Magical experience

After a while, when you’re sure that you’re not being followed, everyone stops for a rest. There hasn’t been much chatter, with everyone still a bit rattled from being attacked. Of course, nothing can keep Naia quiet for long.

The energetic raptor girl bounces up to where you and Julie are sitting. Julie seems content to just sit beside you, resting her head on your shoulder. Naia giggles as she approaches. “Look at you two, all cozy and cute! I guess Greg worked his magic on you already!”

Julie smiles, hugging your arm. “In more ways than one! Speaking of magic, though, what was that thing you did with the sword?”

You smile. “When I crossed the portal, we discovered a hidden magic inside me. I can reshape metal and stone with my mind.”

To demonstrate, you pick up a small rock, closing your fist around it. After a few moments concentration, you open your hand to reveal that it is now in the shape of a flower. With a smile, you hand it to Julie.

Her eyes light up as she takes the stone flower. “That’s so cool! How much effort does that take?”

You shrug. “Small things like this are pretty easy now. The more I practice the stronger I get.”

Marin chimes in. “That’s why he met me and the other workshop girls, it’s a useful skill for us.”

Julie nods. “I suppose so. I wish my magic was more useful. It’s pretty weak so far.”

Naia leans forward, excited. “Oooh, what can you do? Show me!”

The girls gather around as Julie cups her hands in front of her. Sunlight seems to pool in her outstretched hands, as if it were liquid. “I can manipulate light. Not very well yet, but apparently if I practice I can do some cool stuff!”

As she speaks, the light in her hands ripples and changes, becoming a rainbow butterfly. The creation flies a short distance from her hands before dissipating. The other girls all clap, and you smile and kiss her cheek. “That’s a cool power, I could definitely see that being useful.”

She smiles at you. “I’ll keep practicing!”

Naia claps her hands. “That was so pretty! I wish I had magic!”

You chuckle. “I just saw you jump ten feet from sitting down, and kick a guy so hard that I’m pretty sure you broke him.”

Naia pouts. “Yeah, but that’s not PRETTY!”

Julie giggles. “That’s ok, Naia, you’re plenty pretty on your own!”

Naia’s expression immediately changes to a big smile, and she hugs the petite human girl. “Yay! The new girl said I’m pretty!”

Aisha rolls her eyes. “She already had sex with you, sis. I think you knew already.”

Naia sticks her tongue out at her sister.