>>354728
> it was a classic Kikimora dwelling
> built out of, and into, the landscape by a lone Kikimora's arts alone
> almost impossibly cozy
> perhaps even better hidden in the pines than most
> perhaps the residents desired privacy more than most
> an older Kikimora
> and a blob of slime
> "Are you ready, my little Echo?"
> the blob stretched and compressed itself in an excited dance, "reAdEE"
> the Kikimora laughed, "What a good helper you are!"
> years later the blob had grown
> and changed
> "Owies!"
> "Echo! Oh, let me see sweetie."
> the Kikimora cradled the amorphous facsimile of a little girl and examined the proffered digit
> "It's just a little burn. I'll kiss it and make it all better."
> "Tank ooo Mama."
> the girl's slimy feathers stirred dully in the wind
> "I'll be fine Mom."
> "Just be careful. Especially of fire! And disintegration beams. And Order magi-"
> the girl's palm hit her own forehead with a wet smack
> "I'm not going to run into an Axiomatic Archmage while collecting acorns, Mom."
> the Kikimora wrung her hands, "I just worry…"
> the girl wrapped her wet arms and tail around the Kikimora
> "I promise Mom. If I see even the slightest hint of danger I'll drop everything and come back."
> the Kikimora's face fell
> the young woman immediately regretted what she had said
> "I- I'm sorry Mom. I didn't mean that. I don't know why I'm so angry all the time. I just feel so… it's like…"
> "Like you're incomplete."
> "What?! How do you-"
> "You're a maid. And you're old enough. Let me tell you about Masters…"
> viscous tears streamed down the woman's face
> "Mommy! I don't want to go! I don't want to leave you! But I feel- I can't-"
> "There, there. I knew this day would come. Go and find your Master." she winked, "And come back to visit me with lots of grandbabies!"
> the two Kikimora laughed and hugged one last time
> one of flesh and fur and feather
> one of slime and chaos and change
> "I love you Mommy."