A Witch Can't Quit
By Kentauros
Part 1
Nadia had tried to put her heritage behind her. Magic was a rare gift, often envied by unknowing mortals, but they didn't know about all the downsides. All magic had its limits, and the culture of witches and wizards was stuffy and old-fashioned, full of a labyrinthine bureaucracy that only a bunch of ageless immortals with nothing better to do with their time than form centuries long feuds and alliances and cold wars and, and, and - it was all too much for her!
So she had gotten out. That had been a trick in itself. The preparation had involved thousands of powerful spells - adjusting memories here, altering magical records there. Nadia had erased herself so completely that not even her own parents knew about her anymore. A lesser witch would have missed something, would have made a mistake, left a clue somewhere that would let someone unravel all her careful preparations, but not Nadia. As far as she knew, she was the first and only witch to start living in the shadows in the mortal world full time. The first one to escape any one else's notice and forge her own path away from the pointless squabbling of eons.
But there are always risks of being a trailblazer, as Nadia was soon going to discover.
Nadia had cast her last spell 10 years ago today. 10 years ago she had earned her freedom. Life had been simple - she had taken up a job as an accountant in a small ski lodge in the Rocky Mountains. She had made a group of tried and true friends, and loved drinking and hanging out with them on weekends.
Other witches and wizards might have considered such an existence far beneath them, but not Nadia. This was what she wanted. Sure, she did wonder about the long term viability of all of this. Her friends were getting into their mid-30's and showing little signs of aging here and there, but she hadn't aged a day since she had shown up. It wasn't weird yet, but she wondered whether their gentle joking whenever she got carded would turn into anything more in another 10 or 20 years.
The cracks in her perfect little plan started to appear the next morning.
It seemed like a day like any other in the off season. There was no snow on the mountains at this time of the year, and so most of the staff either took up jobs elsewhere in town or moved back to their "real homes" until the next ski season started. The lodge was pretty quiet - and the only excitement came when Nadia had to help support the occasional wedding or other event that happened at the lodge during the summer months. Today there was no events planned, so she just had to show up to her office for a few hours, do some paperwork and go back to her simple apartment. An easy day, in a small town away from all the hustle and bustle of the Mage's Council. Exactly what she wanted.
The rosy dawn was still peeking up over the mountain, making everything look breathtakingly beautiful.
"Oh, god, I wish I had my canvas on me right now!" Nadia's friend and sometimes coworker, Jill, said.
During the winter Jill manned ski and equipment rentals. During the off-season she worked at a small art museum in town, that always seemed to be on the brink of closing down. She was a typical story - a ski bum raised by ski bums, who decided she should get a job at a lodge so she could do what she wanted for free. Jill had a slim and athletic body, and it wasn't uncommon for people to call her "sir" at restaurants and stores before realizing their mistake and apologizing profusely. In Nadia's opinion, Jill was the sweetest and most caring person on Earth. She had been the first friend she had made in the mortal world, and Nadia had so many fond memories with her.
They were both going to Starbuck's. They would have gone to a more "local" establishment for coffee, but the last mom and pop coffee shop had closed down last year. So they reluctantly went here.
"I know, right?" Nadia said, admiring the view. "It just fills me with such a wonderful feeling." Nadia loved taking a moment and appreciating little moments like this one.
As they stepped through the door, Nadia felt a strange chill run through her body. It was... familiar in some ways.
"Oh, I think they got a new barista," Jill observed.
"Seems so, I wonder what happened to Lisa?" Nadia asked.
They walked up to the line, and waited for their turn to talk to the new bartender. Jill and Nadia were regulars, so it was a bit strange having to go up and actually order. They were further thrown off by the girl as they finally got closer.
The girl was a bit of an odd sight in a town like this. She was clearly going for a goth look, and pulled it off quite well. Her skin was milky white which contrasted beautifully with her dark make up and black dress. She had snake bite piercings on her lower lip, and grey and black tattoos of skulls and tombstones creeping up her arm. Her name tag said "Lilith."
Nadia tried not to roll her eyes. She knew the real Lilith, and she was a total nightmare. Still, something about the barista felt so strange to Nadia.
< Ugh, more fucking customers. Kill me now.> Nadia heard a sarcastic voice, and blinked in surprise. People weren't usually so rude in town.
"I beg your pardon?" Nadia said.
"I didn't say anything," Lilith said, rolling her eyes. In a depressed monotone, she said, "Welcome to Starbucks, what would you like to order?"
Nadia realized she hadn't heard the woman speak at all. The words had been inside of her head. Had she been mind-reading? But she hadn't even cast a mind reading spell! This should be impossible. Nadia watched as Jill tried to make small talk and get to know the new barista.
< Of fucking *course* this bitch is a chatty Cathy. Everyone's so damn chatty in this town. I hate that I had to move back in with my parents here. At least in the city people knew that you shouldn’t give your life story to a barista! >
Nadia put a hand onto Jill’s shoulder. “Uh, Jill. You’re scaring the poor girl! She’s probably new in town and still adjusting to the local culture here. There’ll be plenty of time to talk to her in the future.”
Jill looked taken aback, but then looked at Lilith and noticed she was staring daggers at her. “Oh, yes. Uh, sorry. I’ll have a grande coffee with cream.”
“And what name was that for?” Lilith asked.
“Oh, uh, Jill.”
Lilith nodded, and took Jills card. “And whaddyou want?”
< I really hope this bitch isn’t so chatty. God, I just want to get to payday. That’s my mantra. Just gotta work til payday. Fuck, I hate my life! I wish I could work whatever cushy job chatty Cathy over there has. >
Nadia felt energy surge through her at Lilith’s thoughts. The world seemed to blur, and then reassert itself - the sure sign of powerful magic being used. When the world reappeared, Nadia was surprised that she was looking at a completely different barista.
“Hi Nadia!” Jill said cheerfully. “Good to see you back here today. What drink do you want?”
Nadia felt memories surge into her head. Jill had recently started working at Starbucks during the off season. Which meant-
Nadia looked behind her. Sure enough, Lilith was standing there her eyes wide in shock.
What was happening?
< Did my wish just come true? > Lilith thought to herself.
Nadia’s mind started racing. She had never encountered anything like this before. Why was she able to hear this mortal’s thoughts? And why was this mortal able to make her use her powers against her will?
“Lilith, please be super careful right now,” Nadia said. “I don’t know what’s happening, but it’s definitely not good. Try to focus on the here and now, don’t think about anything you want.”
< Wait a second, did this woman notice the changes too? Is she some kind of genie?> Lilith thought. < Let’s test it. >
“I wish I was rich!” Lilith said aloud.
“Don’t we all!” Jill said, giggling.
Nadia breathed a sigh of relief when nothing happened.
“It didn’t work?” Lilith said. “Why didn’t it work?”
“Why didn’t what work, miss?” Jill said, giving a good-natured smile.
< How can she be so happy! > Lilith thought angrily. < She’s working the same crappy dead-end job I just was! She should be miserable like me, I wish I was happy like her. >
At these thoughts, reality again shifted. Gone was the cheerful and perky Jill, and in her place was a much more dour individual. Nadia could feel new memories filling her head. Jill had never been her friend. She was just a stranger that worked odd jobs around town, and had now, apparently, ended up at this Starbucks.
She turned to Lilith, who was now smiling a pure, carefree smile. Memories flooded Nadia’s head of meeting Lilith a week or two ago when she had moved into town to live with her parents again.
Nadia’s immortal mind could still remember the old world, and she was furious at Lilith for changing her dear friend.
“Lilith, can we talk outside?”
Lilith nodded happily. “Okay.”
“Lilith, I’m sure you notice something strange is happening,” Nadia said, when they were out of ear shot of Jill. “But you’ve got to keep a handle on your thoughts, for just a bit as I figure things outs.”
“Oh, I’m not worried miss genie,” Lilith said cheerfully. “After that last wish, I find that I’m very satisfied with my life. I’m sure I won’t need to make another wish!”
Nadia heard Lilith’s thoughts, and could tell that it was true.
“First of all, I’m not a genie. I’m a witch. And we have a big problem. You just erased 10 years of friendship with my best friend in the world. I’m going to need you to trade back with Jill. Then I can figure out what’s happening, and find some way to stop it.”
Lilith looked inside. “That girl wasn’t very nice. I tried to have a friendly conversation with her today, and she just stonewalled me.”
“That’s because of you!” Nadia said, her voice raised slightly.
“Oh yeah,” Lilith said. “I guess so. I remember being like her once, but it’s so… fuzzy.”
“That’s because you’re a mortal,” Nadia said. “Your brains aren’t meant to remember old versions of reality. I’m actually amazed you’re remembering so much of your old life now.”
“Well, I don’t want to go back to being like her!” Lilith said. “I’m happy like this.”
“Will you really be able to be happy stealing someone else’s happiness?” Nadia said. “Look, once we get this all sorted, I promise Jill and I will take you under our wing. You deserve to be happy too, but not like this.”
< God, guilt trip much! > Lilith thought. < But I suppose she is right. >
Nadia nodded. “Thank you for seeing reason!”
“I didn’t agree to trading back just yet,” Lilith said. “First, what have I got to do?”
“Well, you can see Jill from here, right? Just look through the window, and think about taking back your unhappiness and your old job. Wish for it.”
“My old job?” Lilith said. “Wait, did I work for Starbucks before?”
Nadia was getting frustrated. Mortal minds were so limited!
“Yes! You’ve made two changes so far. I can remind you after you make the next two, just look at Jill and wish to change back.”
Lilith looked throught the window at Jill, who was being miserable to yet another customer today. < Was I really like that? God, I hate to think I’m going back to that, but this witch woman is being super understanding in spite of me screwing everything up. I’ve got to try for her! Okay, here goes.> Lilith looked at Jill, and tried to make herself want to change back into her. But it was too hard. < Maybe if I think of something I do like about Jill? Hm… She seems pretty athletic. I bet she does all sorts of outdoorsy stuff! I wish I did that kind of stuff. >
Nadia crossed her arms as reality warped again. “No, not like that! You’re not supposed to take more of her traits!”
When Lilith again became visible, there were muscles stretching her tattooed skin.
“I’m sorry, I can’t help it. I can’t make myself want to go back.”
“Well, I bet you don’t even remember what you used to be like originally?”
Lilith tried hard, but she could only remember that she didn’t used to be athletic.
< This witch lady is so lucky! I wish I could remember past versions of reality. >
Reality shifted once more, but after that, Nadia suddenly had trouble remembering what things used to be like.
“Uh, what did you change just now?” Nadia said, uncertainly.
“Oh nothing,” Lilith said, giving a mischevious smile.
“No, I really can’t remember, what’s happening?” All Nadia could tell was that something seemed off.
Meanwhile Lilith remembered every reality stretching back to the original one. She had been a high school drop out, working a dead end job in a small town in the middle of no where. Now she was an artist, new in town and had a sunny disposition about life.
< I do wish I had lived in this town as long as Jill did. > Lilith thought.
“Wait, what do you mean-” Nadia said, before being cut off.
Reality changed again, and this time, Nadia didn’t seem to think anything was wrong. She was here with her friend Lilith, her oldest friend in the world.
“Hey, Lilith!” Nadia said. “Ready to order coffe?”
“Actually, I’ve got a better idea,” Lilith said. “Why don’t you call in sick, and the two of us go on a little walk through town?”
< She really can’t remember anymore! > Lilith thought. < This is perfect! Now, I’ll be able to wish for whatever I want. This little witch won’t know what hit her. >
“Hey, wait a second!” Nadia said. “How do you know I’m a witch?”
Lilith was taken aback. She didn’t count on the witch having mind reading powers, but it made total sense. Everyone one of her wished had just been in her head, after all.
Lilith looked at an owner walking his dog nearby. The dog was off its leash, and the owner just walked amicably beside it.
< I wish Nadia trusted me as much as this owner trusts his dog! >
Suddenly, reality reshaped itself, and the owner now had his dog on a leash. Meanwhile, Nadia remembered a very important fact. Lilith was the only person who knew she was a witch! She had told her four years into her friendship, and has explained the great lengths she had gone to for secrecy.
“What do you say to calling in sick?” Lilith asked again.
“I love the idea!” Nadia said.
* * *
Whether she was a genie or not, Lilith was having a ton of fun with her loyal witch companion.
As they walked down the street, they spotted a young couple walking and talking to one another. The girl was an absolute knock-out, and in spite of the somewhat brisk morning, she was wearing quite a skimpy outfit.
Lilith may have been happy with her life, but she did feel a little envious seeing the girl. < I wish I had curves like that. >
Suddenly, reality shifted and Lilith’s signature black outfit now had a prominent boob window to give a nice peak at her generous cleavage.
“Why would you wish that?” Nadia said confused. “You’ve always been on the curvy side, and that girl is a total twig.”
Lilith looked at the couple, and could see they were no longer holding hands like they had been before. She could also see that the guy was much more luke warm talking to the girl. Was it possible they weren’t even dating in this reality?
Lilith understood the reason, as soon as the girl opened her mouth again. She was a total airhead. The guy was probably willing to put up with an airhead, when he got to enjoy her curves as her boyfriend, but in this new reality she was just a friend or maybe an acquaintance. Lilith smiled, and knew exactly what she was going to do with the girl’s airheadedness.
< I wish Nadia was as simple-minded as that girl. >
“Hey,” Nadia said in a girlish voice. “I’m already not the, uh, brightest, uh, brightest… knife? Don’t make me even stupider!” She looked down and checked herself, before breathing a sigh of relief. “Oh good, I’m not, like, any dumber.”
Lilith meanwhile remembered a new timeline with Nadia. The two of them had met 10 years ago, and Nadia had explained that she was on the run from the Mage’s Council, and when Lilith had pointed out how strange it was to blab something like that to someone she had practically just met, Nadia had giggled and realized how silly she was being. Lilith had kept the poor girl by her side since then, for her own good.
In the new reality, Lilith suspected that Nadia’s “clever countermeasures” against discovery hadn’t amounted to much, and hadn’t been necessary. The Mage’s Council was probably all too happy to let a disgrace of witch like her out of their clutches.