Lilly sniffed the air, and across the ground. Every now and then her tails would twitch as she found herself more eager to the task.
There was definitely 'something' here. She wasn't really sure how to process the scent. She didn't know what she was looking for- just something unusual? What form could Miss Violet's niece have taken, and why would she be unable to return to her family?
She hoped she would find her... she didn't want to imagine how this place was at night. She was scared being here during the day!
"I'm gonna look up them trees," The squirrel girl said.
"Okay," nodded Jenny.
Lilly moved up quickly, her dress hindering her only a little. Being up in the trees, she felt a little more relaxed. She wasn't sure how to explain it... it was just the way she was. Heights didn't bother her quite so much... as long as she didn't look down anyway. And the feeling of bark was welcoming on her paw- like hands.
Jenny watched the squirrel girl go up the tree smiling a bit. She thought her new friend was adorably cute, if only she recognised the talents she had... She wondered how Tetra would get on with her? Maybe she should introduce her? But that would mean letting her in on her secret... it had to be kept a secret right?
But Lilly was her best friend now... shouldn't she tell her?
Jenny wasn't even sure what being a magic girl really meant. She understood it meant she had to fight... to deal with things that others couldn't. She didn't really want to hurt anyone though. Perhaps her special power meant she could just send things home? That seemed better to her. But what if they didn't want to go home?
Her thoughts were interrupted as she saw Lilly gracefully jump down. She fell a distance enough to make Lilly concerned, but the squirrel girl aptly turned and landed with impeccable grace.
Lilly dusted her dress, smiling a bit shyly to Lilly at that display. "I'm- gettin' better now." She said quietly.
"You really are," Said Lilly smiling broadly. "Did ya see anythin'?"
"Yeah- there's somethin' near the trees over there. It moved really quickly.
Something moving? What could it be? The two girls quickly moved in the general direction, Lilly sniffing around every chance she could. The smell was getting stronger... whatever it was.
"Maybe she turned into an elf? Like Miss Violet?" Asked Lilly. "I heard sometimes it happens that way."
"Nuh uh. Not always," said Lilly shaking her snow white hair.
The two walked in silence a little longer, but Lilly had a curious look to Jenny. She wanted to know more about her... and this seemed a good chance to.
"Um- What's your dad like Jenny" asked the squirrel girl suddenly.
"My Dad? Um- Well-" She tensed a little. "I- don't really know."
Lilly looked sadly. "So'ry," She said. "I didn't mean anythin'"
"It's okay," Said Jenny. "My Mommy saved me when I got lost... I don't remember anything much before findin' her." She smiled a bit at the memory, despite how scared she was. How warm that first embrace of her felt, when everything became so... strange. If her mother had not found her, then where would she be? What would someone have done to a child walking lost? She didn't want to think about it... Muriel Saved her life, in so many ways that day. She felt so safe just being with her..
"My Daddy is smart," Said Lilly. "I love him a lot.. an' I wanted to be like him." Lilly looked down at herself cringing. The furry body though young, could only be a girl... she was wearing a dress after all. "He always said I was 'is little m-man- an' that I would take care of my little sis- I liked doin' that." It was a nice responsibility to have... she didn't want it gone!
Jenny patted the squirrel girl on the shoulder, and gave her a quick hug. "Don't forget, your mummy is havin' anoth'r baby! You're gonna be a big sister someday."
Lilly stared suddenly wide eyed. "A- A big- sister?" Her? What-
"Uh huh. You'll have to take care of him- or her." Jenny smiled. "You're really lucky."
"B-But..." Lilly bit her lip. That didn't cross her mind at all...
Adam continued to work at the counter. For the most part, things were... fine. People treated her as just another person in the shop, although she did notice some people looking at her a little longer then normal. There were quite a few stared at her bird like legs when she stepped over the counter to help them find an item.
Was it just her unusual form, or were people 'checking' her out? She wasn't sure... looking at herself when she first changed, she didn't know if she was considered anything that special. She had a rather petite build for one.
"Adam," called her boss. "How are you doing?"
"Doing fine sir," she said waving a feathered arm. "Day shift... isn't as bad as bad as I thought it would be."
"Ha! I bet you thought we all eat each other or something," The aligator man chuckled.
Adam bit her lip. There were a lot of thoughts she had from before she made her wish... the idea of a feral world, civilisation destroyed, as suddenly nature and instinct became the forefront of all society... no matter which way she pictured it, it seemed like a dangerous world. Worse then a world of humans...
Yet... it was not like that. Everyone in mind at least, were human. As human as they had ever been. Some had stronger instincts for their changed bodies, others not quite so much. She knew she was still the same person... she wasn't suddenly thinking of making a nest or liking boys or...
... was she? That thought just now 'did' cross her mind. Or rather the 'not' thinking about it part made her think about it.
"Listen Adam, the first few days are always rough," Said the Aligator man. "You're entitled to a few days off."
"I don't want any special treatment," She said adamantly.
"It's not special treatment. Everyone is entitled to it."
Adam sighed. "Well- the truth is sir... I do want to work. It just makes things a little more... normal for me."
"Suit yourself. Though I think you'll have a lot of trouble closing up the store. You won't be able to work the shutters," he said delicately.
Adam bit her lip.
"Oh- Don't worry dear," said the alligator man. "I'm just trying to show you... you got to deal with a few of these limitations."
"I'm not disabled okay!" Said Adam losing it a bit.
The alligator man paused and looked uncertain a moment. "Adam.. I'm your friend, as much as your boss... I'm only trying to look out for you," He said speaking to the girl gently. "I didn't mean to offend..."
Adam sighed. "No- I'm sorry. I'm really sorry," She said. "You are right... there's a lot I can't do yet. I just... want the chance to see what those things are."
"And you'll have that, I promise." He said. "You were a bit slow working the till... but it wasn't so bad. You still know where everything is... I'm very pleased. You wont lose your job over this, I promise that. We'll work something out."
Adam nodded. "T-Thanks sir," She said already regretting her earlier outburst.
"Good. Now... I think we still have to do an inventory stock. Why don't you do an inspection?"
The harpie girl sighed. That was so incredibly boring... but it was part of her normal duties. "Yeah, okay," she said.
