12 Days Elf (part 3)

Christmas was sitting at the kitchen table and had the strange little cylinder in front of her. She noticed it had marks that started at one and went to twelve. “Whatcha looking at Sis?” Jenny said as she came in and grabbed a cup of coffee. “I forgot about this thing. It showed up after I changed. I believe it is marking the days until the end of the twelve days.” Jenny picked it up and looked at the green sparkly liquid inside. She turned it upside down and it didn’t change. The liquid stayed on the eighth day mark. “Why do you look so sad?” she asked. She sighed. “What happens to me and Diana? I mean she is a lesbian.” Jenny sat down. “I don’t know.” she replied. Jenny had the day off and was spending time anywhere but the Mall to do some Christmas shopping. “So when are you going in?” Jenny asked. “We will be starting around five and going until closing.” “You want to hang out until then?” she asked. “That’s okay. I need to figure some things out, alone.” Chrissy replied. “Well, you don’t mope. Somehow I am going to believe that things will work out.” Jenny left her alone with her thoughts.

Picking outfits seemed to be easier. Doing her makeup was second nature. Everyday Chrissy was becoming comfortable in this skin. She had picked a pair of skinny jeans and an oversized sweater, green as it seemed the magic had destined her to be blessed with in her wardrobe. She packed her Elf clothes and other things she might need. The silver dress Jenny had bought for her caught her eye. She reached out and touched the dress, feeling the soft fabric that looked like liquid metal. “I wonder if you will disappear when I do?” Sighing, she headed to the Mall on a mission. Upon entering the Mall, Chrissy headed to Mrs. Twilliger’s small office. Once inside she asked about the strange shop everybody seemed to be talking about. Mrs. Twilliger was confused why Chrissy didn’t just go and just look in the shop herself. “Come along Ms. Perkins, I have to go visit the owner anyway.” They headed out of the hidden area of the Mall and Chrissy was hoping beyond hope that following Mrs. Twilliger would lead her to the magic that she desperately needed to know about. They came to a stop at a quaint shop front that looked like it belonged in a fantasy setting. A shoe store was on one side and a Build A Buddy on the other. Chrissy suddenly realized that the store had to move. She had been by both these stores and there was never a shop in between.

Following the older woman inside she let Mrs. Twilliger head to meet with the owner. Instead she browsed the shelves, but never dared touch the almost certainly magical items. “See anything you like?” a cheery female voice asked. Chrissy turned to see a very busty young woman in a corset and frilly black skirt. The goth look was best used to describe her. “No, Actually I was hoping to speak with the owner.” she said. “My name’s Laufen. You probably don’t…” she paused and looked at Chrissy, pulling her glasses from her cleavage and once on, staring at the young woman before her. “Come with me, it is time for my break.” She grabbed my arm and ushered me towards the door. “Hey! Old Man I am on Break!” she called out. They went to the closest area with places to sit and she looked at me and asked, “What was your guy name?” Shock showed on her face. “How did you know?” She tapped the glasses, “These are magic.” Laufen said. “Anyway, I figured I better get you out of there before the Old Man had seen you. He doesn’t like to see some of the people the stuff he sells effects, especially if there is complaints.” Chrissy pulled the cylinder from her tote bag. “I really just need to get some answers about this and about the time limit on being changed by the Shelf Elf.” Laufen took it and stared. “Oh, yeah, so when this gets filled up you change back into a guy.” You got lucky, some of these can really change people, some permanently.” I look down, “So what if I don’t want to change?” She whistled a low long note. “Uh, sadly, I guess we gotta speak to the Old Man.” That sent them back to the shop.

Mrs. Twilliger was leaving the store in a huff. She had a gift that was wrapped in gold paper. Chrissy thought she knew what might be in that gift. Then she heard him, “Stupid cow, I should have given her something to turn her into a cow.” He muttered. “She might be happier once she opens that gift I gave her,” he chuckled. “Hey Old Man, I have a customer that, well maybe a customer.” Laufen started. “No Refunds.” he interrupted. “Just look at her. She needs to know about the Shelf Elf and the rules of her transformation.” The weird Old Man who was wearing a bathrobe looked at Chrissy. He smiled, “The Twelve Days Elf, that is a simple one. Once the magic counter hits twelve days, you will turn back.” He waved them off. “Wait! Sir, uh…sorry for yelling. What if I am starting to not want to turn back?” He turned back and looked at her, it was creepy. Chrissy felt like he was staring straight into her soul. “Hmmmm, I see. Well, only True Love’s Kiss would work I would say. That is some powerful ancient magic. So just have your true love kiss you as Christmas Night comes to a close and you will have no problems. Bye now.” He turned and headed into his office. After saying good-bye to Laufen, and getting her number, Chrissy went and sat near the Mall’s Christmas Tree that was across from Santa’s House. She felt the tears start to fall as she looked at the tree. “Do I have a True Love?”