Magic Resilient

by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Lighting gives the common room of your suite a warm golden glow. Furniture in rich browns and creams looks warm and inviting, and a door-sized window opens out onto a balcony.

  A chubby girl in a purposefully crinkled pastel-blue dress and a cute green hijab with glittery white sequins lies on the carpet, stringing candy necklaces.

  A girl with dark brown skin and incredibly long legs lounges on one of the couches, reading a fashion periodical.

  * * *

  Talk to the girl on the carpet

  * * *

  Talk to the girl on the couch

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Later that day, your squad is called to the office of Ms. Josera, one of the teachers. While you’re admiring the globes of blown glass hanging in front of the large windows, she tells you:

  “We’ve chosen your squad to be assigned to a mentor, and Squad Shimmer signed up for the mentorship program.”

  That’s when you realize that there are three other girls already in the room. Ms. Josera studies them, then says “Okay, I know there’s four of you. Kione, where’s Imogen?” This question is directed to a tall girl wearing a uniform that’s such a dark shade of purple, it almost looks black.

  “She’s already chosen a squad to mentor—it was arranged over the summer,” the girl, who you assume is Kione, answers.

  “Why don’t you introduce yourselves and say what your specialties are?”

  The tall girl steps forward, inclines her head slightly—“Kione Macavity. Weaponry and stamina.”—and steps back.

  The girl wearing a full skirt and pastel rainboots waves to you. “Many greetings! I’m Sophia, and my specialties are diplomacy, manners, and formal dance.”

  “Hey, I’m Aya Ariole, and my specialties are…umm, sports?” She giggles.

  You and your squad talk in the hallway; eventually, you decide that you want to be trained by…

  * * *

  Kione.

  * * *

  Sophia.

  * * *

  Aya.

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  “You’re Malou, right? I-”

  She snaps to attention, putting one hand over her heart, the other behind her back. The gesture is undeniably a salute. “My heart for the wall, ma’am!”

  Awareness of her surroundings seems to creep into her, and she relaxes with a little bashful laugh.

  “Sorry, I’m…really used to saluting people when I meet them.”

  “It’s okay. My name is Verdie Vestri of Castle Vestri.”

  “Officer Cadet Malou Stoneheart, m-” She clamps down on the ma’am. “I’m from the walled city of Stoneskeep, on Redmoon.”

  “I didn’t even know that planet was still inhabited.”

  “Technically, it’s not—we’re the last holdouts.”

  “Tell me more?”

  Malou’s fascinating.

  Orphaned as a toddler, she was found by a military squad, who subsequently adopted and raised her. At seven, she was officially enlisted as the squad’s dishwasher; at thirteen, when she discovered her powers during a wall breach, she became one of the youngest people ever accepted into military training. Since then, she’s taken on many of the resposibilities of a full soldier, such as patrolling and guard duty.

  “Did you get to do teenager things, too? Like hanging out with your friends and shopping?”

  Malou half-turns away from you. “I had responsibilities,” she murmurs. And then, focusing on you again, “Tell me about your life, though. Verdie Vestri from Castle Vestri…the Verdie Vestri?”

  A story for a story, right? So you incline your head, regal, graceful. “The one and only.”

  Her eyes brighten. “I’ve heard about the siege of Vestri—it’s a textbook example of guerrila tactics. It lasted months, didn’t it? How did you feel?”

  “Terrified out of my wits—when I could afford to be. The way I see it…when there’s something you really have to do, you just…you don’t think about your fears, you think about your responsibilities. You hope for the best. I had to be optimistic, or I’d give up.”

  “I know what you mean. When you live somewhere that’s surrounded by enemies…I can’t believe I’m hearing about the siege of Vestri firsthand, though. You’re such a heroine.”

  I guided survivors into the castle’s old wards, magical barriers reinforced by the ocean’s energy, and slayed a few monsters when I caught them alone. A heroine would have faced her enemies head-on.

  I’ve never felt like a heroine.

  But you don’t say that.

  When you tell her your story, you choose to focus mainly on rebuilding, how you used your powers to banish fear and help people get their lives back together. Maybe, someday, you and Malou will be able to do the same.

  * * *

  >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  “Charmaine Flare. Char for short.” She extends a perfectly manicured hand; for a moment, you’re not sure if she wants you to shake it or kiss it. You go for the former. “Enchante, Verdie.”

  You really like the way she says your name: leaning into the sound of it, rolling the R a bit.

  “Likewise.”

  When she swings around to make room on the couch for you, you plop down beside her. “What’re you reading?”

  “It’s a lookbook for a brand I worked with. Which clothes on this page do you think are the cutest?”

  Char has a serious knowledge of design terms and the names of different fabrics. Talking to her, you feel totally educated.

  And then—“Hey, that’s you!” you say, pointing to a picture.

  She nods, a graceful movement with a touch of melancholy. “Before my powers ignited, I was about to become one of the most celebrated models”

  “That sounds amazing! I’m so jealous.”

  “No, don’t be. It was a beautiful life, but…terribly lonely. Even though I met many people, I never had the chance to befriend anyone.”

  “That sounds terrible…you know what, though? If you want, I’ll be your friend.”

  “That would be incredible.”

  Impulsively, you hug her. She’s startled for a second, then hugs you back. Are there tears in her eyes? You think you glimpse them—but when she lifts her head from your shoulder, her mascara is perfect.

  * * *

  >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  “Hey, my name’s Shani. I volunteered to help the welcoming committee make presents for the younger students, but I’m sure they won’t notice if we eat just a few of the beads. So where are you from?” There’s an openness and innocence in her wide eyes and genuine smile that draws you to trust her. She’s as sweet as candy.

  It’s those qualities that lead you to give her the name of your home planet instead of saying “Castle Vestri.” Shani seems to think you’ve lead the same sort of charmed life as she has. When you speak to her, it’s as if you’ve been given permiss
ion to act like that sort of carefree girl. Her very presence is a gift.

  * * *

  >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  “Charmaine Flare. Char for short.” She extends a perfectly manicured hand; for a moment, you’re not sure if she wants you to shake it or kiss it. You go for the former. “Enchante, Verdie.”

  You really like the way she says your name: leaning into the sound of it, rolling the R a bit.

  “Likewise.”

  When she swings around to make room on the couch for you, you plop down beside her. “What’re you reading?”

  “It’s a lookbook for a brand I worked with. Which clothes on this page do you think are the cutest?”

  Char has a serious knowledge of design terms and the names of different fabrics. Talking to her, you feel totally educated.

  And then—“Hey, that’s you!” you say, pointing to a picture.

  She nods, a graceful movement with a touch of melancholy. “Before my powers ignited, I was about to become one of the most celebrated models”

  “That sounds amazing! I’m so jealous.”

  “No, don’t be. It was a beautiful life, but…terribly lonely. Even though I met many people, I never had the chance to befriend anyone.”

  “That sounds terrible…you know what, though? If you want, I’ll be your friend.”

  “That would be incredible.”

  Impulsively, you hug her. She’s startled for a second, then hugs you back. Are there tears in her eyes? You think you glimpse them—but when she lifts her head from your shoulder, her mascara is perfect.

  * * *

  >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Kione gives a curt nod. “I’m sure we’ll work we’ll together. I’ll try to teach you all that I can—assuming, of course, that you do pay attention.” She smiles when she thinks you’re not looking, though, and you can tell that she’s very pleased.

  * * *

  >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  “Many carats! I am the most excited to work with all of you. Have some lollipops.” She fishes in her pastel satchel, then hands you four perfect geodes of transparent rock candy.

  Even the smallest pieces of it turn out to last for ages.

  * * *

  >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Aya jumps up and down excitedly. “This is so cool! I’ve never mentored anyone before ever but I’m super excited. I’ll try to teach you a whole lot of things, I promise.” To celebrate, she gives everyone little cans of pineapple juice. (You learn that it’s her favorite drink!)

  * * *

  >>

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Later that day, your squad is called to the office of Ms. Josera, one of the teachers. While you’re admiring the globes of blown glass hanging in front of the large windows, she tells you:

  “We’ve chosen your squad to be assigned to a mentor, and Squad Shimmer signed up for the mentorship program.”

  That’s when you realize that there are three other girls already in the room. Ms. Josera studies them, then says “Okay, I know there’s four of you. Kione, where’s Imogen?” This question is directed to a tall girl wearing a uniform that’s such a dark shade of purple, it almost looks black.

  “She’s already chosen a squad to mentor—it was arranged over the summer,” the girl, who you assume is Kione, answers.

  “Why don’t you introduce yourselves and say what your specialties are?”

  The tall girl steps forward, inclines her head slightly—“Kione Macavity. Weaponry and stamina.”—and steps back.

  The girl wearing a full skirt and pastel rainboots waves to you. “Many greetings! I’m Sophia, and my specialties are diplomacy, manners, and formal dance.”

  “Hey, I’m Aya Ariole, and my specialties are…umm, sports?” She giggles.

  You and your squad talk in the hallway; eventually, you decide that you want to be trained by…

  * * *

  Kione.

  * * *

  Sophia.

  * * *

  Aya.

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Later that day, your squad is called to the office of Ms. Josera, one of the teachers. While you’re admiring the globes of blown glass hanging in front of the large windows, she tells you:

  “We’ve chosen your squad to be assigned to a mentor, and Squad Shimmer signed up for the mentorship program.”

  That’s when you realize that there are three other girls already in the room. Ms. Josera studies them, then says “Okay, I know there’s four of you. Kione, where’s Imogen?” This question is directed to a tall girl wearing a uniform that’s such a dark shade of purple, it almost looks black.

  “She’s already chosen a squad to mentor—it was arranged over the summer,” the girl, who you assume is Kione, answers.

  “Why don’t you introduce yourselves and say what your specialties are?”

  The tall girl steps forward, inclines her head slightly—“Kione Macavity. Weaponry and stamina.”—and steps back.

  The girl wearing a full skirt and pastel rainboots waves to you. “Many greetings! I’m Sophia, and my specialties are diplomacy, manners, and formal dance.”

  “Hey, I’m Aya Ariole, and my specialties are…umm, sports?” She giggles.

  You and your squad talk in the hallway; eventually, you decide that you want to be trained by…

  * * *

  Kione.

  * * *

  Sophia.

  * * *

  Aya.

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn back a page

  * * *

  * * *

  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  In the evening, you decide to hold an impromptu party to get to know your classmates a bit more.