Goin' Home

[Margrett]

No no, you weren't that big of a deal.

He paused.

I mean in terms of in the news. High class girl elopes with ruffian, possibly against her will. It wasn't that big in the papers. You can stay here, sure. I have a cot in the back room, you're welcome to it.

[Serenity]

"Thank you, Gregory, I won't be here long or cause to much trouble. I'll most likely leave the day after tomorrow."

Serenity moved to the back room and made herself comfortable, shifting a few things out of the way to make room for what little belongings she brought, as well as setting the enchanted necklace aside, shaking her head at it as she did.

So she was here now, she thought as she lay there on the cot, and her husband's family was in no danger. For a little while she thought that this whole trip was a waste of time, but no, they needed to know what happened to James. Thinking of how to start that conversation made her heart race as she became incredibly nervous over the idea. She grew to love these people, she couldn't stand the thought of them hating her over what happened.

Realizing that thinking about it wasn't getting her to sleep, Serenity focused on just resting for the evening and eventually drifted off.

[Margrett]

It was midmorning when she woke up. Apparently her eventful night had made her sleep in. When she did wake up, it was to the sound of Gregory frantically shaking her arm, looking up to the front of the shop.

Serenity! Serenity! There are some guards here.

[Serenity]

She opened her eyes suddenly once, then slowly began to close them again before she realized she was being shaken and wearily turned her body.

"Guards?" she suddenly lit up, "Why are they here? What's wrong?"

She was certain none of the guard saw her, she hadn't seen any at all when she arrived.

[Margrett]

Gregory looked panicked.

I don't know! They say they're shopping, but...I think it might be whatever's left of the beacon. I'm not sure if they'll remember you.

He poked his head out of the back room and smiled.

Be just a minute! Trying to find that potion you wanted!

He turned back to her.

You can go out the back and risk the streets, or use the necklace and try to bluff your way past them, your choice.

[Serenity]

Serenity calmed herself down some, "Gregory, if they're just shopping then let them shop." she tried to look through the opening of her room before looking back down at Gregory.

"You're not going to let them back here are you? Just go back out and help them. I'll be careful."

[Margrett]

Yeah....

He rubbed his head.

I guess I just panicked. Sorry.

He picked up a box and took it into the shop, talking about how it was under some other things.

[Serenity]

Serenity shook her head slightly when Gregory left the room, and lied on her back again on the bed spread. She placed a palm on her forehead and sighed when the exhaustion started to fall over her again. The lady couldn't remember the last time she was this tired, but if there were customers in the shop it must be morning already.

She sat up on the cot and hid her face in her hands, sighing again, before looking up towards the door, waiting for Gregory to come back and tell her it was safe.

The necklace still lay on top of a box, next to her bed, and she stared at it for a moment.

[Margrett]

After a while, Gregory came back, smiling.

Okay. They're gone.

He paused.

When...when were you planning on heading out? The curfew starts at ten at night. It's eleven in the morning now.

[Serenity]

Serenity lay on her bed, shaking, Gregory could hear her exasperated breaths. She was on her side, hugging herself, and looking like she was in sweats.

"Gre...Gregory." the voice was hers for just a second before it modulated several tones lower and the elf heard his name in a masculine voice.

Serenity turned over to her other side to face the Elf, except it wasn't her, not in face anyway. There was obvious facial hair, a mustache and some around the jaw area, which was a tad squarer and her chin was a tad more pronounced. Her eyes changed from deep purple pools to plain brown ones. Of course, most obvious of all was her lack of a chest.

The man was still breathing heavily and now spoke in a smooth tenor's voice, "How..how do I look?"

[Margrett]

Gregory stared, wide-eyed, mouth open a moment. His mouth closed, and then it opened again. It was a moment before he spoke. His voice was a little hoarse for a moment.

You...you're...

He took in a breath.

You're awfully cute as a man, Serenity.

[Serenity]

Serenity started laughing, "Well if you think I'm attractive I say your enchantment worked great."

She sat up on the bed and then stood up, stretching, "I think I've been made a little taller, my clothes feel tight, especially around my..."

That's when she realized it and now she opened her mouth in disbelief. First she placed her hands over her chest area and started breathing a little heavily again in surprise. Now it was time to check somewhere else, but her hands were hesitant.

"Gregory...does this necklace also give me...."

[Margrett]

Gregory kept his gaze on Serenity's face, not trusting himself otherwise. When he spoke his voice was still a little hoarse and distant.

Yes. Yes it does.

He cleared his throat.

It's...complete. Only lasts for an hour at a time. Though. Unfortunately.

[Serenity]

Serenity could feel it now, but she tried to steer her mind away from it. The sensation was uncomfortable and incredibly awkward.

"Well, if its only for an hour, how long till I can use it again? Not that I'll want to, this feels so wrong."

She was examining herself from head to toe, her hair seemed to remain as it was, black and long.

"Do you have a mirror?"

[Margrett]

You'll have to let it recharge for five minutes.

He spoke as he rummaged through a nearby box and pulled a picture-frame-sized mirror out of it. He handed it to her.

Here. You do look good.