I wrote this as a possible explanation to the dozens of unexplained inconveniences that we encounter on a daily basis.
The Way closed behind him with a sucking noise and a slight pop. He never got used to the feeling he got when the magical portal to his realm shut. It was as if a tether that anchored him to his soul had been severed. Meeplix was one of the countless guerilla soldiers that answered the call, a veteran of the ancient Iron Wars that remembered when all of the realms were part of a larger world. This human realm felt dead to him, lacking the magic that was so much a part of his existence. Being a gnome, he of course found the technology to be interesting, if a bit amateurish. After all, the minor spells and wards that guarded him on his excursions were vastly more powerful than humanity's fancy machines.
He snaps out of his daydreams, scolding himself. Lots of work to do tonight. This house has four humans, two of them children. As well as a cat and a dog. With the proper incantations whispered on his lips and the correct gestures and runes traced in the air, Meeplix casts a fog of sleep over the house. He hears the breathing of the occupants slow and deepen - gnomes have excellent hearing. His previous scouting mission gave him all the intel he needed to get his work done in this house. His action plan had been formulated and approved, and it had been calculated into tonight's route. It's time to begin his work so he can get out of this forsaken realm, where magic is but a fading legend.
Grudge Work, that's what the gnomes refer to it as. It has fallen upon their race to carry out the assault. After all, they are rather perfect for the job; big enough to get it done, small enough not to draw attention. Also, gnomes are highly intelligent, sensible and not nearly as aggressive as some of the more savage faerie creatures. After all, The Treaty must be honored. Bah! 'The Treaty' was long-forgotten by the humans. They ceased to care after their realm was sealed off. That's the heart of The Treaty: Humans agreed to abandon magic and be exiled from the other realms, in return for their continued existence. Oh, they were formidable on the battlefield, with their deadly iron weapons - which are quite poisonous to most faerie folk. It was only after the races united against them that they were finally broken and subdued. The Treaty was agreed to by all, and whichever race broke the treaty would be destroyed forever.
But many were not satisfied. Many called for retribution or demanded reconsideration, but The High Council would not hear of it. Soon enough they found loopholes and grey areas within the treaty that could be exploited. Harassment, mischief and subterfuge were completely acceptable, as long as war did not erupt as a result. The Grudge Work had evolved with the humans and their ever-increasing technology. Tactics had been changed and invented to make sure they suffered at the hands of the gnomes on behalf of all faerie kind. Meeplix navigates down the hallway, to the washing machine that's nestled in an alcove near the bathroom. With a magically enhance jump, he lands as soft as a feather upon it and heaves open the door. Inside, he sees his objective: socks! Pulling his magical pouch from his belt, he leans over the edge and works the socks out of the rest of the assorted laundry, careful to only take one half of each pair. He stuffs the socks into the sack - the sack never gets full, being bottomless.
That being done, he closes the door and scurries into the bathroom. He walks behind the toilet, then takes out his blade. He has used this blade to spill the blood of a dozen ancient races, including humans. Now Meeplix uses it to prick a hole in the water line, causing a slow, steady drip behind the toilet. Also, he makes sure to check in the bathroom cupboard. Ah Ha! With a tiny chuckle, he retrieves his magical sack and stuffs all of the remaining toilet paper into it. Then he makes sure to leave but a single square on the roll before leaving, careful not to leave tracks on the new puddle on the bathroom tile.
Now on to the kitchen - Meeplix's favorite place! There is so much anarchy that can be unleashed in that single room. With a magical jump, Meeplix lands on the counter top and spies a brown leather purse. Quite nice. Made in China. Meeplix has never visited this 'China' kingdom. Perhaps some day he can request a transfer there. He dips his nimble, plump hand into the purse and pulls out a set of keys. With an excited jump that sends his pointy hat flopping from side to side, he winds up and throws the keys into the sink. They land squarely inside the garbage disposal, which does much to muffle the sound. Also, he takes out the money from the pink wallet inside and cleverly transfers it to the square black wallet that's on the other side of the counter top.
The garage door is to the back of the kitchen. Meeplix hops down and runs to it, boring a magical hole through the door, which closes immediately behind him. Ah! The family car! Meeplix walks up to the impressive machine - cars are his favorite - And pulls out his knife again. A quick nick in the valve stem creates a steady woosh of foul-smelling air from the tire. It will certainly be flat by morning. Satisfied with the night's work, Meeplix bids the house farewell. He isn't scheduled to come back for another two weeks. The night is young and he can still get to at least ten more houses if he works quickly. Forming the image of home in his mind and whispering the necessary incantation, Meeplix feels a rush of exilaration as The Way opens in front of him. Instantly, he feels himself re-connected to his magical realm; this human realm feels so dead and sad by comparison. With a flourish of his hand, he undoes his magic upon the house and jumps through The Way, which closes with a sucking noise and a soft pop. The Grudge Work continues.
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