Arcadia-Tree

Deetra and I are wandering through the mountains. She requested that I blindfold myself, some superstition about leading a mortal to your home resulting in bad luck. Never pegged her for that type. She tells me to stop, and removes the blindfold. It's an ancient oak, a massive tree that seems to ooze with  a vital strength that belies its age. She gestures to a small knot of wood, the only blemish on the tree. "Okay Donnie. You ready for this?" After I nod she places a hand on my shoulder, giving me a boost.

As I begin to shrink she snaps her fingers, shrinking my clothing with me. Another snap and my shirt changes into green tunic of the same material her blue dress is. My jeans become some form of leggings that reminds me of sweatpants. A small set of wings bursts from my back and begin to flick and flutter. "So, where are we?" A few seconds of fumbling and I achieve flight.

Deetra flies over to the knot and presses a finger into it. She motions for me to grab her hand. As my fingers brush across hers the world seems to swirl for a second, and I find myself in a massive chamber. It's almost like a palace carved into a mountain-sized chunk of wood. My jaw drops in awe of the magnificent space, tapestries line to walls and the place is set for a feast. hundreds of pixies are flitting about. "Close your mouth and try not to act so surprised."

"News flash Pip, that's gonna be hard to do... How is this place in such a small tree?" I try to act natural, but I keep fighting the urge to simply walk. Nobody else is using their feet here.

"Ok, just hang out here a bit. I'm going to tell my family about our arrangement. They will be infuriated with us, so I doubt you'd want to meet them personally so soon. Mom would probably vote in favor of castration..."

"Whoa! Okay Pip, stayin' away from the folks. When your finished, I'll be here."
There seems to be no trace of her former joy, not even a hint of that mischevious grin. "Now that I'm here, the reality of their reaction is finally becoming clear. Don't drink anything while we're here. I don't think you can handle it." With that, she flies off.
I took that last statement as a challenge. Flying by a table I sccop up a glass of some fruity smelling wine and down it. Then another. And another. By the time I snag a fourth, a group[ has formed, cheering me on.



The past few hours are a blur. I recognize my house, and Heather... It must be early evening by now. My head is swimming with the powerful alchoholic drinks I'd had earlier. Pip informed me that I had flirted around with the colony's matriarch.  Probably misheard that. She helped me shift back, and Heather is aiding her into dragging me over to the couch. "Hey... Hey Pip. Hit me." She punches me in the nose with her small hand and giggles. It hurts quite a bit. "Ow... I meant juice me up. I wanna change."

Another tittering laugh. "Okay. Here you go!" She jabs a finger into my eye and gives me a hit of WD-40 for shape shifters.

My eye hurts now. Oh well. I grip my chest as my heart stops beating. My lungs feel strange, as if breathing is pointless. Deetra laughs even harder as my inscisors sharpen and extend. I face Heather and give her a  mock hiss. "I vant to..." I am cut off as my mind fogs over.

I am going to have a record breaking hangover...