“What in the world?” I asked as a pounding kept coming from the backdoor. Another pounding sounded from the front. “What time is it?”

“We have visitors,” Lily answered helpfully with a huge smile on her face. “And it’s five minutes to 7.”

“Thanks for telling me that,” I sarcastically said. “I wouldn’t have known otherwise.”

“You’re welcome!” Lily cheerfully replied.

“It’s too early!” I complained.

“The sun came up 15 minutes ago and some people have been up since then,” Lily replied while landing on my chest. She then started doing a jig. “Get up and let’s see what they want!”

“Keep doing that. It feels nice,” I replied closing my eyes.

“Jase!”

“Lily,” I replied.

“If you don’t open your eyes and get up, I’m going to paint you green, red, and yellow!” Lily warned. I opened my right eye and studied my familiar. She was grinning ear to ear and cackled.

“I’m up!” I said opening my eyes and sitting up. I caught her as she slipped from my chest.

“I thought that would work,” Lily said.

“Any idea who is at the doors?” I asked as Lily took flight.

“Preston and Priscilla Farmer,” Lily answered after a short silence. “I’ll let them into the basement shop while you make yourself presentable.”

“Thanks Lily,” I replied.

“You’re welcome, my Jase!” Lily said before flying up and kissing my left cheek. “Now, hurry up!”

“Yes dear,” I muttered walking to the bathroom and turning around as my familiar giggled. Lily batted her eyes at me making me snort a laugh.

“If only you were 6 inches tall and had wings,” Lily sighed playfully.

“But then we couldn’t be bonded,” I pointed out. “How about if you were human size?”

“And give up my wings? No way!” Lily replied as I laughed, and she took off down the stairs.

*

“Good morning,” Prissy greeted me as I walked into the shop.

“Morning,” Preston greeted.

“Howdy,” I muttered in reply making the siblings laugh.

“I guess you’re not a morning person,” Priscilla said.

“Depends on the day,” I replied.

“The early bird catches the worm,” Priscilla said.

“We’ve been up since 6,” Preston added.

“I’m not a farmer though,” I replied.

“Doesn’t matter,” Preston said. “Lots of folks get up early.”

“And most of them don’t work late into the night,” Lily countered defending me. “For example; some plants that Jase needs only bloom at night and have to be harvested then or when he has to work late to finish a batch of something.”

“That’s fair,” Prissy replied. Her brother shrugged.

“Anyway, we’re here for some supplies,” Preston said. “Dad gave us a list.”

“Where’s your new apprentice?” Prissy asked looking around the shop while Preston gave me the list. Her brother perked up at her question and she covered a smile by picking up a dried plant on another counter and sniffing it.

“Izzy stays with her aunt while they’re in the village,” Lily answered for me while I started gathering the items the Farmers wanted.

“That makes sense,” Preston said. “Family is important.”

“True,” I agreed. “Plus, her room isn’t quite finished yet.”

“She’s staying with you?” he asked.

“Isn’t that scandalous?” Priscilla asked a few seconds later.

“She’s my apprentice,” I replied shrugging my shoulders. “Where else is she supposed to stay? It’s part of my responsibility to provide her with room and board.”

“I suppose…” Preston said.

“And why is it scandalous?” I asked. “I’ll sleep in my room, she’ll sleep in hers, and we’ll each have a bathroom to use.”

“Well…you’re both about the same age. Dad would never let me, or Preston live with a non-family member of the opposite sex that was our age,” Prissy said.

“Unless we were married,” Preston pointed out.

“Well, yeah,” his sister agreed.

“Izzy, her mother, and her aunt are fine with the arrangement, and I don’t walk around naked,” I shrugged.

“That might be fun. You should try it,” Lily quipped.

“Not helping Lily, I laughed.

“I know,” my familiar agreed giving us a cheeky grin before landing on the main counter.

“This is a business relationship,” I added after a moment. “If we become friends, that’s great too.”

“And if you become more?” Preston asked.

“I’m not even thinking about that sort of thing right now,” I answered. “I’m more concerned with establishing my practice and becoming more self-sufficient before worrying about dating or marriage.”

“Don’t blame you,” Preston replied. “Dad said much the same to me, though I do get to take over the family farm.”

“Except for the land I get for my dowry,” Prissy said. “Unless you buy it.”

“Dowries are a thing again?” Lily asked. She shook herself. “Guess I should pay more attention to human marriage practices.”

“What do you mean again?” Prissy asked.

“Slip of the tongue,” Lily replied.

“Pixies often say strange things,” I said at the same time. Lily spun to face me and gave me a thumbs up and exaggerated wink. “Anyway, is there anything else you guys want?”

“Do you have anything for chapped lips?” Preston asked.

“And lotion?” Prissy added.

“Not right now. I can have both ready tomorrow though,” I answered the siblings while thinking of the things I would need. I only had a little beeswax left, but plenty of flaxseed and mint oils. Adding some aloe and dried peppermint, calendula, plantain, or chamomile would make a great lip balm and thin lotion. “Are either of you allergic to peppermint, calendula, plantain, flaxseed, or chamomile?”

“No,” Preston answered as Priscilla shook her head.

“Can the lotion be scented?” Priscilla asked.

“Sure,” Lily answered. Both brother and sister looked at me for conformation after Lily answered.

“Lily is correct,” I said. “What scent would you want?”

“Rose,” Prissy replied.

“You still have some dried rose petals,” Lily informed me.

“She knows your stock?” Preston asked.

“Better than I do,” I admitted giving my familiar a smile. “The lip balm will probably last a year if it’s not used, but the lotion will only keep for a month or so if I remember correctly. I’ll have to check the recipes again.”

“How much for the lotion and lip balm?” Preston asked.

“I’m not sure about that,” I replied scratching my chin. “Probably no more than 3 or 4 cents each. The containers will be small.”

The siblings exchanged a look.

“That’s cheap,” Prissy said.

“I don’t believe in over charging,” I shrugged.

“Well, let’s settle up for today’s list. We got work to do on the farm,” Preston said.