Time Out of Time

"Some wishes," he suggested. "If you want."

"So, I could wish for a million bucks and you'd give it to me? Just like that?"

"Only a million?" Brian said, smiling again. "And would that be US, Australian, Hong Kong or Canadian dollars? Singapore? Liberian? East Caribbean dollars? You do need to be accurate with wishes."

"You're serious?"

"Your call." Brian examined his fingernails as if bored.

"So, anything I want?"

She felt her hand tremble on the hammer behind her, but she released the hem of her t-shirt. It still covered her panties.

This can't be real, can it?

Her head rose in challenge. "Prove it!" she demanded.

His face turned towards her, his eyebrows up in acceptance of her challenge. "What's your favourite tipple, Mistress?"

Tammy thought for a moment.

"How about a Magner's pear cider, Brian?" She'd been through the shop and the office for weeks and lived in the apartment above; sheknew  there wasn't any in the building. She also knew the hopeless inventories in nearby liquor stores even before the pandemic; there wasn't a can or bottle of cider in miles, she was certain.

Brian smiled, stretched out his arm towards the girl; before it reached her, his hand was full of a tall glass of Irish laughter. Stunned, she watched a bead of condensation trickle down the outside of the glass.

Almost against her will, knowing deep inside that Reality should never be challenged, her hand took the glass carefully, raised it slowly to her lips. She paused when she felt cold bubbles snapping against her lips and nostrils, then took a sip.

The look on Brian's face bordered on smug. "Acceptable, Mistress?"

"You're for real, aren't you?" she said softly, clutching the glass as if it were a new Reality.

"No charge for that  wish," he smiled.

Her mind whirling, not knowing what else to do, she stepped to the sofa and sat down beside him. After a moment, thirsty, she took a deep gulp from the glass, then, eyes wide, turned to look up at him.

"Um, Brian?"

"Yes, Mistress?"

"How long have you been in there?" she asked.

"Just over 2,000 years," he replied.

"What happened?"

"Bit of what you might call a 'turf war'," he said, morosely. "'Sharks versus Jets', perhaps? I got into an argument with an angel, if you must know. They're a day older than we djinn and a bit more powerful. Well, in this case, a lot more powerful. The bottom line is that I lost and vengeance was, shall we say, traditional."

"Traditional? You mean there are others?"

"Was Alcatraz the only prison?" the djinn replied with a sour chuckle. "It happens."

"Seriously?"

"How seriously would you take being locked up for millennia?" he asked.

"But I thought you said it was a palace inside?"

"Objectively or subjectively?" Brian replied. "It was still solitary confinement for two very stiff ones."

His heard turned to her, an odd expression on his face.

"Have I said, 'Thank you," yet?" he asked.

"Um, you're welcome?"

Tammy considered herself a sensible woman; she was having a hard time accepting what her senses were forcing on her. What did she know about genies? A thought came into her head.

"So," she said. "I have to ask. About Aladdin..."

"A fairy tale," he replied. "Mind you... like most fairy tales, there was a core of truth to it."

"So...?"

"So, yeah. The enchanted ring, the lamp and the palaces - that much was real. I knew the djinn in question. Wound up in a fancier lamp than mine."

Brian paused reflectively, looked down at his lap. "Not like it made a difference in the long run, I guess."

"Oh."

"But the evil magician, the enchanted cavern and the princess," he continued, looking back at Tammy, "those were pretty much a crock. Just hype to get the storyteller paid silver instead of copper."

"Oh."

The girl sat for a few minutes, deep in thought, then shook her head suddenly.

"I don't buy it," she said.

"What?"

"You say that's the same lamp?"

"Yes, of course. I would know, I think." Brian tucked his hands behind his head, leaned back in the sofa.

"For 2,000 years?"

"Yup."

"Brian, I know  Roman art and this just isn't it. That picture's far too modern in style to have been made in ancient Rome."

"So I did some household improvement over the years, tried to keep ahead of the Jones's, redecorated once in a while. Was that wrong?"

To that Tammy had no response. She took another gulp from the glass. The cider was starting to seat itself firmly in her brain -- and Tammy found that she was OK with that.

"I thought genies were Persian," she thought aloud.

"We djinn have been around much longer than that, Mistress," he said.

"Ah. OK, next question," Tammy said.

Brian raised one eyebrow.

"There were two other, um, people here. Who were they?"

"Me."

"No, seriously. They were nothing like you. There was this girl..."

Tammy's eyes were suddenly as big as saucers.

"Go on," the woman sitting next to her said, hair like an auburn waterfall. "You were saying? 'There was this girl...?'"

"Ohmygod!"  squeaked Tammy. "You're her! I mean him! I mean..."

Then she -- it? - it was Brian again. He shrugged, just a little.

"It's all the same, Mistress. A djinn can adapt, you know.

"I chose this form," and here he waved one hand along his body, "to suit what I thought would be your desires."

"My desires?"

"Your... what? cultural expectations, perhaps?"

He changed again, instantly. The sofa creaked and the bulky muscular form loomed over her, even seated. Uneasy, she leaned away, then forced herself to sit up straight, examine him.

To give him his due, the man -- genie -- had the smoothest skin she could imagine. Sniffing, she smelled something slightly spicy. He shifted where he sat and Tammy watched the play of muscles in his bulky thighs in amazement. Then she looked up, saw his eyes again and shuddered.

"Stop it!" she cried. "Not that!"

And Brian was back, in precisely the same posture.

"Told you," he said.

Tammy found herself shaking. This was too weird.

Overwhelmed, the stress of the past months, her loneliness, her shock at the events of the morning, it all came cascading down on her and she found her eyes full of tears. Bending forward where she sat, her head on her hands, she found herself silently weeping.

A very human, very comforting arm came around her shoulder, a very human hand held up a perfectly-ironed linen handkerchief in front of her.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you, Mistress," the djinn said, in the gentlest tones possible. "I thought you wanted..."

His voice cut off as her sobs suddenly increased. He took her in both arms now, petted her head as one would a frightened child. His obvious concern overcame her skepticism and she let herself be comforted, gradually calming as his hand swept softly down her back, over and over.

She let herself relax against his hard chest. Her tears gradually faded. It took a long time.

He had the time, apparently.

+

"So, Brian," she said. "About this palace of yours." She'd had a second Magner's and was as relaxed as she had been in weeks.

"Yes?"

"I hated this town before the university closed, Brian. I like it even less now. Take me out of here."

"It has to be a wish," he said. "It's in the rules."

"OK, then. I wish you would take me out of here."

"Blink your eyes," he said.

Then, "Welcome to Chez Brian."

It had taken no longer than that.

High marble walls enclosed seemingly endless flowerbeds, a carnival of colour and scent. Outside the walls, flowering trees were filled with singing birds. Gentle water eased its way along a narrow stream crossed by low stone footbridges; fish dappled its surface as they moved underneath. Hummingbirds and butterflies flew from flower to flower. Peacocks wandered grounds warmed but not overheated by a beneficent sun. Statues dotted the grounds.

The girl stared in amazement. It was the most beautiful place she could imagine. She spun in place, her arms outstretched, laughing in delight.

"And you said this was a prison?"  she finally asked, gasping for breath.

"See that tree over there?" he responded. "The tall one?"

"Yes."

"Third branch on the left, half-way to the end. Two leaves are about to fall."

As she watched, first one, then another fell loose, swirling and drifting down in the breeze.

She turned to him, her mouth open.

"How...?"

"Two thousand years of experience." He didn't actually sound all that bitter, when she thought about it. "Come, let me show you inside."

The entrance featured doors of polished oak twice Tammy's height. There were low benches just outside; Brian suggested -- insisted? -- that they take their shoes off and go barefooted inside.

Room after room opened in their turn before them. Bright, high-ceilinged, extravagant yet tasteful, opulent and elegant, Brian's palace seemed to consist of endless chambers, each unique, each with ankle-deep carpet, each more remarkable than the last, each a sanctuary of exceptional beauty.

A thought came to Tammy.

"You're sure we can get back out of here?" she asked.

"Absolutely. Unless it is your wish for me to be captive again."

"No."

"Good."

"Who's minding the store?"

"I beg your pardon, Mistress?"

"I'm supposed to be looking after things."

"Oh. Not to worry. Our time here is not the same as time there. We're, hmm... between time, I suppose you would say."

"Oh."

In one room, she stopped in front of a window, turned to stare at the window at the far end.

"That's odd," she said. "It's the same tree out of each window. How can that be?"

"Ah," he smiled ruefully. "We're inside a lamp, remember? So, while it's not quite real, it's real enough. I guess the architect used the same tag-ends of reality for both sides of the room. It's complicated - if it doesn't make any sense, don't worry about it."

The girl shook her head a little in confusion.

"I mean, this is incredible, Brian, and being stuck in the city just sucked, but..."

"I understand."

"I'm glad." She had another thought. "Besides, I'm hardly dressed for this." She waved her hand at the splendor around her, then tugged at her t-shirt.

"Would you like to change? A bath, perhaps?"

Tammy was amazed at how good that offer made her feel. "You know, Brian, I would love  a bath!"

"Come with me, please, Mistress."

The bathroom was simply that -- a bath room -- or, perhaps, a room designed to turn the simple act of bathing into a lifelong, smile-filled memory. Larger than her entire apartment, one side was entirely open onto a balcony overlooking a palm-treed beach in the distance. The walls were of red marble, the high domed ceiling a fresco -- blue sky, cottony clouds and birds so realistic that she could almost believe were moving. Potted plants and superb artwork created a welcoming, relaxing atmosphere. There was a subtle smell of incense in the air.

A circle of eight marble columns surrounded a walk-in circular tub big enough for twelve. There was a small mountain of towels and washcloths, an orderly pile of soap balls and gilded racks of endless pitchers, jars, jugs, pails, bottles and boxes.

"Will this be acceptable, Mistress?"

The girl was speechless, could only nod. She began to pull off her t-shirt, then realized that the djinn was still standing beside her, waiting patiently.

"Um, Brian?"

"Yes, Mistress?"

"I think I'd like a bit of privacy, please."

"Ah. Boy-girl thing?"

"Yes."

Her eyes swept over the decor again, turned back to see the female djinn standing beside her.

Tammy jumped in surprise. "Dammit, Brian, don't surprise me like that!"

"I'm sorry, Mistress," the creature said, her voice a smoky contralto. "I thought you objected to my appearing as male. May I at least point out some things you might wish to know before you send me away?"

Tammy was about to reply when she again caught sight of the djinn's eyes.

Shuddering, she looked away. "First, do something about those eyes," she begged.

When she looked back, the black orbs had been replaced by very normal -- and very pretty -- green eyes.

"Is that better, Mistress?"

"Much."

She watched the being's firm, bare buttocks as the djinn stepped past her to the pool and found she still had room for more jealousy.

She mentally shrugged, accepted the djinn's presence. There'd been group shower rooms in school, hadn't there?

The djinn knelt gracefully by the edge of the tub, trailed her fingers in the water, looked at Tammy with a warm smile. "I think you'll like it, Mistress."

With that, she rose and walked down a flight of low steps leading into the water before wading out to the centre of the pool. The water grew deeper as she moved and her hair floated round her as she walked. Reaching the middle of the pool, she turned, the water almost up to her shaven sex.

"This is as deep as it gets, Mistress. It's shallower at the edges and..." pointing "...over there is a nice place to simply lean against the wall and soak. There's a good view of the beach from there. I think it's my favourite spot."

Tammy tentatively stuck her toe in. Almost perfect.

She looked around for faucets or other controls and saw none.

"How do I make it hotter or colder?"

"Why, that's why I'm here, Mistress!" the djinn smiled. "How would you like it?"

"Um," Tammy hazarded, just experimenting, "maybe five degrees warmer?"

And it was.

+

"I could get used to this," Tammy said. She was sitting up to her waist in the pool while the djinn shampooed her hair, strong fingers expertly massaging her scalp.

"It's all part of the service, Mistress. And my pleasure. Dip now, please."

Tammy lowered herself so her head laid back in the warm water. She could feel the djinn's fingers rinsing her hair.

One hand slipped on the tiles below her and, giving a slight cry, the girl slid under the surface with a splash.

Strong hands grabbed her upper arms, lifted her up almost immediately and pulled her back into an embrace.

"I'm so sorry, Mistress! I didn't..."

"It's OK," Tammy choked. "It was my fault. No harm done."

The djinn pulled her in closer, a long and strong hug. Tammy realized that she'd never had a bare-skin hug with another woman - group showering hadn't extended quite that far. The feeling of a bare, very female bosom against hers was utterly different from being hugged by a man.

The being's hands moved down her back and Tammy realized to her surprise that she found it not only comforting, but pleasant.

Very pleasant.

I could get used to this,  she thought to herself.

"Thank you," she said softly.

"My pleasure, Mistress," came the reply from above her.

Tammy gave a little start as the djinn's arm slid lower, came to rest on Tammy's bottom. This hadn't happened in the locker room, either, not when she'd been there. That didn't mean that it wasn't nice. She tried to reciprocate, slid her arm down to one of the other's smooth cheeks.

Giving it a tentative squeeze, she suddenly realized why boys found girl's bums so attractive. It feels good to hold this one,  she thought. She squeezed harder.

A strong finger lifted her chin. She found herself staring into the endless green depths of the djinn's eyes. There was a curious smile on the djinn's face, almost quizzical.

"Do you like that, Mistress?" she whispered.

Tammy was surprised to hear herself whispering in reply, "Yes. Yes, I do."

The djinn's lips lowered to Tammy's, met -- firmly but gently, cautiously.

It's been 2,000 years since she got laid, too!   Tammy thought to herself. She smiled inwardly, opened her lips to welcome the tip of the djinn's tongue as it swept over her teeth before probing deeper inside her mouth. She felt unexpectedly comfortable, totally happy with this and leaned up, crushing their lips together harder.

Her head swam as the djinn's hand caressed her buttock, then slowly swept over Tammy's waist, up along her back. The other hand remained on her other cheek, fondling and squeezing.

Tammy gasped then as, for the first time, female fingers stroked her breast, searched for and found her nipple. She moaned in anticipation, let herself be pleasured.

The djinn pulled them together in a hard, lingering hug, then slid away from the girl, slipped strong arms under her and stood up. Their lips were still locked as the tall figure waded out of the pool, carrying Tammy in her arms. Opening her eyes, she was surprised at happiness on the auburn-haired beauty's face.

Damn!  she thought.

When the djinn stepped up out of the pool, Tammy was surprised to see that the other's long hair was already dry. Reaching up, touching her own hair, she was amazed to find hers was, too.

"How...?" she started to say.

The djinn merely winked. "It saves time, Mistress," she said, then paused in her stride. "Unless you'd prefer...?"

"No."

The smile grew wider. "I thought not. "

She again lowered her lips to Tammy's and the girl's heart sang with delight.

The djinn was, not to exaggerate, a very good kisser. Tammy couldn't recall one of her -- admittedly few - boyfriends having lit such a passion within her.

It's true!  she thought to herself, It takes a woman to know how to really please a woman!  Delighted now, the girl wriggled in the djinn's arms, laughed brightly.

The djinn pulled back, her intense green eyes locked on Tammy's.

"What would you like, Mistress?" she asked softly. "We can stay here," she said, motioning with her head towards a low sofa, "or we could..."

"A bed, I think," said Tammy. Remembering, she repeated, "I wish for a bed. Now."

The djinn smiled more broadly. Her finger reached out and lightly touched the end of Tammy's nose. The girl blinked and the bed was bigger than any she had ever seen, half-covered in pillows and with a high canopy of white silk. Looking down, she could see the djinn's feet were almost hidden in the depths of the ornate carpet. The room's walls were covered embossed wallpaper. Soft light streamed in through the open windows, through which could be heard birds calling.

Laughing, the djinn half-dropped, half-carried the girl onto the middle of the bed before scrambling, throwing herself after. The two bounced slightly before she again had Tammy's body in her arms and rolled half on top of her.

Tammy's arms came up around the djinn's neck. She was surprised at how easy this was, how much fun it was. Shouldn't there have been some shyness, some embarrassment, some mental reservations? All such thoughts melted away faded as the djinn again lowered her lips onto Tammy's.

The djinn's tongue traced inside Tammy's lips, slid under her tongue, teased and played inside her mouth. The girl felt her heart pound, her nipples tighten. She gasped again as a strong hand swept up over one breast, hissed as its fingers closed, catching her nipple between them, pulling and stretching her swollen nub still more.

Green eyes looked happily down at her, sparkling in the light.

"Are you pleased, Mistress?" she asked. "Is this as you wish?"

In response, Tammy's arms reached up towards the djinn's magnificent bosom, her hands stopping just short. She looked at the djinn, suddenly uncertain.

"Go ahead, Mistress," the djinn said softly. "I am here to please you."

For the first time, Tammy was able appreciate the happiness of her hands on the firm softness of another female breast. She ran them lightly over the other's nipples, felt them stiffen under her palms, watched the creature's smile broaden in obvious pleasure. Encouraged, she played with their hardness, pulled lightly on them. She bent to tongue one but couldn't quite reach.