A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

Look, it's not that I wasn't planning on mentioning to Ashton that I met his dad. It's more that I planned to do it a little more strategically. Damnit. I wanted to display at least a LITTLE bit of tact. But nope, I just blurted it out without thinking. I feel so stupid. "Uh, well... I had an unexpected visitor last night..." I trail off, not quite sure what to tell him to make this better.

"But... if my dad is a ghost." He cuts himself off, frowning. I can practically see the thoughts spinning behind his eyes. He's thinking his dad can't be a ghost because if he was, he would have seen him, but at the same time he knows I wouldn't lie, and it makes no sense for me to lie about something I probably wouldn't have expected to be a thing anyway, like ghosts. Ugh, how do I explain this? Ambrose did it so easily and smoothly last night. I have no clue how to speak so clearly. I have no idea how to explain this without hurting Ashton.

"Sorry, I did not mean to tell you... Like that. Your father... He said that he wanted to meet me. He wanted to ask a favour." I start to explain. I decide against telling Ashton that his dad asked me to watch out for him. That feels like tattling somehow. But I can tell him about the necklace for his mum, and I can tell him that his dad loves him.

"He asked me to pass a message to your mother. He did not want to tell her himself for the same reason he has not come to see you, he is worried he will make his passing harder for you, and for himself. He does not want you waiting around and hoping to see him." I tell him gently. Ashton looks somewhere between relieved and devastated. I think I understand. His dad is right, as much as he wants to see him again, to speak to him again, it would be difficult to let go, particularly when you know the ghost could linger longer. My heart is breaking for Ashton and I can't help myself. I pull him into a tight hug, resting my head against his chest. He wraps his arms around me and buries his face in my hair. After a few minutes, he sighs and releases me. Although he keeps a hold of one of my hands.

"You said that he wanted to meet you, did he like you? Did you like him?" Ashton asks, almost nervously. I think for a bit.

"I cannot speak for him, but I believe he liked me. He told me that I am everything he hoped I would be, whatever that means. He also thanked me, in that formal way you have done so many times." I explain. Ashton's eyes widen, and his expression slowly changes from sad, to pleased. It makes him happy that his dad liked me.

"And what did you think of him?" He repeats his second question.

"Sure, he was nice once I realised who he was and that I did not need to be scared of the strange man who appeared in my room while I was sleeping. Once I realised that he reminded me of you, I was not so worried anymore." I explain. Ashton nods, satisfied with my answer.noveldrama

"Good. Well, shall we head to breakfast? My mum will be waiting for us and you apparently have an important message for her." He sighs wistfully. Maybe I SHOULD tell him about the second favour his dad asked, just so he knows that he wasn't left out. I'll have to think about it a little. I can always tell him later. We go to leave the room but Bast meows loudly causing Ashton to freeze. I rush to the kitty.

"Oh you poor dear. I completely forgot. You are probably hungry too! I wish I had one of those little poking machines, the ones that diabetics use. Oh well, for now you can bite me, but be gentle." I lecture the cat. Ashton rushes to my side and grabs my arm, pulling me away from the cat.

"You can't do that!" He lectures and I frown.

"Why not? He needs feeding and I can spare two drops of blood. And Bast will not have to make me sleep if I give it to him willingly. Will you sweetheart?" I baby talk the feline creature and he purrs. "See, he agrees." I point out. Ashton sighs.

"Fine, but if he knocks you out it's your own fault." He chides. I shrug. I'll take that risk. I hold my hand out to the kitty who very daintily bites the side of my hand. It stings a little, but he's not being overly rough. His teeth are sharp and he's only biting just hard enough to draw a tiny drop of blood. I suspect this creature is a little more intelligent than the average cat. He certainly seems to understand what I'm saying and followed my directions to be gentle. Feeding Bast takes only a few seconds and when he's done he purrs and headbuts my hand, knocking my knuckles with the edges of his antlers. Oh he's so adorable! Ashton looks a little disturbed, and is more than a little shocked that Bast didn't knock me out. Hah, I knew it would be fine. If he knocks people out to steal blood, there's no reason to do it to me as long as I'm feeding him willingly, right?

As we walk to breakfast arm in arm, I realise that everyone else does not share that same belief as me. Bast has decided to stop following me subtly and is now winding his way around my feet and basically it is only my hold on Ashton's arm that has stopped me from completely stacking it several times. Because of his now visible presence, I can see how FREAKED OUT everyone we walk past actually is. More than one person tries to stop us.

"Uh, miss? You know that creature is dangerous?" One fae points out. I shrug.

"Let me help you with that." Another one graciously offers. Before I can say that I don't need help, the fair haired male fae scoops up the cat. He's holding Bast awkwardly away from his body. That can't be comfortable for either of them. Bast hisses and wriggles but the fae holds firm. The next moment there is a slight flash and the fae goes tumbling to the floor. Ashton releases me to catch him so he doesn't hit his head. Bast lands gracefully on his feet, then rushes back to me, twisting himself around my ankles. Alright, lesson learnt, don't try to boss this cat around. Oh well. I've never met a cat that liked following directions before now, why would this fae cat be any different?

Watching everyone panic as we head to breakfast is fun. Amelia is already waiting for us and her wide eyed expression is enough for me to assume she already heard about the cat. Just wait until she hears I've been talking to ghosts, that'll really freak her out.