[ Next morning ]

  A day has passed in which the fairies have set up camp in our attic. Thompson also learned about our visitors and he offered to provide us with lots of small storage containers, perfect for fairies to sleep in. We also received a dozen old army bedsheets and other necessities, all which would have been disposed of otherwise.

  The fairies are more than happy with all the support and have promised not to create a new temporary hive in our attic. Mom didn't like the idea of having anything remotely simir to a beehive there, and I can't bme her.

  It's now slightly past 8 am and I'm waiting outside in the street, in front of our home, to start my new morning ritual.

  This is now the second time that two trucks have arrived this early, both pulling long trailers behind them. They are blocking the road near our home and are a genuine crowd magnet.

  Me being a fairy stopped being a secret a long time ago, and I'm not exactly hiding my fluffiness either. The trailers are here to collect my fairy dust and for some reason people find it interesting to see me filling not one, but two trailers with the dust.

  Thompson told us that they would be arriving even earlier starting tomorrow, thus enabling me to go to school and whatever else I was pnning to do. And exactly that...doing what I want to do....can be difficult at times. The reason for that is that fairies are not considered to be official residents of the AS. So I'll have to get my own ID soon to make things easier for me.

  When I look up at our small attic window, I see lots of fairies flying in and out like bees. They don't seem to mind being visible to humans and rely on our protection to keep them safe. But thankfully they promised to become invisible shortly after leaving our premises, in order to not hinder traffic and such.

  "Good morning." I said to the truck driver who's still sitting in his truck. "First pickup here?"

  "Hi there, yeah...." He's definitely looking at my tails. "Not sure if someone is pranking me, but I'm supposed to pick up some...fairy dust?"

  "Hahaha...not a prank. Actually, I'll be filling up your trailer myself. When can we start?"

  "The sooner the better. Do you need any connections, hoses, hydraulics....?"

  I wanted to make a joke, but he's just too polite. "Nope, just open the seal on top of your trailer and let me fill her up." And that actually sounded wrong too.

  "Okay.....never thought I'd hear such a thing." He exits the truck and then we introduce ourselves.

  He shakes his head and smiles. "I can't believe that I actually met you, miss Ann."

  "I know, I do tend to have that effect on people. I'm not even human, but I like to think of myself as one."

  "I can see why. You clearly know how these things work. Have much experience with human matters?"

  "Yes, I was raised by human parents, so it's all normal to me." It's no secret that I transformed from a human into a fairy recently. It must have slipped his mind.

  He nods and says "okay, then follow me please." He walks to the trailer's rear end and then climbs a metallic dder to get to the top.

  I, however, simply fly up there and wait for him to open the cargo hold.

  He's opening the cargo seal while he continues talking to me."How are fairies able to keep themselves hidden?" He asked, sounding genuinely intrigued.

  I know that the truth is a bit more complicated to expin in a matter of minutes, so I show him my Concealment skill. "Like this."

  "Wow......are you still here?"

  I become visible again and nod. "Yup, I never left. It's just one of many tricks I can do."

  "Amazing. Anyway....you're good to go."

  "Alright, give me a moment."

  "May I watch?"

  "Of course, I'm not a cow!"

  "Hahaha, what a great way to start my day. And I see that you already have quite the fan base there, see?" He points at the crowd.

  "Yes, this will be happening every morning, but earlier starting tomorrow. I'll be going to school soon."

  "Really? As in....voluntary?" He frowned.

  "Hahaha...exactly. But not as a real student, but more like joining a css now and then. They also asked me to give a lecture in return. Being stuck at home isn't that much fun. It's also much safer than fighting monsters."

  "True. So this stuff is actually going to kill them?"

  "Em...indirectly, but yes. Your willingness to drive this trailer back to the army, or wherever you are going, will help us fight the monsters."

  "Good to know. But before you start loading this trailer, can that dust of yours...explode?"

  "It's only dangerous when exposed to electricity or technology. The warning should be in your paperwork."

  "Yes, it says to treat it as kerosine."

  "Mmm.....this is a bit different. I haven't tested it, but I wouldn't want to put that stuff over a radio or anything. I saw a giant bug losing its shields....it's that powerful."

  "Okay, I got the hint. Drive cautiously."

  "Yup, that's about it. But my dust was transported in an open bucket before, so you should be safe. And now...time to release my monster buster."

  I'm flying again and maneuvering slightly above the open area, trying to get as much dust into the trailer as possible without spilling. Thankfully the dust has no problems filling up the trailer in a matter of minutes. My capacity indicator says that I only used 30%, so I might be asking for another trailer next time. That's what you get for eating monster crystals daily, but I don't think that anyone will mind the extra dust.

  The dust is also recharging insanely fast, but parting with more than a few trailers worth of dust might be unhealthy.

  Stopping the flow however is more difficult than you would imagine it to be. It's like peeing and then having to stop because you noticed too te that the toilet was clogged. But thankfully it stopped without spilling too much over the trailer's exterior.

  "Wooow...stop it!" He shouted.

  "Yes, almost....and done!"

  "Incredible. Where did that even come from?"

  "You tell me, no idea. I thought it was being created by my wings, but my tails might be involved. For now the military is happy to have it without understanding the physics behind it."

  "True. But what about the stuff you spilled? Is it dangerous to leave it like that?"He's closing the seal and then using his finger to take a sample of the fairy dust and carefully smells it.

  "Yeah....I think so. Maybe clean it with water?"

  "Alright, I'll heed the warning. I have a compressor in this thing, only need to hook it up to a garden outlet. May I?"

  "Sure, it's right there, to the left of our front door. Do you have a hose long enough?"

  He gives me a smug smile. "Miss...we're professionals."

  "Hehehe.....sorry, my bad."

  He washed the trailer's exterior for a few minutes and then decoupled the hose."Thanks, miss. Wait......this is odd. I could swear......may I ask you something?"

  "Sure?"

  "I should have used another finger to touch the dust with, but I forgot about my paper cut."

  "You....had a paper cut?" I frowned.

  "Yes, believe it or not, we do have to work with dangerously sharp paper."

  "Hehehe, occupational hazard?"

  He's smiling. "Something like that. It was clearly visible. But the point is....it's gone now."

  "Are you sure about that? I'm not aware of any healing properties. The bel on my skill says that it's basically for showing off during festivals and such. The only warning says that it's not safe around technology or electricity. But thunderstorms and festivals are a bad combination anyway."

  "Yes, they are. Um.....may I please take a sample home?"

  "To test for healing properties?"

  "Exactly!"

  "I don't mind, I have lots of that stuff. But...promise me not to abuse it. The government will lock me up or something."

  "I promise. It's for my wife. She has this terrible rash on her legs and to be honest....I have it too now."

  "Can I see it?"

  He takes a moment to adjust his jeans and then shows his right leg."It's just a small spot, but I keep forgetting to make an appointment to see the doc."

  "Yeah, it looks....harmless in my opinion. Did you maybe use a new undry detergent?"

  "Already checked. But I agree, it's something like that."

  "And you want to risk me putting some dust on that?" I point at his leg.

  "I do. I already touched it with my finger, so it's not dangerous. But promise me, if this works, give me some credit for discovering that."

  "That's a promise. Alright, I'll release some dust in a minute, but expect the grass under your feet to grow insanely fast. Don't be startled."

  "Thanks for the heads up."

  My wings are buzzing while hovering and he sits down on the grass, exposing his leg. I release a bit of dust and stop immediately after. The grass is growing insanely fast now and people around us are moving in closer, curious to see what's happening. Thankfully the other truck driver is asking them to stay back.

  "Well?" I asked after nding next to him.

  He waits for a moment and uses a handkerchief to remove the remaining dust from his leg. But surprisingly he also wipes away all his leg's hairs with it. The leg looks smoothly shaven now. He looks at me, not sure what to say. "That's....interesting. The hairs are gone, but so's the rash. Are you sure this isn't radioactive?"

  "Hehehe.....it would expin why my wings glow in the dark." I replied, but then quickly raised my hands to tell him that I wasn't actually radioactive. "Just kidding, not radioactive. Trust me, they did a number of tests on it. Besides, I'm not a bald fairy."

  "Good point. Wow... this actually seems to heal!"

  "I'm not sure what is more impressive. That it can heal, or that you....a human....discovered something that we fairies should have known since time immemorial."

  "Hahahaha, my pleasure. So...you agree that it's safe to use?"

  "Sure, and while my skill doesn't tell me what it exactly can be used for, the garden still loves that stuff as you can see." I point at the many flowers blooming around his leg.

  "Yes, those flowers weren't here before."

  "My point exactly. Do you have a business card or something? I'll report this to the government and will definitely mention your name."

  "Sorry, but I'm only a truck driver. But I could give you my number?"

  "Gimme a moment, I'll get a pen and paper."

  "No need, I have lots of that in the truck."

  He gave me his phone number, thanked me and then entered his truck with a sample to take home. Moments ter he cleared the street, while the other truck moved into position. I filled up the second trailer and still had lots of capacity remaining, but this second conversation was strictly business.

  It seems that mom had been watching me from the living room window and asked me about the conversation I had, since I don't usually talk that long with the truck drivers. She was just being curious, of course.

  She promised to contact Thompson and have my dust analyzed for healing properties and the hair removal effect. That truck driver might have actually found a way to let me help humanity in a whole new way, and is destined to become famous now. Maybe I could have even healed my wings that day when I ended up in the military hospital? But those days are behind me.

  When I asked her why fairy dust might heal humans, but not monsters....we decided to not to worry about it and simply accept it as a very welcome fact.

  At 10.00 am mom and I visited city hall and we were apparently the only ones visiting. I now understand why mom was watching me talking to the truck driver the whole time, since she didn't mention this appointment to me. A surprise apparently, but still.....had I known about it, I might not have learned about the healing properties. Some things happen for a reason, of that I'm absolutely sure now.

  Usually you have to wait in line for ages, but we were the only ones there. Creepy what the government people can do to expedite matters! Mom told me to just sign the papers and trust her. She asked me not to say too much, or we would have another crowd forming in no time.

  As soon as we returned home, Rachel prepared coffee and put a box of cookies on the table near the TV.

  Mom also has a new passport and is now comparing hers and mine. She told me that her passport had been perfect to absorb some spilled coffee and wanted to have it repced.

  "You look lovely in the picture." Mom said.

  I'm the only person on file with wings and fluffy ears now. And my tall ears don't even fit in the frame!"You think so?"

  "No, you look god awful. Sheesh, accept a compliment already."

  "Sorry. Bad mood? My fault?"

  She sighs and then massages her temples. "No, Ann, I'm sorry. The war against the monsters isn't progressing fast enough. The government is demanding that you start participating again. But I refused."

  "Wow...won't you be in trouble?"

  "Not after reporting about your dust's healing properties. They are now very much aware of how valuable you are, so I can afford to push back a little." She then hugged me. "I'm sorry....it just pains me that they're treating you like an asset instead of a person. But forget my mood for now. This is about you. Honey, you are now officially my daughter." She smiled mischievously, but quickly composed herself. "You are now officially...home."

  Now it's my time to hug her. "Thanks, mom. I know it's just a formality...but it still means much to me. So...does that also mean that you can ground me now?"

  "Huh? Hahahaha, of course it does! But don't worry about me, you're the best child a mother could adopt!"

  "Hahahaha, that sounds so wrong," Rachel said. "Amelia, why don't you....you know?"

  "Right, how could I forget about that? Bring me....the items."

  Both of them grinned, but mom wouldn't tell me anything.

  "Close your eyes, Ann," mom said.

  "Can I open them already?"

  "Not yet, Rachel is still....ah, there she is. Just a few more moments....and now you can open them."

  What I see lying on the now cleared dinner table, are a backpack, a school uniform and a dark blue swimsuit.

  The uniform consists of a dark gray pleated knee length skirt, a white blouse and a dark blue bzer. There are also white long socks and matching white shoes.

  "For me?"

  "No, for Rachel." Mom facepalmed.

  I take a closer look at my backpack and enjoy the items I see there. Again Rachel is caring for me like a second mom. The backpack itself is pink, but not too girly if that makes any sense. It's like a dull form of pink, like they mixed some gray in it. But the point is that it has pink in there and that's all that matters!

  I know that I'm not a kid anymore, but still...seeing a tiny bunny figure attached to the zipper is awesome. Rachel knows that I'm compensating for having a biological mother who didn't let me enjoy these little things, but still...I hope it's not too girly? There are more cute school supplies in my backpack, and there's definitely a cuteness overload. If only Ky Adams could be here, but the one in this world doesn't even know me.

  "Hehehe...sorry. Looks nice!"

  She nodded and smiled. "You really have to work on your vocabury, dear. Oh, before I forget, the trucks will arrive at 7 am starting tomorrow morning, as discussed. It's up to you whether to join Emily at school or do fairy stuff or even do military stuff. I find it hard to keep up with you, so I'll leave it in your capable hands to decide how to best spend your time."

  "Of course, I promise to keep you up to date."

  "Very good."

  Apparently I'm now considered to be something like an exchange student and therefore have to wear the appropriate school uniform. It also wouldn't be fair to the other girls if I could wear my own clothes. But still...I'm really surprised that I'm actually looking forward to attending a few csses there.

  Mom then asked "Ann? You should be aware that they only accept girls from a certain background."

  "You mean girls with rich parents?"

  "Exactly. I gave the school a nice little financial incentive, so they should be extra nice to you for a while at least."

  "Hehehe......thanks, mom."

  "I suggest keeping a regur schedule. Go to school in the morning and take care of your military and fairy duties in the afternoon. Or something like that, just keep a regur schedule. That way you can also be back home in time for lunch. At least....if you can use the present waiting for you outside?" She's standing near the front window, looking towards the driveway while showing me her poker face.

  "Ehehehe ..... still not falling for the car prank."

  "I know, I know. Would have been a real good prank, though."

  "You know...if you start pranking me, I will return the favor."

  "You're on!"

  "NOOOOO!" I sit down on my knees and beg her to stop. "Have mercy on me! It was only a joke!"

  "Hahahahaha......no promises, but I accept your groveling apology....for now. Now go outside and see what we bought for you."

  I rushed outside and returned a few minutes ter. She bought me a new bike! A white one with a pink bell and a brown basket in front. There's also a brown bike bag for all sorts of stuff. I'll be riding to school on that thing!

  "Mom!" I give her a peck on the cheek and see her blinking, but she quickly shows me a smile.

  "It's just a bike?"

  "No, it's a super nice present! And it's a mighty good one too, I can tell. Sorry for kissing.....I couldn't help myself. You have a migraine, right?" I grimaced.

  "No worries, it was....nice...as you tend to say."

  "Nice!"

  "Hahahaha" Both of them ughed.

  A while ter mom asked me something. "Ann? Can I ask you for a favor?"

  "Sure. Government issues?"

  "No, this is about our fairy tenants. They are awfully quiet. The door to the attic is open, but I haven't seen a single one in our home anywhere. Are they okay?"

  "No doubt about it. I see them going in and out all the time. Shall we take a peek?"

  "That was my intention, but I'd rather have you going up there first. I don't want to step on them."

  "Alright, why don't we go right now?"

  I make my way up to the attic and wait at the top of the stairs. The door is wide open and I already see lots of fairies flying all over the attic.

  "Wow...you have to see this!"

  Mom and Rachel join me."They sure have been busy," Rachel said.

  "Incredible...they cleaned the whole pce, not a web in sight!" Mom said. "But the pce looks like army barracks now."

  She's right. Each pstic container is used as a bed and is pced next to another, creating what indeed looks like barracks. The beds look really comfy and some are sleeping there right now.

  But then it happened...they saw us. At least two dozen fairies are flying over to us."Hi Ann!!!" they all said in unison, putting a smile on my face. I know that I'm one of them, but they look so incredibly cute right now!

  "Hi, everyone! May we have a look?"

  "Sure, but please don't step any further. Some of us are sleeping as you can see."

  When I see a fairy being escorted by 2 others, I know that she's the Queen.

  "Good morning, Queen Ivy. How are you?" I gave her a polite nod.

  "Ann!" She said and then stopped approaching me. "Ah...could you please return to your normal size? You're a bit too tall for a proper greeting right now."

  I nod and change into a normal fairy shortly after. "Better?"

  She hugs me, real tight while we're still hovering. "We are very happy here. You and your family have cared so well for us. The beds, the food and drinks...are you sure that we aren't a burden to you?"

  "Of course you aren't. But this attic is hardly the right pce for forest fairies."

  "That's very true. Have you found a new home for us already?"

  "Actually, not yet. While I did find a few beautiful Redwoods, they are in a very dangerous location. To be honest, the reason for visiting you today is to see if you are doing well. Oh....and I heard that they found a bug stone near your previous home, and...."

  But she politely raised her right hand and interrupted me. "What's a bug stone, dear?"

  "Ah, the humans believe that monsters are created near those big blue rocks. Perhaps that thing is the reason why your tree colpsed? So before we can find a new spot for you, we first have to learn more about it, otherwise you'll end up here again."

  "I see. You sure are going to great lengths to help us. But then again, you are one of us."

  "Am I? I mean..."

  But again I was hugged. "Dear, you are part of our Bumblegrove Cn now."

  "You mean that?" Call me surprised. Me? Accepted just like that?

  "Of course I do!" She released the embrace. "Unless...you'd rather be part of the Redwood Cn?"

  "Um...honestly...no. You are...oh god." I quickly cover my mouth with my right hand. I should have said 'no,' but now I have to tell her why!

  "Hahaha, just tell me, now I have to know." She winked.

  "Please promise that you won't tell Queen Hazel?"

  "I promise. Now spill it."

  "You are...much nicer."

  "Awww....." That earned me another hug. "Is that a tear I see? No need for that, we all have accepted you from the first time we met. You have cared for us like any Cn member would. It's your choice if you want to live as a big fairy, but....we would like to see you more often."

  I swallowed, because those words touched my heart. "Thank you. I have my duties here in the big world, if I can say it like that. But I'd love to visit you and the others as often as I can!"

  "Then we'll build you a room of your own, as soon as we have a new hive. How does that sound to you?"

  "Like the greatest honor ever!"

  She's definitely of the hugging type too, because once more she hugged me."Dear, you are truly kind. But how can you even live here, in the city?"

  "Well, this home isn't exactly in the city center and this area is calm too. There are lots of trees and greens. And there's even a small park nearby. But I know what you mean. I couldn't put my finger on it at first, but I always feel much more rexed when I see lots of trees around me. I also felt the need to pet a sparrow once, and we were best friends instantly."

  "Sometimes the most obvious things in life seem to elude us. You are a forest fairy. You and us....we need nature around us. Lots of it. Not that the city fairies are much different from us, but we feel this longing....of being in a forest. Sorry, that doesn't help very much, or does it?"

  "It does actually. I grew up in an area close to a forest. Whenever I went on a hike, it was as if my worries vanished into thin air, and my soul was washed clean. But I never saw a fairy before I met Fern, a city fairy."

  "You expined the feeling of being homesick pretty well. It's a feeling we all share with you. But you never met one of us before?"

  "No, but then again, my home was very, very far away. But that doesn't matter anymore. You are here now, that's all that matters." It's getting a bit emotional....so I really should change the subject.

  "Well said. So, when will we hear about the bug stone?" Thankfully she changed the subject already.

  "I was asked to join a science team ter today. I'll keep you up to date. Oh, and I'll be going to school soon, so I won't be here every moment of the day."

  "I understand. May we....talk to your mother if there are any questions?"

  "Sure. Let's meet them right now."

  I introduced her to mom and Rachel, and mom told her that it was okay for a Queen to leave the attic and join us for refreshments. It was very appreciated, and she promised to never be in our way.

  When it was time for us to leave, the Queen whispered "Ann, a few men have inquired if you were...interested in becoming good friends." She gave me a surprisingly mischievous smile.

  "Em...you mean....as neighbors?" Just checking if she just said what I think she said.

  "Hahaha, not really. You are quite the popur girl, Ann."

  "Em....sorry, but my heart already belongs to someone."

  "Is he part of our Cn?"

  "No, .......she.......is human."

  "Ooohh, I see. And since you can become big.....I see. But does she truly love you?"

  "She does. She would even give up her human life and become a regur sized fairy, just to be with me."

  "Awww.....that answers my question. Bring her to us next time, if you will."

  "I'd love to! But....she loves petting fairies, just a fair warning."

  "Hahahaha, I'm sure we'll become good friends."

  I decided that it was time for a different subject. "Queen Ivy? Are you aware that our fairy dust has healing properties?"

  She blinked and looked a bit confused. "Healing...properties? Not sure what you mean?"

  "I met a human this morning, and he had a minor rash on his leg. Long story short, my dust healed it."

  "You mean the man with that big car?"

  "Ah, you saw that?"

  "Indeed. Seeing you put that much fairy dust in their cars is simply beyond comprehension. And interesting to watch too." She seemed genuinely fascinated.

  I felt a bit embarrassed. "Yeah....we want to end the monster war and my dust helps with that. But still, did you know about the healing properties?"

  "Not at all. I'll ask someone to volunteer."

  "Em....I hope you don't mean a volunteer to get hurt?"

  "Huh? Hahaha, what kind of Queen would do that? No, dear. Sometimes we find injured animals in the forest. We'll try to help them next time. Good enough?"

  "Perfect!"

  "Very well. Now if you don't mind, I still have work to do. We'll have a welcoming ceremony tonight."

  "Huh? For staying here?"

  "Ah, no, not quite. I meant for our newest additions to the family. We have 3 eggs waiting to be hatched."

  "Awwww.......3 cute little fairies?"

  "Little? To you maybe, but they are just like you and me. Did you really not know that?"

  "Um...no? So...no kids?"

  "If you mean like the helpless little chicks of humans, then no. You hatched recently, didn't you?"

  "Yes, but.......okay, guess I didn't understand." I wanted to tell her that I used to be human, but I'm not really in the mood to talk about that right now.

  "No, you hatched like all of us. You wake up with a basic understanding of who we are, and you can understand us. But the newly hatched still need to learn much."

  "I'm ashamed to admit, but I didn't know."

  "There is no shame in that. You never experienced Cn life. But you still can...if you want?"

  "I....really want to. So...maybe soon?"

  "Of course, dear."

  "So....how can you even tell that I recently hatched?"

  "Your tail. Or rather plural...tails. The tip is still white. When it fades away, becoming like your ears, you'll be considered a true adult."

  "Wow...so what am I now?"

  "A child, obviously."

  "Eh.....it's kinda confusing, sorry."

  "No need to worry, you'll learn. Will you join us tonight?"

  "May I?"

  "Of course! But only you. Your mother and Rachel will frighten the newly hatched."

  "Yes, I can understand that. Anything I need to do? Or bring with me to help you?"

  She put her right hand on my shoulder. "Only your kind spirit, as you are now. I'm curious to see if you like how we party."

  "Ehehehe....me too."

  "See you ter, Ann."