“Come on, don’t pout. It was just a misunderstanding.”
The sludge didn’t move, it just sat there looking mopey. I mentally cursed my life and what it had become. I was reduced to bickering with purple, gooey slime.
“What if we find you a real name? Would you forgive me then? I’ll stop calling you Sludgey. Or any of the other terrible names I call you behind your back.”
The sludge softened slightly, losing some of its rigid intensity.
Encouraged, I continued. “I’m great at names. Let’s see.” I cleared my throat. “Do you have a preference on typically male or female names? Something more in the middle?”
Nothing.
“... Okay then. I’ll just start spit balling, you let me know if something sounds right. Sludgey.”
The slime spat at me, showering me with tiny flecks of goo. I laughed, scrubbing the goo from my face. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I couldn’t help myself. I’m serious this time. How about Bob? Suzan? Ivy?” I looked around the shop for inspiration. “Oh! Rose? Basil? Dragonfly?”
The sludge sat still, waiting. I hadn’t nailed it yet, apparently.
“Okay let’s try a new direction. Maybe something more magical?”
The sludge stretched slightly, standing at attention.
“Magical. Okay, I can do magical. How about Spell? Caster? Enchanta?” I thought harder. “Hmm… Curse? Hex?”
The sludge stretched and grew, filling the cauldron once more and hugging its edges. It jiggled slightly, the surface quaking like a puddle. “Hex? You like that one?” I shrugged. Not what I personally would have chosen, but it would do the trick. “Okay then, Hex. I’m glad we’ve got that settled. Now, are you just going to hang out here in the corner for the rest of time? I’m just curious. Not pushing, or anything.” I grinned nervously, hoping I wasn’t offending the magical slime.
The surface bobbed in and out. I nodded in understanding. “Fair enough, Hex. Fair enough. I would do the same if I had the chance. Now… am I supposed to take care of you somehow? I’ve never had a pet, but I assume I have to feed you?”
The slime bobbed again, more enthusiastically this time. I grimaced. “I was hoping the answer would be no. Okay, okay. What to feed a magical familiar cauldron sludge…”
I paced around the shop, peeking into baskets and glancing at jars. I stopped at a bowl of dried berries. “How about this?” I picked up one of the berries and tossed it at Hex. The berry hit the surface, and then slowly sank, engulfed by the slime.
I shivered.Going to have to get used to that.
Hex settled, curling up in the cauldron and somehow appearing content.
“Is that… enough?”
Nothing.
“Alright, then. Wow, motherhood is easy.”
I smiled to myself as I packed up my traveling bag and prepared for the journey ahead.
CHAPTER 16
Tandor
Iparked myself at a bench in the town square, my bag tucked beside my feet as I waited for Kizzi’s arrival. I had a soft, light cloak tucked around my shoulders. It wasn’t quite chilly enough for the cloak to be a necessity, but the air smelled like frosted leaves, so I knew the weather would be cooling down very soon.
Excitement thrummed through my veins. I loved to travel. Moonvale was my favorite place in the realm, but every opportunity to visit a new town was an opportunity I latched onto. Something about meeting new folk, trying new things, eating new foods, made me feelalive.
A squirrel scurried near my feet, chirping happily with an acorn in its mouth. It was headed toward the forest. I bent over, placing my upturned hand on the ground, wiggling my fingers in what I hoped was an encouraging manner. I wanted the squirrel to approach so I could pet its fluffy back. To my dismay, it didn’t—but it didn’t look terrified, either. It just continued on its path.
The park was quiet this morning. Only the delicate sounds of scurrying critters, wind whistling through leaves, and my own calm breathing broke the silence.
Until the crunching stomp of boots plowing through leaves approached. I smiled. For such a tiny witch, she sure was noisy.
Kizzi strode to the bench and plopped down beside me, wordlessly dropping her bag and thrusting a mug of tea into my hand. I startled, not expecting the gesture. I held the mug out awkwardly for a moment.Maybe she just wants me to carry it for her?
