This human confused her.

Molly.

Witch tapped her long fingernails onto her table in annoyance as Molly plopped down the perfect butter and hibiscus flower in front of her with a proud smile.

She had brought back two of the ingredients for Witch in such a short time, and it was only a matter of time before her corn was ready for harvest so that she could make the cornmeal, too. Witch couldn't believe it; she had seriously considered making up more mysterious, random items to send the farmer on a wild goose chase… that would teach her. Something about this girl seemed very capable, however. Witch decided that even if she made up impossible items that didn't even exist, somehow Molly would find the items anyway and proudly present them to her.

Molly visited Witch frequently, always stopping by her quaint little hut to bring gifts and have a chat. Witch had to admit that perhaps she didn't mind the attention…it had been a long time since she'd talked this much to a human.

Maybe Molly's company wasn't so bad.

"So, why do you hate the Wizard so much?"

Witch gritted her teeth. Scratch that, she took back every compliment she'd just thought about the girl. "And how is that any of your business?" she snapped, sending the farmer her usual glare when she angered her (which was, quite often).

Molly scratched the back of her head nervously, averting her gaze away from Witch's golden glare. "Well, I mean…it's not… I was just curious, I guess."

"Well, curiosity kills the cat…isn't that what you humans love to say?"

Molly gulped. "Yeah, you're right, I'm sorry… I'm just so close to getting the last ingredient, I guess I was just a little curious what this guy is like."

What was he like? What was he like? Ooh, Witch could tell her exactly what that jerk was like…where to begin?

She narrowed her eyes as she attempted to busy herself as to not seem interested in their conversation. She picked up her broom and began to sweep her floor aimlessly.

"Oh yeah," Molly added, since Witch decided not to contribute anything more to the conversation. "What was the other ingredient you talked about once?"

Witch snapped. "What is with you and your questions today?! You're driving me crazy, Molly! Enough!"

"I-I'm sorry," Molly muttered quietly under her breath. She looked a little confused, but barely offended. "I'm just…trying to get to know you."

Witch raised an eyebrow. "Get to know me?"

The concept was strange to her. When was the last time someone had "gotten to know her"? Even Wizard, the only living person in the world she could even call an acquaintance, didn't know the real her, as well as the long, storied past she'd endured. All of her memories, some forgotten, some that would never disappear—her life as a witch wasn't something that anyone could just "get to know" through a simple chat on a bright Summer day.

"I admit that…I'm not used to this much attention, Molly," Witch said with a sigh as she sat back down at her table with her. She looked up from her sulking only to lock their eyes; Witch hadn't expected Molly's to be so warm and understanding as she gazed back at her.

What was with this girl...?

Maybe Molly figured this was Witch's own unique way of trying to apologize for her brash and thoughtless behavior. She gave her a gentle smile. "I understand. I shouldn't barge in on you like this all the time."

Witch shook her head, disconnecting herself from the girl's glance, fidgeting in her seat. "No…it's not that. I, um, I don't mind it when you visit me. But if you think I'm not used to this much attention, you'll be even more surprised to see how popular Wizard is."

Molly immediately noticed her sarcasm. "What are you trying to say?"

"I'm just saying, don't be surprised if he isn't too thrilled about helping you out or talking to you. He's completely clueless when it comes to having a conversation with humans, unlike me."

"Thanks for the warning," Molly said with a quick nod. She was happy the Witch decided to finally share a bit of detail about the Wizard, even as unhelpful as it seemed. She couldn't help but feel she'd made progress today with her relationship with her; she wondered if it had anything to do with the shiny fugue mushroom she had given the Witch as a present that day.

"Of course, that is, providing that the transformation is a success," Witch suddenly offered, a mischievous smirk appearing on her pale lips. "…Or if I don't change my mind about helping you."

It appeared she was still the same Witch, after all. Molly knew it was time to get herself in gear and get that corn to grow as quickly as possible before Witch got any crazy ideas about changing her mind and bailing out.

She'd learned fairly quickly that anytime the Witch was involved, it was best not to ever push your luck.


Witch stood in front of the Wizard's house, her petite frame covered completely by a long, black cloak. She had the hood pulled up over her silver hair just enough to help blend in with the night as she roamed Harmonica Town. She very rarely made appearances to the village unless she had an important errand or was dying of boredom. Even so, she knew her way around the small little town and knew exactly where Wizard lived among these clueless humans. She had been to his house before on several occasions. Mostly to spy on his research or to pull a prank, but this visit was different.

As she opened the unlocked door, she was greeted with pitch-black nothingness; it was so dark she couldn't even make out shapes in the room. She grumbled as she traced the walls for a light switch, finally finding one as she nearly tripped over something at her feet.

An out-of-place spellbook? What a slob, she thought to herself.

She scanned the inside of the house slowly once the lights were on. She made her way over to the Wizard's bed, making a mental note of how surprisingly well made it was. She never took him for the type to make his bed; she wondered if he used some sort of magic to do this chore. Witch would definitely have to look into this spell.

She examined the bed closely, her eyes on a mission to find something of importance. "There you are!" she exclaimed in satisfaction, pinching a long strand of silver hair from the pillow.

Witch eyed the hair she held in between her fingers before slowly slipping it into her cloak. "Oh, Wiz~ard…where are you? I know you're in here."

She frowned when she didn't hear a reply; well, not like she was expecting a verbal reply from the anti-social man anyways, but would it kill him to croak or at least answer her call, to let her know that he was listening?! How she hated him…!

"Wizard!" she called out again, this time louder and with a tone of increasing anger. She tapped her foot impatiently. After a moment of more unresponsiveness, she crossed her arms and started to walk towards the direction of the door. "Fine, then. I don't care where you're hiding, and I'm not wasting my precious time to try and find you. Ignore the only person who is capable of saving you! See what I care. Hope you enjoy eating flies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!"

Before she could take a step closer, she gasped when she noticed a frog sitting in front of her, blocking her path to the exit. "Where the heck did you come from?!" she shrieked as she recoiled a step or two backwards.

The frog croaked, but made no other movement as it sat there in front of her. It was a purple-colored frog with small spots, which the Witch found very fitting for Wizard. It reminded her vaguely of a little fugue mushroom; she resisted the urge to giggle. He looked so silly.

"Don't get the wrong idea here," she said as she flipped her hair, pouting. "I'm only helping you because a certain human needs your help. Personally, I much prefer you like this."

The frog made no noise as he looked up at her, but Witch could've sworn that she heard a faint voice echo in her head.

"The potion… will it work…?"

Witch squinted her eyes as she telepathically replied back to the amphibian, "Don't ever doubt my magic!"

And with that, she pulled back up her hood and took a dangerously close step to the door, the heel of her shoe right above the frog sitting in her way. He croaked as he dodged her step with a quick hop to the side, his eyes still fixed on her as she reached for the doorknob.

"…take your time…"

"Was that sarcasm, you stupid toad?" she growled as she looked down at him scornfully.

The frog was silent, and so was the previous voice in her head. Even Wizard knew not to test his luck against the Witch, something he'd learned the hard way in the past. Witch grinned boastfully, as this was the first time she could ever remember that she'd gotten the last word in their banter.

For some reason, her victory wasn't as rewarding as she thought it would be, maybe because winning an argument against a frog didn't feel quite the same.

She slammed the door behind her, although she immediately remembered that she was trying to go unnoticed in the small town. After she was sure no one had heard her, she concluded the night's mission as she returned to her home in Fugue Forest.

Only two ingredients remained before she could work her magic.