Pixie Tip: While Tinkerbelle's "pixie dust" can make you fly, all that the real pixie dust does, is lead you to a golden trail to confusion. Don't follow it. You will not fly, and there is no Peter Pan at the end of your journey.
Do I want to know? Do I even ask the question? Xenophobia, fear of the unknown. But what's the name for the fear of not wanting to know something? In my experience with phobias, I chose the one time to have one that was not a lack of something. Go figure. I don't want to know at this point. There are more important things to think about. Like Nick. If I have to touch, well, touch killingly, a few things on the way to get him, I guess I will just have to suck it up.
"It's amazing to me how much your emotions can fluctuate from one second to the next," Astley said, interrupting my train of thought.
"Well I'm glad I could be of some help." Jerk. "But since I don't have the time or really want to find out what this touch thing is about, what can I do in the meantime? Wear gloves or something?"
Astley looked me over, a bit disappointed, and shrugged. "I don't think it really works that way, Zara. It's not like it's the physical skin-on-skin contact that sets it off. It's the energy and vibrations surrounding the touch." Before I could protest, he said, "Hey, just be glad it's touch related. Can you imagine having the power and just being around human energy set you off? You'd go mad."
I could see his point, but it still meant that I couldn't cheat. This meant that Nick might be off limits: gloves or no gloves. But I couldn't dwell on the negative. Thinking negatively never helped the prisoners that I worked so diligently to free through Amnesty International. Breathing deep, I thought of two things at once. Well, three I guess. I just realized something pretty important. Something I'm surprised I didn't realize sooner.
"Crap. I'm still in this formal dress. I've been walking around in this poufy blue dress. How did I not realize this? I feel ridiculous now." Looking at Astley, I could tell that he didn't think I looked ridiculous, but I didn't want to know what he actually thought about me. "You don't happen to have another one of those t-shirts and sweats that you gave me when, you know…" He knew what I meant.
"I'm afraid not. But don't worry about it, you look great. Queenly, if that's a word," he said appraisingly. "But I think you're avoiding the subject at hand."
"No I'm not." I know I was sounding like a petulant child, but I really felt silly asking about pixie stuff all dolled up. Even Tinkerbelle had a simple little cloth, dress ensemble going on. She had nothing to be embarrassed about.
"Ok since you'd rather get changed than talk about the subject at hand, I'll give you some clothes and then we'll talk. Deal?"
He was grinning again? What's with the grinning? It's like he's more comfortable with me now. Why?
"Fine. Deal. Just get me out of this stupid dress!" and with that, he came over and went to unzip my dress.
"I didn't mean literally," I said, slapping his hand away.
Shrugging in a 'suit yourself' kind of way, he stepped back and started taking his shirt off.
"What are you doing?"
"You said you wanted clothes and then we can talk. Well this is the fastest way, and as you say, you're in a hurry to find Nick, so." Still in shock, I watched as he took off his polo, revealing a white tee underneath that rode up as he the shirt was over his head. He wasn't as solid as Nick, but he was well built. While I was still thinking about abs, I snapped out of it in time to see him start to unbuckle his pants.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Stop. You are not gonna parade about in boxers. I draw the line. You know what, just forget it. I think I'd rather face Betty at this rate.
"As you wish," he said, not bothering to put his shirt back on. "So let's talk about…"
"No."
"You can't avoid talking about your powers forever, Zara. There are some things you have to accept and just deal with…" But I wasn't listening because I remembered the other thought that I had before my dress situation.
"Wait. I have the perfect solution to finding out if it's just humans or not, Astley. Why didn't I think of it sooner!" For the first time in a while, I felt hopefully, if not apprehensive.
"Think of what?" he said confused.
"Betty."
"Betty?"
"Well, what better way to see if I'm immune to weres than to test it out on Betty. I can't say I'm actually ready to face her yet, but it's a start." I was resolved then right then and there to test out my theory and face the onslaught of anger and such that Betty was sure to dole out at me.
"Alright, Zara. But under one condition will we go visit her."
"What?"
"That you make an oath that you and I will discuss everything once you're done with her."
I didn't want to face it yet, but I knew it was coming. I faced changing into a pixie, I guess I could deal with more bad news. Sighing, I agreed. "Yeah. I promise, let's go."
"No, an oath is a bit different, Zara. You have to say "I swear by Pihlihia that I will do what you ask."
Sounded cheesy to me, and while I had no clue what or who Pihlihia was, I didn't care. Whatever got him out of the hotel—action instead of inaction—worked for me. "Fine, I swear by Pihlihia that I will do what you ask. Now let's go." And I headed out the door and into the hallway not waiting around to hear of any other conditions he might make.
I was going to face Betty, test my theory, and arm myself, physically and mentally to get Nick from the valkyries. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew that I loved Nick and that love would get me through anything. Pain, fear, doubt…need? I had to believe it would and that he would still love me. That's all that matters. I expect anger and hurt, definitely hurt, when Nick sees what I've done, but hopefully he understands my decisions. They always say to expect the unexpected right? So why was I surprised to see the person I least expected to see in a long time. Strolling across the parking lot like he owned the place.
"Hello, princess."
I'm surprised at myself for continuing with just a few interested, but I'm a sucker for even a small audience, lol. Here you go. Review and hopefully more people get interested too.