In Pursuit of your Ancestors

You have a hard time keeping your shock from showing. “So, uh. Was she a…”

“A witch? My grandmother always told me so, but I never believed her. But I believe there’s some of her old stuff still in the attic, if you want to go take a look.”

“Yes, that would be awesome! Can we go right up after dinner? We have reason to believe that this is real. Maisie—” Your girlfriend gives you a pinch in the thigh under the table. “—has uhh… made some recent experiences.”

There’s little stopping your mother at this point. “Really? Are you a witch yourself? Is that how you got your amazing hair? Can you show me?”

Maisie backs off awkwardly. “It’s not like that, it’s more… complicated. Look, I don’t know how much I’m supposed to say…”

“Got it, secrecy. Well, if you can ever tell me more about it, I would be thrilled! I mean, what if this is real? What if I could have been a witch? I could’ve—”

“Calm down, Honey”, your Dad tries to defuse the situation. “We’ll let you in the attic. And you don’t have to tell us about it if that is important to you. Just…” He gives you a serious look, “be careful, okay? If this is real, who knows what might happen to the both of you.”

“Will do, Dad. In fact, this whole genealogy research thing is us being careful.”

The narrow ladder creaks under your feet as you ascend into the cool, dry space. Your parents have agreed to stay down, leaving you some privacy to talk about your findings. Meanwhile, Maisie’s phone has been glowing hot with text messages from and to Holly.“So, the reason for why her boss couldn’t claim her is probably you.”

“Yeah, most likely. How does she feel about that? I hope I’m not messing things up for her.”

“Dude, she couldn’t be happier! She’s talking about you fully claiming her, making her yours just like you did me.”

“And… she’s really fine with this? You’re fine with this?”

Maisie gives you a small kiss. “I couldn’t not be fine with it. You made me happy to share you, remember?”

“I don’t know… this feels like cheating. Like I’m getting away with something I’m not supposed to.”

“I don’t think you’re ‘supposed to’ anything. You got me, and I’m happy with that, and now you’ve got my sister, and we’re both happy with that. What more do you want than our happiness?”

“I don’t know, it just feels kinda… fake. Artificial.”

“These feelings may be artificial, but I can assure you they’re not fake. The curse makes them as real as can be. Also, how would Holly’s feelings about you be anything but genuine?”

You pull Maisie close in a hug. “Thank you. I think I needed to hear that.”

She squeezes you back. “You’re welcome. Now let’s get to looking for Betty Franklin’s stuff, or your folks’ll get suspicious.”

“Can I command you to do it better?”

“Sure, anything you want.”

“Maisie, you know exactly what we’re looking for. Now let’s go.”

You were a bit wary that the command would affect her like the last one about the curse, but apart from a short dizzy spell she doesn’t seem to suffer any side effects. Even with her special knowledge though, the attic is dark and full of boxes, so it takes a while to find the simple wooden trunk containing your great-great-grandmother’s stuff.

“Look here! The Coven and its Rituals! That sounds like the book we need!”

Beside the book, you find a mortar and pestle, some strange glassware apparatus that Maisie tells you (using her ‘knowing exactly what you’re looking for’ command, no doubt) is called an alembic, and tiny wooden boxes with all kinds of long-expired ingredients. There is also some chalk and five half-burnt black candles.

“Let’s ask your parents to take this back to Holly, so we can figure out what to do with it”, Maisie suggests.

You’re not sure whether they’ll let you just take old heirlooms out of the house, but figure it’s worth a try. “Maisie, you know what to say to convince my parents to let us take this.”

She freezes. “Try again. I’m getting a feeling to tell them about the curse.”

Oh no, that could be bad. “Maisie, you know how to convince my parents without revealing your curse.”

She breathes a sigh of relief. “You should ask them, not me. Tell your Mom it’s important to continue her great-grandmother’s legacy, and that she can learn witchcraft as well in time.”

A few passed speech checks with advantage later, you’re sitting in your car with Maisie, with, well, a trunk in the trunk. You’ve taken the time to wrap the fragile glassware in paper towels so it doesn’t break during the move.

As you enter the Petersens’ house, you’re greeted by Holly. “Simon, I have something important to tell you.”

Uh oh. Is that good news or bad?

“I think you’ve already claimed me.”