Exorcism? Perhaps That Would Work

Fortunately for Betty, the psychic was prevented from starting the exorcism immedtately by being approached by Astra, who thought that the newcomer was more likely to be helpful than the apparently halfwitted boy.

"Excuse me," Astra said politely. (She might be a warrior, but her royal upbringing had of course included being taught etiquette.) "Do you know anything about this magic gathering that the sign in the window refers to?"

"Magic gathering?" Zelberta asked, confused. Her psychic abilities had not enabled her to predict the question.

Astra sighed inwardly. Was everyone around here so dense? "That's what the sign says. I'm hoping that a sorceror will be able to send me back to my own world. You see, I don't belong here."

That naturally intrigued Madame Zelberta who, being used to the bizarre in her line of work and more than a little eccentric herself, did not immediately write off Astra as insane, as most people would have done. "I might be able to help you myself," she said. "You see, exorcism is my speciality."

"But I'm not an evil spirit or a ghost, so I don't think I can be exorcised," Astra objected. "Still, I suppose it's worth a try. Tell me, have you been a priestess for long? As a child, I thought of becoming a votaress of Artemis, but before I was old enough to commit myself I realised that a life of chastity was not for me."

Astra noticed that the strange priestess was goggling at her open-mouthed. What was it with these people? "Start your ritual," she told Zelberta in her most commanding tone, hoping to snap her out of her daze.

Deciding that it would be simplest to take the path of least resistance, Madame Zelberta did as she was ordered.

1. Nothing happened, not even to Betty (since the exorcism wasn't targeted at her).
2. Rather surprisingly, it actually worked. Astra found herself back in her own world. That achieved, Zelberta turned her attention back to Betty (who, in the absence of Astra, now found she needed to return to Fred).
3. Nothing happened to Astra, but Betty caught the "fall out" and was exorcised.
4. Rather surprisingly, it worked. Astra found herself back in her own world, and Betty (compelled to stay with her) found herself dragged there with her!
5. But before she could get very far, the salesgirl, seeing that something odd was going on, intervened.

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