Audrey was bursting with excitement. She had never set foot in a museum before, only hearing tales of them from Zelda. She couldn't shake the feeling that this was her grand opportunity to bring back treasures from the human realm. After all, what better artifacts could there be than those revered by humans themselves?

When they finally arrived, Audrey was struck by the sheer magnificence of the building. It was by far the largest structure she had ever seen, featuring a peculiar pyramid of glass standing beside it. Jon shared in her excitement, eager to witness her genuine reactions to all the exhibits.

Audrey had been led to examine numerous artworks and historical pieces—a captivating painting, a striking statue, and a weathered stone slab. Jon had meticulously shared the rich histories and stories behind each item, deepening her desire to have them for her story.

In a moment of inspiration, Audrey decided to utilize her magic. When no one was looking, she discreetly flicked her wrist. A shimmering veil of enchantment briefly enveloped the artifacts, leaving behind a faint, iridescent glow before fading away. Audrey's smile widened as she realized that with her magical prowess, she could replicate each artifact, much like she did with her clothing.

Carefully, Audrey continued to create magical copies of each piece she found most interesting. She was selective in her choices, as her magic was not unlimited and the museum’s collection was immense. Though she would have liked to replicate them all, and considered returning another time to do so.

After their museum visit came to an end, Jon and Audrey returned to their hotel room, briefly discussing their plans for the next day. Jon decided to step out to order dinner, leaving Audrey alone in the room. Seizing the opportunity, Audrey decided to practice her enchantment magic once again. With meticulous precision, she cast a spell that conjured replicas of the museum’s most iconic artifacts, filling their hotel room with an impressive display of historical treasures.

As the room filled with these perfect replicas, Audrey marveled at her handiwork. She examined each piece with great interest, savoring the chance to inspect them up close and from angles that would have been impossible within the confines of the museum. Her excitement was palpable, and she imagined the astonished reactions of their friends and family back home when she showed them these remarkable creations. With a satisfied grin, she took one last look at a particularly captivating painting of a smiling woman before heading into the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Jon returned to the hotel room, having realized he had forgotten his wallet. When he stepped inside, he was met with an astonishing sight—museum artifacts were scattered across the floor. His eyes widened in shock as he took in the scene. The Mona Lisa, among other masterpieces, lay before him. Confusion and disbelief surged through him. He could hear Audrey’s movements in the bathroom and couldn’t fathom how she had managed this. The artifacts were large and numerous, and he had not once seen her carry any of them.

Feeling a surge of panic, Jon struggled to process the situation. He felt lightheaded and nauseous, driven by a need to leave the room and call for help. He dialed Luca’s number, speaking in a hushed, frantic tone. “Luca! Luca! You won’t believe it! She’s a thief! We—We went to the museum, and the Mona Lisa! She stole the Mona Lisa! And so many other things, Luca!”

Luca’s initial reaction was one of confusion and skepticism. “What? That’s impossible, Jon. The Louvre has top-of-the-line security. Are you sure you’re not just seeing things?”

Jon’s conviction was unwavering despite Luca’s disbelief. “No, I’m not seeing things! You need to do a background check on her, Luca! She could be a criminal!” he insisted urgently, his voice still low as he re-entered the room.

But what Jon saw left him stunned. The room was now completely empty, the artifacts now gone, not a trace in sight. “It’s gone,” he whispered into the phone, his voice filled with confusion. “They’re not here anymore?”

Audrey emerged from the bathroom, having heard the commotion Jon made, while Luca, on the other end of the line, sighed heavily before hanging up.

Jon, visibly distressed and now teetering on the edge of disbelief, demanded answers. “I— I’m going crazy. Where did you put them? You—You stole from the museum! I saw it! Where is everything?!”

Audrey, maintaining her composure, calmly extended her empty hands. “What are you talking about? I didn’t steal anything,” she replied.

Jon scoffed in response. He knew what he saw, and searched the entire room frantically, but found nothing out of place. By the time their dinner arrived, he was both physically and emotionally drained, his earlier certainty crumbling into exhaustion and defeat.

“I… I don’t know what’s going on. I must have imagined it.” Jon says as he gets up and sits at the dinner table.

Audrey nodded and smiled slightly as she dug into her food, relieved that Jon had dropped the subject. She made a mental note to be more cautious in the future to avoid similar situations.

Meanwhile, Luca was busy verifying his sources to see if there had been any reports of a museum robbery, but found nothing to support that theory. After a few minutes, he decided to dig deeper into Audrey's background, realizing they knew very little about her. He used some photos he had of her to perform reverse image searches online, but came up empty-handed.

Frustrated but undeterred, Luca decided to search through Audrey's belongings for clues. What he found alarmed him: a book that appeared to be ritualistic, the kind associated with witchcraft. Hesitant but curious, he opened the book only to find its contents written in an unfamiliar language. Furrowing his brow, he snapped a photo with his phone in an attempt to translate the text, but even that yielded no results.

"Is she... a Wiccan?" he wondered aloud, sighing as he put the book away. His thoughts drifted to his feelings about Audrey and how she differed from the type of women he was usually interested in. Luca had always been a bit superstitious, and now he couldn't shake the suspicion that Audrey might have bewitched them both.

His musings were interrupted by his phone ringing. It was Jon again. He answered with a sense of foreboding.

"Luca, I need to see a psychologist or something," Jon said, his voice tinged with worry. "I know what I saw, but there's no evidence of it being there. It doesn't make sense, but I saw it with my own eyes. I don't know if I'm tired or losing my mind, but I'm seeing things."

Luca pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Yeah, yeah. I have an idea of what might be happening, but I need to confirm a few things first," he replied. "No psychologists for now. This could just be a one-time thing. But if it happens again, we'll consider getting some help."

Jon sighed but agreed before hanging up. With his findings, Luca resolved to keep a close eye on Audrey. There was too much mystery and suspicion surrounding her.

The next day, Jon and Audrey spent their time enjoying the hotel's facilities. Jon was trying to distract himself from what he had seen, while Audrey simply enjoyed herself. By the time their trip ended and they were back on the plane, Jon initiated a conversation with Audrey.

"We should get together on the weekends more often," Jon suggested as he slid his luggage into the overhead compartment. "I still need to teach you how to play tennis."

Audrey considered Jon's offer, humming softly. "Sure!" she agreed after settling into her seat.

Jon nodded with a smile as he sat down. "Great. I have a business meeting next weekend. We can meet up afterward at the country club," he said, grinning. "Maybe we can even dance a little. I remember how much you enjoyed dancing at the festival."

Audrey returned his grin with a smile of her own. "I do enjoy dancing," she said. "But no drinking those bubbly drinks. They made me feel all sorts of sick the day after." She recalled the memory with a slight grimace.

Jon chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Fair enough. No drinking, it is."

They spent the rest of the flight in comfortable silence. Jon listened to music through his earbuds, relaxing, while Audrey slept soundly, through it.

As the plane landed and Audrey returned back to her room at Luca’s manor, she reached for her journal and began writing into it, adding her new experiences from the trip to her story. Once done, she closed it before returning it to its spot under her bed.

As the plane landed and Audrey returned to her room at Luca’s manor, she wasted no time reaching for her journal. It was diary, but also more than just a diary—it was where she recorded all the unique experiences she had on her travels, stories she could later share with her people back home. Sitting on her bed, she opened the journal and began writing, capturing every detail of her latest trip. Once she was done, she closed the book with a sense of satisfaction and slid it back into its usual spot under her bed.

The next morning, Audrey awoke before the first rays of dawn crept through her window. She moved through her morning routine with practiced ease, the cool tiles of the bathroom floor grounding her in the familiar rhythm of her life at the manor. As she brushed her hair, she noticed Luca watching her from the doorway, his gaze sharp and assessing. She met his eyes briefly in the mirror but quickly looked away, uninterested in deciphering whatever thoughts swirled behind his enigmatic expression. Today was hers, and she had plans to enact.

After breakfast, Audrey had Luca’s chauffeur drive her into the city. She had a meeting later that day, and she wanted to make sure she looked the part. This wasn’t just any shopping trip—it was strategic. She moved quickly through the stores, picking out outfits with a sharp eye, selecting the most dazzling pieces. She knew exactly the impression she wanted to make and chose clothing and accessories that would help her achieve it.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Each store visit was brief but purposeful, with Audrey making quick decisions and copying her choices discretely. By the time she was done, the backseat of the car was filled with various suits, elegant dresses, and carefully selected accessories, inadvertently having ended up with more than she needed.

Though satisfied, Audrey instructed the chauffeur to drive them to the country club before returning everything to the manor, making sure the clothes would be ready for her later. She was a little late, but now she was confident that she’d walk into it looking exactly as she intended—impressive and unforgettable.

She entered the club with the grace and confidence of someone who knew they were meant to be noticed. But as the doors swung shut behind her, she was greeted not by the usual hum of conversation and clinking glasses, but by silence. The lobby was empty, devoid of the usual staff and members who would typically be bustling about. Audrey’s stood by the reception desk as she took in the vacant space, the grandeur of the room suddenly feeling dull. A wave of disappointment washed over her, and she sighed, the sound echoing faintly off the polished marble floors. She had planned a grand entrance, but for some reason no one was here.

Meanwhile, Jon was in a changing room at the club, trying to get into his tennis outfit. He was eager to show off his skills and maybe teach Audrey a thing or two about the game. But just as he was adjusting his headband, the door to his changing room suddenly flew open with a loud crash, nearly coming off its hinges.

Before Jon could even process what was happening, a group of women barged in, their eyes wide with excitement.

"Uh, I think you have the wrong room," Jon stammered, frozen in place as they surrounded him.

But his words were lost in the chaos. One woman grabbed his arm, another reached for his shirt, and before he knew it, they were all pulling at his clothes, each more eager than the last.

"Wait, wait, this isn't—" Jon tried to protest, but his voice was drowned out by the excited chatter of the women. One particularly determined lady latched onto his back like a backpack, while the others tugged at his tennis shorts, leaving him in a half-dressed state of bewilderment.

With a burst of adrenaline, Jon managed to wriggle free, stumbling forward as he desperately grabbed a bag of spare clothes. The women, clearly disappointed, let out a collective groan, but Jon wasn’t about to stick around to apologize. He dashed out of the room, running down the hall with one shoe on and the other dangling from his hand.

Finally, he made it to the men’s bathroom, slamming the door behind him with a breathless gasp. He leaned against it for a moment, catching his breath and half expecting the women to burst through the door again. His heart was still pounding as he hastily changed clothes, grabbing whatever he could from the bag he’d managed to escape with.

When he was done, Jon glanced down at himself and groaned. His outfit was a bizarre mix: one tennis shoe paired with a loafer, athletic shorts topped with a dress shirt he hadn’t even buttoned properly. He looked like someone who had lost a bet on what to wear.

Still reeling from the sudden and chaotic encounter, he turned to the bathroom mirror, hoping to compose himself. Instead, he was greeted by the sight of his face and neck covered in lipstick marks, bright red smudges that made him look like he’d been in the middle of a wild bachelorette party.

He stared at his reflection in disbelief, his mouth opening and closing as he tried to find the words. After a moment, he just shook his head with a sigh, reaching for his phone.

As he dialed Luca’s number, Jon mumbled to himself, “This is not how I imagined my morning would go…” When Luca answered, Jon didn’t even wait for a greeting.

“Luca, you’re not going to believe this,” Jon said, his voice teetering between frustration and helpless laughter. “I just got ambushed in the changing room—five, maybe even six women, I don’t know! They just jumped on me!”

He paused, trying to make sense of the chaotic scene he’d just escaped from. “I was minding my own business, getting ready for tennis, and the next thing I know, the door practically flies off its hinges, and these women swarm me like I’m a celebrity or something.”

Luca’s voice on the other end of the line was calm, but there was a hint of amusement in it. “Wait, what? Are you serious?”

“Dead serious,” Jon replied, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “They were pulling at my clothes, hugging me like I was some kind of human teddy bear. And now, I’m standing in the bathroom looking like I got dressed in the dark by a five-year-old, with lipstick marks all over my face!” He glanced at himself in the mirror again, wincing at the mismatched outfit and the colorful smudges decorating his skin.

On the other end of the line, Luca’s voice remained steady but carried a hint of dry amusement. “Well, that’s certainly a new one. Did they actually hurt you or just leave you with a bunch of lipstick marks and a bad outfit?”

Jon let out a relieved laugh. Nothing too serious. I’m in one piece, just a bit mismatched.”

“Well, It’s good to hear you’re okay,” Luca said, his tone casual yet still serious. “I’ll have the club look into it. I’m not thrilled about the idea of anyone being accosted in one of our facilities, no matter how weird.” Luca paused for a moment before continuing. “I’ll drive on over and pick you up with a change of clothes.” He says as he begins packing a few of his own clothes for Jon to borrow. “Laurence just came back a few minutes ago, holding a whole closet’s worth of women’s clothes, so Audrey should be over at the club too.” He adds, grabbing his keys and walking to his car. “You should meet up with her and let her know your little tennis date is canceled.”

Jon sighed as he listened to Luca’s words, disappointed in having to cancel their tennis plans, but understanding why. “Yeah, I’ll go find her. Thanks.” He says before hanging up.

When Jon found Audrey, she had been alone in the lobby, trying to figure out how to use her phone to make calls. She had been glad to see Jon until she noticed his state of dress and the marks of lipstick over his face. Furthermore he reeked of women’s perfume, the sight made her head spin as her thoughts raced with scenes of Jon enjoying himself with other women, not knowing what had actually happened.

The closer Jon got to Audrey the more sick she began to feel as she experienced jealousy for the first time. She thought of how Jon had been the one to invite her, and when she arrived, she was met with no one to greet her. She had tried contacting him, only to find him looking at though he had just been with several women. Jon had tried talking to her, but she found herself unable to hear his words as her jealousy began make her physically ill. She stumbled for a moment as her legs threatened to give out beneath her.

Jon watched, his brows furrowing as he grew concerned. “Audrey!” He called out, reaching out to hold her up, lending her a shoulder. “What’s wrong?” He asked, but received no reply as she began to look dazed and disoriented, her face flushed pale. Jon held the back of his hand to her forehead and felt it growing increasingly warm. “She has a fever…?” He mumbled to himself as he helped her out of the building. A few moments later, Luca drove up to the curb and stepped out of the car, his expression confused and concerned. “What happened? Was she attacked?” He asked, joining Jon’s side and helping her into the car.

“No—I don’t know—She was just fine a moment ago, but then suddenly came down with a fever.” Jon explained, buckling her up. “Her temperature keeps rising. We might need to take her a hospital if it doesn’t level out.”

Luca nodded and got back into the driver’s seat. “I’ll take her home. You should get in your car and head back too. You look like a mess.” Luca noted. He would have said more out of amusement, but the situation seemed a bit too serious for that.

Jon sighed but nodded after double checking that Audrey was securely put in place. “Yeah. You make sure she’s got someone to look after her.”

Luca nodded again, though deigned not to inform Jon that he would be the one watching over her. She did live in his manor, after all. “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure she’ll be fine, just some weird hiccup or virus.” He says, trying to comfort him.

Jon then stepped away from the car. “Yeah… Well, let’s hope.” He says before watching the car drive away.

Audrey’s head felt foggy and her vision slightly blurry as she gazed around for her handbag. Her body felt heavy and a dull ache filled her arms and legs as she reached for it.

Luca noticed movement through the rear-view mirror and turned his head back to glance at her. “Hey, Audrey. How are you feeling? Do think you need ER, or are you fine to rest at home?” He asked, a hint of concern in his voice as he turned his head back to drive.

Audrey groaned as she began rummaging through her bag. She didn’t know what a an ‘ER’ was, but she was certain it wouldn’t help her. “N-No… No.” She responded, her voice sluggish, much like when coming out of a deep sleep. Her symptoms were the source of a curse every fairy had, triggered by high levels of stress. The only remedy was a tea brewed with a specific set of leaves. She was trying to find the tea recipe in her enchanting book, but was having difficulty locating it.

Audrey let out another groan as she realized she must have left it under her bed. She let her bag fall turned to Luca. “I need my book.” She called out, the words slow and elongated. “There’s a… tea recipe in it. It’s the… only thing that can help with this.” She explained, it wasn’t often that the cursed fevers could kill someone, but it was certainly possible if left alone.

She noticed the look of suspicion on Luca’s face as she mentioned the book and wondered what it was about, before she continued, “Luca… I need that tea.”

The tea plant grew commonly across Fairyland, and nearly every fairy had a bundle of leaves hung over in their kitchen, but she also knew in the mortal realm, the plant was much rarer. She had heard the fact to be one of the leading dangers of being stranded in the mortal realm.

“Alright, well, we’re going home then. You can show me where your book is later, for now get some rest.” Luca says as he continues on his route, his voice calmer now.

Audrey let out a sigh and did as instructed, resting her eyes as she drifted into sleep. She woke at times, with Luca leading her into the manor, then again later with Luca tucking her into bed. She stayed asleep for a while longer until waking up to the sound of Luca rummaging through the room. “Where’s that book…” He murmured before kneeling down and looking under the bed.

Audrey tapped on Luca’s back before pointing to a pile of clothes in the corner of the room. “Under the… clothes.” She said, her voice beginning to sound hoarse as the words come out through a dry throat.

Luca got up and searched the indicated spot before finally pulling the book out from under the pile, raising an eyebrow as he had to untangle it from a bra. “Okay… I got the book.” He said, returning to Audrey’s side. “Where’s the recipe?”

Audrey took hold of the book and flipped through the pages before weakly pointing at a diagram. “This one.” She responded handing the book back to him. “It’s important that you… uh, follow the…” She trailed off for a moment, finding it hard to focus. “Follow the… instructions.”

Luca nodded as he looked down and tried reading the page, but his brows furrowed as he was reminded that the book was in another language. “Audrey, I can’t read this. You need to translate.” He says, holding the book back to her.

Audrey groaned in annoyance before ripping out an empty page from the back of the book. “Pen.” She called out, pointing toward the nearby nightstand. Luca nodded and retrieved the pen for her and watched as she began translating the instructions on the blank page.

After a few minutes, she finished with a sigh and handed it to Luca. “…There.”

Luca took the page and groaned silently. The writing was now in a language he understood, but it was difficult to understand her handwriting. He had to look at it from multiple angles to decipher some of the words before sighing and nodding. “Alright, I’ll call Jon and have him gather the ingredients we don’t have. You get some rest.” He said before getting up and leaving Audrey to sleep.

Luca walked into his kitchen as he read through the recipe, hoping to find some of the ingredients already at home. “…These are weirdly specific.” He murmured, his brows knitting together as he began dialing Jon’s number.

It didn’t take long for Jon to pick up. “Jon.” Luca spoke out. “It’s time for a treasure hunt.” He said, his voice light.