The mont Tafel and Vur stepped outside, a flinching motion nearly caused Tafel to jump. She looked down and made eye contact with Mary, who was looking up at her with quivering eyes. T-Tafel, Mary said. H-hi.
Tafel furrowed her brow. Why are you stuttering?
Mary lowered her head and stared at her toes, wrapping her fingers tighter around her shins. Youre, um, are you mad at ?
For walking in on us? Tafel shook her head. Of course not. I was just a little surprised. But, please, knock next ti.
I tried to warn her, Sheryl said, but she said she wanted to see the stork.
Tafel stared at Mary, and the empress shrank back with her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. Not mad about that, Mary muttered. I an, are you mad abouther voice turned even smallerearlier? When I attacked you. Im sorry. I didnt know I did it.
You didnt know? Tafel asked. She gave Vur a glance, but he was using his four hands to pick up the four elentals at once. Zilphy, Deedee, and Mistle seed to be fighting since none of them were looking at each other or speaking.
Mary flinched and turned her head to the side, tears forming in her eyes. I didnt. She sniffled and blinked, a tear rolling down her cheek. I really didnt.
Tafel sighed and placed her hand on Marys head. The empresss lips quivered, and her hands tightened around her shins even further, turning the surrounding skin red. Tafel moved her hand back and forth as if she were petting a dog. Im not mad, alright? If anyones to bla, its your uncle. Tafels eyes narrowed. Im going to have a thorough talk with him. Where is he?
Youre not mad? Mary blinked and lifted her hands to wipe away her tears. Her pale shins had bruises with the imprints of fingers. Are we still friends?
Yes, were still friends, Tafel said and pulled her hand back.
Mary sniffled and wiped her nose with the back of her hand. She turned towards Vur, and her eyes lit up. Why do you have four arms?
Vur snorted. Why dont you have four arms?
Mary pursed her lips and reached up to tug on Tafels sleeve. I want four arms too.
A groan escaped from Tafels lips as a wide smile appeared on Vurs. Vur used a genie kings wish to wish for extra, retractable arms, Tafel said. If you want four arms, you have to find a genie.
Mary jumped to her feet and nodded, letting go of Tafels sleeve. Im going toMary lowered her head and stared at her bare hands and feet before sitting down againwait a bit.
Tafel turned towards Vur. See? This is what happens when you have overpowered equipnt from the start, she said. You get too reliant on them.
Vur shrugged. Marys dumb; she doesnt count.
Im not dumb! Mary glared at Vur. I might not be smart enough for magic or engineering or finance or economics or geography or math or literature or art, but Im not dumb! I can count to a million.
Vur raised an eyebrow. Just a mil
Tafel placed a cookie that she retrieved from a portal into Vurs mouth. Why dont we go ask Grimmy for your armor back? I have to see him anyway to check on your uncle. You dont mind if, uh, bad things happen to your uncle, right?
Mary shuddered and hugged her shoulders. I dont mind. Her fingers dug into her flesh, drawing blood. I dont.
Stellas head popped out of Vurs chest before Tafel could say anything else. She turned until she was facing Vur and waved at his face with one arm. Vur! You cant stick a sleeping woman like inside of you without waking up first! Dont do that again. Also, theres a few prisoners of war that I chained inside of my dungeon. I thought youd like to know. Then she disappeared back inside the flower tattoo.
Mary looked up at Tafel, her fingers still embedded in her shoulders. Can I wish for a fairy too?
Tafel sighed. Even the genie king couldnt win over a fairy, so I doubt youll be able to wish for one, she said. And you should stop aspiring to be like Vur, okay? Just because he has sothing, that doesnt an you have to have it to. She reached forward and placed her hands on Marys. And you shouldnt, err, injure yourself like this.
But it makes feel better, Mary said, biting her lower lip.
Tafel frowned and pulled her hands back. Oh. Well, um, you should heal yourself when you get the chance.
Mary nodded. I know. An empress cant look injured.
Tafel sighed again. Hey, Vur, she said, grabbing Vurs arm and inching closer to him. Why dont we go look for so genies with Mary? Well bring Alice too since shes still bitter at for forgetting her the first ti even though she tells shes not. And with rvin to help us out, Im sure well find trustworthy genies.
rvin turned back into a beansprout, Vur said. Dont you rember?
Tafel stared at Vurs extra arms. Ah, right. How could I forget? she asked, her voice flat. But still, we can go find so genies, right? We can go explore the dungeon after.
Vur nodded. I think finding more genies will be more interesting than going to the dungeon again. Lets do that instead. He crossed his lower arms over his chest and rubbed his chin with his free right hand. I should wish for another pair of arms. If having four is this nice, then having six must be even better.
No, Tafel said. Please. Have you thought of how difficult itd be to find you shirts?
Theyre retractable, Vur said.
Okay, but what if the genie you make a wish from isnt trustworthy this ti and decides to make them only partially retractable?
Vur furrowed his brow. Then he relaxed and nodded. Well, I dont wear shirts, so it doesnt matter.
It matters to ! Tafel said. Please, dont wish for more bodily modifications without asking first.
Vur let out a non-committal grumble.
Promise , Tafel said, stepping even closer to Vur.
Vur sighed. Fine. I promise.
Mary shifted her gaze between the two. I dont have to ask first, right?
Tafel glared at her. You do too!
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