//------------------------------// // Did it work? // Story: Twilight for a Day // by Mike the Red //------------------------------// The light switch in the bathroom hasn't worked for about a year now, so that was where I started. Using my telekinesis, I opened the door to the spare bedroom, which was currently being used for short-term storage. Most of the boxes we had placed in this room were now in the garden shed behind the house, but there were still a few things in this room, including some of my clothes, my guitar, and some computer accessories, and a box on the top shelf of the closet, which had my old PS2 and several games for it, as well as all the peripherals needed to hook it up to any TV. On top of the only chest of drawers in the room was a box containing a replacement light fixture which had been collecting dust for about a year. I have no electrical aptitude, so I had been unable to install it. I decided I was going to do it with magic, and see if it might actually work. I started here, as the bathroom is on the upstairs level, and right next to the spare bedroom. I manipulated the box, lifting it from the dresser to the floor, removing the fixture, and matching the wires, mounting the fixture, and placing the light bezels onto the fixture, and installed the bulbs, making sure the filaments weren't broken. I flipped the switch, and nothing happened. I concentrated, using a different type of magic, and the lights came on. I flipped the switch again, turning the lights off, then back on, off, on, off, on, and finally off again. Okay, one down, several more to go. I teleported down to the main level, avoiding the issue of going down the stairs. My stomach protested again. "I heard a POP, did you teleport again?" asked Brenda. "I am definitely going to have to learn going down by hoof, because teleporting makes me queasy," I replied. "At least there's only five steps leading down to the lower level," I grinned. "What are you working on next?" "The oven," I said. The igniter doesn't light, except when it wants to. A little more magic, and now it works. "Hey, this seems to be getting easier," I said, hoping Brenda might have heard me. I pour a glass of water from the fridge, enjoying the taste of nearly ice cold water. Let's see what else I can do... I go into the living room, which adjoins the kitchen. I turn the heat on, adjusting the thermostat. Now down to the lower level. Going down five steps is easy, and I have done enough walking on all fours to take those five steps down a bit better than the first attempt from the upper level to the main level. I opened the door to the laundry room, eyeing the furnace. I turn the pilot igniter to the "on" position, then to the "light" position. I HATE electronic pilot igniters, the manual ones are so much more durable. Again, more magic. The furnace comes alive, lighting the burners, and the fan starts whirring, allowing the central air system to start working again. Good. I cast an illumination spell to light the upper corner where the tub drainpipe comes down through the floor and into the ceiling of the laundry room. It leaks badly whenever anyone tries to take a bath. More magic, and the leak is now sealed. I chuckle, amazed at the magic skills I now possess. Back to the main level, I adjust the thermostat to cool the house. The air unit outside has been broken for a couple of years, and has needed replacing for a few more. Time to fix it! I teleport again, now standing in the back yard by the unit. More magic, and it's working as well. I started laughing, and the neighbor's dog heard me, and started yapping. "Hush now, you'll draw attention to me!" I said in a loud whisper. The dog turned its head, looking at me quizzically. "Go lay down, I might see you later," I said, trying to calm the dog. It wagged its tail and seemed to smile at me. I teleport back into the house, and have to rest for a minute. My magic seemed to recharge quite quickly, which was something else that amazed me. I return to the living room, and set the thermostat to 68, on heat mode. Finally got that done! I now addressed the issue of several doors needing attention, and took care of those in short order. I wondered about the car now. I had been driving a hundred miles or so every day I have owned that car, mostly commuting to MY job, but also as a de facto taxi service for my wife's children and grand-kids. 3000 miles per month is hard on a car, and it was in need of some repairs. Okay Twilight, now the big one. Hope this works. Let's see what you're capable of doing! I stood by the car, but only up to the driver's side window sill. I kept forgetting just how short I was in Twilight's body. I touched a hoof to the front left fender, and used my magic again, picturing the car restored to showroom new. I continued to hold my right fore-hoof to the car until it was gleaming in the early morning light, the sun just lazily poking up from the horizon. Celestia would be proud -- such a beautiful morning! Satisfied I had given the car a new lease on life, I went back into the house to relax. "What have you been doing?" asked Brenda. "Fixing things around the house -- magic is SO useful!" I chuckled in response. "Good. Now you can fix the holes in the walls!" "Never satisfied, are you? Okay, I've got 'em covered." I took care of them quite a bit more quickly, but the holes were just small ones, easily addressed and fixed. "You hungry? What do you want to eat today?" she asked. "Yeah, I am feeling a little hungry," I said. "How about some pancakes?" "Sure, Mike, I'll be down in a few." "Brenda! How many times must I tell you?" I asked, some exasperation making its way into my voice. I wish she'd show me more respect, I silently mused. "Sorry, 'Twilight'!" she stated quite sarcastically, making her frustration extremely obvious. "I guess it's gonna take a little more persuading, isn't it?" I asked. Why does she always have to be like that? I silently wondered. "It's like I said before, Mike -- your body may have changed, but your mind's still the same -- isn't it?" she asked. "Yeah, I guess you're right, Brenda," I replied sullenly.