Old Memories (1)
I scrambled out of bed in a panic and dashed to the full-length mirror hanging on the wall. My loosened pants slipped right off, tangling my legs and sending me crashing to the floor. Ow, my knee. How long had it been since I'd fallen for real like that?
I wriggled out of the pants like a snake shedding its skin and stumbled to the mirror. Staring back at me from the glass was a brown-haired boy with eyes the exact same color as mine. His face looked strangely familiar. Wait... no, this wasn't just familiar. This was me as a kid...?! What the hell was going on?
My scream brought the door flying open as Idwild burst in, clutching a two-foot shard of cursed rope in her hand. She scanned the room wildly before spotting me and tilting her head.
"Huh...? Who're you...?"
"It's me."
A voice much thinner and more boyish than usual came out of my throat.
"I mean... who are you...? Where'd you come from...?"
"Who else would be in my room besides me?"
"Bertrand...?"
She couldn't say more. Pointing the curse shard at me, she stammered, "Y-you're... you...?"
Making weird noises, Idwild crept toward me slowly.
"Uh... so... Bertrand...? Right...?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm... your face kinda looks like him... What's my nickname...?"
"Milky."
"What position did we do it in...?"
I sighed and gave a quick rundown of that time. Idwild set the curse shard aside and nodded slowly.
"It's... really you, Bertrand... But... what the hell happened...?"
"No idea. Woke up like this. Think it's a curse or something?"
Idwild tapped her chin, thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"Dunno... Never heard of a shrinking curse... There's aging curses, but..."
"Then what is it? Magic? But there's no spell that turns back time..."
I scowled, then it hit me. The only thing different last night before bed was touching that black orb. Could that be it?
I shoved past Idwild, yanked the covers off the bed, and the black orb tumbled out from the bunched-up sheets onto the floor.
"Idwild, come here. Can you read this writing?"
She took the orb from me, turning it this way and that to inspect the text.
"Not Common... not Elvish... not Dwarvish... not even ancient holy script... What is this...?"
"From Lurtjog's treasure chest. Tried decoding the runes before bed, held it in my hand and passed out. Probably the cause."
"Dunno if that's possible... Anyway..."
Her hand hovered in the air, inching toward my head.
"Hehe... so cute..."
Idwild petted my hair, grinning dopily. I tried swatting her hand away, but the long sleeves flopped over, getting in the way. I tugged one up with the other hand—same problem on that side. Suddenly I looked like a clown from a traveling troupe, flapping both sleeves ridiculously.
"Damn it. Clothes are the first problem."
"So cute..."
Her face flushed, she gazed at me with gooey, lovesick eyes.
"Go grab some of Marim's clothes for now. A bit big, but better than this."
"Mmm... okay..."
But she just stood there, not moving.
"What're you waiting for? Go—urk!"
Idwild lunged, wrapping her arms around me.
"So cute... No idea what's going on, but... big hug..."
Buried between her soft breasts, a wave of hot body heat washed over me.
"Gah! Can't breathe!"
I squirmed to escape, but damn it—my shrunken body had kid-level strength too. Couldn't budge from her grip. Idwild realized it and her eyes gleamed with a creepy smile.
"Hehe... weaker too..."
She waddled to the bed still hugging me, then forced me onto her lap, drooling honey from her eyes.
"Wanna... nurse...?"
"You crazy bitch, have you lost your mind?!"
"Be good now... hehehehehe..."
She pinned my wriggling with one arm and unbuttoned her shirt with the other. Her massive breasts spilled out, white liquid dripping onto my face.
"Fresh milk..."
Back when I got caught in Beldra's Curse Rope in the dungeon ruins, she'd gone off the rails like this. The second conditions are right, she throws all caution to the wind.
I tried yelling, but her breast smothered me silent.
"Eat up..."
Shoving the leaking nipple into my mouth, she hiked up her shirt—which covered her thighs—and suddenly grabbed my crotch.
"I'll milk you while you nurse..."
Normally I'd be grateful, but not now. No clue if this was a curse, side effect, or if I'd change back. Worst case, I might keep shrinking.
I twisted desperately and finally broke free.
"Wha...? Bertrand..."
"Not the time!"
I snapped for real, and she flinched. Wiping the milk from my face, I ordered her to hurry with the clothes.
"Don't be mad... I'll get 'em..."
She stuffed her breast back in and rushed out.
But sending her to Marim? Mistake.
"What? The boss turned into a kid?!"
Marim bounced in excitedly, a mischievous, wicked grin on her face.
"Whoa, for real? Smaller than me?"
She poked my forehead, giggling.
"Boss? What happened? Turned into a brat."
"You little shit?!"
I grabbed her wrist like I always do to subordinates—but that was it. A kid's body couldn't overpower a half-elf's strength.
"Heh. Look at that. All weak."
Marim twisted my wrist back, laughing evilly.
"Hehe. Boss always calls me a pipsqueak or kid, and now it's reversed lol."
"Marim... don't bully Bertrand... he might cut your pay..."
Idwild's words hit home; Marim's eyes widened and she let go fast. Right—my strength might be gone, but not my wallet.
"Stupid half-elf brat."
"Sorry, boss..."
"Hand over the clothes."
She passed the bundle from under her arm. I snatched it and shoved them both out.
"Sis! Big news! The boss!"
Marim's shout echoed through the door as she bolted downstairs.
"Sigh... what a mess..."
I sighed deeply and shoved my legs into the pants.
That "rumor" spread through the inn like wildfire. By the time I came down alone, several employees were waiting.
"Oh my god!"
Della clapped at the sight of me on the stairs, jumping in place with glee.
"Too cute! Really our boss? Oh my gosh!"
She rushed over, squatting to meet my eyes.
"Look at that baby skin... how's it so pretty..."
She stroked my lips, pinched my cheeks, making a huge fuss.
"Hah! What happened, Balder boy?"
Dwarf Ukun chuckled, peering down at me.
"No clue. Gotta figure it out... kkh!"
Della hugged my neck and rubbed cheeks, cutting me off.
"Dunno what happened, but... you're adorable, Bertrand."
Francois smiled warmly, bending to pat my head.
"Gonna need a kid's menu for a bit. But veggies all gone down, okay?"
"Francois, my brain's still adult..."
I shoved Della off with a sigh.
"Throat's dry. Beer, someone."
"What? No way, boss! Not even grown and booze? Bad boy!"
Della wagged her finger firmly.
Great. Felt like the baby brother surrounded by mom and sisters. Small mercy: Aterugar stayed holed up. Fire-tending's trivial for a red dragon; she spends free time in her room. Might know something. But imagining her reaction... nah.
First, check with Kosa what happened while I slept. Then Aterugar. Or Pelle might have monster lore.
Pelle emerged from the veggie cellar just then, eyes meeting mine.
"Who's the kid."
Idwild explained, and Pelle's eyes widened slightly.
"That brat's the boss?"
"Yeah... dunno what's up, but... hehe... cute, right...? Pretty...?"
Pelle just stared silently. No way she'd baby me too. Body's a kid, but mind's adult—she'd treat me right. Cold, rational demon and all. Yeah, sure.