Freda & Astra Ponder Their Situation

"I will," Dewey replied, feeling a bit heroic. "There's no cause for that Madame to bind you here like that! It's cruel is what it is! In fact, I've half a mind to speak to the chief about it!"

"Oh no! No, please don't," Freda implored. "It'll just stir up so much more problems. If you didn't mention it, we'd be very - grateful." She punctuated the depth of her gratitude by planting a kiss on Dewey that very nearly curled his toes.

"We both would be, you know," Astra added, following suit a moment later.

"Oh. Um, right, yes. Um, not, not mention it. Yes. OH!" The constable sat bolt upright and began readjusting his uniform. "Uh, listen, I should r-r-really get back on my route. My patrol route, yes. Listen, no worries, I w-will definitely be here just mast pidnight. Past midnight."

"We'll be waiting," Astra smiled.

"Eagerly," Freda confirmed.

After Dewey stumbled his way out, Astra and Freda sat in the room, giggling uncontrollably. "That was so easy," Freda laughed. "He was like putty in our hands!"

"Men always are," Astra said, laying back. "You know that."

"Do I? I guess I do - I just forgot." Freda sat up and began fussing with her hair. "Astra, I think something funny's happening to us."

"What do you mean, sweetie?"

"It's just that - ooh, I can't really explain it. I think all the spells and stuff we've had cast on us is affecting us somehow."

Astra frowned. "I know - it's starting to get hard to remember stuff. Everything seems real - but at the same time, everything seems fake."

"Exactly! I mean, part of me knows that I used to be a knight - a man - but, well, I don't feel like a man."

"No, but you sure made Dewey feel like a man just now!" Astra laughed.

"No, I'm serious," Freda giggled. "How many spells and counterspells have we been subjected to? I mean, between Pronky and Norla and Xyllis and Vincent..."

"I don't think Vincent's as on the ball as he says he is," Astra sniffed. "I mean, he's still a cute old fellow, but a lot of his magic seems to go wrong somehow."

"I know," Freda sighed. "But he's the only one that seems to be looking out for us."

"Other than ourselves," Astra agreed.

For the next few hours, the girls napped, and fussed with their hair, and nibbled at some of the less spoiled bits from the kitchen. After a while, it was obviously midnight.

1. Finally, Dewey shows up. By having the girls hold on to him quite snugly, he is able to get them out
2. Finally, Dewey shows up. He is forced to have them each quaff a sleeping draught to get them out.
3. Finally, Dewey shows up. Unfortunately, nothing works, and they are stuck in Candida's.
4. Finally, Dewey shows up with a friend. He explains that his companion is a wizard who should be able to get them out quickly.
5. After a while, it becomes evident that for whatever reason, Dewey isn't coming.
6. Suddenly, several carriages pull up outside and, looking the worse for wear, disgorge Madame Candida and her girls.
7. Suddenly, a single carriage pulls up outside and out steps the Lordling Rudolph!
8. Before Dewey can arrive, there's a flash of light in the lobby and someone materializes.!

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