"Why not use her to power up Felka as well? I know that this harpy is actually fairly strong too, so merging the two of them should produce fairly good results." Autonoe decided that this would be the ideal use for the harpy. For one, Fleka was weak. Like very weak. And while sure Autonoe would be with her to help her when needed, she wasn't omnipresent. She could easily subdue any croud or large enemy, but not if she also had to defend Felka from any and all attacks. If Felka could at least get some of the stats out of the Harpy, then she may be able to hold her own for a bit at least.
"Wait what? No, I don't want to become merged with it." Whined Felka.
"Hush dear" reprimanded Fawn. "Consider it punishment for staying out so late. Additionally, you seem to have gained quite a lot for doing practically nothing. This world works around a give and take mentality, where nothing is handed out for free. Eventually someone or something will come to collect the debt."
"But..." Felka tried to reject again, but was interrupted by her mother.
"No buts, I actually agree with Autonoe on this one. Both of us have your best interest at heart, plus she is right. You are weak. It isnt an opinion, nor am I trying to belittle you. It is simply just the truth. I'm sorry, but that is just how it is."
"What If I become ugly..."
"That is not really a possibility dear. It is a harpy you know. If you can look past their hyper aggressive nature, they are actually rather beautiful creatures. Plus with any luck, it may even enhance some of your more feminine features too. Lastly, think of it like this. Without Autonoe's intervention, you wouldn't even be alive to complain. So you should repay her kindness to the best of your ability."
"Is there any potential downside?" Autonoe asked out of mild curiosity.
"Not really. Her appearance will definitely change a bit, but almost always that is to her benefit. The only possible negative is the loss of her hands, but I can be sure those are kept the same if I just simply cut off the wing tips of the harpy."
"Then I see no reason why she shouldn't undergo the procedure." Autonoe stated.
Fawn nodded and flicked her finger towards Felka, who suddenly froze in place and passed out. "There, now that she can leave or risk causing the spell to misfire. Let's begin." Another 2 flicks of her finger severed the tips of the harpies wings, which Autonoe collected and disposed of outside while Fawn stripped the clothes and equipment off of her daughter, setting them neatly on a table that was out of the way. "Now then, please place the harpy on top of Felka once I lay her out." Instructed Fawn.
She took Felka's unconscious body and laid her down on the floor with her arms out stretched to either side. "Ok, now your turn". Autonoe laid the harpy right on top of her, lining up their limbs. And backed out of the way when she was finished.
Fawn had gathered the necessary ingredients too while Autonoe was positioning the bodies. "Alright, please stand back. No, actually please step outside and keep guard. Sit on the roof if you must, but do not let anything, no matter who or what, including you, enter this house until I call for you. Understand. I don't care how or by what method you use, just make absolutely sure we are not disturbed. That is the cost for this magic. If I am disturbed, even for a second, it will fail and kill the both of them. This will take a bit of time too, so, are you ready? We get 1 shot at this." Instructed Fawn.
"So you lied. There actually was such a huge risk after all."
"Yes, I lied to her. Only because if I told her, she would have done anything and everything she could to stop it. This girl is just too innocent sometimes for her own good. However it is and has been her lifelong dream to be an adventurer. And with this, she will finally have what is necessary for that. Talent."
"I understand. I will be outside."
********
When Fawn said it would take some time, she really ment it. Over 36 hours have passed since Autonoe exited the house. Luckily not a single lifeforce beside the 3 of them had even come close to their location. Interestingly, eventhough she had stayed awake, and didnt move an inch, she didn't feel even a bit tired, nor that she was getting bored. Now that she wasn't a living being, but an automata, normal things like needing to sleep didn't apply anymore.
"Autonoe. We have finished, come back inside." Fawn called out from the front doorway. Autonoe lept gracefully off of the roof, silently landed next to her, and followed her inside. In the middle of the room, was Felka, who was busy inspecting her new body. Thankfully, nothing about her body seemed like it would be overly difficult for her to adapt to.