<h4>Chapter 18:</h4>


    In the end I''m left there with the girls, and after ying for a while as theyb my fur and put some flowers on my ears and fur, making me sneeze with the sweet smell only to end up messing all their hard work, but I would justy back down for them to start all over again, knowing deep inside that mother would take a while toe back, but even I grow impatient as for once I stand and end up trotting over Cottonwhistle to say:


    "Hi, miss Lake, do you think mother will be back soon?"


    The Lake fairy is taking some pollen out of a flower to sprinkle at the other, golden dust descending slowly around her, as she turns to see me.


    "Hm... Is hard to say, she may end it today, perhaps tomorrow, perhaps in a week, who knows."


    "In a week?" That is just as if a cold bucket of ice have being turned above my head and drenched me to the core. Seriously, a week without mother, out of nowhere like this? That is at least... disconcerting.


    "Oh sweetie, don''t worry, I''m sure your mother will end it as fast as she can so she cane back to you as soon as possible."


    Her words do not sound asforting as she is trying to make them, and that only makes me lower my ears further while casting my eyes towards the floor.


    But this time, before the fairies coulde and try to cheer me up, a tsk sounds stronger than their sweet voices, making me look over to see Lily on the side, with her arms crossed, looking down on me with disdain and a scold at her face.


    "Such a baby indeed, aren''t you? What, can''t stay away from mommy for a day? What are you going to do? Don''t start crying now, thisdy ears are very sensitive I''ll tell you that!"


    That was a low blow, but I do not have time nor need to do anything for Lily''s words unleash the wrath of the other fairies around her as their shouts fuse together, but I can barely make out some loose words of "How dare you!" "That has gone too far!" "Lily, how cold hearted of you!" and some even saying "Poor thing, don''t listen to her alright? You can cry if you want, we are here for you."


    And yet of all things thosest words are the ones that bother me the most. Crying, who is crying, nobody is going to cry, especially with such small matter!


    So, realizing that I had given off such weak appearance, I fix my posture and look up once more towards Cottonwhistle, but this time with a new light as I say:


    "I see, she will probably be tired then...I don''t want to trouble you Miss. Lake, but I would like to go to the city to buy some clothes for me, see about the sses too so I don''t have to trouble motherter. Would that be asking too much?" I look hopefully at her, unaware of the irresistible kitty puppy eyes that I''m giving her.


    "T-That''s... of course my love, we were about to agree on something like that anyway, so of course, just take Lily with you."


    I was hoping she would forget about that part, but it seems that I''m out of luck.


    The odd part is, even if clearly unsatisfied with Lily''s behavior, when the fairies hear this they only frown and show discontent, but do not say otherwise, perhaps not wanting to go against Cottonwhistle judgment?


    Not matter, but the following moment I''m up to staying together with the most difficult to deal with fairy as long as I can go out, and as our eyes meet I think: Well, it can''t be that hard right? She is bound to stay put with me, and she did not contest Cottonwhistle judgment even with her temperament, so perhaps there is still some kind of respect and moral bearing there.


    Or at least I hope, at the level of not causing trouble for me just for the sake of it there is.


    She seems to think about it for a while, looking from me towards Lily, and then she shrugs her little shoulders.


    "Very well, your mother was just asking us to apany you while she is out, so I don''t see why not. Also, Lily, can you carry some of our Poly Honey to town?"


    "Me? All the way there? How do you think this tinydy can do that?"


    Cottonwhistle looks at her, not amused, and rolls her eyes. "Now Lily!"


    "Alright alright thisdy gets it! No need to fuzz about it now!" At that she finally moves and gets down, flying out of the field only to stop and look back.


    "Come on, what are you waiting for, an invitation? Thisdy is very busy, very very busy, so stop daydreaming and let''s move it! Or else I''ll leave you behind!" She says, impatiently flying in circles waiting for me.


    "I''m going!" I quickly answer and run to her side, wobbling my body up and down as my tail swings in the air to keep my bnce.


    After that momentary trotting, however, I slow to a walk as to not look like a clumsy kitty running around, and with my nerves all jangled with not only insecurity but excitement, I look at my surroundings with bewilderment and fear.


    I follow suit, walking on the stone path without trying the grass around, with an eye open for anything that may be hidden there, and yet at the same time I could not help but appreciate the environment I live in, the chilly wind that makes the leaves and grass swing swiftly, some white grass mixed over the soil moving like waves in the wind, some natural rives, from small to big, crisscrossing thend, adding the soothing sound of moving water to the mix, and the wet smell of earth, rocks and leaves.


    It is hard to think that such calmingnd has many dangers hidden within, I think as I remember how I almost died in a moment of distraction.


    "... What are you doing? Looking for the boogie man?"


    "... Who?"


    "Don''t need to be so tense, thisdy is here with you."


    I cannot help but look her up and down, and the fact that I don''t even need to move my head to do so does not help me feel secure with her presence.


    And of course she notices the act, getting annoyed by it.


    "Thisdy can take care of us alright? And if you do not believe thisdy at least believe your mother''s judgment, after all she chose thisdy for the task."


    After that she turns her back at me, any attempt of friendliness gone after my reaction, leaving us both to deal with our own moods.