Temptation

Chapter 6
Chapter 6

“Temptation” Part 6

 

By Oni and Piper

 

 

Reiko feels her body contract.  It doesn't feel completely real, and she knows that beneath her illusion spell it is not real at all, but it is enjoyable.  Her breasts also appear to fitfully shrink.  She soon sees that she is able to stretch her legs out without her feet touching the cold floor.  She realizes that in truth she is physically on her back with her knees bent, her feet now warm on the bear-bear, but the more she stares at the shadow image of her dainty feet and skinny legs, the more she indulges herself in the fantasy.

 

The little witch looks over at Jym and is a little surprised to find the boy so mature-looking as he decouples from Alyssa.  Blushing, Reiko covers her bare privates with her small hands.  "Didja have fun?" she pipes.

 

Jym looks over at Reiko and does a double take.  "Reiko?" he asks breathlessly.  She thinks the look of concern and astonishment is both comical and endearing.

 

"Jym?" Reiko asks back then takes a good look at her body.  Her breasts are conical, little more than pointy nipples on swells.  Her pubic hair is faint and she is very skinny.  One would guess she is likely fourteen at the most and perhaps even younger.  She looks back at his concerned face.  "What?" she deadpans.

 

He reconsiders, not wanting to upset her.  "Nothing.  Just surprised to see you there."

 

"Well this was my idea silly.  Did you like her?" she asks hopefully, as if talking about a gift.

 

Jym looks at the redhead, who is slowly recovering her wits.  "Yes, thank you," he says sheepishly.  Alyssa simply snuggles against Jym and the bear rug, seemingly calming down.  The squire looks delightfully awkward, clearly unsure what to do with little Reiko, if anything. 

 

“Is it my turn?" Reiko asks.  "I kept myself occupied, but I don’t know if I'm ready." she comments.

 

"Your turn for what?" Jym asks cautiously, checking her maturity.  He realizes they should probably get dressed but he doesn't want the witch angry with him.

 

Reiko tilts her head.  "To cuddle and hold me.  After all, sex would just make me little."

 

Jym hesitates.  "Yes, that is true.  Maybe a little cuddle, to show my appreciation," he agrees.  But first he hastily tugs on his loin cloth.

 

"I mean with her too," Reiko comments, crawling over and snuggling against the red-head.  Reiko feels a thrill as she notices that her feet don't reach Alyssa's feet.  She rubs the girl's shins with her toes, loving Jym's uncomfortable look.  After a moment she plants a kiss on the redhead's lips and Jym's jaw drops open.

 

Jym hastily pulls them apart.  "Okay, yeesh, no.  Stop it, you'll get smaller." he finally says.

 

Reiko pouts but complies.  "Okay Jymmy.  I don't like her boobies anyway," she adds.  "Too big."

 

"Right, now get dressed." he tells the witch.

 

Thankfully she complies.  In a short amount of time Jym has found a yet smaller pair of grey breeches to go with a grey tunic which Reiko insists on tying to reveal her tummy yet again.  The youthful witch has decided to completely forgo shoes and goes barefoot.  She finds she is now a head shorter than either of the ‘kids’.

 

Reiko also feels very light on her feet, and can barely keep from hopping and skipping about.  Full of energy she explores the shop rapidly like never before.  She finds stuffed animals, clothing for small children, even cloth diapers.  She holds one of the fine padded garments up. 

 

"Hmmmm, wonder if Killi will need one of these." Reiko comments.  She makes a face, realizing she may have to be the one to change him.  ‘Maybe this disguise IS a good thing,’ she thinks, imagining she can make Amara do the changing.

 

The Kirasani girl spots a pink diaper with a ribbon and ruffles and giggles.  "Hee, this would be cute!"

 

Jym catches her arm.  "You can't just take everything," he reminds her.  "They have to make a living."

 

"I didn't take it." Reiko complains.

 

"Okay," Jym says.  "Just reminding you."

 

The witchling nods sharply, bobbing her tails, satisfied.  "Um, but can we buy some then?" she asks.

 

"Only if we need them," Jym answers slowly.

 

Alyssa pulls herself slowly out of her relaxed state and gets dressed.  "Why is she so short?" she asks suspiciously of Reiko once her dress and undergarments are back on.

 

Reiko giggles, confirming to herself that she is only up to the shoulders of the ‘kids’.  She wraps her thin dark arms around Jym's waist and kisses his arm. 

 

“Um, she does that sort of thing.” Jym comments lamely.

 

Alyssa blinks.  "Well ... she is cute.  Ribbons and curls cute though."  She grins.  "Hey, want to play dress the dolly with her?"

 

"We should get going," Jym replies.  "We need to round up the others."  He gives Reiko a brief hug.

 

Alyssa sighs.  "Don't be a stranger." she grins.  The teen then ruffles Reiko's hair.  "And get dressed ya little scamp."

 

"I am dressed." Reiko pipes back.  "Give me a ride," the witch demands of Jym.  Jym sighs and turns his back, allowing her to clamber up.  She is just little enough to do so without it being awkward.  The position feels great to her, and having her groin pressed against his back is a plus.

 

The witch giggles.  "Giddy up!" she calls. 

 

"Are you sure she's a witch?" Alyssa laughs.

 

Jym smiles apologetically at Alyssa.  "She's a strange one," he chuckles.  "See you tomorrow, I hope."

 

"My boots." Reiko calls out in her high voice.

 

Alyssa hands the boots to Jym, leaving the witch girl's feet bare and dangling.  The evening air feels good on them she finds.  Reiko brushes her hand against Alyssa’s wrist as she does so, releasing another, stronger libido spell, a wicked smirk on her young face. 

 

"Am I cute?" Reiko asks Jym in a whisper, distracting him from Alyssa’s immediate expression of desire.

 

"Very," Jym admits, unable to keep the concern from his voice. 

 

Reiko finds she is flattered by the concern as a form of attention.  "Let's find Killi!" she announces.  "I can see his trail in the shadows."

 

Alyssa closes the door and grins, bouncing a little on her feet and hugging herself as waves of pent up desire release once more.  She shivers then glances back at the bear rug and gains a naughty blush.  Her hands rapidly unbutton the top of her dress as she decides to indulge herself just a bit longer.

 

***

 

"Do it again!  Do it again!" little James exclaims, bouncing on the cushion and rocking his legs cutely.

 

Sasha laughs then gives the boy’s lips a light kiss.  "I am sorry my sweet, but I can't if you and I are to be together.  You do want to stay with me, right?" she asks.

 

"You mean for a sleepover?" the child asks eagerly.

 

The woman smiles and says kindly, "The only way a young man could stay over with a young lady is if they were mated."

 

The smile vanishes from the ten year old boy.  "Oh."  He pushes himself to a sitting position.  "I should prob'ly go.  People'll be looking for me."

 

Sasha’s smile does the same as that of her object of affection.  She looks sad even.  "Really?  Just like that?  I thought you liked me."

 

"I do," he pipes.  "You're lots of fun.  Loads better than the girls dad wants me to marry.  But I don't wanna get into trouble."  He frowns in confusion as he notices the size of his shirt.

 

He had no intention of marrying me, Sasha realizes with honest surprise.  She was only to be a one night conquest.  It would seem the older brother was not all that more mature than the younger when it came to women, just smoother.  Anger grows within her but she holds back.  She does still like him, and he is only a child now.  "You father wants to set you up?"

 

"Yeah," the boy says, making a face.  "He wants me to get married soon.  There're about five girls, all from rich families.  Two are kinda cute.  One's a baronial princess," he boasts.  He grabs the front of his shirt and looks inside.

 

"Oh?" Sasha says.  "Kinda cute huh?  Well, if not for your father, who would you marry?"

 

He giggles.  "My mom!" he says, watching her reaction.

 

Sasha chuckles back.  "Oh really?  Well, what of a wife who could mother you?"  She begins to undo his buttons, intending to remove his dress like tunic from his now slander frame.

 

"I was joking," he says, watching her hands.  "I don't wanna marry anybody.  What're you doing?"

 

"Getting you out of your loose clothing.  Now hold still.  Remember that miracle we were joking about?" she asks, then pulls his tunic over his head.  "Well, go take a look in the mirror."

 

"But I'm naked," the boy complains, turning his waist to the side modestly.  "I don't think I'm supposed to be naked in a girl's house..."

 

Sasha folds up his tunic then wraps it around his waist like a towel.  "Go and look." she orders, nudging him up.

 

The boy hops off the couch and saunters to the mirror.  He looks himself over, not seeming to notice anything different.

 

Sasha walks up and stands behind him, hands on his shoulders.  She literally towers over him, the top of his head only to the base of her neck now.  "It seems Naita granted our wish." she admits, honestly thinking that is the only explanation for the event, since she never gave James any milk.  The child does look perfectly healthy and even a little muscular for his age, all befitting the gift of a goddess.

 

"What wish?" James asks, looking up at her mirror image.

 

The woman nods.  "The wish for you to have a second childhood and for me to have a child husband.  You honestly can't see the change?" she asks, surprised.

 

He shakes his head slowly, trying to remember what she is talking about.  "Are you trying to scare me?" he accuses.

 

Sasha pats his head in a motherly way then places her hands on his shoulders.  "Nope.  You can't honestly think you came to this town this short can you?"  She wishes he'd notice the change as it would be quite difficult if he doesn't.  Another spark flies between her hands and the boy’s shoulders, again unnoticed by either party.

 

James looks more closely at the reflection then begins to slowly shake his head as realization dawns.  "It ... can't be ..." he whispers.

 

"It is.  Strange, but I think I'm getting used to it." Sasha admits, happy the boy is finally seeing the changes.  "It is another miracle.  And it must be for the purpose we talked about." 

 

His eyes start to tear up, looking scared.  Sasha bends over and hugs the vulnerable looking little boy.  "Shhhhh, don't cry my sweet.  Just listen.  If I were your wife, I would let you play and have fun to your heart's desire.  I would take care of everything and your second childhood would be wonderful.  There would not be a toy you’d want for or a moment of business to worry your sweet little head over.  But I will not force you into anything.  This is your blessing, if you wish to enjoy it with your family I will understand.  I'm sure you will have much fun with your brother."

 

"Johnny?" he sniffs.

 

"Johnny is sixteen," Sasha reminds him "your big brother now but still your younger brother, strange yet wonderful."

 

The boy looks overwhelmed.  He turns and hugs her, and has a good cry into her dress.  "I feel so small!" he complains.

 

Sasha soothes him, honestly feeling bad for the boy and happy that she didn't do this to him.  "Let's get you some clothes." she says.  He sniffles and nods.

 

The seamstress leads him to a storage room next to the bedrooms.  “We just put away some clothing for boys the other day, so you don’t need to prance naked into the shop.” She says kindly, before proceeding to help him pick out something mature looking for his new body.  Sasha finds she enjoys helping the boy as well as making him feel better.

 

The more she watches him, the more mature she seems to him however.  She starts to wonder if he is young enough to be the boy in her fantasies, gazing up at her with childish adoration.

 

"Thank you," James tells her politely, as he gets dressed.  He does not allow her to dress him, blunting her motherly urges.

 

It would be nice if he were younger she admits to herself.  He would need her more, but if he were to get younger she would also likely lose him.  No, she decides that him stopping at this age is a clear indication of what Naita wants of them.

 

Except, what if she can't convince him to marry her, and he does want to leave?  Maybe if he had a few years to spend with her before getting married, but how?  But would his family let him stay?  And does she just want another mouth to feed.  No, adore him as she does, she can't make ends meet with three children as it is.  She needs the support of his business if she is to have him.

 

But with John now as the oldest son, doesn't that mean he will get the business?  What will James receive now for his marriage, but a lowly dowry?  Still, if Johnny were to drop below James once again, then the father would likely be more willing Sasha considers.  After all, how many of those girls would be willing to marry a boy who was shrunk by magic?

 

Also, if I sell the miracle milk, Sasha realizes then I could be set for life.  Sell it to James' father or another merchant even.

 

As the seamstress ponders her options James finishes getting dressed.  James now looks like a proper young man, though with smooth round cheeks and a high voice.  "Feels better," he compliments, his red eyes finally drying.  "I should probly go find Johnny," he confesses.  The boy stamps his feet into his new little boots, then starts looking for the front door.

 

"Wait." Sasha says, knowing she can’t just let the boy leave.  "What if I brought Johnny here while you watch over the girls?"

 

"Why?" James pipes suspiciously.  He tucks his money pouch deeper into his new belt.

 

"Because you shouldn't be running around at night at your new age and I shouldn't leave the girls alone." she points out.  "I can bring him here and you two can talk this over.  In private, not a public square." she adds.

 

James pauses with his hand on the shoulder-high door knob.  "Oh."  He gives this some thought.  "Okay," he agrees, letting the door go.  He walks back to the mirror and gazes at himself, then tries to flatten the tuft of young hair which has popped up.

 

Noticing the tea Sasha cleans it up by taking it back to the kitchen and hiding it in the cupboard, just out of James' reach.  She then wraps a jacket about herself and moves to the door.  "I'll be back." she promises.  "Don't make a mess of anything."  She blows him a kiss as she leaves adding, "Sweetheart." 

 

James shudders but forces a smile.  Within a minute of Sasha’s departure the boy hears footsteps approaching from hall leading to the shop.  Feeling nervous and not wanting to be found he ducks under the couch, hiding in the darkness of its shadows.

 

***

 

In the dark shadows of the night Jym follows Reiko’s direction, much to her amusement.  Soon after leaving Alyssa they are weaving between houses.

 

Within a couple of minutes of leaving the shop however the little witch starts slipping on the squire’s back and he has to hike her up periodically, his muscles getting tired of her weight.  In the back of his mind he feels she is awfully heavy for her age but between his concerns for his mistress and his inexperience with girls Jym does not come to the proper conclusion that the Kirasani is merely toying with him by using an illusion of youth.  Also, unknown to the apprentice Paladin, the Kirasani illusion spell is designed to mess with the minds of those who perceive it, causing them to dismiss evidence they would normally notice.  Still, mind games aside, the teen boy’s body knows better, and can only take so much more.

 

For her part Reiko, feeling as playful as a little girl and enjoying her game greatly, still doesn't want to scare or make Jym suspicious by dropping too quickly.  She does however decide with childish glee to lose more apparent age, making her body appear twelve.  She can feel her already small breasts melt against Jym’s back, her spell affecting her mind’s perception of things as well and by design.  It does not occur to her to wonder however why she knows exactly what her body looked like so many years ago.

 

"I gotta put you down." Jym admits after another minute.  Reiko pouts but agrees, sitting on a rock to pull her boots on.  She loves the cool breeze tickling across her bared belly and shins.  In the darkness Jym has yet to notice her newest changes, causing Reiko to grin conspiratorially.

 

They find their way past an open window with an empty pie plate on the ground beneath the sill, then on toward the village green.  Short Reiko scurries along ahead, following Killi's wild trail under chairs and tables, doubling back many times.  Finally, they come to the table under which the little boy is fast asleep, another pie plate circled by his curled form and the remains of red berries on his lips.

 

“Awwwww, how cute.” Reiko gushes.  Finally seeing the witching standing still and in the light Jym does a double take, his expression becoming even more worried.  He does not say anything however, not wanting to scare the Kirasani girl whom he feels rather protective of at the moment.

 

"Okay, get him," Jym instructs, looking around for Amara.

 

Reiko picks the little boy up and lets him sprawl over her shoulder.  "Maybe we should ask around." she suggests.  She notices with some annoyance that Killi seems much heavier now with her arms so skinny.

 

Jym does so, and is agape to hear that Amara left with some teenaged boy.

 

Reiko by contrast giggles.  "Good fer her."

 

"That's not like her," Jym protests, thinking about how out of control Amara may be becoming.

 

"Maybe it's just like the ‘her’ you don't know." Reiko points out.  "Or maybe she just got jealous of you."

 

"Of me?" Jym asks, his head whirling with the very idea.

 

"You have been having a lot of  ... Fun lately." The witchling grins.

 

"What about you?" he asks, messing her hair between her twin tails.  "You put my two times to shame by far!"

 

Reiko shrugs.  "Usually, but not today." she points out.  "Not after Killik.  That was my last one, though the bear-bear was nice.  Really, really nice.  I can see why Alyssa liked it so much, almost as much as she likes you." The golden skinned girl giggles again, causing young Jym to blush and turn away.

 

"So where do we sleep?" Reiko asks Jym after a moment.  She finds she is already uncomfortably shifting the boy on her shoulder.  "Killi found his spot."

 

"We still need to find Amara," Jym insists, picturing his mistress shrinking in some guy's arms.

 

Reiko grunts.  "Sure.  Cause you aren't the one lugging a weight on your back.  Fine, I'll ask the shadows about Amara."

 

"Are you sure that's safe?" he asks, feeling the need to second-guess her childish judgment.

 

"Yes!" she says indignantly.  "'Sides it's how we found Killi.  Too late to be a scardy cat now.  So?  Shadows or do we call it a night?" Reiko asks Jym, still deferring to his judgment despite her protesting.

 

The squire hesitates, unsure.  Reiko turns away at Jym's silence.  "Fine, I'll go see if Alyssa has a bed while you make up your mind glorious leader."

 

"Just find her," Jym sighs.  "We can't leave her alone in her condition." 

 

Reiko nods.  "Could you take my burden kind sir?" she asks sweetly, before gruffly adding, "The damn kid is heavy."

 

Jym carefully gathers Killi from her back.  The weight coming off makes Reiko feel surprisingly free and she hops happily.  "Thanks.  And now for the hunt." she says dramatically.

 

Having freed the witchling to work her magic Jym hopes they find Amara before something bad happens; to her, or to someone else.

 

***

 

Alyssa enters her house, closing the thick door to the shop behind her.  Things had taken her longer than she expected, especially after she had to straighten up after that messy witch. 

 

The teen doesn't spot the little boy who shyly hides behind the couch from the stranger.  Moving to her bedroom she pulls her dress off and begins to get into her night clothes.

 

James peeks quietly over the couch into the open bedroom to watch.  He rises in time to see Alyssa’s underclothes drop to the floor, revealing her full white bottom and back.  His eyes widen and his young groin starts to tingle in response.  He holds his breath.  A part of him feels naughty.

 

Alyssa stretches her rounded sixteen year old body, easily the most mature naked female the boy's new state of mind has ever seen.  When she turns he can see the side of her breast, along with her nipple.

 

James breathes shallowly, but quietly, unable to take his eyes off the wondrous sight of a naked girl.  He ducks down and slides under the couch to keep watching from a more sheltered spot.

 

Still feeling a bit horny from Reiko’s spell Alyssa calls out.  "Mother?  Emelia?  Sasha?"  There is no answer, the girls young enough to sleep through anything like the dead. Noting the silence Alyssa lies on her bed, still within sight of James, and places her hand between her legs.

 

James presses himself against the floor in excited response.  The tingles begin to spread.

 

Slowly and deliberately Alyssa begins to play with herself, wishing she had a bearskin rug in her room.

 

Feeling constricted, James awkwardly tugs his boots off and loosens his shirt and trousers before turning back to the show.

 

Alyssa rotates her hips and grinds slowly, taking her time.

 

James' toes curl and tug at the carpet behind him, in front of the couch and he gasps softly.  He feels more and more naughty, even as his fascination increases … and his understanding of what she is doing decreases.

 

Alyssa begins to moan.

 

James slides himself back to the other side of the couch and takes his clothes off to writhe on the deep, soft rug. 

 

Alyssa's personal involvement is interrupted when she thinks she hears something.  She hears it again, a high-pitched giggle, coming from somewhere in the house.  Her heart beats faster as a shock goes through her.  At first she wonders if Reiko came back.  Sitting up in the bed she moves to put her robe on, without moving too quickly to give away that she has noticed something. 

 

The giggling continues intermittently, softly.  Alyssa stands and stretches, locating the direction with her hearing.  Just out in the living room, she thinks.  She walks out of her room slowly, looking around.

 

At first she doesn't see anything.  Then she hears it again, just behind the couch.  On the other side is a naked boy of about nine, wriggling on the carpet.  Strewn about him is the boy's clothing.  The boy sees her and screams in surprise, his blue eyes wide.

 

Alyssa strides over, livid, and grabs the boy's thin arm pulling him up violently.  "Why you little peeping brat!  Who the hell are you?  Why are you here? Like what you saw?  Huh?" she yells at him angrily.  She gives his bare bottom a sharp smack.

 

The boy screams again in fear and dismay at her barrage of hostility and starts crying.

 

"I'll give you a lesson on privacy." Alyssa adds, dragging him to the couch as she sits then pulling him over her lap.  Anger clouding her mind she spanks him, reducing him to a blubbering mess.  All of James’ adult remnants vanish as he squirms, his bottom hot with pain and his self image shattered by the humiliation of a teenaged girl treating him like a naughty little boy.

 

Alyssa sighs after a moment, still smoldering with anger but taking pity on the pathetic boy.  She walks him to a corner and gives his bottom one more smack.  "Stand and stay till you calm down." she orders.  He starts to hiccup and wipe his tears, huddling fearfully into the corner.  His bottom glows red for a moment, then fades to white.

 

Alyssa collects his clothing then sits on the couch.  She glances at the boy, noticing he looks younger than she first thought, no more than eight now, perhaps even seven.  She pats the cushion next to her.  "Come.  Let's get you dressed, and you can explain things to me."

 

He hesitantly approaches her, his hands cupped over his groin.  He climbs onto the cushion, but can't stop hiccupping.

 

Alyssa pulls the boy's tunic over his head, noticing just how large and loose it is.  She gives him a firm hug to calm him.  "Shhhhh.  It's okay.  I'm not mad anymore.  But it was very naughty of you not to tell me you were here when I called out." she says.  "Now, what's your name, and why are you here?" she asks softly.  She rubs her hand over his back.

 

"Juh-Juh-Jamie," the boy stutters.  His eyes look even more blue with tears washing them.  "What's your name?"

 

"Alyssa." she tells him.  "I live here.  Why are you here alone?"

 

"I-I-I'm waiting," he confesses.  "Fer Sasha."

 

"Sasha?" she asks, even more confused.  "Maybe you should start at the beginning."

 

His tears clear up completely at her rubbing and he smiles in contentment.  "Sasha brought me here to play games.  She's gone to get my brother."

 

"Play games?  But why did she leave you?" she asks.

 

"To baby-sit," James admits innocently.  He points over her shoulder, to a little girl coming out of Emelia's room, rubbing her sleepy eyes.

 

Alyssa's own eyes widen at the sight of the naked six year old.  The child wanders up to the back of the couch, rubbing her sleepy eyes, only her shoulders and head visible. 

 

"Ooookay, this still isn't helping me understand.  Sweetie?  Who are you now?" Alyssa asks the new child. 

 

Hannah grins weakly at her daughter as if the girl is playing a game with her.  "'Lyssa," the child whines in a voice thick with sleep as she clutches at her daughter's arm.  "Emmy wet the bed."  She then climbs over the side of the couch, completely naked, but expecting cuddles from her.

 

Alyssa freezes in shock.  "Emmy?  Whoa, whoa, whoa ... Emelia?"  Her mind begins to put two and two together and she scrambles up, moving swiftly to Emelia's room.  Once there she finds a naked toddler sprawled on her little back, still sleeping despite the dark wet circle on the sheets beneath her. 

 

Alyssa looks closely at the chubby three year old sucking her thumb, her hair and features, then turns back to the other girl.  "Mom?" she asks, somehow the insanity of it all making sense to her after her experience with Reiko.  The only other thing that comes to her mind is the miracle that occurred to the priest earlier.

 

The skinny little girl grins and hugs Alyssa who just stands and takes the hug, too shocked to return it.

 

Jamie shuffles to the door and peeks into the room.

 

Recovering, Alyssa picks her mother up into her arms, marveling in how light she is.  "This is ... incredible, insane, amazing … How do you feel?"

 

Hannah giggles.  "Grrrreat!" she growls, rubbing her button nose against her daughter's larger one.  The girl moves her arms and legs against Alyssa's robe.

 

"Good, good."  The teen says, relaxing a bit.  She glances at Emmy.  "Hmmmm, we're gonna need diapers.  Could you get a couple for the night?" she asks.

 

"Okay!" Hannah exclaims happily, seeming to love the idea.  Alyssa can't resist giving her mother a tickle on her side causing Hannah to laugh gaily. 

 

"So, Jamie, lemme guess, you weren't this small when you got here, huh?" Alyssa asks.

Jamie looks down at his shirt then shakes his head mutely.  Alyssa lets her mother drop down from her hip and sends her on her way with a pat on the bottom.

 

Little Hannah scampers away from her daughter on bare feet then pauses at the door and blinks at the little boy.  “Jamie?  James?”  She asks, though with some recognition.  “Yure little too?  Wanna play!?” she asks excitedly, already forgetting where she was going.

 

“Mother.  The diapers?” Alyssa reminds with a small laugh.

 

“Right!  Diapers!” the adorable little girl pipes with a hop, before running out the room.

 

Alyssa folds her arms over her chest and looks Jamie over.  "So, that means you knew perfectly well what you were looking at from under the couch, huh?" she states evenly.  "I'd suggest you forget about it then, if you wish me to." she adds.

 

Jamie blushes hotly and looks down, knowing he was bad but not completely clear on how.  "I'm sorry," he sniffs.

 

The teen girl ruffles his hair.  "Good.  Now, run to the kitchen and get me a dry towel and a wet one.  Use the water bucket."

 

He looks up at her seriously, as if she is giving him important work to do.  "I'm on it!" he declares, and scampers off, his bare feet making slapping sounds.

 

Alyssa giggles at his cuteness, then turns and gushes as she takes in the sheer adorableness of her formerly annoying big sister.  "Oh Emelia, you never should have grown up.  Sooooo cute!" she comments softly, before looking for the fresh sheets.  The little girl looks especially babyish in her deep sleep.

 

Alyssa knows she should probably be more freaked out, but given the miracle with the priest earlier she is just glad that if anyone was blessed in this family, it wasn't her.

 

"Though Sasha has a lot of explaining to do." she mutters.  "Especially leaving them alone."  She also begins to wonder if the witch’s dealings with her sisters have anything to do with these ‘miracles’.

 

Alyssa finds herself fascinated with the pure innocence of her sleeping sister.  The cherubic toddler splayed out and asleep.  She plays her fingers gently over Emmy's round tummy.  "Wake up Emmy baby, you had an accident." The teen says softly, though her now baby sister does not wake up, instead simply drooling around her thumb.

 

Jamie comes back waddling with a half-filled bucket between his legs.  He can barely lift it off the floor.

 

Alyssa thanks him and takes one of the dry towels, dipping it in the cool water.  She finds she is able to move the toddler around like a rag doll, the girl remaining deeply asleep. Hannah may have been light to pick up, but Emmy is less than half that again.

 

Hannah hops her way back into the room carrying two sizes of diaper cloth, one that will fit Emmy, and one about half its size.  Alyssa notices her mother hasn't bothered finding herself something to wear as she bounces on her knees on a dry corner of the bed.

 

Alyssa looks at the smaller cloth with trepidation.  "Um, she's getting smaller?" she asks worriedly.

 

Hannah shrugs and giggles.  "I dunno.  Maybe!"

 

Alyssa places Emmy on a dry spot then proceeds to strip the bed.

 

Jamie takes the opportunity to wander around their house, peeking into hope chests, trunks and wardrobes.

 

"This is so weird.  I bet this poor bed never went through this before.” Alyssa comments. 

 

Hannah giggles.  "Nuh, uh.  Emmy had ax-dents at night till she was eight." she adds gleefully.  "And daytime till four.  Hadda wear dipees.  Hated 'em."

 

"Wow.  So much I never knew." Alyssa admits.  It is unbelievable to see her eldest sister physically reduced to little more than a baby.  She hasn't even begun to process her miniaturized mother.  The bed now bare she lays the towel out then wets a washcloth in the water.  She proceeds to wipe little Emmy's privates clean.

 

"Isn't there powder in your room?" Alyssa asks her little mother.  She wipes her sister dry with the towel she is on then folds the diaper.  With some trepidation, Alyssa imagines Emmy throwing tantrums about wearing a diaper. 

 

"Not for babees," the little girl sings.  "Though I guess it'll work."

 

The teen can't help but chuckle at the baby comment.  "Guess I'm not the baby of the family anymore.  So when did this happen?"  Alyssa moves to her mother's room to get the powder.

 

"Sasha gave us tea," Hannah remembers, bouncing a little on the bed then jumping off to follow Alyssa with a thump.

 

"Tea?" the sixteen-year old asks confused.

 

"With really, really, really, really good milk," Hannah recalls, starting to drool a little through the gaps in her teeth.

 

"I see.  So you both got blessed during tea time?" Alyssa asks.

 

"Kinda.  Only, Emmy was saying I was gonna work for her, but then she started getting small."  Hannah explains in her squeaky high voice, though frankly she sounds confused.

 

“So, were you blessed during tea time, or did the tea make you little?” Alyssa asks.

 

Hannah looks even more confused, cutely furrowing her brow.  “I dunno.  Does it mattah?  I’m little an’ I like it.”

 

Alyssa nods slowly, deciding she is going to get as much out of her small mother as she can.  "Very well.  Uh, shouldn't you put something on?" Alyssa checks.

 

Hannah shrugs dramatically.  "Nothing fits and it's bedtime and we're home!"

 

"We have plenty of clothing for little girls to sleep in the shop, and you used to spank me for running around the house naked." The teen adds.

 

Hannah covers her bottom cutely then giggles.

 

Alyssa pats Hannah's bottom gently as she passes.  "Don't worry, I don’t mind.  Kinda funny a seamstress doesn't want to wear her own clothing though."

 

"You wanna go nakey too?" the little girl asks, tugging at her daughter’s robe.

 

Alyssa blushes.  "Um, Jamie already got a free peek." she admits.

 

Hannah laughs and dances.  "Then there's nothing to hide!"

 

Returning to the bedroom Alyssa powders then diapers her sister, having some difficulty doing so.  Her little mother helps however.  The diaper cloth has adorable pink ruffles on its round bottom Alyssa finds, causing her to giggle at the image of her big adult sister in such babyish garments.

 

"Now hush about that silly talk.  You and Emmy may not have anything to hide anymore, but I do." Alyssa comments as they work.  "Which makes Sasha and I the women of the house.  So you listen to us, alright?"

 

"To hide from a little boy?" Hannah asks incredulously.  "Why?"

 

"Because he's obviously not a little boy for real." Alyssa huffs.

 

"He ob-vee-us-ly IS for real," Hannah points out with some difficulty of her own at pronunciation.  "From now on."

 

“From now on, eh?”  Alyssa smirks as she admires the cute diapers on her chubby sister’s bottom then sits Emmy atop the pillows on the floor to re-sheet the bed.  "Which means you're a real little girl?" she checks.

 

Hannah giggles and does an excited little dance as if Alyssa just tickled her.

 

"And you like it too." Alyssa laughs.  "Good.  I think I like you better this way too.  Not so ... grumpy."  She picks her mother up, places her on the bed then tickles her all over for almost a minute.  Hannah squeals and giggles happily with the play, shrinking far too slightly for Alyssa to notice.  "And Emelia can't be as dour and mean as before either.  Naita made two good choices." The teen daughter adds over the giggles.

 

Once done Alyssa lifts her little mommy up and places the new child on her hip.  "I'm still getting you some nightclothes.  Emmy too.  You'll catch cold otherwise." she adds.  "Jamie, I'm going to the shop.  Watch Emmy.  She's in the pillows on the floor."

 

"Yes'm!" Jamie salutes.

 

"Nice boy.  Takes orders well.  Who is he anyway?" Alyssa asks her mother.  Hannah is to overcome with giggles to answer however.  "Awwwww, how cute."  Alyssa gushes at her little mother’s mirth

 

Alyssa sets her little naked charge down on the bear skin rug when she enters the shop.  "There, so your feet don't get cold.  Now let's find something"

 

Hannah's eyes drop to the fur between her toes and she rubs her feet against it slowly. Alyssa turns her back for just a moment, and Hannah is lying in the rug and squirming.

 

Alyssa finds a pink toddler's footed pajama outfit for her older sister, then spots a little girl’s yellow nightie perfect for her mom.  The nightie has an embroidered bunny on the front.  Turning back around Alyssa spots the little girl and her actions.  "Mother!" she says shocked.  After a moment she laughs.  "You used to spank me for that too.  Now up with you."  She takes her mother's hand and lifts her up.

 

"I want to wear this," the girl whines, indicating the bear.

 

"Maybe I can make something ... in the morning.  Little girls need their sleep." Alyssa adds, leading Hannah away.  Hannah comes along, though she whines crankily under her breath.

 

"You're pouting!?" Alyssa asks, surprised but amused.  "Oh, this is gonna be so much fun from now on."  Once they get back to the bedroom Alyssa decides to dress first Hannah then Emmy. 

 

Hannah glares at Jamie as her daughter lifts her onto the bed, clearly hating the fact he seems to be free of the bedtime order.  “Why don’t Jamie hafta go to bed?” she asks with a pout of her lips.

 

"Well he's older than you now, and you said his brother will be getting here soon." Alyssa explains kindly.  Alyssa pulls the dress on Hannah and rubs her belly, suddenly wondering if it is rounder than she first thought.

 

Alyssa frowns, honestly not knowing if her mother has gotten younger or if she is even supposed to.  In truth Alyssa has been more dazzled by the miracles than anything else and has not considered the bad parts.  Changing her big sister's wet diapers she can handle, especially given how many times Emelia liked to call her 'baby' sister.  But to have to actually care for a full baby, possibly two, that she does not want.

 

"Please Naita, let it stop here." Alyssa prays to herself.  "Though another year off Emmy would be not too much of a burden." She adds as concession to the mother goddess.

 

Alyssa further contemplates her family’s new lives as she dresses Emmy, sharing her thoughts with Hannah in a serious tone, as an adult speaks to a real child.  "From now on things will be tough going mother, but I think it'll work.  Sasha can make a good older sister and run the shop well without Emelia in the way.  And we won't need as much food.  And you two will already know lots of stuff as you both grow up." 

 

Alyssa buttons Emmy into her pink sleeper, the buttons all on the back of course.  The design was meant to not only keep a toddler warm but to also prevent the child from taking off a wet diaper in the middle of the night.  This also means that big bad Emelia will need someone else to get it off and change her diaper.  The thought makes Alyssa smile even more. 

 

The toddler girl is actually a bit big for the outfit, stretching the cloth at the buttons.  While Alyssa is tugging the buttons closed, she feels a tingle, and the tot on her lap gets visibly smaller and lighter by about a third of a year.  Twenty eight to thirty two months in age Alyssa guesses, knowing her business of sizing clothing well.  She finds she enjoys that her older sister's age is no longer commonly measured in years and she sends a private thanks to Naita.

 

The outfit still doesn't quite fit however, the thick diaper bulging underneath the tot’s footed sleeper.  Alyssa wonders with amusement if it will fit by morning.

 

"Thankfully there is still Sasha," Alyssa thinks to herself after she is done, suddenly grateful for still having an older sister.  "Maybe she can watch these two while I get to work in the shop, alone for a change."

 

But Sasha will have to work as well she realizes.  They will probably have to hire a kid to baby-sit.  She sighs, but tucks the precious pair into bed with a kiss for each, understanding just how her life will change, and just how much responsibility she will be taking now.

 

After a moment Alyssa pauses, something else entering her mind.  "Um, mom ... Hannah?  Do you need a diaper too for bed?  Be honest." she checks.

 

"No!" Hannah protests, smiling.  "When do I get my own bed again?"

 

Alyssa folds her arms over her chest, feeling more like an adult around her mother than ever before.  In truth she finds she likes the feeling.  "I'll ask Sasha which bed, but you'll be sleeping with Emmy for a long while.  Unless she drops to crib age of course. Probably best to sell the more expensive bed." she considers.  "And dresses.  And jewelry."

 

Hannah pouts and gives the sleeping toddler's extended arm a petulant shove away. "Those are mine!" she cries, sitting up again.

 

But Alyssa looks firm.  "I know, and I'm sorry.  But if we need the money ... look, you don't need any of it anymore.  You can't wear any of it, won't be able to for more than a decade.  We're the adults in this family now.  Little kids don't own anything.  In fact, we own you, as you have pointed out to us many times before."  She gives her little mother a hug to soothe her.  "I love you sweetheart., but things have changed.  You can't be the boss anymore."

 

"You can't take it all away," her mother sobs.  "It's mine!"

 

"Shhhh, we'll talk about this later.  I promise we'll discuss it all with you." Alyssa says. "But the final word will be ours."

 

Hannah continues to cry crankily however and Alyssa resolves not to discuss anything else in front of the little girl which she really won't have a say in.

 

Alyssa rocks the child for a few minutes then gets her to lie back down to sleep.  From under her robe she produces something else she grabbed in the shop, an adorable rag doll she’d made herself.  "Hey Hannah, look what I found." she whispers tucking the doll under the girl's thin arm.  The small girl clutches at the doll desperately, as if believing it might make everything better.

 

Leaving the pair to get some rest Alyssa returns to the main room and looks at Jamie.  The little boy is sitting on the couch, swinging his bare feet over the carpet.

 

"You need clothes too kiddo.  And if your brother isn't here soon I'd suggest you rest with us.”  Alyssa says.  At the boy's smile she adds, "On the couch."

 

Alyssa holds her hand out to the boy.  "C'mon, let's find you a sleeping gown."   He takes her larger hand and she leads him to the shop.  She finds a basic white gown, designed for boys or girls of Jamie’s age.  He doesn't look impressed.

 

"Aw," Jamie says in disappointment.

 

“It will do.” The teen tells him.  Alyssa pulls his tunic off, which makes him giggle and dance a little.

 

"No!" he says to the gown, and laughs as he runs off naked through the shop.

 

Annoyed Alyssa chases, and catches him, making good on her promise with another trio of spanks to his bottom.  "Just for that, you get a pink one." she smirks.

 

"The white!  The white!" he pleads.

 

"Too late.  Maybe this will teach you to behave." Alyssa adds, dragging him along.

 

"I'm new at this!" Jamie protests, trying desperately to tug free.  "Please don't be mean to me?"  He looks up at her with his best sad, blue eyes.

 

"We have a lot of stuff for little girls here.  I can make you very pretty for your brother." Alyssa adds in a threatening tone.  "Unless you’re a good boy from now on."

 

Jamie nods rapidly, mouth half open.  He is very cute, Alyssa realizes, taking the opportunity to look him completely over.  She tries to imagine who he was when he was grown.

 

"Then I suggest you put the sleeping gown on now." Alyssa adds sternly.

 

The boy scampers away to get the white gown.  It only has a few frills around the collar, unlike the pink ones.  He pulls it on, not relaxing until he sees Alyssa nod and smile.

 

They return to the living quarters where Alyssa leaves the boy on the couch.  "I'm gong to get dressed for bed, with the door closed.  Don't move." she instructs.

 

The boy curls up on the cushions, pulling his legs and feet into the nightgown for warmth, hoping his brother will return soon.  The idea of sleeping here is not going over easily in his mind.

 

***

 

Earlier, after a talk about dueling, Amara led John away with a promise to teach him a thing or two.  To his surprise, the lesson involved sticks, not touching. 

 

"I'm not going to fight a girl," John protests gallantly.  Amara smartly strikes him against his side, and stands ready, threatening him with more.

 

"The church has a superior military, and I'm going to prove it to you," she declares. "Now, show me what your instructors have been teaching you."

 

"It hardly matters," he demurs.  "It isn't as though I'm going into the priesthood.  I like girls too much." He adds, trying to hint yet again at what he really wants.

 

Amara’s stick swings swiftly into position by his nose, making him blink.  "I thought you wanted to learn?" she challenges, knowing no other way to deal with boys.  "Or are you the lout all the girls think you are?"

 

That strikes a nerve.  "Who said that?" John demands, knocking her stick away.  She smiles and changes position.

 

"Attack me then." she adds.  When he hesitates yet again she starts throwing insults at him about how lazy he is, about how bad he is in bed.  He attacks, and they get into a duel.

 

John has reach on the thirteen-year-old Palidin, though she doesn't let him use it.  Getting frustrated he lunges forward anyway, only to be flipped over the girl's bent body and onto his back.

 

Amara’s smug look disappears from her face when he grabs her ankle and tugs her off balance, to land in a heap beside him.  As she sprawls, John can see that in addition to her bare feet and legs she isn’t wearing any undergarments.  In fact, he realizes she is wearing nothing but the dress.

 

"That was cheap." she complains.

 

John rolls on top of her and pins her wrists.  "All's fair in love and war!"

 

The young Palidin frowns.  "Spoken like a true ruffian.  Get off." she says flatly.

 

"What for?" he asks, smiling charmingly.  "Are you afraid?  Do you have a secret you don't want exposed?" he teases.  She blushes in response and tries to slow her breathing, though she has yet to catch her breath.

 

"I have many.  What are you afraid of?  Growing up?" Amara bites back.  "Do you really think the girls like being teased?  Are you still pulling pigtails?  You were far more charming at the table.  Pity it didn't last." she says.  "Now get off of me."

 

"You're driving me crazy!" John protests in frustration, still holding her arms down.  He gives her a kiss full on the lips.

 

Amara grunts, feeling her heart race faster and her skin flush.  "No!" she gasps when her mouth is free.  "Please, no.  Really.  Stop." she begins to plead, her bravado vanishing.

 

"Really?" he asks, making sure.

 

She nods, obviously worried, in part because at some level she wants him to continue.  "Yes.  Really."

 

He frowns.  "Humph.  If you weren't looking for 'fun', then why would you go around like this?" he asks, fanning her dress’ hem so that a blast of air tickles her bare privates.  "Is it you who's being childish?  Playing the little girl who thinks she's being naughty?"

 

"It was just cooler that way." Amara protests though there is meekness in her voice now.  Perhaps she was a bit naughty she thinks.  "A gentleman would ignore it." she adds.  The pinned girl, so unused to being defenseless, continues to blush.  She stops struggling and waits, hoping he will get off.

 

"Is that so?" John asks with raised eyebrows.  "Or would a gentleman slap your bottom and send you home to get properly dressed?" he asks, implying that she is just a young girl.

 

Amara finds herself gasping.  "You won't." she says weakly.

 

"I won't what?" he asks softly.  "I won't take you, here in the dirt?  Or I won't slap your silly bum and send you home?"  He grins, enjoying the look on her cute face.  She looks honestly worried, possibly more at the idea of the spank than the sex. 

 

Amara calms a bit however after a few deep breaths, composing herself if only a little.  "I can't seem that young if you'd consider the former." she points out.  "Look, I like going bare.  It feels more free.  And I'm on the road a lot.  It still gives you no right to pin me like this.  Upset I was beating you?"

 

"Upset you were teasing me," he retorts.

 

"You aren't proving me wrong." she points out then tries another tactic. "Get off or I'll scream.  My friends are nearby."

 

"Where?  At a tea party?" he teases.  "Could they hear you over their talking toys?"

 

Amara finds herself shocked at his demeaning tone, and frustrated.  "I'm not a little girl." she finds herself whining.

 

"You play rough, and you don't like to touch boys," he points out.  "Sounds like a little tom boy to me."

 

She begins struggling in earnest, losing control of herself again.  "No!  I'm a grown up!  I'm a Palidin!  I'm not a child!"  Her bare feet kick in the dirt, drumming her heels.  Her mind flashes back to the ogre’s cage, feeling confined and trapped and totally helpless.

 

"Don't let your mommy hear you say that," he warns good-naturedly.  Finally though some pity comes to him and he rolls off of her. 

 

Sitting up and hugging herself Amara finds herself sniffling.  "I was nice to you." she whines, her voice higher in pitch it seems.

 

Realizing he went much too far with the girl John sits up and gently touches her back.  "Hey, easy there.  I'm not gonna do anything.  I was just teasing you."

 

"What did you do to her?" a higher, but much firmer and angry voice says from the shadows.  Little Reiko, still only twelve but with fire in her eyes steps out of them, hands on hips.  She is glaring directly at John.

 

 

---