#aari

 “There you are!” Lillianna cried as Aari found her way into the under ground lab of the wizard Dhampir.

“What are you doing here?” Aari asked her.

“Sidney,” Lillianna explained. “I think her magic went wyld again.”

“Ah,” Aari nodded. “That explains so much.”

Lillianna agreed with a small smile. “I called you because you’re the best tracker, and I didn’t know where I was, but while I was waiting, I encountered another issue.”

 “Another?” Aari asked, perplexed.

“Yes,” Lillianna said, directing her friend’s gaze to the sitting aria. “I don’t know what happened. I was just sitting there, thinking to myself that I would like it if I had a change of clothes before I went outside when you got here, and...”

Aari looked over the piles of clothes over numerous surfaces, her brow raising in concern. “Oh wow...”

Bouncing forward with a crafter’s eye, Aari began to examine the pieces, looking at folds, fabrics, details, muttering to herself all the while.

“Anyway,” Lillianna said, focusing the pooka’s attention. “They just keep appearing. If you hadn’t shown up when you did, I may have been drowned in a see of clothes. I don’t even know where they came from.”

“Okay, lets think about this. What were you doing - precisely - when this started happening?” Aari asked.

“Well, I was just sitting there, thinking that I’d have to have a talk with Sidney about her spelling when she sleeps, and waiting for you... Then I thought about wanting to be in something other than a night gown when you got here. Then this started happening,” Lillianna gestured to the piles of clothes, “and I didn’t know what to do!”

“Okay. That makes sence.”

“It does?” Lillianna asked, confused.

 “Oh yes. This is a wizard’s den. It’s probably got unseen servants wandering about doing every day things, and some that trigger under specific circumstances. I think your thinking of a change of clothes triggered a lingering servant spell.”

 “Oh... okay. Well, what do we do about it?” Lillianna asked in a small voice.

“We figure out its limits and conditions,” Aari grinned.

“I need you to clear your mind,” Aari instructed. “Think of pleasant things. Like mocha and warm croissant, fresh parsley, and a good race.”

 “Oh,” Lillianna said, running her taloned fingers through her messy curls. “I guess a mocha would be nice.”

 “Come on. Sit down,” Aari said as she pulled hair ties out of a pocket. “Let’s get you calm, and then we can work out the spell.”

The brushing was soothing, and having all that hair out of her face did help Lillianna relax. Aari could see her friend’s shoulders relax, her face become less pale, if that were possible. “Okay. I’m going to sit here, and you’re going to think of good things. Not things you wish would happen, or wish did happen, or what you can do about things. Just things you like in general. Bumble bees, flowers, the taste of grass in spring. Just generally good, calming things,” she instructed.

Lillianna didn’t know about eating spring grass. She supposed that was more of a pooka thing, but she did think about flowers, and summer air, and perhaps a few more secretive things. Getting up to pace, eyes closed, she felt lighter, more free. Smiling, she opened her eyes...

“I mean, it’s cute, but...” Aari said skeptically.

“But it’s not mine. I know. I don’t understand why this keeps happening,” Lillianna said with a fretful little choke. “They just keep showing up!”

“Okay, I think I have an idea. Try to clear your mind again. Think about wanting to change your clothes into something that’s yours. Let's see if that works,” Aari suggested.

Lillianna did, but the result, while quite nice, was rather... off.

“What are you thinking about?” Aari asked. “Summer, and sun, and - “ Her stomach growled.

“Food,” Aari added. “Which explained why you look like a watermelon. Stayed to late at the studio again, didn’t you? Skipped dinner, didn’t you?”

“Okay, yes! I’m worried about this upcoming ballet. I’ve never been so high up on the cast list before. I want to get this right!” Lillianna exclaimed. “Lilly...” Aari said, exasperated. “You can’t keep doing that. You live in a house full of magic users of all sorts. Magic calls to need. Try to focus past your hunger. Try again.”

“Well, I suppose honey dew is different than watermelon... but only just.”

“I’m just so hungry,” Lillianna sighed.

“I love a good fruit plate too, but you can’t focus on that right now. Tell yourself we’ll go get a great big brunch when this is all done, and see if that helps,” Aari suggested.

“Maybe...” Lillianna tried again.

“Okay, now you’re letting your frustration get the better of you,” Arri chided as she looked over the red and black concoction. Lillianna looked more like some sort of dark princess than a fairy tale one.

“I’m sorry,” Lillianna pouted. “I’m just so frustrated.”

“I understand,” Aari said comfortingly. “Magic can be hard for the scientific mind. But there is a balance. Just let all your emotions flow again until you find your mind empty again. When it is, try again.”

“Well, it’s progress,” Aari smiled, looking over the orange dress. “The colors suit you.”

“Controlling a grumbly tummy is harder than you think,” Lillianna fussed.

Arri laughed. “I never go hungry. I eat all the time. And skipping meals means you risk being distracted by your rumbles in the tumbles. So keep focusing, and when we’ve figured it out, we’ll have a great big brunch.”

“Now that sounds scrumptiously delightful!” Lillianna cheered.

“I said brunch, not high tea!” Aari teased as the blue and silver concoction Lillianna found herself in sparkled with jewels.

“This is a brunch dress,” Lillianna said. “But I see your point. Also, it’s not mined. It is lovely though.”

She couldn’t resist doing a twirl. The fabric was soft and flowed so well! She’d have to make a note for her next dance recital.

“Well, at least it’s getting closer to what you actually want,” Arri said, watching things sparkle and shine one the dress with fascination.

Lillianna tried again.

“I mean, it’s not bad, really. I’m not sure about the buckle, but I do like the colors. Very fun,” Aari commented.

“Black, white, red... I feel a little like-”

“A dark fairy tale princess?” Aari laughed. “Sometimes I wonder,” she smiled. “Come on, try again.”

“Tummy rumble?” Aari asked.

“Tummy rumble,” Lillianna agreed.

"It’s not the same as the last time. I think the spell is reaching its limits, or it’s getting better at knowing what you’d like,” Aari said.

“That’s good, right? If this wasn’t so frustrating, this would be so much fun!” Lillianna laughed.

“Okay, this is on me. I suddenly recalled the Día de los Muertos celibration we went to last year. I thought everything was so lovely. Sarah said she’d go with us again this year, and when I said party...”

“You thought of the last large event you went to. I get it. Girl, we need to get you out of that dance studio more. Día de los Muertos was last year!”

“Look, sugar skulls are delicious, okay!” Lillianna huffed with a pretty pout. “And I like the music.”

“Of course you do,” Aari chuckled. “Come on. Try again. The number of clothes keeps going down, so we must be closer to the spell limits.”

“Okay!” Aari smiled. “That’s more like something you’d wear every day. A line, simple. Colors that work with your tones. Very nice!”

“But not mine. We all know magic clothes have a time limit.”

“Not always, but I understand.”

“Am I going backwards?” Lillianna cried as the green and gold made another appearance.

“Hum.. I don’t think so. I think the spell heard what I said about your coloring, and tried to match your eyes. Besides, the design is new, so that’s positive.”

“Oh! Oh, Wow! I’m going to keep that design in mind! That’s very complicated pleating,” Aari exclaimed.

“I’m not sure it’s for me though. It’s a little... busy?” Lillianna said.

”I like the accents, and the belt is just darling, but it all blends in so much,” she sighed.

“Maybe,” Aari suggested, “but I still like the design, even if the colors are a bit... chaotic,” she teased. Lillianna was full of chaos. Showing that in the fabric meant they couldn’t be far from the edges of the spell.

“Um, Make it... Darker?” Lillianna said.

“I mean, it worked, but the cut if different too. I think the spell has a creative element that’s attuned to the asker. Since you’re so ... logically wild, it must be pulling from the flicker flash of images in your mind and mixing them up.

“So this is all random like?” Lillianna asked.

“Okay, I think I got it. I want to be wearing separates!” Lillianna chirped.

“You’re -”

“Hungry, yeah. I know,” Lillianna said dejectedly.

“You got two pieces though, so it is working. Try again.”

Aari chuckled. “Okay, still hungry, but at least your in your own top now. That’s something.”

Lillianna squealed in glee, then bit her lower lip to keep control. “Okay. Okay, I got this! I can do this!” She tried again.

“I’d wear it,” Aari said considering.

“I was thinking of particular piece of clothing I wanted,” Lillianna said. “Was I not thinking hard enough?”

“The spell isn’t created for you, so it can only read you generally, not specifically. You are defiantly making progress, though.”

“Longer. Higher waist. I mean, you're defiantly at the edge of the spell,” Aari said quietly.

Lillianna looked at it, glowering just a touch. “I’m going to figure this out!”

“Purple?” Lillianna said in despair.

“I think I figured it out. It’s a color based summon spell for clothing items!” Aari exclaimed.

“So it summoned a purple skirt instead of what I’m thinking about?”

“That’s what tipped me off,” Aari grinned.

“I’ve seen that before. It’s Leria’s. Rupert got it for her at that street festival we went to,” Aari explained. “So I think it’s reaching for things in your size, which means...”

“It’s reaching for Dela’s clothes because she’s our size?”

“Well, closest to it anyway. I really think you’re at the edge of the spell. The cloud poof feels less sparkly. Try again.”

“Green and gold. Okay, this has to be Dhampir’s spell. Probably to summon fresh clothes when the ones he’s wearing get messy with components.”

“Components?” Lillianna asked.

“Yeah. When you make a scroll, you still have to put the same stuff in it. Usually you grind the stuff up, infuse it into ink, and all that. It can be very messy. Try asking for work pants,” Aari said cheerfully.

“Oh my gosh, it worked!” Lillianna cheered. “Yay!” Aari added with a smile. “Only one problem left,” Lillianna sighed. “How do we get rid of all the shoes?” “Same way,” Aari grinned, elbowing her friend.

Surma by Torani India | Festive 2020

Photography | Vansh Virmani