Worming his fingers into the cigar case and touching the stone, Jon wished. "I wish that... that creature... would return, return everyone to their original bodies with repaired clothing, and would lose access to their magic after touching down before us and magically binding their own hands."
The portal appeared in an instant after the wish was spoken, the little guy reappeared and pointed at various women on stage, each beginning to show signs of the magical animal transformation reversing. Once the magic was reverting every person who was transformed he laughed gleefully and floated over to the balcony where Jon and Karyn stood in shock and disbelief. He fit every stereotype of a leprechaun save for the accent. He sounded distinctly American. "Chaos, shock, disorder!" He gleefully chuckled to himself but as he set foot on the balcony between the two teens his arms were suddenly bound by rope and his mantra and mirth quickly was replaced by fear.
"No, No! I cannot be contained! I must... spread..." It was at this point that the pair realized the little man was growing, and rapidly. They stepped back as he took up more space and within 10 seconds a normal adult man had replaced the mythical creature, clothes and all, "... chaos?" the man said as it was on the tip of his tongue. His formerly red hair now brown, a similar face shape but taller stature. He looked around in confusion and disbelief... Jon and Karyn didn't know what to say. "I'm back? I'm human? I'm free?" the man asked, clearly elated.
"We're just as confused as you are. Are you the leprechaun or did it escape?" Jon asked unsure what to make from this turn of events.
"Yes. No. Sort of? Its complicated." the man excitedly said looking at Jon for one answer, Karyn for the next, then Jon again...
"This isn't a dating profile, we need answers!" Karyn said, irritated by how energetic and excited the guy was.
"Yes, yes, of course! Do you want me to explain here or can we go somewhere. It's been forever since..."
"Now!" Jon interrupted
"Yes, yes, of course, fine. Well, I was the leprechaun. Oh, but I'm not any more! I take it you did something to bind his powers? Thank you for that. I'm guessing the ropes? If you don't mind, I'll be keeping them, thank you! Well anyway, I was possessed by a trickster spirit, it changed my body and, having a mortal form, came to the real world to sew chaos, mayhem, and alarm. I was trapped inside and forced to watch for so long, I eventually stopped paying attention. I occasionally noticed the world changing when we came here but even then, after the first few years, having to watch the mean things he did to people, it wasn't worth paying attention." the man explained.
"You make it sound like you've been trapped for... decades." Jon questioned looking at Karyn who nodded in agreement.
"I don't know how long its been... I lost control of my body when I was 12 and that would have been, 1975, what year is it?"
The man before them looked early 20's, 25 at most... his fashion was off, but he was not ready for retirement by any accounts...
Police or security had begun sweeping the area, the last actresses were staring in awe as their feet became feet again and formerly shredded footwear mended itself around their feet...
"We have more questions but should probably go somewhere else..." Karyn mentioned pointing out that the guests had left minutes ago.
Stepping outside there was already discussion of mass hysteria and gas leaks.
They were able to easily walk away amid the chaos. They found a restaurant that was open and sat down. Any fears they had of the story not being true were dismissed from the guys fascination of the world on the walk here, and when Jon offered to remove the bindings on his wrists and the man pulled his arms away and screamed "no" in terror so loud the entire restaurant looked. He was so scared of becoming possessed and used again he was on the verge of sobbing.
They found out his name was Robert and were told they could call him Robbie. They found out he was tricked into accepting the spirit by being told he could grow a beard like his uncle if he simply accepts the offer... once the spirit took control he transformed and his altered body grew a beard within a few weeks.
The pair admitted that the bindings were just for physical restraint, the magical suppression was... something else, but he shouldn't need to wear the ropes to remain free of the influence. Cautiously the ropes were slowly removed and Rob remained human, and elated. Then they confessed the bad news. what year it was. how old he should be, that he isn't, and that there is a high chance his parents may have already passed.
Rob took a minute to process this and started to quietly cry.
After several minutes he collected himself and asked what does that mean for him? Jon looked to Karyn and Karyn said, "We could use some magic of our own, It could teach you how to act like the adult you now are, and maybe, set you up with a life... Documents, a place to live, furnishings, work, how to drive a car... pop culture references. you can have a life."
The trio returned outside, they hugged in preparation for the changes that were coming. "Ready?" Jon asked. Rob nodded but was clearly scared. "I wish Rob had a life and everything that comes with it, to justify that he's been living in the area for the last 13 years. Legal documents, knowledge, friends, a job, a home, a vehicle and everything else he would need for an average... above average lifestyle." Jon smiled.
Robert gasped as his brain was flooded with knowledge. His clothes shifted from 70's stuff to modern stuff, and as it ended he said, "Thank you, I'm... I'm going to be okay." He pulled car keys from his pocket and hit the dongle button to unlock the door to an SUV and got in. The pair watched him drive off like he'd been driving for a decade...
"So, leprechauns are trickster spirits that want to snatch your body so they can sew chaos for chaos' sake..." Karyn said with a grin. "Let's go home."
Jon smiled, "Apparently. It was an eventful event... but I'm also beat. Goodnight." He reached into the cigar case and made a wish on the stone. An instant later they were each back in their respective rooms. Jon went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. Upon returning to his bedroom, written above his bed in sharpie, "A strong reward for your cunning deed, this blessing will grow like a watered weed."
Jon didn't know how to take that... blessings are good right?
