A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

I sleep in late the next morning, although not as late as I might have expected. I stumble out of bed at around ten and I don't even have to look in the mirror to know that my hair looks like I've stuck my finger in an electrical socket or something. It was still wet when I went to bed since I rushed out so fast. I try to comb my fingers through it and realise it's a lost cause. I throw on a comfortable outfit and use a hair stick to pin my hair up in a twisted bun. I can already tell that today will be another warm day, so if my hair can't look pretty today, at least I can wear it up off my neck. Next I go searching for Ashton. I find him in the kitchen looking through the fridge. He must hear me walking in or something, because the moment I enter the room he stops what he's doing, turns to me and greets me with a deep nod.

"Good morning Katerina." He says pleasantly.novelbin

"Good morning, have you been awake long?" I ask. Hopefully he hasn't been waiting around for me all morning. He is not wearing his glamour because I don't have to look through it. I suppose since dad must be at work there is no need for him to waste the effort. There is something very surreal about finding a fae rummaging through my fridge.

"No, not long at all. I was just searching for breakfast. I hoped to find the items from yesterday but I have not learned my way around this kitchen just yet. I have to admit that I am not much of a cook, but I hoped that I would be able to manage the toast. You have a device for that which I am eager to try." He admits sheepishly and I laugh.

"Sure, you can try the toaster. I'll help you. As long as you don't burn the toast it really isn't that complicated." I grin.

Ashton burned the toast. I have no idea HOW he burned the toast because I swear neither of us changed the toaster settings or anything. It isn't that hard. You put the bread in, push the button, wait for it to pop out. Honestly I can't comprehend how it went wrong. We end up throwing out the first batch of toast and the second lot works perfectly. Ashton asks me to explain where he went wrong and I don't have an answer other than to tell him that technology is weird sometimes and not to worry about it too much. Despite the delay, we are sitting at the table having breakfast not long later.

"So." I say between bites of toast.

"How did you want to proceed today? Do you have any ideas on where to search? More computer research?" I ask. Ashton shakes his head.

"No, I feel that perhaps we need something more specific to investigate. When there are unusual occurrences back home it is common to report it to an investigator. They will then determine if there is a threat or not. Is there someone with a similar role here?" He questions.

"Uh, well I think that kind of thing, if it gets reported at all, would come under law enforcement. I don't know if there is a particular person who hears about the strange reports but dad would probably know. If there isn't then I bet we could ask around his office. If there is something weird going on somewhere then surely SOMEONE would have heard something. Normally I doubt we would be allowed to snoop around the police station. But since the mayor is supporting you I'm sure it will be fine. Plus I can usually get in since dad works there and I know most of the people who work there since I visit him sometimes. We could try visiting there if you like?" I offer. If nothing else, the cops might have ideas on how we can investigate further. I'm no detective so I really don't know what to suggest. My investigations are usually limited to stalking Lucy's latest boyfriend online.

“I believe that is a good plan. If we can find a few leads or suspicious occurrences then we could investigate them further and I can search for signs of magic." Ashton decides.

"If these assassins are trying to hide here, would they be using magic? I mean a glamour I understand. They need to blend in somehow. But surely they would avoid using other types of magic to avoid drawing attention. At least for a while until they're sure they are safe?” I question. Ashton shrugs.

"Perhaps, but I do not think so. Your home is an unfamiliar place. Without a guide it is likely they would be afraid and unsure of themselves. People who are afraid rarely make smart choices." He responds.

"Huh, I guess that makes sense. Well, give me a few minutes to put on shoes and get my stuff together and I can drive you down to the police station. You will need to change and put on a top and some shoes.” I remind him. Ashton sighs. "Very well. I do not understand why you humans insist on torturing yourself with so much clothing in such warm weather. Besides that, you have smoothed out all the ground and made it easy to walk on and yet you still insist on wearing shoes everywhere. Even INSIDE." Ashton sounds absolutely baffled and I can't help but giggle at his confusion.

"Do the fae not ever wear shoes?" I ask.

"Only if they are absolutely needed for protection. Such as when travelling through dangerous terrain. If one needs footwear at home or in winter then what I can best describe as a sturdy slipper might be worn.” He explains. I can't decide if that sounds awful or horrible. Sure, it would be nice to not have to wear shoes all the time, but I quite like dressing up and finding pretty shoes to wear. I wonder if these slippers he is talking about come in cute designs or colours. Forty minutes later, we're at the station lining up at the reception desk to collect some visitor badges. I could probably get away without one since I come here fairly regularly to see dad and drop off food or his keys when he forgets them. But since most of the people here won't know Ashton I figure it's best to play it safe and actually follow the rules. Ashton is back in his glamour which I once again immediately looked through, but to everyone else he looks human. Or human-ish at very least. I have to fend off some not very subtle questions from Old Pete who works the front desk. Clearly he thinks Ashton is my boyfriend or something and is just fishing for information. Once I have told him for the fifth time that Ashton is actually here to see my dad, he finally hands over the visitor's passes and lets us in. Ashton stays quiet throughout the entire conversation, although I suspect that might be because he is busy staring at the photocopier which is making a racket in the little office space behind the desk as it prints out several dozen copies of some unknown document. I lead Ashton into an elevator and he stops in the doorway, clearly concerned.

“Katerina... You are aware that this small room is a dead end, yes?” He asks, a little alarmed.

"Yes. It's not actually a room. It's an elevator. It moves up and down and it can take us up to another level of the building without us having to take the stairs. It's useful when moving heavy and awkward objects, or when you want to be lazy and don't feel like climbing stairs. It's way too hot for stairs today. Come in and I'll show you what I mean. It might make your stomach feel a little odd though and since it's your first time, I suggest you hold onto the rail." I point to the shiny silver rail on one side of the elevator. Once I'm sure Ashton is holding on, I hit the button for the fourth floor then quickly turn to watch Ashton waiting to see his reaction.