The Trouble With Mother

"I'm just so embarrassed about all of this. What a terrible first impression to make on my potential daughter in law" Enid frowned.

"Well, that's the risk you take when you kidnap a random stranger and turn them into a caged bird, mother" her daughter rolled her eyes in exasperation. Holly quickly noticed that Rosa went back to the British accent she claimed to have lost when addressing her parent.

"I'd rather we put all of that behind us and start fresh" she told them both.

Holly had been restored to humanity and was in the more than a little awkward position of sitting naked between her girlfriend and her girlfriend's mother, sipping a herbal drink Enid had prepared for her. She had been **** to consume it at first, but Rosa had given it the okay and the brew was actually both refreshing and quite delicious.

"This one is definitely a keeper" Enid stroked Holly's bare thigh as she spoke. It was passed off as an affectionate gesture but felt less appropriate than that "You can understand why I was so taken with her. It seems our tastes are quite similar. And I get so very lonely here"

"Mother is magically restrained from returning to the real world, at least for the next couple of centuries" Rosa explained.

"Oh, how come?" Holly enquired as she sipped her drink.

"A series of misunderstandings" Enid told her unconvincingly "I know how bad this all must seem to you, but I'm really not a wicked witch. I've made mistakes, I'll admit, but that seems to be a family trait. You know, Rosie isn't all sweetness and light. She can be quite hotheaded too"

"Holly knows about the curse, mother" Rosa paused a moment, as if deciding whether or not to divulge the next piece of information "She's actually the Purest Petersen"

Enid went silent for a moment or two then burst out laughing.

"I'm sorry, you're dating the girl you cursed?" the older witch was soon running her hand up Holly's thigh again, higher this time "Well, aren't you a forgiving one Holly? That's good. It's a fine quality so few possess, and there is much wisdom in it"

"We're actually planning to be bound. That should end the curse" Holly told her.

Rosa shot her girlfriend a "careful what you tell her" kind of expression as her mother positively lit up.

"Oh, Rosie! That's wonderful! So you'd have your powers back?"

"Well, maybe. If it works"

"Then you could end my exile here!" Enid turned to Holly with great enthusiasm "Rosie is one of the most naturally powerful beings on the planet, but she has wasted so much of her magical energy for so many years now on your families curse. If that were undone, it would be like you were dating a goddess"

"That might be overstating a little, mother. Besides, we are a way off binding yet. It's something we are planning for in the future"

At that point the conversation was halted by a loud knock on the door.

"Well, aren't I suddenly in demand!" Enid chirped as she hurried to answer it.

The door opened to reveal a concerned looking Alby, though Enid barely noticed him as, standing by his side and taking everything in with wide eyed curiosity, was a still very naked Dani. They both looked at Enid and then past her towards Rosa in confusion.

"Rosie's sister?" Alby presumed by way of introduction "I didn't know she had one"

"Well, aren't you the charmer?" Enid giggled "Why don't you and your lovely friend come in and join us?"

"It's fine guys, this is my mother" Rosa called out "I can't say she's harmless, but she won't hurt my friends"

Once it had been established that nobody was in any danger, the atmosphere became quite relaxed and even convivial. The awkwardness and tension from before was largely cut through by Dani and her many enthusiastic questions for Enid, who clearly adored holding court.

"This girl is an absolute delight" the ancient witch announced after a while, fondly stroking Dani's thigh now "Is she available for binding?"

"Mother! Will you please stop trying to bind with every pretty, naked mortal you see!"

"What's binding?" Dani asked with curiosity.

"You would be a little like my apprentice. I'd be able to give you all sorts of magical powers so you could cast spells and live for hundreds of years while remaining just as youthful and pretty as you are now" Enid explained.

"Oh wow, that sounds phenomenal!" Dani gasped.

"I think maybe we should all head back" Rosa suddenly decided "It's been lovely seeing you, mother. And now I know where you are, I can visit more often"

"Oh right" Enid looked a little sad at being left alone again "Don't forget to bring your friends when you come. Holly, It was lovely meeting you, I'm so sorry we got off to a bad start. Dani, don't forget my offer!"

---

"You know, despite everything, I actually feel kind of sorry for your Mom, I think she's just really lonely there on her own" Holly opined as she and Rosa lay in bed together that evening "I'm not against visiting her again"

"Don't fall into her trap, my mother is incredibly manipulative. She's working any angle she can to get herself back over here, I can sense it. If she manages to bind with a mortal, give them powers and then enchant them to be completely loyal to her, that will be a great start. And as much as I love her, she can't ever return to this world"

"Is she that bad? She didn't seem evil or anything. Before you got there she was saying she wanted to avoid any trouble"

"I wouldn't say she is evil in intent, but make no mistake, my mother is extremely dangerous" Rosa warned "She is hundreds of years older than I am and holds some positively ancient views on what can reasonably be done to mortals if it suits a magic user, as you discovered yourself. And she liked you. She takes against most people"

At that point Rosa's phone buzzed. It was Alby.

"Shit, why do I already have a bad feeling about this" the witch sighed as she answered "Hey Alby....Uh-huh.....yeah......shit, I knew it....fuck! Okay, thanks for letting me know, I'm on it"

"What happened?" Holly asked with concern.

"Alby went down into his store room and found a neat pile of Dani's clothes but no Dani"

"Which means?"

"Someone opened the portal and invited her in"

"Enid, then. So do we go in after her?"

"No, it's too late for that, she'll be giving Dani her witchy new powers and training her up already..." Rosa paused and took Holly's hand "If you're ready for it, I'd like us to bind now. I'm going to need to be at full magical strength to deal with this, and it wouldn't hurt for you to have some powers of your own to back me up. It would also mean the curse ends tonight. What do you think?"

Holly considered the question for a moment, realising this was a huge decision, but also instinctively knowing what she wanted to do.

"Okay, let's go for it"