Shape of Magic 16: Negotiations

Chapter 16: Negotiations

<<<Amy Carlson>>>

It goes without saying that summer with a goddamn Fae and her husband, who were both happy and willing to adopt them, was weird. Especially the whole arrangement… position… whatever it’s called they held in the… Faewilds didn’t sound wrong but not exactly? Amy vaguely recalled something about Avalon, either way Faewilds or goddamn Avalon regardless this place was just… hard to really wrap her mind around.

It didn’t help that her power was thriving in this alien environment, and yeah the house and estate was perfectly normal if magical, but when Chuck and his wife showed her and Taylor around the grounds beyond the boundary?

Even touching grass stunned her for a few minutes; granted her power wasn’t nearly as… potent? All encompassing? Something, but it still helped her understand, but whatever fuckery was going on in this place? It stumped her power, and she was probably giving it more agency than it really had but it was loving this.

And much to her amusement she got the pleasure of seeing a Queen Bee actually browbeating Taylor for trying to usurp her authority.

And when Aif explained to the Queen that it was the result of a ‘untrained’ magical ability the Queen decided that she would ‘Take the Young Hive Queen under her wing and teach her how to control her minions without usurping other Queens and Rulers’ the look on Taylor’s face was hilarious.

Not that she laughed, until the Queen Bee left anyway.

Which brought her to that day, Taylor groaning in pain. Not because of the magic bee, but because Amy… had forgotten how much growth spurts hurt. She’d restricted Taylor’s ability to grow over the course of the school year and, well, now that she’d undone that her adopted sister was growing very fast in a short period of time.

“Amy… when I can walk without hurting again, I’m throwing you off a bridge,” Taylor groaned dramatically.

Amy just rolled her eyes, “This is what you get for delaying your body’s natural development.” She retorted, “So really it’s your own damn fault.”

“Curse you and your use of logic!” Taylor groaned, “Can you at least numb the pain?”

“This coming from the girl that walked off getting torn in half?” Amy snarked but helped the idiot with a simple touch, “There, it won’t last forever but maybe you’ll have a few hours of peace.”

“Thank you, but you were the one that said new robes were expensive!” She accused, “So really it’s all your fault.”

“You didn’t have to listen to me!” Amy argued back, though there was a faint amused smile on her lips.

“You were so convincing though!” Taylor whined, throwing a pillow at her, “All your fault.”

Amy just threw the pillow right back at her, “No it isn’t!” She said with a giggle.

“I will sick bees on you,” Taylor threatened with a squint.

“Nope, Queenie will be upset with you,” Amy pointed out, “Actually how have your lessons been going with her?”

“Painful,” She replied, “When I ‘mess up’ I get stung. No poison and she heals me after but… I’m not sure she realizes how instinctual it is for me.”

“But have you figured anything out?” Amy asked as she sat on the edge of Taylor’s bed.

“Well,~” She started, “I figured out how to refine my senses. Including from people…” She coughed a bit, “It’s… weird, really weird, and way different than Khepri was. It’s like… the body resisting me or something? Not the mind, though I can only get emotions and only barely at close range, but the body. I don’t know how to describe it.”

“Huh, probably for the best really,” Amy admitted, “Our abilities… it’s a whole new beast. What with magic instead of… whatever was powering them… Passengers I think?” At least she vaguely recalled Motherfucking Bonesaw calling powers that.

“Yes, that’s what Cauldron was calling them,” Taylor agreed, stretching a bit, “Not all bad though, way more peaceful here than our old home.” There was a moment of silence, “So… have you figured out any new tricks?” Taylor asked, “Like… how to stop your period cramps?”

“It’s still a work in progress, though I think I figured out how to focus on myself…” Amy said, “It’s… surprisingly hard. And I’m not comfortable enough doing anything major… but I can slowly close cuts and heal bruises.” It wasn’t much, but it was a start…

She really didn’t think it’d be wise to start applying any alterations inspired by the various biologies she’d seen. She really wasn’t sure how having Half-Giant genetics would do to her, never mind the absolute mindfuck that was Fae-Veela genetics!

By all logic Aif shouldn’t even be alive cause it looked like she had holes you could drive APCs through! She realized of course it was magic bullshit but still, it was a hell of a thing to actually observe!

“Well, tell me when you figure it out so I can stop dancing on landmines around you every month,~” Taylor teased, “And so I don’t need to worry about suddenly having my eyes switched upside down.”

“Please, like you don’t tap dance on those mines,” Amy said with a huff, “Just don’t steal my chocolate next time.”

“That wasn’t me and you can’t prove it!” Taylor protested.

“... Sister Roselina told me it was you…” Amy deadpanned, “She even told you not to do it. Now pull the other leg, it has bells on it.”

“I was tricked into it!” She countered, “I was told they were communal.” Taylor sniffed imperiously. “So… what was the plan for today? I’m off today from training, thank god, so I’m free.”

“Well, I was thinking about exploring the garden maze in the backyard.” Amy said, “And maybe if Aif is free, go out on a hike?”

“Sounds good to me, and then there’s the dinner thing later, the… courtly thing,” Taylor sighed, falling backwards into her bed, “Smack me if I say something stupid so we don’t get summarily executed, would you?”

“Always, Tay,” Amy said with a smile before deciding to get up only to lay beside her friend, “... So what do you think about the adoption thing?”

“It’s a big thing,” She replied, “I’m not really sure what to think. It’s nice that they did it, and got us new clothes…” And the clothes were nice too, Amy was wearing a very fancy red dress and Taylor a blue one.

“It’s a big change.” Amy said with a nod as she stared at the ceiling, “But well… don’t we deserve it? I mean you gave up… everything and I worked myself to death so… don’t we deserve to have an actual functional, if eccentric, family?” It was something that honestly kept her awake at night.

“Well, yeah,” Taylor replied, “But that’s everyone. If Riley had one of those she wouldn’t have been insane. Well, had one of them that Jack didn’t kill.”

“Fucking Jack…” Amy grumbled before humming, “... You think Riley got another chance like us?”

“If there’s any justice in the universe? Yeah,” Taylor said, “Hopefully she’s a regular magicless kid in a good family.”

“You’re just saying that because you don’t want to run into her,” Amy teased, “Not that I disagree.”

“Absolutely.” Taylor said without a bit of shame, “Little Miss War Crimes is goddamn terrifying, and I mean yeah she ended up helping us out but still… you can’t just shake off a reputation like that no matter how much good you do.”

“...” Amy paused for a few moments before saying, “What if she ended up in a world where everyone else is even worse?”

“... So, what do you think we’ll be having for dinner?” Taylor asked in a very obvious move to change the subject.

Which, honestly, Amy didn’t blame her for. Riley, despite her blood drenched reputation, for years helped keep people alive after the Golden Morning. And honestly Amy even formed something resembling a friendship with the infamous biotinker, so the thought of Riley having to deal with a world filled with people even worse than the Slaughterhouse?

That wasn’t a pleasant thought to have, though… she’d have plenty of acceptable targets. So silver lining?

“Probably pheasant. Or lamb,” Amy answered, “Maybe ham.”

“Delicious,” Taylor said, “Maybe they’ll glaze it with honey, I know they were buying some from the queen yesterday.”

“Man, I thought our life was already surreal with magic,” Amy said with an amused snort, “But seeing Aif bartering with a sapient magical- possibly Fae- bee…” She just trailed off, not really sure she needed to say anything more.

“Oh, absolutely fae,” She replied with a shake of the head, “She wanted me to make silk for payment for teaching me.”

“This is our life now,” Amy said with a chuckle, “Can’t say it’s terrible though, I miss the orphanage but it’s nice not having to manage a gang of unruly kids.”

“... Would you complain if I paid some fairies to watch them and report back to me?” Taylor asked, looking shifty.

“Honestly? I’m surprised you haven’t done it yet.” Amy said. Taylor managed to look even more shifty now. “You already did, didn’t you?”

“Maybe…” She mumbled, “They like pizza…”

Amy just laughed.

[hr][/hr]

Dinner was… it was something…

Aif, Chuck, Taylor, herself, and the Queen Bee were the only ones Amy actually knew. But then Aif introduced her parents. And of course Amy kicked Taylor’s shin when she stared at Aif’s Full Veela mother. Not that Amy was much better.

Fortunately the woman found it amusing, Amy was just glad she didn’t put bugs on her bugs like she did Aif when they first met.

“So these are my grandchildren? Well if they agree to the adoption,” Their would-be grandmother said, she had a very noticeable accent but it wasn’t unintelligible.

“We’ve already agreed,” Taylor said, “But it still feels… a bit awkward to consider them our parents…”

“Understandable,” She said, “Well, I won’t force it. Though I hope you eventually feel comfortable enough to call me grandmama,” She added with a pleasant smile.

Amy kicked Taylor’s shin again, making the Veela laugh once more.

Aif wasn’t that far behind, and even Chuck looked vaguely amused. The only one that hadn’t really shown any reaction was Aif’s father, he just sat there stoically for the most part. 

And Taylor, of course. She just grumbled and rubbed her leg, glaring at Amy a bit.

“Remember you literally asked for it,” Amy said dryly.

“I haven’t said or done anything stupid yet,” She replied, “You can’t just use it as an excuse to kick me!”

“Hmm, lively pair…” Their stoic grandfather finally said, even his voice was completely devoid of inflection and flat.

Amy was pretty sure robots emoted better than this odd fae.

“But that is not a bad thing either,” He continued, “Certainly far from Winter, but most humans are. The Russians and Germans, occasionally the Finnish or Polish, those hew closer to my preferred courtly partners…” He mused aloud.

Amy wasn’t entirely sure how to respond to her new grandfather, and she imagined Taylor was in the same situation really. Aif just smiled faintly, “Perhaps father. But I prefer them as they are, they’re more interesting than most Winter fae,” She said with not a small amount of amusement. “I’ve always preferred that side of our family anyway, apart from the… explosive arguments, Winter has always been much better about that, no?”

The man glared a touch, showing more emotion than he had before, before saying, “You say this only because you do not attend their matters until the winter solstice, and that is a party. Speaking of,” he continued, looking towards Amy and Taylor, “Will they be attending the summer solstice celebrations?”

“Yes, they’ll need to learn how to interact with the fae, be they Winter or Summer,” Aif said with a nod, “But beyond that, that will be their choice. Though… Taylor and Amy already have a little fae about her…” She added with an amusing smile.

The queen bee… person, smiled softly, “She is being taught politeness by myself in return for spider silk for my hives.”

Their stoic grandfather seemed rather interested by that, “A ‘little fae’ hmm?” He just looked at Amy and Taylor thoughtfully.

“They have strange magical abilities,” Aif replied, “They are quite unique in that way.”

Aif’s father proved to be rather observant, “Similar to the Queen Bee’s control of their subjects, I imagine?” Though he still looked stoic his gaze shifted slightly, like he was seeing them less as decoration and looking at them as if they were important.

Amy wasn’t entirely sure she liked it.

“Much more extensive for my student than my own connections,” Bee replied, “But unable to override me completely. I’m unsure what the other has, but little Rose has implied she may be able to help my hive. I’m unsure what I’d be willing to part with in return, however.”

Taylor just grumbled but didn’t comment.

“Ah, well then I believe this is an excellent lesson for Taylor and Amy,” Aif said with a nod, “If no one is against my abrupt lesson?”

“I’m fine with it, love,” Chuck said with a rueful chuckle, “They need to learn about it anyway.”

“Indeed, if my grandchildren are to flourish they’ll need it,” Aif’s mother said with a faint titter of amusement.

Her father just nodded in agreement but remained silent.

“Very well! Now, Taylor, Amy I’m certain I’ve told you this many times now. But humor me,” Aif said, “Now fae, be they Winter, Summer, or Unaffiliated with either Court can’t lie. They can bend the truth, they can give a half-truth, but they cannot lie. It’s something a fae can’t even comprehend.” Aif lectured, “Also for a fae, our word is our bond, when we say something it is the truth and our souls will work to enforce that.”

Amy nodded slowly, feeling that this lesson was more towards her.

“Now when offering a trade with a fae always remember this, equivalent exchange. Depending on what you are willing to trade, a fae will meet you with something that is equivalent to what you are providing. Do you understand?” Aif asked. “And that is not to say that what you would consider equivalent is what they would. Your name for, as an example, extra talent would be equivalent, but your name for a flower would not be. They may offer such anyway, but it is on you to refuse, they won’t be insulted by such.”

Amy nodded, “Seems pretty straight forward actually,” She admitted.

Aif just smiled, “On the surface it really is, but right now I’m keeping it that way,” She admitted, “Now, I haven’t truly introduced Bee but I will say that she controls the largest Hive in Britain and is a large exporter of honey of both mundane and more exotic types. Now let us begin, Amy? What do you offer in trade?”

Amy thought for a few seconds which stretched into minutes before she opened her mouth, “I’m willing to trade my services as a healer to improve the overall health and productivity of the hive.” That was well within her means, she figured, she might not get the entire hive if it was as large as implied, but her alterations would spread to the rest.

Or she hoped so anyway, she really hoped Bee’s genetics made more sense than Aif’s own.

“Mm, I can offer two percent of the extra honey produced thanks to your efforts,” She replied, “Does this sound acceptable to you?”

Amy chewed on her lip, that sounded… reasonable to her honestly. She couldn’t help but feel that if this wasn’t in the form of a lesson it’d be so much more complex.

“Two percent seems a little low,” Taylor said, “That’s like a rounding error. Wouldn’t five percent be more reasonable? It’s outside of seasonal variance.”

Bee didn’t seem annoyed at the interjection, if anything she seemed proud.

“Bold, young Queen,” Bee said though there was an approving glint in her black-gold eyes, “Perhaps you can justify it to me.”

Taylor nodded and with a glance from Amy she started, “Well Amy’s abilities will naturally spread through your hive as new subjects are born with the improvements. Granted I don’t know how quickly fae bees multiply under your care, but what I do know is what Amy is capable of. Granted it might be slower due to her unfamiliarity with fae bodies, that doesn’t mean she will not be able to deliver.” She explained.

Bee just buzzed silently for a few moments, “Three percent now, and the other two percent when the changes spread through a quarter of the hive,” Bee offered.

Amy frowned and, thinking of the exact wording of the deal, said, “Until it spreads it will have lower impact anyway, so five percent now and for the next three years; with maintenance on the changes from me?” She offered.

Bee gave a chittering laugh as she buzzed, “Wonderful! If only more humans were willing to play the game properly…” An amused Bee said, “We are in agreement,” She added before taking a sip of tea, looking pleased as punch and a bit smug even.

“Maybe because she’s going to rub it into other Queen Bee’s faces… god I hope she doesn’t mention me as the cause of this…” She wasn’t sure if she was ready to be dealing with fae that weren’t friendly.

“Well done,” The fae broke his stoicness, a faint proud smirk on his face, “You both just might fit in after all.”

Aif and her mother just rolled their eyes, but they also looked proud. Chuck just chuckled and raised a glass in toast to them.

“I think we’ll make a fae negotiator out of you two yet,” Chuck teased with a smile.

After that? Dinner was a lot more relaxed, still a bit tense but Amy figured that was only natural.

It was only a meal being shared by what amounted to multiple nobles and two idiots. She didn’t count herself amongst the idiots, of course. The other idiot was Taylor’s bugs, because she counted for two.

Taylor laughed when Amy said that at any rate.