Rose placed a hand on Erica's shoulder. "Erica and I need to have a little chat. You understand." Mandrake nodded once, approvingly.

"Hm. We'll leave you to it, then", he said, getting up and taking his leave to the library.

"I have orders that need filling. I'll be in the workshop, if you need me", said Bella. And with that, Rose and her daughter sat down at the kitchen table on adjacent corners.

"Erica. You know that I've known Bella and Mandrake for a long time, that we go back aways, yeah?" The little girl looked at her as if this was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Of course."

"Well, I believe that it wasn't exactly a coincidence that they found and chose you at St. Morvald's. You see, I left a baby girl there seven years ago, with a note explaining that I was in danger and would return for her when it was safe to do so…" Erica's eyebrows lifted slightly at this information. "I couldn't keep my baby with me because there was a powerful witch's council that was looking for me, and my daughter."

"Why didn't you leave her with Bella and Mandrake?", Erica asked, perplexed. Rose felt herself walking through this door for the second time that morning, but it was exactly the sort of logical question a young child would ask.

"Well, I didn't want them to be unsafe, either, and the council would have found y-, her, if I left her behind with them", Rose explained. She then ventured on, unsure of whether this clue would be helpful. "I also left something else with her, something of importance to me, that I hoped would help us reunite one day." Erica felt like she was privy to a detective mystery now, and her interest was piqued. "I left a cassette tape with our band's music on it…", Rose paused to see if this signaled anything familiar for the young girl. Perhaps the tape was lost or discarded, for all she knew. Erica stared back a her for a moment before speaking, reflecting on what the woman said.

"A tape? With your music on it? You mean Earwig's music….?", her voiced suddenly paused, now remembering the tape that had been packed into her belongings at the orphanage. "Wait. I found a cassette tape given to me….are you saying…..?" Her eyes began to widen slightly.

"I'm saying that you are not an orphan, Erica. Both your parents are alive and well…", Erica stared at Rose more intently now. "Erica, that baby was you. I am your mother." Rose paused, reaching out to gently touch the girl's hand, waiting for her to process these words.

"You? My mother?", Erica's eyes darted around the room quickly now, as she desperately tried to make sense of the situation. The "beautiful redhead lady" was her mother? Then, that must mean…was her father?…

"Yes. I've waited so long to see you again. Look…", Rose grabbed at her coat which was hanging on the back of her chair. Reaching into the pocket inside the coat's lining, she retrieved a photo of Erica as a baby. "I've carried this photo with me everyday", she showed the photo to Erica. "It's you when you were a baby." Rose expressed a sincere fondness in her voice. "Look, see? You were such an adorable baby. It broke my heart to leave you, but I swore to myself that I would return when it was safe. I took precautions to keep you safe, as well." Erica stared in disbelief while closely examining the photo. This baby looked happy and content, her hair pulled into little pigtails similar to her own. "I know this is a lot to take in at the moment…", her mother affirmed, looking at her daughter with remorse in her eyes.

"Who is my father?", Erica questioned dispassionately, if a little hurried. Somehow, this would only feel true if her suspicions were correct. Rose swallowed firmly.

"Well, the Mandrake and I," Rose began, "we were very close, you see—"

"Close enough to make a baby?", Erica asked matter-of-factly, her eyes not looking at her mother. Rose was taken aback by the young girl's candor and maturity.

"Yes, "she responded honestly. "He is your father." Erica exhaled, feeling a strange sense of relief, although she wasn't exactly sure why. Perhaps she needed something familiar to grab onto in light of so much earth-shattering news.

"I thought mums and dads had to be married to make a baby. Are you married to the Mandrake?", Erica asked with child-typical confusion. Rose sighed. She had hoped this part of the conversation could wait until Erica was a little older, perhaps. But the girl jumped right in, challenging her mother to provide context.

"Well," she started, "you see, it isn't always as simple as that. Some witches and wizards are not allowed to marry whomever they'd like, especially if they come from very powerful magical families…," her voice trailed off, momentarily. "I grew up at St. Morvald's home", she offered with a half smile. "I don't know who my parents were, but it's very likely they weren't magical people. But Mandrake comes from a long line of powerful magic-users. They aren't allowed to marry people of low magical birth. More importantly, they aren't allowed to have children with such people."

"Why?

"It's just the way things are."

"So you ran away?", Erica asked. Rose felt a shock surge through her head. She's never considered it so plainly before: ran away. Is that what she had done? She thought she was helping alleviate the situation by redirecting the threat away from her family. But had that really helped at all? She left Bella and Mandrake behind, and they took the brunt of her decision while she was jumping between countries and dimensions, indeed: running away. What kind of example had she set for her daughter? She knew none of this would be easy, but she hadn't considered that she was the one taking the easier route. It was obvious that Mandrake was dealt a punishing blow by staying behind, and Bella was also bearing with the loss in her own way. One could argue that she had avoided the worst of the ordeal, but Bella was paying the price for her loyalty.

"I didn't quite see it that way at the time. But, yes, they would have punished me severely, and taken you away. I thought I was leading them away from all of you. I never imagined they would do that to him….", Rose's voice faded away as she grimaced at the tabletop.

"Do what to who?," Erica asked.

"Mandrake. They changed him, placed a curse on him, one he's been living with for years now." Erica looked at her mother in disbelief.

"You mean he wasn't always the way he is now?"

"No, Erica", Rose said emphatically. "Your father was always a bit moody and quiet, but he was also gentle and kind," said her mother in a serious tone. Then she started to sound lost in her thoughts."…calm and generous, too. He's a passionate type of person with a very romantic soul that gets lost in creative pursuit sometimes. The crones placed a curse on him that would twist those qualities against him. They forced him into solitude by making it unbearable for him to be around other people too much." Rose felt responsible for this cruel twist of irony. Erica grew silent for a moment before bringing them both back to the conversation.

"You mean he didn't always grow horns?"

"Say again?" Rose looked at the child, perplexed and confused.

"Horns. And scales. And claws." The witch's jaw fell open, then a horrified look began to grow on her features.

"I beg your pardon?", she asked pointedly. "What do you mean 'scales and claws'?"

"Mr. Mandrake has them, when he's really angry. And fangs, too! And he grows HUGE, as big as the house! Bella warned me not to disturb him, in case he changes. Oh, and there's fire, too! He's like a dragon!" Erica was a fountain of information now, rambling on, excitedly. Rose's mind raced to keep up. A dragon?! This was worse than she had imagined. The poor man… She made a mental note to ask Bella about this later. She sighed deeply before asking the girl to elaborate.

"He turns into a dragon when disturbed, you say?" Rose was almost too afraid to ask. "What happened that angered him so?"

"Bella threatened to give me worms. So naturally I had to protect myself using magic. But when they landed in my room I had to hide them from her", Erica stated, matter-of-factly. "I accidentally sent them into the Mandrake's den…", she made an exaggerated, cheeky facial expression upon admitting this last bit. Rose sighed again, pressing two fingertips to the center of her forehead, as to push out an impending headache. What had she returned to? Clearly, she had her work cut out for her in this house of mayhem…

"But", Erica continued, "he is still kind. He's been kind to me since I arrived here, even if he is a dragon."

"He's not a dragon", Rose insisted, beginning to feel overwhelmed and annoyed. "He's just a cursed wizard. That said, I am interested in hearing about the Mandrake's kindness to you."

"Well, he's always given me nice things to eat. And he and Bella give me whatever I want."

"Oh?", Rose asked, somewhat suspiciously.

"Oh, yes! You must come see my room!", Erica excitedly suggested, jumping up from the chair and hoping over to the kitchen door. "Come! It's just down the hall!" Rose got up and followed the girl. Erica opened the door to her room. "See?" The redheaded witch stepped in the doorway, eyes wide as she slowly looked around in amazement at the painted murals and canopy bed. A room fit for a princess was all she could think of as a fair comparison.

"My", she said, "this is quite a room. The Mandrake gave you all this?"

"Oh, yes. He gives me anything I want. In fact", Erica stated, "both he and Bella do exactly what I want them to." Rose's eyebrows pinched together as she looked at her daughter with concern. She sat down on the fuchsia upholstered bench at the end of the girl's bed and gestured for Erica to join her.

"Erica, come sit down here beside me. There are some things I still need to tell you." The little girl bounced herself onto the edge, looking at her mother, curiously. "How much have you been taught about magic, so far?"

"A good bit so far. Bella now teaches me about spells and potions. Mr. Mandrake has taught me about portals and magical places. Even Thomas has helped me to learn a thing or two about sympathetic magic—"

"Oh?"

"Yes, I once managed to give Bella an extra pair of hands when she wouldn't stop banging on about needing them."

"I see. Well, sympathetic magic is not something to be done lightly. In fact, you'll find over the next few years that your magical abilities will become stronger and more pronounced, even more so than now. Do you know what a charm is?"

"Is it an object with magical powers?", Erica asked.

"Sometimes. But it can also be the act of compelling a person or situation to your will. I suspect you had just as much ability to influence people at the children's home, yes?"

"Oh yes! Everyone there did exactly what I wanted, as well!" Rose nodded once in affirmation to the girl's declaration.

"A witch's abilities are often inherited from her parents, if her parents were magical, as well, that is. I've always had a keen ability to influence others, as do you. That said, I wanted to secure your happiness and well-being when I left you at St. Morvald's, so as to ensure that your needs would be met. An infant doesn't possess much ability of their own, so I placed a charm on you. I bestowed my own abilities onto you, while also amplifying your own. I believe this has served you well, thus far", Rose said affirmatively. "You've done very well for yourself here, too. Bella also informed me that you've brought some much needed changes into this house. However", the red witch continued, "I think this would be a good time to remove the charm and allow you to develop your abilities on your own. From now on, you will have to learn to use your persuasive charms, and your own merit, to achieve your goals rather than have them granted to you so easily." With that, Rose held up her hand in front of Erica's face and snapped her fingers. The girl didn't feel any different. Perhaps the charm wasn't actually broken. She would have to test out this theory later…

"So you're saying people won't do exactly what I want?," she said, skeptical disappointment in her voice.

"Not always, no. You will have to perfect this skill on your own, as well as learn how to control it and use it responsibly. Trust me, it's for the best. Besides", she said looking around the room again. "I daresay my dear friends are in danger of spoiling you too much." Rose leaned in playfully toward the girl, emphasizing this last bit with a smirk. Erica sighed deeply.

"Oh well. At least I've managed this much so far…"

"There's one more thing you should know", Rose continued, as Erica looked at her. "The name 'Erica' isn't the one I gave you when you were born." This part came as a shock to Erica, and she was starting to wonder what other secrets her mother might reveal.

"It wasn't? What was my name then? Not something awful, like Griselda or Bertha, I hope."

"I named you, 'Earwig'". Erica stared at her for a moment before her face contorted in disgust and disbelief.

"Wha—-? That's worse! Why? What were you thinking, naming me after the band?"

"Well, uh, I suppose I thought there were some good reasons at the time…", Rose offered, straining now to remember what some of those reasons were.

"Now I understand why the Mandrake calls me 'Dearwig'…", Erica recognized. This warmed Rose's heart. Here was the Mandrake acknowledging their daughter in his own way, even before he was certain it was her.

"What other nice things does Mandrake do for you?", Rose inquired with genuine curiosity.

"Well, sometimes he goes out with me and Bella in his yellow car. He's teaching me how to play and listen to music. He brings food he thinks I might like. Sometimes he has his demons do things for me", Erica said, looking at Rose with pride before continuing. "But lately the demons are listening to me and doing my bidding!" A feeling of glee came over the young girl as she divulged this exciting new development. Rose looked on, careful not to appear overly impressed. "He lets me help him with his writing, and a good thing, too! His books were so boring. Absolute rubbish! They're much better now!" Rose found this news surprising and amusing.

"Oh? What was so bad about them?"

"They were lovey-dovey nonsense. They reminded me of when Phyllis would try to write love notes to a boy she liked, but she wouldn't just come out and say how she felt. Pages and pages of…", suddenly Erica stopped, as a realization struck her. She had first assumed the Mandrake's previous books were about Bella, inspired by her in some way. But now she realized that they weren't about Bella at all, but were, in fact, most likely about…her eyes glanced sideways at Rose. "I just prefer mysteries, is all," she quickly concluded in a half-lie, not wanting to offend her mother.

"Does he take an interest in your school work?", Rose asked.

"Yes, he usually asks me what I'm learning, and he often has the demons deliver books to me from the library he thinks I should read."

'Is he still spending most of his time alone?

"Yes, but he's much more approachable now. He's usually busy writing when I'm away at school each day. Then I help Bella in the shop for a little while before visiting him around dinner time. Actually, his den is right next door. We should go visit him now!, " said the little girl excitedly.

"I believe he said we was going to the library to work on his writing. Let's visit him later, so as not to disturb him. I think we should visit Bella instead, hm?" Rose spoke as a statement more than a question, guiding Erica out the door and across the hall. When they arrived, they saw Bella standing on a step stool and sorting through jars of ingredients and removing the ones that were low in content.

"Knock, knock," said Rose, lightly. Bella looked over at her visitors.

"Ah, there you are. Is everything alright?", the blue witch asked.

"Everything is grand", Rose said, looking down at Erica with a small smile. "We were wondering if you would like some help?" Bella looked at her friend with some surprise.

"You want to help me with potions work? That's a first…", she retorted incredulously.

"Consider it a peace offering. Besides, it looks like you could do with some assistance. This place is a mess! Honestly", Rose declared, looking around the cluttered and filthy workshop. "How do you get anything done in here?"

"Oh, it was much worse before!," Erica blurted. "At least the floor isn't covered in sludge anymore. It's still too messy for the Mandrake though, he hates coming in here."

"Hmph", Bella huffed. "That man's too fussy for his own good."

"All joking aside," Rose said looking at Bella in earnest and speaking in a sincere voice, "I'd like to be of service, to help make things up to you." Bella looked at Rose for a moment.

"Alright, very well," she finally responded. "But don't think I'm letting you off that easily!", Bella chided her friend, though Rose knew this was more bluff than actual threat, and she welcomed the chance to rib her old friend like they once did, long ago. Erica donned her apron while Bella handed one to Rose. "You can start by taking down all those bottle and jars from that cabinet", she said pointing towards the end of the wall. Rose made a mental note to get this place spic and span later, with the help of some magic assistance, but for now she simply began clearing some space on the table for the displaced items.

"So, have a good chat, earlier, did you?" Bella inquired, getting back to her own task. Rose nodded her head.

"Yes, I would say if was quite…educational, really", she said, pointedly. "Erica informs me that the Mandrake could easily be mistaken for a dragon on certain days…" She causally mentioned this point with deliberation while watching Bella's reaction. The blue-haired witch nearly dropped a jar of wasp nests…She appeared scared and shaken, looking at the door as if in fear the dragon in question would come walking in and hear them.

"It's the curse", Bella responded, just above a whisper. "You can't imagine what he's like. It's just dreadful! Best to stay out of his way and not upset him."

Stay out of his way?, Rose thought to herself in disbelief. "But he's not himself! There must be some way to help him", she pleaded.

"True, but only if you can find a way to break the curse, I suppose."

Rose felt at a loss as to what to do. Perhaps she would need to consult the library later and see if she could discover some insight there…