*Pets an ear gently* Now now, chin up hun.. your a handsome Donkey. So now your a donkey you cant change back?

You're so kind to him. ^w^ He'll answer soon

Hes such a cutie

Aw, thanks! >w<

Acrathia: What do all candles have? Wicks. What is the purpose of a candle? To act as a lamp. A lamp that has a wick. What is my point? Im not sure I really have one. Just.drawing a connection I suppose.

Candle: *ashamedly* I hhh... have been called by that name before, but I'd h... hoped that it was forgotten.

Acrathia: Ah you prefer anonymity. Understandable, I too like to work from the shadows making my presence known only if I desire.

Candle: *ears peeking forward curiously* Why would you want to hhh... hide?

Acrathia: Why its fun my little flame. Let them think that they are doing things on their accord, then have them find out they have been manipulated the whole time. Truly you should.try it some time.

Candle: *stepping back cautiously* I've seen enough of that kind of thing to know I don't want to try it.

Acrathia:So certain love? Even if what was offered was something you so deeply desired. You wouldn't be tempted in the slightest? *Looks at Candle pointedly*

Candle: *shamefaced* I was tempted. I found out that the price is too steep. Now I'm trying to fix my mistake.

Acrathia: You were just tempted and you felt the need to redeem yourself? Points for going the extra mile I suppose. None the less you may find my little flame that even when doing the most benevolent of actions, the need to operate in shadow to be essential.

Candle: Thank you. I think I will hhh... have to do some hhhhiding soon. I think I will make my mistress very upset if I go against hhh...her.

Acrathia: Ah I see. Such a difficult position for you to be in. I suspect that I will learn more when you get to my question

Candle: I will try my best to explain it, miss?

Acrathia: Oh yes! I completely forgot that we haven't met! *laughs a little* oh how one forgets their manners when spying! I my little flame am Acrathia, Dark lady of the Sidhe, Chancellor of the Gloamering court, and an insufferable dispenser of vague advice.

Candle: *bows, looking a bit frightened* It is a pleasure to mee... EEEHAWWW... *he freezes, mortified* I'm sorry.

Acrathia: * bites her lip for several moments in an attempt to stop herself from bursting into laughter. Has to stifle a few, but then suddenly says with a perfectly calm voice* Oh wait a minute. I laughed heartily at poor Medoro's misfortune. It would be rude if I laughed at him and not you so....*bursts into hysterical laughter. After a while starts to calm down* I'm sorry! Im sorry! * laughs a bit more* Im a terrible sadist, and that was just too damn hilarious!

Candle: *hiding his eyes behind a foreleg, absolutely humiliated* I... I should go.

Acrathia: No my little flame, it was I who offended you, I should be the one to go. Honestly though getting a woman to laugh would usually be considered a good thing by the standards of most young men. Goodness Medoro wasn't nearly this sensitive. None the less I did hurt you, so I do hope you will accept my apology, as well as some vague advice. As I said to dearest Lester: we all have our demons, you however appear to be taking active steps to make amends, despite facing some severe consequences as a result. Perhaps you are braver than you realize. Well my little flame I will take my leave of you. Hopefully our next meeting will be under more amicable circumstances. * fades into black and indigo mist*

Candle: *ears twitching forward* I'm-I'm sorry! Don't go. *sits, trying to process what just happened*

Author: Don't worry candle she will be back.

Author:

Candle: I hhh... hope I didn't upset hhh... her.

Author: what? Oh no, trust me candle you would know if she were upset, even that little squabble between me and her wasn't her upset. When Acrathia is angry...well things get really bad really quickly.

Candle: *ears swiveling back and his eyes growing wide* Oh.

Author: Argh! I feel so guilty! I made poor candle cry!

Acrathia: I laughed at him a little! You're acting like I set him on fire or something! I think he will live somehow! Maybe me laughing at a social faux pas isn't the worst thing Candle has ever had to endure!

Author: You're a heartless witch you know that!

Acrathia: And you're a porcupine. *poof*

Author: *makes chittering porcupine noises that translate to 'got to remember not to insult crazy unseelie witches*

Author: Aww, don't feel bad! He's a sensitive guy and he hasn't really had a lot of human(ish) interaction, but he'll be okay >w< Acrathia was just doing as she does. Um... Moth?

Moth: *appears in a glow of green* What?

Author: *gestures to now-porcupine friend* A little help.

Moth: *raises an eyebrow* I'm not interfering with Acrathia's magic.

Author: Ah, but you are. I'm in charge of all of the things that happen to you. It would be wise to play nice.

Moth: *grumbles and snaps her fingers* Fine. But I'm not telling you or her how the countercurse works. She'll have to figure it out. *disappears*

Author: Lovely. Sorry about her.

Author: Thank you dearshul. Acrathia only would have left me like that for a day or so, but it is still nice to not be a porcupine for a day. And don't worry too much about Acrathia she knows to play by your rules while a guest in your story

Candle: You hhhaahhh... have? Oh, no.

Candle: *his ears falling in embarrassment* I hhh... hoped that nobody would know.

Candle: *laughs nervously*

He'll answer soon. ^w^

Having trouble with words I see.

Candle: It's pa-haah-rt of the curse. *ears twitching back* I'm sorry if I'm haaaw... hard to understand.

I can understand the Hawwws and the Heees better than the silly human words

This makes me wonder if Moth also took a turn playing the Blue Fairy at some point.

An interesting conjecture, indeed!

It would totally fit with how fairies work. An old man does something something nice for her, so she decides to grant him a wish. He's always wanted a child, so she brings a puppet he's made to life. And because she feels a little responsibility, she checks up on him from time to time. Later, she happens to find him hanging out with a bunch of naughty boys who are leading him astray, so she turns them into donkeys to punish them for being a bad influence and also to scare the boy into going back home to his dad.
I can totally see something like that.

I can't speak one way or another without spoiling anything, but I certainly like the way you think. ^w^

I know fairies really well. I've spent a good deal of time studying them and by the grace of God have managed to not be transformed yet.
Unlike some of my colleagues. >.>

It is a miracle you haven't! I hope you are able to remain unscathed

Me, too. As soon as I've got enough to finish my dissertation, I'll be done with them for good. Then I'll be . . .
Well, not really safe, but not in the same level of danger.

That doesn't mean you have to stay that way forever. I think there will be a way to change. It might be hard, but you'll have your chance, young Candle. *pats him consolingly on his neck*

Candle: *guiltily* I think I h...have found a way, but now I'm second guessing whether I should go through with it.

You shouldn't.

 born2beagator don't make me muzzle you. *Glares angrily* Candle never had the chance to enjoy being human. He deserves that opportunity.

Sure he did. In a way he chose to be an ass. he is what he was always meant to be!

Now that is a fallacy. He wasn't able to enjoy his childhood. I'd say more, but a certain power requires that I remain mum on the matter. Trust me, though, if you knew, you might understand my perspective on the matter.

That depends on how things progress. My advice, take things one step at a time. That's what I did with my girlfriend, and so far, it's turning out great.

Candle: *his ears falling* I... I can't. I can't make myself feel like kidnapping a lady is okay. *looking confused* You didn't kidnap your girlfriend, did you?

OH, you're at that place in your timeline. *Chuckles* Trust me, little Candle, you have quite an adventure ahead of you. You'll be able to find that peace and happiness.

Candle: *cautiously hopeful* Do you think so? I feel like I've ruined everything...

Many do at one time or another. What matters is you keep moving forward and try again. MIstakes are bound to happen. It's what you do after you make them that helps to define you.

Candle: *nodding, looking a little more confident* I hhh... hope you're right.

I speak from experience, Candle. Trust me.

What do you do now Candle? Got a nice Jenny?

Good questions. ^w^ He'll answer soon

What is this curse that you speak of?

A good question. He will answer soon ^^

Hmm, you mentioned others. I can certainly imagine some difficulties, but have you been able to keep in touch with others who wound up in your... predicament? Social support can't fix everything, but can be a help.

Good question! He'll answer soon. ^w^