A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 51-If you’re going to eat your feelings, make sure they're low in calories. Emotional baggage is heavy enough without the added weight gain!

After I've called dad and asked him to look into similar cases of theft, assuming there are any, I return to where Ashton is waiting.

"Where's Fin gone?" I ask, a little concerned that he's wandering around alone. Sure he's an adult and totally capable of taking care of himself, but he isn't exactly familiar with this place and it would be so easy for him to get into trouble. "We thought it might be a good idea to speak to the man from the jewellery store. I suggested it might be wise to wait for you to assist us as he might be intimidated or confused if the two of us approach him." He answers. "Okay, I get that. But it doesn't tell me where Fin went." I point out.

"The man was upset and walked away. Fin followed him so that we would not lose track of him. I believe they went that way, will you come with me to speak with him please?" he asks, pointing to the right. "Sure. You know you didn't have to wait for me." I point out. Ashton shrugs.

"You are good at speaking with people, and we might miss something obvious because of different understandings. I would prefer to wait for you. Uness... Does it bother you that we are asking for your assistance? This is not the task you signed on for. Originally you were only intended to help me understand my environment and find my way around.” He says sheepishly. I shake my head.

"Helping you understand the people in your environment seems just as relevant to me. Besides, I'm pretty sure I've said it a few times now, but I want to help. You don't need to keep asking so politely. Just assume I'm happy to help out unles I say otherwise, okay?" I remind him. Ashton smiles at me.

"Okay. Shall we go find Fin?" He offers me his hand. It takes me a moment to realise that he wants me to take it. Apparently holding hands doesn't bother him anymore. I take Ashton's hand and let him lead the way to find Fin.

We find Fin in the food court leaning against a wall and pretty much doing his best to avoid attention. It is definitely not working. A woman about my age has approached him and appears to be trying to start up a conversation. Fin looks as unbothered as he has the entire time I've known him.

"I am waiting for a friend." He tells her politely. The woman sighs.

"Oh, of course. Well, thanks anyway." She walks away looking disappointed. I suspect she misunderstood him and assumed that he meant he was waiting for a date or something, but I suppose it's for the best. It's not like he's here to pick up chicks.

"You took care of that very smoothly." I compliment him, thinking back to how much trouble Ashton has had getting rid of some of his fans. Fin shrugs.

"It was not difficult. The lady was very well mannered and did not cause any trouble." He answers.

"You are lucky. I have found some of the women here are more... Persistent... Than would be considered acceptable back home. Although appearing unavailable works well as a deterrent." Ashton holds up our joined hands to make a point. Oh... So that's why he suddenly wants to hold my hand. I'm sort of disappointed, although I shouldn't be.

"I'm glad I can help." I joke, hoping my disappointment doesn't show on my face.

"So, where's the guy?" I ask, glancing around. Fin points to a table on the far side of the food court.

"I did not want to follow too closely. I find that people often become uncomfortable if they believe that someone is following them." Fin comments and I can't help but laugh.

"Yeah, that tends to happen. You guys wait here, I'll try to talk to him. I think three people might be a bit much." I pull my hand free from Ashton's and head over to the guy from the jewellery store. As I get closer, I can see that he's actually crying. Well damn. At least I know how to start the conversation. I pause a few steps away from the table.

"Hey, are you alright? I don't mean to be nosy but I kind of saw your aunt tearing into you in that store. She seemed kind of harsh." I tell him gently, doing my best to sound sympathetic. The guy barely looks up.

"No, she's right. I was acting like an idiot." He sounds so broken. Being a little presumptuous, I take the seat opposite him.

"I'm Kat. What's your name?" I ask.

"Ryan." He answers hoarsely.

"It's nice to meet you Ryan. Why don't you tell me what happened? Maybe we can figure it out." I tell him optimistically. He scoffs.

"Sorry, I don't mean to be rude. I just don't think there's anything we can do unless you happen to have a time machine in your bag. I just don't understand how it happened." He sighs and drops his head into his hands. "What happened?" I prompt him again.

"My aunt Emily is the manager at that store and she got me a job there. It was going well, it's my first proper job and I've been enjoying having my own money. I appreciate the job, really. I would never do anything to ruin that. At least I didn' think I would. Then yesterday I was working at the desk. Aunt Em was at lunch and this woman came in. I was helping her and doing my best to make a sale when she just asked if she could have some of the jewellery and I just... Said yes. I have no idea why! It's just... She was so beautiful, and I just wanted her to like me so I gave her what she wanted. I don't know, I just... It makes no sense. I don't even know her. She... She took so much. Now I've lost my job and I'm going to have to find a way to pay it all back and it was thousands of dollars worth of stuff. THOUSANDS. Even worse, I don't think Aunt Em is ever going to forgive me, and she told my parents so they're pissed off too. My whole family thinks I'm a thief, or at very least an idiot. I have no idea what I'm going to do." The poor guy is clearly freaking out.

"Well, first thing, why don't we see if we can figure out who that woman was. Do you think she would be on camera? Or can you describe her? Did she tell you her name or anything useful? Maybe we can get the stuff back, or at least get an explanation." I say carefully. I don't know if he's going to be any help just yet. I know that when things go wrong it's not always helpful when someone offers solutions right away. Sometimes I just need a break first to process. It usually involves me eating my feelings slash way too much ice-cream and rejecting any and all suggestions or offers of help until I've calmed down.

As I suspected, Ryan has nothing useful to say. He barely even remembers the incident other than the fact that the woman was beautiful and he needed to please her and give her whatever she wanted. I leave him my phone number and tell him I'm happy to listen if he wants to talk or if he remembers anything, then I excuse myself and return to where Ashton and Fin are waiting for me.

"Did you guys hear all that?" I ask and they both nod.

“Do you think that the woman is fae?” I continue. Fin frowns and Ashton nods.

"Almost definitely. He did not seem to be in control of the decisions he was making. We know that one of the assassins we are seeking seems to have magic that is capable of manipulating people. We should investigate further." He says, determination in his voice.

"Okay then, let's go talk to Aunt Emily, the store manager. Maybe she can tell us more. If we're really lucky there will be a video or something, although your glamours might make that pretty pointless. Let's go."