“You will meet your magic teacher today,” said the Cat, as he jumped onto the island. Googlᴇ search NoveI[F]ire.net
I almost flung scrambled eggs everywhere as I spun to look at him.
Indigo chirped in a panic, since she stood beside the stove, watching the cooking process from the counter. She’d asked nicely if she could learn to make breakfast, so we were starting with the basics.
“What do you mean?” I asked, turning back to stir the still-wet mixed eggs. The heat was low, so as not to cook the eggs too fast.
Indigo mimicked the same stirring motion I made with the smallest kid-sized spatula I could find online. If I’d known she’d get into cooking, her solstice gifts would have been different.
“Someone answered the call to teach you about magic,” said the Cat in a slow, are-you-dumb kind of voice. “I told you I’d find someone, since the dragons aren’t the best way for you to learn.”
“Lady Twilight?” asked Indigo.
“I don’t know when the dragon will be back for classes, though it has been a while,” I said with a frown. Usually, they seemed to show up every couple of weeks, but the last visit about Indigo’s mom had been intense. “Maybe she’ll come this week to show you some new things.”
“She gave me more audiobooks,” said Indigo. “But I want to see her.”
I nodded as I turned the stove off and showed her how the eggs were cooked all the way through.
“Tomorrow, you can try to make a scrambled egg while I help.”
That caused Indigo to launch herself from the counter, leaping over to the island chirping as loud as she could.
The Cat glared at her, his green eyes burning at the sound.
I set out plates and then piled two of them high with eggs, while the third got a slightly smaller pile. The toaster popped up the six pieces of toast, and I quickly slathered them with butter and cinnamon and sugar before cutting them into triangles. One piece got cut into mini triangles as well. Those were for Indigo.
I dug into my food, waiting for the Cat to say anything else about this magic teacher. Instead, he slowly consumed his food. I stared, but he ignored me.
“Anything I should know about this teacher?” I asked.
The Cat’s eyes landed on Indigo, then shifted back to me. Whatever he had to say, he didn’t want to say in front of the dragon.
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“So, Indigo, are you going to listen to your new stories?”
“Yes! After breakfast, I want to finish, so visit.”
“That’s true,” I said between bites. “Once you have done all the homework, Lady Twilight might visit to check up on how you are doing.”
Breakfast was quick, though I saved a piece of toast to carry out to the counter to have with another cup of coffee. I’d slept great, but felt like I’d need the caffeine to help perk myself up. I quickly steamed the milk, making lattes for both the Cat and I.
Indigo flew directly toward her hideaway, not even asking for a hot chocolate.
“Well, that’s one dedicated learner,” I muttered. While I loved learning, it wasn’t like that. Then again, dragon stories had to be much more exciting, compared to what I’d learned in school. That reminded me of the online elementary and middle school classes I’d found for Indigo. I made a mental note to ask Lady Twilight about them.
The shop had the small seating area off to the right, while the rest of it was still packed with bookshelves. The large center table was missing, and a bright green rug lay on the floor, stretching toward the fake fireplace to the right.
I sat on my stool and faced the Cat as he lapped up his teacup of caffeine goodness.
“So, about this teacher…”
The Cat sighed and pulled away from the now empty cup.
“They were a friend, once…” he hesitated. “They won’t be able to recognize me, and I’d appreciate if you try not to speak about me… but… if you could ask about my lands, I’d appreciate it.”
The Cat paused, like he was waiting for someone to do something to him. His whole body went rigid, and then relaxed, licking a paw nonchalantly.
I nodded, but didn’t comment, not wanting to trigger any ramifications to the Cat. The rest of my toast lasted only a few seconds before it was gone. Crumbs remained on the counter, which I went to go sweep up, but vanished.
The door jingled, and I smiled, ready for this adventure.
In walked a slender humanoid in robes of deep green. The embroidered constellations moved all over it in an entrancing pattern. Yet, the most distracting thing was the ears. A pair of extraordinarily long, velvety rabbit's ears twitched and swiveled independently on either side of the being’s head.
I couldn’t look away.
The ears twisted in my direction.
“Is this the place?” she asked.
“Welcome to Meow, the Magical Emporium of Wares…” I said, trying to get my bearings.
Her face was humanoid, and kind brown eyes stared at me.
“I feel like that’s a clue to this strange mystery I find myself in.” She sniffed, her small upturned nose twitching. “So much magic in this place. Magic I recognize hints of.”
“I’m Sable, the shopkeeper.”
“Ah, then this is the place,” she muttered stepping forward. Her eyes landed on the Cat and moved on without even pausing. “I received a message from an old friend directing me here. It claimed that I’d find an interesting student, who needed to be taught.”
“I was told a teacher would appear today, if that helps.” I didn’t know what else to say, and more importantly, what not to.
“My name is Professor Eira, and I would like to know how you know the Fey Lord.” She lifted an oak leaf out of her pocket and set it on the table. Instead of hands, she had soft-furred paws with dexterous claws. “My old friend vanished under unfortunate circumstances, and I search for him still.”
The Cat froze behind me, and I wanted to scream that he was right there, but I resisted.
“I wish I could help…” I didn’t know what to do, and the Cat only stared at the lady in front of me. My eyes landed on the oak leaf.
“You speak the truth, so I am here to teach you about magic. What do you know?”