Started my daily ficlets to make the hiatus pass, then decided to keep going with a 2nd cycle, and then a 3rd, 4th, etc through 48th cycle. Now cycle 49!

"Blunt Spell Trauma"

3. A Little Hocus Pocus

Mike as Joseph Greenley
Blaine as Elliott Leclerc
Finn as Bradley Dennings
Tina as Eveline White
Mercedes as Marianne White
Rachel as Serena Levy
Lauren as Clara Martin
Kurt as Caleb Martin
Artie as Victor Connolly
Santana as Elizabeth Brooks
Quinn as Jillian Berring
Puck as Cole Devereaux
Sam as Wilson Conrad
Brittany as Sarah Conrad

There was always something in the air this time of the year, knowing what was going on in that building at the end of Redfield Road. The club was open year round, but people came and went. It was only once a year that they all gathered, for their festival, no absences. Some returned to town, though most lived there year round. This situation was one the non-magic folk accepted to some degree or another, so long as everyone respected one another, as long as no one caused trouble…

Cole Devereaux had never been a supporter of 'those people,' though he held his tongue most times. This time around, there was no such luck. The decades-long truce had grown frayed, with some of the witch folk crossing the line. He had to talk to his brother-in-law. If having this connection with the mayor wasn't beneficial, then… He went looking for him, finding him and his niece Sarah sat at a table in their garden. His brother-in-law was beloved in their town, a smiling caring guy if ever there was one. As for his niece, she was so soft-spoken and light on her feet, sometimes you didn't even know she was there at first.

"Wilson, listen, you have to do something about those people," he stopped before the table. The mayor looked up, observing his brother-in-law.

"Everything is under control," he insisted, looking to his daughter with a smile. Her reactions always seemed on delay, but then she smiled back.

At the house on Redfield Road, the mood was one of festivity, of welcoming, even where they all knew there was tension building. Most people would spread out, talk with some before moving along to others. But then there were some who were notably gathered apart from the rest. They didn't give anyone any sort of desire to join them, and they liked it that way, honestly. If there was any sort of meeting of eyes, it would be between Caleb Martin and his sister. Clara did not approve of the path her brother was taking, and she stood staring at him from across the room. He tried not to look at her, but he felt her eyes on him, and he couldn't help himself.

"Hey, Clara…" Jillian smirked, standing at Caleb's side, waving to the girl and laughing to herself.

"Stop," Caleb told her, and she frowned.

"You're no fun," she rested her chin just over his shoulder before moving back to Elizabeth, who was standing with Victor, the two of them laughing it up as well, hands angled toward a group on the other side. They had been friends as long as they could remember, had even dated briefly, although now Victor lived out of town, so getting them back together was like an invitation to their usual shenanigans. "What's going on here," Jillian asked.

"Hold on," Elizabeth wound her arm and they watched as seconds later there was a burst of green at Joseph Greenley's back. He turned, as did those standing around him. The pair didn't try hiding, just high fiving.

"Don't get him in a mood now, he's going to be crabby all weekend, and I want to have fun," Jillian pouted to her girlfriend.

"This is fun," Elizabeth shrugged. "Isn't it?"

"Hoot and a half," Victor met Joseph's eye and mock yawned before pointing at him. A second later, Joseph was unconscious on the ground. Jillian laughed. "See?"

"Yeah, alright…"

Those who'd stood near Joseph were quick to huddle around him. "He's going to be out for a while," Serena declared, examining him. There was no official leader of any sort, though if anyone was to speak on their behalf, it would usually be her. They all respected her on that authority, though some less so, and those would be either those who didn't care for the witches and warlocks in general, or those who were fast becoming a nuisance among them.

"Something needs to be done," Marianne declared, crouching at Joseph's side. "It's getting out of hand." Serena knew what she meant, they all did. Among them it was all pranks and hexes, but with the non-magic folk, it was another matter. She looked to them.

"I was hoping it wouldn't come to this so soon in our time together here," she started to move toward them, just as the doors opened and in walked Mayor Conrad, his daughter, and his brother-in-law. This caused an immediate stir. Any of 'them' who would enter the house would have to be invited and even then it would leave some of them apprehensive. It being the mayor though, nothing could be done, not really.

"Mayor Conrad," Serena peacefully approached. "To what do we owe the honor?" she asked. Behind her, the whispers were running rampant.

"Miss Levy, I'm sorry for the intrusion, it seems we have a problem, a few complaints I have to address."

"Complains?" she asked. "Against whom?"

"Start with those over there," Cole pointed to Caleb, Victor, Elizabeth, and Jillian.

"No…" Sarah spoke up all of a sudden, taking them by surprise. "He's no trouble," she nodded toward Caleb, smiling. This sent voices up once more, and eyes turned to the warlock, who didn't look like he felt the need to hide, he looked to the girl, who kept smiling. Before this could get out of hand, Serena spoke up again.

"Please, Mr. Mayor, we would be happy to hear out what you have to say. All we ask is for this to be done in peace."

"Yes, as always, I'm with you, Miss Levy." She bowed her head, indicating for them to step forward. Some sat, others stood back. They were going to have to endure this, all of them, whether they liked it or not, so they might as well get along with it.

"We're tired of you people marching in here, telling us how to live. This is why I left," Victor smacked the table.

"Victor, please contain yourself," Serena raised her hand. "Mayor Conrad, Mr. Devereaux, we are aware of some of our members… and their indiscretions…"

"So what are you going to do about it?" Cole spoke up.

"It will be handled, you have my word. All I ask is for the chance to handle this on our own." The mayor held, considered, then stood.

"Alright." Now Cole stood.

"Wilson…" he started, but the mayor held up his hand.

"I trust Miss Levy, let's go. Come along, Sarah." He offered his hand to his daughter, who took it, throwing a look to Caleb over her shoulder. He was getting some looks himself, they all were.

TO BE CONTINUED (FRIDAY)