Little Fairy walked straight into the spell's ripples and nervously closed her eyes. She shrank back a little, then abruptly straightened her tiny body, pressing her lips together as though ready to face death. Only after a long while did she open her eyes.
Ruger watched her with a smile.
The large white mouse polishing a wineglass with his head lowered was also glancing her way.
Little Fairy froze at first, bewildered by Ruger's smiling face. Then she looked at the Fat Mouse proprietor she knew so well. Blinking, she began inspecting herself, even reaching behind her to pull her little wings around for a closer look. She examined herself carefully from top to bottom, but seemed to find nothing different. Nothing about her had changed. Her mounting nervousness quickly gave way to disappointment.
Ruger offered no hints, simply watching with amusement.
Little Fairy hung her head, looking rather disappointed, and climbed back onto the wineglass to sit on its rim.
Serious Mouse simply kept polishing his glass.
After a long while, Little Fairy let out a soft sigh, as though she had accepted her lot and surrendered to fate. She turned to drink, intending to enjoy great mouthfuls as she always did.
"Hm?"
Little Fairy tilted her head.
This time, it was Ruger's turn to be surprised.
She actually loved wine that much.
Under normal circumstances, the Miserly Spell only produced a general effect. The specifics depended on the recipient, what they intended to do, and what was on their mind. He had expected this amusing little fairy to gradually drink less. A large glass she normally finished in no time might last her two or three days.
Yet, to his surprise, after trying for ages, she had not been able to bear drinking a single mouthful.
The wine