave my buttplug became animated. Both, the fur and the latex version. Now, this... " Victoria held up the contact lenses. "... will tell us something more about that aspect. If I wear those contact lenses and you fuse them, will they just be stuck there? Or do they gain function?" "You mean taking over the contraction of your pupils?" "Exactly!" Victoria exclaimed. "You game?" "Sure." Victoria scrambled to put both lenses in. "I am ready," she said after a minute. Mercy did her part and knew it had worked when Victoria gasped. "For a moment the room was very bright," she let Mercy know. Then, Victoria looked into the mirror. "I think my cat pupils have slightly contracted. What do you think?" "Maybe," Mercy admitted. "Not sure." With a grin, Victoria fished out a pen-light. "That's why I bought this little helper." She turned it on and flashed her eyes. Only to double over and start cursing like a sailor. "Damn it, that was bright!" "What did you expect?" Mercy asked. "Give me the pen-light. I'll make sure to not blind you. Now, look at me." Mercy took care to expose Victoria only partially to the light and whistled after what she saw. "They do contract. Victoria you have cat- eyes for real." "This is so cool!" Victoria exclaimed. "Oh, look at the time. The class is starting soon!" Like a whirlwind, Victoria fished out the pen-light out of Mercy's hand and scooped up the contact lens case. A heartbeat later she had rushed out of the restroom. "She does know that I can unfuse from a distance, right?" Mercy asked into the empty room. Sighing she shouldered her bag and headed to class. * * * * * * * * * * Mercy stomped out of the school building. Classes were over for the day. That was something to celebrate. Yet Mercy was in an angry mood. She had to change the panties of the cheerleaders. Again. When would they learn to not pick on her friends just because those might be lesbians? "Mercy!" The shout pulled Mercy back from her angry thoughts. It was Mitch who caught up with her. "I would be grateful if you undo the change," he whispered to her slightly out of breath. "Sorry," Mercy apologized. "My mind was somewhere else. Give me a moment. Okay. All done." "Thanks," Mitch said with a grin. "See you Sunday at three." "Yeah," Mercy said. "Till then." "A date?" The second time today Mercy twisted around to find a Victoria who had snuck up on her. "Would you stop that!" Mercy hissed at her. "What is it with you and sneaking around? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" "Hey. To be fair, I am part cat right now," Victoria countered. "Oh right. You want me to undo the eyes?" "Nah. I wanna test them in the dark and at night. I'll text you when I had enough," Victoria waved her off. "Any plans for the weekend." "Not really. Why? You plan to redo the last one?" "Not while my parents are around. Raincheck?" Victoria asked "S-sure," Mercy agreed a little hesitantly. "So no plans," Victoria mused. "Not even a date with Mitch on Sunday." "That's not a date!" Mercy exclaimed. Seeing the doubt in Victoria's eyes she added, "Just giving him some tutoring. Math, you know?" "Sure," Victoria said. "Let's go with that." "Victoria!" Annoyance colored Mercy's voice. "You are impossible." "Yet here I stand before you. I'll give you a call tomorrow if something fun comes up. Don't worry. I'll keep your Sunday free for 'tutoring'." Ignoring the continued ribbing of Victoria, Mercy said her goodbyes. She hoped for a quiet weekend to reflect on some of the things she had learned of herself and about trickster mages in general. Those dreams were squashed when she saw the neon pink colored car on the driveway to her house. "Oh shit," she exclaimed. She rushed into the house and found her parents on the couch. "Who told aunt Mary about me?" Mercy demanded to know. Both her parents pointed at each other. It would have been funny if it wasn't for a loud voice that caught Mercy's attention. "Mercy! Finally, we meet. You looked even more daring than I had imagined." Suppressing a shudder, Mercy turned around. "Aunt Mary. Good to see you." What walked down the stairs might be the worst nightmares of bikers, punks, and southern bells, all rolled up into one person. A bright grinning woman stepped down the stairs in glittery pink studded cowboy boots. She wore a neon pink dress that might have been modest if it hadn't been decorated with sewed on patches and studs. Over it, she wore an undersized leather jacked that might have been tan before it had gotten an uneven spotty dye job to pastel pink. Her face looked close to Mercy's mother, but sparkling piercings gave it quite a different look. To top it all off was a hairstyle that somehow arranged victory rolls into a fake mohawk. Apparently, it needed glittery hairspray to hold as Mercy saw plenty of it. "Let me take a good look at you," Aunt Mary beamed. "Stunning. And so sweet. A real little sugarplum." Mercy had to try her hardest not to grimace. 'Weather the storm. Just weather the storm,' she repeated over and over in her mind. "What brings you here?" she asked out loud. "Oh, I was nearby and then I heard I have now a niece. I just had to take a peek. Sadly I can stay only the weekend." "Oh," Mercy said and suppressed the relief that threatened to sneak into her voice. "Sorry to hear that," she lied. "Don't worry. We'll be having plenty of fun," Aunt Mary beamed back. "Tomorrow we'll go shopping." "But I don't need to buy clothes," Mercy protested. "Ah, your spells," Aunt Mary exclaimed. "Sis told me all about it." Mercy gave her mother a quick accusing look. "But we go shopping nonetheless. You need to learn about fashion and make-up." "I already know about those!" Mercy shot back. "Really? Let's see. Time to give us a fashion show. And tomorrow the mall." Mercy sighed. She had stepped into her aunt's trap. Quietly she said goodbye to her planned quiet weekend. Then she walked up to her room. To plan her fashion show. It would be a long and exhausting evening. She was sure of it.