*ring ring*

"This is Toadstool's, 'sup?"

"Hello, yes, is this the big fairy ring in the Illahee Preserve?"

"Yeah, it--hey, human? How'd you get this number?"

"House tomte. Will you be open tonight for dancing?"

"Sure. Dancin', drinkin'... everythin'."

"Um, if I visited tonight and had some of your food, how much time would pass in the human world?"

"Cripes. Lemme get a calculator. You humans need to get on the stick and switch over from imperial time. Uh... 'bout seven years, give or take?"

"YES THAT IS PERFECT, I'll be right there!" *click*

#EscapingTrump #microfiction #ModernFaeries

@Soozcat
Bravo! (Applauds)
@rdm Thankee, kind internet stranger! (Aside: I know my country's screwed when losing the better part of a decade to fey enchantment sounds preferable to sticking it out under fascist rule, but here we are)
@Soozcat "house tomte"?
@aburka A tomte is a Swedish household sprite, similar to English brownies or elves; they look a lot like garden gnomes. Tomtar (the plural form) live on farms or in houses, and if they are well-treated by the human inhabitants, will find various ways to help around the property. Mistreat your tomte or forget to give him his rightful gift of porridge, and you will have nothing but misfortune until you change your ways. (Tomtar do not brook disrespect from their people.)
@Soozcat ooh, thanks. Nice story! Of course things may be infinitely worse in 7 years...
@aburka *sigh* Ay, there's the rub.