Mark was a normal teenager. If normal means boring.
All that changes when he is bound to the trickster aspect of magic.
Now he has to battle the urge to do pranks on other.
At the same time, he has to deal with the huge prank the magic had played on himself: giving him a new body.
Hello fellow readers and writers of TBC.
I feel a little warning is warranted for those who pick up my serial "The Lokian Way".
So why the warning? You see "The Lokian Way" will be my first serial. Having previously mostly written short stories a serial is a big step up.
I started writing "The Lokian Way" by describing the day to day life of the main protagonist. In hindsight that might be a little too ambitious. However, I already finished writing the first two weeks. There is already a lot of content for you, the readers. My concern is that I won't be able to keep this format up. Maybe later skip selected days where I can't fill them with anything meaningful. After all, no one wants to read boring stuff.
Overall I plan a storyline that spans eight to ten weeks. All the major plot points are defined. With two weeks already done I can say that twenty to twenty-five percent of the story is written. However, I plan to keep a keen eye on the comment section for each part. If you have suggestions or wishes I will try to incorporate them into the story on the fly. As long as they are not compromising the overall story.
I am especially curious what you would do if you would find yourself in the shoes of the main character. He/she is a newly made trickster mage and has some rather unique spells. Mentally compelled to use those for pranks and hijinks.
Those spells will also lead to naughty and kinky scenes. Even sex. So this will be another warning. Despite starting slow this story is meant as one earning a "mature" rating.
My last warning is about secrets or strange unexplained things. Not everything about the main characters change and abilities is explained ahead. This story is a lot about self-discovery and many details of the world will be revealed when the main character learns of them himself/herself. Some of those issues I will have the characters keep track of inside the story. Other secrets and details are more hidden and only for those who keep a keen eye.
The last point I want to talk about is the world. It will be urban fantasy. Which means it will be in a world similar to our own, but with the added aspect that it has magic available to everyone. Magic in itself is split into certain aspects. For this story, the "trickster" aspect is featured. I hope that intrigues you as much as it does myself.
Thank you for reading my foreword. I hope you have fun reading "The Lokian Way".
Cassy
P.S.: Don't forget to comment on the series ;P
***** Tuesday *****
For Mark this Tuesday started like every other. A shower, breakfast, and checking if he got all his schoolwork in his backpack. Satisfied he left the house. No one to say goodbye. His parents already at work.
As usual, he walked to school as it was only a few blocks away. He wouldn't have minded it much if it wasn't for the small self-help center on his way. It was for magicians. Not the normal kind that practiced healing or mastered the elements. No, this one was for trickster mages. Their goal was to prank other people around them.
Coming close to the center he switched the side of the road just to put a few more feet between him and them. He also walked at a brisk pace. Not always, but often he saw a girl lean against the wall of the center. Today he saw her again. She might have been Mark's age if it wasn't for the fact that he had seen her for years there. Never aging a day. On top of it, she wore old-timey clothes. Like someone from the last century. Rumor was that she was a ghost. Mark didn't think so, but then again having her following him with her eyes always made the hairs on his neck stand up.
As always he arrived early at the school. Sitting down on a bench he waited for his best friend Brian to arrive. Of course, that would take a few minutes so he pulled out one of his study books to cram for a test.
"Nerd!" Mitch Jenkins shouted shortly before he slapped the book out of Mark's hands. Laughing with his buddies as he walked on. Sighing Mark picked it up and mentally shook his head. Why did bullies like Mitch exist?
"Have you signed the petition for…" Looking up after grabbing his book, Mark saw Victoria Evens, class president, trying to engage students who sidestepped her to get into the school. She was kinda pretty Mark reasoned. She would have been popular too he thought if she wouldn't dress down so much or be such a goody two shoes. She was worse than him in that regard and that said a lot.
"Oh please don't ask her out," Brain said as he arrived and saw Mark's gaze in her direction. "She would undo all the hard work I have done to make you less boring."
Mark blushed slightly. Yeah, he too was a bit boring. Raised by good if strict parents. Before he had become friends with Brian he had been the definition of a wallflower. Not anymore. Now he was a hand-span away from the wall. Just enough to get noticed by bullies.
"Just formulating a battleplan to get past her," Mark lied. Another thing Mark had never done before he had known Brian. Now sometimes small white lies slipped past his lips.
"So, my padawan, the training is finally paying off. Maybe soon you can pull your worth in Stormwatch," Brian teased as he mentioned the hero shooter he had tried Mark to get interested in.
"Maybe. For now, let's head in. Classes are starting soon."
"Nerd," Brain said while grinning. Contrary to when Mitch said it Mark didn't mind it a bit when Brian teased him. After all, he was also a nerd. Just of a different kind.
*****
Again Mark was walking at a brisk pace. He didn’t want to be late. His parents were strict and no-nonsense. Of course, they had raised him accordingly. He was the poster boy. Good grades. Good character. Someone to depend on. And behind his back, he knew someone might add boring.
He was on his way home. He usually walked leisurely, but thanks to Brian he got held up. Now he tried to make up time. Right by a small stretch, he had to pause to catch his breath.
Looking to the right, there was the self-help center teaching the lokian way for people bound to trickster magic. He knew that, of the main magic types, trickster magic was the only one that bound against the will of someone and was permanent. In a way becoming a trickster mage was a prank by magic itself. Bounded magicians usually had the compulsion to use their magic for chaos.
But thanks to Loki, a magician a few centuries ago, they found a way to lessen the magic's influence. Lokian mages bound most of their magic into containment vessels and only keeping very little. That little was often used for pranks. They had to play tricks on others or the compulsions might become too strong. Mark knew this. After all, he had seen the educational videos his school had to show. He knew it wasn’t their fault, but staying too long near lokian mages was begging to be pranked.
So every time he was close he hurried to be out of reach again. Normally that worked fine. However, not today. He was halfway through the “danger zone” when he had needed to catch his breath. A bad place to rest, but the burning in his lungs took priority. After all, it was mostly paranoia. Surely nothing would happen. Just like the last few years when never ever anything had happened. Despite his fears, he never had been pranked by those trickster mages before.
When he suddenly wobbled and saw stars he knew he had been wrong. This time something was happening. However, he didn't find out what as everything faded to black as he fainted.
*****
Moments before, a technician was frantically speaking to someone on the phone. The center of "the lokian way" had two containment vessels, but one had broken down last week. Though luck they managed to shift the stored wicked magic into the second tank. Now that tank was under pressure. The technician knew that if that tank would burst, there would be a lot of new people bound to trickster magic. The very thought lured a small grin on his face.
"No mister Mayor. There is no time. If I don't vent some of the stored magic right now it will explode. By venting there could be one or two new trickster mages being created. If it explodes ... dozens. At least."
The technician grinned now fully as he got the permission from the mayor. He didn't care if it was one or a dozen who became trickster mages. As long as he was one of them. He had gone to great lengths to sabotage the containment vessel. With his alterations carefully hidden no one would cry foul play. The technician smirked. In a way it was poetic. His biggest prank done before he became a trickster mage.
Still grinning like a madman he pushed the button for the emergency venting protocol.
*****
Mark woke up groggy. Though the fog over his still sleepy mind he slowly recalled the events. “What did those blasted mages …” He stopped. His voice sounded strange. Way too high. *I hope that can be reversed,* he thought.
Struggling he sat up. The first thing he noticed was white walls and medical equipment. He woke up in a hospital.
Just then a nurse came in. “Good. You are awake. Uhm. Wait a moment. I’ll get your parents and the mayor.” With that, she vanished.
*Mayor? Wasn’t she supposed to get a doctor? Mayor … I don’t like the sound of that.* Mark thought.
Soon his parents came in. “Hey, sweety. Don’t worry. Everything will be alright," his mother spoke in an overly soothing tone.
He definitely felt uneasy and his body felt strange too. He moved to peek under his bed cover but was quickly stopped by his mother. “Let’s wait for the mayor sweety.”
*Something is definitely wrong,* he concluded in his mind. A moment later a thick man entered wearing a brown suit and black shoes, as well as some beige boxer shorts. *Boxer shorts? Why do I know he wears boxer shorts and what kind. Weird.*
The man took a chair and started. “Mark right? I am Mayor Fillmore. I suppose you are wondering why you are here. To cut to the chase there was an accident at "the lokian way" self-help center for trickster mages. One of the containment vessels was about to blow and I made an emergency decision to release some of the stored magic. Unfortunately, you were close by. It appears that you bounded and absorbed most of it. I am sorry to say but you are a trickster mage now. It might also come to you as a shock, but … “
The mayor's voice trailed off for a second. He cleared his throat and continued. “You see while binding itself the trickster magic often plays a prank on the new mage too. In your case, it changed you to a girl.”
Mark wasn’t surprised. Deep down he kinda had expected that. The voice and the strange feelings coming from his body were good hints before. The mayor droned on about that Mark was now legally disabled and he was insured for many of his small pranks if they caused damage. Mark only listened halfheartedly. He was a girl now. How will it be? Intellectually he knew he should be scared. But all his mind could think of was that he certainly could pull off a few pranks with a woman's body. *Oh my poor friends,* he thought.
Then he had suppressed a grin. Next was a name. He was a girl now. *So I should think of myself as a girl. Hmm, what name should I use? What is close to mark? Marcy? Hmm no. Maybe Mercy. Yeah I like that one.* Mercy listened on. Hoping she could start her new life soon.
*****
She was soon released and arrived with her parents at home. Her suggestion that she should be called “Mercy” now, surprised her parents but was quickly accepted. Both of her parents liked order and a girl with boy's name was an invitation for chaos after all.
"Are you sure you are okay Mark? No. I mean Mercy," his mother asked when they arrived at home.
"Yeah. I mean I am not dead. Just gender bend. It will take some time to get used to it, but I'll be fine," Mercy replied. But quietly in the back of her head, a small voice whispered that this was strange. That she was too calm. Too eager to get on with her life. *Maybe it is a shock,* Mercy reasoned. *Once it wears off maybe then I'll flip out.*
"Well, it is late," her mother continued. "We will call your school tomorrow and tell them you won't attend. You will need new clothes and the self-help center called. It is best if they teach you to control your new you. So we will be going there tomorrow too."
Mercy was confused for a moment till she remembered that she was not just a girl now, but also a trickster mage. She felt strangely excited about that.
"Don't worry," her mother said as she misread Mercy staying silent. "You won't miss too much of school. Your father and I talked. We see no reason why you shouldn't be back in school by Thursday."
*Great,* Mercy thought. *I don’t get more time than one day to getting used to being a girl.* Both her parents wanted a return to normal. Even if it was a new normal.
Mercy excused herself and headed to the bathroom. There she stared at the mirror. *Oh this will surely turn some heads,* she thought.
She was pretty but not overly sexy. Her face had an undercurrent that told of innocence. *Good for shifting blame,* she thought. Her frame was slender and a bit on the athletic side. Overall she guessed about 5 feet 6 inches, b-cup, blue innocent eyes and strawberry blond hair.
Satisfied that her body wasn’t a bad one she wanted to head out but stopped. The towel rack caught her eyes. Usually, there was dark blue for her father, dark red for her mother and a light blue for him. Mark. Not today. *When did my mother find time to find some pink towel for me?* Mercy wondered.
Suddenly she was annoyed. Her mother needed to be punished. Not much, but a little. When she left the bathroom the places of her parent's towels were switched. It took some time but eventually, her mother used the bathroom. Afterwards, Mercy sneaked in. As expected the towels were at the right places again. Not for long though. This little game continued for a while till her mother came down to the living room where Mercy was watching TV while eating a late dinner. The look on her face told everything.
"Sorry. I just couldn’t help myself,” Mercy offered.
Her mother sighed. “Well, they warned me about that. Apparently, you won’t have much control over that till the Lokian Mages teach you some controlling techniques. Well better two small pranks than a big one right?”
“Two?” Mercy asked innocently.
Her mother gave her a mock annoyed look and returned all the couch pillows to their rightful place.
Of course, this only fanned Mercy's urge to top her last prank. Right up to the point of going to bed. She was oddly unsatisfied despite keeping mother on the toes all evening.
Just before she drifted off to sleep a thought drifted through her mind. Shouldn't she have concentrated on something else besides playing pranks? Yet the answer eluded her as sleep caught up to her.
***** Wednesday *****
The next morning Mercy was proud of herself. She thought she was doing rather well being a girl. Sure some things were confusing or annoying but she managed. No freakouts yet. Of course, she hadn't been a girl for even one full day. It worried her how she might react to some real challenges. Would she panic then?
She also tried to control her trickster compulsions. It mostly worked. But somehow some toothpaste found itself under some doorknobs. She only regretted those pranks in one regard. They were pretty juvenile. She hoped she will get some better ideas. A life as a goody two shoes hadn't prepared her for a life as a trickster mage in the slightest.
Finally ready to go, mother and daughter headed to the mall. Mercy thought she would have trouble finding clothes and trying them on. After all ‘he’ had always hated shopping. ‘She’ however quickly found it entertaining once she thought of a small game. She wouldn’t call her mother prude but it was a close call. Picking the most deviant and sexy Dessous quickly satisfied her inner trickster. Of course, karma quickly came down on her. Her mother came to the conclusion that a screwed interest in clothes was better than none at all. So she ended up with quite a few risky underwear sets.
Thankfully Mercy let her mother talk her into buying a few plain bras too. After that, she decided that she should choose her pranks more carefully. Of course, if she argued before for risky underwear she could hardly refuse to wear dresses or skirts later. The irony wasn't lost on her as she wondered who she pranked more. Her mother or herself. Then again she didn't mind those girly clothes as much as she thought she would. That was strange in itself she reasoned.
When they left the mall to go to the meeting at the self-help center Mercy wore one of her new outfits. White blouse with a darker matching skirt and trainers. Somehow one too many buttons on her blouse would come off and show her lacy bra. Thankfully her mother pointed it out time and time again. Never seeing Mercy’s grin.
They arrived where it all started. The self-help center. They were greeted by two men. Her mother got her own counseling. The remaining guy introduced himself. ”Hi. The name is Allan. But most call me Al. Welcome to the trickster mages club. Well and sorry too. Well, let’s get some basics down. Okay?”
Al led Mercy to a small office and waited till they both were seated. “Okay, you probably noticed since yesterday that you like to do pranks now. Or to play tricks on people.”
Mercy nodded. “I did. It’s kinda strange. I never was into hijinx of any kind but now it’s like my mind always comes up with new ways I could prank someone. My mother said I could learn to control it.”
Al made a sour face. “Learning to control it is kinda a white lie. We trickster mages have to prank. To play tricks. Cause mischief. We can’t help it. What we can and will do is to teach you is to favor smaller pranks and to hide them better. You see trickster magic wants to be used. The longer you deny it the stronger the urge gets. Playing small pranks helps to avoid a big prank. Big as in something that might ruin your life. There is also the fact that your instinct to prank can be misleading. If a prank doesn't involve trickster magic it won't satisfy your urge or need for long. If at all. To learn and direct those urges is what we call the lokian way."
Disappointed Mercy nodded. The very magic that had turned her life upside down was now part of her life forever. More so she had to use it.
"Furthermore I have to warn you. The more magic you have the more it wants out. And I am sad to say you got quite a lot in the accident. That will also play a big role in your natural spells. You see new trickster mages get a spell that they are instinctively familiar with. They can cast those easily as if it is second nature. Later they can learn a few minor common spells and if they study hard to some degree the natural spells of other mages. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves”
"I thought someone could learn all spells equally and for all magic aspects, given time and dedication," a confused Mercy threw in.
"Normally yes, but trickster magic is different. For one it appears to have a will of its own. And making its mages jump through hoops is apparently one of its ways to show its hilarious humor."
"Like getting their mages get used to a new gender," Mercy threw in.
"Well." Al frowned a bit. "In recorded history, you seemed to be the first in that regard."
*Great,* Mercy thought. *I could have done without that 'honor' of being first.*
Al reached into his desk and pulled out a small audio recorder. Switching it on he addressed Mercy. “Now. Do me a favor. Ask me what my natural spell does.”
Giving a slight shrug Mercy complied. “What does your natural spell do? Al?”
Instead of answering Al pressed the rewind button on the recorder and then pressed play. “What does your big butt do, Al?” was clearly heard.
Chuckling Al answered. "Why of course it can fart among other things. But I asked you to ask me about my spell."
Mercy looked confused. “I did. I mean I said natural spell ..." She stopped after seeing Al's big grin.
“Yes, you did. I can exchange words in the mind of others. They think one thing but they say another and they won’t even notice. Don’t worry I only hit you with a small one. 10 mins tops. Now that you know mine how about we find out what yours is. Does anything comes to mind?”
Mercy thought for a moment. So far she only had played small pranks that everyone could do. Mage or not. They hadn't really felt satisfying. Thinking back she remembered some weirdness. Quickly testing out her guess proved it right. “I think I always know what people are wearing. Like all of it. Even things I don’t see. You do know the colors of your socks don’t match right?”
Al chuckled again. “Okay. Good start. And yes they don’t match. Sue me. But what you describe might only be a minor natural spell. With your amount of magic, it wouldn’t surprise me if you had one or two mayor spells and 2 or 3 small ones. Well, let’s test more. So my socks don’t match. Do you know the colors? Can you actually see them?”
Mercy did concentrate again. After a few moments, she saw them as if they were floating in front of her. Al didn’t seem to see them so she knew it was only in her mind. “Well yeah, I can see them. The left one is a bit lighter gray and the other is a bluish gray. With a hole in the heel.”
Al grinned. “Got me there. Ok good. Now ..” He stood up and took a book from a nearby shelf. “ .. most often, if a mage has multiple natural spells, they usually are linked in some way. That suggests yours might be linked to the theme: 'clothes'." He turned some pages. “Ah here. Okay, let’s try this. Concentrate on the thought that I am to undress my t-shirt.”
Mercy did as told but for some moments nothing happened. Finally, Al cleared his throat. “Not that one huh? Let’s try the next one. Okay, that one is weird. Try pushing the thought into my mind that the t-shirt is made of living snakes.”
Closing her eyes she tried again. Again nothing happened. However, she quickly lost focus. Instead, she visualized how his t-shirt would look like if it was made of snakeskin.
“Well that is progress but I said living snakes,” Al commented dryly.
She opened her eyes and looked at Al. He was now wearing the same t-shirt she imagined.
“You can stop now concentrating.”
“I already did that, Al.”
His glance wandered between his shirt and her. Taking out his mobile phone he quickly snapped a picture and looked at it. “Interesting. It was supposed to trick the mind into seeing fake living snakes. Instead this. I can feel the snakeskin texture and it shows up in a picture. That rules out illusion and mind alteration. You can see it too right?”
As Mercy nodded Al started to page through his book again. Eventually, he shrugged. “Congratulations. You appear to be the third mage in the entire history with the natural spell to change someone's clothes. It does say that it might be unnoticeable to the victim. Would explain the slight mental push I got. Here is a hint. We trickster mages have a slight resistance to each other's spells. Hmm now, would you mind changing my T-shirt back?”
Mercy concentrated again and complied. Well at least halfway. “Really? A pink hello unicorn shirt?” Al asked accusingly.
With an apologizing grin, she undid her work. Just then a sudden knock broke the silence.
“Looks like it’s all the time we have today. I want to see you again tomorrow after school. Got it? Good. Till then try to experiment a bit. But don’t go overboard with it. Remember a few small pranks are better than a big one. That is the number one rule for every trickster mage following the Lokian Way."
Joining the others they said their goodbye. Just as they were heading out of the door Al waved her over again. “Tell your mother I am sorry and … Uhm she should avoid the word ‘bra’ for a few hours.”
*****
Her mother decided to eat out instead of returning home right away. While sitting in the car Mercy did some experimenting. First, she changed her white blouse to a light lavender one. “Mom. Do you notice anything different about me?”
Looking over her mother spotted the change right away. “When did you change your blouse?”
*So Al said victims shouldn’t notice the change. But the people around do. Good to know,* she thought to herself. She quickly explained about her natural spell.
After a short drive, they arrived at the Italian restaurant they both liked. After being seated Mercy had to ask. “Mom. Al said I should experiment a bit. Mind if I try to change something about you and you try to guess what?”
She agreed. Now Mercy had to find something to change. Her mother's clothes were as always pretty conservative and plain. Charcoal gray cardigan over a white blouse and a black pencil skirt. A very plain set of bra and panties beneath. And below her usual flats.
Mercy got an idea. Her mother hated heels. She loathed them like they are all made in hell. Mercy quickly visualized the flats and then added a small heel of maybe one and a half inch. Even without looking she knew that her mother's shoes had changed for real. “Ok done. Try to guess.”
Her mother examined herself but said at the same time: “I hope you didn’t change my shoes. You know they are my favorite. They are the only pair where I don’t mind the heel.”
Mercy had to hide a grin. After a short while, her mother gave up.
"I made your skirt 2 inches longer. You really can’t tell?” Mercy lied.
“No. Was it really shorter? Honey. Can you change clothes were the targeted person notices the change?”
“Maybe. Gotta try. Do you mind an even longer skirt?” Her mother didn’t mind and Mercy tried again. This time she focused on the skirt and tried to push the idea that her mother would notice the change.
“It works sweetheart. Trickster mage or not this might be useful.”
Mercy sighed in relieve. “No more bra shopping in the open.”
Her mother quirked an eyebrow. “I thought you liked shopping for funbags keepers. You didn’t mind this morning.”
Mercy stifled an amused snort. She had all but forgotten about Al’s warning. “Mom I think you shouldn’t say the word ‘bra’ for a while. I forgot to tell you but Al, the teacher from the center, put a spell on you. He says ‘sorry’ he couldn’t help it.”
Her mother looked bemused. “What happens when I say funbags keeper?”
Again Mercy had to stifle a snicker. “Instead of ‘bra’, you say ‘funbags keeper’.”
That put a blush on her mother's face. The rest of their dinner was more uneventful. Though Mercy couldn’t help herself to color her mother's blouse the color of light rose. So her ensemble had at least a little splash of color to it.
*****
The evening was kinda tense. Her parents expected pranks like yesterday. But Mercy had more fun testing out her new spell. The advantage was that her parents wouldn’t notice the change unless she wanted it or they noticed it by mistake on each other. And that was something Mercy avoided as it would spoil her fun.
By nighttime Mercy was wiped. A lot of things had happened today and she learned a lot. But thinking about the day she noticed something peculiar. She still hadn't a freakout about her new gender. That was equally curious and strange. Maybe playing around with her new spell distracted her? Somehow she doubted that was the reason.
In the darkness, she fished for her smartphone. She opened a new file she named "Mercy's list of strange things to figure out." Right at the top, the first point was "- not freaking out about new gender" followed by "body feels strangely familiar" and "no trouble with balance despite new center of gravity".
The next big point was "-Magic." There she wrote "one big and one small natural spell", "might have other spells" and "need to learn about limitations".
Satisfied she put her phone away. Then she thought about the next day. How would it be to return to school as a girl? Would she be treated differently? While musing what might be different she drifted off to sleep.
*****
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)
- Magic (one big and one small natural spell; might have other spells; need to learn about limitations)
***** Thursday *****
The next morning was the first time Mercy was truly close to panic. Suddenly well aware that she changed in the span of a few days her gender. Tuesday was the accident and today, Thursday, she was already expected to attend school. Her parents were kinda strict that way. No begging helped.
A little earlier than usual she and her mother drove to the school. Mercy was in a bad mood. Using her new learned spell to change her mother's plain bra to a rather frilly and lacy one didn't help much.
Shuffling into the principal's offices was kind of humiliating. She was told again that she now counted as "magically handicapped" person and that the school would understand her need for tricks and pranks as long as they were small. Of course, exemptions are cheating in tests.
Finally, it was done. Mercy headed to her locker. Her mother to her workplace. And the principal wondered why he had thought today was a good day to wear his daughter's hello unicorn socks to work.
*****
She could already see Brian waiting at her locker. Her best friend of the past few years. Stepping closer she suddenly had an idea. One whispered to her by the trickster magic running through her veins.
Instead of heading to her locker she closed in on Brian and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "Hey, boyfriend." Then she opened her locker as nothing was unusual.
It didn't take Brain long to gather his thoughts. "Got me there for a moment. Not bad Mark."
Mercy gave him a puzzled look. "What are you talking about? Who is Mark?"
Brian looked perplexed and Mercy did go for the finishing move. "Nevermind. How about we skip physics later? Mister Hesbrow is a snooze anyway. Wanna go make out in the park?"
For a moment Mercy thought she had gone too far. Wide-eyed and mouth agape Brian looked as if he just had a stroke.
"Now I got you. Got ya good. It's now Mercy by the way."
Now Brian needed some time to collect himself. Meanwhile, Mercy worried if she had gone too far. Had one prank might cost her a long friendship"You okay? Sorry if I overdid it a bit."
"Ahh, yeah. I am ok. So trickster mage huh?" Brian asked. Snapping out of his stupor. "They told us yesterday but I guess I didn't believe it till now. So, well, how is it? I mean you are also a girl. How does it feel to..." He stopped and shrugged.
"Hmm yeah, the girl thing. I am kinda okay with it till now. Though this morning I nearly had a panic attack. Surviving school is hard enough. Changing genders won't help it I guess. But yeah. Doing fine so far. Though I must admit I find it strange myself that I don't freak out more about it. Well. Ask me after school again and I might feel differently. I wholly expect trouble today. And not from the pranks I plan."
"Already planning pranks. The trickster magic hit you pretty good I guess. Reminds me of something. I got you a present. I thought it might cheer you up."
Taking out the gift out of his bag Mercy hesitated for a moment to accept it. What might a boy gift a newly made girl? Worried she tore the wrapping paper up only to burst out into a loud laugh.
"A whoopie cushion? Oh, Brian, you know my 'new-me" good, even though you hadn't met me yet. Thanks. This might become handy today."
The first bell rang and they made their way to their first class.
"Say. As your best friend, I get a free pass right? No pranks?"
Mercy laughed. "Sorry, not a chance in hell."
*****
There were a lot of stares at first. Till Brian mused aloud that people who bother her were the most likely to be pranked first. Everything settled then down quickly. Math was okay but kinda boring. Mark never had trouble with it and neither had Mercy now. Halfway through the class, she noticed that the boy in front of her was wearing mismatching socks too.
*First Al and now that boy. Can't they keep track of some socks?* Quickly she changed both socks to be a matching pair. Both were bright pink now. *Might help to keep them together.*
However, it wasn't long that Mercy grew bored again and her trickster magic begged to be let out. Sticking to the socks theme she created a few mismatching pairs and soon nearly everyone had changed socks. Mercy grinned. A few students noticed her grin and looked worried around for what prank she might have done. Seeing them fail to spot it made her only grin more.
*****
By lunch, Mercy was convinced that changing socks would be her signature prank. Easily done, hard to spot, overall pretty harmless and done en masse it satisfied her need to prank. Still, she vowed to keep her new habit to herself for now. Creating mismatched pairs might upset her parents.
Taking a seat beside her Brian finally had to ask her. "So I did read trickster mages have a unique spell? What's yours?"
Before she got to respond a loud shouting announced their worst bane of high school life: Mitchell Jenkins. Also, known as Mitch. Loudmouth and bully. "What do we have here? Heard you had an accident? And you are a girl now. Fitting. Always thought you were a faggot. Do tell. Everything natural down there?"
Mercy did what she always did when she was still Mark. She ignored the bully. However, Brian stood up in unusual cavalier's manner, only to be pushed down again. "Oh don't get your panties in a bunch," Mitch snarled.
Both were interrupted by Mercy's laughter. "What irony..." she only managed to say before she giggled without control.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Mitch demanded to know.
Finally, she calmed down. She then starred him into the eyes. "I know."
"You know what you freak?"
"Mitch. I know that little secret you hide today."
Her eyes went for a split second to Mitch's pants. Realization spread across his face. He quickly darted out. Mercy only chuckled as everyone around was flabbergasted.
"What did you do? What do you know?" Brian asked bemusedly.
Mercy only winked and gave a curt "Trade secret." She wondered how Mitch might explain to himself that he suddenly was wearing silky and lacy ruby red panties. "Looks like he already got his panties in a bunch," Mercy murmured with glee.
It took a while for the room to calm down. For Mercy it was good. All the commotion was more than she wanted. She was fine with finishing her lunch. Though fate had other plans.
"Trouble incoming," Brian warned her and pointed.
Victoria Evens was walking directly towards them. She wasn't a bad person. Victoria was just so prim and proper that even Mercy's parents were relaxed and easy going compared to her. She was also class president and a one-woman charity army. Everything she did was so good it hurt. If Mercy had to name one bad thing about her she would be hard-pressed to come up with something. Maybe her slightly too much wiggling of her butt for her slender frame. It was distracted. At least to her.
Arriving Victoria quickly spoke up. "Mercy right? Don't worry. You aren't in trouble. Yet. Hope it stays that way. I was wondering how are you doing? Must be a lot to get used to suddenly change genders."
That was not what Mercy expected. "I am fine," she stammered.
Victoria pulled out a business card out of her pocket and handed it to Mercy. "Good. Anyway, I thought you could use someone to talk to. A female someone. If you need to talk or have questions don't hesitate to call me. Okay? We don't want any accident or misunderstanding to occur. So don't be shy. Oh, gotta go. Meeting. Bye for now."
And as quickly as she came she was going again. While her offer was nice something in Mercy quirked her to prank miss prim and proper. She quickly did an inventory of what Victoria was wearing. Boring blouse, a plain skirt, simple bra and panties and a ...
Mercy coughed as she inhaled some of her juice by accident. *She wears a buttplug? Really? Her? No there must be a mistake.*
As her coughing settled down Brian asked: "Everything okay?"
Mercy nodded. She was intrigued. She just had to find out for sure, but she couldn't see Victoria anymore. Clearing away her tray she idly thought *That, at least, would explain the slight wiggle of her hips.*
She also wondered what accidents Victoria might refer to. Thinking of one she had to hide a grin. A skill she really was training recently. Mercy excused herself to Brian, stating she had to use a restroom. Walking leisurely she entered one.
"Ups," she stated before a few guys manage to react. "Sorry. Wrong one. Honest mistake. Not used to taking the girls restroom yet."
She walked out and to the girl's restroom. Even with her recent training, she couldn't hide a grin now.
*****
If there was one class more boring than math it had to be physics. It wasn't the subject that bored Mercy. It was the teacher, Mister Hesbrow. He had the amazing talent to let chalk appear moist if compared to his dry teaching.
Somehow he called Mercy up front more than usual. More than Mark was called up that is. It was the fourth time that Mercy was called up and had to write her solution on the board when Mister Hesbrow stood up angrily and corrected her. She was halfway to her seat when a monster of a fart was heard.
"Who was that?!"
Mercy put in her most innocent face and turned around. Mister Hesbrow was holding her whoopie cushion up.
"Sorry, Mister Hesbrow. Trickster mage and so on. The urge got too bad. I had to do it or I would have to do something worse soon."
He fumed but knew his hands were bound in the matter. Mercy quickly snatched the whoopie cushion and returned to her seat. Not long after, while Mister Hesbrow was writing on the chalkboard, Brian gave Mercy a high five. She noticed a few other grinning faces too.
*****
While exiting the class they overheard a few guys nearby talking loudly. "I swear it is true. Arnold told me he walked into the restroom and saw that Mitch Jenkens wore panties. And not the cheap kind. And then he said something like 'My own underwear was dirt so I thought no one would notice'. What a lame ass lie."
Mercy and Brian joined into the guy's laughter. Then Brian looked her in shock. "No way you ..."
Mercy quickly shushed him. She did hold up her pinky and after a moment Brian hooked his into hers. Pinky swear done. Her spell remained secret for now.
*****
Mercy was eager to get to her art class. She liked art but that wasn't why she was so giddy. It was one of the classes she shared with Victoria. She certainly hadn't forgotten her discovery from the lunch break. As everyone was busy, penciling some flowers in a vase, she peeked over to Victoria. A quick check later and she was sure. Victoria packed her trunk.
She tried to visualize and was surprised. The butt plug was bigger than she expected. She didn't know much about them but that did not look like something for people just starting out. It was big and black. Bulbous in shape. Mercy guessed it was about 5.5 inches long and had a diameter of maybe 3.5 inches at it's widest.
*How does she get that thing even in? It looks impossible.* Puzzled more than ever she continued drawing her art assignment, sneaking now and then a glance over to Victoria. *Is someone making her wear one. Is she in trouble?*
But she soon dismissed the notion. If Victoria's wiggle of her hips was because of her backdoor intruder then she clearly wore one for months. Looking at the clock Mercy noticed she was running out of time. The class would end soon and she had to do something. She knew she just couldn't walk over and say "Hi. Why the buttplug?" That would give away part of her abilities and Mercy wasn't prepared to do that yet.
Frustrated she settled for something else. Imagining the buttplug again she added a few neon pink lines that spiraled down from the tip to the bottom. At least she made a mark. Not that Victoria would notice.
*****
With classes over for the day she headed home. Well not directly. Instead of rushing past the self-help center, as she usually did, she entered it. There she quickly found Al.
After the greeting was done Mercy just had to remark. "Funbags keeper? Real classy dude. Real classy. Oh, wait. I mean lame."
At least he had the decency to blush a little. Soon they were talking about what pranks she did on her fellow students.
"Be careful of what you did to Mitchel Jenkins. Stuff like that can create waves that come back to haunt you."
However, Al approved of her sock changing trick. Afterwards, he led her to a room in the basement of the center. Being under lock and key Mercy wondered if she was entering Fort Knox.
"This is the containment room," he helpfully provided
She saw 2 big barrel like devices with a lot of monitors attached to them. One was however charred black. "Is this the one that caused my accident?"
Al shook his head. "No, but it was a precursor. This one caught a fire last week. We managed to transfer all magic to the other vessel. It fit barely. Now, something caused a spike in trickster magic last Tuesday and the vessel overloaded. It would have exploded if nothing had been done. The only viable option was to vent some magic to ease the pressure. Hence your current demise. Normally these are emptied once a week but the trucks, of the company that handles the transports, broke down. All three of them. Talk about a string of unlucky events. Well on the plus side the mayor not only agreed to replace the broken container, he even funded a new one. Once they arrive we will train you to store some of your magic in there."
Mercy nodded. "Will the magic be gone forever?"
"Sadly no. We trickster mages are like self-recharging batteries. It takes a while but everything comes back. You see trickster magic is all around us. Just in low quantity. Enough to fill us slowly back up."
"Then why store it? Doesn't it invite accidents like mine?"
"It's just easier to control the urges when you are at twenty percent than at one hundred. And normally the containers are a lot safer. Your accident was the first in decades. There is also another reason why we store trickster magic. It is to avoid maxing out. Now, this is important. If your magic maxes out your mind takes a backseat and the trickster magic pretty much takes control. Very bad for relationships. If you feel the urge to prank, then prank. But there is something worse. It depends from person to person. Usually at ten to fifteen percent. Do not ever go below it. Your magic will go into recharge overdrive. Sucking up every trace of trickster magic around takes only a few moments and will get you to one hundred percent or beyond. So do not ever do it."
After Mercy swore she never would, they did go upstairs again.
"So any progress on finding out more about your natural spell? Or any other spell revealed?"
Mercy shook her head at the latter question. "I did found out though that I can change my own clothes and that I can suppress the mind-altering part."
Soon it was time to go. Arriving at the front door Al checked his socks. "Just to be sure."
Mercy chuckled and gave her goodbyes.
*****
Later the day Mercy reviewed her day. She made progress she decided. A better understanding of her spell. Brian was still her friend. Scaring Mitch off could have gone better. She had never paid much attention to Victoria, but now she was intrigued. Who knows what dirty secrets other people were hiding. In the end, she was thinking about if and how she could influence people with small and subtle but constant changes. She grabbed her smartphone to add those things she found out to her file of mysteries. Not long after she drifted off to sleep.
*****
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)
- Magic (one 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)
- 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 is wearing a Buttplug!!! (is she forced?; That thing is huge!)
***** Friday *****
The annoying beeping of her clock woke her. Fumbling around she silenced it. She groaned after managing to look at the clock. The alarm was still set to the earlier time from yesterday. She did get out of bed anyway.
Both her parents were off to work, leaving her alone. Mercy soon stumbled into the first obstacle. Her hair was a mess. Yesterday her mother helped her to tame the long hair that reaches just beyond her shoulder. Today she was at a loss. Spotting the business card of Victoria she admitted defeat and texted her. Thankfully she was awake and willing to help. Teaching her the best ways to untangle hair one text at a time. Before long she was ready to go. To her humiliation, it was with a little more help from Victoria.
Arriving at school Mercy spotted Victoria. She headed over to thanked her, but despite being grateful she had ulterior motives. While talking she was checked out what Victoria was wearing and sure enough, there was another buttplug. Big and black. But her neon pink strips were missing.
*Can I change stuff only for a limited time?* Then she noticed the slightly different shape. *She owns more than one?*
What might she find on Monday? She quickly marked this plug by putting on the same spiral pattern except for in neon green and hurried to her first class.
*****
School was better this time. It was nearly normal. Changing socks helped to keep her compulsions at bay. Though now and then some panties or shorts changed slightly. She tried her best to keep her changing of cloth spell secret. After all, if they knew they might be on the look for it. That surely would spoil the fun. So far only her parents, Al and Brian knew. She hoped that might stay that way for a while.
Lunch she saw Mitch again, but as soon as he saw her he darted away. That was something Mercy could get used to. Lunch itself was spent brainstorming with Brian. Hunched over and whispering they looked like they were up to no good. But then again they kinda were.
Trading ideas what Mercy could do to satisfy her trickster urge. Most landed in her "not yet because of too flashy" mental folder.
The rest of the school day did go by without trouble. Mercy was at a loss if she felt relieved or bothered by it. It was only the second day she attended school as both, girl and trickster mage, and it was already an old hat.
Rumor of a girl outed as a lesbian made the rounds and that was apparently more important. Something Mercy couldn't understand. Live and let live was one of her mottos. But it also prompted her to think about herself. Was she too now a lesbian? Was she still into girls? She knew she still looked at them, but she was also aware that she more and more did so to compare herself to others.
After heading home, she made sure to do all her homework now. After all, she had some plans for the weekend. She might also have more fun than she had on the seemingly dull school day.
***** Saturday *****
Saturday was to be a busy day. But it couldn't start till she got dressed. How do other girls decide what to wear? Back when she had been a boy dressing had been easy. Pants and the next best t-shirt.
Now, however, it did not seem fitting. Only as she thought about today's purpose it came to her. A white summer dress and sandals. That she didn't own a dress only stopped her for a moment. Slipping on an old t-shirt, pre-girl times, she changed it to her needs. After checking, if she was ready, she headed downstairs.
Her parents knew she was up to something. It was after all in her new nature. Mercy promised them she only would do little pranking and wanted to mainly relax in the park. Slipping on her sandals she headed out.
Her mom didn't allow her higher heels than one inch. But she reasoned a higher heel might distract better. Once she was far enough away from home she changed her heels to 3 inches. She only lasted a few wobbly steps till she nearly fell. Cursing she revised her heel length to 2 inches. That worked better. *Baby steps* she reminded herself.
She had to walk for a half hour to reach the park but she knew it was worth it. Cool shade from the trees and a breeze from the lake helped with the blazing sun. It really was warm this spring. She did take out a pencil and block of drawing paper. Then she doodled a bit of what she saw. That gave her a convenient cover to ogle people a bit.
However, this day wasn't for relaxing alone. She planned to spend it testing the limits of her natural spells. First, she studied how far away a person could be for her to be able to focus. The park was ideal for it as it had many wide open spaces. It turned out a case of what you see you can scan. Finding out the maximum distance was trickier. She guessed up to 150 feet was her max. Also, it got really tiring at ranges above 90 feet of distance.
*****
After about 2 hours a voice startled her. "Hey, Mercy. I thought it was you." Somehow Victoria had found her and snuck up.
"Oh hey, Victoria. It is a beautiful day, right?"
"Sure is. Mind if I sit with your for a moment?"
"No. Take a seat."
"Thanks. So how are you doing? I like your dress. Didn't think you would wear one so soon. Not a week ago you were still a boy."
"Hmm yeah. I don't know. I thought about it too. So many things come naturally me. I got so far two theories why."
"Oh, do tell."
"Okay, but don't laugh. Well, the first one is that it is a prank played on me and everyone else by the magic. I mean everyone expects me to freak out right? So does it count that I don't do it as a prank? Dunno. And the second one is.. hmm. Okay, tell me in as few words as possible how do I look like?"
"Victoria studied her for a moment. Hmm pretty and with those big blue eyes kinda innocent. Oh, I see. What better camouflage for a prankster right?"Mercy nodded.
There was a silent moment before Victoria broke it. "So I know every trickster mage has a special ability or spell or so. Any chance you would tell me what yours is?"
"Sorry, no. I kinda want to keep it a secret. I fear if people knew they might falsely claim I did something. Everything points towards that I can now land myself alone into trouble. Don't need others trying to do the same."
"Oh, okay. Well, I guess that's a good reason. Maybe a hint though?"
Mercy was a bit bemused. This was a Victoria she didn't know. Okay, they didn't spend much time together before. But still, it struck her as strange. Normally she was reserved, proper and kinda bossy. Though now she was more curious and actually nice to be around. She definitely liked the current Victoria more.
"Okay. Okay. That's my hint. Whenever I do what I do I can decide if the person notices. At all."
"Uhh, that sounds like a challenge." Mercy gave her a "don't you even dare me" look. Still, Victoria wasn't that easily satisfied. "Okay, some person might not notice it. Say. Did you ever do it on me?" A blush gave Mercy away without a word spoken. "More than once?" Mercy blushed even more. "Interesting. But it's not harmful, right?"
That question gave Mercy a slight shock. She quickly blurted out. "No! No. Not at all. All harmless. I swear. I don't wanna hurt anyone. I feel it deep inside. That feeling that I have to prank and do tricks. But I will not let it control me. It's actually why I am here. I wanna learn the boundaries of it. Finding ways to manage, you know?"
Victoria nodded. "Okay. Sounds reasonable. Well if it is harmless I volunteer."
Mercy looked bemused at her. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I guess. And maybe I notice the unnoticeable," she said with a mischievous grin.
*By the gods, it's strange to see her grin like a normal girl. Well if she offers ..* Mercy could hardly refuse such an offer. "Okay. Just give me some time. Need to concentrate."
After a short moment, she started her scan. Victoria was kinda girl next door pretty. With slightly wavy black hair that reached just down enough to touch the light gray top. Her legs were slender but mostly hidden under a sandy brown skirt that reached just past her knees. She wore some white strappy sandals with slight tan wedge heels. Below her modest breasts were cupped by a peach-colored plain bra. Of course, she wore matching panties.
What she found next shouldn't have surprised her. Of course, there was a buttplug. Big and black. Still unmarked by Mercy. The curiosity and urge to ask about it grew in Mercy. But she still stifled the motion within her. It would surely give her natural spell away.
But she was in for another surprise. Hidden under her sandy brown skirt Victoria was wearing some kind of leather thighs bands just above her knees. The leather was a nearly-white cream color and pretty thin. It was, however, wide. Covering about 3 or 4 inches. Inside her tights the leather bands had D-rings. Hooked into them were small padlocks that secured both bands with a small chain. It all gave Mercy the impression that it was meant to hobble Victoria.
Quickly deciding she shortened the chain from maybe 10 to 8 inches. Of course, she didn't forget to mark the butt plug. This time with a bright teal spiral. She mused, however, that a black plug wouldn't fit Victoria's light color theme. A moment later she was wearing a cream buttplug with teal spirals.
"All done. I even gave you double the chance to find out by using it twice."
"Victoria looked herself up and down but couldn't find anything different. Feeling mischievous Mercy quickly suggested: "Hey, how about a small walk. I sat here for a while and my legs need a stretch."
Victoria agreed. Though Mercy thought she saw some hesitation. They slowly walked down the lakefront. Now and then Mercy would pick up the pace but Victoria never took the bait. She walked along as if she was enjoying the sun and had all the time in the world. If Mercy wouldn't have known about the hobbling chain she would never have guessed this secret.
They were nearly around the whole lake when Victoria announced that she had to go. "I had fun. Hope we can repeat that. Oh and I still don't know what you did. But thanks for entertaining me. Let me repay you with two things. First I have the feeling we could become good friends so I allow you to call me Vicky. But only in private. Not around school or my parents or such."After Mercy nodded she continued. "And here a little hint: I do know more about hiding behind an innocent face than you."
With that, she gave a small mischievous wink and walked away.
*Well that was certainly something.* Mercy thought and shook her head in slight disbelief.
Deciding that it was late enough she started to walk home too. Halfway back her curiosity got the better of her. Her panties grew thicker and then split into two pairs laying on top of each other. Then she shifted one down. Reforming it into the same leather bands and hobbling chain Victoria had. Taking a few steps she felt quite thrilled. Walking around with a little secret no one knew but her. Each time she made the mistake to make a big step it reminded her that it was still there. She started walking home again. Vowing to keep it till she was on the front steps of her house. However, she couldn't bring herself to try Victoria's other hidden secret.
*****
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)
- Magic (one 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)
- 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; 150 feet and line of sight limit; tiring if more than 90 feet)
- Victoria is wearing a Buttplug!!! (Is she forced?; That thing is huge!; other stuff too; at least three plugs; she is more deviant than I thought and she admitted as much!!)
***** Sunday *****
Sunday was always a slow day. Today Mercy had some fun helping her mom to plant the seed for the flower beds in their garden.
"You seem distracted," her mother noted.
Of course, she was right. Mercy had a problem on her mind and going over and over it in her mind didn't help it one bit. "I am still thinking about me being suddenly a girl."
"You seem to be doing fine."
"But that's it," Mercy said with a sigh. "I feel okay. Great really. That is what worries me. Shouldn't I react differently?"
"So you worry that you are not worried. That does sound like you do indeed worry."
That gave Mercy pause and she needed a moment to figure out how to describe what exactly made her uneasy. "Do you remember the dress I wore yesterday?"
"It looked nice on you."
"Yes, it did. But there is the thing. When I chose to wear a dress I wasn't eager to wear one. Nor was I thinking 'I don't want to wear a dress, but I guess I should get over this hurdle anyway'. I just thought about what might be inconspicuous for someone like me to wear while visiting the park."
"Like camouflage?"
"Exactly," Mercy agreed. "In the moment I didn't think about it. I just reacted. As if I have this instinct. Only later it struck me as odd. Al, the trickster mage from the center, and everyone else told me the trickster magic would make me prank. No one said that it would change me like this."
"I see," her mother said while giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. "It is less about your new body, but the worry that your mind was messed with. More than expected."
"Yes," Mercy said while her shoulders slumped down. "How do I know that I am still me?"
"You are not. Honey we all change. You are not the same person that you were a week ago. But that past self of you is also different from yourself a year ago. Change is natural. What I taught my son was to not avoid problems. To try to solve them. Despite that, you are now my daughter I still see that in you."
"Thanks, Mom," Mercy whispered while wiping away a few tears with the back of her hand.
"And just maybe this is not a prank," her mother continued. "Maybe it is a gift. A correction of what was supposed to be."
"What do you mean?"
"Did your father and I never tell you about how you threw all our plans out of the window the day you were born?"
"No," Mercy admitted. "You said you planned to have me."
"Oh dear yes. That is not what I meant. Your father and I were excited to have you. We wanted to make everything perfect for you. When the doctor asked after the first ultrasound if we wanted to know your gender we said yes. And you know what he said? He said we will have a baby girl."
"But I am not," Mercy objected. "Well. Was not."
"Yes, but we were convicted. In every ultrasound we did you appeared to be a baby girl. We were so sure of it we bought all the stuff fitting for a girl. Your father even painted the nursery pink. When I gave birth imagine our surprise you being born a boy. It hit us so unexpected we hadn't even decided on a boy name. Only on a girl name."
"So I even pranked you before I became a trickster mage?" Mercy said with a grin. Drawing a chuckle from her mother. "Thanks, Mom. I needed that."
"Don't mention it."
"So, just out of curiosity, what would it have been?"
"What now?"
"My name. If I would have been born a girl."
"Shelby," Mercy's mother said and earned a scrunched face from her daughter. "You don't approve? Well, good thing then you named yourself."
Both laughed and then slowly their talking drifted off to other topics, till they were done with the yard work and go inside to lunch. Their talk had been good to Mercy. Now she kind off regretted switching up the seed packets at the begin of their work. Laying a little bit of chaos to her mother's carefully designed layouts for the flower beds.
After eating lunch Mercy headed over to Brian to play some games. It elated her further that Brian did treat her still the way he used to treat Mark. Though it still sucked that Brian wouldn't let her beat him in "Back Ally Fighter Hyper XD IV Beast Mode Edition Of The Year". Still, she was happy to not have lost her best friend. With lifted spirit, she headed home. Thinking nothing could dampen her good mood. If she had known what awaited her in the next she might have felt differently.
***** Monday *****
As Mercy neared the school on Monday she could see Victoria chatting with a few other girls. Deciding she liked Victoria a bunch more than she had thought she headed over.
*Who knows maybe we become really close friends for real,* Mercy wondered to herself.
Victoria introduced the other girls and they chatted a bit. Mercy knew them from passing but had never to do something with them. Catching a quiet moment in the chat she decided to do her "usual thing" for Victoria. Changing the butt plug that only she knew Victoria was wearing.
Earlier she thought a maroon color would be nice. To get it to pop a bit more against the black she wanted to add a small white line on each side. But as she scanned she came up blank. No buttplug today.
*Did I spook her? Is she on to me?!*
The first bell rung and Mercy used it to excuse herself.
*****
A few hours later she stood before a door. One that frightened her. She stood now before it for one minute flat. Though if someone would have asked her she was pretty sure her answer would be "an eternity". She knew she could walk into the boy's room without trouble. Being it a prank made it easy for her.
However entering the girls changing room was no prank. PE was next on her schedule. Yet she stood like petrified. It was to be her first time doing PE as a girl.
Suddenly, to Mercy's shock, two hands on her back started to steadily push her towards the door. She barely managed to open the door before she was pushed through.
From behind her came a "You're welcome." Victoria's voice.
Still, Mercy wasn't moving. Her only reaction was to blush in an even darker shade of red. However, before she could decide to run out Victoria took her hand and pulled her towards an empty locker. "This is yours. Now hurry up or you'll be late."
Mercy quickly unpacked her sports bag and changed. All the time staring straight ahead. Finally done she turned around to head into the gym. Small claps and pats on the back found her instead.
"Wasn't that hard, right?" one girl asked.
Whatever Mercy had expected, this wasn't it. But she was grateful nonetheless. With a clearly lightened mood, they headed in.
Doing sports as a girl was quite different. Doing gymnastics was even worse. Mercy felt like a drunk newborn giraffe. She decided a bear in a tutu would be more graceful. On top of it were some breast issues. So far she hadn't minded them. Sure sleeping was strange and a bit limiting at first but she had gotten used to it. Now tumbling around they were more noticeable.
She had a sports bra of course but it often felt kinda off. She vowed to ask her mother to shop for a better one. Then she nearly face-palmed herself. She could, after all, adjust her own clothes. It took her a few tries and tests but it got way better. Not perfect. But Mercy was sure that goal was unreachable.
Changing back was still a small torture. Mercy still tried as best not to look at the other girls. Surely all her blood had cycled at least twice through her blushing cheeks. On her way out she was just courageous enough to look who had the lockers beside her.
To her left was Victoria's. Why wasn't she surprised? Lately, it felt that Victoria was more intrigued to her than the had been in the beginning the other way around. She also found herself answering the puzzle why Victoria wasn't wearing a plug today. After all, it might be a bit distracting in PE.
A curse made her look to her right. There, a cute redhead had the locker beside her. She was rubbing at some lipstick with a tissue. Someone had "kissed" the locker door dozenth of time with a still wet lipstick.
"Stupid cheerleader," the girl muttered under her breath.
It looked like Mercy wasn't the only prankster at the school. Not seeing a way to help the girl she made her way out. Glad to have bested another hurdle of being a newly made girl. Even if it was with help.
*****
At lunch, Mercy was sitting, as usual, with Brian. Though changing socks was doing well for her she knew she needed some alternatives. Fast. By now, she guessed she changed about three hundred pairs and the number was climbing. Hence a brainstorming session was called for.
Suddenly cut short as Victoria placed her tray down beside Brian and opposite of Mercy. All she gave was an "Oh don't mind me" before she did something on her smartphone.
Brian gave Mercy a confused look but quickly changed their talk to one about games. To their both surprise Victoria would now and then comment or give a smart question. Mercy could see that Brian quickly warmed up to her. Which was strange in itself.
*****
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 (one 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)
- 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; 150 feet and line of sight limit; tiring if more than 90 feet)
- Victoria is wearing a Buttplug!!! (Is she forced?; That thing is huge!; other stuff too; at least three plugs; she is more deviant than I thought and she admitted as much!!)
***** Tuesday *****
Next morning Mercy was woken early by her mother. "Sweetie, did you do anything big at school?"
Mercy groggily shook her head. "Only the small stuff I told you about."
"Well, the principal called yesterday evening. Some parent has called him and complained about you. The principal wants us to come in a bit early and meet him and the parent in his office. Don't worry. I am sure it's a misunderstanding. Now. Get up and get dressed. We don't wanna be late right?"
Mercy quickly showered and dressed. After a hasty breakfast, they headed out. Mercy fidgeted the whole time. The only instance she used a bit more of her spell was Victoria. Had her parents found out? This might destroy the friendship she was slowly building with Victoria. She hoped not.
As they got to the principal's office Mercy was relieved but also got a new concern. It wasn't Victoria sitting there with her father. It was Mitchell Jenkins. Guilt tried to show on her face as she remembered that one week ago she pantied Mitch. His father was angrily scowling at her. Mitch himself only looked at the floor and avoided eye contact.
*He doesn't wanna be here any more than me,* Mercy realized.
Finally they were herded inside. Mitch's father quickly started his rant. "She did something to him. I found him yesterday wearing panties. Worse he had a secret stash! All stolen from his younger sister. You want me to tell it's a coincidence that my son starts to behave that way shortly after her, a trickster mage, starts to go to the same school? You honestly expect me to believe that?!"
All hell broke loose as the father ranted on while her mother, fierce like a mother lion defending her cub, argued against it. The principal tried to mediate but it was a lost cause. Mercy tried to make sense of it but she couldn't. Was Mitch's behavior explainable by her spell? She didn't think so.
"It couldn't be me," she murmured. Then she had to shout it again just to be heard.
Finally, the others calmed down enough that the principal caught a foothold to bring the discussion back on track. "Okay. I guess it's time to hear the accused side. Mercy I know that your ability is tied to clothes. But I don't know how. Mind explaining it and how you can't be responsible for this?"
Mitch's father wanted to start again. Obviously wanting to jump on the tidbit that she changes clothing with her magic. He was, however, quickly stared down Mercy's mother. Mercy felt quite proud of her.
"Ok. Uhm my natural spell is to change clothes. But it couldn't have been me. I need to see someone to change their clothes because I need to kinda see what they are wearing first. I mean even if I did that yesterday it wouldn't explain his stash."
Finally, Mitch said something too. "I told you it wasn't her. I have worn panties before last week."
The meek stature and the furious blushing was something Mercy wasn't used to see on Mitch. That did, however, take the wind out of Mitch's father's sails. Of course, now that it was out the principal had to ask.
"So you have to prank and that means changing clothes. Mind telling us what you usually do?"
Mercy hesitated a moment. After all, telling it would incriminate her a bit. "Uhm it's kinda silly. I change the color of socks so they don't match anymore. Just a little. But I kinda do it very often. It's the most harmless thing I came up with, but I have to do it a lot to satisfy the compulsion."
Noticing he was on losing ground Mitch's father took his leave. He didn't even apologize. He just stormed out in cold anger. Somehow Mercy doubted that this topic was done.
Mercy hugged her mother and told her she was proud to have her as a mother. After today's event, she had to admit she saw her in a whole new light. Finally, after promising the principal that she would inform him if her compulsions got stronger, she could leave the office.
Outside Mitch was waiting. "Sorry about that. I told him it wasn't you, but he didn't listen. Thank you too for last week. Even though it didn't help in the end."
"Thank me? For what?" Mercy asked confused.
"Last week you knew I was wearing panties, right? You could have told everyone, but you didn't even after I had been so terrible to your friend. In the end, it didn't matter anyway. Was found out by others."
Mercy looked away embarrassed. Sure enough, she hadn't spilled the beans on Mitch. Then again it had been her that put those panties on Mitch even without him knowing. Had she actually pantified a cross-dresser by accident? She needed to know more.
"So you wore panties before last week? I don't wanna pry, but how did that happen?"
Mitch blushed but told her anyway. Maybe relieved to finally have someone to talk to. "Well, it was about 5 months ago. I was buying a pack of shorts. The normal kind. But when I opened the package instead of 5 shorts there were only 4. But there was also this ruby red pantie. I should have exchanged the whole package at the mall but I didn't. It was probably a prank by some factory worker, right? A bit too strange for an accident. And then I don't know. I wore the panty once or twice a week. It wasn't like it felt thrilling or so. It just felt normal. Okay maybe a little better than normal. They are so much softer, you know? Nobody noticed before last week. God that had been humiliating. I threw them away you know. But I regretted that soon. Then, on the weekend, I stole some of my sister's panties. Older ones. I thought she wouldn't miss them. But of course she did and I was busted yesterday."
Mercy was shocked. It had been her. The ruby pantie must have switched out every memory of the original cloth. She effectively had turned Mitch into a closet cross-dresser. Now that she thought about it when she changed her mother's shoes last Wednesday her long-term memories seemed to have changed too. She needed to find out more. Could it be undone?
"If you could, would you go back before you first wore the pantie and never do it?"
"Mitch thought about it. "I should say yes but ... I kinda liked it. They were so soft compared to my normal boxers. I am kinda sad I won't be able to wear any in the future. My dad will now watch me like a hawk."
Mercy felt bad but also kinda relieved. But now she felt at odds with herself. For now, she had to find a way to ease her conscience at least a little. "Well, I tell you what. The last week was kinda nice. You didn't bully anyone right?"
He was first hesitating but soon nodded.
"Good. Well, I happen to be a trickster that can change clothes. And having met your dad I kinda want to prank him. Even if he won't know it. So as long as you behave you can come to me each morning and I will change your undies to panties. Then after the last class, I change them back. Deal?"
Mitch's face brightened. "Deal. I don't know what to say. Thank you. Even after I was such a pain in the ass for you, you help me out. I wish I was such a good person as you are."
Mercy looked away blushing. Hoping he wouldn't spot how guilty she looked and felt.
"Uhm wouldn't you mind... " Mitch started.
"Mind what?"
"Changing my boxers today too?" Mitch ventured forth.
"Sure. Any wish?" Mercy asked. Relieved that she could at least something to make up her mistake.
"Well, you remember the ones from last Tuesday? Those in royal blue?"
Mercy just grinned and granted the wish. Without altering the mind or memory of course. Very untypically Mitch hugged her. After a quick but heartfelt "Thank you" he took off.
By now the hallways were filling with students. Mercy decided to head to class. All the way she was however worried. This new part of her spell scared but also excited her. It left her quite at odds with herself. The trickster wanted to find out just how much she could do and get away with it. Her reasonable part, however, was scared what trouble she might cause. Her thoughts distracted her for quite a while.
*****
By lunch, she felt better. She was sitting again with Brian, but Victoria quickly joined. She also had, as it turned out, an agenda.
"Say Mercy, we had fun last Saturday, right?"
"Sure."
"So I thought we could have a bit more fun this weekend. Ever had a slumber party?"
"Yes, but not as a girl."
"Well, it's time to change that. Don't worry I'll go easy on you. Just us the first time. I already asked my parents so if yours agree we could do it this weekend. Friday to Sunday?"
Mercy was stunned but finally agreed to ask her parents later that day. Before the break ended she decided to do her usual to Victoria. Bemused however as she noticed that Victoria wore the first plug, with the neon pink spirals. Unwilling to change her own work she decided to just change some more socks instead.
***** Wednesday *****
Having her parents consent to attend a slumber party, she happily told Victoria first thing in the morning. They quickly agreed on some details. Soon Victoria excused herself to use the restroom. Heading to her own class she wondered how Victoria used the restroom stuffed with a plug.
*Shoot! Forgot to check if her plug needed some changes.* Blushing crimson as she noted what lewd thoughts were becoming commonplace for her. Just she entered the first class her smartphone vibrated. Victoria had sent her a single emoticon text: # :-( #
Quickly she typed back. #What's wrong?# But no answer came.
Near the end of the second class, her phone buzzed again. Mercy did read a rather cryptic text from Victoria. #usual size; twisted like soft ice cream; colors: cream and caramel#
Mercy was confused. *Maybe she meant to send it to someone else.*
*****
Mercy found the usual suspects already at their table chatting about something. Victoria and Brian were debating about some game characters practicality of clothes if they were real.
Before Mercy joined in she decided to remedy her earlier forgetfulness. She found a new plug. All black again.
*But why is it half of her usual size?* Something of her own thought tucked at her mind. "Usual size"? She took out her phone and read Victoria's last text again. #usual size; twisted like soft ice cream; colors: cream and caramel#
A frightening thought crept into her mind. *Does she know? How?* She decided to test it. Thinking of the text she started resculpting the plug in her mind. It got bigger and twisted. It became a bit longer and tapered. Most of it she recolored in cream with a bit caramel along the lines as if someone had purred caramel sauce over it. Near the base, she changed the texture a bit and it's color to imitate an ice cream cone. The base itself she changed to a clear material.
With her visualization done she pushed the change onto the plug. However without altering the memory, as Mercy wanted to see Victoria's reaction. There was a minuscule yelp, but besides that Victoria continued her talking with Brian like normal.
Pushing the whole deal aside she joined the talk. With ten minutes to spare in their lunch break, Victoria excused herself again and headed to the restroom.
Just as Mercy took her seat for the next class she was startled by her buzzing phone. Taking a quick look she did read: # Perfect. Thx. #
Mercy's mind whirled. *She knows! She freaking knows.* When the teacher was not looking, she typed: # How? #
As reply came:# Secret till sleepover <3 <3 #
*Oh right. The Sleepover. So just to rehash. I changed a butt plug of a girl, that everyone thought was the model person of prim and proper. Now she found out and there is the sleepover with her that I agreed to. Brilliantly done Mercy. Brilliantly done.*
*****
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 (one 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)
- 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)
- Victoria is wearing a Buttplug!!! (Just today?; is she forced?; That thing is huge!; other stuff too; at least three plugs; she is more deviant than I thought and she admitted as much!!; help! I fucked up! Victoria knows!)
***** Thursday *****
The first half of Mercy's school day was torture. Too many things occupied her mind and dampened her mood. Finding out what long-term effects her pranks could have made her tread carefully what pranks she could do.
And while her sock tactic still worked it had gotten boring real fast. By now it felt like a chore. Then there was still the matter concerning Victoria. Since when did she know and how? Has she gotten immune to the mental part? After all, she was one of Mercy's more common "victims".
To kill the last rest of her mood she had to suffer through a full class of mister Hesbrows physics lectures. She was so bored by his droning on that she was tempted to gag him - literally - but that would give her spell away.
*****
Mercy was dragging herself to lunch. Arriving finally with a tablet in hand at their usual table, she plopped down. Victoria and Brian were talking about video games again. Or more specifically they argued about something rather passionately.
Mercy brooded a bit longer till she heard one of Victoria's arguments that made her listen up. "I am just saying outfits in games don't have to be realistic. I think a lot of girls like those revealing outfits. Something they can't do in real life is possible in games."
Brian looked not happy. "Sure they couldn't wear them in real life. They are impossible. And you wanna tell me, if they could, girls would put up with those in real life?!"
Victoria quickly squashed his argument:"Of course! Well not all but come on. If women would avoid everything impractical we wouldn't wear high heels or makeup and so on."
Both looked to Mercy as she had a sudden burst of laughter. "What!?" asked both of them in unison.
When Mercy caught herself she replied still chuckling. "You're arguing plays exactly out like I thought it would between a girl and a guy. Just that the positions you took is switched."
That got a chuckle out of both.
Well, sorry that I am not the typical hormone-driven boy," came from Brian.
"Well, yeah sorry that I am a modern independent girl," pitched Victoria in.
Both chuckled and shook hands to bury the argument. For now anyways.
"So has Miss broody decided to join us? What is up with you today?" wanted Victoria to know.
"The day before yesterday something happened. One of my spells had unintended consequences. Thought I could put it out of my mind. Guessed wrong. Now I have to be more careful how I use my spell for pranks. It kind of sucks."
Victoria and Brian both started to ask something but stopped and looked at each other with a look on their face that asked: "does he/she know?"
Mercy sighed. "Yes, both of you know."
Brian was the first to react. "You told her?"
Mercy gave Victoria an accusing look. "She found out."
"How?" asked Brian and looked at Victoria.
"I won't tell you. And I told you Mercy I will tell you at the sleepover. It kinda involves a secret I am not prepared to tell yet. Especially not here."
Mercy gave a disappointed look but still was curious. "Okay, I can wait on the 'how'. Can you tell me at least how much you figured out?"
That made Victoria grin. "I suppose. Well, you can change clothes, right? As well as alter a cloth so it splits in two. So, in other words, you can create new clothes too. Right again? Thought so. Oh and if you want you somehow alter the memory of the person to think their altered clothes were always like this."
Mercy nodded along until the last bit. "Uhm the last thing is a little the reverse. The memory thing is always there unless I concentrate and suppress it. I also can't influence how the memory is altered. I think each target decides themselves. Subconsciously."
"So what happened the day before yesterday?" asked Brian.
"Ahh, I can't really tell. It too involves another person's secret."
"Speaking of secrets. Does Brian know how you 'pranked' me?" Victoria wanted to know.
Mercy shook her head and Victoria looked relieved. Brian, however, gave a bit of a grumpy look. To distract them Mercy told them a bit more. "I can tell you however that the mind-altering part is more powerful than I thought. If I change a random thing that is not worn often everything is fine. But if I change something that is worn daily or has a special meaning then that familiarity is transferred. Worse case scenario, as I found out, is that it doesn't change just the memory but the personality too. It's kinda heavy stuff."
Both listeners nodded gravely. Eventually, Brian had to ask." So this is all and good but let's return to the really interesting thing. Victoria told me you have a sleepover. Why am I still not invited?"
Both girls rolled their eyes.
*****
This afternoon Mercy was again visiting Al at the self-help center. Of course, she told him everything about her new insight.
"It is good you are cautious. A good character trade. I think you might now benefit from a bit group therapy. Well, it's more like a weekly meeting with the local trickster mages. We share stories and insight. Till then I have two more things for you. Firstly I want you to have this book. It's a copy of encyclopedia I own for trickster mage spells. I marked the pages related to clothing. Try a bit and see if there is more hidden inside you."
"A book? Really? Isn't there an app or something?" Mercy needled.
"The youth of today," Al grumbled. "Books have their advantages. Now let's get down to the cellar or do you need to download an app to find the way there?"
Once there Mercy noticed that the damaged vessel had been exchanged and a new one was installed.
"Okay, listen up Mercy. See this rectangle? Yep, the slightly glowing one. I want you to concentrate on it and try to push with your mind."
Mercy nodded and did as she was told. Not soon after Al's panicked shouting interrupted her. "Stop! Mercy stop! Stop NOW! Oh my, that was close."
"What happened?" she asked confused.
Al looked pale and shaken. "Mercy. Tell me how do you feel? Do you feel a rushing feeling? Like something is pouring in?"
Mercy took a moment to check but she didn't feel anything unusual. "Not that I can tell."
By now Al was pacing through the room. "Okay, Mercy. You told me you that you mainly change a few socks each day, right? So tell me how many did you change today?"
"Not sure. I didn't count. Maybe eighty pairs. You said if I need to I should prank so I did."
"Eighty!? Okay, no more vessel filling for you."
By now Mercy was kinda scared but also got angry. "Al. Tell me what's wrong or I swear you will wear a whole baby outfit in a minute!"
That got Al to stop his pacing. "Okay. Okay. Listen. What happened isn't bad in itself. Just unusual. Okay, actually I never heard of anything like that. Mercy those maybe five seconds you concentrated you nearly filled a new empty vessel up. One or two seconds more and you might have .. well let's not get into that. Clearly, you have more trickster magic and potential than we thought. That explains your massive sock changing. I thought you were changing a few per day. Max of seven or eight. You see not every mage has the same amount or should I say capacity for trickster magic. The higher the cap the faster the refill rate. Okay, for now, you have to promise me that if you ever get close to maximum. You prank. No matter what. Even if you have to hurt somebody or lose a friend. If the feeling to prank someone is strong and it doesn't go away prank like hell. Because one thing is clear. If you ever top off and lose control it might just be as catastrophic as a nuclear bomb hitting the city."
By now it was Mercy that turned pale and paced nervously through the room. Al stopped her by grabbing her and giving a hug.
"Look. It sounds bad. Well, it kinda is. But you will do fine. You did great the past week. Just follow the lokian way like before. Then I promise everything will be ok. I will write down that you are rated a ten. That's the highest on our scale. Same as our founder had. But if I am honest you would probably rate at least eighteen or more. Don't tell anyone about that, okay? There is always somebody unreasonable out there who easily panics. Let's not give them something to worry about. Also now I am pretty sure you have more spells up your sleeve. Find them. It will help you. Believe me. You need those.
It took a few more promises but Mercy calmed down. She thought she had her trickster magic under control, but now she wasn't so sure. And after the commotion in the principal's office, she wasn't sure if she could handle the second spell. Or a third. She promised however to try. Still worried she headed home.
***** Friday *****
Next morning she had marked off two of the pages in the book as not something she could do. She could neither charge clothes electrostatically or make them invisible. As school would start soon she put the book into the bag she had packed for the sleepover.
The plan was that Mercy and Victoria would come to Mercy's house and get her bag. Then they would call Victoria's mother to pick them up. But first, she had to survive another school day.
Arriving at school she quickly had to fulfill her new morning routine. Panties for Mitch and a newly designed plug for Victoria. *How many does she have of those? There is no end to them.*
Still worried about yesterday she decided to become more active as a prankster. Besides socks, underwear of girls and boys fell equally victim to her. But even with the new 'canvas', she knew it might grow boring rather soon. She really needed a new spell to mix things up.
Maybe Victoria will help her to test some spells of the book. After all, she was pretty similar to Mercy. Both tried to keep a clean and proper outside image. But behind it there was wickedness.
*If I didn't know better I would think Victoria was another trickster mage. Wait! Do I know that? Besides Al, I haven't met another one at the center. And didn't Al say trickster mages are resisted to mental influences of other mages? That would explain how she knew about my spell. She knew the first time I changed her plug!*
Mercy didn't know if she was now even more excited for the sleepover or dreaded it more.
*****
Victoria practically dragged Mercy forward. It had been hard enough to keep her quiet the first ten minutes after school. Since she couldn't say that she needed to change Mitch's panties back to boxers.
Finally, on their way, Victoria kept trying to rush her. Eventually, Mercy had enough and declared an ultimatum.
"Okay enough. If you don't stop I will make you. Don't test me."
That helped. But not for long. Soon Victoria was urging her on again. Sighing Mercy did what she threatened to do. It didn't take long to double Victoria's pantie and shift one downward. A moment later the copy was changed to an imitation of the leather bands and chain Victoria had worn last Sunday. Of course, Mercy suppressed the changing of her memories.
"Ahh you party popper," complained Victoria. Though a slight grin betrayed her true feelings. It didn't take long for Victoria to make a game out of it. Poke Mercy enough and she would shorten the chain by an inch. By the time they reached Mercy's house it was actually Mercy who had to wait on Victoria. With only three of originally, twelve inches left the chain allowed only the smallest of steps.
"Not much of a girly room," remarked Victoria.
"Oh give me a break. I've been a girl for only slightly over a week."
Mercy grabbed her bag and wanted to head out but Victoria was still busy snooping through all her drawers. "What are you doing?"
"Well if you believe modern movies then you have somewhere hidden some pornos."
Mercy palmed her face. "I wasn't that kind of teenager. I always stuck by the rules and such."
"So, in other words, you were boring."
"Yeah, not the first time I heard that."
"Oh look what I found here. Not so boring anymore aren't we?" Victoria held up her find triumphantly. Some of Mercy's sheer panties.
Quickly Mercy's face turned a few more shades towards red. "That was part of a prank."
"Oh do tell. A prank involving such sexy things. And quite a few of them."
"Ah no! It's not what you think. The day after I became a girl I went shopping with my mother. I thought it might be a good prank to... Well you know, show interest in Dessous way to revealing for my mother's taste. But it turned out the joke was on me. She got all understanding and was happy that I showed interest. By then I couldn't back out without hurting my mom's feelings. Now. Put it back or you wear it."
Dutifully Victoria complied but quickly pulled out a lacy bodice with garters. "That I wouldn't mind wearing."
Mercy rolled theatrically her eyes. But true to her words Victoria soon found herself in a copy of the bodice.
"Nice. But I might suggest a color that doesn't show through my clothes. My mother might wonder a bit."
"Speaking of your mother. You should call her. You know. Before you make such a huge mess here that I have to cancel the sleepover just to tidy up."
Victoria gave her a raspberry and pulled out her phone. By the time she had finished Mercy had changed the color of the bodice a few times.
*****
Miss Evens, Victoria's mother, was certainly not what Mercy had expected. With Victoria's outward appearances of prim and proper, she concluded her mother would be the same. More or less like her own mother. But Miss Evens was the kind of hip and sporty kind of mother you might find in a yogurt commercial. After introductions, they shuffled into the car. Maybe ten minutes of driving later they arrived at a slightly bigger than usual suburban house.
As they entered the home Victoria's mother quickly rehashed some stuff. "Okay honey. Your father and I will be back on Sunday. The phone number of the hotel is on the fridge. You have enough food to last 2 weekends and you have the money I gave you for pizza or so. Anything else?"
"No Mom sounds good," Victoria replied and grabbed Mercy's bag to haul it upstairs.
"So, well, Victoria didn't mention that we will be alone," Mercy admitted to her friend's mother.
"She probably forgot. Don't worry you'll be fine," Victoria's mother said.
"And are you fine with me being a trickster mage? I mean..."
"Victoria told me you didn't cause anything of note yet in school and that you have it under control. I trust her judgment. And just between us: maybe this is a good thing. She could use some loosening up. I worry a bit you know. She hasn't let go in years. If you can do that then this weekend will be worth it."
Just then Victoria returned and they said their goodbyes.
"Come. I show you my room. Only fair since I have seen yours."
Victoria's room was upstairs and quite big. There was already an inflatable mattress for Mercy pumped up, but still, the room had enough space to walk without bumping into anything. Seeing it Mercy couldn't help but laugh.
"And you complained that my room wasn't girly enough? Yours looks like a hospital room. All neat and white."
Promptly a pillow landed on Mercy's face. "There. Less neat. You happy now?" Both laughed.
Being Mercy's first 'girly' sleepover she had to ask. "So sensei. What's first in a traditional 'girly' sleepover?"
"To be honest I don't know. Had been years since my last one. Kinda out of practice. How about we get more comfortable first?"
With that being said she discarded her clothes till she was only wearing the bodice and the leather bands with chain. Of course, she also had her butt plug. Being near naked she sauntered over to her full-sized mirror to inspect herself. Then she noticed Mercy blushing and looking away.
"What? You peek every day under my clothes. No false modesty today."
"Well, actually when I scan people I just only know what they are wearing. And I can visualize items. But I am no superman. No x-ray vision."
"That explains a bit why your eyes are glued to the floor in the girls changing room. Okay. Okay. You saw mine. Time for fair play. Strip!"
"What?!"
"You heard me. Do it. Or else.. I have plenty of other pillows to throw."
*I can't believe I am doing this,* she thought as she stripped down to her underwear.
"See? Wasn't that hard. Now speaking of fair play. Let's make a rule for today. Whatever you make me wear, you have to wear too. Starting with this." Victoria grinned and pointed at her bodice.
*What the hell. Well in for a penny in for a pound right?* A few moments later they wore the same bodice.
"Nice. But maybe you should color your's deep red. You know. To match the blush on your face."
Now it was her turn to throw a pillow Mercy decided. After both chuckled Victoria pressed on. "We ain't done."
Soon Mercy was wearing leather bands and a chain too. Victoria pulled Mercy over to the mirror. "I think we make a striking pair. Don't you think so too? Well, only one more thing to add."
Mercy furrowed her eyebrows as she was puzzled. Victoria gently took Mercy's hand and guided it to her butt. Placing it on the butt plug. Mercy quickly pulled her hand back.
"Oh no. No no no."
"Don't knock it till you try it."
"No!" Mercy said with conviction.
"Okay okay. Maybe later." Victoria walked over to her bed and flopped down on it. "I guess this is a good time as any to tell you how I knew about your spell."
Mercy flopped down beside Victoria. "Already figured it out."
"Oh, did you? I don't think so but let's hear it."
"You are a trickster mage like me! That's why the mental part didn't work. You resisted it. You knew from day one what my spell was."
Victoria let out a loud laugh, ignoring Mercy's angry look.
"Not even close. Well, one part was correct. I found out on day one. Okay, to tell you how I have to tell you a bunch of my past. No one knows around here. You have to promise me you won't tell anyone else."
After Mercy did Victoria continued. However, her voice took an unusually somber note. "You see it's not the first time I did run into a trickster mage. I was fourteen and we lived in another city. There was news on the telly about an escaped criminal trickster mage. My parents and I ignored it. After all, stuff usually happens to other people, right? But that guy chose our house to hide. He was a nasty fellow and his spell was even nastier."
Victoria sighed deeply before she continued. "He could manipulate our feelings. Made us obsessed with something. We couldn't resist it. Suddenly we were happy to hide him. Eager to please him. With playing our feelings like a fiddle he didn't even need to order us. We did everything. But as the hunt for him dragged on he got bored. He did .. stuff I don't wanna repeat to my parents. He mostly ignored me. I don't know from where but he had some sex toys with him. He told me if I would train with them one day I might be of use to him. So I did. I did things to myself that most adult woman wouldn't do with just fourteen. It was three days. But those days were hard. On the third day, my father was missed at work and us being close to the search area his co-workers called the cops.The police decided to go all out. Stormed our house. It was over in a few seconds. But afterward, we needed a lot of therapy. It took some time to acknowledge that what I did. That what we did wasn't our fault."
By now Victoria was crying a few tears and Mercy hugged her gently.
"About a year later my father was offered a job here and we, as a family decided to move. Bring distance between us and the place where it happened. By then I was mostly okay. Actually, I felt kinda normal again. Then, when we were packing our stuff, I found a butt plug left from the ordeal under my bed. I should have thrown it away. But I had to know. To find an end. It was about the feelings I had when I used these toys. Were they only caused by him or was there part of me that felt it too. So I tried it. It was a small one and honestly, I didn't feel anything. Not the overwhelming happiness like before. But then my mother came in. She didn't see what I had done. I was presentable. But there was a new feeling. Doing something lewd, the excitement and thrill I knew I could be found out. Without a doubt, I knew those were my feelings and only mine. And I kinda got hooked on them."
By now Victoria's mood had lightened and she was even excited a bit when she continued. "But while I was glad I found out about them I didn't want to repeat anything like that what the mage did. When the principal announced that one of the students had an accident and was now a trickster mage I took precautions. If something happened to me I wanted to know about it. Before school, I wrote down everything I could think of. My mood, feeling, body measures and all my clothes. Everything I wore. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the butt plug I remembered buying turned out to be changed. I thought it always had been black with pretty pink spirals. But on the picture of my collection, the same plug was uniform black. Strange right? Friday the same and Saturday a shorter chain. Yep noticed that too. So yeah. I found out fast."
Mercy hugged her again. "Thank you for sharing. It must have been hard. I promise I won't ever do something like that to you."
"Thanks. I know now you won't. I think the past proved that while you are a bit wicked you aren't rotten."
To lighten the mood further Mercy decided to change the subject a bit. "So you have a collection? I was wondering how many you have. Every day you had a new one. I started to suspect you lived near a factory for them."
That brought out the desired laugh Mercy had hoped for. "Yeah. It's not just butt plugs though. I tried a lot in the past two years. Everything that might be naughty and concealable and a few that can't be hidden. Wanna see?"
Mercy shrugged. "Sure." If it would brighten Victoria's mood it was okay with Mercy.
Excited Victoria clapped her hands and stood up. She then nearly fell down because she had forgotten how short the chain between her legs was. Still hobbled she walked over to her closet. She opened the door and pulled a few boxes aside.
"I found it by accident shortly after we moved in." She pushed against the back wall of the closet and part of it swung away. "Must have been an old service access to the crawl space in between walls."
She pulled out a big chest that only narrowly fitted through the opening. "Okay, no peeking."
Victoria placed a blanket on the floor and started slowly to place the chests content on it. First, there was an impressive amount of buttplugs ranging from small to Victoria's usual big ones.
After laying them out Victoria held a small one up, but before she could say something Mercy interrupted with a firm "No".
Next came to Mercy's shock a few vibrators.
"What? Believe me, more teenage girls have one than you think. In fact, I know of some whose mother bought them for them."
"Yeah but I don't think every girl has eight of them. And before you ask: no I won't try one."
"Say have you tried yet to ..." She stopped as Mercy's blush told enough. Next, she pulled out a long clear blue double ended dildo. "I was curious," she lamely explained.
After that came a collar, ankle and wrist cuffs, the leather tights bands and some rope. "Experimented with bondage a bit, but alone it's a bit impractical and risky. Now I like the next one but it's hard to conceal."
With a flourish, she pulled out a long leather corset. "I like how it hugs me but the stiffness and some creaking give away its presence. So I rarely wear it."
Pulling out a Tupperware box Mercy was confused for a moment. There was something black and shiny in it.
Victoria opened it and pulled a pantie out. "The only latex garment I own. It's quite interesting to feel against your skin. I wish I had more, but good latex is kinda expensive."
That gave Mercy an idea. A quick spell later and Victoria's bodice was glossy black latex.
"Oh my god. Wow. Thank you. That feels amazing. You have to try it. I mean rule one, remember? What I wear you wear?"
Sighing Mercy complied. A moment later she had matched her bodice. She had to admit it felt strange but good. Seeing Victoria running her hands up and down she had to ask. "Need the room for yourself for a moment?"
As Victoria couldn't find a pillow nearby Mercy had to dodge the blue double ended dildo instead. Next, she pulled out a bag made of some rubber that had a long hose attached. "My enema kit. Feels quite nice once you get used to it."
Rummaging in her chest again she pulled out 2 ball gags and a blindfold. "That's all."
"That's a lot. How did u get your hands on so much?"
"Well, the internet. And a PO box."
"Hmm, I must say I always wondered what girls usually do on their sleepover but I wouldn't have guessed in a million years that bragging about their extensive sex-toy collection was part of it."
Victoria frantically looked around for more pillows to throw, as throwing another dildo would only prove Mercy's point. Throwing her hands up in the air she gave up. All the pillows were behind Mercy out of reach.
But of course, Victoria had other ways to get back at Mercy. "So you want to do girly stuff. I can help you with that." Followed by an evil laugh that made Mercy cringe.
*Maybe I shouldn't have taunted her,* Mercy admitted to herself.
*****
On Victoria's orders they both took a shower and wrapped in bathrobes they were ready. At least that was what Mercy thought.
The facemask Mercy could get behind. It was kinda relaxing. Next Victoria taught her the basics about manicures and pedicures. That grew quickly tedious and Mercy wondered why some girls like it that much.
Next activity was, of course, painting their nails. It was fun for Mercy. At first, that is. Victoria was a perfectionist and had Mercy do it again and again. After the third time, Mercy figured out that technically she wore the paint so her spell should work. Indeed it did. However, Victoria caught her and she had to do it yet again.
"Next time you cheat I bend you over my legs and you get a spanking."
Mercy chuckled. "Good joke."
"Sure. Joke." Victoria's giggle somehow made Mercy very, very uneasy.
*****
When they were done it was already late. They ordered a pizza and after eating they did their evening routine before they headed to bed. As both still did lie awake Victoria had a few more questions. "So. I've been meaning to ask. How come you handle it all so well?"
"What do you mean?"
"The mage thing. Being a girl. I mean I would freak out if I would one day wake up a boy. But you seem mostly fine. How come?"
Mercy thought about it a bit. "I don't know. I thought about it a lot. I mean I know, from a logical point of view, that it would be normal to freak out. But there are other things I found strange were I don't know how to explain them. You know I researched people who changed genders by whatever means and what those people described. Being off-balance, body feels strange and relearning to walk properly. All that I didn't have. You know the feeling when you didn't ride a bike for quite some time and then you do? You are wobbly a bit but soon you remember and everything is fine? It's like that. Being in this body doesn't feel strange. It's more like I changed a pair of well-worn shoes for another pair well-worn shoes. I know it sounds crazy but that's it. I can't explain it better. Socially, however, I have sometimes trouble."
"Like the first time before the changing room."
"Yeah exactly. I feel fine in my body but my mind sometimes.. how do I put it? It loses the familiarity I have with my body. It's strange."
"Hmm speaking of... I mean you were a boy and most boys are into girls. Now you are a girl and you say you are somehow familiar with it. It begs the question..."
"If I like boys or girls? Hmm, good question. I think I still like girls but I don't mind flirting with boys. Though I don't know if it is because I like them or because of my trickster thing going on."
"Wait. You actually already flirted with guys?"
"Okay, maybe not really. I liked that I could turn some heads at the mall and there was the time with Brian..."
"Wow, you are into him?"
"What? No! It was a prank. Okay? Just a prank.It was the first day I was back at school and he was waiting at my locker. And in the spur of the moment, I decided I have some fun. I pretended he was my boyfriend and everything was normal. Of course, he called bullshit pretty quickly. But when I stuck to it a moment longer I got him."
"So still mostly girls. Am I safe with you? Maybe I should chain you down."
"Ha! You wish. Ok quid pro quo. What about you. Never saw you hanging on a boyfriend's arm."
Now Victoria giggled. "I am weird there. Boy? Girl? All the same to me. Mostly boring. To change that a person has to have something special. Something naughty or wicked."
"Like changing someone's clothes?"
But Victoria didn't answer.
"So tell me. Are you into me?"
Again there was no reply.
Just as Mercy wanted to ask again Victoria giggled. "Hush you. I am sleeping."
Making some grumpy noises Mercy rolled over and tried to fall asleep. She knew Victoria could be hard headed if she wanted to. There won't be any answers for her tonight.
***** Saturday ****
Next morning, while eating breakfast Victoria noticed Mercy fidgeting. "What's up with you?"
Mercy looked embarrassed. "I think I am bloated. Not actually. Not in a stomach sense. I think I need to prank someone. My magic is filling up and I was warned I shouldn't let it go too far."
"Hmm ok. Go ahead. Do your worst. And maybe later we hit the mall or so."
Mercy thought about what to do to her. Somehow it took the fun out a bit if you had to prank someone who wanted to be pranked. Then Mercy had an idea. "Wait here."
She sprinted upstairs and soon after came back carrying a book. "Al, the person who helps me at the center, gave that to me."
"Oh, a spell book?"
Mercy gave a slight smile. "Not exactly. This is an encyclopedia of known natural trickster spells." Mercy paged through till she found hers. "That's mine. Though mine seems to be an extended version of it."
"So what does that have to do with you? Miss bloaty."
Mercy rolled her eyes but continued. "Al told me that the more powerful a mage is the more natural spells he or she has. He thought I might still have one or two to discover."
"Interesting. So how do you find out? Try every spell in the book and see what works?"
"Ah no. Al said natural spells usually follow a theme. Mine is about clothes obviously."
"Is it? For me, it doesnâ't look that clean cut. I mean your nail-paint yesterday wasn't cloth and my plugs certainly aren't either."
Mercy had to agree. "Okay, maybe it wasn't that good of an idea. This could take longer than I thought."
"What? No way. First baiting me like that and then bailing? Your first spell is awesome enough. If you have others I wanna know."
"Okay. Okay. Geez."
Giggling they both started to look through the book for possible candidates.
*****
Two hours later they Hadn't found one yet.
Then Victoria put her finger on one. "Hey what about that one. It's a bit weird and short in the description. 'Makes any worn item safe to the wearer as long as it is worn'. Pretty cryptic but it concerns clothes right?"
Mercy looked at it and sighed. "Saw that one but in truth, I have no clue how to test this. I mean how can some clothing be dangerous and what would it do to prevent this?"
"Well, it doesn't say it's clothing but any worn item. Maybe it's liberal like your first spell. I mean that can affect any worn item too right?"
"Yeah, but still doesn't explain how something can be dangerous and be made safe."
Rejecting the spell they moved on. A half-hour later Victoria shouted "I got it!" and turned the pages till she was back to the 'makes things save' spell. This time it was Victoria's turn to say "Wait here" and darting upstairs.
As Mercy saw her coming back downstairs she just had to face-palm herself. Victoria had the long blue double ended dildo flopping in her hand. She gave Victoria a look that said "Really!?" Victoria, however, ignored it.
"Okay bear with me here. First I have to show you something."
She placed a stopwatch in Mercy's hand. Then when Mercy looked ready she tilted her head back and started to slide the dildo down her throat. Mercy needed a few moments to swallow her shock and actually start the timer. Not long after Victoria had about half of the dildo down. Maybe about one and a half feet. She let go of it and showed Mercy it like some circus performer might show his sword swallowing. Meanwhile, seconds ticked by and Mercy grew worried. Just when she wanted to say something Victoria grabbed the dildo and pulled it out in one fluid motion. Mercy stopped the watch and saw two minutes fourteen seconds.
"Did you train that?"
"A bit. Little over two minutes? I am getting better."
"As impressive that was what does it have to do with anything?"
"Okay. Bear with me here. While I let go you could argue I have worn the dildo right? And on top of it what would happen if I didn't pull it out? I would have suffocated as my windpipe was blocked right?" Mercy nodded. "So it's worn and unsafe. Perfect for you to test if that spell works."
"I don't know. It sounds like a dangerous experiment."
"Hey, don't worry. If it isn't working I can just pull the dildo out. Come on don't be a chicken."
Sighing Mercy agreed to test it. They moved over to the couch and prepared. Mercy had the stopwatch and was mentally preparing herself. Victoria just wiped the dildo down once and waited for Mercy to calm down.
Finally, they began. Victoria swallowed again and Mercy started the timer. Victoria gave a thumbs up as a sign for Mercy to start. Mercy gave her best to do anything really. It was like fumbling in the dark.
Then, at one minute, she noticed a puzzled look on Victoria's face. However, she waved the worried Mercy off. Then she started to move her hand up and gave a surprised look as she touched the dildo.
Meanwhile, Mercy grew impatient. Seeing Victoria's strange behavior worried her. Then she noticed the stopwatch. It just had passed three minutes. She told Victoria but was yet again waved off. Instead, she moved her hands along the dildo stronger and her face turned red.
Mercy had enough. Something was clearly wrong. Quickly she pinned Victoria under her and started to pull the dildo out. At least she tried. It was stuck in Victoria's throat and her hands always lost her grip. Mercy grew frantic and tried her hardest.
Meanwhile, Victoria started to squirm and thrash under her. Finally, Mercy had a thought. *The spell worked somehow. Or any spell.* She did concentrate on the spell again and to dispel it. Suddenly she did fall backward off the couch, as Victoria's throat let go of the dildo. Mercy quickly got up and looked worried at her friend.
However, she quickly was speechless as Victoria shouted. "That was awesome!" She reached over and looked at the stopwatch. "Twelve minutes. Not bad. But I must say you are a big meanie. I was so close."
Finally, Mercy found her voice back:"What!? I thought you were dying. You turned red and looked distressed."
"I-I wasn't. Mercy this was amazing. I don't know how but I didn't breath. I didn't need to. But there was more. I felt it. The dildo. I could actually feel it like it was a part of me. I could feel it filling my throat but I could also feel my throat squeezing around it. I felt my hand on it and yours. And I actually think it felt like a penis. Or what I think a penis feels like."
Mercy meanwhile was fuming. "So to recap you found out what the spell did and instead of letting me know that you aren't dying you decided to jerk off?"
Mercy's angry tone brought Victoria down from her high fast. Sheepish she said: Sorry. Really. I was caught up in the moment."
Still a bit angry and annoyed she waved her off. "I think we need a break for now to gather our thoughts."
Mercy grabbed the tv remote and switched it on. Watching pretty much the first thing she saw.
*****
Mercy cooled off just about when lunchtime came around. Victoria wanted to order again.
"Why order? The fridge is full." Mercy wanted to know.
"Well, actually I am not good at cooking."
"Oh, so miss prim and proper does have weaknesses. Good to know."
"Yeah yeah mock all you want. Unless you have a better idea ordering it is."
"Well, my dad taught me. He always said cooking runs in the male side of our family. Hmm, maybe not entirely true anymore."
It didn't take long for Mercy to wipe up some decent spaghetti and a good tomato sauce. Much to Victoria's protest, she had to help. Mercy saw it as small payback.
While eating Victoria did try another run at the big elephant in the room. "You know we have to try again right? This new spell is only safe as long as you know everything about it."
"Okay. okay. No more dildo stuff though."
"Agreed. For now at least. So I did go over it again and I think the description of the spell fitted but like your other spell, it expands it."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Well, your first spell is to alter clothing. At least that's what the book says. But we both know that it expands on it in two ways: for one, you can alter anything that is worn and two there is the mind and memory altering. Okay? Yeah, so this new spell. Let's call it number two ..."
"Oh no, we don't."
Victoria was puzzled. "Why?"
Mercy didn't let herself fouled by Victoria. "Because it's only a matter of time before I hear from you 'Mercy. Why don't you make number two over here?'"
That made Victoria laugh. "I actually hadn't thought of that. Now we just have to call it that." Ignoring Mercy's angry glare she continued on. "Okay, so the book said about 'number two' that it would make any worn item save right? I thought it would make me able to breathe through it. But that didn't happen. It was more like I didn't need to breathe anymore. Like at all. I did inhale before I swallowed you know. But the pressure in my chest just vanished. So I think it didn't make the item save. It simply removed the body function that was blocked by it."
"Hmm, so you are saying we can test it out by blocking other bodily functions?"
"Yes exactly. But there is more. Shortly after you started I felt this strange double sensation. It took me a moment to figure it out. I felt the dildo as if it was my own body. As if it became a part of me. And, uhm, yeah. It felt good. And when you grabbed at it too I nearly lost it. Sorry again about that. Anyway, I think I know ways to try them without .. well in a way which leaves me with the ability to talk. You game?"
Mercy motioned for her to go on. After all soon or later she had to find out.
"Okay, the becoming part of the body should be easy. We can try it out on some random clothes. The other part is harder. But I think I found a way there too. Tell what am I wearing?"
"Well, still your PJ. Maybe we should change clothes soon."
Victoria didn't say anything and waited for Mercy to continue. Catching on she quickly scanned Victoria. "Of course. Should have known. You plugged yourself up again."
"Correct. Now if you do it as long as I have, you get a pretty good feeling when you have to go to ... Well. 'Make number two.' No pun intended there. Anyways I wasn't since yesterday and I am about to be due soon. If you use your spell we can see if it is still the case or if it takes longer. Or not at all."
"Sounds good. But if anything feels strange you tell me ok?"
"Okay, I promise."
Mercy nodded and then concentrated. Soon after she thought the spell was in place. Now that she wasn't so distracted or worried she noticed something else. She felt a tiny flow of her magic to the butt plug. *Must be to maintain the spell,* she thought.
After a moment Victoria noticed it. Tenderly she brushed her fingers along the plug. "It's working. I can feel my fingers. Okay, now for the clothes..."
But Mercy stopped her holding her finger up. "First we get dressed. Properly. My spell won't be an excuse for you to hang around in pajamas the whole day."
"Okay. Okay. Fine."
Together they headed upstairs.
*****
Mercy was still deciding what to wear so Victoria was first to use the shower. After her, it was Mercy's turn. When she came back out Victoria was only dressed in a bra and panties.
"That's not everything you are wearing right? Get dressed."
"Well, I thought you could help me with that." She picked up a thin catalog beside her and showed a page to Mercy. On it was a model wearing a corsage with straps and stockings.
"Why do I feel used right now for my talents?"
"Because you are? Oh, come on silly. Please."
"Fine." Mercy rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, but still only needed a moment till Victoria was wearing the same corsage and stockings. "Now get dressed."
However, Victoria didn't move. She only grinned.
"Oh what now?" wanted Mercy to know.
"Did you forget rule number one again? I think it's your turn to get dressed."
Mercy pondered for a moment but then complied. Looking in the mirror she had to admit it looked good on her. Well, on Victoria too.
"Well, Mercy one more thing till I can get dressed for real. Use your new spell on it. Please."
Mercy concentrated for a moment and then said: "There. You got your wish. Now get dressed."
Victoria gave a quick kiss on Mercy's cheek and then started dressing. When both were ready Victoria announced their next activity. "How about we go to the mall a bit? You could get some pranks going and I can tell my mother honestly that we didn't spend the whole weekend cooped up inside. Sounds good?"
"Sure. But how do we get to the mall? I don't think you have a car, right?"
"Let me worry about that. Because you have something else to worry about." She took Mercy over to the vanity. "I show you some basics on myself and then you try your first baby steps. Okay?"
Mercy shook her head but Victoria was giving no leeway. "Too bad. In for a penny in for a pound. Now watch and learn."
True to her word she only showed a few basics. The lesson about concealer and foundation postponed for another day. What she did show however was some light eyeshadow and how to use mascara. A bit of blush and a very natural lipstick.
"Now you. Oh, don't worry. We can try over when you fail. We have time."
Mercy sighed yet again. A habit she was slowly developing when she was near Victoria. To her surprise, she managed quite well. Only the mascara troubled her as she managed to hit her eye more than once.
Finally done Victoria remarked: "Good work. But if you think that's a hassle try gluing fake eyelashes."
That intrigued Mercy. "Oh, can you show me? Please?"
"Okay. Alright. Guess you need a little reward for everything you endured. Okay, watch."
Mercy and Victoria switched seats. Then Victoria showed her some fake lashes she had. Not the most striking ones but that wouldn't be Victoria's style anyways. Once done it looked good but maybe a bit overkill as her makeup was slightly understated.
*Perfect,* Mercy thought and used her new spell. As Victoria was trying to remove them Mercy just had to comment. "Oh yeah, they look like they're more work. Especially removing them."
Finally, Victoria caught on. "Oh no, you didn't. Oh, come on."
Mercy grinned. "What? You said I deserve a reward."
"Alright. You had your fun. Now undo it."
"Maybe as a reward if you get us a ride or you can wear it on the bus ride."
"Hmpf. Well played missy. But I have my own tricks." She picked up her scissors and with a swift trim cut of some of the long lashes. "Ouch. That hurt. I forgot I feel what is bonded to me."
Mercy had to stifle a snicker. Then she saw that the lashes were re-growing in the span of a few seconds. *Good to know. Whatever is fused regenerates by drawing magic from me.*
"So any more bright ideas or can we go now?"
"You aren't gonna undo it?"
"Nah. Not yet. After all your hijinx I think it's my turn. And just hope I am done for now."
Victoria gave up and fetched her phone instead. "Hey, Brian..."
"Since when do you have Brian's number?"
"Shush! No not you Brian. Mercy was just being excited. So I was calling to ask you a favor. You did say you could maybe borrow your brother's car, right? Hmm. Hmmhmm. Yeah, Mercy and I wanna hit the mall. You game? Hmm. Okay. See you in a bit."
Mercy gave her a bemused look.
"What? Can't I be friends with Brian? You got him reserved?"
Blushing Mercy quickly defended herself. "No that's not it. I didn't know that you were that close already. And didn't you say this sleepover was girls only."
"Well, we aren't sleeping right now, correct? Now come on. Brian will be here soon. He only got the car till six so get a move on."
Together they did go downstairs and put their shoes on. Mercy decided she still had a bit too much magic. She quickly changed Victoria's heels from two inches to four.
"Whoa don't over do it. I need to be able to walk okay?"
"Sure thing I won't make them higher. But gotta make sure you don't cheat out." With that said Mercy fused the heels to Victoria.
"Man, that feels strange. It feels a bit like walking on tiptoes but you have a separated toe," remarked Victoria.
Together they left the house to wait for Brian. As Mercy could see Brian down the road she quickly addressed Victoria. "I think your lipstick is smudged a bit. Look at me and I can quickly correct it before Brian arrives."
Victoria complied and a moment later Brian parked on the sidewalk. He quickly got out and greeted them. "Hey, Mercy. Nice seeing you. Who is your new friend? Victoria's sister? Because she would never wear so much make-up."
Whatever Victoria wanted to say was interrupted as she quickly searched for her mirror. Mercy was already giggling like mad when Victoria finally saw her reflection. "Oh, my gosh Mercy! I look like a total slut! Smudged lipstick my ass. Fix it now."
Mercy was now laughing full force and Brian had a grin on his face too. Finally, Mercy calmed down and reversed the change. "Don't know what you want. At least I didn't fuse it onto you."
That got Mercy a dirty look from Victoria and Brian asked:"Fused?"
Victoria quickly said: "Tell you in the car. Let's get on track again."
With that, they shuffled into the car. Brian was driving and Victoria called shotgun. So Mercy took the backseat. While driving Victoria filed Brian in.
"So we found out Mercy can fuse worn items to a person. They get stuck there like they are part of the body. And they actually feel like part of your body too. Noticed my high heels?"
"Yeah, I thought they were part of Mercy's prank. Not your usual height."
"No, they aren't. Well for testing Mercy fused them. They are actually right now ... Mercy stop it! No changing of my makeup through the rear-view mirror! Anyway, where was I? Oh right. The heels are right now part of me and I can feel them. Like everything. Feels strange but good." Then she turned around to Mercy. "Bright pink barbie make-up? Really? Now behave. We are nearly at the mall. Lots of victims for you to torture there.
Mercy gave a sarcastic "Yes mom," and stuck her tongue out.
"So how long does this fusing last?" wanted Brian to know.
Victoria shrugged and Mercy thought about it a moment. "Till I die I guess. Or get bored and release it. It's not like my first spell where it is done and done you know? It stays active and constantly draws magic from me. I only need to cut off the flow and the spell get's undone by itself."
Victoria helpfully chimed in. "For now we are calling it Mercy's number two."
"No, we are not! I guess 'fusing-spell' is okay for now."
Victoria looked over at Brian and asked:"So only till six?"
"Yeah, my brother needs it this evening. I nearly didn't get it till I said I needed it to drive two girls around. He said he didn't believe me so I hope you don't mind. I need a photo as proof later."
Both of them didn't mind and agreed.
*****
The arrived shortly thereafter and shuffled out. Entering the mall Mercy wanted to know. "So where to first?"
Victoria looked at them both and firmly declared:"Well we are not gonna get you your new video games today." Both of them looked slightly guilty. "Unless we buy a game with a sexy heroine and Mercy cosplays all her outfits."
"Agreed," came from Brian but was shouted over by Mercy's "Absolutely not!"
"Well, in that case, there is something Mercy showed a lot of interest recently. Follow me." With that Victoria marched forward and Mercy and Brian tried to catch on. Suddenly Victoria stopped.
As Mercy looked where they had stopped she had to protest. "Oh hell no. A Blazin' Topic?! Seriously? What made you think..." She couldn't finish as Victoria spun her 180 degrees around. What she saw made her mutter another "Oh hell no!" Before her was now the front of a beauty parlor.
"Well someone was giving me a horrible makeover and I thought that person needs another crash course."
Mercy looked around for help but was doomed when a grinning Brian commented. "Oh, I got to see this."
Soon Mercy found herself in the hands of 'Sandra' and her endless talk about what to do and when. Mercy tried to listen but her mind always returned to the question *How do I get back at them?* It wasn't helping that she saw both of them chatting and coming up with who knows what.
Finally done she had a few bucks less and a bunch of more make-up in a small paper bag. Grudgingly she walked over to both conspirators. "Why do my pranks always bite me in the ass in the end?" She didn't get an answer but lots of laughter.
As they trudged on Mercy asked Victoria to stow the paper bag in her purse.
"Oh, no honey. Put it into your own."
"You know I don't have one." Then she looked suspiciously around and noticed the next stop already close: a leather and accessory shop. Despite Victoria's best try to get her a normal purse Mercy wouldn't give in. However, she found a 'cute' little messenger bag that was more up to her speed and style.
As they exited the shop Brian declared. "And the point goes to Mercy. Bringing the score to 1:1." That earned him a glare from both. "Okay. Okay. How about a truce for now and we get ice cream. My treat."
Both were happy to accept that bribe. As they sat at the ice-cream parlor, Victoria suddenly pointed to an older gentleman. "White boxers."
Mercy quickly caught on. "Nope. Black."
"Over there. Hmm dark blue."
"Nope. Gray."
"Okay. I need an easy target. Dark gray," she said as she pointed towards Brian.
Mercy, however, said in a patronizing tone."Oh too bad. That was correct. Now it's pink."
"What?!" came from Brian and he quickly checked. They were still dark gray. Much to the amusement of both girls.
When they were done Victoria suddenly stood up, surprising both Mercy and Brian. "I got a brilliant idea. Both of you follow me."
"Her brilliant ideas usually spell trouble for me," remarked Mercy to Brian.
Nonetheless, she followed. Soon they were entering a shop for parties and costumes. "Might be fun to get some ideas for Mercy's fusing," Victoria said.
Together they browsed a bit and made a list with pictures. All of them knew Mercy could replicate everything and they weren't made out of money. Still, wigs were tried on and silly prosthetics inspected.
Brian had to actually cut them short. "Sorry girls. We need to head home. Gotta return the car."
A unified "Awww" came from both of them. Before they got into the car Mercy waved Victoria over. While fishing in her bag for her new tube of lipstick she clued Victoria in on her idea.
With a fresh coat on their lips, they surprised Brian by placing a kiss on his cheek. Simultaneously making a selfie. "There. You got your proof for your brother twofold. Give me a second and I send the pic."
Brian thanked them and couldn't hide his grin completely. It stayed on him the whole drive back to Victoria's house. Saying their goodbyes the girls headed in.
Settling down Mercy remarked:"And now we wait for Brian's call."
"Why would he ... Oh no, you didn't. You did? Nice one."
*****
The girls were halfway through dinner when Mercy's phone rang. She quickly answered and put it on speaker.
"Mercy undo it."
"Undo what?"
"You know what. And I hear your giggling. The lipstick. I can't get it off. You fused it didn't you? Undo it."
"Okay. Okay. Done," she said while giggling.
After they all calmed down they said their goodbyes again.
Once done with dinner Victoria had the next surprise ready. "It's time to find out how girly you got in two weeks. Time for 'the test'."
"Oh no, what trouble are you brewing now?"
"Nothing serious. I promise."
Mercy looked unconvinced as she was lead by Victoria to the coach. Mercy couldn't see what DVD she put in the player. *Knowing Victoria it's probably a porno. Gay porn I bet. Lot's of beefy guys to test me.*
However, as the title came on Mercy knew she was wrong and in much deeper trouble. It was a romantic comedy. Victoria pushed a tissue box over to Mercy, earning an angry glare from her.
There was no helping it. It looked like Mercy had to suffer through this.
Two hours later it was done. Mercy dried the last tears away. The tissue box nearly empty. The looked over to Victoria only to see her asleep. *Oh my gosh. I fell for a rom-com and bawled my eyes out. Maybe if I am quick I can hide the evidence before she wakes up.*
Mercy sneaked away to refill the tissue box and freshen up. She looked a mess, the make up she got at the mall ruined. She contemplated to remove it completely but that might give herself away to Victoria. So she used her spell. Finally done she tiptoed over to Victoria and shook her awake.
"Movie is done. I suffered through all of it. Happy now?"
Still, sleepy Victoria giggled. "Yeah, suffering is right. I always get bored and doze off. But at least I stayed awake long enough to see you cry like there was no tomorrow."
"Oh my gosh you did see that?!"
"Uhm no. I was joking. So you did cry at the end? Don't worry. I am not holding it against you. Won't even tell Brian. I promise."
"Somehow I don't trust you..." Looking at the clock Mercy asked:"What now? You tired?"
"Nah. I had a fine nap. You?"
Mercy shook her head.
"In that case why don't we try some more things with your spells. We did after all get some inspiration today in the party store."
Mercy sighed in relieve. "For a moment I thought you might suggest truth or dare."
"Oh Mercy brilliant idea. Let's combine the two!"
Mercy groaned and muttered something like "Why do I have such a big mouth?"
Victoria gave her a wicked smile. "Okay. Enough self-pitying. Let's play. But ..."
Mercy took the bait and asked. "What is it?"
"Well, I always thought the truth part was boring. How about we play dare or dare? One of us chose a normal dare and one related to your spell. The other then has to choose between them. You game?"
Mercy groaned. Sure she could refuse to play it. She also knew by now that Victoria would bother her till she relented. "Okay. Let's do this."
Both started to go through their phones, going through the pictures, to come up with a dare. Mercy was first to come up with a pair. "Okay. I dare you to prank call Mister Hesbrow ...."
"Prank call? Really? How lame."
"... or let me fuse this sexy cat costume to you."
Victoria took Mercy's phone and looked at the displayed picture. It showed the plastic packaging of a 'sexy cat' costume. A fake tail, a headband with cat ears, a bikini and a pair of gloves. Victoria quickly noticed the defining attribute for the ensemble: it all looked very cheap. The fur screamed fake and was glued on everywhere. On the ears, plenty on the bikini and on the backside of the gloves. Worst of all was the tail. A spray-painted duster would look better. She already opened her mouth to chose the prank call, when she hesitated. A prank call was so lame and so beneath her. And no one would see her, right? She threw her hands up in annoyance and answered with a: "Meow .. I guess."
Mercy grinned a wolfish smile. Reminding Victoria that Mercy was, after all, a trickster mage. A moment later her clothes flowed around her as if it was stirred with a stick. Slowly garments shifted, slimmed and flowed into each other. Soon she felt the cold air as much of her body was suddenly unprotected. What little of fabric remained hugged her breasts, her crotch, and her hands. Next, she saw the awful fake fur sprout.
Victoria was standing up to examine herself when she was held back by Mercy. "I'm not done yet. The kitty needs her tail."
Looking behind her, Victoria saw that indeed the clip-on tail was missing. Distracted she nearly missed a change. Something felt off. Then it came to her. She couldn't feel the butt plug itself anymore. But it was still in place. Just unfused. After hours of it fused to her she barely had registered it anymore. Just then the feeling of the plug shifted again. It grew heavier as slowly the plug extended into a long cat tail. Of course with the annoying fake fur. Next, a short tingling spread over her and then she could feel the plug again. And everything else she wore. Mercy had fused it all on her. Victoria took a moment to take it all in. She could feel everything. The air on the fake fur if she moved around. The tip of the tail barely brushing the carpet beneath her.
"Nothing? No snarky remark? Did a cat got your tongue?"
Mercy's teasing brought her back. *Oh how smug she looks,* Victoria thought. "You are so dead!" she growled.
Mercy however evaded and started to run through the house. Victoria hot on her tails.
"Oh looks like the kitty got claws..."
"Why you ... I'll show you my claws!" The chase, however, didn't last very long. Soon Victoria stopped and fiddled with her tail/plug.
"Damn that thing is heavy and distracting," she complained.
Mercy meanwhile peeked over the back of the couch. Weary it might be a trap. Then she noticed something curious. "Say, Vicky, how are you moving your tail like that? It nearly looks natural."
Victoria looked at her backside too and saw the slight swaying of the tail to the left and right. She furrowed her brows in concentration and soon the tail was moving stronger. "Oh my gosh. I can move it by will!"
That brought Mercy out of her hiding. However, the curiosity was her undoing. Barely in reach, she was tackled by Victoria and mercilessly tickled. The relentless attack only eased up when Mercy yielded.
After both caught their breath they returned to the couch. "My turn," Victoria exclaimed excitedly. She browsed a bit on her phone and then held up a picture with a sexy nurse costume.
"You like costumes? So do I. Now option number one is this little sexy nurse costume, BUT with these imposed conditions. First, the outfit has to be all latex and as tight as you can manage. Also, you have to have all the props."
Mercy nodded and was already judging if she should do the first dare or not. But first, she had to find out the other dare. "So option one is me being a nurse. What is option two?"
Victoria gave her a mischievous grin that could hold her ground against Mercy's grin earlier. "Oh. Since you like phone pranks so much. Call Brian and profess your undying love to him. AND no taking back for five minutes."
"Oh, no way. I can't do that."
"Why? Didn't you tell me you once pretended to be his girlfriend?"
"T-that was different. I can't do that to him twice."
"Well, then sexy nurse it is, right?"
Mercy let her head hang for a moment. Then she reached over to take Victoria's phone again. Memorizing all the details. Standing up she started. Her socks doubled and then the outer pair transformed into bright pink high heels. The inner pair thinned and grew up her legs. Turning into a pair of finely meshed stockings. Her skirt grew shorter, while it started to stretch upward. Flowing over her chest and under her blouse. Soon she was wearing a tight and shiny minidress. It was white with hot pink accents.
Mercy muttered a "this is ridicules" when she started on her shirt. It split into three sashes. The top one flowed over her head and settled on it as a stylized version of a nurse cap. The middle sash moved upward to her neck and turned into a prop stethoscope. The last one moved on one side over her shoulder and the other side down to her waist. Then it bulked up at her back. Reformed herself to something new and bigger. When Mercy was done she was wearing a big ridicules oversized syringe on a strap on her back. The monstrosity bigger than her torso. "You happy now?"
Victoria stood up and circled, her. "Well, the stockings aren't latex, right? Oh and make the skirt of the dress longer. Just past the knees."
Mercy sighed and a moment later the stockings changed into the same glossy material. Then her skirt lengthened.
Finally, Victoria stopped before Mercy and picked up the stethoscope from Mercy's neck. "Aha! Not fused."
Mercy cringed. "That too?" Victoria didn't answer and just looked at her expectantly. "Fine."
Mercy shuddered. Having bound so much to herself felt strange, but kinda sexy too. She felt the shiny material all around her. Felt the tension of the tight material not just as the pressure on her skin. She felt the stretched material itself. She took a few tentatively steps. "Oh damn you. That's why you wanted the longer skirt."
True enough the skirt was so tight it practically hobbled her. Victoria winked at her. "No more running away."
Just then Victoria's eyes light up with an idea. "Wait here. I'll be right back." Victoria vanished before Mercy could protest and returned a moment later with a bottle of sunflower oil. "Always wanted to try this but since I don't have a professional oil this has to do. Now hold still."
She took out a handkerchief and started to apply the oil with slow circling motions. Mercy whimpered and thought she died and did go to heaven. She could feel in amazing detail as the oil spread over her. Effortlessly gliding over her and tracing each nook and contour of her body. Halfway through she had to lean on the wall to not crumble to the floor. Her legs felt that weak.
Finally, Victoria was done and lead her to a mirror. Moments before the material had been shiny and reflective. Now it gleamed and could double as a mirror itself.
Breathlessly Mercy had to admit. "I kinda get now why you like latex so much."
"Yeah. Right now I am a bit jealous. Now snap out of it. Your turn."
They returned to the couch. Which on Mercy's case took a while. The skirt really hobbled her good. Once there Mercy stumbled onto the next problem: the big oversized syringe. She couldn't shift it to a comfortable position. Worse was that no matter what she tried she couldn't take it off. Fused as it was something always stuck to her. If she took the belt off the syringe was glued to her hands. However, if she tried to put the syringe at the side and then slide the belt off then the belt would get stuck. After 5 minutes of fiddling and enduring Victoria's amused giggling, she had enough. She unfused it and threw it annoyed on the floor.
"Oh, you cheat. Tsk tsk tsk."
Mercy glared at her but didn't dignify it with a comment. Instead, she grabbed her phone in search of revenge.
Meanwhile, Victoria grabbed the oversized syringe and inspected it. "My oh, my. With that, I think you could give someone a massive enema."
Mercy didn't reply but shifted a few inches away from Victoria.Finally, she was ready and looked up. Once again with a smile that might fit a wolf or shark. "Okay got something. So Victoria will you..."
Mercy abruptly had to stop as her oily slick dress lost traction on the leather couch. With a yelp, she slit down on the floor. Her curses were only overshadowed by the roaring laughter of Victoria.
When they finally settled down Mercy tried anew. "So. Will you wear a bit of body enhancement..." She showed Victoria a picture of a pair of massive foam breasts. Victoria often read the exclamation 'big boobs the size of basketballs'. Always those had been an exaggeration. But these took it literally. " .. or will miss prim and proper call her parents?"
Victoria frowned in confusion. "Why would I call my parents?"
"Well, so they could hear how totally drunk you are. That's right. The second dare is for you to pretend to be utterly smashed and keep that up for five minutes."
Victoria bit on her lip. Sure both dares were quite something. And honestly, she was hard pressed what her answer would be. But something vexed her even more. She had a hidden agenda when she suggested this game. She wanted to take it slow. Ease Mercy into it till she could spring her trap. She hadn't thought Mercy could or would go full out right from the start.
Meanwhile, Mercy followed similar thoughts. Of course, she had guessed Victoria was up to no good. She reasoned all she had to do was raise the stakes so high that Victoria would fold.
"Damn you. The boobs it is. Can't let my disguise for my parents drop even for a moment. And you knew that. So sneaky."
While Mercy gave her a triumphant grin, Victoria could feel her bikini top unfuse. Then the same foam she had seen on the picture started to quell from the bikini top. As it gained in size the top was stretched close to ripping apart. When it finally stopped the bikini had carved deep canyons into the voluminous balls of foam.
A moment later she felt a tingle as those monstrosities fused to her along with the bikini. Soon she felt the top and how it strained against the material it was holding. Under it, she could feel the voluminous mass that sat on top of her own breasts.
To say it felt strange would be an understatement. Slowly she poked her right fake breast and her finger sunk deeply into the material. She stifled a moan, surprised how good it felt. Grabbing her fake tits, she kneaded them as if she was wringing out a sponge.
Lost in the pleasure, she couldn't hold back her moans. Soon she shuddered as an orgasm flooded through her. When she could think clearly again she heard the clapping of Mercy. "Oh stop it. Damn, I can't believe how good these feel. If they wouldn't be so ugly I could get used to this."
"Wait! You don't want them permanently? Party pooper."
"Just you wait. Where is my phone? I need to plan my revenge."
Mercy snickered. "On the coffee table in front of you."
Victoria wanted to start telling her it wasn't there when she saw it. Those massive fake breasts hid anything to close that was below her. Angrily she grabbed it and plowed through her pictures.
Finding one she gave Mercy a mischievous smile. "Okay, here is an 'easy one' for you. On my phone is a picture of a wig that I am not showing you unless you chose it. On the other hand, you could do the cinnamon challenge."
"Uh what was the cinnamon challenge again?"
"Seriously? Come on everyone knows this. You put a spoonful of cinnamon in your mouth. You have to swallow it all without something helpful as water or so."
"That sounds gross."
"Oh, you have no idea. It isn't uncommon to throw up."
"Oh hell. I'll take the wig. Can't be that bad."
Victoria broke out in a triumphant smile. She only said "in pastel pink and 30 feet long", before sliding her phone over to Mercy.
One glance of the wig and Mercy groaned. The model was aptly named "Rapunzel" and showed a blond wig with a braid that was so long that it reached past the photo frame. As it wasn't clear how long the braid was it made sense that Victoria provided a length.
Mercy didn't even try to argue. She decided it could only get worse. After some concentrating pastel pink hair sprouted from her nurse cap. It slowly engulfed and captured her normal strawberry blond hair. Pining it below a skull cap. Then the mob of pink hair started to grow and then to twist itself into a braid.
Victoria meanwhile darted into the kitchen. She rummaged through the lower shelves. Clearly hunting for something. Which was harder as she had thought, given that she had to look past her massive fake breasts. Triumphantly she returned with a rollout measuring tape. When Victoria came back to the living room a small pile of hair had grown beside Mercy, who had a bemused look on her.
"I think that should be enough."
"Let's find out," Victoria said with a wolfish grin. She grabbed the end of the wig's braid and pulled it out. When all was straightened out it reached well into the hallway.
Mercy had to hold the wig in place or the tension would have pulled it off her head. Especially when Victoria started to move the length and measured it in strides.
"You are two feet short so give some more," announced Victoria her final tally.
Grumbling to herself Mercy complied. "There is no way I can walk around with all that."
"Once you fused the wig I show you a trick," promised Victoria.
"No matter how good your trick it would help with this mass. Oh wow. I just fused it and I can feel all that hair. I mean not like normal hair. I have actual tactile sensation! I can feel when you grab the braid and moving it around."
"Well, there is a lot to grab," Victoria confirmed. Looking down the braid was nearly as thick as her own wrist. "Ready for my trick?"
"Sure..." Mercy said in a voice that conveyed anything but that.
She felt Victoria grab her braid and holding it up. A moment later the braid landed in her lap and a split second behind her. Before she could react a second and third coil joined the first and got tightened by Victoria. Snuggly pinning Mercy's arms at her side.
"Hey! What's the bright idea here?"
"Hush. I am not done yet," commented Victoria before breaking out in giggles. The next two coils found their place just under Mercy's breasts. Slightly pushing them up. Then two braids joined the other but coiled just above Mercy's breasts. A cinch and a loop around Mercy's neck and then Victoria started to weave the braid vertically up and down. Fixing the horizontal coils in place at the same time.
Mercy tried to struggle but gave quickly up. Not only could she feel the hair against her body, but also the body straining against her hair. It was maddening. Feeling with her hair and the feeling of it gliding or digging into her flesh. With or without latex between. Worse was that if she actually tried to move her arms she felt the tension rise in the strands of braided hair. The feeling made her blush furiously and she was glad that she was wearing such long latex skirt. It helped hide another kind of blush and certain other damning evidence.
"Nearly done," Victoria commented. "Come on and stand up."
Mercy tried but found it hard to do with bound arms. Spotting the hard times Victoria helped. Mercy took a few unsure steps around and quickly noticed that there was still some length left of the braid and trailing behind her.
"Damn. Thirty feet go a long way," Mercy mused out loud.
"More like forty. What? Isn't my fault you are so gullible."
Mercy's stared daggers at Victoria who grinned like a cat who caught a canary.
"Now for the finishing touch..." Victoria grabbed the dragging tail and pushed it through between Mercy's legs. She pushed it through the lowest coil on the front and slowly pulled the braid through. As the loop between Mercy’s legs became shorter she noticed the last part of Victoria's plan. Slowly the latex skirt was pushed upward. Rolling itself up till it rested on Mercy's hip.
"You are so dead," promised Mercy. Her thread might have been more convincing if she hadn't said it in a breathy voice just barely above moaning.
"So aggressive. Let's go on a small walk to get that out of you."
Victoria started to walk away at a slow pace. She held the tip of Mercy's braid in her hand like a leash. Soon the hair snapped tautly and Mercy had to follow with a small yelp of surprise. The loop between her legs had pulled tight and cupped her most intimate place. Digging between her lips and pushing her latex panties deeper in. To her shame, she felt wetness mate her hair. A most curious feeling.
After two rounds through hallway, kitchen, and living room they reached the couch again. Mercy flopped down on it as best as she could. After all, she only could move her legs freely and those still sported some heels Mercy was hardly used to.
Before she could complain Victoria pushed Mercy's phone into her hands. A bit distracted she browsed through the pictures she took earlier this afternoon. All the while slightly rubbing tights at each other. The braided loop of hair still was pretty tight on her sweet spot and if she just moved right then...
Mercy hastily concentrated on the phone again. She needed something to level the playing field and it had to be something that Victoria would fall for. After a moment she had it. She didn't even need the phone and its pictures after all.
"Okay. Either you let me convert your whole outfit to a latex one or ..."
"Yes! That!" interrupted Victoria.
"You haven't even heard my other dare," pouted Mercy.
"Too bad. So sad. Don't care. Probably a prank call anyway. Now come on. Do your worst. Latexify me."
Mercy sighed. "Alright. Alright. Stand up so I can see better what I am doing."
Victoria complied with a goofy grin on her face. Eager to get started.
Mercy knew exactly what she wanted to do. So much that she hadn't even bothered with a second dare. Not that Victoria would ever know as she had swallowed the bait whole.
The first thing after unfusing the garments was that the fake silly fur seemingly melted away. Victoria's panties turned to a shiny black and gained a zipper right above Victoria's sex. Then it steadily started expanding downward. First to shorts, then to leggings, and finally complete tights. Victoria nearly fell as the soles of the tights hardened and slowly arched upwards. As if she was wearing high heels just without the heel. Around her toes the material expanded into three bulbous forms on each foot. Mimicking the paws of cats.
The hem of the tights started to creep upwards. At the same time, the bikini top that cut deeply into Victoria's foam breasts was absorbed by them. Having conquered the waist the shiny black material slowly crept over Victoria's massive bosom. Leaving only shiny black globes in its wake.
After arriving at the nape of Victoria's neck the material spread out and over her arms. Soon leaving only glossy smoothness behind. Victoria watched fascinated as her hands became engulfed in shiny gloves. She admired her outstretched hands and fingers. Not for long as her fingers started to curl under an unyielding pressure. Soon her little finger and ring finger was curled up and pared off. The latex around them flowing together. Her index fingers and pointing fingers joined as a second pair. Soon the latex around the pairs and her thumbs thickened and inflated.
"Paws?" Victoria asked excited and Mercy nodded with a grin.
Meanwhile, the latex crept upwards again and started to envelope Victoria's whole head. The cheap headband with the cat ears swallowed and converted. Soon enough Victoria was done. From head to toe, she was constricted by glossy black latex. Not much was left out. Nostrils, eyes, mouth, and an opening for Victoria's cat-tail buttplug. Though now the tail was shiny and black as the rest of the outfit.
"Are you ready?" Mercy asked with a grin.
"For what?" Victoria asked half-heartedly. Still enraptured by her hands gliding over her smooth form.
"For the fusing of the outfit, of course," Mercy told her with a grin.
The shocked look on Victoria's face told volumes. Before she could protest Mercy did what she had just threatened to do.
An excited gasp exited Victoria's lips. "I .. I can feel them. My breasts. They aren't foam anymore. They are filled with air, right? I can feel the pressure stretching out the latex. It's amazing."
Mercy watched with amusement how Victoria used her paws to play with the comical large globes that were her breasts. Or to be more precise her second pair of breasts as the first pair was still there, just buried under layers of latex. Of course, Mercy couldn't help but tease Victoria a little.
"You know I would return the courtesy of rubbing oil over you, but I am a little tied up in the moment."
Victoria gave her a raspberry. "I always can do that myself," she announced.
"Are you sure?" Mercy countered with a mischievous grin.
Of course, Victoria had to try. Picking up the bottle of oil proved to be hard enough, but the real trouble proved to be removing the cap. Her tightly bound fingers lacked all fine motor skills and the size of each paw digit didn't help one bit.
"Oh, I will so get back at you for that!" Victoria boasted.
"Really? Well, why don't you look through your phone then?"
Victoria did just that. Or rather tried. "I can't unlock my phone! The paw is to big." Victoria's shocked face made Mercy laugh out loud. In the fits of laughter, she nearly slipped off the couch again.
"You think you won, don'tcha?" Victoria accused her. "Well, we will see who laughs last."
With that Victoria jumped up from the couch and dashed up the stairs. Whatever Victoria had in mind now it would probably be troublesome for Mercy. Then again she had a hard time saying seriously when she heard a loud curse from upstairs. "Stupid doorknob. Turn god damn it!"
When Victoria returned a minute later she held something in her paws that wiped the smile of Mercy's face. That stupid blue double ended dildo. She had the feeling that this time it wasn't here as an impromptu throwable object.
Grinning Victoria flopped down on the couch beside Mercy. "Oh yeah. Your eyes aren't betraying you. I dare you to unlock your phone and put it in camera mode. I think I can manage to squeeze the trigger. Then I put the dildo between your legs and you pose as if you are giving the dildo a blowjob."
"Not. Bloody. Likely. What's the other dare?"
"Well, here. Take my phone and look at picture number five."
Mercy did take the phone and looked at the picture. At first, she wasn't sure what the picture portrait. There was some flesh colored tube with a red end. "Are those lips?" she wanted to know.
"Correct. It's a thing you put in your mouth and it looks like you have the mouth of a blow-up sex doll," Victoria proudly explained.
"And they sell that at that party store?!" asked Mercy in disbelief.
"Yes! Probably as a gag gift or so. Now chose. Let me take a picture of you giving the dildo a blowjob or run around with lips that say you do blowjobs all the time."
Mercy knew Victoria got her good. Both choices weren't that bad. Just very embarrassing. Thinking back to the dares she had so far chosen it means that if she chose those lips she might be stuck with them for a while. Who knows how long Victoria wanted to play the game and Mercy definitely didn't wanted to fold first.
"If I chose the dildo no one will see the picture, right?"
"Just us two. It will be on your phone and you can delete it once we are done. I promise."
"Damn. Well, the dildo it is. Can't imagine running around with those lips for long."
There was a disappointed "Awww" from Victoria, but soon she was eagerly propping up the dildo. Since Mercy's arms still were pinned at the side Victoria had to get creative. After Mercy had unlocked her phone and started the camera app, Victoria buried half of the double ended rubber phallus between Mercy's tights. "Now say 'AHH'," Victoria teased.
Mercy gave her a glare. Because she couldn't use her hands to hold it in the place she had to use something else. Namely her mouth. *It's just some plastic,* she reminded herself as she leaned forward to hold it in place with her mouth. However, the dildo proved to be too flexible and escaped her a few times. To her embarrassment, she needed to hold a good three or four inches.
Of course, Victoria fumbled with the smartphone. Mercy gave her a glare that said: "stop pretending and hurry up".
"Stop staring daggers at me or I can't take a picture. Remember, pose as if you enjoy it," Victoria reminded her.
That gave Mercy pause and she strongly blushed.
"Good enough," proclaimed Victoria and held a moment later Mercy's phone under her nose. Mercy saw herself bound and hunched over. From her legs seemingly sprouted a translucent blue rod that Mercy engulfed with her mouth. The blush and a bewildered look in her eyes spoke of a deviant caught in the act.
"I look like a slut in training," Mercy exclaimed shocked after spitting out the dildo end.
"Yes, but a cute one."
"Just you wait. I'll get you back," Mercy promised.
"Oh ha? And how so?" Victoria grinned and only inflamed Mercy's competitive side more.
"I dare you to stand five minutes outside. In plain view besides the front door."
"What? I can't do that and you know it," Victoria accused her.
"Sure you can. It's already dark outside and you are wearing black."
"What is the other dare?" Victoria asked grumpily.
"Spoilsport. Okay. The second dare is that I add another row of bouncy breasts right below the first big inflated pair."
"Yes. That. I am not ready yet for prime time out there."
Mercy smirked and started her work. First, of course, was to unfuse the catsuit. Earning her a short "aww" from Victoria. Right before she wanted to start on the second row she had an epiphany. If she shrunk the first pair and didn't go overboard with the second there might just be enough space for a third row.
While the big top pair deflated by a third four little rubber nipples sprouted on Victoria's ribcage. They soon pushed outwards and grew to four magnificent little sisters of the breasts above them.
"Ready for the fusing?" teased Mercy.
"Am I ever? Do it already!" Victoria urged her on. An excited gasp escaped Victoria as she gained sensation of her catsuit again. A moment later her paws explored and played with her new pairs of breasts.
"Oh, I like this. It feels so good. Not just these rubber tits. Also to find you guilty of cheating!"
"Cheating? I didn't!" Mercy protested.
"Oh really? What was the dare? You add another row of breasts. As in one row. And how many new I got?" Victoria challenged her with a triumphant smile.
"Oh damn. I cheated," Mercy admitted to her own bewilderment. "Alright. Let me fix that..."
"Oh no, you don't. I like it like this and I know the perfect punishment."
"What would that be?" Mercy asked wearily.
"Well, you did double your dare so it is only fair if I get two turns now."
"Fine," Mercy agreed. If her arms wouldn't have been bound she would have thrown them up in resignation.
"Oh damn. These are heavenly," proclaimed Victoria still playing with her three fake pairs of tits. "It gets me into the mood for...."
Excitedly she jumped up and a moment later she held clumsily a USB flash drive. Where she had hidden it was beyond Mercy. "So Mercy. For my first dare..."
She walked over to the big flatscreen tv and tried to plug in her stick. "There is a photo of some fake teeth on my phone. Real nasty hillbilly style. Crooked teeth and plenty of rotten flesh." She looked over to Mercy and was rewarded with a face that might as well be on her face after biting into a bunch of lemons. "Or... Ah. Got it in. Or we watch a little movie. Not even fifteen minutes long."
"The movie you .. you .. personification of evil."
"Aww. Me? I am the quintessence of innocence." Clumsily she pushed on the remote till the right file was playing. Then she plopped down on the couch beside Mercy. "Take a good look. You might learn something," Victoria whispered in her ear.
The movie clip started fast and without a fake plot. It was a porno. Just as Mercy had thought it would be. The scene started in a bedroom with a pale redhead already strapped tightly on a big bed.
The sound of high heels foreshadowed the strict beauty that entered a moment later. She had a skin of mocha color and dark brown hair neatly braided into tight cornrows. She sported an athletic body with, what Mercy guessed, C-cup breasts. Clad in just a tight looking leather dress and over knee leather boots she was a vision to behold.
Slowly the domina walked over to the bound red headed submissive girl. Watched her shake in fear or anticipation on each click of her high heels. As she arrived at the bed she casually probed her subs nether region and withdrew glistening wet fingers.
Mercy spared a glance to Victoria and saw her watching with an intensive stare. One hand alternated in rubbing her six fake balloon breasts and one unsuccessfully rubbing her crotch. Her real target hidden under the small zipper. Mercy might have joined her if it hadn't been for her own bondage. Her hands not even close to the throbbing spot between her legs.
She looked back to the tv. Just in time to see the domina withdraw something familiar from a nearby nightstand. A blue double ended dildo.
"This is why I got intrigued," Victoria breathy whispered into her ears. "And lucky me even found a near perfect copy."
The domina teased the poor sub on the bed by rubbing one of the dildo's heads against the girls pussy. It didn't take long for the girl to succumb and to beg to be penetrated. She gasped and then moaned when her wish was finally granted. Only to be silenced as the dom pushed her lips onto the girl in a deep kiss. Meanwhile, the dom straddled the sub and slowly inserted the other end of the dildo into her own throbbing sex.
The domina started to gyrate her hips and the sub moaned in ecstasy as the dildo in her own needy love grotto moved accordingly. It didn't take long for both women to cum in an explosive orgasm.
As the screen slowly faded to black Mercy felt her neck being nuzzled and kissed by Victoria. To her own surprise, she couldn't help but let a few soft moans escape her lips.
"You know," Victoria whispered in her ear. "I still have a second dare left."
Mercy didn't trust her own voice to answer. Instead, she gave a small and slow nod.
"You have a lot in common with the girl on the bed. You are tightly bound and completely at the mercy of someone else. There is only one thing missing. Take a guess."
Mercy knew exactly what was missing. Her gaze fell on the blue dildo not far away. She blushed in a deep shade of red. She was so horny and full of need that she actually contemplated doing it. Let Victoria have her way with her. She swallowed hard. "Do it. But .. please be gentle."
Instead of saying anything Victoria gave her a deep and needy kiss. Distracted she nearly missed that Victoria forced her legs open with her own. Then the loop of hair that pressed on her nether lips was loosened. She felt her latex throng be pushed away and then something hard at her entrance. The dildo.
Would it hurt? Mercy knew that it might. She gasped as it pushed in. Just like the girl in the video. Mercy was so wet that it slid in fast and deep. Crushing her doubt in an intense sensation never before felt. She felt it deep inside of her. Spreading her virgin tunnel and filling it deeply. The rod in her felt hard and unyielding, but oh so good.
Slowly and deliberately Victoria started to pump it in and out. Mercy quivered with need. "Faster. Please. I need more," she whimpered.
But Victoria kept her slow pace. "You want to come?" Mercy gave her a desperate nod. "Then listen. Fuse it. I want that long snake of a dildo to become part of you. Do it now and I'll reward you."
Suddenly Victoria had trouble moving the dildo in and out and she knew Mercy had complied. She slowly slid down to the floor and lifted the dildo to her mouth.
Mercy gasped as Victoria's lips touched her plastic phallus. It was nearly like having a dick again, but so different too. The rod emerging from her nether lips was hard yet flexible and immensely longer than her 'original equipment' had ever been.
It felt so wet yet warm as Victoria slowly swallowed the long rubber appendage. Then there was resistance. The end had pushed against something. Victoria's throat? Mercy saw Victoria adjust her position and to her amazement, her dick crept further down. It was tighter now and she was squeezed mercilessly. Inch by inch she saw Victoria swallow her surrogate dick. It was that erotic view that pushed Mercy over the edge. She thrashed violently as he howled out her orgasm. Lost in an ocean of pleasure.
When she could think clearly again she noticed Victoria rubbing the dick with her paws. She hadn't even noticed when Victoria had spit it out again. As Victoria saw that Mercy had regained her senses she pushed herself up and close to her. "You had your fun, right? But I have my needs too."
Mercy felt how Victoria ground her sex against her hand. Felt the small zipper against her skin. She remembered. Victoria's love channel blocked by the zipper she couldn't open with her big paws.
Mercy needed a moment to caught the zipper. As she slid it down warm fluids poured on her hand. Victoria wasn't just wet with arousal. She was swimming in it.
Once open Victoria propped herself up. "Ready?" she asked in a labored and aroused voice. Mercy just had enough time to nod before Victoria impaled herself on the dildo. It felt equally incredible as Victoria's mouth but so different at the same time. Tight, but not as tight. She was practically gushing with wetness and it lubricated it so much that nearly all friction was lost as she pushed up and down.
In the dim light of the evening, Mercy saw a goddess make love with her. Six shiny globes bobbed up and down in the same maddening rhythm of pleasure on her newly fused dick. Paws caressed her as steadily the pace increased. Mercy couldn't believe it, but not long after her first incredible orgasm, a second one was building fast.
She saw Victoria cum a split second before her. Soon Mercy was kissed deeply while they both enjoyed the afterglow. All the while Victoria kept her rhythm and oh so slowly Mercy was lead to another peak of arousal. Again she exploded in a burst of passion. But there was no break to catch her breath. Relentlessly Victoria rode her from orgasm to orgasm. Bound and pinned down all Mercy could do was enjoy it.
After who knows how many orgasms Victoria collapsed on her. They barely managed to lay down together before exhaustion claimed them both.
***** 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. Lets 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 the 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."
"Touche," 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 restrained 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 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'." 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'."
"Please 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 sock, 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 crab 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," 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 scarfs 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
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
On Tuesday Mercy declared war on a group of bullies: the cheerleader squad. Her weapon of choice is changing panties so they have slogans that might be embarrassing if found out.
Wednesday Mercy (with Victoria in tow) visited the first group meeting of trickster mages. One of them stood out. Mavis is not only powerful but rumored to be centuries old. She reveals an interesting thought to Mercy. The common denominator of Mercy's spells might not be "clothing", but instead might be"body". Intrigued, Mercy accepts Mavis' proposal that she will be Mercy's new mentor.
And now the continuation of "The Lokian Way".
***** 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 schools 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.
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
Mercy was accused by the second family member of Mitch Jenkin's family. This time his sister. It might have something to do with Mitch's developing need to immerse himself more into cross-dressing. At first Mercy curbs his enthusiasm, but agrees to a not-date date on Sunday for further exploration of Mitch's hidden feminine side.
Mercy did also go toe to toe with an old adversary of her: Mister Hesbrow. The most boring physics teacher her world has ever known. She got a win, but not without its cost.
The latest surprise for Mercy was when she (and her parents) got a surprise visit from Aunt Mary. A person screaming eccentric.
And now the continuation of "The Lokian Way".
***** Saturday *****
"There she is. Our sugarplum."
Mercy winced hearing her Aunt Mary's nickname for her. Grumbling and with bed-hair, she bridged the last few steps down the stairs.
"Good morning," she mumbled as she reached for a bowl and cereals.
Both her parents and her Aunt already sitting at the table. It hardly couldn't be a more unmatched trio. Mercy's parents - already dressed for the day - looked prim and proper in outfits that Mercy would describe as business casual. Gray and tan colors composed their outfits. Mary - her aunt - contrasted strongly in her long gown. It wouldn't look out of place for a visit to the opera or a gala. It was in a rich burgundy color and of a silky material. If flowed around her stature as if poured on. Strangely enough, her Aunt decided to pair it with tight high wide striped stockings in white and a muted pastel red.
"Hurry up, Sugarplum," her Aunt Mary beamed. "We've got a busy day ahead of us."
"Is it too late to fake that I am sick?" Mercy asked.
It earned her small grins from her parents and a playful punch on the shoulder by her aunt. "You bet it is. Now hurry up."
"I actually do feel sort of sore in places."
"Nonsense. Get to it."
Grumbling to herself, Mercy pouted milk and devoured her cereals, while her parents and aunt chatted. As soon as her bowl was empty it was snatched away by her aunt.
"Now get a shower and get dressed," Mary instructed her.
Not seeing any help from her parents Mercy did as told. A half hour later she came down in jeans and a t-shirt.
"Oh, come on," her aunt howled. "You can do better than that!"
Sighing, Mercy shifted her t-shirt into a summer dress and made her jeans vanish through magic. "Better?"
"That'll do for now. Come on. The mall opens soon," Aunt Mary said while already slipping into some neon pink rubber boots with a heel of maybe one and a half inch.
Mercy cast a doubtful look outside when her Aunt shrugged into a pink tinted transparent raincoat. It was sunny outside and not a cloud in the sky. Mercy shrugged and chalked it up to her Aunts eccentric fashion style.
She slipped herself into some sandals with a small chunky heel and followed her Aunt out to her car. A small city car with a metallic pink paint job and lavender interior.
"So why again do we have to go to the mall?" Mercy asked while her Aunt steered the car out of the driveway. "You saw yesterday evening that I can pretty much change every piece worn on me."
"Yes," her Aunt agreed with a bright smile. "But there is something that vexed me. You are a trickster mage, right? You need to prank and favorably so with your spells. What I learned yesterday is that you don't know anything about fashion."
"I did manage so far," Mercy said with a pout.
"For dressing yourself up," Mary agreed. "Though your repertoire is limited to casual styles and summer dresses."
Mercy fiddled with the hem of her own summer dress. "Maybe. It's comfy."
"There are other styles that are comfy. Take Boho for example."
"Take what?" Mercy asked confused.
"Short for bohemian. Long flowing skirts and loose tops. Boho is ideal for a comfy casual look that looks stunning. It is not such a stretch from the summer dresses you are currently wearing and it would look great with your naturally wavy hair."
"Okay. Color me intrigued. But what does it have to do with me being a trickster mage."
"Well, you can't put everyone into a bohemian style dress, right? You need to learn about other styles. Those that might fit other people. Men and women alike. What people wear can tell a lot about them. And this insight can help you plan pranks."
"We could do that at home," Mercy countered. "Browsing the internet."
"Oh, no," Mary said while shaking her head. "People on the internet show fake persona. Their wannabe ideal self. Either by adding or subtracting things. We need to observe people in their natural habitat. It is time for a safari!"
Mercy couldn't help but chuckle. When she calmed down one question was on her mind. "Why are you so intent on helping me with my trickster stuff?"
"Do you remember Uncle Pete?"
"Yeah. You dated him for a year or two a few years back. Why?"
"He was a trickster mage too."
"Really?" Mercy asked shocked.
"Didn't look like it, right?"
"I always wondered how someone like you ended up with him. He looked so plain."
"We always joked it was camouflage," Aunt Mary said with a grin. "It was a lot of fun helping him train his spell."
"What could he do?"
"Make people feel certain emotions when they saw certain colors. Let me tell you it was my best contribution to make him realize he could make people aroused to certain colors. For some time I was so much into ketchup, tomatoes and everything else colored red."
"Ewww. Too much information," Mercy exclaimed but then mused on. "Is that the reason why you like wearing pink so much?"
"Ha! No. I wore it before. But here is the fun part. Pink was his Achilles heel. Along with black and white."
"What? Why?"
Aunt Mary didn't answer for a moment as she pulled into the parking lot of the mall. "Because they aren't really colors."
"That you have to explain to me. Black and white I can see. But pink?"
They both exited the car and Mary then gestured in a sweeping motion along her outfit. "Pink is a color that does not naturally exist. Have you ever seen pink in the colors of a rainbow? Nope. It is a mix of light from both ends of the spectrum of a rainbow. Our brain tries to make sense of it and created pink. It is a purely imaginative color our brain made up. Pete could target any color of the rainbow, but not imaginative ones."
"That explains a little bit of you why you like the color so much. And why I always developed a fascination with blue when Uncle Pete was around."
"Yeah. You were his measurement of personal grows. Others he could make his spell stick for hours or days. You, however, shrugged it always off within the hour."
"Well, I was always special," Mercy boasted.
"Hate to tell you sugarplum," her Aunt said with a smirk. "But you were always special. Especially boring that is. Thankfully that changed."
"Hey now, I wasn't ..." Mercy piped up only to quiet down. "Wasn't that boring," she grumbled.
"Maybe not, but you were certainly your mother's son."
"And what am I now?"
"Maybe your Aunt's nice," Mary said with a chuckle. "Time to find out. Time for shopping!"
Her Aunt struck a dramatic pose and pointed to the mall, which was amazingly far away with the next door three and a half feet away. Mercy was painfully aware how ridicules it looked and how many people stared at her aunt.
"Let's head in before I die of embarrassment," Mercy said dryly.
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," her Aunt scoffed. It made Mercy stumble for a moment.
Once inside her Aunt dragged her to a 'Forever Seventeen' store. "Now look around. What do you see?"
"A lot of clothes?" Mercy offered.
"The people Mercy," her Aunt chided her. "Tell me what kind of people you see?"
"Hmm. Mostly women or girls. Ranging maybe from fourteen to mid-twenties. Some older women, but I guess those are mothers."
"Good. Now take a guess. How many of the girls and women here are actually seventeen?"
Mercy looked around for a while and spotted two girls behind some racks. "Maybe those two? Don't see anyone else. So not a lot?"
"Exactly!" her Aunt said with a beaming smile. "We have two main demographics at work here. And both aren't seventeen. Younger girls that try to emulate older girls or early twenty-somethings that try to stay young. Even if it is in outfits only. Clothing is just half of it, Mercy. Who wears them is the other half."
"So it is a little like dressing as stereotypes, but more subtle?" Mercy asked.
"That is one way to see it," Mary agreed. "Stereotypes are crass and distinct. But many dressing styles are less obvious. Just like this store. You have the supposed target group of seventeen-year-olds and the two side groups that wish to belong to the target group."
"So it is just like the old saying," Mercy concluded. "Don't dress as yourself. Dress who you want to be."
"Now you get it," Mary beamed. "By knowing who wears what you can conclude why. And this, Mercy. This gives you insight and power over them."
"You talk like you want me to become the next big dictator," Mercy accused her.
"Goodness no, but knowledge is useful. Now let's get out of here and into a few other stores."
First was a shop known for hip beachwear. Which Aunt Mary quickly labeled as "full of wannabe surfer types". However, she showed Mercy a few new ways to dress casually and comfortable.
Next was a big department store, but before they could enter Aunt Mary pushed Mercy on. "Come on. Hurry. We've got to make some distance," she urged Mercy.
"What? Why?" Mercy asked confused.
"I saw an old acquaintance. She gives me the creeps," Mary whispered as she led Mercy around the corner.
"If she gives you the creeps then there has to be a story behind it," Mercy mused aloud.
"Oh sugarplum, you have no idea," Mary said with a sigh as they slowed down. "That girl dresses horribly. So old-fashioned. Pete introduced me to her. Another trickster mage. She can change bodies."
"Mavis? You know Mavis?" Mercy perked up.
"Oh, sugarplum. You too? I am so sorry that you know her."
"I met her last Wednesday when I was at a meeting of all local trickster mages. What is so horrible about her?" Mercy asked. "Beside her fashion sense."
"Okay. Maybe not horrible. You see when Pete introduced us she invited me out for shopping."
"I thought you love shopping."
"Normally yes. You see as soon as we hit the mall I felt uncomfortable. Like my bra was too small. Mavis suggested that maybe I should get myself measured again. Just to be sure. Now you know breasts tend to shrink and swell a little..."
"They what?" Mercy asked confused and glanced down at her own.
"Oh, sugarplum. Didn't my sister tell you about stuff like that? Yes, they do. Not a lot. Certainly not cup-sizes. But yes, they do. It's mostly a hormonal thing. So imagine my surprise when I got measured and I suddenly have about a half cup more on my rack."
"Mavis can do that?" Mercy asked rhetorically.
"I know. Changing bodies. I should have connected the dots, but I didn't. I was already dreading what came next. A good bunch of my bras too small. Cute ones that I had to sort out. But then the real horror started."
"What did she do?"
"Well, at first I didn't know. You see the sales clerk brought bra after bra for me to try out. After a while, she measured me again. Just to be sure. Turns out the first measurement had been wrong. So she brought other bras for me to try on. None fit. She measured me again and you know what? The first measurement was again the correct one and the second wrong. This continued for two hours and by that time she had asked a co-worker of hers for help. Mavis all the while played innocent and understanding. You know. To shift attention away from her. Then they got the manager and she knew Mavis. Turns out that this little prank of hers was well known to the senior sales clerks around here. Mavis constantly had changed my breast size and I hadn't even noticed because it had always been just a tiny amount."
"So what did you do?" Mercy asked. "How did it all end?"
"Well, I am forbidden from returning there. They thought I was a new trickster mage and she was my mentor. Showing me the ropes. My condolences to whoever ends up her pupil for real."
"That would be me," Mercy admitted. "She's my mentor since last Wednesday."
"Oh sugarplum I am so sorry to hear this," Mary said sincerely.
"Is she really that bad?" Mercy wanted to know.
"Well. Probably not, but I never gave her the chance to apologize. I stormed out of the shop and avoided her ever since. I admit it is partially to keep my altered body."
"She didn't change you back?"
"Didn't give her the chance. Well, I noticed at home that I left with nearly a full cup-size plus... Pete didn't mind one bit. Even helped me to avoid her. And then there is the hair. On the way to the mall, I complained to her how expensive it was to keep my roots from showing. Two weeks after the debacle I noticed that still, no new roots showed. Apparently this... " - Mary pointed at her hair - "... is now my 'natural' hair color."
"Sounds like you did go out with plenty ahead," Mercy threw in.
"Well, yes. But that isn't the point. She should have asked Mercy. I don't mind temporary stuff. Pete and I had a lot of fun with temporary stuff. But permanent? Well, she should have asked or said something. Pete always had."
"So I guess you are off-limits to me?" Mercy asked.
"Oh sugarplum, no. As long as it is temporary I don't mind."
"Great!" Mercy exclaimed. She pointed at a mannequin in a nearby shop window. "How do you like this outfit."
"The pantsuit one?" Mary asked. Confusion tinted her voice as Mercy's abrupt change of topic. "It looks boring. Your mother might like that one."
"Perfect," Mercy exclaimed.
Aunt Mary gasped as the clothes around her body shifted. It lost all its vivid colors as it settled into a gray pantsuit with matching pumps.
"What? Why?" Mary demanded to know.
"Well, I decided to test your lesson on a live subject. Understand a person, get power, and blackmail," Mercy said with a grin.
"And what do I have to do for you to undo this?" Mary asked with a lopsided grin.
"Nothing."
"Nothing?"
"I'll change your clothes back in ten minutes." Seeing her Aunt's confusion Mercy added with another grin:"But every time you call me 'sugarplum' you spend five more minutes decked out in gray."
Aunt Mary broke out in laughter. "Thirty-five times till you cracked. I knew this was the way to get you out of your shell. Well done Sugarplum.
"Fifteen minutes," Mercy updated her Aunt.
"Well, fair is fair 'sweety'," Mary agreed.
"Why do I get the feeling I will hear 'sweety' a lot now?"
"Because you are a good student?" her Aunt volunteered. "So besides blackmailing your own Aunt, did you learn anything of note so far?"
"Sure," Mercy casually replied. "If I really want to piss off a girl I just have to shrink her bra."
Mercy was suddenly twirled around as her Aunt grabbed her shoulders and made Mercy look at her. "Listen to me. There are pranks and there is plain evil. Don't be evil!"
Mercy gave a nervous laugh. "Just a joke. I was messing with you."
"You better be, because..."
Aunt Mary was interrupted as Mercy's mobile phone rang. Pulling it out Mercy winced as she saw the caller I.D.: Victoria. She declined the call with haste.
"Friend of yours?" Aunt Mary asked. "You could have invited her to roam the mall with us."
Alarm sirens did go off inside Mercy's head. Picturing Victoria and Aunt Mary together? Abandon ship! Everyone, go for the life rafts. Forget women and children. Mercy first!
Her growing panic attack was interrupted by the buzzing of her phone.
# Unfuse contacts, please? #
"She's busy," Mercy eventually managed to squeeze out. "Just wanted me to unfuse her contact lenses." Seeing her Aunt's confusion she clarified. "I fused cat-eye contacts to her. It was her idea."
"Must be an interesting gal," Mercy's Aunt mused. "I must meet her someday."
And the sirens were back. In a panic, Mercy pointed to a random store. "What about that store? I bet you can tell me a lot of things about its customers."
"A Hot Topic?"
Now Mercy noticed where exactly she was pointing at.
"Oh do I," her Aunt said with a grin. "Follow me. Now it's getting interesting."
Wincing Mercy followed her Aunt. This could take a while. Still better than Victoria and her Aunt meeting.
***** Sunday *****
"Really?" Aunt Mary asked. "After everything I taught you, you still going out to your date in jeans and t-shirt?"
"It's not a date," Mercy said with a sigh. "I am helping Mitch with an English assignment. No need to get fancy. Besides. I doubt being a pirate lolita would fare well with the public."
"But you looked so fierce yet cute," her Aunt cooed.
Both were referencing the little game Aunt Mary had come up with in the morning. They had taken a deck of cards and divided colors and numbers among themselves. Each one wrote down a list of material, dressing styles or themes for two of each suit and half of the numbers. Then they each had alternating drawn cards from the deck and it was Mercy's job to change the outfit matching to the card.
The game had been fun, yet exhausting. It resulted in strange creations like the 'pirate lolita' or 'ballgown swimsuit'. The game ended when both decided that 'sexy clown' was more than they could handle.
"I bet you could make him write a really long essay if you wore that 'latex ballgown'," Mary teased her.
In hindsight, it had been a mistake of Mercy to include 'latex' as one of her choices.
"And sweat like a pig in the sun? I think not," Mercy shot her down.
"That does sound like you have more familiarity with latex than you told me about," Mary said with narrowing eyes. "How did you know of latex garments again?"
"A friend told me about it," Mercy said. "Nothing special. Just panties." And then a whole bunch more outfits, but that she better left untold.
"Kids these days," her Aunt mused. "Took me till college till someone introduced me to it and here you are. A highschooler. Times change."
"Well, it is not like I run around in latex all day," Mercy justified herself. Before her Aunt could jump on her comment Mercy quickly added: "And I don't intend to change that."
"Fine," Mary huffed. "Be boring."
"I just don't want to give Mitch the wrong impression if I show dressed up," Mercy admitted.
"Oh, sweety," her Aunt chided her. "He's a boy. Believe me, he will get the wrong impression." Seeing the doubt in Mercy's eyes she did go for the finishing move. "You had been a boy not long ago. Tell me. What would you have thought if a beautiful girl came out of the blue and offered you to be tutored by her?"
"W-well it isn't like that," Mercy protested again.
"Sure Sweety," her Aunt agreed. "Just remember: if he hasn't kissed you at the end of the 'tutoring' you can always change into the latex ballgown."
Rolling eyes Mercy didn't dignify it with a response. She just slipped out of the door to go to her not-date date.
*****
Mercy looked again on her phone's clock. It was already four. A whole hour after she was supposed to meet Mitch. No way she had missed him as she had been early.
"He stood me up," Mercy huffed to herself.
A strange mix of anger and disappointment welled within her. Was it her fault? Didn't Mitch want to hang out with her? Then she reminded herself that this was not a date. Their meeting had a purpose. To introduce Mitch to bras and other feminine garments. Away from school and snooping classmates.
Maybe he had become cold feet Mercy reasoned. After all, it was a step up. It could be that Mitch wasn't ready to take the next step. Mercy decided she should be relieved that his obsession might not have evolved further. That was a good thing, right?
Still, the fact was that she had been stood up. Annoyed she pushed off the park bench and walked towards the park bench.
As she stomped by the ice cream parlor Mercy had to do a one-eighty turn. A few feet further carried her to a couple that tried to be inconspicuous.
"Victoria!" Mercy nearly yelled. "I can't believe you are stalking me. And you even dragged Brian into it."
"M-Mercy," Victoria stammered. "We didn't ..."
"Not what it looks like," Brian added at the same time.
"So you didn't get dragged by Victoria into spying on me and Mitch while we are on a date?" Mercy demanded to know.
"I knew it was a date!" Victoria perked up.
"Not helping," Brian hissed at Victoria.
"It was not a date. Tutoring, Whatever it was it isn't happening. Mitch didn't show," Mercy huffed. "So you two can go home. Nothing to see. You two are the worst spies ever."
"We weren't..." Brian started while Victoria exclaimed "Mercy!"
But Mercy didn't care. She had already turned and stomped away in anger. Ignoring the shouts behind her.
***** Monday *****
Mercy was practically humming with anger while she stood in front of the school. Which was better than the uncertainty she had felt a moment before. Today her emotions were a mess. it was a rollercoaster of changing moods. She had cried in the morning as her body had betrayed her as had she the day before when her Aunt had said her goodbyes. Then there had been those times she felt anger boil trough her veins.
"So he isn't showing here either?" Victoria asked while approaching her. Seeing Mercy's glare she added: "Can we talk? I think you got something wrong yesterday."
"And what might that be?" Mercy asked with a hiss.
Victoria grabbed her hand and dragged her to a bench. "Look. Me and Brian. We weren't spying. I swear we weren't. I knew you had been busy on the weekend so I reached out to take up Brian's offer. To teach me a little about Video games. Us in the park. That was just a break from a gaming marathon. Honestly, I didn't remember that you were supposed to meet Mitch there. Mercy? Say something."
Mercy had looked away while her friend explained herself. Now, while prompted, she broke down. "I am such a bad friend," she cried and breaking out in tears. "I should have known. I am so sorry."
"Hey now," Victoria said while patting her friends back. "Just a stupid misunderstanding. That can happen. Are you alright?"
"I-I don't know," Mercy admitted. "It wasn't even supposed to be a date."
"Mitch?" Victoria asked.
"Yes. I just wanted to help him with something," Mercy explained while drying her tears. "Why I am so upset about it?"
"Look. Mitch is ... not the most upstanding person to be around. Yes, he quit being a bully, but he still might be bad for you."
"He appeared so changed," Mercy sniffed.
"Well, that is how boys are. If they want something from you...," Victoria gave Mercy a hug. "Come on. Classes are starting soon. We have to clean you up before class."
Mercy gave a weak nod and followed her friend into the school.
*****
"Wow, Mercy," Sonja - the redhead - remarked while they all were changing to get ready for P.E. "What are those glossy panties made of?"
"You are wearing latex to school?" Victoria asked as her attention was drawn.
"Yeah. I thought they might be nice to wear. For P.E. you know. Less friction," Mercy mumbled.
"If you ask me that doesn't sound like a good idea," Victoria said with doubt coloring her voice. "In fact it ..."
"Well, I didn't ask you!" Mercy snapped and stomped out to class.
"What's up with her?" Sonja asked.
"I have no clue," Victoria admitted. "Maybe boy trouble. Not sure."
*****
"So you want to tell me what is going on?" Victoria asked at lunch.
Mercy gave a small meek glance at Brian. "Not right now."
"Look," Victoria insisted. "If it is about Mitch..."
"May I have your attention!"
The loud shout made Mercy, Victoria and Brian look up and over. There, lifted up by her fellow cheerleaders, was Stacy.
"As you all know, we cheerleaders have been a real bitch to certain girls in the past weeks," Stacy started in her half shout as she had the mess halls attention. "Where is Sonja?"
"Not good," Victoria murmured and Mercy felt anger boil inside her. She tried to curb those cheerleaders and their need to criticize Sonja for being a lesbian.
In the past week, Mercy had changed those cheerleaders panties to ones with slogans. Ones that hopefully deter them. It appeared not. Still, it was Mercy's only shot to prevent whatever was going down. Before Sonja got hurt worse by those mean girls.
But scanning her preys gave Mercy an unexpected obstacle. They already all wore panties with slogans only proud or cheeky lesbians
would wear. It confused the hell our of Mercy.
"There she is," Stacy shouted and pointed to Sonja who now found herself the center of attention. "Sonja, the last weeks we had made fun of you for being a lesbian. On behalf of the whole cheerleader squad I want to say we are sorry."
"Say what?" Victoria exclaimed beside Mercy who could only nod to the sentiment.
"That is right," Stacy continued. "We are sorry. But a simple apologie won't do. You, Sonja, deserve the reason why. You see we all were afraid. Not of you, but each other. We all witnessed how we each other dissed lesbians. It made it hard for us to come out with the truth. And the truth is we all are lesbians."
At once a cacophony of shouts erupted. Most claiming bullshit.
"I know. I know," Stacy agreed. "Hard to believe. But over the weekend we found out that each and every one on the cheerleading squad is a lesbian. We were so afraid of each other that we leashed out at the only other person we knew who was a lesbian: Sonja. Sonja, by harassing you, we each thought to shift suspicion from us to you. For that we are sorry. You didn't deserve how we treated you and I promise you that it won't again."
Mercy's eyes darted to Sonja. To see how she would react. But was spun around by Victoria.
"What did you do Mercy?" Victoria asked with intensity.
"Me?"
"Yes. You. Don't tell me it is a coincidence that the whole cheerleading squad comes out as gay," Victoria insisted.
"The panties!" Mercy said while her eyes grew wide in shock. "I might have ..."
"What did you do?" Victoria asked again.
"I can fix this!" Mercy said while her eyes grew wet. "I am sure I can fix this."
Loud shouts made them look around and both saw Stacy kissing Sonja right on the lips. When they finally broke apart Stacy whispered something and then vanished into the crowd.
Victoria grabbed Mercy and dragged her to Sonja.
"What happened?" Victoria asked.
Still stunned Sonja needed a moment to react. "I-I called her out. Stacy. Called her fake. Then she kissed me. Damn, that was a kiss. Kamasutra level. My knees still feel weak."
Sonja stumbled away while Mercy mumbled to herself "I can fix this." over and over again.
"No!"
The one word of Victoria cut through Mercy's growing panic like a knife.
"Even if you can you shouldn't. How will Stacy and her goons explain that to herself once she is straight again? That all this was a joke? A prank to hurt Sonja further?" Victoria asked her. "You messed up Mercy, but this way maybe something good might come out of it."
"I am sorry," Mercy whimpered and then rushed out of the cafeteria in tears.
Small author notes:
Sorry that this part is two days late. I blame the extra work shift, my body flirting with the idea of being sick, and my lack of concentration due to sleep deprivation/insomnia.
I hope it won't happen again.
Cassy
*****
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
Mercy learned a lot from her Aunt Mary on the Weekend. Despite her worries before she had actually fun while doing so.
However, her weekend ended on a somber note. She was stood up by Mitch. Leaving the park she stumbled upon Brian and Victoria, who got all of Mercy's anger and frustration unloaded onto them.
It got only worse on Monday. Mitch absent and now she somehow managed to make the whole cheerleader squad into lesbians. For Mercy's friends, one thing is clear. Something is up with her and it isn't good.
***** Tuesday *****
"Come with me," Mercy urged Victoria as she grabbed her arm.
"So now you are talking to me," Victoria replied dryly while doing her best to be an immovable rock. "You didn't show up for lunch."
"Mitch didn't come to school again..."
"So this is about Mitch?" Victoria asked.
"Yes. No. Look. He didn't show up today. So I asked around and ... His sister hadn't been to school either. At lunch, I tried to get their home address in the principal's office."
"Isn't that a little too much?" Victoria said with doubt. "Mitch is a bully. I bet it isn't the first time he skipped school."
"But Melanie, his sister, isn't," Mercy countered. "And I asked her classmates. None of them heard of her since Friday."
"I still fail to see how this is your problem."
"Because ..." Mercy stopped to wipe away some tears forming in her eyes. "I may have given her bad advice. What if it is my fault that they are gone? What if something happened to them?"
"Okay. I get it. You need me to help check on them? See if they are okay?"
"Yes," Mercy agreed only to correct herself a moment later. "No!"
Getting frustrated Victoria grabbed Mercy by her shoulders. "Mercy. Look at me. Calm down. Tell me what do you need."
It took a few moments for Mercy's onset of a panic attack to die down. "I don't have the address," she meekly confessed. "The secretary wouldn't give it to me."
"Then we ask the sister's classmates."
"I did. They don't know where Melanie lives. She's secretive about that..."
"Then we do some further digging. Just don't panic. We got this."
"That is not what I am panicking about," Mercy admitted.
"Then what?" Victoria asked while crossing her arms. "Spill already."
"Mavis. Today is my first tutoring session with her. You promised you'd be there with me."
"Right. Yeah," Victoria agreed. "I forgot this was today. I still don't trust her. Let's go."
Mercy let out a sigh of relief. She practically dragged Victoria out.
"Slow down. You know if you aren't feeling well I bet we can reschedule..."
"No!" Mercy shouted and looked at Victoria with big shocked eyes. "I need her. She has to teach me."
"How to turn back into a boy?"
"Yes. I need that!"
Victoria opened her mouth to reply in anger, but then she held her breath. "Fine," she eventually said. "Let's go."
Both walked in silence to the center. Each of them lost in their own thoughts and worries.
They found Mavis in her office and already waiting for them. They exchanged greetings and took their seats.
"Today's lesson is about focus, planning, and consequences," Mavis started without preamble. "Victoria as you insist attending I want you to remain quiet for Mercy's lesson."
"Afraid what I have to say? Why would I do that?" Victoria challenged her.
"Bribery of course," Mavis said with a small grin.
Mavis stood up and walked over, just to hand Victoria a small leather-bound book. It looked old and Victoria had trouble at first to make out the title. "Training neurological reflexes in relation to magic? What's that supposed to mean?"
"In essence, this book can teach you to resist alteration of your mind. Be it trickster magic or any other aspect. I heard you had trouble with that in the past."
Victoria nodded and at once opened the book to explore its secrets.
"Can we get started now?" Mercy asked impatiently.
"Sure," Mavis agreed. "Now you know that you can wield your trickster magic by instinct. Most trickster mages are satisfied with that. However, mastering your own focus might lead to more ineffective use..."
"Don't you mean more effective?" Mercy interrupted her.
"Mercy. The lokian way is all about using up your trickster magic with the smallest impact on those around you. The less effective you are as a trickster mage the more effective you are in 'the lokian way'."
"I guess that makes sense. But how is that helping me to get more spells?" Mercy demanded to know.
"Aren't the two you have right now enough?"
"Well yes, but if I can vary more wouldn't that help too?"
"If you can't control the spells you have right now you wouldn't be able to control those any better. Those two you have are already really powerful. Just imagine what could go wrong if you change someone's garments without care. "Seeing Mercy opening her mouth to protest, Mavis quickly added. "For example, one changed boxer shorts or panties could kick-start a whole chain of events."
Mercy's mouth snapped shut and she glanced at Victoria. Had she snitched in her? If so, when?
"How about this. I tell you a story about my past," Mavis continued in a softer tone.
"How is an old story supposed to help me get new spells?" Mercy asked on edge.
"Because it is all about learning new spells," Mavis chided her. "Back when I was young I heard of a great trickster mage everyone revert. She was called the Great Mother. She had harnessed her body changing spell in a way that allowed her to create human-animal hybrids. At least for some time. If someone in her tribe had behaved badly then they might have ended up with a pig head for a week. And I mean literally. It was there that ..."
Mavis broke up. She looked forlorn for a moment. Lost in the past. "I met Loki there," she continued.
"Wait! The Loki?" Victoria asked.
"Yes. Book!" Mavis said with a stern gaze and Victoria was quick to put her nose into the small leather-bound book again.
"So what has he to do with all of this?" Mercy asked.
"Everything. He.... He came to the Great Mother same as I did. Looking for a mentor. At that time he slowly was formulating his 'lokian way', but he needed more knowledge about trickster magic first. With the Great Mother rumored to be centuries old he thought she might know more."
"And?" Mercy prompted after Mavis fell silent for a moment.
"He found something else he desired," Mavis told her.
"Did he fell in love with you?" Victoria asked with glee.
Annoyed Mavis gave her a scolding look and held out her hand. The implication clear. Victoria should hand back the book. She, however, pressed it against her chest. "Sorry," Victoria pressed out. "Won't happen again."
"The Great Mother," Mavis said with her focus returning to Mercy. "She used to reward upstanding tribesmen and women by inviting them to the wild hunt. She would shift them and herself into pack animals. Wolves for example. Together they would hunt for one day and one night. Loki became enamored with the idea of joining the hunt. But there was the problem. The same we have Mercy. While old, wise, and efficient, the Great Mother was a weaker trickster mage than Loki. Her spells simply wouldn't take on him."
"So he had to learn her spell?" Mercy asked.
"Correct. It took him a long time, but he eventually managed it. You know what was the key to his success?" When Mercy shook her head Mavis clued her in. "He tried to learn the Great Mother's spell by exactly imitating her. You see, how every trickster mage invokes their spells differ from mage to mage. Loki's special spells had been audiovisual illusions. Eventually, he came to the conclusion that he had to use his own spells as a base, to learn the spell of the Great Mother. But in pursuit of the Great Mother's spells, he had neglected to develop his mastery of his own spells. Leaving him at a disadvantage."
"So there is no quick way to learn it?" Mercy asked dejected and gloom.
"There is the possibility that there is still a third major spell inside you. In that case, access would be quick. But to be honest three major spells are rare. The chance pretty low. Every other way takes time." Mavis gave a sigh as she saw Victoria holding up her hand. Like she was a schoolgirl vying for the attention of a teacher. "Yes, Victoria?"
"Did Loki ever join the wild hunt?" Victoria wanted to know.
"No. He did learn the spell, but it had taken him long. By the time he had learned it the Great Mother had chosen to pass on to the afterlife," Mavis admitted with sadness permeating her voice.
"How long?" Mercy asked.
"Loki arrived there when he was in his early twenties. When he learned the spell he was in his mid-fifties."
"Three decades?" Mercy shouted while pushing herself out of her chair. "I don't have three decades!"
"Mercy ..." Victoria was started but was shouted over.
"I don't have that time! You have no idea how it is to be stuck in a body not your own," Mercy accused Mavis while glaring at her.
"And there you are wrong!" Mavis said in a dangerous low grumble. "I used to be able to change at will. Men. Women. Animals. I used to be all of it. But now trickster magic has me stuck here. In this one little town in more or less one body for the last seventeen and a half years."
"Y-you are useless to me!" Mercy shouted before storming out of the room.
"Mercy?" Victoria asked shocked. She hastily put away the book and hurried out after her. She found Mercy outside, in the corridor, with her arms trembling.
"I think we have to talk," Victoria said with a soft tone while putting an arm around Mercy's shoulder.
However, Mercy shrugged her off. "I don't want to talk. All this talking and magic. I've had enough. They want pranks? Fine!" Mercy stomped back into Mavis office.
Victoria was debating with herself if she should follow when Mercy sprinted back out again. "Run!" Mercy shouted while dashing for the exit. On instinct, Victoria did just that.
A hundred feet outside Victoria dared to look behind her. An angry Mavis pushed the doors open. Clad in neon colors one might think she was a raver just exiting a club after a night of techno and dance music. Her old-fashioned clothes replaced by glow bracelets in different sizes, neon fur boots, and matching PVC bikini.
A more detailed look eluded Victoria as Mercy grabbed her and dragged her behind a wall of shrubbery. "Oh my gosh! Have you seen her face?" Mercy gushed while wandering further onto the private property. "Still think my pranks are lame?"
"Mercy, we need to talk," Victoria proclaimed while stopping beside a swimming in the backyard of who knows who. She crossed her arms.
"Talk about what?" Mercy asked.
"About you," Victoria continued. "About how you behave and what you are going through right now."
"What do you mean? I am not ..."
"Mercy it is okay," Victoria said with softness returning to her voice. "All girls are scared and confused the first time they have their period."
In a split second, Mercy lunged to her close. "I don't have my period."
"Mercy..."
"I said I don't!" Mercy shouted while pushing Victoria, who stumbled backward and lost her bag.
"Yes you do," Victoria shouted back and did the only thing she could think of: to shove Mercy away from her.
Caught off-guard Mercy fell onto her bum. For the moment her anger vanished and tears came to her eyes. "I don't. I really don't..." she whimpered to herself.
Victoria's eyes grew wide as she saw Mercy sprawled on the ground. Her skirt had flapped up and revealed something of concern.
"Are you wearing latex panties?" Victoria asked. "The same latex panties from yesterday?"
"M-maybe," Mercy admitted.
"Did you fuse them to yourself?" Victoria asked more sharply.
"That is none of your concern," Mercy hastily countered.
"It is!" Victoria insisted. "Give me your panties Mercy."
"What?"
"Your latex panties. Unfuse them and give them to me."
"No!"
"Now, Mercy!"
"You want my panties? You just want latex, right?" Mercy shouted back while angrily pushing to her feet. "To feel deviant again? Isn't that all I am too you? A source of naughty stuff?"
"No, Mercy," Victoria insisted. "I am concerned about you."
"Concerned about your source of fetish fuel? Don't worry. I've got plenty for you!" Mercy shouted back.
When Victoria opened her mouth something slipped past her lips. Her eyes grew wide as she recognized a gag on her tongue. Mercy was shifting her clothes. Fast. The slippery feeling alerted her that her outfit shifted into the realm of latex and fetish clothing. Real panic threatened her as the gag grew longer and plunged down her throat.
Victoria clawed at the gag to get it out only to feel it become part of her. Mercy had fused it to her. She felt her clothes grew tighter and soon her legs were pushed together as her skirt constricted around them. Effectively hobbling her. But nothing had prepared her for the moment as an enraged Mercy pushed her into the pool.
Cold water closed around Victoria, who had lost her sense for up and down. Her legs, constricted as they were, proofed to be utterly useless to help her get up. It took Victoria a moment to realize that she wasn't drowning. The gag in her throat was fused. Meaning her need to breath was overridden by trickster magic. With sheer force of will, she calmed down her panic attack.
Now she could see that she had sunken to the ground of the pool. Victoria felt herself being encased from head to toe in latex. Looking at her legs Victoria knew what Mercy had done to her. The tight latex around her legs flared out again at her feet. Or rather where they used to be. From the hips down Victoria had the latex tail of a fish.
Mercy stared down in anger at Victoria. Saw her making her first attempts to kick with her mermaid tail. Then, Mercy watched her rise to the surface. Fixing her gaze on Mercy and just watched her.
"What?" Mercy half shouted at her. "Isn't that what you want? Latex mermaid. Can't get kinkier than that, right?"
But Victoria didn't answer. Couldn't really, as Mercy knew. But there was no reaction of Victoria. She only stared daggers at Mercy.
"Stop glaring!" Mercy said with fury. "Go. Swim. Enjoy your pervy dream come true."
Nothing. Not a twitch. Victoria kept staring at her.
"That's what you want," Mercy told her, but doubt crept into her voice as her anger slowly dissipated.
"Isn't it?" Mercy asked while sinking to her knees. "That is what you want, right?"
Tears started to cloud Mercy's view. Within moments she was bawling like a small child. When she looked back up again Victoria had drifted close.
"I am sorry," Mercy cried. "I don't know what happens to me. Please. Victoria. Say something."
Victoria gently reached for Mercy's hand and as she had it placed it on the gag.
"Right! The gag. I am so sorry," Mercy whispered as she unfused the offending garment.
Victoria gasped and wheezed after she pulled out a foot long dildo out of her throat. She soon grabbed for Mercy's hand again. For a moment Mercy saw soft eyes looking at her. Then steel returned to them. It was the last thing Mercy saw before Victoria pulled her into the pool.
Mercy kicked wildly around her in panic when arms closed themselves around her from behind. They dragged her upwards and Mercy gasped for air as she broke through the surface again. However, she wasn't let go. Victoria dragged her to the middle of the pool.
"Victoria?" Mercy whimpered. "Please let go."
"Shut up," Victoria commanded from behind her back. "Unbelievable. You know I have seen plenty of girls deal with their first period ..."
"I don't..."
"Yes, you have," Victoria insisted. "Do you think that bleeding down there was all that there is to a period? Fusing latex panties to yourself just to stop it? Really Mercy? Come on."
"It helped," Mercy whimpered.
"It did not!" Victoria insisted. "Yes, the blood is a major part of the period, but not all. Your whole body goes through it. Your body produces plenty of hormones and you robbed your body of the only means to end it!"
"But..."
"When did it start, Mercy?"
Mercy started to cry again and in between sobs she admitted it. "Saturday. It wasn't much. I thought..."
"No, you didn't think. And you didn't get help either," Victoria accused her. "I have seen plenty of period-induced mood swings Mercy. None as strong or uncontrollable as yours. Now tell me. Do you want to get out of this pool?"
"Please Victoria. I am sorry. Please let me out," Mercy begged.
"Then here is the deal. I want your panties. Unfuse them and hand them to me," Victoria said before releasing Mercy. "Don't get funny ideas. Thanks to you I am a mermaid. Quick and agile. Now. Panties!"
Treading water Mercy needed a moment to gather herself. She needed to look at herself to unfuse something. She reasoned Victoria knew as she kept herself behind Mercy's back. Finally, she managed to get her panties free and flung them to the side.
"Good," Victoria cooed while grabbing Mercy again. This time gently and as a hug. "Let's get out of here."
Together they swam to the pool edge and heaved themselves out. Victoria felt her latex skin unfuse and shift into normal cloth again.
As both stood up Victoria gave Mercy an intense look over. Her clothing clung to her with wetness and was half see through. Still, Victoria had to make sure. "Lift your skirt," she demanded from Mercy.
Mercy hesitated for a moment, but then let her head hang in defeat. Lifting up the hem she revealed her being nude underneath.
"Good," Victoria said softly. "Now let's get you home. Before someone spots us and calls the cops."
"It's the Radcliff's house," Mercy murmured. "They are on vacation."
"Not helping," Victoria sighed.
They gathered their bags and belongings and left.
*****
Mercy was huddled in a blanket sitting at the kitchen island. It was there where Mercy's mother found her daughter clinging to an empty mug that had previously contained chocolate.
"Victoria just left. Her Mother picked her up," Mercy's Mom started.
"She hates me now, right? After what I did to her?"
"We'll see. Don't give up on her yet. Tomorrow you'll apologize and then you take it from there."
Mercy nodded but remained silent.
"I am sorry," Mercy's Mother said while giving her a hug.
"Why? It was me who did those awful things to her."
"Because I didn't prepare you enough. I actually believed it would be enough what they taught you in Sex Ed. I was wrong."
"I haven't really listened to it. You know. Back then. On the female side of things."
"Come on. Let me get you a new cup of hot chocolate and then we talk."
"About what?"
"About what I should have told you weeks ago. The talk. From mother to daughter."
Mercy winced, but after a moment she sighed. "I guess I have to get used to it. It's just..."
"Unfair? Gross?"
"Yeah..."
"Maybe. All I can tell you is that you get used to it. That it gets better. And one day maybe you'll find it was all worth it."
"Has it? For you?"
"There was this day, seventeen and a half years ago, where I held you in my arms for the first time. In that moment, past and future, it had all been worth it."
"Oh, Mom," Mercy whimpered while giving in to the urge to hug her mother. After a while she admitted in a whisper:"I don't think I am ready yet. To be a mother."
"Oh goodness no. You better be not. But give it a few years and you might feel differently about that. Till then how about I finally give you the one-oh-one of practical living as a woman."
"Okay," Mercy eventually whispered. There was no way around it. It felt like a nail in a coffin. One for the very idea that this was only temporary. But now she had to face the truth. She was in for the long haul. Maybe forever. And she had to get used to it.
*****
Mercy's list of strange things to figure out:
- Being a girl sucks!!!!!!
- 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 assaulted Victoria is named Gideon)
- I have a new mentor (Mavis Cannon; might be old as hell; can change bodies of herself or others; knew Loki; Victoria and I don't trust her)
- there might be a way for me to turn back into a boy (but it might take a long time)
***** Wednesday *****
"Mitch isn't showing today either?"
Mercy twirled around to see Victoria, who once again managed to sneak up on her.
"Victoria! I am so sorry about..."
"Not here," Victoria cut her off. "Follow me."
Mercy opened her mouth to reply, but Victoria simply walked into the school. Having no other choice Mercy hurried after her. They ended up once again in the bathroom on the other end of the school.
"I am really sorry," Mercy started again when they had their privacy.
"Can it!" Victoria snapped at her. "You are damn lucky I knew you weren't yourself. What were you thinking? You could have asked me. I would have helped."
"I panicked," Mercy admitted.
"Feeling better now?"
"Still feeling queasy and cranky. But I don't think it is as worse as before."
"Good," Victoria said while giving a serious nod. "Now lift your skirt."
"What?" Mercy asked bewildered.
Victoria rolled her eyes. "The skirt of your dress. Lift it. Show me your panties."
"I haven't fused..."
"I don't give a damn," Victoria cut her off. "After yesterday you lost the privilege that I take your word for granted."
Blushing, Mercy did as told.
"Lift the band of your panties too," Victoria added. "Just to be sure. Okay. Nothing fused. I see you chose to wear a pad."
"Yeah," Mercy said with a small nod. "Though I hate how it feels when I move with it."
"That's why I go for tampons," Victoria said with a smirk.
"Oh, no way I can... put things there."
"Really? You did just that at our sleepover," Victoria teased.
"T-that was different!"
"I am kidding. Come here," Victoria said while pulling Mercy into a hug. "If you ever fly off the rails again like that then we won't be friends anymore. Got it?"
"Yes!" Mercy hastened to reply. "I promise it won't happen again. Learned my lesson."
"Good." A small grin appeared on Victoria's face. "I have two small gifts for you."
"What?" Mercy asked bewildered.
Victoria pulled out a chocolate bar and a piece of paper. "This is what helps me survive those special days of the month. My home remedy."
"Thanks. What's the paper?" Mercy unfolded it and gave it a peek. "An address?"
"Yeah. That's where Mitch lives. I still think he just skips school, but if it puts your worries to rest we can check it out after school."
"Thanks," Mercy said with honest relief. "Wait. We?"
"Of course," Victoria said. "Apparently you do stupid things when I am not around. Honestly thought it was the other way around."
That lured a chuckle out of Mercy.
"Come on," Victoria beckoned her. "Class is about to start."
Nodding, Mercy followed her out.
*****
"It should be around here," Victoria remarked.
They weren't that far away from the school. Maybe ten minutes away by foot.
"I think that one is it," Mercy said while pointing at the only rundown looking house in the street.
"Because it looks shabby?" Victoria asked.
Mercy rushed to the gate of the property. When Victoria was slower to come along Mercy shouted over. "It's the only one with police tape all over the front door."
"The mailbox says Jenkins too," Victoria agreed while joining Mercy.
"Let's peek in the windows. I wonder what happened," Mercy said while hurrying up the stairs.
"Mercy," Victoria said slowly as he followed her onto the porch. "I thought I entertain you coming here, but I think you are onto something. Look."
Mercy turned around and saw at once what Victoria was getting at. One of the support beams, old and in disrepair, had a fresh wound torn into it.
"Are those bullet holes?" Mercy asked shocked.
"Shotgun I would say," Victoria said. "Whatever happened here. It can't be good..."
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
Mercy grew desperate to find a way to become a boy again. The reason was something most girls dread: her period. Mercy dealt with it in one of the worst ways possible. By using magic in an attempt to suppress it.
Cornered by Victoria Mercy had leashed out against her. But, in the end, Victoria's determination broke through to Mercy and managed to pull her off from a path of self-destruction.
But not all was well in the end. Mercy might have ruined her mentoring deal with Mavis, who just had shared a story of her past with Mercy.
At last was the harrowing sight at Mitch's house. He and his sister had been missing for days now and finding fresh bullet holes made Mercy and Victoria think the worst.
***** Thursday *****
"I am sure they will be alright," Victoria said to calm down Mercy.
Both were standing on the wide stairs leading to the front entrance of the school. Mercy was stressing out over the fact that both had visited the house of Mitch Jenkins the day before. Just to find it taped off by the police and the messy remains of the impact from a shotgun blast in wood.
"There were freakin' bullet holes," Mercy shot back.
"Shotgun," Victoria corrected. "Just one impact. No blood. They will be fine. What are you looking at?
The last question was needed as Mercy suddenly appeared distracted.
"I think I saw Melanie."
"Who?" Victoria asked.
Mercy grabbed Victoria to chase together after the girl she saw. "Melanie. Mitch's sister."
"See? All good. Would they send them back to school so soon after something happened to them?"
"My parents send me back two days after an obscure aspect of magic turned me from boy to girl," Mercy countered.
"Okay, you've got a point ..."
"There!" Mercy exclaimed and pointed. Just in the moment as two girls entered the principal's office.
"Who was the older girl?" Victoria wanted to know.
"I have no clue," Mercy admitted. "Don't think I have ever seen her around school before."
"Me neither," Victoria agreed. Then she pulled Mercy to the side. "Well, unless you want to burst into the principal's office just to satisfy your curiosity, you are free for other things, right?"
"Well, we have classes in a few minutes," Mercy reminded her. "This sounds a little like Miss prim and proper want us to ditch classes. Though now that I think about it. You haven't been very prim and proper lately."
Victoria rolled her eyes. "Of course I am. Just not in my free time. And I do not want to ditch classes. I wanted to show you something." She pulled out a small leather-bound book out of her bag.
"The book Mavis gave you?" Mercy asked. "Did it do the trick? Make you immune to tinkering with your mind."
"What? No, not yet," Victoria admitted. "Here. Look. The whole book is written by hand. See?"
"Yeah. So it's unique? Who wrote it? Mavis?"
"That is the freaky part," Victoria said while paging towards the front of the book. Just to show it to Mercy.
"Wait. Loki wrote it? The Loki?" Mercy asked baffled.
"Do you know any other Loki?" Victoria asked back. "And Mavis admitted she knew him."
"To be honest I thought she made the story up. You know. Invent a good story to get me to listen to her."
"Apparently, it might be true. So my theory that Mavis and Loki had been a couple is still possible. Why else would she have something from Loki after all these years?"
"Really?" Mercy asked. Doubt tinted her voice. "You know the way she talked she might not having been a woman at all when she met Loki."
"Maybe the first thing Loki did when he learned the body changing spell was to change into a woman. Maybe that's how they were a couple then? And don't forget, we know nothing about their sexuality. If they like men or women or both. Just imagine a romance between them with constantly changing genders on both parts and ..."
"Mavis is Loki!" Mercy proclaimed.
"What?" Victoria asked shocked.
"Ha. You should see your face. I mean it is possible, right? Who says it isn't so?"
"You just saying it to break my theory," Victoria accused her.
"Yep," Mercy admitted.
"Besides," Victoria mused. "If Loki is still alive why hide all these years. I mean when was Loki last spotted? A century ago? And why would he hide in a small town like this one?"
"To raise his next prodigy!" Mercy half shouted and earned a few glances from other students who passed by.
"Sure," Victoria deadpanned. "And I am the legendary sorceress Freyja who's beauty is unrivaled to this day."
"Okay. Okay," Mercy admitted. "Mavis being Loki is a long shot. As is Mavis and Loki being lovers. So that's it? You showed me the book just to speculate about Mavis love life?"
"What? No! I am not some girl who watches desperate sorceresses of northern past. It is about the book itself. I need a favor."
"Sure," Mercy agreed. "What do you need?"
"Don't be so quick to accept. This favor might reveal your spells to the school."
Mercy fell silent for a moment but eventually nodded. "Soon or later they may find out anyway. Besides. After last Tuesday I think I owe you all the favors in the world."
"Yeah. About that. Latex mermaid. Pretty cool idea. If you get the choice. Which I didn't."
Mercy cringed as if being slapped. "I am really sorry about that one."
"Water under the bridge," Victoria replied. "Okay. If you are in then here what you need to do. The book states that in order to develop a resistance to mind alteration one has to be exposed to it. I mean there are exercises and stuff in there, but this is a vital part. So I need you to change clothes on me. Not subtle. Things I can notice if I think about it. Stuff that defies logic. So no changing the color of my socks or lame stuff like that..."
"I got it," Mercy said with a nod.
Just then the bell rang for the five-minute warning that classes were about to start.
"You sure?"
"Yeah. Just make sure you run into me between classes."
"Will do. Now off to classes," Victoria said. Then confusion showed on her face. "Well. Locker for me first. Why did I wear a sweater to school anyway? Winter was months ago."
"Oh and keep an eye open for Melanie or Mitch," Mercy reminded her.
"Sure."
Then they hurried off in opposite directions.
*****
"Someone is looking grumpy," Victoria noted as she joined Brian and Mercy at their usual lunch table.
"I saw her two times," Mercy grumbled.
"Who?" Victoria asked while shrugging out of a cardigan and stashing it in her bag.
"Melanie," Mercy replied. "Always gets pulled aside by that other girl before I can catch up to her."
"Soon or later you will catch her," Victoria said while pulling a scarf off herself. "When the time is right."
"Do you have anything more productive to add?" Mercy asked Brian. "Brian!" she repeated as he ignored her.
"Yes? What?" he asked confused looking up from his smartphone.
"What's so interesting that you ignore Mercy's personal end of the world drama?" Victoria teased.
"The actual end of the world?" he shot back.
"What?" Victoria snatched Brian's phone out of his hands before he could react. "Let's see. The headline is this: Seer mages of Delphi making a new prophecy." She looked to Mercy. "Sounds serious," she added in a mocking tone.
"Can I get my phone back now?" asked an irritated Brian.
"Hey. If the world is going to end I wanna know about it," Victoria shot back.
"Let me see," Mercy said and together they read the prophecy.
The age of ignorance will end as what was promised will blossom.
So the seed will reveal the harbinger to be.
Mankind will know its own as it's mirror is revealed.
"That doesn't sound very doomsday-ish," Victoria commented.
"Mercy?" Brian asked as he saw Mercy growing pale in the face. "Everything alright? Does this mean something to you?"
"The prophecy no. But the article below sounds more like doomsday to me," Mercy said while her eyes darted around between her both friends. "Listen to this: Yesterday at around five a highway robbery took place. The robbers took the whole truck with all its contents. Apparently said content is secret, but sources of the reporter claim it was a trickster magic collection run. A full tank of trickster magic to be transferred to a neutralization facility."
"Why would anyone steal trickster magic?" Brian asked.
"Well. Remember how I become a trickster mage?" Mercy asked. "They told me that a part of a tank had to be vented in an emergency. Part of one. Imagine what a whole tank could do!"
"You think someone stole it to become a trickster mage?" Brian asked. "I don't think someone would be crazy enough. Unless... Victoria. Did you steal a truck full of trickster magic?"
"Oh no. Not me. No offense Mercy, but being a trickster mage sounds like a lot of work," Victoria hastened to reply. "Besides. All these compulsory pranks sound tedious."
"Oh, it's not so bad today," Mercy added with a grin.
"Why? Because you keep putting me into sweaters?" Victoria asked while shrugging out of another one.
"So you figured it out," Mercy remarked with a slight smile.
"Well. The first was strange, but I remembered wearing it to school. So did I remember the next three. But it is obvious when they pile up in my locker or now in my bag. So yeah. Sweater and cardigans are out. As are scarfs," Victoria said while pulling yet another one from her neck.
"Did you do something to make Mercy angry?" Brian joked.
"Believe it or not she asked me too," Mercy stated.
Not trusting a word out of Mercy's mouth Brian looked at Victoria.
"It's true. Supposed to help me learn to resist mind alteration via magic."
"To expose yourself to a bunch of it?" Brian asked.
"Well, I got this book from Loki's lover..."
"She got it from Mavis. My mentor," Mercy corrected her. "And I doubt she is Loki's lover."
"Fine. Ex-lover," amended Victoria and earned herself rolling eyes from Mercy. "Speaking of 'ex-'. Are you sure she is still your mentor? She looked pretty pissed."
"Yeah. Maybe I should go and apologize," Mercy admitted.
"Maybe? Look you ... What now?" Victoria asked as Mercy's eyes wandered elsewhere.
"Melanie!" Mercy said while pushing herself up from the table. "Please put my tray away. Thanks."
And just like that Mercy was gone.
"So. On another note," Brian started. "The plans for the weekend are still on?"
"Sure," Victoria agreed. "Unless I have to fix another Mercy emergency..."
*****
"Stop giving her the stare," Victoria hissed to Mercy while they were supposed to be drawing in art class. "She looks like a frightened deer spotting a huntsman."
"She is the key," Mercy whispered back. "Whenever I get close to Melanie she is pulling her out of my reach."
"Well done Michelle," the art-teacher beamed. "Everyone. Take a look."
Eager to spy on her enemy, Mercy got up to take a peek. Only to got her eyes riveted to Michelle's drawing. It was a pretty good rendition of the bowl of fruit they were supposed to draw. Yet something irked Mercy. Somewhere she had seen the drawing style before.
The sound of the school's bell made Mercy look up. This small moment was enough for Michelle to vanish from the classroom. Mercy cursed under her breath as she saw her supposed enemy duck out into the hallway.
"Someone is popular with the ladies," Victoria teased from behind.
"Very funny," Mercy said in resignation as she picked up her stuff.
***** Friday *****
"Mercy!"
"Yes! What?"
"I dare you to repeat anything I just said," Victoria challenged her.
Both stood on the wide staircase that led to the school. Mercy's head had been practically been on a swivel. Trying to peer in all directions at once.
"Something about ..."
"The favor. You know? The one I asked you about."
"Oh, right. What about it?"
"Did you come up with something new?" Victoria asked.
"Not yet. Let me think."
Mercy gave her friend a critical once over. Victoria was wearing a pretty standard outfit. Polo shirt and a skirt. Socks and trainers. Not to forget her buttplug. For a moment Mercy thought about doing something with Victoria's favorite secret, but then again changing her plugs had been become a stable of Mercy's too. Her head slightly turned to the side as she narrowed in on the skirt. It looked a little limp. Maybe Mercy could change that.
"Got something," Mercy proclaimed proudly.
"Good. Ah. There is Brian coming."
"And there is Melanie and whats-her-name?"
"Michelle," Victoria reminded her.
But it was in vain. Mercy already stalking away.
"Where is she off to again?" Brian asked Victoria as he arrived.
"Hunting Melanie again."
"You know. I think I figured something out. Based on what you told me I bet you five bucks that ..."
*****
Mercy was snickering when she spotted Victoria heading for their table at lunch break. Alerted by her, Brian turned around just to chuckle too.
"What?" Victoria asked her friends.
"Why is your skirt so puffy?" Brian eventually asked after his amusement settled down.
"A few underskirts," Victoria remarked as she put her tray down. However, sitting down proved to be more challenging, as the volume of the underskirts interfered quite a bit.
"A few?" Brian asked. "Looks more like a dozen."
"Don't be ridiculous," Victoria huffed. "Only five."
"How many?" Mercy asked.
"Still distracted by your hunt?" Victoria asked. "I just told you. Six. It's just a test. You know. Get a feeling and judge the look of wearing seven underskirts at once."
"Didn't you just say six?" Brian asked.
"What?" Victoria asked perplexed. "I just said eight. You both deaf today?"
Brian gave Mercy a small knowing grin. "Oh, now I get it."
"Anyway. Mercy. I think I spot your chance to finally interrogate Melanie," Victoria said to distract the other two.
"And why is that?" Mercy asked.
"Because she is coming over. Pushing her friend," Victoria smugly replied.
True to her word Melanie was indeed pushing Michelle in their direction.
"I don't want to." They heard from Michelle as they came closer.
"I have enough of your game of hiding!" Melanie half shouted.
Soon both stood before Mercy, Victoria, and Brian. There was an awkward silence. One only to be broken by Melanie who elbowed her friend in the rips.
"Fine!" Michelle gave in. "Hi. I am Michelle. This is Melanie. We met at a women's shelter. Mitch is fine. He and Melanie had trouble at home and..."
Melanie stomped on Michelle's foot to make her shut up. "Michelle is Mitch," the younger girl revealed.
Another awkward silence settled over the group. This time it was broken by Victoria who fished out a five dollar bill and pushed it to Brian. "Can't believe you were right," she muttered to him.
"You bet on me?" Michelle asked in shock.
"Nevermind that," Mercy interrupted. "You are really Mitch? What happened? Why did you avoid me?"
"Shhh!" Michelle said to quiet her down. "Not here. We could be overheard. Let's eat outside, okay?"
"Fine," Mercy agreed. "Let's."
Mercy and Brian pushed up, but Victoria had more trouble. "Wait! I think I am stuck. Why the hell did I think wearing nine underskirts was a good idea?"
With some help, they got Victoria up and about. Then they looked for a secluded spot outside.
"Now spill," Mercy commanded as they had settled down.
"And start from the beginning," Victoria added. "Oh. Make it juicy."
"The beginning? You mean the day Mercy made me a crossdresser?" Michelle shot back with a pout.
"A crossdresser? How did that happen?" Victoria hastened to ask.
"Was that her first day back at school?" Brian asked more patiently. "The day she changed your boxers to panties?"
"Yes!" Michelle hissed and looked accusing at Mercy.
"T-to be fair I asked you if you want it to be undone," Mercy defended herself.
"Yes, you did. And I declined" Michelle admitted and her anger visibly deflated before their eyes.
Victoria's chuckling made her the focus of the group's attention. "Oh Mercy," she said between her bouts of laughter. "You really should keep your hands off of other people's underwear. Have you learned nothing from the cheerleader debacle?"
"That was before the cheerleader thing!" Mercy exclaimed.
"What did she do?" Melanie asked.
"Mercy made them all gay," Brian stated in a somber matter of fact voice.
"Wait. That was you?" Melanie exclaimed.
"Yes. I am to blame. But please keep that a secret," Mercy admitted. "Now stop avoiding the elephant in the room..."
"We are not in a room," Victoria interjected.
"... and tell me what happened. I was worried about you two," Mercy finished. Then she pointed at Victoria. "I was with her at your house. There were police tape and freakin' bullet holes!"
"Oh yeah. That is ... complicated," Michelle volunteered.
"I listened to your advice," Melanie took over. "Had a nice chat with Mitch. We sort of came to an agreement. I try to tolerate his cross-dressing and he keeps the bullying away."
"I already had stopped," Michelle added.
"Anyway," Melanie continued. "Mitch was showing me his designs when our father was coming home."
"And he caught you with the drawings?" Mercy asked.
"Not at first," Michelle admitted.
"You see our father wasn't doing so well. Financially," Melanie said while looking embarrassed.
"He just had learned that the bank is foreclosing our house. That's when he saw my drawing block," Michelle explained.
"I tried to say it was mine, but he didn't believe me," Melanie said.
"He was about to hit her. I knew it. So I punched him," Michelle admitted. "Still can't quite believe that myself. I always feared my father's temper. Especially when he was drunk."
"When he ran for the garage we knew it was to get his shotgun," Melanie added. "We knew we were in trouble so we ran."
"The bullet hole..." Mercy whispered.
"He nearly hit me when we stormed out the door," Michelle explained. "And then we ran like hell. We didn't know where to go and had no phone on us. We hardly knew anyone around. But then I remembered how angry my father had been about you, Mercy. About a trickster mage at school. I realized that it was because my father was scared. Of trickster magic!"
"And I know where the self-help center of the lokian way was," Melanie added proudly.
"It was Saturday. I knew it was a long shot, but I hoped you would be there," Michelle said with a nod towards Mercy.
"Instead there was this girl. Mavis," Melanie said.
"More like an old crone," Victoria added.
"She took one look at us and then at our father who was about to storm into the center," Michelle took over again. "She did something. Not sure what, but when our father came in he didn't see us. Didn't even hear us. Mavis freaking called the police right in front of his face and he didn't react at all."
"Illusions maybe?" Victoria asked.
"Must be," Melanie agreed. "Because when he was about to leave the door was gone. There was only a smooth wall."
"Then he started to shoot around randomly and Mavis dragged us into her office," Michelle continued. "Thankfully he ran out of shots fast and just then the police arrived. He was taken into custody and we were safe."
"Of course Mavis asked us some pointed question," Melanie said. "Why we came there and so on."
"Told her I know you," Michelle said to Mercy and a hint of anger snuck itself into her voice again. "That's when she told us what you did to me."
"I am sorry, okay? I didn't mean to. I was made a trickster mage not two days prior. I didn't know how much I could do. I am sorry," Mercy pleaded.
"Mavis said the same," Michelle volunteered in a more emphatic voice.
"But how did Mavis know? I didn't tell her about you," Mercy mused.
"She did some spell I think," Melanie said. "She said she had run into trouble with mages who use mind magic before. So she researched it. She could exactly tell how you changed him."
"Speaking of him," Victoria interrupted. "Why are you a girl now?"
"Well there was this thing that we had no place to stay," Michelle started. "There was a women's shelter for Melanie, but it would mean we would have to split up for now. So Mavis offered to change me into a girl. Which I accepted."
"Because now you can wear as much girly underwear as you like," Melanie teased.
"T-that is not true!" Michelle protested. "Well, maybe a little."
"And what now? Where will you stay?" Mercy asked.
"The shelter for now. Long term we have no clue," Melanie admitted.
"And all of this is my fault," Mercy said with tears starting to form in her eyes. "Without me, none of this would have happened."
"Maybe part of it," Michelle agreed. "But unless you had a hand in the bank foreclosing our home, then we would still be homeless without you."
"Still. I am willing to do anything to make this right!" Mercy begged.
"Anything?" Michelle asked.
"How about some clothes?" Melanie asked. "Michelle currently only has some ill-fitting clothes from donations and a trip to a second-hand shop."
"Sure. Yes," Mercy agreed in a heartbeat.
"Well, we can't carry much now," Melanie mused.
"We can do it after school if you like," Mercy offered.
"Can't," Michelle shot her down. "We have a meeting with a social worker. Tomorrow the bank lets us get stuff out of the house. Private things you know. Not sure how much we can take with us yet."
"How about Sunday?" Mercy inquired. "I really wanna make this right. Whatever you need."
Melanie and Michelle nodded. So Mercy wrote down her address and time for them to meet.
"You know I would donate some clothes," Victoria added. "But all I can offer in the moment are some sweaters in my locker and a bunch of underskirts."
"How many are you even wearing?" Melanie asked while raising an eyebrow.
"Just eleven. So I am short one too..." Victoria broke up for a moment as she looked confused. "Where was I? Oh, yeah. A clean dozen. Damn, they are unwieldy. This was a bad idea. Mercy can you get rid of some?"
"Yeah," Brian agreed. "Clean up your mess."
"What do you mean?" Victoria asked. Just to open her eyes wide in realization. "The favor! You are adding underskirts. With how many did I start with?"
"None," Mercy admitted smugly.
"You are doing it on purpose?" Melanie asked. "That is horrible. What did she do to deserve you playing around with her like that?"
Mercy was stammering a reply while Victoria was lost in a fit of laughter. It was Brian who solved the puzzlement of Michelle and Melanie. "Victoria asked her to. As a favor for some stupid reason."
"Not stupid," Victoria cut him off. "One day this will help me be immune to mind alteration. You know. Preferably before Mercy makes me gay or a crossdresser by accident..."
"But!" Mercy started to protest.
"Hush you," Victoria hissed. "Not another word."
"Fine," Mercy grumbled in agreement.
"Well, this was an entertaining lunch break," Victoria admitted. "But I gotta go strip off some underskirts before next class."
"Need to head off to class too," Brian threw in.
And just like that their little group dissolved. Leaving Mercy alone and to ponder what to do next.
*****
"So. Are you free this weekend?" Victoria asked Mercy after school. "My parents are gone till Sunday."
"So you want to do naughty stuff again?" Mercy asked nervously.
"That or train my super awesome mind in resisting foul magic," Victoria agreed.
"I can't," Mercy admitted while letting her head hang. "I want to try a new approach to my spells based on Mavis suggestion, but..."
"So you did listen to her," Victoria said with a smirk. "Well, if you can come over I'll help you."
"The thing is. If the whole debacle with Mitch or now Michelle has taught me anything then that I have to come clean to one other person. And I fear I might be grounded for weeks then."
"Sucks to be you then," Victoria replied with a shrug.
"If anything changes, then I'll call."
"You do that."
They said their goodbyes and Mercy walked away. As Mercy was out of sight Victoria fished for her phone to send a short text message.
#Mercy isn't coming. Looks like it is just us two again.#
*****
Mercy nervously paced the living room till she heard the sound of keys in the door lock. Dreading what was to come, Mercy walked to the door to greet her mother.
"Mom, we need to talk," Mercy started without much preamble.
"What about?"
"Kind of a long story..."
"Then how about we brew us a cup of tea and you tell me all about it?"
A few minutes later both sat in the kitchen. Mercy stared down at her slowly cooling cup of tea.
"So?" her mother asked.
"Do you remember the day the principal asked us into his office?"
"About those accusations that you made this boy crossdress?"
"Yes. I was so proud how you defended me."
"Well, you were innocent."
"The thing is... I found out that it was me. I did that. At the moment I hadn't known, but it really had been me. And it started a whole avalanche of events that ..."
"Calm down," Mercy's mother gently said as tears started to dwell in Mercy's eyes. "Tell me from the beginning."
A half-hour later Mercy finished her tale.
"So are there any other unintended consequences I should know about?"
"Well," Mercy said while avoiding her Mother's eyes. "About those shoes you like. The ones with a heel. They had been flats."
"I see. You changed them and now I remember them differently. As something, I can tolerate. I guess that isn't too bad. Sometimes on social gatherings, it is expected to wear heels. Even modest ones. Having one pair I like is kind of good. Anything else?"
Mercy cringed as there was another little thing she had to admit. "I made the whole cheerleader squad gay."
"Mercy!"
"I didn't mean to! They were bullying that one girl I knew who is a lesbian and I tried to get them off her back.
"Can it be undone?"
"Maybe. Victoria said I shouldn't try."
"Why not? How would you?"
"Well, I did change them by accident by placing slogans on their panties. So all I did would be to change them to say things like: I totally like dicks!"
"Mercy! Language!"
"Sorry."
"Well," Mercy's Mother mused. "That might work too well. Wording like that could make them ... Well. Nymphomaniac."
"Oh. I haven't thought about that."
"Sounds like your biggest mistakes happen when you don't think about the consequences first."
"I try to be better. I swear."
"Good."
"Am I grounded now?"
"Would that make you feel better?"
"Sort off," Mercy admitted.
"Then no," her mother replied with a smug grin. "Punishments aren't to make you feel better. They are there to firm up lessons learned. You did learn your lesson, right?"
"Yes!"
"Good. Then go do homework. I'll talk with your father about something fitting as penance for you."
"Okay," Mercy agreed. She was halfway out of the room when she stopped for a moment. "Mom?"
"Yes, dear?"
"Thanks."
"Anytime," her mother said with a gentle smile.
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
Mercy had to juggle task. For one she was on the hunt for Melanie, Mitch's sister. Trying to find out what happened to her and Mitch. But every time she came close a mysterious girl named Michelle snatched Melanie away. Mercy eventually found out that Michelle was none other than Mitch. It opened up a whole bunch of questions for Mercy. And a lot of new things to feel sorry about.
At the same time, Victoria was up to no good and she recruited Mercy to help her. In an attempt to become immune to being messed with her mind she asked Mercy to do exactly that. A challenge Mercy took to heart.
At last, Mercy admitted her mess ups to her mother. Expecting trouble she got understanding from her mother. And a promise. Punishment would still come.
***** Saturday *****
The woman pulled a few last times at her dark orange trademark overall. She appeared nervous though those who knew her from TV thought of her as confident and outgoing. Eventually, she pushed the doorbell and then did some adjusting to her short brown-haired bob.
A girl in her late teens answered the door. She looked confused for a moment before she asked. "May O'Connel? From channel six news?"
"That's right," the woman confirmed. "I am investigating a possible new story around here. Are your parents home? I'd like to ask a few questions."
"They are gone for the weekend," the girl replied. "What is this about?"
"May I come in? Maybe you can answer some questions, Miss ... ?"
"Evens. Victoria Evens."
"Right," the woman said with her trademark smile. "Can I come in?"
"Sure," Victoria agreed out of confusion.
The woman was halfway to the living room when she spotted another person there. For a moment she stopped uncertain, before pushing ahead.
"Hi. You must be Victoria's brother."
"May O'Connel? No, I am Brian," the boy said. "A friend."
"Boyfriend?" the woman inquired.
"Just a friend," Victoria clarified. "Can I offer you a glass of water or anything else?"
"Very kind of you, but I have limited time." The woman strode to the leather couch in the living room and sat down. "Mind if we start now?"
"Sure," Victoria agreed slowly while she and Brian took a seat themselves.
"Good. I have several witnesses who claim to have seen an alien around here a few weeks back. Any comments?"
"Aliens?" Brian asked in disbelief.
Victoria snickered. "I didn't know a respectable reporter like you would investigate, of all the things, aliens."
"Normally I wouldn't. However, the testimony of the witnesses all support each other. Especially the description of the alien."
"Wait. They landed?" Victoria pointedly asked. "How did they look."
"It was only one," the woman said while making a show of pulling out a small notebook. "According to my notes, the alien was female. About average height. All witnesses claim she had 'glistening' and 'glossy' black skin. A tail and six breasts."
"What? Really?" Brian howled in laughter. "You believe that?"
However, Victoria swallowed hard. Two weeks ago Mercy had made her into an incredible hybrid of latex, woman, and cat. Followed by equally incredible sex. Now Victoria was sweating bullets. Did some perverts see her? Maybe even filmed her? She needed to do some damage control.
"T-that was me," Victoria claimed.
"You are an alien?" the woman asked pointily.
"What? No! That was just a costume made of latex."
"A bold statement. Can you show me this costume? You know. Maybe you just saying this to hide the real alien."
"No, I..." Victoria stammered as she was caught off balance.
Picking up the slack was Brian. "Speaking of Aliens. Maybe you are one. Your hair is turning blond. Very strange."
"Oh that," the woman waved it off. "Are my roots showing? Keep it a secret, but I am not a natural brunette and ..."
"Cut the shit," Victoria burst out. "They are turning blond right before our eyes and from the tips on. Wait. Are they growing?"
The would-be reporter grabbed a strand of hair and inspected it. Sure enough, the tips had lost most of its color. "Damn. So close. I nearly had you."
The changes started to accelerate. It was not just the hair turning strawberry blond and growing longer. The whole face of the woman shifted gradually.
"Oh my gosh! Mercy?" Victoria asked as she saw the changes slow down.
"Busted!" Mercy grinned. "You should see both your faces..."
"You scared the crap out of me!" Victoria accused her.
"Just how did you do that?" Brian wanted to know.
"Surprise! I got a third spell," Mercy beamed. "Suck it, Mavis! Low chance my ass."
"So now you can change your body? I guess Mark is coming back now," Victoria mused.
"Nooo!" Mercy howled and her good mood was blown away. "I hate this stupid trickster magic. It won't let me."
"What do you mean?" Brian asked.
"Let me show you something," Mercy said with resignation. She got up and stared intensely at the mirror in the hallway. Eventually, she turned around towards her friends who had followed. "Notice any difference?"
"You are still you. Just less-" Brian started.
"Pretty," Victoria bluntly took over.
"I know," Mercy agreed. "You see. This body right now. This is me trying to become Mark."
"So if you try to become Mark you get the female version?" Brian asked.
"Does that mean your Mercy form is basically your boy body as a woman but enhanced?" Victoria piled on top.
"Yes. To both, I guess," Mercy said with a nod.
"Have you tried other male bodies?" Brian asked.
"Okay. Watch this," Mercy said while holding up a hand to keep them at distance. First, they saw Mercy's old features return. Then she stared back at the mirror. The change was quick and violent, as she burst out of her clothes. Courtesy of her growing a few inches and her body swelling up with muscles. Her hair turned short and brown again and her face grew hard and lean. "You know the actor Arnold Weissenkanter? Apparently, this is how he looks as a woman."
"No way!" Brian exclaimed.
Meanwhile, Victoria had to stifle a snicker. "Mayday. Mayday. Wardrobe malfunction imminent," she jibed.
Blushing, Mercy took a moment to fix her clothes up.
"So your new Spell flat out refuses to make male bodies?" Victoria asked.
"Oh, I wish it was just that," Mercy growled while flexing angrily at the mirror. "I hoped so much a third spell would fix everything. Fix me. But even if I could turn male it wouldn't last."
"What do you mean?" Brian asked.
"Remember me from a moment ago as May O'Connel? How I slowly turned back? Well, that happens every time. No change lasts more than ten to fifteen minutes. Then I slowly revert back," Mercy exclaimed.
"Sorry to hear that. I know you really wanted it Mercy," Victoria said in a soothing voice. Then her usual spunk returned as she asked mischievously: "But I guess you already have some ideas how to utilize your new spell for fun, right?"
"Besides tricking you into thinking I was a famous news reporter investigating aliens? Not really," Mercy growled back. "Wait a moment. This is getting ridicules."
At once Brian and Victoria knew what she meant as her physique deflated. Bulging muscles were rent down while her hair sprouted back out and turned strawberry blond.
"Those hadn't been ten minutes," Brian commented.
"Yeah," Mercy confirmed in her normal voice. "I can accelerate the change back. Just not extend the duration so far."
"So no planned pranks yet. Should have known," Victoria added dryly. "Well, looks like it falls to me again to come up with stuff."
Mercy rolled her eyes. "Sure. That never backfired. So what were you both up to before I got you really good by pranking you?"
"Video games," Brian admitted nonchalantly.
"Video games? Really? I mean Brian I believe it, but you Victoria?"
"What? Why can't I?" Victoria challenged her. "I admit the whole gaming thing passed me by when I grew up, but Brian makes it sound interesting. So I gave it a try. It was nice. So today ..."
"Wait," Mercy interrupted. "Today isn't your first time with Brian?"
Victoria started to giggle while Brian turned crimson in the face. "You really should work on your phrasing Mercy. My 'first time' was last Sunday were we 'played' over at Brian's, but ..."
"My Brother was a jerk that day," Brian added helpfully.
"So we did hit the park. Not much happened except... Help me out, Brian. Something happened last Sunday.
"You mean Mercy walking into us and accusing us of spying on her?"
"That's the one!" Victoria exclaimed.
"Okay. Okay. I get it. None of my business," Mercy relented. "And I apologized for last Sunday."
"Okay. Enough ribbing," Victoria cut her off. "Up to my room to have some fun."
Mercy looked at her as if she had sprouted a second head. Brian helped her out. "We set up the console there."
"You know now that we are three we could play a little tournament," Victoria suggested while climbing the stairs.
"I thought you have played against Brian," Mercy pointed out. "If he can mop the floor with me in any game then you won't fare better."
"Actually she does beat me half the time," Brian admitted.
"Great. Now I am getting pounded by both of you," Mercy grumbled.
"Phrasing!" Brian reminded her while Victoria was laughing out loud.
Mercy couldn't help but facepalm herself. "That is not what I meant..."
As all three got into Victoria's room Mercy could see the gaming console already set up. In fact, the screen was paused in the middle of a match in "Back Ally Fighter Hyper XD IV Beast Mode Edition Of The Year".
"Let's end this," Victoria jibed Brian. "Loser can win against Mercy."
"You're on!" Brian agreed.
"Hey. I am not that bad," Mercy pouted.
The match ended soon enough and Mercy witnessed something she would never have guessed. Brian lost the match. She nearly didn't believe it as this game was Brian's home turf. The game he trained the most in. He moped up everyone in it. Just not today.
"See? Totally easy. Your turn," Victoria challenged Mercy while handing over the controller.
To Mercy's amazement, it really was. She beat Brian in his favorite game in record time. That never happened before. Ever. As she handed the controller back to Victoria Mercy decided to find out why. Soon both, Victoria and Brian, were deep into another match and Mercy observed it like a hawk.
Soon she noticed it. Victoria sat really close to Brian. Neatly whispered her challenges to him. Leaned over to jibe him. Victoria was cheating. What straight boy couldn't resist glancing at her. To be distracted. Playing dirty brought in another win for Victoria.
Soon Mercy was in another match with Brian, but this time she spared a few glances to Brian and Victoria. Sure enough, Victoria sat in a way that not only was in Brian's line of sight but in a way that practically begged to grab an eye full. While Victoria playing dirty did distract them Brian coped better and soon Mercy lost the round.
Now it was again Brian and Victoria's turn, but Mercy dragged him to the side to talk to him.
"Victoria is cheating," Mercy whispered to him.
"You don't say," Brian said while rolling his eyes.
"If you know then why..."
"Oh, Mercy. Has it been that long since you have been a boy?" Brian challenged her.
It made click in Mercy's head. Brian knew and he drank it up. A beautiful girl like Victoria posing and paying attention to him. How could he not love it? Victoria played him, but he enjoyed it.
"Well," Mercy started, while Brian stared at her not very patiently. It took Mercy a few seconds to catch herself and come up with a plan to use this moment. "What would you say if I had a way to even the playing field. Make you just as distracting as she is to you."
Brian was intrigued and gave her a "go on".
Mercy's eyes wandered to Victoria's closet. In there was a hidden access to the crawlspace of the house. There Victoria stashed a big trunk with all her naughty toys and clothes. Along with them, Mercy knew there was a USB stick with pornos. One of them she had admitted to seeing dozens of times. A scene with a bound redhead who was teased and fucked by a mocha-skinned beauty. Mercy bit her lip in appreciation of the memory. That one movie had led to a lot more.
"I know that Victoria has a sort of idol. If I change you into her then ..."
"Her?" Brian interrupted Mercy.
"Well, yeah. Look. You saw my third spell works only for a few minutes. And I have yet to try it out on another person. It could work out for both of us. If she sees her idol she won't know what to do," Mercy explained.
"Let me think about that," Brian shot her down.
Mercy decided not to press it and together they walked back to Victoria, who grinned at them. "Have the two conspirators hashed out a plan to beat me? It's all futile you know..."
"Ten to fifteen minutes you say?" Brian asked.
Now it was Mercy's moment to grin. And it was a wicked one. "I timed it in numerous tries."
"Let's do this," Brian said with a grin of his own.
"Do what?" Victoria was confused.
Mercy meanwhile starred at Brian. In her mind, she called upon the image of the domina from Victoria's favorite porno. The color of her skin, a lovely mocha tone, and her shapely figure was done easily enough. Mercy couldn't remember some details as she had been a little distracted that evening by her own arousal. Had the domina sported C-cup or D-cup? Just to be sure Mercy did go with the bigger one.
She paid extra attention to the face. The already aristocratic features enhanced to the level of striking beauty. At last was the hair. Mercy remembered neat cornrows that bundled into a ponytail at the nape of her neck. Instead, Mercy did go with long flowing hair that reached to the small of her back and had a small curl to them.
"Ready?" Mercy asked.
"Not really," Brian admitted. "But do it anyway," he said while giving Victoria a challenging look.
Mercy did push the image of the domina onto Brian's image in her mind. Just like she did with clothes. This had been the trick she had been missing before. That extra step she had failed to do before. Without it, nothing happened before.
Now Mercy felt a small chunk of her trickster magic leave her, but then nothing. Brian was still Brian and Victoria glanced at both of them.
"Was something supposed to happen?" she asked. "Because nothing did."
"Well, I feel differently, but ..." Brian started, but then cut himself off. For a moment he looked confused.
Brian started to sway as if fainting, but when Victoria stepped close to catch him she stared at her own personal idol. Brian had changed and it was so fast that it was finished before either of the three could even react. In a blink of an eye, he had changed into female perfection incarnated.
"Brian?" Victoria asked shocked. "Are you alright?"
Brian gave her a wide smile. Something that looked so right on his new body that Mercy felt her knees go a little weak. Confidently Brian walked towards Victoria who slowly stepped backward. Her eyes wide like a deer caught in the headlights.
Soon Victoria ran out of room to retreat. Just in time as Brian reached her. Smoothly he pulled Victoria at her waist to himself and passionately kissed her. It only lasted a few seconds, but when Brian let go Victoria was breathing heavily.
"Now how about this match?" Brian asked before sauntering to the console. He gave Mercy a quick wink before picking up his controller. "You coming?" he dared Victoria again.
Eventually getting a grip on herself Victoria gave Mercy a dirty look. She knew exactly why Mercy had chosen this form for Brian. She grabbed the other controller but hesitated this time to sit too close to Brian.
To say Victoria lost miserably was the understatement of the century. Brian used every trick Victoria had tried on him and then some.
"That's not fair!" Victoria exclaimed as the game proclaimed her character K.O.-ed. "Brian is cheating."
Brian gently grabbed her chin and made her look into his eyes. "Is it now?" Brian practically purred inches from Victoria's face. "I seem to remember you doing the same thing. It appears I beat you in your game, while I beat you in my game."
Mercy couldn't help but snicker as Victoria pouted.
"Maybe my little girl will do better against Mercy? If you win I promise you another kiss," Brian said with a wink. Then elegantly stood up to hand over the controller.
A new round started and Mercy was soon pressed hard by Victoria. It looked like Victoria really wanted this reward. But the onslaught didn't last. Mercy spared a glance and knew at once why. Brian had snuck behind Victoria and whispered in her ear while lightly pressing his brand new breasts against her backside. Understandably Victoria was bright red as a tomato.
The small glance was enough for Victoria to make a comeback in the game, but it didn't last long. Mercy won and couldn't help but rub it in. "Awww. No kiss for you."
"That's right," Brian purred. "The spoils go to the winner." Before Mercy could react Brian pulled her back and planted a long kiss on her. Shocked Mercy didn't even fight back. This was wrong. Kissing her friend of so many years. This shouldn't happen. Mercy told herself she wasn't into Brian. Not into boys. But then again Brian wasn't a boy right now and this felt so good.
As Victoria before her Mercy came out of the kiss heavily breathing and oh so aroused.
"I demand a rematch!" Victoria practically shouted into the room.
"You will get one," Brian decreed. "Same stakes as last time. Mercy, you are in, right?"
Mercy nodded on instinct and immediately wondered why. Did she really want to win again? Get another kiss from Brian. She had never felt this way for him. Not when she had been a boy and not now as a girl. As Victoria started the next round Mercy still hadn't shaken off her confusion.
It got worse as she felt something warm press against her back and she had a good guess what it was as Brian now started to whisper in her ear. "I know you want it. To feel my silky lips on yours again. To be taken by me. Played with to my heart's content."
Only moments later Mercy lost the round. As Brian moved away from her and gave Victoria another heartfelt kiss, Mercy had more conflicting feelings. Relief for one. Harshly contrasted by a pang of jealousy.
"Maybe next round you do better," Brian taunted Mercy after breaking away from Victoria.
Indeed she did and Mercy felt the touch of soft, yet forceful and hungry, lips once again. Each round Mercy and Victoria grew more frantically. Forgotten were combos and strategy. The game only a means to an end. To simply compete for Brians attention.
It was Brian who broke it all off. "Enough. We had our fun. Now we will see how Mercy deals with a real challenge." He slowly walked towards Victoria's bed and graciously sat down.
His eyes were on Mercy and soon Victoria fixed hers on Mercy too. She swallowed hard. Her mind immediately focusing on the most naughty things one could do in a bed together.
"That would be a reward," Brian purred. "But you are more in for a punishment. Someone has been naughty. Time to fix it."
"Fix what?" Mercy said with confusion.
"It has been over a half hour since you turn me into ... Brianna," Brian explained. "No sign of me turning back into Brian. Not a hint. Get on it."
"Maybe ... Maybe it takes longer for others," Mercy speculated. "According to my Aunt, I always shrugged off trickster magic rather fast. Maybe..."
"Stop," Brianna commanded. Not harshly. Rather soft, but with steel behind it. "So you say instead of minutes I might be like this for hours? Even days?"
"I... No!" Mercy exclaimed hastily. "I can accelerate the change back."
"Then do it," Brianna suggested.
Mercy tried her hardest, but soon her concentration was broken by Brianna again. "It isn't working, right?"
"No. I don't know. It should, but ..." Mercy hunted for words to explain it better. "It feels different. The trickster magic. It is still inside you. But it feels strangely different from when the spell is on me."
"So what?" Victoria asked. "Brian is ..."
"Brianna!" Brianna sharply corrected Victoria.
"Brianna is now a trickster mage?" Victoria corrected herself with glances at the young woman dominating her bed by simply sitting on it.
"What? No. I don't think so," Mercy hastened to clarify. "There is only a tiny amount of trickster magic in him. Her. And I still can feel it is tied to me."
"Mercy," Brianna said softly. "Come here." When Mercy hesitated she added "Now!" with so much steel in her voice that Mercy took two steps towards her before she knew what was happening.
Then she stood before Brianna who mustered her. Like a brat waiting for a parent to chew them out or miss-behaving student in front of the principal. It was not a pleasant feeling and Mercy was squirming under Brianna's gaze.
"You are in the doghouse till you figure this out," Brianna informed her. "Till you find a way to turn me back. Now kneel. On your shins and place the hands on your knees"
Mercy gave a nervous glance at Victoria and then did as told. This was different than before. She knew she had messed up a lot. Either she had gotten away with it or she had been chewed out by Victoria. But Brianna was calm. Eerily so. And this, in turn, freaked Mercy out to no end. She simply didn't know how to react to this calm Brianna when she should be cursing out Mercy.
"It looks like I might be stuck like for a while," Brianna said with a soft sigh. "I need two things. Mercy?"
"Yes?" she eagerly answered.
"Wearing Brian's clothing is uncomfortable," Brianna explained. "White cotton blouse. A leather pencil skirt just ending above my knees. And something to hug my gorgeous assets beneath."
Mercy swallowed hard, but Brianna was right. At least this she knew she could do.
Brianna didn't even get up after her clothes had changed. She wasn't checking herself out in the mirror. Not glancing down to make sure Mercy had done exactly as asked.
"Now, Mercy. I want you to look down. Bow your head before me and don't look at me till you figured out how to turn me back." As Mercy did as told Brianna focused her attention elsewhere. "Victoria. Don't think I have forgotten about you. Come here. Sit down beside me."
But Victoria hesitated and Brianna picked up on it. "I scare you."
"You don't act like Brian," Victoria admitted.
"No, I do not," Brianna agreed. "Now come sit with me," she said a pinch softer. When Victoria did as told, she continued. "Now. Here is what I want from you. Tell me about this body."
"What do you mean?" Victoria asked confused.
"Mercy chose this body for a reason. Tell me why."
"The video," Victoria started but broke herself off.
Brianna didn't reply. A single raised eyebrow was all she did to prompt Victoria to go on. However, she noticed Mercy glancing up at her. "Eyes on the ground, Mercy," she chided her without looking away from Victoria.
"I showed her a video clip. A porno," Victoria revealed. "It told her how much it influenced me."
"Interesting. Show it to me."
Victoria hesitated again and Brianna cut right through it. "Don't make me wait."
Nervously Victoria scurried to her walk-in closet. She pulled out a few boxes and then slid a panel to the side. From the crawlspace behind it, Victoria pulled out a chest. One she flipped open and rummaged through it till she found a small USB flash drive.
"Go ahead," Brianna encouraged her. "Play it on the TV."
Mercy didn't dare to look up at the video. Fearing the scolding of Brianna if she was caught again. But thinking of a solution eluded her. Especially as she could hear the audio of the porn clip. The moaning of the girl tied to the bed did get to her as much as it did that fateful day as she watched it together with Victoria.
"That explains a lot," Brianna remarked dryly when the video stopped.
"It does?" Victoria asked.
"Tell me. The woman my body is based off. How does she act? What words would you use to describe her."
"She is ... calm. In control. Dominating. Deviant. She is acting like ..."
"Me," Brianna concluded. "Or I act like her. I am not Brian anymore. I have his memories, but Mercy gave me more than just her body. She gave me that domina's personality too."
Mercy winced hearing it. She had messed up even worse than she had thought. What had she done wrong? How could she screw up like this again?
"This also explains why I am very curious what else you got in that big trunk of yours," Brianna said with a predatory smile. "Show me."
A nervous Victoria unpacked her most secret belongings and contrary to Mercy Brianna wasn't ribbing her for it. She looked more fascinated by it. The buttplug, dildos, and leather cuffs all didn't faze her. However, it was when Victoria pulled out her leather corset that Brianna's eyes shone with mischief.
"Victoria," Brianna purred. "Be a dear and model it for me."
"What?" Victoria gasped with shock. "I don't think now..."
"Shush. You don't have to. Come. Give it to me," Brianna relented. As soon as she had the leather garment in her hand a knowing grin shone through. "Mercy!"
"Y-yes?"
"Change Victoria's cloth till she wears a copy of this corset for me."
"I am not sure..."
"How to change me back?" Brianna challenged her. "You owe me."
Mercy flinched and Victoria gasped again as her top and bra melted into the restrictive garment Brianna wanted to see.
"Mercy!" Victoria exclaimed, but was shushed by Brianna who stepped close.
"Don't pretend my pet. I know. I saw the look on your face when we saw that video," Brianna just about whispered seductively as she sauntered around Victoria. "You wanted to be her, right? Not the domina. The redhead. A damsel in distress. To be bound and seduced. Tell me I am wrong."
Victoria's silence spoke volumes.
"Now I wonder..." Brianna mused. "Mercy. Stand up and come here. I don't think you are any closer to a solution. Are you?"
Mercy shook her head in defeat.
"Strip," Brianna commanded. Seeing Mercy's hesitation she clarified it. "Just your top and bra. Do it now."
More nervous than reluctantly she obeyed.
"Now. Take this," Brianna said to Victoria while handing her the corset. "Do onto her as she has onto you."
Mercy saw a small smile form on Victoria's face. Betraying her true feelings. Maybe Brianna was right after all. Victoria was into it. Mercy swallowed hard. Victoria was a force to be reckoned with. Brianna even more so. Both teaming up on her? It spelled doom.
Victoria circled her and reached around Mercy from behind. Cool leather touched Mercy's skin from her hips to over her breasts. Clasp after clasp was closed by Victoria. All while a hungry Brianna devoured the spectacle with her eyes. Once closed Victoria tightened the strings in the back till the leather snuggly pressed from all side on Mercy.
"There is still a lot of give," Brianna commented and Victoria took it as her cue to tighten the strings even more.
Unrelenting the leather drew in closer and restricted Mercy's chest more and more. Her breathing became shallower and shallower. Victoria was straining to tighten it more.
"You can tie her off now," Brianna nonchalantly stopped her. "Mercy turn around. Yes. Now. Face each other. Take a good look. This is how far I brought you. Don't doubt for a second I couldn't bring you further. I could tie you up. Make you beg me to do it. Have you both use that blue double ended dildo I see in Victoria's chest. Giving me a show. I could do that and so much more."
Mercy looked into Victoria's eyes. She saw the fear, yes. But also longing. A curiosity of all the things Brianna could promise them. To have a guide to the realm she had dreamed of, but didn't dare to explore alone. And Mercy wondered. Was Victoria seeing the same in her eyes?
"But I won't. Consequences Mercy. You have to learn to think about them beforehand. I do. The path I could lead you both down. That I see clearly. It would change us. And you both are not ready. Brian isn't ready for that either."
Mercy nodded while tears started to form in her eyes. It was Brianna who wiped them away. "It is time. I never was meant to be. You both need Brian. For different reasons. So I will help you get him back. Mercy. Tell me again the trick that helped you unlock your third spell."
Heartbeats passed before Mercy found her voice. "Just like with clothing I imagine it. The body. Then I envision a new one and push the later on the original one."
"Good. Now tell me. When you thought of this body did you think of the video? About how the domina acted?" When Mercy nodded, Brianna continued. "I need you to do the same now. Envision Brian how you knew him. How his personality is."
"But. I can't do male bodies with my spell," Mercy quietly admitted again.
"Maybe. Maybe not. At least I will be Brian again. No matter what body. Do it."
"But..."
"Mercy," Brianna interrupted her in the same soft voice that hid steel beneath a silken scarf. "Trust me. Do it."
With nothing to lose Mercy steeled her resolve. She thought back to the boy she had grown up with. The friend of many years who had been determined to bring a quiet Mark out of his shell. Who supported her when Mark became Mercy. All the good sides, but also his flaws. And when she had it all she pushed with her mind and magic.
Weary she looked at Brianna who still looked at her patiently. "I don't think it worked."
"It worked," Brianna corrected her. "Let's find out to what degree."
And then Brian was back. The change as fast as the first one. Not just in body, but in mind as he grew red with embarrassment in seconds.
"Yes!" Victoria exclaimed and hugged him so forcefully that both crashed to the floor.
Mercy sat down on the bed. A huge stone had dropped from her heart. For a moment she closed her eyes in relief. She hadn't screwed up the life for her dearest friend of many years. It had been a scary lesson, but one she vowed not to forget. Consequences. Brianna had been right. Mercy really needed to think those through before acting. For a moment she feared the future. She kept messing up time and time again. What else might she do in the future? Would it eventually drive away Brian and Victoria?
"Mercy!"
Brian's shout broke Mercy out of her misery. Brian and Victoria had already picked themselves up and looked at her.
"Do me a favor and stop making me crossdress," Brian said while pointing at the skirt and blouse.
"Right. Sorry," Mercy said. Her voice full of emotion. They could hear it, Brian and Victoria, the regret she had about what happened today. A moment later Brian was back in his usual t-shirt and jeans.
"Mercy?" Brian started.
"Yes?" Mercy asked with brittle voice. Was this the moment he would chew her out? Quit their friendship? He had every right to be angry with her.
"I don't really need to wear a bra anymore too," Brian finished.
Mercy couldn't help it. She laughed. A moment later Brian and Victoria joined in. Together they laughed for a long time. It wasn't that funny. Her overlooking the underwear she had added to Brianna. But they all needed it. To cut the tension that had hung thickly over their heads.
As their laughter died down Mercy found it in herself the concentration to change Brian's undies back.
"Thanks," Brian said. That was him. Even though all was Mercy's fault he still thanked her. For that, she was more grateful than she could admit out loud.
"I think I should go. This has gotten weird. Just a tiny bit," Brian joked. It drew some weak laughs.
It was mostly in silence while he picked up his console and stashed it away. There were some awkward goodbyes and then Brian was gone. But just for a moment as he turned back around.
"Mercy?"
"Yes?"
"I think Brianna was on to something. You can do male bodies. Just not on yourself. Someone or something doesn't want you to be a boy again. And I don't think it is Mavis."
Mercy gave a weak nod. One which Brian mimicked. Then he was out of the door again. As soon as he was out of sight Mercy broke down in tears.
"Mercy?" Victoria asked in concern as she drew her into a hug. "What's wrong?"
"I messed up. Again. I am sure he hates me now," Mercy pressed out between sobs. "I am so sorry Victoria."
"I know," Victoria said and repeated it a few times just to calm Mercy down. "Come on. It isn't that bad. You know Brian. In a few days, we will joke about this."
That calmed Mercy down a little. To keep her mind occupied by other things Victoria continued on. "You know. I could use your help."
"What with? I do anything. Really. Anything."
"I don't know how you did it with your magic, but the knot on my corset is tight as fuck."
"I think I may have the same problem," Mercy admitted quietly. It drew a weak chuckle out of both of them.
As soon as they freed each other out of their leathery restrictions Victoria tried to lighten the mood again. "Well. On the plus side of things, I now have at least two corsets who I can't wear in public without exposing myself as a deviant."
But the joke fell flat as Mercy was deep in thoughts again. Grabbing Mercy's hand Victoria lead her back to her bed to sit down. "What's on your mind?"
"What Brian said," Mercy admitted. "Do you think it is true? That I am not supposed to be a boy again. That someone is working against me?"
"I don't know," Victoria admitted. "I think the best bet would be to ask other trickster mages. Find out more about trickster magic in general."
Mercy nodded. It made sense. At least this did. Everything else not so much. "There is a group meeting this Wednesday. Mavis. What if she ..."
"I'll come with you. We'll figure it out," Victoria assured her. After a moment she added something else. "Maybe before that, we find out a few things on the school trip."
"School trip?" Mercy asked confused.
"Yeah. This Tuesday. To the wax museum of famous past magicians. You forgot about it. Didn't you?"
"Maybe..."
"I am so glad I am not class president anymore. I helped the teachers hunt down so many students who couldn't remember to get their parents sign their permission slip on time. It was just a few weeks ago."
"Oh, right," Mercy lamely agreed.
"Maybe they have a little about past famous trickster mages."
"Are there even any? Besides Loki?"
"We'll find out Tuesday."
"Yeah," Mercy agreed. "I think I should go. I have ... a lot to think about."
"Me too," Victoria agreed.
Their goodbyes were rather awkward. Both already distracted by things revealed to them this day.
*****
"Mercy. Everything alright?" Mercy's mother asked concerned when Mercy shuffled into the house with hanging head.
"Not really," Mercy admitted.
"Want to talk about it?"
"Thanks, but ... I am tired. I'll go lay down for a while."
"Sure. Honey. But we have to talk about Michelle and Melanie Jenkins. They are coming over tomorrow..."
"Can we do that later? I really need a break."
"Okay. See you in a few hours."
Mercy nodded and dragged herself up the stairs to her room. Idly wondering when she had told her Mother about them. She had promised that she would stock up Michelle's wardrobe on Sunday.
With a sigh, she pushed the thought away. She felt tired and just wanted to sleep.
*****
Mercy's list of strange things to figure out:
- Being a girl sucks!!!!!!
- Magic (three big and one small natural spell; 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;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)
- Spell 3 lets me change someones body (danger: their personality too!; doesn't fully work on me)
- 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 assaulted Victoria is named Gideon)
- I have a new mentor (Mavis Cannon; might be old as hell; can change bodies of herself or others; knew Loki; Victoria and I don't trust her)
*****
Mercy woke up late in the evening. Her nap lasting longer than she had thought. In fact, she was still tired. But something had woken her up. Something strange.
She couldn't put her finger on it until it happened again. A chunk of her trickster magic went missing. Not much. Just enough to change three or four pairs of socks. Then it happened again and again. She quickly lost count.
"Hiccups?" Mercy wondered aloud. "Magical hiccups?" She vowed to ask Mavis about it.
The buzzing of her phone drew Mercy's attention. It was a text from Brian.
I had fun today.
It has been interesting.
Can't wait to play with you again.
Mercy sighed in relief. Maybe their friendship wasn't as damaged as she had feared. With a lighter heart, she sank back into her bed. She noticed a last magical hiccup, a chunk of magic going missing, before sleep claimed her again.
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
Mercy discovered that she had a third spell within her. One she used promptly in the only way a trickster mage knows how: by pranking her two best friends.
However, soon Mercy was up to her usual ways. Spectacularly messing up with the help of her spells. This time she not only gave Brian a female alter ego. Brianna didn't just look like the domina Mercy based her look on. She acted like her too.
After surviving that adventure Mercy felt drained and tired. However, something prevented her needed time of relaxation. Strange magical hiccups that seemingly made small chunks of her magic vanish.
***** Sunday *****
"Good morning sleeping beauty!"
Mercy groaned as she heard the cheery voice of her mother. "I'll sleep in today," she mumbled before pulling her second pillow over her head. Which was promptly removed by her mother.
"No, you don't. Melanie and Michelle will be here soon."
Mercy looked bleary-eyed at her alarm clock. It was just past nine in the morning. "Got plenty of time. They'll be here in six hours or so."
"Plans change," her Mother informed her. "You have half an hour before they arrive."
The news needed a moment to tickle into Mercy's brain. "What?" she finally managed to say, but her mother already had left her room.
Mercy turned around again, just to groan again as another chunk of magic did go missing. "Stupid hiccups," Mercy cursed and pushed off her blanket. "Might as well..."
Still cursing under her breath she slipped out of bed and made her way into the bathroom. A shower will do her good she reasoned.
Indeed it woke her up, but when she stepped out something new confused her. Three pink towels hanging off hooks. "What's wrong with Mom?" Mercy mused to herself. "I only need one towel."
She picked up the closest one and toweled herself dry. When she slipped out her Mother rushed by. "Hurry up. You have ten minutes," she said before vanishing into the guest bedroom.
"Weird," Mercy mumbled. At least getting dressed was easy for her. Especially on days, when she didn't feel very motivated. She slipped into a pair of panties. By the time she had left her room said pair turned into a bodice. It split into a corsage and panties when she reached the stairs. On the last step down both garments had doubled and shifted further. Mercy was now wearing a short sleeved top over a bra and shorts over her panties.
Mercy actually grumbled over the fact that she had to double up her panties again. Just to shift the duplicate into pantyhose, then stockings, and finally into socks.
She was halfway through her usual bowl of cereals when she heard the front door opening. "Mercy?" she heard her Dad shout. "Come help!"
Confused she got up. As she arrived at the door she didn't saw her Dad, but two suitcases. Peeking out she spied her Dad at his car rummaging through his car's trunk. Along with two teenage girls. Melanie and Michelle.
"What is going?" she asked herself.
"I told you. I'll find a fitting punishment for you," her Mother, who had snuck up on her, revealed.
"Huh?" was all that Mercy managed to reply.
"Girls!" Mercy's Mother shouted. "Come on in."
Michelle and Melanie hurried to follow the suggestion. Both carrying their school bags and what looked like trash bags that were filled to the brim with stuff.
"Hey, Mercy. Hello Misses Adkins," Melanie greeted them. Michelle was behind her and gave a shyer "Hi."
"Please," Mercy's Mother said. "If you are gonna live here we shouldn't be so formal. You both can call me Jane."
Mercy was at a loss for words. Live here? When did that happen?
"Mercy will show you your room," her Mother continued. "It is right next to hers."
"O-of course," Mercy said while snapping out of her shock. Her Mom probably meant the guest bedroom. "It's up the stairs."
She grabbed one of the suitcases and heaved it up the stairs. Followed by the two sisters who had their own burden to carry.
"It isn't much, but I hope..." Mercy started but broke off as she saw the guest bedroom. Gone was the large queen-sized bed. Replaced by a brand new bunk bed. All the shelves and the wardrobe had been emptied. When did that happen? Mercy had no clue.
"Your kidding, right? This is by far better than the shelter," Melanie exclaimed. Then noticing what she said she hastened to add:"Not that it is their fault with their limited budget and stuff."
"We are thankful you know," Michelle added. "Jane, your Mom, - this is weird - she said this was your idea. So yeah. Thanks."
"S-sure," Mercy offered and raked her brain when she had suggested that both girls should move in with them. She drew blanks. "How about some drinks? We have lemonade downstairs. You unpack and I'll get some."
When Mercy arrived downstairs she found her father heaving the last carton inside and her Mother in the kitchen.
"I am getting the girls something to drink," Mercy lamely explained.
"Good idea," her Mother agreed.
While pouring the lemonade Mercy couldn't tame her curiosity any longer. "Michelle said this was my idea. Not that I am upset, but ..."
"You wonder when you did?" her Mom asked. "Well, you did say you were sorry about what happened to Michelle and her sister. Especially about the part, you had in it. As I recall you said you will 'do everything to make it right' or something along the lines. The rest your father and I extrapolated."
"When did you set all this up? Why didn't you tell me?" Mercy wanted to know.
"Well. It did happen yesterday. Officially it is temporary for now. Until the state finds the girl's mother."
"I see..." Mercy said.
"About not telling you. Well. I wanted to but you came back yesterday so deflated and tired that I thought you needed rest. And maybe a little about using the opportunity."
"Opportunity?"
"Oh. You know. A mother doesn't always get a chance to prank her trickster daughter."
Mercy couldn't help. She had to chuckle. "Thanks, Mom." After a moment she snapped out of it. "Right. Lemonade. I better get it upstairs to the girls."
"You do that."
Mercy took a tray with the glasses and carried it upstairs. As she entered Michelle's and Melanie's room she nearly dropped it. Both were playing rock paper scissors.
"What is going on?"
"We are trying to decide who gets the upper bunk," Melanie explained.
"I should get it," Michelle pouted. "I am the older sister."
"Not in a million years. I have been a girl for fifteen years. You've been one for a week. Face it. I am your older sister."
"Tsk. I am still seventeen," Michelle countered. Then sighed and looked at Mercy. "Arguing with her can take forever. So we play rock paper scissors till a winner emerges."
"I get that, but ... Isn't one time enough?" Mercy asked.
"We play till one of us has a lead of five wins," Melanie explained. "So no one can bitch afterward that it was just luck."
"It's a sibling thing," Michelle added.
Mercy shrugged and watched till both girls were done. In the end, Melanie claimed top bunk with thirty-eight wins under her belt. Topping Michelle's thirty-three.
Once settled they all started to unpack. After a while, Mercy couldn't contain her curiosity any longer. "Mom said the state has trouble finding your Mother..."
"Well, yeah. She walked out of us when I was five," Melanie explained.
"Probably got as far as way as possible," Michelle added.
Mercy nodded, but still, the curiosity burned within her. "I know it isn't my place to say, but ... Your father. The way you talk about him. He's not very stable, right? How do you know he didn't ..."
"Kill our mother?" Michelle interrupted bluntly. "Because of the many times he was drunk and he started to rant about her. How she left him and so on."
"Our father is many things," Melanie said with disdain. "But an actor he is not."
"I see. That's good, right?" Mercy asked. "I mean there is a chance the state will find her."
Michelle shrugged. "She probably fled to the tribes land. Anyone could have taken her in and promised anonymity. You know how the tribes are. They won't break an oath easily."
"Yeah," Mercy agreed. "Well. Until then I'll do anything to make you more comfortable here."
"Really?" Michelle perked up.
It made Melanie chuckle. "In case you couldn't tell. Michelle really looks forward to you using your magic again."
"Melanie!" Michelle exclaimed.
"It's true," Melanie continued. "You should see some of her newest sketches. And she really needs an upgrade to her wardrobe. The stuff we got... Well. Not the height of fashion. It worries me."
"Worries you?" Mercy followed the prompt.
"That she dresses so lame that she'll be bullied for it," Melanie explained in a conspiratorial tone.
"Melanie!" Michelle protested but soon deflated. "I guess I earned that one."
"It's in the past," Mercy said. And she meant it too. "So. Sketches? I'd like to see them."
"Does this mean what I think it means?" Melanie asked.
"Fashion show?" Michelle asked hopefully.
"Sure," Mercy said with a grin. "Can't believe I am saying this, but that sounds fun."
"Why can't you believe this?" Melanie asked.
"Well, not too long ago I had been a boy and ..."
Michelle loudly cleared her throat.
"You don't count," Mercy shrugged her off. "Apparently I magicked an obsession for fashion into you."
"She has a point," Melanie agreed.
"Maybe," Michelle admitted. "Anyway. Sketches."
She pulled out a sketchbook out of her school backpack. It made Mercy wince a little as she noticed that it wasn't the same high-quality Mitch had used. As Mercy took it she noticed that the whole book was dented as if something was stuffed between the pages. Opening the first page the let out a surprised gasp.
"They didn't have much of pens at the shelter," Michelle explained. "But they had glue."
Mercy stretched out her hand but didn't dare to actually touch the page. On it was the sketch of a bra in exquisite detail. But most of it wasn't drawn save for the hint of a torso by pencil strokes. Teal petals of a flower had been artfully glued down to form the shapes needed. It was a balconette bra and the petals expertly made up the low neckline of the cups.
"It's gorgeous," Mercy whispered in awe.
"You haven't seen nothing yet," Melanie said in a matching whisper.
Mercy hesitated to turn to the next page. When she did Mercy had to agree. It robbed the breath out of her. Smaller light pink petals cascaded into an awe-inspiring ballroom gown.
When she found back her voice it conveyed something neither of the girls expected. "I actually think my Aunt would kill to wear this dress."
"She likes dresses that much?" Melanie asked with doubt in her voice.
"Dresses. Pink. Being the center of attention," Mercy said with an absent mind. Still enraptured by the dress before her.
"I... I hoped I could wear it first," Michelle admitted softly.
Mercy looked up and saw a flustered Michelle. She looked shy and embarrassed but at the same time eager and longing.
"And you should!" Mercy exclaimed. Then nervousness crept into her voice. "I hope I can do this justice. D-do you have a matching underwear set designed?"
"Not yet," Michelle confessed.
"With a dress like that. No bra and simple panties," Melanie advised.
"Right. You ready?" Mercy asked Michelle.
"Am I ever!" Michelle exclaimed. "Do I need to strip or ..."
"I can reduce, double and change clothes," Mercy waved her off. "Whatever I override I can recreate later. Now let's get started."
Michelle soon found herself in only white panties and a simple white halter dress. Contrary to usual Mercy worked in steps. She started by the bust line and worked downward. Constantly looking down at the sketch. With so many details she feared to miss some if she would do all at once. After each step, Michelle gave her pointers how to flesh out minuscule details the sketch couldn't convey properly.
The finished dress was breathtaking. The straps of the dress had vanished. Now only staying in place by tightly clinging onto Michelle. Ruffled darker pink satin cupped Michelle's bust and faded to a pearl white at her stomach, where the direction of the artificial petals reversed their flow. Spreading out in a skirt of layers upon layers of soft satin petals.
"That looks awesome Sis," Melanie said when Mercy was done. For her part, Mercy could only agree. The soft pink tones complimented Michelle's light brown locks of hair nicely. The dress accented her features while hugging her chest and flowed outward in a rich and fluffy skirt. She looked like someone visited by her fairy guardian-mother. It actually filled Mercy with pride helping Michelle blossom. More or less literally.
"We need pictures," Mercy exclaimed. "Be right back." She stormed out and returned with her smartphone. An improvised photo shot left Michelle practically glowing with happiness.
"Me next," Melanie begged. "Please. The next dress would look so good on me."
That reminded Mercy. She had only gotten to page two of who knows many. Eagerly she picked up the sketchbook and turned the page. Another gasp escaped her. It was a cocktail dress composed of petals that shifted from white to a rich violet in a gradient. Mercy nodded. It would indeed do well for Melanie who had little darker brown curls of hair than her sister.
"I hope you are ready because here goes nothing," Mercy gushed. "Let's do this."
A half dozen minutes later Melanie twirled in her new dress. Sending the short skirt flying around her. She looked beautiful and her pictures turned out equally pretty. Mercy was in a rush shooting more when Michelle pushed another sketch under her nose.
It was a bandage dress. Tight fitting and with a Queen Anne neckline. Most strips of the dress consisted of pale yellow petals that contrasted strongly to the pastel blue petals that strategically accented the body contours.
"This one is yours," Michelle simply said.
"For real?" Mercy gasped.
"I was wondering what would look good on you and this came to mind," Michelle explained.
Mercy nodded and then got to work. Shifting her casual clothes into the tight fitting dress.
"I like it," Mercy beamed.
"Pose for me," Melanie said as she grabbed Mercy's phone. Mercy did as told and found it fun to do. It came as a little surprise that she did.
"Damn," Melanie cursed. "Hold on. Your camera app crashed. Have to restart it. Wait. What's 'Mercy's list of strange things to figure out'? I mean I didn't snoop. It was on the list of active apps and ..."
"No worries," Mercy waved her off. "You can look. It's just things I noticed, learned, or need to find out. I started it when I became a girl and trickster mage."
Melanie bit her lip in curiosity and opened the list. "Hey!" she piped up in protest. "Being a girl doesn't suck!"
"Oh, that," Mercy cringed. "Maybe I should delete that. I wrote it while having my first ... You know."
"Period?" Melanie guessed and got an embarrassed nod from Mercy.
"Is it really that bad?" Michelle wanted to know. She looked a little pale. As if she just now realized that this little detail would be in her future too.
"Look. Don't panic," Mercy hastened to add. "My first time was horrible, but it was my own fault. I tried to use magic to ... suppress it. It backfired spectacularly. So I am not really a good comparison. Melanie might be a better person to answer this."
"It can be a bitch sometimes," Melanie admitted. "Other times I barely notice it."
Michelle nodded. "Well, I'll find out in a few weeks, right?"
"Oh! You should talk with my Mother," Mercy suggested. "She explained things to me. Sadly after the first time. Maybe it wouldn't have been so bad if ... Well. Done is done."
Michelle nodded and Melanie looked deep in thoughts too. "Maybe I should come with. I never had someone to ask some things. Pretty much had to figure it out myself. Sex Ed wasn't that helpful. Great. Condoms over cucumbers. But what do I do the rest of the time my body acts up? Could have used some more details there."
"I'll ask my Mom if she's willing to teach you," Mercy said with a nod. "I mean her lesson is still fresh in my mind, but you might want to have someone who you can ask who has experience."
"That would be great," Michelle admitted.
However, Melanie was already busy with other stuff. "Wait! You have three spells? What does that mean when you wrote 'I have way more magic than I should have' and why do you keep it a secret?"
"Oh, that," Mercy said nervously. "I am a ten on the scale. Highest as it goes. I try to keep my spells and my strength a secret. I worry what people might do if they found out what I can do."
Mercy let out a small sigh of relief as Michelle and Melanie nodded. Buying into her lie. Al had told her she might be more like a seventeen or higher. On a scale that was supposed to end on a ten that wasn't good.
"Fuse stuff?" Melanie asked as she got further down the list.
Now it was Mercy's time to grin. "Let me demonstrate you. Done. Now. Both of you. Try to run your fingers over the petals of your dresses."
"Oh, my!" Melanie exclaimed. "I can feel it. The dress."
"This is so weird," Michelle added, but the wide grin told them she wasn't upset.
"Right now the dresses are part of your body," Mercy explained. "As much as your hair or nails. Try lifting the hem of your bust lines."
"I can't," Melanie admitted after trying.
"That's why I call it my fusion spell," Mercy continued. "Till I end it fused items literally stick to you like every other limp of yours."
"That could be bad if you leave someone stuck like this," Michelle concluded.
"You are right," Mercy agreed. "Time to unfuse you."
"Awww," Melanie pouted. "I like looking this beautiful."
"Yeah," Mercy agreed. "But would you like to only wear this dress? Forever? Even when you want to take a shower? To bed? In winter? To a wedding or funeral?"
"Okay. I get it," Melanie said with a lopsided grin.
"What does 'suppresses body functions if needed' mean?" Michelle asked as she peeked over her sister's shoulder to read the list.
"Well. I found out I can make people stop needing to breathe if I block their airways with a fused item," Mercy admitted. "Stuff like that."
"Who pissed you off to become your test subject?" Melanie asked horrified.
"Whoa. No one. Believe me. It wasn't me who came up with that test," Mercy hastened to explain. "She also volunteered. So..."
"Who might have ..." Melanie mused.
"Victoria?" Michelle suggested.
"Must be," Melanie agreed.
Mercy cursed herself. She just had outed Victoria. Even if it was only a little. "Can we skip forward?"
"Sure. Wait. You can change people's body now?" Melanie asked.
"That is a very recent development and believe me I am reluctant to research it more," Mercy admitted.
"Oh this is way more interesting," Melanie exclaimed. "Listen to this:' Victoria the deviant mystery'"
"Oh, no!" Mercy cried out and tried to snatch her phone away, but Melanie was faster.
"Bigger deviant. Sex toy collection?" Melanie giggled while holding Mercy at bay. "Hides behind an act of being innocent and proper. Really?"
"I had no idea," Michelle admitted with a shocked face.
"You can absolutely tell no one," Mercy urged them. "She will kill me if she finds out someone knows."
"Don't worry," Melanie waved her off. "I won't tell. As long as my closet is always filled with new and exciting clothes."
"Fine," Mercy relented.
"Same counts for me," Michelle hastened to add.
Mercy shrugged. "That was the plan anyway. To make up for ... you know."
"Hey. Why don't you trust Mavis?" Melanie wanted to know. "She saved us both."
Mercy cringed again. "That is complicated."
"Uncomplicate it for me," Melanie demanded.
"Okay. Okay. You see I have known her for years without actually knowing her," Mercy started. "For years, back when I have been Mark, I walked past the self-help center for trickster mages. Sometimes Mavis had been there. Leaning on the wall and I just knew her eyes followed me. It was creepy, okay? I actually thought for years she might be a ghost. Not aging and always in her old-fashioned clothes."
"If she freaks you out so much why have her as a mentor?" Michelle asked.
"Because... She might know things. Heck. I think she is centuries old. Who knows if Mavis is even her real name. Last time she told me a story about Loki. Most famous of all trickster mages. She admitted to knowing him personally. And Loki was born at least a millennium ago."
"I don't know about that," Melanie mused. "Most famous. I always liked the stories about Anansi more."
"Who?" Mercy asked confused.
"Seriously?" Melanie asked. "You are a trickster mage and don't know Anansi?"
Mercy shrugged. "Not yet. I haven't time yet to do a lot of research."
"Maybe the school trip will do you good," Michelle mused. "I heard the wax museum for famous mages is preparing a special exhibit just about trickster mages."
"Really?" Mercy asked. "Good to know."
"Hey," Melanie perked up. "Maybe you can answer me a question Mavis couldn't."
"I doubt she knows," Michelle interjected.
"Can't hurt to try," Melanie shrugged her off.
"Sure," Mercy agreed.
"How is trickster magic created?" Melanie inquired.
"What?" Mercy asked perplexed.
"You know. Trickster magic is a magic aspect. As in it is created from neutral magic. But how? I mean the fire aspect appears when something burns. Lightning magic can be harvested around impact points of lightning strikes. And so on. But when get's trickster magic get created."
"I have no idea," Mercy admitted. She had never thought about it, but now as it was pointed out, it intrigued her. Al, her first mentor, had said that trickster magic was all around them. That trickster mages refill from the trickster magic around them. But if trickster mages used up their magic shouldn't the level of available trickster magic slowly deplete? Or maybe whatever created trickster magic was massive or plenty.
"I'll have to think about that some more," Mercy confessed.
"Already added it to your list," Melanie beamed.
There was a knock on the door and all three girls turned around.
"Oh. You all look ravishingly beautiful," Mercy's Mom said.
The girls blushed and it was Mercy who gave credit where it was due. "All of these are Michelle's design."
"You have a talent there," Mercy's mother praised Michelle. "I just came by to let you know that lunch will be in an hour and ask if you need anything till then. But now. Girls. Give me a twirl, please. Ah. Magnificent."
"Wait," Michelle piped up. She grabbed her sketchbook and opened up a new page. Then she held it up for Mercy to see.
"Let's do this," Mercy agreed.
That day Mercy's father not only had to drag the girls down to lunch. He also felt very underdressed.
*****
Mercy's list of strange things to figure out:
- Being a girl is awesome!!!!!!!!!! ( <- totally not written by Melanie ;) )
- Magic (three big and one small natural spells; 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;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)
- Spell 3 lets me change someone's body (danger: their personality too!; doesn't fully work on me)
- 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; the name of the evil one who assaulted Victoria is named Gideon)
- I have a new mentor (Mavis Cannon; might be old as hell; can change bodies of herself or others; knew Loki; Victoria and I don't trust her)
- How is trickster magic generated? ( <- totally written by Melanie )
***** Monday *****
The annoying beeping of Mercy's alarm clock woke her up. Grumbling she got up. As always she brushed her hair quickly and put it up so it wouldn't get wet in the shower. Still groggy she stepped into the hallway and into the bathroom.
At least she tried. The door was locked and she heard the shower already running. Strange, her sleepy mind concluded. Maybe one of her parents had a late start to the day.
"The confusion on your face is priceless."
Mercy twirled around just to find Michelle leaning in the doorway to the guest bedroom. Then reminded herself it was now Melanie's and Michelle's room.
"I guess you being an only child never had to share the bathroom," Michelle commented with a grin. "She beat me to it too."
"Who?" Mercy asked confused. "Melanie?"
"Duh," Michelle said. "Why did you think she asked when you normally get up? She set up our alarm ten minutes earlier."
"I think I will need some time to get used to this," Mercy concluded.
Michelle walked over and gave her a pat on the shoulder. "I had years living with a sister. Only fair if I give you a few lessons about it."
"I am done," Melanie said while slipping out of the bathroom in a robe.
Before Mercy could react Michelle slipped in and shut the door. "Lesson one:" Mercy heard muffled through the door. "You snooze you lose."
"Don't pout," Melanie commented from behind her. "Maybe you'll beat her tomorrow. I suggest you eat breakfast now and shower after."
"Yeah. Good idea," a still slightly shocked Mercy agreed.
Mercy was nearly done with her bowl of cereal when Michelle joined them in the kitchen.
"The shower is free," Michelle announced and earned a dirty look from Mercy.
She slurped up the last of her milk and put away her bowl. Then she sprinted upstairs to get showered.
A minute later Melanie and Michelle looked up from their breakfast as they heard loud cursing.
"Used up the warm water?" Melanie asked.
"I promised her some lessons living with siblings. That's number two. Or three. Not sure."
A more than grumpy Mercy eventually joined them downstairs. "I will get back at you both for that," she promised.
Mercy hurried to put on her shoes to the confusion of the other two girls.
"Why the hurry?" Melanie asked. "Or is the school bus around here early?"
Now it was Mercy's turn to grin. "School bus? Not around here. We walk."
Glee filled Mercy as she heard the other two groan. Together they got ready and shuffled outside. Soon Mercy turned around with a bright smile on her face. It made Michelle and Melanie a little uneasy.
"Well," Mercy started. "I promised my mother I'll give you some lessons too. From one boy turned girl to another. Ready?"
"I am not sure," Michelle admitted.
"To bad. Lesson one from me to you: fashion! Sneaker heels are totally stylish right now."
Michelle and Melanie yelped in surprise as they found themselves tethering on two-inch heels.
A few blocks further down Michelle made a mistake by commenting. "Hey. This isn't as bad as I thought it would be."
She earned an annoyed soft slap from her sister against her stomach as both suddenly found them on three-inch heels.
When they arrived at school Mercy turned around with a wicked grin. "By the way. The next school bus stop is only a parallel street away from home."
Michelle looked flabbergasted while Melanie gave her a wicked grin herself. "Touche. You are learning in the sibling game, but don't think you learned everything yet."
"What game?" Victoria asked as she arrived.
"Ah! Miss prim and proper!" Melanie exclaimed. Earning her a chuckle from Michelle and an annoyed look from Mercy.
"We need to be going," Michelle said while pushing her sister onward.
"Long story," Mercy admitted. "Short version: both are living now with me."
"What? Really?"
"My mother's idea," Mercy explained.
"You know. It's amazing how well Michelle is taking all this," Victoria mused. Seeing Mercy's questioning look she continued. "I mean barely a week as a girl and already wearing heels."
"Oh that. They didn't have that much of a choice," Mercy admitted.
"Oh, you. Just make sure you give them a break if their feet hurt too much."
"Sure," Mercy agreed. "Same counts for you."
Victoria looked confused for a moment. "I swear I thought I wore trainers to school," she mused as she looked down at her own three-inch heel sneaker heels.
"You did," Mercy said excitedly. "Maybe Mavis is onto something with this developing a resistance thing."
"Loki."
"Hmm?"
"The book was written by Loki. Not Mavis. Wait. Did you just lengthen my heels?"
"I did," Mercy admitted.
"I felt that!" an ecstatic Victoria exclaimed. "Now change it back into normal trainers or you will feel something else."
Mercy rolled her eyes. "Yes, Miss prim and proper."
*****
Mercy was cursing. In the whole hectic this morning she hadn't had time to go for little girls. She ducked into the restroom just to stopped shocked. Sonja, the sort of redhead friend of Mercy's, and Stacy, one of her former tormentors, were making out. Mercy needed a moment to snap out of it. At the same time, the closely entwined girls noticed her too.
"I should go to class," Sonja said with a blush and hurried out.
"Satisfied?" Stacy snapped at Mercy.
"What?"
Stacy pranced close to Mercy. To close for her liking. "Come on. I can tell. You are into girls. Just continue pine after Victoria. Sonja is mine. Hands off."
"I don't..." Mercy stammered.
"Don't bullshit me," Stacy snapped. "Rumor is Victoria is getting friendly with your best friend. What was his name? Brandon? Anyway. Sonja is mine. Just because you couldn't get Victoria doesn't mean you can steal my girlfriend."
Stacy starred her further down and then hissed a "Mine!" before slipping out.
Mercy shook her head. "Lesbian or not. She is still a bitch," she mused to herself.
*****
"Look," Sonja said to Mercy as they entered the changing room after P.E. "Stacy is a good girl. But troubled. I'll talk to her."
Mercy shrugged but had her doubts.
"Wow," Sonja exclaimed as she saw her locker. It was covered in lipstick kisses. However, this time they were on post-it notes. Each note had not only a kiss but also a small sweet sentence accompanying it.
"See?" Sonja beamed. "She's so sweet. Just give her time. She'll get better. I promise."
"Okay," Mercy agreed. "I'll try. As long as she makes you happy."
******
Mercy was exhausted. The long school day and now who knew how Michelle and Melanie would keep her busy at home. She was on her way to them so they could walk home together when Brian pulled her to the side.
"I'll need your help with something," he said.
"With what?" Mercy asked confused.
Instead of answering Brian walked away. Waving to her to follow. Mercy doubted her eyes as she saw him duck into a girls restroom.
"What the..." she started and wanted to follow. Just to stop as another chunk of her magic did go missing. "Stupid hiccups," Mercy cursed. "Thought they had stopped."
She pushed through the door and was immediately pulled to the side and against the wall. Lips found hers and greedily established dominance over her. Mercy's knees threatened to buckle as endorphins flooded her mind.
Her assailant let her go and Mercy's eyes widened in surprise.
"B-Brianna?"
"Hello pet," Brianna purred. "Missed me?"
"But. I didn't change Brian just now."
"Awww. Confused?" Brianna purred. "Turns out Brian can change into me whenever he wants. And so can I into him."
Realization spread through Mercy. "The hiccups. The magic going missing. That was you."
"Not sure what you are talking about my pet," Brianna admitted.
"The last few days..."
"Not important right now," Brianna interrupted her. She let go of Mercy to pull a sports bag from under the sink. It was empty as Brianna opened it, save for a large blanket. One that Brianna stepped on and then started to strip her clothes.
"What is going on?" Mercy asked confused.
"You will help me," Brianna explained. "After all, my pet, you owe me. Take Brian's phone. Open the gallery and look into the folder 'Brianna's wardrobe'."
Mercy did as told, but couldn't help but ask "What if someone comes in?"
"Then you better hurry," a near-naked Brianna said with a grin. "Picture one to four are outfit one."
Mercy found the folder and saw pictures of woman's clothes and accessories. Not just of any kind. Leather and latex dominated them. Swallowing hard Mercy let her magic do its work.
As soon as an outfit was competed Brianna stripped out of it and instructed Mercy which pictures were next. Not five minutes later the sports bag was filled to the brim with leather and latex. Brianna was donning Brian's clothes. A chunk of magic vanished and Mercy starred at her old childhood friend.
"Brian?" Mercy asked. "What is going on?"
"That you have to ask Brianna," he said while lifting the sports bag over his shoulder.
"But she is you."
"Sort of," Brian agreed, before pushing through the door. Leaving behind a very confused Mercy.
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
A huge surprise awaited Mercy on the last Sunday. Melanie and Michelle were moving with Mercy and her parents. Soon Mercy got her first taste of not being an only child anymore, as well as a hint that Michelle can design more than just underwear.
Things got more complicated on Monday. Not only did she stumble into a restroom where Sonja and Stacy made out. She got later a session herself as Brian tricked her into a restroom. There she was not ambushed by Brian, but by Brianna.
***** Tuesday *****
"These are really good," Victoria remarked as she browsed through the pictures on Mercy's phone.
"Huh?"
"The pictures. The dresses. Very good. Are you even listening?"
"Y-yeah sure," Mercy hastened to say.
"Okay. What is up with you and Brian? We are on the road for an hour and you stare daggers at his head. Is this about the other day? With Brianna."
Mercy thought back to the day before. How she had been ambushed by Brianna. Mercy hadn't even fought back. But she should have, right? At least that was what she told herself. Brianna was also Brian. Her best friend for the past few years. She wasn't into him. On the other hand, she practically melted inside by Brianna's kiss.
"Maybe," Mercy admitted with a shrug.
"Well, that Saturday was wild," Victoria agreed. "Big surprise, but overall not bad. Hey. Now that we know you can turn him back do you think Brian would be up for another round as Brianna?"
Alarm sirens did go off inside Mercy's head. Just then she realized that Victoria had no clue that Brian could turn into Brianna at any given point. She wondered if she should warn her.
She glanced again at Brian. He sat a few seats before her and was playing ad-hoc against someone else on their mobile gaming consoles. She had tried to speak with Brian before the school trip started, but he had been avoiding anything related to Brianna.
"Honestly. You have to ask Brian," Mercy said after a moment.
"I should make a list with people to ask about," Victoria mused.
Cold water ran through Mercy's veins. "You want us to ask other people if they are willing to become a domina?" Mercy hissed in disbelief.
She was rewarded by Victoria laughing out loud. "No you dummy," Victoria chided Mercy after calming down. "Asking people in general. For one if Michelle really designed those dresses then I want one too. I mean. At least one. Wouldn't mind a few."
"Think she'll be delighted," Mercy mused out loud. "What else?"
"Tomorrow is your group meeting with the other Trickster mages, right?"
"Yeah."
"Mind if I come with you again?"
"Ha! That actually sounds like you are giving me a choice," Mercy said with a chuckle.
"You are right," Victoria agreed. "It was silly of me to ask. Well. I thought about asking Al to help me."
"Al? Oh. Is this about your mind resistance trainings thingy?"
"Yeah. Now that I have the first successes resisting your mind alteration I thought it is time to train against some active lasting spells."
"Mine are lasting," Mercy mused. "Memories are permanently changed."
"Correct, but it is done in one moment. It can't change memories after the spell is done, right?"
"Right. Ah. I see. Al's spell temporary exchanges words in a person's mind. Meaning one word, but saying the other. It is active till it runs its course."
"Hmhmm. And I need that. Remember Gideon?"
"The trickster mage that held you and your family hostage."
Victoria nodded gravely. She looked around if someone could overhear them talking and then continued. "Less as hostages and more willing participants. Among other things, he made us obsessed with the idea of hiding him. I reason that has to be an active spell too because it didn't last. A few hours after we have been rescued that obsession faded away. I never want to be taken advantage of like that again."
"I am sure Al will help," Mercy assured her. "He is a pretty nice and a decent guy."
"Hope so," Victoria said. "Speaking of hopes. I hope this school trip won't be too boring."
"I imagine not," Mercy mused. "Michelle said there is an exhibit just about trickster mages. Melanie was throwing around names of famous trickster mages that I had never heard of before."
"They can't be that famous if you hadn't heard of them before," Victoria dismissed it. "Looking for a new idol? Isn't Mavis a better choice? You know. She's alive."
"Really?" Mercy asked. "I mean she was right about my spells connection being body related and not clothing. Still. Practically I only use my first spell. One weekend with my aunt taught me more than Mavis ever did."
"Can't believe I am saying this, but you had one group session and a half mentor session with her. That hardly adds up to compete with a weekend."
"Yeah. You are right. Maybe I did judge her a little harshly."
"And speaking of your aunt. I've got to meet her one day."
Mercy swallowed hard and raked her mind how to change the topic. "Oh right. Which one of Michelle's designs you like the most."
Victoria shook her head with a lopsided grin, but change topics nonetheless. "I really like..."
*****
Mercy tapped her foot as she waited for the teacher to end his monologue. Meeting again here. Don't forget you have to write a paper on one of the mages. Don't touch any statues. On and on he went.
Eventually, he finished and Mercy rushed to a stand to get a map of the museum.
"Someone is in a hurry," Victoria commented as she joined Mercy.
"I can't find it," Mercy said while looking at the map.
"Can't find what? Oh. The trickster mage exhibit?"
"Yes," Mercy confirmed. Then sprinted to a museums employee. "Excuse me. I am looking for the trickster mage exhibit."
"That exhibit will be in the west wing, but it is still being built," the museum's employee replied. "You can see it if you come back in a month."
"Thanks," Mercy managed to say and then slouched back to Victoria. "Great. No exhibit. They are still building it."
"Hey. Don't give up yet. Maybe a few of the regular exhibits have trickster mages in them," Victoria said to cheer her up.
"Right," Mercy agreed and looked on her map. "I should start with Loki. He was from the northern continent, right? The fastest way would be if we cut through the exhibit of the blood empire exhibit, and then the mages of the Hellenic area."
"Great. Let me get Brian and off we go," Victoria beamed. She came back a moment later. Practically dragging him by his arm and berating him. "You can catch your pocket monsters another time. Seriously. Who allows augmented reality smartphone games in a museum."
"But I nearly caught..." Brian protested.
"Can it!" Victoria cut him off. Then more pleasantly she told Mercy: "Lead the way."
Mercy took her map and looked for the first exhibit. Which was laughably easy. The exhibit on the blood-empire was a big draw of visitors, so it was close to the entrance and many signs pointed it out. Stepping into the room Mercy was surrounded by a jungle. In between the plastic foliage wax statues of mages were scattered. Each one with a sign depicting the mage. The blood-empire was interesting, but not Mercy's concern. She would have crossed the room in a heartbeat if it hadn't been for a loud gasp of Victoria behind her.
"You alright?" Brian asked as Mercy turned around.
"Yeah," Victoria said, but she didn't look like it. Her face pale and Mercy saw her hands trembling.
"What happened?" Mercy wanted to know.
"Nothing," Victoria brushed them off. "It's just this wax statue. He looks so similar."
"To whom?" Brian asked.
"Gideon," Victoria whispered. "I mean there are differences, but in the first moment I thought it was him."
Concerned Mercy took a step closer to the statue and read the sign.
Huitzilopochtli
This mage was one of the early leaders of the blood-empire. This scholar helped to create the dark arts of extracting large quantities of bodily magic (corporis industria) by killing other living beings. He was known as an enchanter, who strengthened whole armies. Giving the strength and eternal youth in exchange for loyalty.
Born in the ...
Mercy shook her head. This was not someone she wanted to meet. Luckily all mages and leaders of the blood empire had been killed in the war with the tribes.
"Maybe Gideon is a descendant from Huitz-whatever," Mercy mused out loud.
"I hope not," Victoria remarked. "Blood mages were nasty fellows. Let's get out of here."
The exhibit of the Hellenic area was a strong contrast. Fake columns stood around and between them the famous mages of that area. In the center was the wax mannequin of Zeus. Mercy shook her head. What a mage. One might say he was known mostly for being one of the strongest lightning mages in history. Of course, he was more commonly known as the mage who couldn't keep it in his pants. Rumor was that he was the father of at least half of the famous mages of the Hellenic area. The original playboy.
Soon they arrived at the exhibit for the nordic mages. Impatiently Mercy looked from mannequin to mannequin. Odin, Thor, Figg, Freyja and many other known powerful mages.
"No Loki," Mercy said in disappointment. "This whole trio shapes up to be one big waste of time."
"Maybe there is a Loki mannequin, but they already moved it to the new exhibit," Victoria mused. "Maybe we should look around a bit. We could stumble upon other trickster mages in other exhibits. The museum is big."
"Oh. We could go to the exhibits for the far eastern continent. They had many famous mages," Brian suggested.
"I was thinking more about visiting the heritage continent," Victoria admitted. "The continent all humans originate from. Some of the oldest mages come from there."
"Why don't we split up?" Mercy asked. "I need a moment to gather my thoughts anyway. Meet up in an hour?"
Both her friends agreed. As soon they were out of Mercy's line of sight she pulled out her map. It wasn't hard to find the west wing. as it was marked for special exhibits. With determined steps, she walked towards it.
As expected the area was closed off. Behind two big double doors answers to Mercy's questions beckoned her to do something. As best as she could she surveyed the area and found no security cameras. A lucky break she hadn't expected. In a moment no one looked Mercy slipped through the doors.
Most of the area wasn't decorated yet, but Mercy already saw she hit jackpot. Two dozen mannequins stood at the side. Waiting to be placed in their final spot. One already caught Mercy's eye. It looked like the many pictures she had seen of Loki.
His sign was near and Mercy stepped close to read it.
Loki
Born in a small village in the eternal snow region of the northern continent Loki became a trickster mage by accident. It is said that he developed a quick understanding of his spells and used it to ...
"Mercy? What are you doing here?"
Shocked, Mercy spun around only to come face to face with Stacy.
"Stacy. I could ask the same. What is the head of the cheerleaders doing here?" Mercy shot back.
"As if you don't know," Stacy mocked her. "I am trying to get some alone time with my girlfriend. You probably overheard and decided to play peeping Tom again."
"What? No!" Mercy said with disgust. "I am here to learn more about trickster mages."
"Sure," Stacy said with sarcasm dripping in her voice.
"You know what. Just shut up and let me read, okay? The faster I am the sooner you are alone again."
"Fine!" Stacy agreed. Thoroughly annoyed she sat down on a nearby crate.
With a huff, Mercy turned around to continue reading.
Loki
Born in a small village in the eternal snow region of the northern continent Loki became a trickster mage by accident. It is said that he developed a quick understanding of his spells and used it to spread chaos in his wake. He was mostly known for audio and visual trickery in his early days. This led to the mage Vali hunting him down and imprisoning Loki. It is said that Loki's prison was not a physical one, but a sleeping spell that trapped him in a dream.
Scholars disagree about when this actually happened. Many speculating that this curse must have kept Loki young by magic as Loki is said to have slept for centuries.
Loki broke free of his imprisonment when the mage Vali died and couldn't renew the curse on Loki. As his escape was noticed Loki found himself relentlessly hunted down. He narrowly escaped, by fleeing to the tribes continent.
It is said that Loki there met the great mother, a fellow trickster mage, and became her disciple. He remained in the great mother's tribe for three decades. It is said that it was the teachings of his mentor that lead Loki to formulate what later became known as "The Lokian Way". Guiding principles to curb the impulses dictated by trickster magic onto its mages.
As the blood-empire spread further north, it is known that Loki spoke at the council of tribes. He was involved in the negotiations with kingdoms of the northern and heritage continents to provide aid. Leading to the treaty and war of the "the bloody bay".
Loki died officially in the war, but according to rumors, he was seen until the last century. The same rumors claim he has learned shape-shifting magic from the great mother. Explaining the elusive nature of these rumors.
"So Loki fought in the war," Mercy mused to herself. A fact she hadn't known before. In addition, Mavis seemed to be right about Loki learning from the great mother.
"Are you done now?" Stacy demanded to know.
"Not by a long shot," Mercy grumbled as she tried her best to ignore the cheerleader. The next trickster mage she was curious about was only a few steps away.
The Great Mother
Also known as the great father was a trickster mage from the tribes continent. She was known for her shape changing spells that not only worked on her, but also on chosen warriors of various tribes. She was known for the great hunt. The anniversary practice of shifting herself and tribesmen of merit into wolfs or coyotes and hunting for one day and one night. The great mother died in the war with the blood-empire with a rumored age between eight and nine hundred years.
The great mother held a special position in the tribes' hierarchy as...
"Now I get it," Stacy interrupted her. "You had the same idea as I had."
"What?" Mercy asked confused. "What idea?"
"To make out. With Brandon."
"Who?"
"Your friend. The one you always hang out with."
"It's Brian," Mercy spat back as she turned around to face Stacy. "And you are mistaken. Can I read now in peace and quiet?"
"Am I?" Stacy wondered aloud. "You know. A friend of mine said he saw 'Brian' exit a girl's restroom yesterday. Shortly followed by you."
"It's not what you think it is," Mercy nearly growled.
"Then what is it?"
"None of your business. That's what it is."
"The way I see it is that you are jealous. You can't have Sonja so you go for Victoria. But she is already hooking up with Brian. So you cozy up with Brian so he breaks up with Victoria. Then you are free to dump him and get her."
"Oh shut up," Mercy dismissed her. "Are you even listening to yourself? We aren't in some soap opera."
"Did I hit a nerve?" Stacy needled her.
"Darn it, Stacy," Mercy cursed. "Why do you always have to be such a bitch?"
One moment Stacy was sitting on her crate. The next she had pushed herself off and stood close to Mercy. Anger radiating from her face.
"What did you say?" Stacy growled.
"That you are a bitch?" Mercy spat back. "I mean look at you. You are the head-bitch of our school. I seriously hoped that you changed after becoming a lesbian. But look at you. Still bitching around. I don't know what Sonja sees in you."
A smack made Mercy's head snap around, as a furious Stacy had slapped her face.
"You leave her out of it! I am not a bitch. You're just jealous of me."
"Jealous? Me?" Mercy hissed as she shoved Stacy away from her. "Not everything revolves around you Stacy. I take it back. You are not just some bitch. The way you prance around the school. You are just a poodle. A big. Overblown. Bitch. Of a. Poodle!"
And just like that, she was. Fury was still running through Mercy's veins. That was why her brain needed a moment to make sense of what happened before her eyes. A poodle struggling to escape Stacy's clothes. By the time Mercy'a mind caught up the poodle escaped the last sling of cloth. Frightened it took off.
"Stacy?" Mercy asked flabbergasted. "Stacy wait? Oh shit. Did I make Stacy a dog? I ..."
Blood drained from Mercy's face as she came to a sudden revelation. If Brian's change has taught her anything then that she needed to implant an image of the original person or they'd be stuck. If Mercy wouldn't find her Stacy would spend the rest of her days as a dog. Despite that Mercy didn't like her, no one deserved that fate.
Eventually, Mercy shook off her shock and ran after Stacy. Only to curse mid-run as she saw the double doors to the west wing ajar. Stacy had gotten out. Who knew where she had run off.
Mercy took out her smartphone and send a quick text to Brian and Victoria.
Helped! Fucked up. If you see a poodle then catch her!
Mercy rushed blindly through exhibits. Now and then catching glimpses of a dog. Stacy was surprisingly quick. Mercy cursed again as she saw security guards also rushing around. They had noticed Stacy and were chasing her too.
It was when she hit a bend that leads to the west wing when Mercy had to hastily break. She nearly had run into Sonja.
"Mercy? Good. I need your help," Sonja said, catching the initiative. "This little fella found me and needs help." In her arms, she held a poodle. One suddenly keen on escaping Sonja's clutches as she recognized Mercy.
"Stacy? I looked everywhere for you," Mercy sighed in relief. "Sonja follow me. Don't let her get away."
A confused Sonja followed Mercy till they arrived at the west wing. "Mercy. That area is off limits," Sonja exclaimed.
"I know. Just follow me and bring Stacy."
"Stacy? But she isn't here."
"Just come in," Mercy hissed. After Sonja slipped in Mercy made sure to close the doors.
"Okay," Mercy repeated a few times. More to herself than to anyone else. Then she snapped out of it. "Stacy. I know you are confused and angry. I need you to stand still and give me time so I can turn you back. Sonja let her down."
"Why are you talking to the poodle as if she is Stacy?" Sonja demanded to know.
"Because she is," Mercy admitted.
"You turned my girlfriend into a dog?" Sonja half shouted.
"It was an accident," Mercy shot back. "She attacked me and then this happened."
"Accidents like that don't happen," Sonja accused her.
"If you are a trickster mage then yes. They happen," Mercy corrected her. "Now. Please. I need to concentrate to turn her back."
Sonja glared at her angrily but kept being quiet.
Mercy tried to control her ragged breathing and hammering heart. For a moment doubt filled her mind. What if she couldn't do it? Then Mercy would have to live with the heavy burden of being guilty of robbing Stacy's humanity away. She swallowed hard a last time and concentrated. Picturing Stacy as Mercy knew her, even though she was tempted to make some changed. Then she pushed the mental image over the poodle.
"That's it," Mercy whispered.
"That's it? She is still a poodle," an angry Sonja pointed out.
Mercy looked down at the dog and wondered what she had been doing wrong. It had worked with Brian. Why didn't it work for Stacy?
Mercy had a split second of relief as she saw Stacy turn back into her human form before a painful slap made her head snap around.
"What the fuck did you do to me?" Stacy shouted. "Do you think this is funny? I was scared to death."
"I didn't mean to," Mercy protested.
"Just stay away from me," Stacy snapped back and then hurried to the discarded pile of her clothes. Scampering to don them again.
Shaking her head Mercy walked back towards the wax mannequins. All she had wanted was to study them. It wasn't her fault Stacy had gotten in her face.
Where had she stopped? The great mother. Right. Mercy started to read again when a shout broke her concentration.
"Hey! You can't be in here!"
Mercy saw a security guard standing in the doorway. She had run out of time. With haste, her eyes flew over the sign of the trickster mage's mannequin before her.
... respected among the tribes ... always neutral and mediated in disputes ... arguments were made indicating the great mother being the avatar of trickster magic ...
"Avatar?" Mercy mused to herself.
"Miss!" The guard said again as he came closer. "Out. Now. Or I'll have to talk to your teacher."
With a sigh, Mercy turned away and walked pouting to the door. Sonja and Stacy already had made themselves scarce. As she exited she heard the guard closing the door and locking it with a key. So much for researching trickster mages. Grumbling she walked away.
"Mercy!"
Her head snapped up and she saw Victoria with Brian in tow rushing to her.
"What's the emergency? Something about a poodle?" Victoria asked.
"Too late. All done. You missed how I spectacularly messed up again," Mercy said while shaking her head in resignation.
"What happened?" Victoria followed up.
"Apparently I can make people into animals," Mercy admitted. "As Stacy can attest."
"Animal? The poodle!" Brian exclaimed. "You made Stacy a dog?"
"Oh, I wish I could've seen that," Victoria added.
"It was an accident," Mercy defended herself.
"It's alright. I mean it was just Stacy, right," Victoria waved her off with a grin.
"Except Sonja found out and is now totally mad at me for the whole mess," a deflated Mercy admitted.
"Oh, remind me to visit the pet shop on my way home," Victoria said, with mischief in her eyes.
"Picking up a chew-toy for Stacy?" Brian guessed.
"What? No. Although that might be a close second," Victoria mused. "I thought more along the lines of a muzzle."
"Sure. Go right ahead," a resignating Mercy threw in. "Make Stacy and Sonja even more pissed off at me. By the way where were you guys? I could have used the help."
"We were-" Brian started.
"Busy taking notes," Victoria finished. "You know. For the paper, we have to write."
"Nevermind," Mercy waved them off. She contemplated telling them that she could see the hints of Victoria's lipstick on Brian's lips. Then again why mess up another thing. One was enough for today.
Maybe that's why Stacy had been getting to Mercy this easily. There was the possibility that she was right and Mercy hadn't seen it coming.
"Let's take some boring notes about boring mages," Mercy said with a sigh and walked off.
***** Wednesday *****
The annoying beeping of her alarm clock woke Mercy. Looking at the time she flinched. So damn early. Nevertheless, she got up. Grabbed her things and dragged herself to the bathroom.
The long hot shower managed to wake her up. She enjoyed the luxury and took her time. She only stopped when the water slowly turned cold. With a sigh, she stepped out and got ready.
Just as she exited the bathroom she saw the doors to Michelle's and Melanie's room open. Both girls tried to race each other to the bathroom only to stop in surprise as they saw Mercy.
"No need to rush," Mercy said with a smirk. "Only the early bird gets a hot shower." Blowing them a raspberry she ducked into her room.
*****
"Yes. They are still glaring at you," Victoria said as she spotted Mercy again glancing over at the table Sonja and Stacy set at.
"I wish I could do something to make it up to Sonja," Mercy said to her small round of friends at her lunch table.
Michelle and Brian nodded. Meanwhile Victoria couldn't help to tease Mercy a little. "Don't you mean Stacy?" she deadpanned. "Look. Don't do anything rash. I'll talk to them later."
"You think that will help?" Mercy asked.
"Sonja. Maybe," Victoria conceded. "Stacy I am not so sure."
"Maybe Stacy has her own reasons for being so 'aggressive'," Michelle said while looking up from her sketchbook. "I certainly did. A misguided one, but still..."
Mercy nodded. If someone knew why one might turn bully then it was Michelle. Back when she had been Mitch she had been the number one school bully.
"Well, since Mercy's way of de-bullying Stacy isn't working, I'll give it a try," Victoria announced.
"My way?" Mercy asked confused.
"Changing underwear," Victoria said with a grin.
"Done!" Michelle announced. Before the others could react she pushed her sketchbook over to Victoria. "How's that?"
Mercy leaned over to get a better view. At once she saw that in the drawing was Victoria, who was wearing a long flowing emerald green dress. Here and there Mercy spotted yellow lines running along the dress. It looked regal and formal, yet with a playful touch.
"The yellow is supposed to be gold," Michelle added. "I don't have a fitting pen."
"It's amazing," Victoria managed to get out while utterly absorbed in the dress. She was probably already wearing it in her head. Daydreaming about how it might feel to dance in it. "Can't wait to wear it."
"Want to wear it right now?" Mercy teased.
"Oh, I wish," Victoria admitted wistfully. "Might be a little impractical though. Right after school?"
"Wouldn't be convenient too," Mercy mused.
"Why not?" Michelle asked.
"Victoria promised me she'll join me at my trickster meeting," Mercy explained.
"Oh, right," Victoria added. "I forgot that was today."
"You both can come too if you want," Mercy said while eyeing Michelle and Brian.
"No thanks. One trickster mage in my life is enough," Brian declined. "Besides. I still have to do some research before this weekend."
"Yeah, I have to agree with Brian," Michelle added. "One trickster mage threw my life out of whack. I need some time before I can face another."
"They aren't that bad," Mercy protested.
"I have to agree," Victoria chimed in. "None is as terrible as Mercy."
"Hey!" Mercy protested as Victoria earned some grins. "I am not bad. There just had been some ... accidents."
"Sure," Victoria said while patting Mercy on the shoulder. "Keep telling that to yourself if it helps you sleep at night."
"You are the worst," Mercy accused her, but couldn't suppress a grin herself.
"Well, time for class," Brian broke in. "See you all later."
With sighs, the others followed his example and cleared the table.
*****
When Victoria and Mercy arrived at the self-help center Carissa and Dave already were busy talking to each other. Mercy needed a moment to remember what she knew about both.
Carissa worked at the local library. Her personal spell was one of the amplification of soundwaves. In other words she could make every sounds louder than they should be.
Meanwhile, Dave was the worst enemy of liars. He could use his spell to coax out the truth of someone. Not only had his targets, to tell the truth, they were also compelled to do so.
They exchanged greetings and then Mercy wondered out loud, "Where are Al and Mavis?"
"Both in Mavis office," Carissa explained.
"Doing who knows what," Dave added.
"So how are you doing Mercy?" Carissa wanted to know. "You look a little on edge."
"Well, a lot happened," Mercy admitted. "Lately no matter what I do my spells mess things up. I don't even know if Mavis wants me around anymore."
"Last week Mercy gave her an 'upgrade' in the wardrobe department," Victoria explained. "She looked like one of those techno raver girls. That and pissed off."
"I wish I could have seen that," Dave admitted.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," Carissa chided her. "Sometimes trickster magic works in mysterious ways. I remember this one time I had been in a restaurant. There had been this obnoxious man complaining about random noises. You know me. He practically begged me to prank him. All I did was amplify his own breathing. It taught him a lesson, but not one I anticipated. A few tables over was a doctor who diagnosed just from the breathing that this man's lungs had a serious problem. For all I know I helped save that man's life that day."
"She has a point," Victoria conceded. "Your messes have a weird way of working out."
"Not sure if I can agree with you there," a doubtful Mercy said.
"Agree with what exactly?"
Mavis' voice made Mercy turn around. Just to see Al and Mavis enter the room.
"That her bigger pranks have a way of working out," Victoria explained. It earned her a glare from Mercy. "Why are you both late?"
"Office stuff," Mavis waved her off.
"Really? Nothing more?" Dave asked. "Come on. Tell me the truth."
"We were discussing the fact that four containment vessels of trickster magic have been stolen," Al rattled out before stopping himself.
"Dave, stop it," Mavis admonished him.
"Four? We only know of one," Victoria pipped up.
Mavis gave a heavy sigh and then a dirty look towards Dave. "The government tries to keep the news contained to avoid a panic. You know how common people react to trickster magic. They make it worse than it is. Now. Shall we get started?"
"Yes. Please," Mercy jumped in. "I have some questions and I need answers to them."
"Very well," Mavis said as she took a seat. "What do you want to know?"
"The weekend before last you helped two siblings. Mitch, now Michelle, and Melanie. Why haven't you told me about them last week?"
"I was leading up to it," Mavis told her. Not sternly like Mercy had expected, but calm and collected. "Someone cut our lesson short. I take it you have yourself under control now?"
Mercy blushed as she remembered her tantrum of the week before. Silence settled over the room till Victoria elbowed her in the rips. "Now is a good time to apologize."
"Ah. Yes," Mercy snapped. "Sorry about that."
"That's nothing," Mavis waved her off. "Anger is fleeting. You will learn that if you get as old as I am. I knew from the start that patience was needed with you." Then Mavis leaned forward and her voice dropped into the realm of ice cold. "But if you put me one more time into clothing this hideous, then you will know what a century old trickster mage is really capable of."
"G-got it," Mercy said as soon as she found her voice again.
"So. What else do you want to ask?" Mavis said in her normal voice while leaning back again.
"Right. Yesterday our school had a field trip to the wax museum of great mages," Mercy explained.
"A waste of time," Mavis muttered.
"I thought it was a good opportunity to learn about some other trickster mages," Mercy continued. "I didn't get a lot of information, but those that I got are confusing or don't make sense."
"That was to be expected. Museums and historic books are heavily biased and unreliable," Mavis said with disgust in her voice.
"I beg to differ," Carissa piped up. "You just have to find the right books. Mercy, I can help with that. The library I work at is located near the local college. We have plenty of historic books that can give you a deeper understanding of the past."
"I disagree, but that may be my old age opinionating me," Mavis admitted. "Mercy. Why don't you ask your questions and we will see how well the books match my memory."
"Okay," Mercy slowly while gathering her thoughts. "Last time you told me that Loki learned to shapeshift from the great mother, but wasn't successful in her lifetime. I take it this shape-shifting was his means of eternal youth, correct?"
"Indeed," Mavis said with a nod.
"Here is the thing I don't understand," Mercy now eagerly pushed forward. "Loki was born over a thousand years ago. The great mother died in the war against the blood empire about five hundred years ago. How could he be her student when he should have been a few times dead of old age ?"
"Good question," Mavis commented. "Carissa? Would you like to give it a try?"
"Of course," Carissa said with a huff. "It is because of Vali. He was a mage at mage-king Odin's court. He was known to be knowledgeable in many aspects. When Loki's pranks caused too much chaos it was decreed that Loki was to be imprisoned. Vali not only was the one to apprehend Loki, but he also was the prison warden. You see Vali thought that Loki might find a way to escape so he cast a spell on Loki that he would sleep for centuries. But this special spell also prevented Loki from aging."
"Really? That's the official story?" Mavis said with a snort. "That's not how I remember it happen."
"You remember how it happened?" Victoria interrupted. "As in you were there? How old are you?"
"One really has to watch their words with you, right?" Mavis said with a sigh. "Let me rephrase. The way I remember what Loki told me how it happened. Can I go on? Good. First off Loki did age, but Vali did reverse his aging progress once a year. Speaking of imprisonment. What bullocks."
"You want to tell us that Loki wasn't asleep under madness mountain," Carissa cut in.
"Oh, he was. But let's start at the beginning," Mavis chided her. "Loki grew up as a boy in the northern region of the northern continent. He became a trickster mage around the time he was fifteen summers old. At first, he had fun with it, but soon his need to prank robbed him of friends and family. So he tried to find someone to teach him. That's why he sought help at king Odin's court. The reception wasn't very welcoming, but one mage stood out. Vali was not only open to Loki's plight. He also helped train Loki in many arts."
Mavis gaze caught Mercy's as she continued. "This might sound familiar to you. Loki's talent and aptitude were so big that not only others grew weary of him, but he himself doubted that it was possible to limit his rampage of pranks. In a dark moment, he asked his friend Vali for help. You see it was Loki's idea to be put into a sleep. To be awoken once the court had found a solution to trickster magic. A way to unbind it from Loki."
"That's possible?" a curious Mercy wanted to know.
"No. I don' think so," Mavis commented before returning to her story. "You see the whole plan was flawed. Trickster mages need to prank. Even if they are asleep. It only got worse because now Loki's dreams dictated the illusions he created. Odin decreed that Vali take Loki away. So that his court won't be disturbed anymore. Vali took him to a cave in a remote mountainous region. There he could remain sleeping without disturbing anyone. Year by year Vali returned to not only nourish his friend but also turn back the time on Loki's body. He did this for centuries, even though it appeared that Loki's magic traveled farther and farther to cast illusions."
"So in both versions, Vali used bodily magic to keep him young, right?" Mercy asked.
"The technical term is corporis industria, but yes," Carissa confirmed. "Most famous mages did start out with that aspect. Learning magic takes a long time. So most who are serious about learning magic go for corporis industria first."
"Unless you start out as a trickster mage," Victoria threw in.
"Correct," Mavis agreed. "Now, Mercy. It is very fortunate that we came to this story. Last week I wanted to tell you a related tale. One you might find interesting."
"I have more questions," Mercy admitted. "But if the others don't mind I would like to hear it."
"I only regret not bringing popcorn," Dave threw in. Earning a few smiles all around.
"Carissa," Mavis called out. "What do history books tell about the time Loki 'escaped his prison'?"
"Not much," Carissa conceded. "Just that he fled overseas to the tribes continent. There aren't many documents about him in that time till the bloody bay war started."
"I figured as much," Mavis commented. "You see Loki woke up to a world where he was known as a villain. It was unknown to him at that time that he had continued to cast trickster magic in his sleep. Terrorizing villages close to his resting place. Not just Vali, but many other great mages fell in the battle of Ragnarok. The people were scared and without leadership. When they heard Loki had awoken they acted on their fear by sending out a hunting party to kill him. Loki evaded them a few times, but luck ran out on a small mountain pass. A bridge that leads over a ravine cut him off from safety. He did ..."
Mavis broke up for a moment. Taking time to collect herself. "We trickster mages do pranks. That is all we do. But cornered Loki intended to use his magic to kill. He cast two illusions. One to hide him and one to make the bridge appear whole. He hoped the riders that were chasing him would fall through his illusion and die."
"Did they?" Mercy asked shocked while leaning forward. She wasn't the only one.
"The riders came and didn't even slow down," Mavis continued. "But instead of falling to their death they crossed the bridge as if it was real. Because for a moment it was. When Loki overcame his shock he tried carefully to place a foot on the illusionary bridge. It went right through. And before you guess around there is a moral to this tale: trickster magic doesn't kill. In fact, it is the only aspect of magic that can't be used to kill someone on purpose."
"That is interesting," Mercy mused out loud. "So what? I shouldn't worry about consequences of my actions and spells?"
"That's not what I said," Mavis said while shaking her head. "Trickster magic has limits. When you run into them you should recognize them. Believe me. Not even you can break them."
"Huh," Carissa commented. "That's not something I knew of."
The other trickster mages in the room nodded their head in agreement.
"I have other questions," Mercy said to break the silence.
"Sure. Go ahead. I'll answer everything if I can," Mavis offered.
"There was one detail about the great mother I couldn't read a lot about," Mercy continued. "It says there are speculations that she was the avatar of trickster magic and ..."
Mercy stopped as Mavis started to laugh out loud. After a while, she managed to say a few words. "Definitely not."
"What even is the avatar of trickster magic?" an annoyed Mercy asked.
"Don't tell me schools nowadays teach you anything about magic anymore," a grinning Mavis countered.
"Even I don't remember much about avatars," Victoria interjected. "And I got straight A's in my tests. Not much keeps sticking when the book is a thousand pages thick and you have to read through it in two months."
"Carissa? Do you want to answer?" Mavis asked.
"Fine," Carissa said with a sigh. "Avatars are a rare occurrence. In the last two thousand years, there may have been five or so. They are born in a time of need. For example, the mage Jupiter was born as the avatar of lightning magic. Prior to his birth mages had messed up the region on the heritage continent we nowadays call Sahara. They tried to bring rain to the area. They succeed in creating a hundred year lasting thunderstorm. The mages couldn't fix it. Jupiter, the avatar of lightning magic, could. Avatars are born with the knowledge of their aspect and tremendous control over it."
"They have one more ability that makes them stand out," Mavis jumped in. "They can temporarily spread their knowledge and control to others. When the great plague ravaged the northern continent an avatar of bodily magic was born. She shared her knowledge and gift and created thousands of mages to combat the plague. This power terrifies many. So some started to think 'Hey. What happens if there ever was an avatar of trickster magic?' and they lost their wits."
"Why would that be so bad?" Victoria asked before Mercy could. "Maybe a trickster avatar could fix a few things other trickster mages messed up."
Carissa looked too unsure of herself to answer so Mavis explained again. "Last time we spoke about how trickster magic usually chooses its own mages, right? The boring people who can resist the urges somewhat. Now imagine an avatar of trickster magic is born. He or she could give others her spells, but what about the control? How should an avatar judge who would misuse the spells and who doesn't?"
"Who says an avatar has to empower anyone?" Mercy cut in.
"Correct," Mavis agreed. "But then what good would an avatar be? Just one powerful mage, but they can't be anywhere at the same time. Now to come back to your original question. Why the great mother couldn't have been the avatar. For one there would have to be a threat to or from trickster magic to warrant a trickster avatar. On the other hand, remember how Loki needed decades to learn shapeshifting? If the great mother had been the avatar she just could have given him her spell in a blink of an eye."
"All that is speculation," Al butted in. "Extrapolated from other magical aspects. Until a real trickster avatar comes along we can't be sure by what rules it will abide. If the topic is really interesting you should research it further."
"You can come to the library where I work at," Carissa suggested.
"Didn't you say it was the college library?" Mercy asked.
"No. Just adjacent to the college campus," Carissa clarified. "It is still open to the public."
"Any more questions?" Mavis challenged her.
"No," Mercy admitted. "All I have were answered along the way."
"Then how about the other way around," Mavis suggested. "Any news you want to share?"
"No," Mercy hastened to answer. "Everything the same on my end."
With that discussion turned to more general themes. A few minutes later the meeting concluded. Mercy waited for Victoria who was laying siege to Al. Trying to get him to help her with her mind control resistance training.
"He agreed," Victoria beamed when she eventually said her goodbyes to the group.
"Good," Mercy said with a nod.
Together they left the center and soon Victoria stopped Mercy to speak to her again.
"You okay?" Victoria asked. "I couldn't help noticing that you didn't tell them about your third spell."
"Just want to wait till I understand that one myself some more," Mercy explained lamely.
Victoria nodded. "Maybe we should take Carissa's offer. Hit the library on the weekend."
"That's a good idea," Mercy agreed. "There are still some questions left."
"That's not what you told the others," Victoria pointed out.
"You are right," Mercy admitted grimly. "I did not."
***** Thursday *****
"Mercy wake up."
Michelle's voice along with shaking her tore Mercy away from her dream.
"What is it?" Mercy muttered.
"You don't want to be late for school, right?" Michelle asked.
Confusion came over Mercy as she saw Michelle fully dressed. "My alarm didn't even go off yet," Mercy mumbled, but then frowned as her eyes drifted to her alarm clock. It was nineteen minutes past her usual time to get up.
"My guess is sabotage," Michelle said with a shrug.
In that very moment, Mercy's alarm started to beep. Grumbling Mercy silenced it.
"I will get at you both for that," Mercy promised.
Then she rushed to do her morning routine. Harshly broken in her stride as only cold water greeted her in the shower.
Her curses must have been outside as she heard the muffled yell of Melanie through the door. "Only the early bird gets a hot shower!"
*****
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
Mercy's head is filled with questions lately. She hoped for some answers in a wax mannequin museum of famous mages. Instead, she got more questions and a poodle named Stacy.
Some questions were answered in her trickster mage group meeting. Given along with intriguing stories, but still, Mercy wants to know more.
*****
Mercy kicked a pebble on the pathway with an absent mind. Only to curse out loud. This act had been less painful when she hadn't worn sandals. Back when she had been Mark. It was only a few weeks ago, yet it felt like a small lifetime ago.
So much happened in the last month. At first, Mercy tried to react to it to the best of her abilities. Made mistakes and happy little accidents. So far everything had worked out. Except making Stacy, the bitchy head cheerleader, not just a lesbian, but a poodle too. For some time at least. If her miraculous trend continued, even that would work out. Just how was beyond Mercy.
While she felt bad about her mistakes it was something else that brought her into the park. She needed time to think. Now, that she slowly came to terms with her abilities as a trickster mage, questions blossomed in her mind. Some she had come up with herself and others were asked of her by friends.
"How is trickster magic created?" had been Melanie's question. Something not even Mercy's mentor could answer. For a moment Mercy got sidetracked. Remembering the night before. Melanie had called out for an impromptu ladies night. To teach the 'newcomers' a little. Of course, she meant Mercy who hadn't been a girl for very long. But also Michelle, who had been Mitch not so long ago.
Together they had watched a romantic comedy. Mercy had dreaded it. Remembering the first time she had watched one. Back then Mercy had bawled her eyes out. Then Victoria had teased her about it. The second time with Michelle and Melanie hadn't been better. Again Mercy couldn't help herself. Those movies just got to her somehow. At least she wasn't alone. Both of the other girls had cried with her. So at least no one could tease Mercy about. Provided no-one snitched to Victoria about it.
Remembering the night before brought a small smile to her face. Both girls weren't even living with Mercy and her parents for a whole week. Already it felt like Mercy had gained two sisters she hadn't known she had wanted or needed before. Even with them in a cold war about the hot water of the shower in the morning, she wouldn't want them gone now.
Mercy shook her head to clear her thoughts. This wasn't why she came here to the park. Slowly slandering along the walkways. It was to give her time to think. She pulled out her list of things she found curious and noticed that she hadn't updated it in a while. Too much happened recently. There was a lot of new information she had gathered. What it all meant was beyond Mercy.
Part of her wanted to ignore it all. She was just a girl from a smaller city. It wasn't her place to figure out the universe. But another part of her was relentless. Reminding her that she was a trickster mage on a level beyond her peers. That her special spells were among the strongest. She couldn't even deny the impact she had on people around her.
She browsed through her list of strange things to figure out and some of her old points gained new meaning in light of recent events and information. Small details that she had taken for granted or simply explained to herself that it was due to trickster magic being mysterious. Now Mercy was reminded of Victoria and the night Mercy had given her a rubber tail. She actually had been able to move said tail. And then there were those cat eye contact lenses.
"Good girl, Stacy"
Mercy's head snapped up. She knew that voice. A moment later her eyes found Sonja. She was in the middle of a group of people surrounded by dogs. Then she noticed one dog in particular. A poodle who started to growl at her.
"What's wrong, girl?" Sonja asked.
Mercy ducked behind a tree before Sonja could spot her. Now her thoughts were racing. Was that really Stacy as a poodle? Did that mean Stacy turned back by choice? Or did something happen and she was forced to turn back into a poodle?
Cautiously she peeked around the tree and once again spotted Sonja and Stacy. It appeared as if they attended a dog training course. Learning commands and tricks. It quickly occurred to Mercy that Stacy was the best student. No wonder with a human mind inside of her.
Even though she knew she should walk away, Mercy couldn't help but stay and spy on them more. It was fascinating. Stacy appeared to be happy to run around with the other dogs. Earning treats and pets all around.
There was a sudden change in the group and Mercy cursed as she figured out that the class had ended. It was too late for her to walk away unnoticed. All that remained was trying to stay hidden.
A moment later a stick flew past her tree. Followed by a poodle chasing it.
"I thought I had spotted you."
After jumping in surprise, Mercy turned around only to see Sonja right beside her.
"Walk with me," Sonja said and her tone suggested that Mercy better do as told.
It wasn't long before Stacy returned with the stick between her teeth. She hesitated as she spotted Mercy beside Sonja.
"Come here," Sonja urged her while crouching down. She took the stick only to throw it out again. A heartbeat later Stacy chased after it again.
"Why is she..."
"A dog again?" Sonja finished.
Mercy nodded. "I thought I changed her back for good."
"You did," Sonja admitted.
"Then why is she back to being a poodle?"
"Hmm. She found out that she can now switch freely between both forms."
"Doesn't explain why she chose to be a dog again," Mercy interjected.
Sonja once again took the stick from Stacy and threw it out. After Stacy chased off she gave a sigh and started to explain.
"I know what you think about her. That she is a bitch. I admit that she can be, but it isn't entirely her fault. You know her mother is a renown surgeon and her father a big wig in the mayor's office?"
After Mercy shook her head, Sonja continued. "She is the youngest of her siblings. All in good colleges by now. There is a lot of pressure for Stacy to do well too. All that stress. She needs to vent it. Sadly she didn't choose a good way. When her parents found out that she was gay ..."
"Her parents are homophobes too?" Mercy asked.
"Not really. I think. It is more than that. I think it doesn't fit the 'perfect future' they have planned for Stacy. I mean Stacy doesn't even want to be a cheerleader. But it looks good on college applications, you know? Anyway. Look at her now. Running around. Being a dog, even for a short moment, is being someone who can easily fulfill and exceed expectations."
"So I gave her an easy way to blow off steam?" Mercy asked.
"Yes," Sonja admitted. "But don't think that either of us has forgotten how you gave her this 'gift'."
"It was an accident," Mercy protested.
"Yeah. Yeah," Sonja waved her off.
For a moment they walked in silence. Now and then throwing out the stick so Stacy could chase it. Eventually, Mercy couldn't help but ask. "And you are okay with your girlfriend running around as a dog."
"At first I was pissed," Sonja admitted. "Still not really one hundred percent on board with it, but it is ..."
"It is what?"
"Nice," Sonja replied. "That she trusts me enough. Stacy and I haven't been together for long. Still, she chose to trust me with this secret. Explained to me why. That is worth a lot to me."
"I see," Mercy slowly said with a nod.
It now occurred to Mercy that she hadn't seen Stacy for a while. Worried she looked around only to spot her near the public restroom for women.
"I think she forgot that dogs are supposed to go outside," Mercy joked. It earned her a playful slap by Sonja.
"It is time for her to turn back." As they came close Sonja further instructed her. "Keep an eye out and tell me when your side is clear."
On the third try, they managed to slip in without being noticed. A moment later Stacy was human again. And naked. "What are you doing here?" she snapped at Mercy. But not with her usual bite. It was tamer.
"I was only slandering in the park," Mercy defended herself. "Pure coincidence I stumbled upon you guys."
"Fine," Stacy grumbled. Trying in vain to dress while trying to hide her assets from Mercy. "Just don't tell anyone about this or else..."
"Play nice you two," Sonja chided both before Mercy could reply.
Mercy gave a sigh. "I am sorry, okay? I didn't mean to turn you into a dog. It really was an accident."
"I guess. Shouldn't have provoked you," Stacy admitted. Then, just to prove she hasn't gone soft, she pushed out more forcefully. "You could at least have picked a less embarrassing dog species."
Mercy had to suppress a snicker. Instead, she just had to ask. "What's wrong with poodles?"
"Stubby legs? Not great for running around. And they're so small," Stacy mused.
"Point taken," Mercy admitted. "What dog should I've made you?" she asked with a grin.
"Mercy," was the only word Sonja said. But her tone made clear that she was walking on thin ice.
"Greyhound," Stacy said into the silence. Surprising both of the other girls. "That would have been a great choice."
"What's a ..." Mercy started but fell silent as Stacy had typed away on her smartphone. Completely ignorant that she was still half naked.
When Stacy held her phone under Mercy's nose she had to admit that Stacy had a point. That dog looked like it was made for running. Taller, leaner and looked like at home in a wind tunnel.
"That would have been a better choice if I had known you wanted to run. Not that I had been thinking much at the moment," Mercy mused out loud. "So if I made you a greyhound we can get behind this?"
"Mercy," Sonja exclaimed once again and stomped her foot.
"Deal," Stacy agreed. Earning a bewildered look from Sonja. Then she started stripping again. "Make me a greyhound and we have a truce."
Both girls shook on it. A few seconds later Stacy was once again a dog. This time an excited runner who quickly pawed at the door. Eager to get out and run.
"We wanted to go home," Sonja pouted for a moment. Her resistance melted away as Stacy gave her puppy eyes. "Fine. One hour. Then we go home. First, let me gather your clothes again."
Mercy let out a breath of relief. Getting Stacy off her list of people to watch out for might be good. Then again she had the feeling that she had annoyed Sonja a bit. Hopefully, that will work out too.
As they shuffled out Stacy took off in a sprint. Mercy had to admit that she was a lot faster now. Sonja gave her a quick "See you Monday" before trying to catch up with her girlfriend.
Once alone again Mercy let out a deep sigh. "Okay, Universe," Mercy muttered to herself. "You win, I lose. Apparently, I can't do wrong. All my screw ups turn out to be for the better in the end. What next?"
Mercy felt silly after her little outburst. Venting her frustration. Surely everything that happened was a coincidence. The vibrating and beeping of her phone gave her the scare of her life.
"No way!" she exclaimed out loud. Her phone continued buzzing. No call, but a lot of text messages. With trembling hands, she reached for her phone. It couldn't be that the universe would really call her, right?
She breathed out in relief as she saw that Victoria had messaged her instead. Then she frowned as she read through it.
Vicky: Mercy.
Vicky: Need help.
Vicky: Come by my house.
Vicky: Quick.
Frowning, Mercy started to type back.
Mercy: What's wrong.
Vicky: I am all tied up at the moment.
Mercy: So you need me to get something for you?
Vicky: Mercy.
Vicky: TIED UP.
Vicky: Hurry.
Vicky: Before my parents come home.
Mercy had to keep herself from rolling her eyes. Victoria probably had tried some deviant stuff herself. Maybe tied herself up with belts or robes. Then the smirk on Mercy's face vanish. Rope. One who could dig into Victoria's flesh. Cutting off circulation or other stuff. This was serious.
Mercy: On my way!
As soon as she had typed her last message Mercy took off in a sprint. Only to stop for a moment to shift her clothes. Sandals and summer dress wasn't a good choice for running. A moment later she took off in a tracksuit and trainers. Provided by her trickster magic.
A minute later she slid to a halt at the bus stop. Just her luck. She had missed the last one. Next one was in twenty minutes. Not soon enough. Again she started running. If she remembered right Victoria's house wasn't that far away from the park.
*****
A half-hour later Mercy stopped huffing and puffing before Victoria's house. Only now Mercy caught up to the fact that she might not even get in. Surely Victoria had locked the doors before going into her deviant games.
To her surprise Mercy found the door unlocked. She let herself in and found an eerily silent home greeting her. Mercy called out a few times for Victoria, but there was no answer. With no time to spare, Mercy jogged up the stairs and sprinted into Victoria's room.
There she was. Still alive. She was dressed in leather, belts, and hemp rope. Tasseled up on her bed. Spotting Mercy, she looked almost apologetic. Then Mercy spotted some details. Most of all her hands, as her fingers were elaborately tied together.
Slowly it dawned on Mercy. There was no way Victoria had bound herself.
"Hello Mercy"
The door slammed close the same time someone spoke behind her. Suprised, Mercy spun around.
"Brianna!"
The female alter ego of Brian leaned beside the door. Dressed in leather, one of the outfits Mercy had to make for her, she stood tall and proud. It appeared her stance was relaxed, but Mercy was reminded of a cat who just caught a mouse. With Victoria all bound up, she probably had been once a mouse for Brianna but was now relegated to being cheese. Bait for the trap Mercy had sprung.
"Missed me, pet?" Brianna purred. Casually she pushed herself off the wall. Took one elegant step after another in her glossy high heels. Each step was mimicked by Mercy, who backed off. Until she ran out of room, as she stumbled into Victoria's bed. Her legs buckled and she found herself sitting on the bed. Petrified.
"No need to be scared my pet," Brianna said, but her tone of voice suggested otherwise. Her arm reached out and cupped Mercy's chin. Gently pulling her up until she stood once more. "All I want to talk." Then there was that predatory smile again. "For now."
Mercy swallowed hard. "Talk?"
Brianna snuck an arm around Mercy's shoulder and gently turned her around so both looked down at Victoria.
"You know, Victoria and Brian talked a lot in the last few days," Brianna told Mercy. Not quite a whisper, but close enough. For a moment they silently watched Victoria squirm in her bonds. Then she continued. "Brian had to come to term with his new side. Me. It was a whole new world to him. Not just being a woman, but there was this whole new world to him called BDSM. And I know that you know that Victoria has more than dabbled in it."
Mercy cleared her throat. Had it been this parched when she had arrived. Eventually, she found her voice. "She told you? How much?"
"Nothing," Brianna piped up cheerily. "At first. I can be persuasive, you know. You see today was an important step. For Brian. Just a few hours before it was not Victoria bound and gagged lying there on the bed. It was Brian. He wanted to feel how it felt on the other side. Through me, he got a glimpse what it felt to be dominant. To expose himself so much to Victoria took trust. Today both, Brian and Victoria, redefined their relationship to each other."
"Then why is Victoria bound there on the bed?" Mercy wanted to know.
"Do you really have to ask or do you already know?" Brianna purred. "There are two sides to Victoria. One who craves submission and one who craves dominance. I can give that to her, Mercy. Because I have two sides too. Because I am Brian and Brian is me. We are one person. We share the same memories, feeling, and needs. Brian and I just express them differently. Victoria accepts that. Accepted me as I am. Both sides. Wholeheartedly. The question is, Mercy, do you?"
Mercy thought back to how she had met Brian. A little dorky back then. Always talking about games. A nerd. But never a pushover, she realized. He had his forceful moments too. It was him who befriended Mark, Mercy's own former self. Brian also tried to break Mark out of his stuck-up ways. To live a little. Have fun. They weren't best friends for no reason. For a moment Mercy felt dread. Had she taken him for granted? Was this the day she would lose him?
As if she could read her thoughts Brianna continued. "Brian won't go anywhere. You won't lose your best friend. No matter how far we go. He will always be there for you. Let me ask you one thing Mercy. Do you trust him?"
"I do," Mercy admitted. After all, he was the first one Mercy told about her new spells. And while Victoria recently had grown to be an equally important person in her life, Mercy still depended on Brian. Now and then to be the voice of reason where Victoria's hidden deviant might not give an objective enough perspective. For a long time, Brian had been a part of her life. A rock to depend on. Never betraying her trust once. As Mark or now as Mercy.
Brianna gently turned her around so they both faced each other. "Then you can trust me too. All I ask for is a chance to prove it. To make you see that I am still the Brian you know. Just from a different perspective."
"A very different perspective," Mercy agreed softly. Then again, if Brianna was right, it was not just her who was asking. It was also Brian. Not begging or demanding. But offering to understand him and his new self. Mercy took a deep breath and looked Brianna into the eyes. She still was the gorgeous domina with dark skin and luxurious black hair. Still gave off the same aura of dominance. But now Mercy saw her in a new light. One that lost most of her earlier fear. And she was ready to shed the last of it. "I want to trust you. What do you need me to do?"
Brianna smiled and it was a genuine one. It still spoke of hidden thoughts and devious fantasies, but it was also honest and one of pleasure. Gently she cupped once again Mercy's chin and made her turn to look at Victoria. Then she purred into Mercy's ear. "Brian is your best friend. Nothing more. And I will not force myself on you as a lover. But look at Victoria. She is my pet. Ready to be played with. What I offer you is the same I offer her. Become my pet, Mercy. I will treasure you and play with you. This is your choice. You can go and you will still have Brian as a best friend. Neither I or him will fault you for it. Or you can join Victoria. In that case, you should dress alike, don't you think."
Mercy's heart did beat like crazy. Her eyes on Victoria. Mewling into her gag. She was dressed in a leather bodice Mercy hadn't seen before. The deep plunging neckline was mostly hidden as Victoria was laying on her stomach. However, Mercy saw the generous cutouts for the thighs and the attached straps that held fishnet stockings in place on Victoria's legs. A wide leather belt around her waist was used as an anchor point for her feet. Immobilising her into a hogtied position. The same rope that tied Victoria's feet to belt also acted as a fix-point to force Victoria's arms back. There, a smaller rope was used to wield her hands together. Binding each finger to its twin. The last pieces, that Mercy could see, was a big ball-gag and a leather collar with a metal ring. The amount of spit around it suggested that Victoria as spend some time with it.
Snapping out of her reverie for Victoria and her outfit, Mercy looked down and was confused for a moment. Finding the tracksuit she had shifted her dress into. She was so caught up in the moment that she had forgotten about that change. A moment of concentration and the trainers on her feet shifted into the same fishnet stocking. Caught by the straps of the bodysuit that the tracksuit had shifted into. Now she noticed a few other details she hadn't noticed before. The zipper in the crotch for example. A moment later she too sported the wide leather belt around her waist, the collar on her throat and the big ball-gag between her teeth.
"I appreciate the eagerness," Brianna purred in amusement. "But for I have in mind you need your tongue."
Mercy felt the strap of the gag unbuckle and let Brianna take it off. That thing was huge and she didn't know how Victoria could handle one for so long. Maybe she shouldn't have made her clothes exact one to one copies. A sudden slap broke through her musings. It hadn't been a hard one but very unexpected.
"Hop on the bed," Brianna instructed her while walking around it to reach the other side. While Mercy scooted up on the bed, Brianna started to untie Victoria. First her hands and arms. Then the strict hogtie. She helped Victoria up and massaged her stiff arms and legs. At last, she unbuckled Victoria's gag.
"This doesn't mean you both are allowed to talk," Brianna warned both her pets. "Quiet or else."
Mercy gave a quick glance to Victoria who winked at her and showed a small smile before returning her attention to Brianna. A small exchange, but one that gave Mercy hope. Victoria wanted her to be here too.
"Mercy," Brianna said softly, but with enough steel in her voice to make it a command. "While I do want to earn your trust not everything is about you. The next part is a surprise for Victoria. How about you give her a nice blindfold? Be creative."
Mercy licked her lips. Certainly, she could do that. She didn't even have to think long. Inspired by the belts and ropes the blindfold turned out to be more of a head harness than anything else. Yet a big strip of leather provided enough coverage of the eyes to catch even the last trace of light.
"Very nice," Brianna remarked. "But don't forget some way to take it off again. Victoria might want to keep it later. As a souvenir."
A small nod from Victoria confirmed it. Mercy gave a smirk and complied. Adding a few buckles to the straps.
"Now sit beside each other. Legs and arms stretched out in front," Brianna commanded. "Mercy, give Victoria a helping hand. We don't want our blind mole to fall off the ledge."
Chuckling, both girls did as told, while Brianna fetched some length of rope. When she returned she started to tie those to the wrists and ankles of the girls. A few around the limp and then tied off in a way that left one long end. Mercy couldn't help but inspect one of these tied-off coils. It wasn't as tight as she had dreaded. She even could push a finger under the rope. Yet it was tight enough that Mercy had no doubt that it couldn't slip over her hands or feet. She also couldn't help to notice her slightly trembling hands. Sign of her nervous anticipation. The good kind she hoped.
"Now, Mercy help me to position Victoria," Brianna instructed. "I think you know the spread eagle position, Victoria."
Together they helped Victoria to scoot into the middle of the bed. There she did lay down on her back. Arms and legs spread out.
"I tell you a secret Mercy," Brianna said in a conspirational tone. "Victoria likes to struggle a little when I tie her up. Pin her down for me. Put your tights on hers and your arms and hers."
"I do not," Victoria protested.
"Shush pet," Brianna chided her.
Mercy couldn't really imagine Victoria struggling. She clearly saw her enjoy this. Maybe in a playful way. Just to prove Brianna right Victoria bucked a little. With a smirk, Mercy climbed over her to pin her down as told. Brianna started to tie the rope of Victoria's right wrist when Brianna started struggled a lot more. Maybe Mercy had been wrong after all or Victoria got inspired by Brianna. For a moment Mercy got worried, but looking down she saw a big grin on Victoria's face.
"Keep looking down on her," Brianna advised her. "She paragraphs her 'attacks' through her shoulders."
It was surprisingly fun to quell each of Victoria's futile attempts of escape. Meanwhile, Brianna made her way slowly around the bed. Tying up one limp of Victoria's after another.
"The last one," Brianna purred.
Suddenly Mercy's left leg was pulled away under her. Slowly but steadily. As Mercy looked she saw Brianna pulling on the rope that was connected to Mercy's leg. A second later her leg laid on top of Victorias. Mercy tried to correct her stance above Victoria she noticed her mistake. She couldn't move her arms or legs far as each was already bound to the bed. Just with enough slack so Mercy hadn't noticed. She had been too occupied watching Victoria squirm under her.
Brianna was already done with Mercy's left leg and now pulled down Mercy's right one. Her struggle proofed futile and only made Brianna's predatory grin bigger. At last Brianna won and Mercy's legs mirrored Victoria's. Spread wide just above hers.
When Brianna moved to the rope for her right arm Mercy knew she was truly trapped. She had just enough time to lower her chest on top of Victoria's before her arm was pulled away. Mercy's head came to rest beside Victoria's and she could hear her breathing labored with excitement. As her arm was retied into the position she still could feel some slack. Not enough to get far, but it barely was enough to find Victoria's hand and to grasp it.
After Brianna retied Mercy's other arm she was laying on top of Victoria as her bound twin. But it was not enough. She felt more than seeing it as Brianna used more rope to connect the belts on the girls with each other. Wielding them both closer together at the waist. Mercy was very aware how each of her small instinctual struggles was felt by Victoria. As was the other way around.
"We are nearly done," Brianna mused out loud. "Mercy. Try to move your head a little to the side. It is time to give Victoria back her sights."
It was a struggle, but she managed to push herself up enough for Brianna to reach the belts and buckles that Mercy had designed for Victoria as a blindfold. Eventually, Brianna got the harness loose. Victora blinked for a few moments before finding Mercy's eyes. They deeply gazed at each other, but not for long.
"Just making sure no one is cheating," Mercy heard Brianna say as she slipped the blindfold suddenly over Mercy's head. Suddenly she was cut off from the world. With the squirming Victoria beneath her the main stimuli. Mercy pondered Brianna's word and their meaning. It came to her the moment Brianna buckled the belts tight on her head. She tried changing the blindfold. Nothing. She couldn't even visualize it. It dawned on Mercy what had transpired. She had once told Brian she could change anyone's clothes that she could see. Brianna exploited now this fact. If she can't see then Mercy was unable to use her magic. She had found Mercy's weakness.
"Relax," Brianna whispered into her ear. "It is just us three here. If you want I can release you. But something tells me that you don't want to. Are you ready for what comes next?"
Mercy hesitated. Her sights and power were gone. Bound to helplessness. Leaving herself at someone else mercy. More than before this was a moment she had to decide if she wanted to trust Brianna or not. With her decision being made, she nodded.
Instead of answering Brianna grabbed Mercy's collar. She heard something snap to it. Then she was pulled down a little and she heard the second snap. She guessed that now that her collar was connected to Victoria's.
She was so close to Victoria that she not just could hear her breathing but felt every breath on her face. It felt intimate. Even more so when Victoria's hands grasped Mercy's. Entwining their fingers.
Mercy felt Brianna sit down beside both of them. When Brianna spoke it was close. "Now remember. No talking. But at the same time, I want you both to tell how much you desire each other. Be creative."
Victoria grasped the meaning at once, while Mercy needed a moment to make sense of it. Then Mercy felt Victoria straining under her. A moment later lips met hers. Gentle caresses turned to needy kisses. Victoria's tongue found her way inside and beckoned Mercy's to join her. It was intense. All their freedom stripped away, but those of their lips and tongues. At this moment Mercy felt connected. As if they created a language of their own. Intimate, passionate and soul sharing.
At first, Mercy ignored the arm that wormed its way between her torso and Victoria's. Then it pulled them apart. Not far as something still connected their collars. Mercy mewled in protest. Moreso when she hear something snap open and Brianna pulled her further away. Lifting head and torso as far as the ropes allowed.
"I hope you understand now," Brianna whispered into her ear. "Victoria still wants you. Despite having Brian and myself. You won't lose her either. You are part of her desire and a place in her heart."
Slowly but steadily those words tickled into Mercy's lust-addled mind. Brianna was right. Quenching the fire of hidden doubt Mercy hadn't allowed herself to voice aloud. Now she knew and happiness filled her heart.
"Do you want to feel even more connected to her?" Brianna purred into Mercy's ear.
Mercy nodded. Desperately so. She felt grateful when Brianna lowered her down again. When Victoria's lips found her own again. Soon she was lost in a haze of dancing tongues again. Barely heard a zipper being pulled open. Then a second one. However, she couldn't ignore the sudden cold air to her exposed sex. Brianna had unzipped the lower part of their bodices.
"I think this little toy is an old acquaintance of both of you," Brianna said with a devilish chuckle.
A moment later something touched the outer lips of Mercy's wet pussy. It pushed in a split second later. Making Mercy moan into Victoria in delight. Then there was this weird strain on the toy inside her. As if it was bend. Through the fog of lust, Mercy realized what toy Brianna had found. The same blue double ended dildo the girls had used in their last romp.
Victoria buckled underneath her and Mercy knew the other end had found its home. With renewed vigor both resumed their make-out session. Meanwhile trying to grind at each other with their hips. The ropes that bound them at their waist prevented all but the smallest of movements.
"How about a little help from me?" Brianna asked. A moment later Mercy heard a buzzing sound. Then the dildo in her came alive with vibration. It didn't take long before Victoria ceased squirming. She buckled once and strained against her bonds. Slightly lifting Mercy as she let out a deep moan.
Feeling Victoria orgasm beneath her was all it took to push Mercy over her edge too. Euphory and warmth spread through her as she too strained against her bindings.
By the time Mercy calmed down she noticed that Victoria still attacked her lips with abandon and that the vibrations had stopped. Not that Mercy minded either. However, the absence of the dildo she minded. Then she felt slack in one of the ropes that bound her. One by one her limps were released.
"Don't stop on my account," Brianna chuckled.
As soon as their bindings were loose enough Victoria flipped Mercy over. Now straddling her. Mercy felt like wonderfully and wanted it to never end. Victoria, however, had other plans. She dragged Victoria away and commanded her to stand nearby. Then Mercy's head was gently lifted. With the buckles of the blindfold undone Mercy squinted at the blinding light around her.
While Mercy's eyes adjusted she felt her arms and legs being massaged. Then she was gently pulled off the bed by Brianna who grabbed the ring on her collar. She was made to stand beside Victoria.
Mercy wondered what happens now as Brianna was slowly pacing around them. An enigmatic smile on her lips. Then Mercy heard a messy kiss and a surprised shriek from Victoria. When Victoria turned around Mercy saw the fresh imprint of Brianna's lipstick on her left buttock.
"Eyes up front," Brianna chided them both and resumed pacing around them. "You both may talk again. Did you both have fun?"
"Yes, Mistress," Victoria piped up. Mercy herself managed a nod.
"Good," Brianna stated. "Sadly duty calls. Not mine directly, but Brian's. Victoria why don't you tidy up the bed a little? Give Mercy and me a moment to talk things through."
While Victoria was busy sorting ropes and belts, Brianna led Mercy to a corner of the room. There she whispered to Mercy. Making her blush while at it. All the while glancing to Victoria.
"Time to shift back to being Brian," Brianna told them as her whispering ended. "Be right back." On that note, she ducked into Victoria's bathroom.
"What did you two talk about?" Victoria asked as Mercy joined her tiding up the room.
"Wouldn't you want to know," Mercy teased. "I promised I wouldn't tell."
For a moment they worked in silence until Victoria surprised her with a question Mercy hadn't expected. "So. Do you regret coming here today?"
Mercy pondered it for a moment. "Not even a little," she answered with a big grin.
The bathroom door opened and Brian stepped out. Heaving a big backpack over his should. Probably filled with Brianna's outfit and gear. As Mercy spotted him she felt awkward. Just now with Brianna, she had revealed an intimate part of her. Now Brian, her best friend, was back.
If Brian felt the same awkwardness he didn't show. "Sorry. No time to chat long," he opened up. "Already late. See you both tomorrow, right?"
"Tomorrow?" Mercy asked confused. Could she handle another session with Brianna so soon?
"The library, remember?" Brian reminded her. "You asked us to help research trickster magic."
"Right. Yeah. See you tomorrow," Mercy replied lamely.
"Good," Brian agreed. "And Mercy. Think about what Brianna told you. I'll let myself out. See you both tomorrow."
And with that Brian was gone and Mercy was alone with Victoria. Who promptly pounced on Mercy. "So seriously. What did you both talk about? Was it about your weakness?"
"Weakness?" Mercy asked confused. "I have no weakness."
"Oh really?" Victoria asked with mischief in her voice. She managed to maneuver herself behind Mercy, who found herself blind again as Victoria held hands over Mercy's eyes. "Say that again."
"Right," Mercy said with a smirk. "You know I only need a moment of light and you'll regret this little stunt."
"What would you do? Gag me?" Victoria teased her.
"Maybe," Mercy replied as she started trying to break free. Already having a gag in mind for Victoria.
Both girls wrangled in jest until they both reached the bed. With a shriek and a giggle, both girls fell down on it. There Mercy found an opening. One of Victoria's fingers had slipped. At once Mercy struck out. Projecting the gag onto Victoria.
Then she blinked as she could see again. Victoria's hands gone. Turning around Mercy saw herself alone. Beside her on the bed were still Victoria's pieces of her fetish outfit. Along with an addition. With a shaking hand, Mercy lifted it out of the pile.
In her hand was a big red ball-gag. An exact copy of the one she wanted to put on her friend. "Victoria?" Mercy asked in horror. "Oh no! I killed her!"
Quick Authors note: I can end stuff on a cliffhanger too. Not just Morpheus. You hear that Morpheus?! Cliffhangers aren't yours alone! Muhahahaha.
Last time on "The Lokian Way":
Mercy finally made a truce with Stacy. Thanks to a small gift of magic.
This small triumph was overshadowed by an emergency text of Victoria. Rushing to the rescue she found herself in a trap of Brianna. Thankfully one that was not malicious.
Mercy forged the begin of a new understanding of her closest friends. In the naughtiest way possible.
Things go awry after Brianna left.
Fooling around with Victoria, Mercy suddenly finds herself alone and a shocking conclusion why.
***** Saturday (Part 2) *****
"Victoria?" Mercy asked again and again. Only silence answered her.
In her trembling hands, she held a large red ball-gag. It was wet with tears that had fallen down. Mercy and Victoria had been fooling around. In order to stop Victoria's teasing Mercy had tried to use her magic to force a gag on her friend. But she had been hasty and unfocused. Now Victoria had paid the price.
Mercy let her fingers softly glide over the gags surface. As even it could vanish in a moment. Erasing the last trace of her former friend. Her mind was spinning and in her disorientation, she wondered what to do. Call Victoria's parents? Her own? Brian? What could they do she couldn't do herself?
Her mind wandered further and settled on Al, her first mentor in trickster magic. Would he understand? Al was soft-spoken and with a strange sense of humor. But could he deal with this? Mercy thought she would get even less compassion from Mavis. A mentor most useless. She would just tell some story of old and let Mercy figure things out.
Mercy's eyes flew open in shock as she thought back. "Stupid stories," she muttered aloud. The last one Mavis had told her came back to mind. She practically could hear Mavis say the moral of the story again. "Trickster magic doesn't kill. In fact, it is the only aspect of magic that can't be used to kill someone on purpose."
She looked down on the ball-gag again that used to be her friend. It hadn't been on purpose, but maybe there was still hope. It took all her strength of will left to calm herself down. To concentrate on the item in her hand. To overlay an image of Victoria as she knew her. The prim and proper self she had known for years. The naughty side she showed Mercy in private. At last the vulnerable side she had exposed when she was bound together with Mercy not an hour ago. Even remembering the last mark she got from Brianna. All this she pushed into the gag and then waited.
Nothing. The gag in her hands as solid as before. No Victoria who popped up and made jokes about Mercy's newest mistake. Despair threatened to overwhelm Mercy's mind. Numb hands let go of her friend's inanimate form and let it glide onto the bed covers.
It was time to face the truth. She had failed. Killed her friend. Her eyes fell on her phone near the door. Where she had discarded it as she shifted int her BDSM garb. She knew what she had to do. Tell everyone she was a murderer. Her legs nearly buckled under her as she stood up from the bed.
She didn't manage to place a single step when warm hands pulled her back. Enveloped her into a tight hug. "I am still here," a voice said that Mercy thought she would never hear again. "You haven't killed me."
Turning around Mercy saw Victoria. In flesh and blood. Her face somber. She was back! Mercy pulled her in. Hugging her as if she might lose her again the moment she let go of her.
"Took you a while," Victoria whispered while rubbing Mercy's back. "I couldn't tell you. That you hadn't killed me. That I was still alive. That I could feel, hear and strangely enough even see."
Then Victoria pushed Mercy at arm's length away but didn't let go of her. Instead, she made eye contact with her. "You know what?" she asked Mercy with a wry smile. "As soon as that mind magic resistance thing is done I am learning telepathy magic! Given the track record with you, I really need it."
Mercy snorted. Then a laugh broke out from deep within her. As if a dam had burst open. Victoria joined in and both did go down in a heap. Laughing until their stomach hurt. It wasn't that funny. Far from it. But it drained the tension away.
When their giggling ceased they laid on the bed in silence. Catching their breath.
"I really thought I lost you," Mercy admitted.
"You will never lose me," Victoria assured her.
"But that's just it," Mercy said with anger tinting her voice. "The lokian way. Trickster magic. They all said with time I would lean to control it. But the more time goes by the more powerful I become. Where does it end? Now I can make people into objects! What's next? I am afraid Victoria. Afraid of what I can do."
"I am not," Victoria said with vehemence. Gently pulling Mercy's head around so they could look into each other's eyes. "I know I am safe with you. Believe me. I do. Once I had been at the mercy of someone abusing trickster magic. Back then I had been feeling helpless. Never with you. Not even now. Trapped as a freaking ball-gag. Not a single moment. I knew you would figure it out. That you wouldn't leave me. Because I know deep inside you are good. Do you understand?"
Mercy nodded. Not just a nod out of reflex. She saw Victoria's eyes. In there wasn't the usual deviant spark. It was all seriousness. Victoria trusted her with her heart. That she understood now. "Thank you," Mercy whispered.
Victoria pulled her closer. Drawing her into another lazy hug. For some time they just laid there. Snuggled against each other. Enjoying the silence and the presence of each other.
The next time Mercy looked over she saw Victoria absent-minded. "What are you thinking about?"
Victoria looked at Mercy but then turned away. "You'll get angry when I tell you."
"I won't," Mercy promised.
"I know you will," Victoria corrected her. "Because I know you."
"So you don't trust me after all?" Mercy asked.
That prompted Victoria to turn back around. "I do. Fine. I'll tell you. I've been wondering how it feels to be worn."
"What?" Mercy exclaimed while pushing herself off the bed. "I can't believe you."
"See? I knew you would get angry" Victoria said with a sigh.
"How can't I?" Mercy shot back. "I reduced you to an object. Robbed you of every freedom you had and you want to get back to it?"
"Mercy. Sit down," Victoria said calmly while patting the bed beside her. "Let me explain. Please."
Grumbling to herself Mercy plopped down. Victoria knew this would be a hard sell, but tried anyways.
"When you made me a gag I was confused at first. It is as you said. Everything was taken from me. I was helpless. Confused. Frightened. But I calmed down because I knew two things. I was alive and that eventually you would figure that out and free me."
"Then why do you want to go back to it?"
"Because-" Victoria broke off with a sigh. "I knew all I should've been feeling was trust in you to turn me back and the vague plan to learn some form of telepathy in the next five minutes. I really need to learn telepathy. But there was something else and I couldn't shake it. Mercy, do you know your purpose in life?"
"I am starting to get a feeling I might," Mercy admitted. More musing to herself than to Victoria. "But not really yet."
"No one knows their life's purpose off the bat," Victoria continued. "It is for us to figure out. But a gag. A simple gag. It has an equally simple purpose. To be worn. And for a moment I shared that purpose. I knew I wanted to be worn on an instinctual level. Now being human again I don't feel that purpose anymore. But still, it leaves me yearning. How does it feel to not only know your life's purpose but to have it fulfilled too."
"That's -"Mercy started, but broke herself off. "Surprisingly deep," she admitted with a frown. "I expect some deviant reason of you."
"Oh, you want a naughty thought. Let me think," Victoria said before assuming a theatric thinker pose. "Hmm. How about that I finally could make you shut up. Or even better. You would be drooling all over me. This time literally instead of figuratively."
"Okay," Mercy cut her off slightly giggling. "I'll get it. That's the Victoria I know."
"I know it is a lot to ask for," Victoria said while returning to a somber note. "Especially after the shock we both just had."
Mercy nodded and thought about it for a moment. "I guess it's my fault that you have these feelings. These longings to explore this."
"It's not your fault," Victoria assured her. "And if you don't want to wear me then I am sure I can find someone else. I guess I can get Brian to do it. Although I can't imagine Brianna going for it."
Mercy chuckled, but then sat up straighter. "No. I'll do it. That I owe you."
"Really?" Victoria asked."Thanks."
"Maybe this time though we should do some ground rules," Mercy mused.
"I'll simply turn back when I had enough," Victoria suggested.
Mercy thought about it for a moment and couldn't find a flaw in the logic. Still, something nipped at her mind, but she couldn't figure out what. Maybe a detail she missed.
"Fine," Mercy agreed.
"Yay," Victoria half shouted and bounded off the bed. Instead of landing on it in her human body a red ball-gag with black leather belts settled down.
"You don't lose any time, do you?" Mercy asked with a wry smile. Shaking her head she picked up the gag. For a moment she had a deja-vu. Her hands and the same gag. Both marred with tears. She shook her head to clear the image. "Here goes nothing," she muttered before opening her mouth wide.
For the second time in this day, she felt a huge invader spread her mouth. She made a note to herself that maybe she should make all ball-gags so big. Already Victoria in her gag form stretched Mercy's mouth wide. While Mercy buckled the gag tight she soon noticed that she couldn't keep her mouth open for a longer time. So far she had tried not to relax her jaw or worse bite down on Victoria. Then again maybe she could persuade Victoria to end her curiosity by applying a little pressure with her teeth.
When Victoria didn't return to her human for Mercy took it as a sign that it was okay. After all, a gag was designed to be bitten down. Just to make sure Mercy bit down more and more. Until her jaw arched. Nothing. Huffing in annoyance she looked around. Items of their lovemaking and Brianna's little test of trust still littered Victoria's room.
Having nothing better to do she started to tidy up. It wasn't long before she noticed something peculiar. She couldn't help but drool. It annoyed her even more that Victoria probably would get a kick out of it. After all, she had mentioned fantasizing about it.
While Mercy stuffed ropes and other BDSM items away she glanced at the clock. Again and again. What took Victoria so long? It bothered Mercy to no end. The whole situation was strange.
After half an hour she heard a sound she didn't know she dreaded until she heard it. Peeking out of the window she saw a car pulling up the driveway.
With haste, she unbuckled Victoria the gag and popped it out of her mouth. Holding her at arm's length. "Your parents are back. Playtime is over."
But Victoria stubbornly refused to turn back. "I mean it Victoria. They'll find out if you don't turn back."
When only silence was the reply Mercy grew worried. Maybe something was wrong again. Had Victoria lost herself in her new purpose? Was she too happy to be just an object? mercy shook her head.
"Enough! You better turn back or else!" Mercy threatened as she dumped Victoria on her bed.
At once Victoria popped back into her human form. Before Mercy could demand answers Victoria burst into a flurry of activity.
"I really need to learn telepathy!" Victoria exclaimed while rummaging through her drawers for underwear. Catching Mercy off guard at the same time. "Mercy, get presentable."
Frowning in confusion Mercy looked down and saw that she still wore the leather bodice. When Mercy was done shifting her clothes into something appropriate she saw that Victoria had managed to slip into a dress herself.
"We talk later in detail," Victoria urged her. "Just know this. I tried to turn back. As long as you wear me or hold me I couldn't."
Mercy nearly groaned about her own stupidity. There was the small detail she had missed. After all, the time she had given Victoria back her human form she had only turned back when Mercy had let go of her.
"It was fantastic," Victoria blurred forth. Surprising Mercy with her intensity. "Just imagine what we could do with this. Oh! Once I learn telepathy maybe I'll be your blindfold. Robbing your eyesight while at the same time replacing it with instructions. That could be fun. I wonder what Brianna will come up with."
Before Mercy could reply there was a loud shout for Victoria from below. "I am upstairs with Mercy," Victoria yelled back. "You are staying for dinner, right?" she asked Mercy with a big grin on her face.
"Sure," Mercy replied stunned. While Victoria practically ran downstairs, Mercy followed her down with a murmur on her lips. "Why keeps my life getting stranger and stranger?"
***** Sunday *****
Mercy waited not very patiently on the steps of the library. Wondering if her friends would show up. She spotted Victoria first. Feeling relief at seeing her. The day before so many things had happened that Mercy's mind was still spinning.
"Do I really have to do research on a Sunday?" Victoria complained after greeting Mercy. "How about this? You make me a little vibrator. I could be your naughty little secret and keep you entertained while studying."
"Victoria!" Mercy exclaimed. "No way!"
"You should see your face," Victoria said through chuckles. "Don't worry. It was a joke." Just when Mercy relaxed she added a little. "This time."
"Hey, guys!" The shout belonged to Brian who joined them. "What did I miss yesterday when I had to go?"
"You didn't tell him?" Mercy asked. "I thought he would be the first you called with the news."
"I thought he deserved to hear it from you," Victoria defended herself.
"Hear what?" Brian demanded to know.
"I can -" Mercy started, just to break up and hunt for the right words. "Turn people into objects. And back."
"I think there is a story behind it," Brian commented dryly.
"Oh, I'll tell you all about it," Victoria promised. "I am curious what ideas you will come up with."
"I don't think that many," Brian replied. And just when Mercy relaxed he added more. "Brianna, however, brings my creative side out. Bet she comes up with a few things."
"I am doomed," Mercy howled.
"You are only noticing this now?" Victoria asked with a grin.
"So?" Brian asked. "Do we torment Mercy the whole day or do we go in?"
"Time to study!" Mercy half shouted. Her friends followed her in. Both with grins on their faces.
"Okay. We need a plan," Mercy said as they reached the checkout counter.
"Maybe we should split up," Victoria suggested. "Each one of us focuses on a subject. We meet in a few hours back here to compare notes."
"Sounds like a plan," Brian agreed. "Who takes what subject?"
"I am curious about trickster magic itself," Mercy spoke up first. "Where does it come from and how is it created? I mean I know something must shift it from neutral mana to trickster magic. But what?"
"Good luck finding out," Victoria told her with a pad on her shoulder. "I will look into those stolen trickster containment vessels. Something irks me about those. All this sounds familiar, but I can't remember from where."
Both girls looked at Brian who shrugged. "Maybe I do some general research? I also could be looking into greek trickster mages."
"What makes greek trickster mages so special?" Victoria asked.
"You'd be surprised," Brian said with a grin that reminded Mercy of Brianna. Maybe he had been right and there always had been a Brianna slumbering under his surface.
"Meet here again in four hours?" Mercy asked. When both of her friends nodded she added something else. "And you behave," she spoke up.
"I am not Brianna right now," Brian protested. Thinking Mercy spoke with him.
"Not you. Her," Victoria corrected while pointing behind Brian.
"How boring," came the shout of a female voice.
"Hey Carissa," Mercy greeted the librarian.
"Fellow trickster mage," Victoria whispered to Brian.
"Hey, Mercy. Victoria. And who is your friend?" Carissa greeted back.
"Brian," he said to introduce himself.
"You all behave too," Carissa warned them. However, Mercy saw the wink in her direction.
Shaking her head Mercy headed into the library.
*****
Victoria and Brian did find Mercy sitting at one of the study tables. Surrounded by many books. Many open and put aside with a specific page showing.
"That looks promising," Victoria asked while taking a seat."
Jumping in her seat Mercy looked up to see her grinning friends. She frowned and pointed at the books. "No. It is not. I barely found anything. Are the four hours over soon?"
"We passed the four-hour mark a while back," Brian remarked. "So we came looking for you."
"Now we can compare notes here," Victoria suggested.
"Fine," Mercy grumbled. "I might as well start first. As I haven't found much."
"Can't be that bad," Victoria remarked.
"It's worse," Mercy said with a sigh. "There is nothing, but guesswork. No one knows how trickster magic is created. The experts can only agree on one thing. It is growing. As in the average level of trickster magic is rising in the world. And more so in the last century than in the rest of the millennium."
"Wouldn't that mean more trickster mages in general?" Brian mused out loud.
"it does," Mercy agreed. "And the numbers back it up. There are more trickster mages in general but get this. The overall ratio of trickster mages to the general population is consistent."
"You are suggesting that both are connected?" Victoria asked.
"It's just a hunch," Mercy admitted. "I can't prove it. However, I have one more clue that cements a relation between both. You know that sometimes magical aspects manifest in animals, right? It mutates them into an enhanced form. Like those thunderbirds the tribe's revere. What are they called? Rocs? Or those deer that soak up plant magic. Called dryadic deer or also guardians of the woods."
Mercy leaned forward as if to share a secret. "We can see those mutations in fossils. Ranging millions of years back. However, never has been a fossil found of an animal infused with trickster magic, because never has there been an animal in our time mutated by trickster magic. But here is my theory. What if trickster magic isn't infusing animals. Instead, it mutates humans. That might explain why we can't find evidence of trickster magic existing before humans existed."
"Does that mean trickster magic is created by a human? Maybe an experiment went wrong?" Victoria asked.
"I don't know," Mercy exclaimed in frustration while throwing her hands up. "All I do is to speculate based on the meager things we do know about trickster magic. Like everyone else before me. Anyway. That's all I got. What about you both."
"What I found is exciting," Victoria piped up. "But not the positive kind. You remember how Al confessed that there had been four stolen containment vessels of trickster magic? Well, he was right. In this state. If you add the states surrounding us the count rises to thirteen."
"A lot of trickster magic," Brian remarked with a whistle. "Can't be good."
"You have no idea," Victoria said while her face took a haunted look. "I found out why it sounded so familiar. It happened before. Seventeen and a half years ago three containment vessels were stolen. It wasn't easy to find these photos, but they are from the side where all three had been blown up at the same time."
She spread out a bunch of black and white pictures. Most of them grainy and of low quality. Some blurred as if taken in a haste. It showed a clearing in the woods. Littered with blown up chunks of steel. Mercy noticed something particular. Runes or pictograms carved into the dirt floor. They were kind of chunky, squarish and carved around the craters were the vessels might have been. Some had been overblown, but most could be still seen as they had been filled with something dark. Maybe a liquid.
"And this is what worries me. Mercy. Mavis tells us that trickster magic only binds to persons of good character. Those who can control the impulses of the magic, right? At this time and this site, a person not fitting those criteria managed to bind himself to trickster magic. That's how I remember this. Because I researched the mage before."
Mercy's mind didn't have to jump far to make the connection. "Gideon. The mage who took you, hostage."
Victoria nodded gravely. "He was there. Stole those containment vessels. But it gets worse. Some sources I dug up claim that he wasn't successful. Not entirely. Some speculate he tried to ascend to a higher form." She paused for a moment to give importance to what she said next. "To become the avatar of trickster magic."
Mercy had to suppress a shudder. Since she learned of avatars she had this nagging feeling that it meant something. But her mind refused to go there. Her mouth felt dry when she opened it. "You think Gideon is trying again?"
"No," Victoria said with determination. "I check regularly. He is still locked up in prison. Believe me, I would know if he breaks out. Besides. All hell would break loose if he did it again. Last time was already a spectacle. Even before he came into my life. But it doesn't mean someone else might try to do the same. Maybe a disciple of Gideon. And whoever it is he is ramping it up. Go big or go home, right?"
Mercy felt the eyes of Brian resting on her. When he asked Victoria it was while he still looked at Mercy. "That day seventeen and a half year ago. It wouldn't happen to be the twenty-first of December, right?"
"It was," Victoria confirmed. "How did you know?"
"Because there was a prophecy about that day in that year," Brian explained. "It foretold the rise of a trickster avatar. It caused a lot of panics. That's why I dug the old prophecy. It was made by the oracle of Delphi. What makes the prophecy special is that it is the only one that hadn't come true."
He took out photocopies and handed them over to the girls.
On darkest night she will be born.
Shrouded in mischief.
Rising to be a paragon of her equals.
"Prophecies are nonsense," Mercy exclaimed and pushed the copy away.
"I don't know," Victoria mused. "A lot of them come true."
"Just some people making things up!" Mercy exclaimed and confused Victoria with her outburst.
"You see Mercy's birthday is the twenty-first of December," Brian explained.
"Oh, that's right," Victoria said with a nod.
"I am not the avatar of trickster magic!" Mercy hissed at them. "Do I need to remind you that I was born a boy? And I didn't have trickster magic for over seventeen years. It can't be me. Don't spread such nonsense. Someone might hear you."
"I am just teasing," Brian said to calm her down. "I know rumors of trickster magic avatars can cause panics. Exactly that happened back then. Can you believe that the president ordered the national guard to move out? They were stationed in every maternity ward in the country. There was a real kill order in case one baby turned out to be the avatar. Madness. And back then the people had approved of it."
"Why are you giving a crap about prophecies anyway?" Mercy demanded to know.
"Looks like I know something that you don't," Brian boasted. "You see the oracle of Delphi changes. It is a position for a lifetime. But once an oracle dies a new one is chosen. And if rumors can be trusted the chosen oracle is always a trickster mage."
"Huh. That's why you wanted to research greek trickster mages," Victoria mused out loud.
"I think we got off track here," Mercy threw in. "All that is in the past. We should concentrate on the present. If what Victoria said is true then we may have a copycat on our hands that try to surpass Gideon in ambition. Maybe we should warn someone about it."
"I can do it," Victoria volunteered. "I'll meet Al for training tomorrow anyway. But I am pretty sure others came to the same conclusion as us."
"I think we are done here," Mercy said while rubbing her forehead. "Thanks for coming. I think I need some time to stomach all this. See you both tomorrow at school."
Victoria and Brian exchanged a worried look as Mercy left them.
*****
Mercy was picking at her dinner. Now and then glancing at her parents. It was just those three at the dinner table left. Melanie and Michelle practically had vacuum their portions in to get back to some special project of theirs.
"What is it young lady?" her mother finally asked.
Mercy winced, but then put aside her fork and looked openly at her parents.
"The night I was born. Did there happen anything special."
Her father broke out in a merry laugh. "Of course!" Earning a cringe of Mercy. "You were born. That was pretty special."
"Special to you, right?" Mercy dug deeper. "To everyone else, I was a normal ... boy, right?"
"According to the nurses and doctor," her Father confirmed.
"And aside from me?" Mercy asked.
"Well, there were those soldiers and mages," Mercy's mother mused out loud. "Those were scary. I remember the girl next to us. So young and so scared. She was very pale. I was worried she might faint even before she would give birth."
"Did everything turn out alright?" Mercy wanted to know.
"Come to think of it I don't know," her mother admitted. "You were a little more eager to come out than her child. And once you were there I had only eyes for you."
Mercy gave her a weak grin and returned to her food.
"That reminds me," her mother continued. "I never asked the girl where she got her fancy dress. It was an older style and quite elaborate. And custom fitted for a baby bump. Must have cost a fortune.
Mercy nearly dropped her fork again. She knew only one girl that wore old-timey clothes. Mavis. But it couldn't be her, right? Too big of a coincidence. It had been years ago. Had Mavis even lived here at the time? Then again maybe a trickster mage avatar must be born by a trickster mage. Did Mavis have a daughter? Mercy vowed to find out.
***** Monday *****
Mercy was changing at her locker for P.E. when she heard a snicker coming from Sonja.
"Hey, Victoria," Sonja shouted.
"Yeah?"
"Who is Brianna?" Sonja asked with a smirk.
"Just a friend," Victoria said dismissively.
"I don't think so," Sonja remarked. "Your tattoo suggests otherwise."
"Tattoo?" Victoria asked confused. "I don't have a tattoo."
"Then it must be an elaborate birthmark on your butt," Sonja suggested.
Mercy had to suppress a smirk as she saw Victoria contorting to look at her own but. Then she shocked look on her face as she saw her 'tattoo'. The imprint of a lipstick kiss with the words 'property of mistress Brianna' around them.
"What the-. Mercy!" Victoria half shouted.
Now Mercy lost it. Laughing out loud. "Not my idea," she managed between laughter. "I only followed instructions."
Meanwhile, Victoria tried to rub it off without success. "You can remove it, right?"
"Sure," Mercy agreed with a grin. "But you explain why it is missing next time you play with Brianna."
She practically heard the gulp of Victoria. "You know what?" Victoria asked. "I think I keep it for now."
Smirking Mercy got back to change into her P.E. uniform. But back in her head she still heard the whisper of Brianna. "One day, when you are ready, I hope you wear my mark too."
*****
"How come Melanie and Michelle aren't walking with us?" Victoria asked as they left the school.
"Well, because they are lazy," Mercy mused aloud. "Since I told them of the school bus that stops just a street away from our house they prefer to take it. That and they complained too much about wearing high heels."
"They didn't wear high heels today," Victoria remarked.
"Yet," Mercy added and earned a chuckle as a reward.
They walked a while doing small talk when Victoria suddenly looked ahead and frowned. "That's not normal."
Mercy saw the light of sirens down the road. Right where the self-help center for the lokian mages was. Both girls glanced at each other hurried towards it.
They found several police cruisers parked along with ambulances, firefighter trucks, and even a big rig for transporting stuff. The whole procession was cordoned off by police officers.
"Nothing to see here," one officer told them. "Move along."
But they could see plenty. A crane heaved a containment vessel onto the big rig. Paramedics roled stretchers out of the center. Mercy was pretty sure it was Al and Mavis on them. Both unconscious.
"Mercy!" Victoria grabbed painfully her arm. As Mercy looked at her she saw pale. Staring ahead. Mercy followed her line of sight and saw that it was fixed on one of them. A police officer that was surrounded by others. He looked familiar. And just when she recognized him Victoria said it out loud. "I was wrong. That's Gideon! He's free!"
That moment Gideon turned around. His gaze caught Mercy's and to her horror, she saw him recognize her. "That girl! She is one of our targets," Gideon bellowed. "Tranq her!"
Time warped for Mercy in a funny way. She saw many police officers draw strange guns. Bulkier than normal. They all turned towards her. it was as if in slow motion, yet still too fast. Mercy reacted by instinct. Lashed out with her magic. Dozens of officers going down as they suddenly found themselves in straight jackets.
"You girl!" she heard Gideon shout. "Restrain your friend."
For a moment Mercy was worried that Victoria would turn on her. Falling under Gideon's spell. To make her a puppet like everyone else around here. A loud shouted "Fuck off!" destroyed that worry. But the moment of distraction was enough. Something painfully bit Mercy in her stomach. A glance down showed her a dart or something similar.
She managed to put more police officers down in restrains, but it got harder. She felt weak. Sank to her knees. Victoria tried to pull her away, but Mercy had no strength left to help. She collapsed on the sidewalk. Then there was this pull. Steadily increasing. And with a yank she was free. With horror, she adjusted to her new view. Mercy saw everything around her. Gideon bellowing orders. Officers struggling in the garments Mercy had put them into. Victoria being pinned down by policemen.
But what frightened Mercy the most was the body lying on the sidewalk.
Unresponsive. As if sleeping.
It was her own.
Quick author note:
I hope with this end you all tune in for "The Lokian Way - Part 21 - The Day Her World Changed Again".
I am pushing myself to complete it by April the eighth. If not then fifteenth for sure.
There is still a lot to write and since part 22 will be the epilogue I hope to release both parts on the same day.
I want to thank all of you for following the series so far and hope you will find the finale as underwhelming as I had in mind. Now please excuse me. I have to get back to writing in order to fullfil that promise.
Hugs and kisses,
Cassy.
Mercy floated around. Helpless to observe what transpired around her. Just below her, she saw paramedics rush to her own body. It looked so fragile from up there. Wherever that was. She didn't feel anything about her own body. Not the hard ground below her or the paramedics checking her out.
"Still alive," one said and relief swept through Mercy. "Unconcious as intended."
"Put her on a drip and place her with the others."
The harsh voice reminded Mercy of Gideon, who came closer. He was the evil mastermind who was behind all this. A trickster mage who bound himself against the wishes of the magic aspect. Mercy and her friends had thought he was still in prison. Clearly, they had been wrong. And Victoria and Mercy paid now the price for their mistake.
Victoria was still close by. Struggling against policemen twice her size. Never giving up her fight. Victoria knew better than Mercy what Gideon was capable of. She had been his prisoner before. Knew the perverse twist of trickster magic Gideon wielded. Making people obsessed with ideas. He used it to bend peoples minds to his own goals.
Below Mercy, her body was put on a stretcher. When it was rolled away Gideon took the space. Looking down at Victoria with a sneer.
"I hate charmed up people. Search her for the talisman that protects her from my influence."
Mercy had to watch helplessly as the police officers practically stripped her on the sidewalk. But sure enough, the fight never left Victoria's eyes.
"I don't need a protective charm to resist your foul mind games," she shouted out loud. "I swore I'll never fall under your influence ever again."
"How refreshing and rare," Gideon remarked. "And annoying. But now I see. You were the girl from the last time I made a stroll in the wild. A challenge for me. I am looking forward to playing more with you." While Victoria wildly cursed him out he ordered his minions. "Gag her and bring her with us."
Then they all left. Victoria was heaved into a police cruiser. Gideon walked away and slowly the crowd of uniformed person around the self-help center dispersed. Leaving Mercy floating around alone and without a body.
Even the crane and big-rig drove off after the last containment vessel had been loaded. Mercy wondered what to do. She couldn't even move her ethereal self. It took some time until another person walked by. Mercy tried to shout out, but without voice it was impossible. She raked her brain and then had an idea. She could change clothes. All she had to do was write warnings on the shirt of the person below. Warning every one of Gideon and his sinister plans.
But her try only left Mercy with more disappointment. Her spells eluded her as much as the control of her own body. She tried each of them and none worked. However, Mercy noticed something else. Each time she tried the person below her flashed up in lights the color of rainbows. The person didn't even notice it. Mercy knew she did something, but not what. With nothing to lose she tried again and again. Each time the glow lasted a little longer until it stayed. Marking the person with a soft glow of changing colors.
When the person walked away Mercy could still see the glow for a while. To her surprise, the next person who walked by had already the same glow. Clearly, it was something they all possessed before Mercy met them. Maybe she just developed the ability to see it. But what was it? Was it magic? That struck Mercy as wrong. Mages stored mana, be it neutral ones or as an aspect, inside their bodies. The glow surrounded them, so she concluded that both pedestrians couldn't be magicians. The chance that two practicing magicians walked past her was rather slim. And why was the glow only around the people. Not the world around them. Magic was everywhere. That she knew.
Her mind searched for a reason and soon it stumbled on a theory. She was a trickster mage and maybe that is what she saw. Trickster magic in its raw free form. But if she was right why did it cling to people. Shouldn't it be everywhere? Again she concentrated. This time on the glow itself. It brightened and now she saw. The world was tinted in it. Like a fine fog, it was everywhere, but so faint that it was outshined by the auras that people carried around.
Abandoning the thought, for now, she concentrated on something else. If it really was trickster magic then she, as a bond mage of it, should be able to manipulate it. With the will of her mind, she stretched out to grab the aura of the nearest person. Hoping to twist it into something useful. Instead, she snapped. Like a rubber band, she flung through space until she was practically glued the aura of the person. Being dragged around as the man moved along. When she let go of the aura she stopped moving. She finally had found a means of moving herself.
Again she grabbed the aura of the man. Hoping to ride him further. Closer to her own body. Wherever it was. But she had no such luck. The man stopped at a mailbox close-by. Opening it he grabbed the mail.
"A letter from the city?" he sneered. "I bet to inform me how they squander my taxpayer's money this time."
And at this moment Mercy saw it. A small tickle nurtured the rainbow aura of the man. What stunned her was that this small tickle didn't come from the world around them. It came from within the aura. From inside of the man. Most of it radiated off into the surrounding area, but some stuck to the man. Nurturing the aura. If Mercy had been right and she saw trickster magic then she knew now it's origin. People were the catalyst. Changing neutral mana to those of trickery. But why?
Mercy couldn't dwell on the question. She needed to move on. To find her own body and somehow gain control of it again. To rescue Victoria and foil the plans of Gideon. The man walked into his home and Mercy knew he wouldn't carry her further. Instead, she concentrated and searched for other auras. The houses were ripe with them. Grabbing an aura further away was harder and her rapid acceleration was nauseating as she snapped to the person the aura belonged to.
Each person was a stepping stone that brought Mercy closer to the inner city. The direction she had seen the police cruisers had driven off to. It was her seventh move that made herself snap to a little girl.
"I don't wanna wear a skirt," the girl protested.
"Honey. All the girls in your class wear skirts," the mother tried to soothe her.
"What does that have to do with anything?" the girl demanded.
And again a little tickle of newly made trickster energy strengthened the aura surrounding the girl. Mercy saw it but couldn't stop. She had to move on.
For a while, she clung to someone driving down the road. A sudden curse made Mercy look at the man.
"Damn potholes! Why isn't the city fixing them already?"
Again more trickster magic made it into the world. It shouldn't surprise Mercy anymore, but it did. Enough to let go of the aura and strand herself on the road. Close to downtown. She needed to orient herself. Find out where her body was.
Then Mercy would have facepalmed herself if she had been inside her body. She could see trickster magic and she knew at least one body brimming with trickster magic: her own. Moreso she had reasons to believe all the stolen containment vessels would be close to her body. All she had to do was to concentrate on the trickster magic and look for the brightest spot.
Her mind was nearly blinded by the intensity and she had to dial it down a few times before she could comprehend. Something shined like a beacon from the 'silver speer'. A skyscraper that was currently constructed in the heard of the city. While only twenty of the planned forty floors were finished the bright glow from the top reminded Mercy of a lighthouse. She had no doubt about it. This was where Gideon had made his lair.
As she moved closer she saw a spectacle hard to miss. Police surrounded the tower. One inner ring - people brainwashed by Gideon - and an outer ring of policemen free of mind control. Mercy even saw SWAT cars and Feds milling around. She soon noticed that both sides were at an impasse. Those free of control hesitant to storm against friends and co-workers.
Mercy didn't remain and explored the upper levels of the skyscraper. On the highest floor, she saw the containment vessels standing on the raw concrete floor. Brimming with trickster magic and positioned in a ring. Providing cover for those behind them. There she saw Gideon. He was busy carving runes into the concrete. Filling each with parts of a blood pack. Human blood to fuel whatever he was up to. It made Mercy shudder. She could already see dozens of discarded empty packs and a pile of others yet to be used.
Mercy now saw Gideon in a new light. He had stripped everything above his pants and she saw scars the shape of runes. The very same one he carved into the concrete. But that was not what drew Mercy's gaze. It was the trickster magic within him. Like a reverse aura, it clung to the inside of his skin. It was a lot less than she had expected and somehow she just knew that the trickster magic left in him wanted out.
Loud cracking noises drew her attention and she looked around. Flashes of light streaked through the air. Not a few feet away from Gideon. They impacted on something Mercy couldn't see.
"Sniper fire!" One policeman yelled. He was sweating and staring out into the city. Mercy reasoned he must be a mage who projected some kind of shield.
Maybe the forces outside had spotted Gideon and tried to take him out. Mercy couldn't be sure. She looked around again. She already saw dozens of bloody runes drawn as lines into concrete. They all lead to a circle of runes in the middle.
Close by Mercy saw something that confused her even more. A woman dressed in a dark orange overall. Smiling into a camera. Mercy knew her well enough. After all; Mercy had been once her. For about fifteen minutes. It was May O'Connel. From Channel Six news. Now curious Mercy pulled herself closer.
"And it is here we will witness his ascension of the master to be the avatar of trickster magic," May told the camera. "Isn't this exciting? Finally, we will have the avatar we deserve. One who will bring chaos and tear down our society!"
Mercy turned away. What hubris of Gideon. To brainwash even a reporter team just to stand in the limelight once more. Mercy could hardly believe that the studio of channel six would air this as a live event. Then again she wouldn't put it past Gideon to have brainwashed them all too.
Mercy needed to do something and do it quick. Again she concentrated on the trickster magic around her. The containment vessels flared up around her in a blinding light, but it was nothing compared to a source a few floors down. Mercy shook the blinding sight and made her way down. Snapping from one patrolling guard to the next. She found herself in what looked like to be a makeshift hospital. Stretchers filled the unfinished room.
She didn't even have to rely on her new sight to know that each one of the patients was a trickster mage. Within them, trickster magic pulsed. Evenly spread out through their body. She found Al and Mavis. Alongside Davis and Carissa and a dozen others. Here Mercy finally found her body and it was a sight to behold. Were others glowed she shone in blinding light. If she hadn't known before then she knew it now. Her level of trickster magic was beyond compare to others.
Eager to put an end to all this Mercy pulled herself to her body. Trying to get back into herself. But something pushed her back. Denying her soul entry to her own host. The answer came as a person dressed in white checked an IV drip on her arm. They pumped her full with something. It must be the source of what kept her out. Frustration set in. She needed to remove that drip, but how. Mercy knew she needed help and her mind knew where to look for help. Victoria. She must be close-by.
Mercy found her a floor below. Handcuffed to a chair that Victoria already managed to topple over. Fighting with intensity to file the handcuffs of against a rusty pipe. A fruitless endeavor, but Mercy knew that Victoria must be desperate. Mercy knew that she could help. All she had to do was to go to a place her mind had refused to wander before. But now the evidence was overwhelming. Mercy's destiny was clear and she had to accept it. With it came the knowledge what to do.
Mercy grabbed Victoria's aura of trickster magic. Not to pull it away, but to push. To pierce Victoria's skin and tie it to her heart. Below her Victoria stopped her struggle. Her eyes grew wide. Clearly feeling what Mercy was doing. The handcuffs on Victoria vanished. With shaking hands, she stood up. Looked at herself. Her torn clothes swirled with change. A moment later Mercy saw her dressed in a strange mix of leather and protective hard patches. Dressed like a badass heroine from some action movie. But Victoria didn't look as confident. Her eyes spoke of panic.
"Oh no! He succeeded," she whimpered. "I am a trickster mage now. I can't. Shouldn't be. It's beyond my control." Mercy couldn't correct her. Waiting for the first pang of panic to ebb away. "Mercy!" Victoria exclaimed. "She will know what to do. Need to find her."
Victoria rushed out of the room. Nearly running into a guard. Before he could react Victoria did. Going down in a heap as he suddenly was dressed in the fursuit of a sports mascot. Victoria jumped over him. The next guard found himself imprisoned in a hard shell of a female mannequin. One who toppled over as it had giant breasts. The third one found himself in a costume of bowling pin moments before Victoria barreled into him and pushing him over.
Victoria's run of panic turned into one of a rampage. Guards fell left an right as they found themselves trapped in unwieldy costumes. One rolled around as a giant breast - with his head as nipple - while the next floated to the ceiling as his clothes turned to a myriad of helium-filled balloons. At last, she jumped over a guard caught in the unyielding prison of a giant dildo costume. Barreling into the makeshift infirmary. The doctor and nurses did go down as they found themselves in pink latex straight-jackets and the highest of heels.
"Mercy!" Victoria cried out. She rushed towards her friend. Thankfully she deducted fast that the drip in her arm was wrong. She pulled it out and then fitfully waited until Mercy woke up.
It took Mercy ten minutes before she finally was able to slip into her body. By then Victoria had managed to bring down two more guards. Now sitting in the corner dressed in a diaper, white bondage mittens and pacifier gags.
Mercy groaned as she opened her eyes. Not that she minded the slight pain. At least she could feel her body again.
"Mercy!" At once Victoria was at her side. "I need help. It's horrible. I am a trickster mage, Mercy. That's wrong. I can't control it."
"Really?" Mercy asked with a strained smirk as she sat up. "Show me."
Victoria pointed to the guards in the corner, but nothing happened. "I swear. I was. Changed them all. I was out of control."
"Sure," Mercy said with a grin and patted her baffled friend on the shoulder. "I believe you."
"It really happened," Victoria insisted.
"I know," Mercy said in a softer tone. "I explain everything later, but time is running out."
"Where are you going?" Victoria asked as Mercy walked towards the exit.
"To stop Gideon," Mercy said over her shoulder. "I have to remind him that he already lost."
"What? I am coming with you."
Mercy turned around and looked at her friend. "If you do then you have to follow my lead. You have to trust me."
"Always!"
"Then let's go."
*****
Holding hands, Mercy and Victoria climbed the last steps to the highest floor. There they were greeted by a sight to behold. Policemen stared at them but didn't act. They all waited for word of the man in the middle. Gideon, who stood in the circle of bloody runes. Now complete with tendrils that spread out to each containment vessel. There Mercy spotted new additions. Explosive devices to blow the vessels up.
"I knew someone escaped downstairs," Gideon boasted. "I could say a little bird told me, but it was one of my men dressed up as a female pony. Not that it matters now. It is too late to stop me."
"Who says I am here to stop you?" Mercy asked. Earning a gasp from Victoria.
"Then why come here instead of fleeing?" Gideon boomed.
"For one to give advise," Mercy said with a knowing smile. "And on the other hand, I think it is time that the world get's to know what it feels like. To have an avatar of trickster magic walk among them."
"No!" Victoria shouted. Now fighting to slip out of Mercy's hand. "I can't believe you. He is a monster. You can't let him win."
"I am sorry Victoria," a calm Mercy said. "This is for the best. One day you will understand."
"Mercy, don't-" Victoria begged, but was cut off. Her clothes fell to the ground as Mercy freed a golden circlet from them.
For a moment Mercy looked down at her friend. "You should have followed my lead," she murmured. Then she lifted the circlet up and placed it on her head like a crown. "Shall we proceed?" she asked Gideon out loud.
"Curious. Most Curious," Gideon remarked. "Finally someone else who sees the truth. That this is the time of reckoning. It is time for this society to fall and make a place for something new."
Mercy just gave him a mysterious smile. Waiting patiently for his ego to simmer down.
"Now then," Gideon continued. "What precious advise do you have?"
"I get it," Mercy piped up. "Blow up the vessels and release all the trickster magic at once. Those runes pipe it all to you. What you don't catch will flood the area. Create dozens if not hundreds of new trickster mages. And those mages you captured downstairs. They will be driven into a rampage by having to much trickster magic. A clever plan, but it has one ... flaw."
"And that would be?" Gideon asked while narrowing his eyes.
"The main goal is to make you the avatar, right?" Mercy asked. "Surely you must have a technician under your control. Wouldn't it be better to activate every vessel's emergency venting protocol at the same time? A higher concentration of magic for you to scoop up and there won't be a chance the detonation of those bombs would damage your runes."
Silence settled over the crowd as Gideon was thinking. Finally, he smirked and waved over a guy. Who then grabbed cables to connect all the vessels to a central terminal.
"If you try to play for time, then you made a big mistake," Gideon shouted to Mercy, who just smiled.
"I am not here to stop you," Mercy repeated with an enigmatic smile.
Not five minutes later everything was set up. Gideon once again stood in his circle while Mercy leaned against a concrete pillar.
"It is time for the world to know unlimited power," Gideon shouted. Posing for the camera. "To feel-"
"Flip the switch already," Mercy interrupted him with a shout.
For a moment Gideon lost his footing. He growled in annoyance at her and then turned around. "Whatever! Active the venting protocols," he commanded.
For a moment nothing visible happened. Then everyone around them felt a presence pressing on them. Trickster magic. Invisible to everyone, but Mercy. Then, with a hiss, the bloody runes turned black. Burning up in black smoke and it raced towards Gideon who cried out in agony. The following silence was pierced by laughter. Not the one in triumph by Gideon, but by Mercy.
"What did you do," Gideon shouted and coughed out spit and blood while doing it.
"I told you," Mercy said with a smirk. "I am not here to stop you. Because I am here to remind you that you lost. Not today, but over seventeen years ago. I said the truth. It is the time the world knows that there is an avatar of trickster magic walking this earth. But it is not you. It is me!"
"Impossible!" Gideon boomed while dragging himself to his feet. "The prophecy. They would have killed you if it had been true."
"The prophecy was real," Mercy said with a grin. "'Shrouded in mischief'. What did you think what it meant? I was born a girl and as an avatar, but I wasn't alone. A trickster mage was there who hid me from the world who wasn't ready yet."
"And you think you have won?" Gideon challenged her. "There can be only one avatar? Then all I have to do is kill you and then I will ascend."
Hughe fireballs form in his hands. With a mighty roar, he threw them at Mercy, who didn't even flinch. Flames engulfed an invisible wall between Mercy and Gideon. Thrown shards of ice and chunks of rock were thrown next. Mercy only grinned.
"You ask me what I did," Mercy reminded him. "What I did was to gather every trace amount of trickster magic in the area. Not just those from the containment units. Everything. Even those shreds of it you used to control people. These men you gathered to defend you are now free to choose on their own. And they chose to defy you."
Gideon looked around and saw only hostile looks around him. Furious he ripped at the air with his hands as if they were claws.
Scraping the ground beneath him with his feet. Spit dropped from his mouth as hey drew in air for a shout. "I command you to kill her!"
But no one moved. They all kept staring at him in hatred.
"Told you," Mercy mocked him. "Every sliver of trickster magic. I collected it all. Except those hidden in trickster mages. Then again you never have been a trickster mage, right? I stuck me as odd. Trickster mages need to use their magic. Yet all these years in prison and you didn't use yours. Not because the guards wore protection. No. It was because you stole only so much. You managed to catch trickster magic and bend it to your will. But we both know the magic itself rejected you. You will never be a trickster mage. Avatar or otherwise."
"No!" Gideon howled. "I will prove you wrong. I will teach you all. Trickster magic will be mine to wield. I may have underestimated you. But don't think you are my equal." Elemental magic burst forth from him. Slamming into the shield before Mercy. Now she had to step back as heat and small sparks found cracks in it. "I've lived for centuries. I help build empires. Slain thousands of enemies. You. Are. Nothing!"
"Kill him!"
Mercy didn't know who shouted it, but the police officers around them took initiative. The air filled with fire and lightning. Cracks of bullets could be heard. Gideon was forced on the defense but held his own. Gradually the fronts shifted. Gideon was forced against a containment vessel by the police forces that drew in as a half circle between him and Mercy.
A big explosion shook them all as two vessels fell over the edge. Stray magic or bullets must have hit the explosive devices attached to them. Everyone but Mercy and Gideon was down to their knees. She stared him down. The enemy who wouldn't surrender.
"Is that all?" Gideon challenged them. "You are just maggots beneath me!"
A loud bang rang out and Gideon stumbled as a white trace hit him from behind. It streaked his magical shield before ricocheting off and drawing a deep furrow into the concrete floor. Not a heartbeat later a second streak appeared and forced Gideon to his knees. For a moment his eyes found Mercy's. Full of hatred. Then a third shot rang out and Gideon collapsed as his head burst open. The once proud mage falling down in a puddle of growing blood.
"That ... was kind of an underwhelming end for someone like him," Mercy remarked dryly.
Her comment drew the eyes around her. Now with the big bad mage defeated they remembered what she was. The avatar of trickster magic. They had grown up stories and speculations about how bad it would be if ever one would walk this earth.
In this weary moment, Mercy stepped forward to speak again. "Right now I am filled with trickster magic. More than just that of these vessels and more than you could imagine. But even I, as Avatar, can't hold so much forever. I didn't persuade Gideon to use the emergency evacuation protocols for no reason. I suggest you reset them so I can let go of some."
"What will you do now?" one of the officers asked.
"The age of ignorance will end as what was promised will blossom. So the seed will reveal the harbinger to be. Mankind will know its own as it's mirror is revealed," Mercy cited oud loud. "This is the last prophecy the oracle of Delphi made. And I intend to fulfill it. With the help of Miss O'Connel over there."
Eyes wandered to the small tv-crew that had witnessed everything. For a moment Mercy showed a wry lopsided grin. The whole fight had been seen by an audience at home. Probably not just of this city, but countrywide. And Mercy was sure after what she said it would be viewed in the whole world. As she walked over, the men around her moved aside.
"Miss O'Connel," Mercy greeted the reporter.
"A-avatar," May O'Connel replied. Mercy never had her seen like this. May had reported on company conspiracies and mobster dealings. Even once on mutated turtles. Always professional and calm. Not now. She looked frightened.
"Please," Mercy said. "Call me Mercy."
"You want to address the nation?" the reporter asked.
"If you don't mind," Mercy said with a nod. When the cameraman moved into a position of advantage, May gave her a thumbs up.
"I know you all must be scared," Mercy started. "I know because I was. While I had suspected that I was the avatar of trickster magic I hadn't known for sure until just now. I grew up the same as you. Fearing trickster magic. Even as I awakened as trickster magic I never could shake this fear completely. But now I can, because now I know what it really is. And it is time you know too."
Mercy took a short break. Just the span of two breath in and out so the audience could stomach what she said.
"Today I witnessed how this magic is created. Something no one could explain to me before. It is you. Every one of you. Each time one of you feels caged in by our society - our civilization - you create a little what we know as trickster magic. But the very name is misleading. It is not an aspect trickery and mischief. It is the aspect of mankind itself. As a mirror to our own ambition and strife. It is the incarnation of our will to evolve further. To prevent stagnation. To fight the unjust and move us all into a brighter future. This is what Gideon never understood. Trickster magic isn't meant to bring down our civilization as it is the very manifestation of it."
"But why did we mistake it as an aspect of trickery and mischief?" Mercy asked her audience. "Because in the grand scheme of things mankind is still young. Our society is not quite in its infancy, but we are far from maturity."
"Yes, the aspect that represents us all is a juvenile rascal," Mercy stated with a smirk. "Just like humanity is. A few of us are chosen to represent you. To fulfill your wishes. But those are chaotic and hard to read. I myself made some mistakes. At least I thought so. They always worked out. Not just for me, but for those, I thought had been my victims. Their lives turned out for the better. I hope now you understand as I do."
May took her cue to jump in. By now she had shaken off what had ailed her. "So we have nothing to fear from you?"
"Let me say it like this," Mercy said with a wry smile." If you have a good heart and work at making the world a better place for us all then you have nothing to fear. But those who work to bring us all down, bad man like Gideon, then yes. Be afraid. Not just I, but all trickster mages are champions of the people. We will fight for you as best as we can."
"Is this what you see as your duty as an Avatar?" May asked.
"The world doesn't need an avatar," Mercy explained. "Humanity isn't so broken that one is needed. I was born for one reason and that was as a placeholder. It was your collective fear of Gideon or someone like him to become the avatar that made me necessary. But even then, I was hidden away. Because there wasn't a need for me. Until now when Gideon made his insane plans. With him defeated I have no purpose, but to keep this spot occupied. I cannot choose not to be the avatar anymore. It will be part of me until the day I die. All I have left is to educate those who are willing to listen. I will tell you all more soon. Everything I know, but for now I have to tend to my friends."
Mercy turned around as May took over and addressed the audience. She looked for a quiet spot, which wasn't hard to do. Most people avoided her. In some eyes, she still saw a hint of fear, but in many, she saw also hope.
Once alone she lifted up her golden circlet. Victoria, who after a moment was flesh and blood again. She jumped into Mercy's arms and squeezed her in a heartfelt hug.
"I am sorry I doubted you," Victoria sobbed into Mercy's shoulder.
"It was a lot to ask for," Mercy admitted.
"So me, running rampage downstairs. That was you?" Victoria asked. "You gave me your spells with your power as the avatar?"
"Only my first spell," Mercy admitted. "I trust you, but not enough to give you my other two."
That lured out a laugh from Victoria. "Neither would I."
"I guess I should make you something to wear," Mercy said to point out that Victoria was naked. "I don't know where your fetish garb had been blown away to. Any wishes?"
"I could be your circlet again," Victoria mused out loud.
"Seriously?" Mercy asked in surprise.
"What?" Victoria replied. "Everyone looked up at me as I throned on your head. Which, by the way, is a really comfy throne."
"You are incorrigible," Mercy laughed.
In the end, Victoria ended up in a very figure-hugging dress. Just in time too as someone in military fatigues stepped close.
"Mam. There is a phone call for you."
Mercy looked bemused for a moment. No one had called her 'Mam' yet.
"Who is it?" she inquired.
"The president, Mam."
Her eyes grew wide. "I think I better take this call," she told Victoria.
Important: Part 21 and 22 were released at the same time! If you clicked this part from the home page of TBC then you missed part 21 (the finale). You might want to get back and read that one first. The TBC team normally leaves only one part of a serial in the update stream of TBC. Even if it doesn't make sense, as in this case.
***** Three days after Mercy revealed herself as the avatar *****
"They aren't really inconspicuous," Mavis remarked as she looked to one of the agents behind Mercy.
"I don't think they are meant to be," Mercy remarked.
Around them, a dozen secret service agents had spread out at the city's main bus terminal. Mercy was sure there were at least another dozen in civilian attire and mix with the bystanders. Now and then someone looked at Mercy and wondered if she was the avatar. Most people of earth had seen a recording of her reveal by now, but many didn't believe it. And her, standing among them, was rather strange thought to them. Rather not believing it was her than trusting their eyes.
"They already are talking about a special branch of protective agents for me," Mercy said while rolling her eyes. "Do you really have to go?"
"I don't have to," Mavis said with a sigh. "But it feels like it is time. I am one of those restless spirits who need to roam the earth. For over seventeen years I had been stuck in this city. It is time to move on. Provided trickster magic allows me to."
"How can it stop you?" Mercy asked.
"Well, trickster magic talks to me. In a way," Mavis explained. "Do you see this bus ticket? For centuries I have this little understanding with trickster magic. I purchase a ticket and then cast an illusion spell on it with the same destination. However, if I am being needed somewhere my illusion will show a different destination name on it. For years now I come once a month to this bus terminal and buy a ticket. And every time it changed to the name of this city. What does it say now?"
"It's still for Boulder," Mercy confirmed.
"That means I am not needed here anymore," Mavis revealed.
"But you haven't even been my mentor for a month," Mercy protested.
Mavis laughed out loud. "Mercy. You had discovered more about trickster magic than I had in over a millennium."
"There are still things about the lokian way you can teach me."
"Maybe. But then again maybe it is time for the lokian way to end. This is a new era. 'The way of Mercy' has a nice ring to it. Doesn't it?" Mavis said with a wink. "Now for the real test that I have been waiting for a long time."
To everyone but Mercy, nothing changed. However, she, who now could see trickster magic and the illusions it could make, saw a man standing there in Mavis dress. While he looked like he was in his thirties with his blond hair and blue eyes, he gave off the vibe of being around for centuries.
"Let me give you a hand with this," Mercy said with a smirk. Shifting the dress into an old fashion gentleman's suit.
"Much obliged," Mavis said in her new male voice.
"Do I still call you Mavis?" Mercy asked.
"For now," the man agreed. "I am sure you figured out my real identity by now. Yet someone as old as me has gathered a lot of enemies. While the fear of the avatar is veining my name is still associated with trouble incarnate."
"Actually I joked with Victoria about your real identity. I had no idea how close I was," Mercy admitted. After a sigh, she continued. "But I will see you again, right?"
"For mages like us it is only a matter of time," he said while bowing. "I owe you, Mercy. You don't know how much. One day I will pay you back. This I promise."
Mercy nodded and silently watched as the legendary mage walked away. Then she turned around herself. A lot of work waited on her as the avatar of trickster magic.
***** Nearly five years after Mercy revealed herself as the avatar *****
"She should be here by now," Victoria protested.
It was a nice day in the park and she shared a picnic blanket with Melanie and Michelle. Brian was close by and operated their little charcoal grill.
"I am sure she'll be here any minute," Michelle threw in. "She did say she wanted to visit her parents first."
"Don't be selfish dear," Brian chided her. "Or I may have to punish you later."
"Not if I spank you first," Victoria retorted. Earning a laugh from Brian and a headshake of resignation from Michelle and Melanie. Both used to the banter of the couple.
"Excuse me?"
The voice drew the focus of the group to a female park ranger nearby. "May I see your operating license for a charcoal fueled grill on park property"
"Our what?" Victoria asked confused. "This is a public park," she protested.
"And since when does our little park have park rangers?" Melanie threw in.
"Ah. Busted," the ranger admitted with a shrug. "At least I proved that I still can get to Victoria."
Meanwhile, Victoria jumped up and squealed with delight as she saw the rangers features shift into a familiar face. "Mercy!"
"Hey gang," Mercy greeted them.
"So the mighty avatar still found time for her friends," Brian teased her.
"Bite me," Mercy shot back with a grin. "Now let me see!" she urged Victoria.
Of course, Victoria knew what her friend wanted to see. Proudly she presented her hand and the diamond ring on her ring finger.
"You know I could have gotten you a bigger one, right?" Mercy remarked.
"You aren't angry, are you?" Victoria asked.
"I am teasing," Mercy shouted while breaking out into a wide grin. "I am so happy for you both." Then she put on a mock serious face. "You better make me the maid of honor or else..."
"There is no one else I'd rather have," Victoria beamed. "Sorry girls," she said to Michelle and Melanie. Who waved her off with a grin.
"We also hope you join us in a more private celebration a few days later at Brianna's work," Brian remarked.
"I'd be delighted," Mercy agreed. Knowing that this would be rather naughty given the location. Brianna worked at a domina studio where she could live out her full potential. Now and then she was joined by Victoria as a guest. Either as an additional sub or domina. But more often than not as a real living prop. By now Victoria had a few dozen alternate inanimate forms thanks to needling Mercy. All naughty in their own way.
"Michelle designed my bridal dress," Victoria gushed.
"It's gorgeous," Melanie agreed.
"And I wasn't allowed to see it yet," Brian grumbled.
"I bet," Mercy agreed. "Can't wait to see it myself. And how are my two favorite sisters doing?"
"Still working on my bachelor's degree in all things business," Melanie said with a shrug. "But nonetheless we have some big news."
"We are opening our own lingerie store," Michelle burst out.
"Really?" a baffled Mercy asked. "I thought you worked for a big fashion label now. They don't have a problem with it."
"We told them it is more an atelier for prototypes than a shop," Michelle explained. "Besides. I design dresses for them. As long as they don't push into the lingerie market we are fine."
"In the meantime, we will offer the finest custom-made bras, panties or other naughty things," Melanie boasted.
"For women," Michelle added. "Or for men," she said with a wink.
"How much time do you've got for us?" Victoria asked.
"Plenty," Mercy assured her. "There are only so many destinations I can go as an ambassador of trickster magic. Now tell me more. I want to hear all the details."
As they sat down and shared stories, Mercy knew it was good to be home and among friends. Even though she knew now by heart that they could draw her into naughty adventure time and time again. She really looked forward to them.
*****
A mile away, a Warren Yates did lay on top a roof. Before him was propped up a sniper rifle. He nearly had thought his target would be a no-show. Then a park ranger shifted forms and revealed itself. Mercy, the avatar of trickster magic.
Warren grinned as his crosshairs homed in on her. He didn't know who paid for the hit. Not that he cared. It was a lot of money and he was a professional. He exhaled a last time before he squeezed the trigger.
Instead of a sharp loud bang, he heard a wet squirting sound. Confused he looked at his rifle and saw strange thought. Each time he squeezed the trigger another load of water shot out.
"I think you need something with a bigger range," a female voice behind him remarked.
Warrens combat reflexes made him roll to the side and drawing his sidearm. Even as he felt that the weight felt wrong, he leveled it on the person who snuck up on him.
A small stream of water hit a woman dressed in an elegant pink suit. She frowned for a moment. "That's not very polite of you," she chided him.
Warren ignored her taunt. His right hand dropped the now useless sidearm and his left felt for the grip of his trusted combat knife. The weight felt right and heard the right scraping noise as it left its sheath. But as the knife entered his view it shaped. Distorted before his eyes.
He dropped the rubber chicken who gave a squeak as it hit the ground. Warren gave the woman with pink hair a feral grin. After all, one doesn't need weapons to kill someone when trained to be lethal.
One swift step forward brought him close enough. With lightning-fast speed, he went for a punch to her throat. Only for his fist to bounce off. Suddenly his world didn't make sense anymore. He felt paralyzed, oddly light and the feedback of his body didn't make sense anymore.
A man burst onto the roof and took one look at Warren before addressing the woman. "Really Mary? A blow-up doll again?"
"What?" the woman, Mary, asked with a smirk. "It's so practical."
"Yeah," her partner agreed. "Until they end up lost on a frat party."
"That only happened once," Mary defended herself. As her partner stared at her, Mary felt compelled to add to it. "I mean if it happens to the same perp twice in the same night it still only counts as only one time."
Her partner rolled his eyes. "Did you at least read him his rights?"
"Not yet," Mary admitted. Both turned to Warren who only could stare ahead and witness their banter. "I am Mary. This is Dexter. We are 'Agents Of Mercy'. And right now you are a blow-up sex doll. Those don't have rights."
She leaned over and popped something on Warren. Panic filled him as he felt air escape. Slowly his body collapsed. Soon Mary started to squeeze the last pockets of air out of him. Then she began to fold him up.
"With a little luck, you'll be in a cell soon and get your old body back," she told him at last. "If not then we'll probably find you soon enough. Not many frat houses around."
Then he was plunged into darkness as Mary put him into a bag. In the dark, he was alone with his thoughts and those scared him. Because as much as Warren tried to ignore them deep inside curiosity grew how it would feel to be used as a sex doll.
***************************************************************
Hello Readers,
Cassy Bee here. Thank you for reading "The Lokian way". It was time to end this story and I hope you found the end as 'underwhelming' as I hoped it would be. While Mercy's story arc is done and her tale told, keep an eye out. She might just pop up in other stories, as I have planned a few.
(All names are WIP.)
The Long Road Towards Mercy (Prequel)
Agents Of Mercy: To Recruit An Artist
Agents Of Mercy: Stripping One's Fur
Agents Of Mercy: Too Cute To Be Redeemable?
Little Menace Mercy
If I also could trouble you for a moment of your time?
Great. With this serial done, I hope to learn from it.
I welcome comments here, not just to the finale, but about the whole serial.
I am also curious about other aspects. Did I tag the story right?
Do you feel that one tag or keyword wasn't justified or did I miss one?
I'd love to hear some feedback.
If you are to shy to post a comment, then let it be known that I do receive and answer PMs.
That being said, I thank you again for reading.
Until next time,
Cassy