[ Next morning ]

  It's 9 am and mom just shared her test monster news with us.

  "Ann, you're going to love this."

  "Something I did again?"

  "Not really. The long range weapon they used to kill monsters with your fairy dust...they gave it a name."

  "Please, don't tell me that they named it after me....?!"

  "Not at all. They're calling it MAGIC."

  "Yeah...that's hardly original."

  "Wait until you hear what the acronym stands for."

  "Hehehe...go ahead, tell me."

  "MAGIC - Missile Against Giant Invincible Creatures." She grinned. "Creative bunch, aren't they?"

  "Hahahahah.....I like it! Sounds like someone had a great sense of humor."

  After our early morning chat, I decided to take it nice and slow for the day. Emily is already gone to school, leaving me all alone in our backyard to take a breather.

  But of course, I must have done something wrong in my previous life, since karma keeps following me. No rest for the weary.

  I see a fairy approaching me, without using Concealment for some reason."Good morning," he said while waving in front of me. "Sorry for intruding into your home, but I have been looking for you for a while. May I please have a word? I'm Bear." He's a forest fairy, just like me!

  "Ah, nice to meet you, Bear. I'm Ann Finley. Good to see a fellow forest fairy!"

  "Yes, likewise, nice to meet you! Fern, a city fairy from the Redwood cn, said that you might be here and thankfully I found you."

  "Yup, is there anything I can do for you? Or do you want to join me for a rexing morning flight?"

  "Um....it's not an emergency, but could you please follow me? My Queen wishes to see you. Two of them actually."

  "Two Queens?"

  "Yes, but I'll expin ter. Do you have the time?"

  "Em...sure, let me tell my mother first."

  A few minutes ter I followed Bear, after changing into my smaller form.

  "Incredible, you're one big fairy, Ann."

  "It's just a skill. You can do it too, but it requires killing lots of monsters."

  "Yes, Fern told me about you. She showed me her stinger...very impressive."

  "Yes, isn't it? So...where exactly are we going?"

  "To meet with Queen Hazel. Our Cn needs your help."

  "Why do you think that I can even help?"

  "Because you are one of us, of course. A forest fairy. I trust you!"

  "Thanks, but that's not what I meant. Why are we going to see the city fairies?"

  "You'll see. We had to move out of the forest for a while. Alright, I think I can tell you. Our hometree colpsed, and our hive got destroyed along with it. The Redwood Cn has taken us in, but we are a burden to them. We need to move out...fast. But we have nowhere else to go."

  "Ooooh...like that. Why don't you just choose a new tree?"

  "The whole forest is breaking down. Something's wrong with the trees. If we move to another one, the same may happen." He's gesturing while flying.

  "I see. But what forest? There are only a few parks nearby."

  "True, humans call it a park, but to us it's a forest. There are plenty of trees and it's really quiet, so definitely worthy of calling it a forest."

  "Good point. So how many people, or rather fairies, are we talking about?"

  "A few less than 200."

  I whistled. "Pfeeeeew. That's a lot."

  "Now you know what to expect. Our Queen is there as well."

  "Did Queen Hazel tell you that I could visit her Cn?"

  "She did! No problem!"

  "Thank heavens. I don't want to be rude."

  "No worries, she's expecting us."

  When we arrive at an impressive looking oak tree in the middle of the city, he guides me all the way to the top of the tree. What I see there is beyond impressive. It resembles an enormous brownish beehive, with many holes where fairies are flying in and out. I follow him into the hive where I see two guards waiting for us.

  "Halt! You two are not from our Cn. What is your business?"

  Bear told them about the situation, and someone rushed to verify his story. They then quickly let us in without any issues. Telling them that two Queens were expecting us, might have had something to do with that.

  The hive is pleasantly warm inside, but I also feel a slight breeze, so these folks have some sort of air conditioning too. We see lots of fairies going about their business but all of them seem to be nice people.

  Again we see two guards blocking the entrance to the Queen's private room which doubles as a throne room.

  "Let them in!" A loud female voice said. Definitely Queen Hazel.

  We approached the Queen, waiting for her to speak.

  "Your majesty, as ordered, I have found Ann Finley."

  "Thank you, Bear. You may leave now."

  "Of course. Excuse me, Ann."

  "Sure, see you, Bear."

  He nodded and left.

  Time to practise my ultra polite speech again."Queen Hazel, you have summoned me. How may I be of service?"

  "How polite." Someone else said. She sat next to Queen Hazel and looked equally impressive. She has the exact same fluffiness as I have, except for the fact that I have 9 tails instead of only one. Her yellow dress looks radiant, just like her kind smile. Is this appearance normal for Queens?

  "Yes, Ann has kindly warned us about the monsters I was telling you about. But also that humans can see us now. We have followed her and her skills are beyond impressive."

  Ah...so they had me followed? And why ignore me? I'm standing right here, you know?!!

  "So she's not part of your Cn?"

  "No, she's not aligned with any Cn. Perhaps you are willing to take her in? As a forest fairy, she'll probably hate city life."

  Not really, I'm a city girl, but who even asks me what I want?

  "I will ask her ter. But how do you think that an unaligned fairy can help us?"

  "Let's ask her, shall we?" Queen Hazel said and then stood up from her chair. Her smile is genuine, and I think that fairies are just uncomplicated people. She didn't mean to sound rude, it's just how they are. How could I not like that smile? She's basically glowing like the sun. "Ann Finley. I apologize for summoning you here. Thank you, and you are most welcome to visit our Redwood cn whenever you wish. How have you been?"

  She hugs me like only a mom would, trusting me completely."I'm doing well, your majesty, thank you. I hope you are healthy as well?"

  "I am, child. Please, may I introduce Queen Ivy? She represents the Bumblegrove Cn."

  Bumblegrove Cn? What's with all the weird names all the time?

  I bow to the other Queen, trying once more to sound ultrapolite. I mean...she is important, and we're of the same race after all, right? "Your highness, it is a true privilege to meet you. Please call me Ann."

  Queen Ivy stands up as well and smiles, but then simply pulls me into a strong hug."Ann, you are a forest fairy like us. It is such an immense pleasure to meet you. I have heard so many good things about you. I am Queen Ivy and I have a question for you." She released the hug and then looked at my dress....and only then saw the abundance of fluff behind me. "Oh my...you have many tails. How did that happen?" Wow, she sounds really, really nice!

  "Hahaha, yes, it's a long story. The short version is that I fought monsters with the humans and they helped me absorb monster crystals. Somehow I got these wonderful gifts shortly after."

  "I see, I see! Is it true that you can become as tall as the humans?"

  "It is true, your highness. I'll gdly demonstrate ter, if you wish?"

  "Please do. But first....would you please join us for a Sparkle?"

  "Um....may I ask what that is?"

  The Queens gnce at each other, before Ivy replies. "You haven't enjoyed a Sparkle yet?"

  "No, your majesty."

  "Ah...in that case, it's a cold...bubbly drink which puts a smile on your face." She even smiled after saying that.

  "Mmmm.....how could I object to such an invitation?" I'm smiling again. Man, I love being a fairy!

  "Very well, then please join us."

  I followed the Queens into the next room and noticed that there wasn't a single door to be found. The room looks like somebody's bedroom, very cozy looking.

  "Please, take a seat."

  I join them at a table and someone serves all three of us a Sparkle. I wait for them to drink first and am surprised to discover that it tastes like regur Co. Let's not ask what's inside....

  "Do you like the taste?" Queen Ivy asks.

  "Yes, it's very refreshing."

  "Gd to hear." Ivy said. "As for my question...my Cn suffered a tragedy st night. Our hometree snapped and our homes are no more. Humans obviously can't see our homes....so we cried out when people trampled on it."

  "Oh my god. Was anyone hurt?"

  "Thankfully not, but still....we're without a home."

  "Can't you build a new one nearby?" I mean, it's a park, so there are many more trees, right? And even more parks.

  "No, all the trees in the forest are unstable, their roots exposed to the air."

  "That's strange. Humans?"

  "No, it's a natural cause, but we can't find an expnation. Since you have ties with the humans, we were hoping that you might find us another forest. Preferably not too far away. We already scouted other nearby areas, but those are crowded with humans."

  "I see." This is a major city after all.

  "Queen Hazel has graciously allowed us to stay here, but space is limited. My people can sleep here during the day, while her people sleep here during the night. It's an unpleasant situation, so please...would you help us?"

  "Of course I will. I will ask my mother for help first. We can use human technology and use a detailed map. I'm sure you'll find something to your liking. Whether it's nearby, I can't say. Humans don't always like to have parks and such. And real forests are even rarer."

  "Sad, but true."

  "So....you have about 200 fairies in your cn, is that correct?"

  "Yes, slightly less."

  "I'll return home now and ask if we can provide you with temporary accommodation. Are you willing to compromise a bit?"

  "What do you have in mind, Ann?"

  "Um....maybe a human building? I'll make sure that your safety is guaranteed, of course."

  "I see." She looks at Queen Hazel, who nods, then she looks at me again. "It would be inconvenient, but much appreciated."

  "Alright, let me see what I can do."

  "May I please send one of my defenders with you? In case you find a location, she can confirm the location on my behalf."

  "Sure, but I will change into a big fairy outside. I can fly much faster, so your Defender has to hang on to me."

  "Hahaha, how unusual. I look forward to seeing your big form. May we observe?"

  I nod once. "By all means."

  Outside the tree I showed them my fox-form and then I noticed a regur sized fairy nding on my shoulder. "I'll introduce myself ter, please depart when ready," she said.

  "Alright, hang on tight!"

  I activated my Concealment, mainly to avoid drivers from being distracted, and arrived home in about 5 minutes.

  "Are you still alive?" I asked.

  "For goodness' sake! You are incredibly fast!" She replied and then hovered in front of me. Definitely a forest fairy with all that fluff.

  "Hahaha, I know, right? Please become visible, so you can meet my mother. Oh, and I'm Ann. Nice to meet you!"

  "Of course, Ann. I'm Daisy."

  "Ohh, that's a really nice name, I love it!"

  "Hahahaha, that's what everyone says. But Ann's nice too, even though we don't have any Anns in our Cn."

  "Thanks. So, a quick question before we go inside. Do you and the city fairies get along?"

  "Of course! We're friends, but we forest fairies prefer the quiet of the forest, that's the only difference."

  "Gd to hear. I can't believe that I met two Queens already, and they're both super nice."

  "They really are!"

  "Alright, let's go inside."

  "Mom, are you home?" I said.

  "Shhhh! She's sleeping," Rachel whispered and noticed my friend, but she's used to seeing more fairies by now.

  "Not anymore!" Mom said loudly, sounding somewhat annoyed.

  "Oops..."

  I walk over to mom and take a seat."Sorry, didn't know you were napping."

  "It's okay, I had a headache. But it's gone...mostly. I see you brought a guest. Have we met before? Sorry, I don't have my gsses."

  "No, mom, this is Daisy and she's a forest fairy, just like I am. Her Queen has a situation and she asked me for help."

  I expined the situation and saw mom nodding."Alright, and you expect me to help?"

  "Yeah....maybe? I was thinking maybe my room..." I wait for her to nod, but she shakes her head. "...or a pce in your company?" Again shaking her head. "....or somewhere else? Just until they can find a nearby park or forest to move to."

  "Ah...so it's really only temporary?"

  "Yes, miss!" Daisy replied. "Would you please help us?"

  How can anyone say 'no' to such a kind face?

  "Alright, I will help you."

  "Really?!?????" Daisy said.

  "Before you get all too comfortable, let me tell you about my terms."

  "Oh...of course. Your payment."

  "Payment? Not at all, you can stay here for free, but under conditions."

  "Oooooh...please name them!"

  "You can take a look at my attic. If you think it's acceptable, you can move in right now. How many fairies are we talking about?"

  "Nearly 200, miss."

  "That's.....a lot. But I think that you can manage. I'll leave a window open for you, but.....here are the conditions. Don't ruin my attic, because this is my home. Don't let it rain inside. Always be visible or I might accidentally step on you. Don't fly in the house when I have guests, because they might harm you. Finally, find a new pce as soon as you can. In the meantime I will provide you with food and drinks and will take you in as friends. How does that sound?"

  Daisy flies towards mom and nds near her, then bows. "On behalf of my Queen Ivy. Thank you for your generous offer. We will gdly accept and abide by your rules. They are more than reasonable and we would have done the same even if you hadn't asked them. May I please see your attic?"

  Mom took us up to the attic and the pce was surprisingly...completely empty. Lots of spider webs though, because the pce hadn't seen visitors for years.

  "You'll have to clean the room yourself. Rachel doesn't like spiders, neither do I, and Ann stopped liking them after seeing a huge one."

  Daisy looked at me, totally surprised. "But you're a forest fairy? How can you not like them?"

  "Ehehehe...trust me.....this spider was twice the size of a human car."

  "WOOOOOW.....no way! Yes...I can see why you would be afraid. What happened?"

  "I killed it, because it wasn't a normal animal. It was a monster, and it only looked like a spider."

  "Right....I forgot. Queen Ivy also asked about the monsters. How is the war going?"

  "The humans can use my fairy dust to fight them. It's still too early to celebrate, but we're finally able to fight back. We'll know more shortly."

  "I see.....thank you. So....if you don't mind, I'd like to invite the others now."

  Mom nods. "So you accept this attic?"

  "We do!"

  "Good. We'll keep the door to the attic open, but please help us to keep the mosquitos out."

  "Ewww......no worries, we don't like those either."

  "Good to know that we're in agreement on that." Mom replied with a smile.

  I then asked. "Do you know the way home? I mean, to the Redwood cn?"

  "I do!"

  "Don't forget to activate Concealment."

  "I won't. But humans can see us anyway, right?"

  "No, that's a misunderstanding. Some humans can, but they only use it to fight monsters. Also, flying like that will cause accidents, because humans will be startled to see a fairy."

  "Ahhhh.....I will spread the word."

  "Thank you very much!"

  I joined mom and Rachel in the living room for a coffee break.

  "Interesting to see what you get yourself into all the time." Mom said.

  "I know, but they need help. Besides, it's not like I gave everyone my business card to call me whenever."

  "That's not what I meant. Just...truly interesting. Just make sure that they behave themselves. I don't want gremlins in my house. If I find fairies swimming in my cup of coffee, they'll go right back outside."

  "Hahahah....don't worry, they won't bother you."

  "Just...make sure of that."

  "Sure. Oh, mom?"

  "Yes, Ann?"

  "I visited Emily's school yesterday...and I was kinda asked to give a lecture one day. May I go there on occasion?"

  "Seriously? Now you WANT to go? I already asked you?!"

  "No, I don't mean becoming a student. Just visit them when possible, follow a few csses and maybe give a lecture once. It's really crazy, but going to school was actually fun! I swear, I hated school before. And now the teacher even invited me to go swimming with them. Ahem....in exchange for some apple pie to bribe me. Ehehehe."

  "Of course you may go, but thank you for keeping me up to date. Rachel? Let's try apple pie next time, it sounds absolutely delicious."

  "Yeah......try is the right word. Okay, I'll try to find a recipe."

  "Ann, I think it's good for you. You look a lot happier now. But remember, if Thompson and his minions need you, you have to go. Agreed?"

  "Yes, ma'am!"

  "Alright, and I'm gd to see you getting comfortable. Life wasn't exactly easy for you."

  I gave her a strong hug.

  "Ouch ouch ouch....headache...." She said, but winked. "I guess you'll need a uniform and a bike too?"

  "Eh.....not sure actually. I'll be visiting them, but at least a school swimsuit, yes. But the teacher promised to call you. But I can fly there, no need for a bike."

  "Don't you want to go with Emily? It's much nicer when you're both riding your bikes. Also less people staring at a flying fairy."

  "Mmmm..........true. Sure, I gdly accept, mom."

  "Okay, we'll take care of it. But, honey?"

  "Yes?"

  "Are you wearing a bra? I wanted to ask you this morning, but forgot."

  "Yes! A sports bra. A teacher gave me a brand new one. Apparently...this was needed?"

  "It is, yes. But mostly for your own comfort, not your appearance."

  "Why didn't you tell me?"

  "You're almost 18 now. And you've had other, more important, things to worry about. Who cares about a bra if you have to save the world? As long as you didn't need one, I assumed you would be fine. And besides, your magical dresses did a great job. Don't worry, I would never let my daughter wear anything inappropriate. Your teacher probably meant that it was needed for sports, and I tend to agree."

  "Good point. I love it when you make sense."

  "So...I don't usually make sense?" She grinned.

  "No! I mean, that's not what I meant!"

  "Hahahahah, come here you fluffy girl." She hugged me.

  Rachel gave me a slice of chocote cake after we stopped hugging. "Ann, this is my 3rd attempt. It shouldn't be poisonous anymore."

  I see mom closing her eyes, and already know that it's another failure.

  "Mmmm.....so......choloty."

  Rachel grins. "Like it?"

  "Yeah, dewicious!"

  "Then swallow it."

  I shake my head. "Sowwy Wachel, iws awwwful." I rushed to the kitchen and disposed of the cake.

  When I return I see her smiling. "Thank you for being honest. Chocote cake is officially off the menu. Any ideas besides apple pie?"

  "Waffles?" I suggested.

  "Popcorn is safe." Mom snickered.

  Rachel gives mom a death gre and then smiles again. "Alright.....waffles sound easy enough. And then apple pie. I'll try those next time. Chocote waffles?" She asked, but we both shook our heads. "Hahahah, you traitors!"