By Rachel Dib
“And what can I do for you, Tilli?” Dr. Miranda asked.
The gnome youth sat across the desk from her, a wisp of a girl with pink hair and delicate features. While she still had her gnomish dewdrop-shaped eyes and purple skin, she was currently the height of a human teenager rather than her usual three-foot self.
Tilli slipped a palm-sized medallion hanging on a chain from beneath her shirt. She tapped on the golden emblem of a raven engraved at the medallion’s center, and in the blink of an eye, a raven perched on her shoulder.
Swallowing, Dr. Miranda forced her expression to remain neutral despite her heart skipping a beat. The medallion was a bird? Its beady black eyes were too cunning and calculating, like it was planning something devious. It watched her, unblinking, as if daring her to look away.
She crossed one knee over the other and took a slow breath to ignore the unease forming in her gut. “Again, what can I do for you, Tilli?”
Tilli motioned at the raven. “Do you really need to ask?”
Dr. Miranda smiled tightly. “As a therapist, that is my job.”
Sighing, Tilli leaned back in her chair, forcing the raven to adjust its footing.
“Forevermore,” it said in a southern drawl. Then the bird nipped Tilli’s earlobe before returning its gaze to Dr. Miranda.
“Well, that’s part of the problem.” Tilli scowled. “He’s always saying ‘forevermore’ in strange voices. What is that even supposed to mean? And he’s always tapping on things in my cottage! It’s giving me a headache. Sure, I could keep him in medallion form most of the time, but I still have to feed him. And if he stays like that for too long, he gets grouchy and starts stealing anything shiny. It’s not worth it.”
Dr. Miranda shifted in her seat, a sense of foreboding washing over her. Ravens were known as harbingers, weren’t they? Was his uttering “forevermore” some sort of premonition?
Clearing her throat, Dr. Miranda folded her hands in her lap. “What do you think it means?”
Tilli shrugged nonchalantly. “Who knows. I assume Coilin taught him to say it. He gave me this raven medallion as an anniversary gift last month.”
Dr. Miranda deflated. The bird was nothing more than a jewelry, Build-a-Bear combo, containing a built-in message. Well, that’s better than the alternative, I guess. Still creepy.
Since the last time she’d seen Coilin, he’d earned Tilli’s wrath and consequently been transformed into a mushroom, so Dr. Miranda couldn’t help but have a little curiosity. “You’re still together?”
“For a year now. Hence Edgar, here.” She waved at the raven. “He’s a little much though, right?”
“Forevermore,” Edgar repeated, his voice now a man’s baritone.
Yes, a bird that looks like it wants to kill you is a little much. Retaining her professionalism, Dr. Miranda tilted her head. “Do you feel Coilin’s gift is inappropriate?”
“Inappropriate isn’t the right word.” Tilli clicked her tongue. “It just feels… intense. Like a serious gift. Maybe a little too serious.”
“Forevermore,” Edgar squawked. He then struck the top of Tilli’s head with his beak.
Wincing, Tilli rubbed the spot. “See? Intense. As a guardian, he’s okay. Edgar warns me before anyone can cast a transformation spell over me. For instance, he foiled my ex-best friend twice this month when she attempted to turn me into a bumblebee.”
“That’s useful,” Dr. Miranda said, wondering what Tilli had done to deserve such treatment.
Tilli nodded. “And he lets me know when packages arrive.”
Edgar nibbled at the gnome’s ear again, releasing a purring sound. Dr. Miranda worried the avian would bite it off.
Tilli shrugged the bird’s beak away. “But he’s so affectionate.”
Affectionate? Dr. Miranda blinked. She eyed the raven.
Edgar snapped his beak. “Forevermore.”
“Anyway, I was hoping you could tell me if I’m overthinking the whole situation.” Tilli sat forward, elbows on knees and chin in her palms. “Is Coilin signaling he wants to take our relationship to the next level, or is Edgar just a unique anniversary gift?”
“Have you asked Coilin that question?” Dr. Miranda asked. “Perhaps it’d be better to get your feelings out in the open.”
Rolling her eyes, Tilli crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “Come now, Doc. As if being direct in a relationship ever works.”
“Actually, open communication is a proven way to maintain a healthy relationship,” Dr. Miranda countered.
“Yeah, maybe for humans.” Tilli flicked a dismissive hand. “If I did that, Coilin would think something was wrong.” She slapped both palms on Dr. Miranda’s desk.
Unbalanced, Edgar flung out his wings. “Forevermore!”
“That’s why I need you to do your psyche analysis thing and determine what Coilin is thinking,” Tilli demanded.
Dr. Miranda held back a snort. If only therapy was that easy. She met Tilli’s emboldened stare. “I’m afraid I can’t do that, Tilli. I can no more read Coilin’s mind than I can yours or anyone else’s. The best advice I can give you is to have an honest discussion with him yourself.”
“Then what good are you?” Tilli huffed.
“Forevermore.” Edgar glared at Dr. Miranda. His gaze threatened violence if she didn’t rectify the situation.
Before Dr. Miranda could comment further, Tilli narrowed her eyes, her features contorting into a wait-a-minute look. “I suppose Coilin teaching Edgar to say ‘forevermore’ could be a way to push me to overthink everything.”
“Why do you say that, Tilli?” Dr. Miranda pressed, happy to switch topics.
“One of his tricks.” She tapped her chin. “And I know just how to test this theory. I’ll be direct like you suggested and give him an even vaguer gift.”
Dr. Miranda furrowed her brow. “How is that being direct?”
Tilli grinned mischievously. “It will force him to either explain himself or be as frustrated as me.” She stood. “Thanks for the advice.”
Once alone, Dr. Miranda rubbed her temples. “I’ll never understand gnome communication.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Haha! This was great! I love gnomes 😃 you made Tilli unusually tall and gave her a raven?? So good! And then put her in therapy! What a wonderful story, fun read. Thanks for sharing :)
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Gnomes are fun 😁
You had me chuckling all through this! Yeah, when did direct communication ever work? Lol! And I loved the Poe references!
Thank you 😊 I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was a fun story to write!
I was wondering if Tilli being the size of a human teenager was also a problem, but I’m assuming she did some spell so she could go see Dr. Miranda, who is human I’m guessing? Fun story! :)
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
I’m with Tilli when does being direct ever work? Haha Good story!
Lol I’m glad you enjoyed the story!
Great story – laughed at the ending and the decision to give a vaguer gift!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it 😊
First, I would say the ending is funny. Also, the therapist doesn’t understand Tilli but Tilli doesn’t understand the therapist. Tilli was told to talk to Colin but she has something else up her sleeve. Need a third part to her story.
Fun story idea…gnome therapy! I enjoyed it.
Thank you!