Today was the first day of freedom. It was Monday, and Caizey happily got up and cooked some breakfast (the request had been for Grilled Cheese, and what the hey, that's breakfast, too!)
Then, Caizey sat with her daughter as she ate and got ready for school. A quick hug, and Kailyn was off on the bus, with the bus driver giving Caizey's beaming smile and jaunty wave a bemused look.
Getting weird looks wasn't even a thing that was going to phase Caizey today. The garden was cared for, harvested, and Caizey had her wand packed in mere moments.
Caizey was dueling within moments of arriving in the Magic Realm. The blood within her raced with excitement, and the magic flowed easily from her wand as if there hadn't even been a break to raise a baby to a child.
One duel won... and the bet collected, and Caizey was off looking for the next "victim".
Duels were easy enough to come by, and the winnings came in in a flood of ingredients and collectibles. Before long, however, it was time to head back home, and pretend like she'd been waiting at home for Kailyn to get home all day.
Caizey dutifully helped her with her homework, and listened to the excitement about the first day of school, the teachers, and the new kids Kailyn had met - without really hearing a single thing. She was far too preoccupied with her own excitement about the success of her day full of duels without ever letting Kailyn know she'd even been gone, and planning the next day trip to the Magic Realm.
Just as a precaution, Caizey presented her daughter with a life-saving Death Flower (one of the prizes she had won that morning), although Kailyn seemed confused as to what it might be for. She tried to be patient as she explained that Kailyn needed to keep it on her person at all times. Shrugging, Kailyn stuck it unceremoniously into a pocket, and Caizey directed her to get ready for bed.
Bedtime didn't last for long, though. Halfway through the night, Caizey was awakened by a panicked cry from the other room. Apparently there was a monster under the bed. Caizey expected the worst, but there was nothing there. With an exasperated sigh, she made the "nasty monster" go away with some spray bottle water she kept around for the houseplants.
A quick call to the local delivery company, and shelling out some extra cash, and within a half an hour an "Anti-Monster" night light was delivered and installed. Problem solved.
And so the days continued. Caizey waited until the bus rounded the corner, and immediately teleported to the Magic Realm. There were exciting duels to win, and hearts to break.
Caizey barely noticed the censured looks from other travelers to the Magic Realm, and happily went through her days winning duels (and of course, the accompanying bets!) and flirting with the cute Spellcasters she met in the Realm.
One by one, her fortune increased, and her artifact collection started filling her basement workroom.
It was exciting, invigorating. And little Kailyn never knew the difference. Caizey managed to make it home in time each day to meet the bus, and she tried not to show the dread each weekend came with.
Her reputation began to be known... both as a flirt, and as a duelist to be reckoned with.
Weeks later, as she walked up to her front door after a daily trip to the Magic Realm, she heard her name being called from behind her. She turned around, and found - to her utter shock - a rather disturbed Darren Charm striding up to her porch.
Apparently he'd heard some rumors, and was trying to find out if they were true.
"No, Darren, she's NOT your child! You have NO rights here!"
"That's where you're wrong. There are tests. I WILL find out .. and if she's mine, I will not be denied!!" Darren threw out as a threat, and stomped away down the street.
Rolling her eyes, Caizey went into the house to wait for the bus. But the bus came and went.. and there was no Kailyn. Nervously, Caizey started pacing. She called the school, and Kailyn had been at school as expected, but had mysteriously had a note from "Mom" to ride the bus home to a friend's house. Furious, Caizey ratted her daughter out as a forger, and alerted the school as to her being missing.
In Windenburg, Kailyn was blithely hanging out with a friend of hers. Max had a club.. and Kailyn wanted in. Entrance to the club required her to be mean to some dumb blonde in a rival club, and Kailyn was on the job.
Max watched with glee as Kailyn roasted poor Elsa Bjergsen, and readily made her a full member of The Renegades. A few more roasts of the kids in "The Paragons" club, and Max's mom seemed more than happy to drop Kailyn off at home, even though she wasn't exactly on the way.
By the time Kailyn returned home, however... Caizey was raging. And the unfortunate youngster certainly got the worst of her temper. After the scathing dressing-down, and finding out she was grounded for a whole month, Kailyn trudged sadly up to her room, muttering about how it was okay for Mom, but not for her...
