"Okay," said Piper, finally satisfied nothing was wrong with the locket. "But how do I know you didn't not twist this wish just to gain my confidence?"
"I'm reminded of a story I heard some years ago," said Patrick. "It seems there was this scorpion walking along the bank of a river, looking for some way to the other side. Finally, he comes to a fox sleeping on the bank of the river.
"'Excuse me, Mr. Fox,' says the scorpion. 'Could I be bothering you to carry me across the river on your back to the other side?'
"Now the fox looks at the scorpion for a moment. 'Are you daft?' asks the fox. 'If I carry you on me back, you'll sting me and I'll die.'
"'Oh, no,' says the scorpion. 'If I do that, then I would drown meself."
"Well, now, the fox thinks about it for a minute. Finally he decides that the scorpion is right. So he lets the scorpion climb up on his back. Then he walks to the waters' edge, climbs into the river, and begins to swim to the other side.
"Well now, he gets about halfway across. Right at the deepest point. When suddenly the scorpion strikes out with its tail and stings the fox. Now, the poison begins to fill the fox as he sinks beneath the water. Just before they both sink to their deaths, the fox turns to the scorpion.
"'Are you daft' asks the fox. 'Why would you be doing that? Now, we're both going to die.'
"'I couldn't help it,' replies the scorpion. 'It's in me nature.'
"It's the same with the Djinn, lass. Twisting wishes is in their nature. They can't help it. No matter how insignificant or how minor the wish might be, they can't help but making it come out different from what you be wanting.
"The locket is fixed just as you asked. No tricks, no twisting, no games. It's just the way you want it. That's the way of the Leprechaun. There are some rare exceptions and they are much like the Djinn. Unable to be resisting twisting the wish. But the vast majority of us try to make the wish mortals make come out just as they want them."
"No unforeseen repercussions?" asked Piper.
"Now then, I can't be guaranteeing that," said Patrick smiling. "All magic can be having unforeseen repercussions. I'm sure you're very aware of that your own self. If you wish for a million dollars, I can give you a million dollars. But then, there be taxes to be paying on it. And I'm sure the I.R.S. would be wanting to know where you might be getting such a tidy sum.
"Then there are the multitudes of friends and relatives suddenly appearing on your doorstep that you didn't even know you had. But these would be the normal, mundane type of repercussions associated with instant wealth. There's nothing I can be doing about that.
"Now mind you, if you should wish for a million bucks, instead of a million dollars, I'd be sure to make you clarify your wish. Just so I wouldn't be putting a million deer in your back yard. But I can assure you, making sure I understand your wish as clearly as possible, I'll be doing me best to see that it comes out the way you be wanting it to."
Piper looked at the little man. He seemed to be genuinely sincere and honest. She wanted very much to believe him. But the memory of that genie still caused her some reservations. Just enough to doubt him only slightly.
"I don't know," said Piper. "It still seems like a big risk to be taking."
"Well now," said Patrick, "at least we be making some progress. You're at least willing to entertain the idea. I'm sure with just a wee bit more thought, you'll come to see that I'm right."
"Come on," said Piper. "Let's go back down to the kitchen."
"Sure, lass," said Patrick. "I was wondering if I could be bothering you for a wee bit of something to soothe me parched throat. It's been a long afternoon."
"I'm sure I can find something," said Piper.
"Sure and now you're a wonderful lass," said Patrick as they returned to the kitchen.
Everyone sat in the kitchen talking as they waited for Leo to get back. Piper produced a bottle of wine that Patrick graciously accepted. He sat sipping the wine, though it was clear he would have preferred something a bit stronger. After a few minutes, Leo orbed in
"Ah, your friendly Whitelighter," commented Patrick. "So, lad, have you checked me out all good and proper?"
"Uh, yeah," said Leo.
"So, what did you find out, honey?" asked Piper.
"Well the Elders couldn't tell me much," said Leo. "Technically, they have no authority over Leprechauns. But they did say that the vast majority of those are good. And they didn't have any negative reports on Patrick in particular."
"So," said Phoebe, "nothing to confirm that he's a good guy."
"No, I'm afraid not," said Leo. "But there's nothing to indicate he's evil, either."
"Listen," said Patrick, turning to Piper, "I've proved to you that I'll not be twisting your wish. But there's really no choice in the matter. I can't leave until I reclaim me gold. And I can't reclaim me gold until I grant your wishes. Thems be the rules and I can't be changing them. So, unless you'll be wanting me to hang around here for the rest of your lives, you have no choice but to be trusting me."
"I think he's right," said Cole. "I don't think you have any other choice."
"Piper," said Phoebe, "I was there, too, remember? I know better than anyone what can happen. But Patrick seems sincere and honest. And if it's the only way he can reclaim his gold and leave, I don't think we have much of a choice."
Piper looked around at everyone. They all were looking at her. Paige was obviously all for the idea. Even Phoebe seemed to have accepted the fact that they'd have to make wishes. Although Phoebe was still a bit apprehensive, she didn't think that Patrick was a threat to them.
That left Piper. If she refused, then even if the others made a wish, Patrick would still be unable to reclaim his gold. He'd never be able to leave the manor until she made her wish. She didn't want Patrick hanging around the manor pestering her to make a wish. But she was also not convinced this was a good idea. Everyone sat waiting as she considered the options and alternatives. It was clear they would give her all the time she needed. Even Patrick.