Late-Evening Flight

'Would you get some for me?'

It was the first time Sabine asked for Tineke's help following her interest in herbalism. Actually, in a bit unusual branch of the field -- paraherbalism. Though Sabine wasn't unwell, at the same time she kind of was. Lovesick. And the poor girl looked for a chance to push things forward.

After a brief hesitation Tineke gave up and agreed. Her friend was the type of person who didn't run to others with every little problem and that was a quality she valued in people. About providing her friend with love potion, an immoral deed at first glance... well, the lad under question had shown interest towards Sabine, they were just having troubles moving forward. So, there was nothing wrong with giving their relationship a little nudge.

Unfortunately there were extra hours to expect at work the next day. The day after next she would have had plenty of time to focus on it, right after getting home from the frigging office. On the other hand, she had planned that very evening for herself. Following all the busy times it was more than earned, therefore the kind act of helping had to be postponed a bit. Then again... why not to kill two birds with one stone? An extra effort beforehand and she would have time off to enjoy without any responsibilities at all.

Only one last thing. 'I'm sure you know... it's probably just a story that some kind of drink might help?' Tineke asked, just to receive a reply that even a story is better than nothing and Sabine was about to add her own share as well. Sharing a view of her cleavage or whatever.

Although Tineke had already made the decision to help her, now she was sure that the decision had been a right one. Having powers and knowledge beyond ordinary came with the cost of having to constantly assess if her deeds were right. If she had really been just an office employee with an interest in plants and herbs and rituals and folk wisdom, just as she had let a few of her friends know, all the concerns would have been much less. Being a witch, however, put some extra responsibility on her.

Apart from that, living this kind of double-life was actually pretty fun. With an ordinary work along the amount of ordinary friends and acquaintances, she carried on day by day comfortably. It was the way she actually lived, as a normal modern young woman.

The other part of her life, however... it was completely different. The amount of friends was much smaller, their gatherings were rare. At the same time, it was much more enticing. All the secret knowledge, kept hidden throughout the human history and almost forgotten now. All the joy out of the reach for those who didn't possess the knowledge nor powers -- flying on a broomstick was one of her favourites, although not the only one. All the cheery and ecstatic things she could do among her small circle -- usually celebrating some significant time of nature.

Sometimes, mostly when an opportunity to practise the craft arose, she thought with a sneaky grin how her appearance supported her 'profession'. Well, the colour of her ponytailed hair wasn't raven-black, rather dark brown, but untanned skin and a slimmer body were in the favour of the image. Then again, she didn't have a wart on her nose, which she was glad of.

A cat? No cat. A broom? Yes, but as she kept it hidden in a closet, nobody who ever visited her could point out that in an apartment the particular item would have been weird to have lying around. A pointy hat and a cape? Although she owned both, the items were mainly for Hallowe'en parties. If anyone would only have known... For everyday life a simple light jumper, trousers, and a modest coat or a leather jacket were her choice. Always dressed a notch better than most and even comfortable sporty footwear couldn't make the appearance sloppier.

Her outfit was also beneficial for sneaking out of the office and making a quick trip to her favourite little corner shop to get some herbs she didn't keep in her cupboards, yet were necessary for the love potion. Normally Tineke would have visited the place on her way home, but not knowing when she was finally able to finish behind the desk, it was best to take care of the matter early. She wasn't even too sticky underneath her clothes after her return.

At last she could leave the workplace and head home. Quickly, as it had come to her mind that she should make yet another trip before brewing. A necessary trip, but also a pleasant one.

Having locked the apartment door from inside, she took off her well-fitting jacket and looked downwards, eyeing the runners. Was there any point taking those off at all? She was about to fly out anyway.

Technically, none of the components for the potion were missing, but... to make it stronger, plants from her secret spot would have become handy. Just in case as she didn't trust her skills that much. The plan she had made was simple -- to go to the kitchen, prepare everything as much as possible and reasonable, prepare her broom and herself with flying ointment, make the little trip, and get everything done before going to sleep.

Unlike the herbs she had bought, it wasn't possible to collect the magical components neither during office-hours nor on the way home. Her special place was way too far and therefore hard to reach without the broom. If she had practiced each day or maybe every other day, there might have been a supply in her kitchen cabinets, but since she used the particular kind rarely, there was no reason to stock up. Not only that the leaves and shoots would become rotten, she really didn't want to take more than actually needed. A good old custom which was ignored by modern people.

Tineke milled the components she had and wondered if it was better to mix all the already existing and yet to be collected herbals at the spot, so the blend would have time to gain even more potency on the way back. Yes, it indeed seemed like a good idea. Therefore she poured the half-ready blend into a small linen bag for carrying it along. Now there was only the broom left to prepare. The broom and herself.

Coating the broomstick with the ointment was actually only part of it. The flying-drink was maybe even more important, but that was the last step right before taking off. Was there anyone still in the modern world who could actually fly without being under influence...? There were rumors, but none among her own little circle of witches. It wasn't totally unexpected as they all preferred to hang out among her like -- young, in their late twenties or thirties. A bit more mature sorceresses held amongst their own and even they weren't possibly experienced enough. The eldest hags? Maybe someone amongst them was able to...

Not only the daily life, the festivities tended to be held separately as well, the ones where all the robes were thrown from their bodies. So, should anyone accidentally come across their naked merrymaking, he would be treated with three, four, five, sometimes with even more beautiful bodies. Of course, should that anyone accidentally run into some other group, the sight might not have been as alluring. So far it hadn't happened yet; at least she was sure nobody had seen them. The gatherings were held secludedly enough. One or two a bit more valorous of them felt themselves even so safe that travelled the whole journey under the night sky without a single piece of cover. Was it completely true or maybe they hid their covers nearby, nobody but those who claimed it were able to tell. What was sure, however, was that others at least thought of trying a naked flight.

Including Tineke. She had been toying with the thought for a while and was planning to do so on the way to their next gathering. If only the next time wasn't so long to wait for. On her way home she had mused upon what if, now, preparing the sturdy broomstick, even more so. Maybe she should give it a try right at the very same night. Although she was mentally unprepared, most likely she wouldn't be any more ready in the future. Thanks to trained caution, nobody uncommitted had seen her flying even with clothes on, and she might as well do it with the cool night air against her skin. It was pretty much the same thing -- up into the air, a brief touchdown for gathering and crushing the herbs, add those to the rest, then a quick return.

Being extra careful Tineke coated the whole length of her 'carriage' with another layer of ointment and then added some more until everything was ready to switch the lights off, undress and make a quick flight.

She flicked the switch and the kitchen was safely dark. Not pitch-black as she lived in the civilisation after all, yet dark enough that nobody from the building next to hers could see inside. Oh, it's going to be fun. Piece by piece she lost her clothing, not being able to hold back giggles. With only knickers left to remove, gleam of a passing car's headlights down at the street caught her eye...

Maybe a short cape might still be wise to wear? The temperature was dropping and by the time she was to return, it might be chilly. This was her reasoning when rushing on her tiptoes to the bedroom closet where she kept her Hallowe'en cape. It was totally not because of the beam of light had passed her window when her boobies had been freed from the bra. And running in her own apartment to get the cape was totally just in favour of earlier return and getting twenty more seconds of sleep before the alarm in the morning.

Yet she was no longer in such hurry when she had made her way back to the kitchen and attached the garment with a single hook-and-eye under the chin. Now it was time to check if everything was laid out for a quick after-flight brewing. Even a little pot was filled with water, not yet being heated, though. Everything was in order, both after checking and then after double-checking.

Tineke opened the door to the balcony. She had been taught never to take off from the window. That is, if she really had to start the trip from her apartment. It was an excellent piece of advice, indeed. The balcony was just like a tiny clearing among the trees, except for the forest floor never felt so dull and hard.

She put down the broom and went back inside to swallow the flying-drink, just a bit more powerful than usual. Nothing was supposed to go wrong on her first flight of such kind. Having grabbed the pouch with the blend, she made her way back to the balcony. The door wasn't a concern, it could have been left open -- no thief would climb that high and surely shouldn't be able to fly there.

Finally it was all good for departure. Oh! No, it wasn't! Standing next to the broom, the naughty witch's thumbs slipped between the knickers and skin and she bent herself from the waist. While the undies slid over her bum downwards, the cape was heading the opposite direction. Luckily it wasn't too short and therefore still hid most of her cheeks. Still having hold on her underwear she stepped out of it.

The potion was already kicking in, time to pick up the pouch and go. Where is it? Right there, on the floor! Why was she still holding her knickers? Straightening hersef up she flung the delicates away. Her cape fluttered and she unwillingly flashed her trimmed netherhair.

Where should her pouch of herbs go? She really wanted to have both hands free to take a good grasp on the the sturdy stick between her thighs. For a brief moment she chuckled over the most logical option, but... No! No way! Not in there! It found its place in her armpit instead and at the next second she was underway.

* * *

The flight was just like any other, except that the wind was noticeable on the parts the cape failed to hide and the broomstick reminded itself against her lower regions a lot more. Did the absence of clothes, even only one or two thin layers, make really such a difference...?

But there was already her spot -- a small clearing between trees. A place where hardly anyone strolled, a place easily accessible from above and, most important, with various kinds of plants which had much higher potency than usual.

Despite there was nobody to see her, Tineke didn't feel like lingering too long at the height where she could potentially be noticed. Coming down was therefore in haste. Throughout the whole journey there had been some 'awareness' of her lower half, but now the too steep nosedive allowed some air to brush also her boobies and even their undersides.

Dismounting, checking if the linen pouch was still in her armpit, and setting the broom against a tree went hand in hand with a struggle to breathe quietly. When she didn't have to rustle any more, suppressing the panting seemed even harder.

There had been a few inconveniences up above, but it had nevertheless been really exciting. Now, on the ground, it still was, yet she had to put the thoughts about her saddleless ride aside and get the herbs she had come to pick. Also, here it wasn't the cool air touching her on unusual spots anymore that was making her feel exposed. It was as if everyone could see her bare lower limbs miles away and make their fair estimation of how much clothing she actually had on.

Having everything on display at a festivity was totally different from partial cover-up while being alone. On these happenings, the presence of her fellow-witches didn't let the feeling of vulnerability sneak in, even though rumors were that pretty often they had visitors. There were creatures, some of them harmless, others a lot more dangerous than any human. Sometimes they only witnessed, sometimes they didn't limit themselves with watching. Tineke herself, however, hadn't yet encountered any of them.

It was really time to get the herbs. The quicker she got it done, the more sleep she would get. Tineke knew exactly where to look, but even before making the first step she decided for a bit longer route -- easier for her bare feet. Eventually, yes, she had to go through the thicker undergrowth, but much less than if she would have chosen the shortest way.

The journey wasn't a walk in the park nevertheless. Without protective footwear it was more like staggering through the vegetation and over the ground intertwined with roots. A few times she had to use her arms to keep balance and every stretch also opened her cape. In spite of that, with each passing moment her confidence grew and she found her in thoughts that made her giggle. What if her cape was a bit shorter...? It would still hide her shoulders and upper arms, as well as back and tummy, just as it did right at the very moment; yet she would have the thrill of her own bush saying 'hello' to its namesakes in the woods. The whole time, not only when having to regain balance.

Oops! Tineke stretched her arm out, only to realise that tripping on purpose wasn't as fun and exciting.

Now she made her way into denser growth. Luckily it wasn't the warmer part of the planet, therefore the worst she could step on was a plant with thorns or stinging hairs on it. Whatever could move on its own, kept itself likely out of her way. And, here and there, there was indeed rustling in the tall grass, in the bushes, as well as above. A bit too much, to be honest, as it came to her mind. Yet she didn't ponder over it too much, she was more concerned whether the next stem would only grab her or would prick as well.

She spotted her herbs growing. There wasn't too much trouble recognising those, it wasn't pitch black and it was not the first time to gather the necessities outside the hours of daylight. It didn't take long to pick the required amount -- the 'required amount' was even weird to say as it was really no more than half the handful, taking only a minute to collect -- and she started her way back. No, she hadn't forgotten the initial plan, to prepare as much as possible in the woods. It's just... it didn't feel right to chafe the herbs right where they had been growing.

Not far she found a place to squat down. There was even a suitable flat stone on the ground, like a workbench. Unfortunately, the fabric of her cape kept falling in the way. Tineke gave up, rose, and flung it towards the 'path' she had earlier stumbled on.

The witch returned to her task of cutting the leaves. Completely naked now, after crouching down she had to spend another second or two to trample down a few grass blades which grew just in the right spot to tickle her bum.

The silence didn't last long and soon the forest floor was if alive. Just as Tineke had briefly thought before, an unusual amount of creatures seemed to have found their way to her. She knew plants way better than beasts and animals, yet these were not the usual species one might come across under normal circumstances. No, these were the kind of creatures who still had their place in fairytales, but hid themselves from modern folk. Maybe even the kinds that supposedly visited the witches at their get-togethers.

She was still excited about her accomplishment earlier and snickered over the idea that maybe it was not the first time for them to see her without clothes. On the other hand, the merry gatherings she participated in were held far away from this place and those who were in the bushes had surely their first glimpse of her body.

She could go, gather her cape, make her way to the broom and get the hell out of the place. But why? She had never been attacked out in the wild and having bared her body for the world already, stubbornness didn't allow her to give up.

Despite being sure, Tineke gave brief glances around her more and more often.

Those who had appeared, had gained courage and didn't remain hidden any longer. While still keeping distance, they stuck their heads out now and then, here and there. At first it seemed that after their initial curiosity was satisfied, they went back to their doings -- it wasn't as if they were creepingly approaching her from every single direction. Yet a couple of the creatures chose to entertain themselves by making quick bolts past her. Adding in haste the newly crushed leaves to those which were already in her pouch, Tineke wondered how much time did she have before one of the naughty ones would give her a slap on her naked bottom or, even worse...

She pressed her knees awkwardly together.

No, it was time to leave. Quickly! The linen pouch firmly in hand she made her way towards the cape. At least where she had thrown it. The problem was that it wasn't there anymore. Tineke was sure she knew where it had landed. Maybe the little creatures had shown too much interest towards it. Even if the cape hadn't found a new owner and had only been dragged a bit farther, a quick glance couldn't locate it.

After the first few clumsy steps it came to her mind how funny her escape would look like on that particular terrain. Cautious, yet speedy, scrambling and jumping opened her lady parts for everyone nearby to see, regaining balance with hands did the same for upper body. Yet she didn't really need to run. None of the creatures didn't exactly follow her. Instead, maybe an obvious escape might make them. Heavy breathing and pounding heart made it difficult to fully concentrate on surroundings, but most of the rustle and crackling seemed to have died out. Only once or twice someone or something startled her and luckily not from the direction she was heading to.

Not too many steps to the clearing, maybe a dozen or so. That last part she nevertheless ran. There was no point of hiding her fear anymore, now that she had almost made her way to her transport. Only a few metres along the treeline with her white naked body in the moonlight.

Just as with the cape, the broom wasn't where it was supposed to be. It wasn't leaning against the tree trunk where it had been left. Had the little rascals stolen it as well?

Now, this was a real problem. The first time since the beginning of her little trip one of her arms actually covered her boobs and the other hid her dark patch. If she only hadn't got rid of the cape, however cumbrous it had been. A quick glance around revealed that there was not a soul on the clearing, not a human nor... whoever. Regardless she took a few quick steps -- as well as her thighs, pressed firmly against each other, allowed. Out of the sight, behind the tree! The next moment she had hurt her bare feet against a bunch of twigs, tightly fixed into a bundle. A bundle that resembled a broom head.

Her essential aircraft had simply fallen onto the ground.

Squatting down next to it the poor naked witch took a few deep breaths -- the much needed ones, considering the happenings during last... how long it had taken anyway? No, that wasn't important, right now there was something more urgent to do. Tineke stuffed the pouch with love potion blend once again deep into her armpit and her fingers wrapped around the broomstick.

How much confidence can a piece of wood give! Without it she had been a helpless young woman in the forest; right after she got the shaft between her thighs, nobody could be able to do her any harm. Well, if they won't outfly her, of course.

At first her arse rose, a moment of hesitation and then she was on her way to the clearing. She had been only two or three steps deep, but it took many more on the open to be sure no branches were overhead. Arms, pressed close for not to lose neither the pouch nor the broom, also kept her boobies in place while running.

Her leg flung over the handle and Tineke was already on the way upwards when she realised she was having a proper naked flight. The final adjustments were made when she was already on the way homewards. No matter how joyous one might be -- without a proper posture riding a broom hurts.

* * *

Tineke was lying on the balcony floor, naked, knees under the chin, shivering. Sweaty wherever the cool air couldn't dry her off. It took a moment or two to gain some willpower to think. There was no trouble at all recalling the events in the forest, but the flight home... just an emptiness in her head.

The linen pouch with the mixture of herbs! Still safely in her armpit. Broom! She tried to get up to take a look around, but instantly hit it with her toes when stretching out her limbs. Partly crouching, partly bent over, she slipped through the still open doorway into her kitchen.

Preparing as much as possible beforehand had turned out as an excellent idea. The exciting adventure had exhausted her and she really didn't want to do much more than to light up a small camping stove and, when the water finally boiled, put the plant material in. While the water was heating up there was time to do everything else -- put on a dressing gown, store the broom, pick up the pieces of clothing, which were still on the floor, and cast a glance at the clock. The whole trip had taken a bit longer than it should have, yet a fair amount of time had likely been spent passed out after her return.

Knickers... where were those? Possibly still on the balcony. Guess the aim hadn't been good enough when trying to throw the dainty piece of fabric through the doorway.

Tineke wrapped the robe tighter around her -- this time truly because of the temperature -- and once more opened the balcony door. At first she only peeked out, then stepped into the night again, but couldn't find what she was looking for. Disappointedly she went back inside. It was time to add the herbs to the boiling water.

Fragrant components found their way into a small pot. A pot way too small for to be called a 'cauldron', much to Tineke's secret disappointment. Still, the size was perfect for her needs and soon a high-quality potion would be ready. After a few minor rituals it was time to finally sit back and relax.

The whole kitchen filled with a good and relatively strong smell. It came to her mind that she had done a few quicker steps during the day and then flown straight to the woods with the linen pouch under her arm. The tired witch reached for the piece of fabric and brought it under her nose. No, that was a silly thought...

In the morning Tineke couldn't say that she was well-rested, but she also wasn't nowhere near dead tired. The hours behind the desk, however, were dragging on. Since everything necessary regarding her work had been finished the day before, there was actually nothing to do. Nothing except showing her presence and thinking of more important things.

The potion. Tineke longed for the moment she could hand it over. A nice bath. That was her first goal after she will arrive home. Using her office-hours wisely, she thought about different combinations of her bath salts along with some aromatic leaves and flowers she had available in her cabinets. Sure, the choice wasn't vast, but she definitely didn't need to make another ride. No, even if she had had nothing handy, she just wanted to get rid of her clothing, prepare the bath and hop right into warm water. And then...

Daydreaming at work had some inconveniences -- distractions now and then. Workmates who had to ask a thing or another. Luckily, nobody tried to reach her by phone, that would have been brutal.

Now, what was the plan? Right. Hand over the potion, head home, lock the door, take off the clothes, prepare the bath... Oh, yes.

As soon as it was possible to leave, Tineke almost flew out of the office. A quick meeting with Sabine had already been arranged. Just a few guidelines about using the brew didn't take long -- they would have plenty of time to hang out when there's time to get feedback on how the drink worked -- and she was on the last leg of the way home.

Almost there. Just a few more steps and she could finally have what she had been longing for -- an evening for herself. Bath... and then maybe something else more pleasurable. Not a flight, but rather fun with her fingers...

Tineke couldn't remember ever covering those last metres on the pavement and running up the flights of stairs so fast. Her oncoming bath time wasn't the reason, though. Having retrieved her knickers, which had been stuck and were still dangling from the top rail of her balcony, unfortunately on the outer side, she sank into the corner.

How many passers-by could have noticed those? Or, worse, the residents of the same building? Oh dear! Yet maybe not too many? Maybe even nobody? People usually don't go along the streets, gazing towards the sky. Right? And maybe it wasn't that simple to distinguish the item hanging there from the distance in the first place?

How did the knickers end up there anyway? 'Poor aim' didn't seem to be a fitting term for throwing something in a completely random direction. Oh, well, at least they hadn't landed on the balcony below -- her final thought when crouching and slipping, although fully dressed in streetwear, through the balcony door inside.