Quickly, I surveyed my surroundings. I automatically ruled out the street I had just exited. Still, that left the two neighborhoods to either side and the strip mall up ahead.
Briefly, I considered the mall, but passed over it. Maybe after I cover the residential area first. Turning to my right, I began walking down the sidewalk. A few houses in, I noticed the glow in both the stones beginning to subside.
Not that way, then.
Reversing direction, I headed the opposite way. First, the glow came back. Then, it intensified. "Eager for a reunion, huh," I grinned. "Well, we shouldn't keep you two waiting."
Then, without warning, the light cut off, like someone had just flicked a switch. "Huh?"
I took a step backwards. Nothing. Silently, I cursed. I should've known this was too easy. Perhaps, the owner had left this area. Looking around, I tried to see if I could spot anyone leaving. Unfortunately, the street seemed deserted.
I noticed an old woman watering her flowers in front of her house. Strolling over, I put on my best friendly smile. "Hello, ma'am. How are you this fine day?"
She didn't even turn to answer. "If you're selling something, I don't want any."
Now, here's a sweet old lady, I thought wryly.
I kept my smile constant. "Pardon me, but I was just wondering if you knew everyone who lives on this street."
The woman looked at me with new suspicion. "Why shouldn't I know my neighbors? And who are you? Never seen you around here before."
My smile widened. She was definitely the town busy-body, which meant I could use her knowledge for myself. Activating the stones, I asked, "What's your name?"
"Margaret. Margaret Wilson," she said without hesitation.
"Well then, Margaret, let's talk about this inside, shall we?"
While the sour expression on her face didn't change, she nodded. "Sure, come on in."
Soon, we had entered her house, away from any possible witnesses. This was one of the reasons why I needed that wishing stone. As powerful as the other two might be, they couldn't adjust reality to account for the changes I made. Add to that the fact that I could only affect one person at a time.
The wishing stone, on the other hand, would be able to change reality itself inside a limited range. Not perfect, but much better than what I had.
Meanwhile, as Margaret and I headed farther into her house, I wasted no time making my hostess a little more aesthetically pleasing.
First, I shaved off a few decades. Not too much, maybe about five or six. The end result was a girl barely into her twenties.
To my delight, she must have been quite the looker in her day. Her hair had reclaimed its original auburn color, and her eyes, freed from bags and crow's feet, really made a pretty picture with their bright green irises. Of course, nothing's perfect. I still had to tweak a few things to complete the image: a small narrowing of the nose, a few added cup sizes to her breasts, a couple inches off the waist. The basics, really.
Once more, I sent a silent thanks to Nikki for her unintentional gift. No longer would I have to take what I could get in my slaves. They could be whatever I wanted them to be.
When we entered her kitchen, the new and improved Margaret invited me to sit down as she went to the fridge to fetch me drink. As she bent down to reach inside, I enjoyed watching her rear plump up into a nice heart shape while her legs gained a couple of inches. The baggy coveralls she wore shrank in on itself, revealing more and more of those legs by the second. Soon, she straightened back up, dressed in a tiny crop top and daisy dukes. Four inch heels propped up her dainty feet, while a hair tie that had once been a wide-brimmed visor kept her hair back in a high ponytail. Sashaying up to me, she smiled and fluttered her long lashes, handing me a bottle of cranberry juice.
Seeing my expression, Margaret pouted cutely. "It's all I have, master. Sorry."
"It's alright," I said with a shrug. With a tweak from the my new stone, I had myself an ice cold beer. "Sit down, please. I have a few questions."
Obediently, she lowered herself into another chair, crossing her legs.
"Tell me, who else lives on this street?"
