by Kayla Bashe
Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
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The door’s locked, so you head to a window and peek in. About four hundred people—most of the town’s population, you think—are gathered in the community center. It’s pretty crowded. A magical girl stands in the center of the main room, her body glowing with magical energy.
“Through the window,” Char murmurs. She melts the glass open; Shani cools it with a jet of water from her palm. Then you shimmy through the space and into the gymnasium.
When the magical girl sees you, she gasps and immediately points her fingers at you in the shape of a gun. Pink light glows on her fingertips.
“It’s okay, we’re magical girls too,” Shani says, stepping up to her. She looks brave and protective. “Take a deep breath. You’ll be okay.”
She does, looking like she’s about to burst into tears.
“We’ll help you with the ward,” Char says.
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
The door’s locked, so you head to a window and peek in. About four hundred people—most of the town’s population, you think—are gathered in the community center. It’s pretty crowded. A magical girl stands in the center of the main room, her body glowing with magical energy.
“Through the window,” Char murmurs. She melts the glass open; Shani cools it with a jet of water from her palm. Then you shimmy through the space and into the gymnasium.
When the magical girl sees you, she gasps and immediately points her fingers at you in the shape of a gun. Pink light glows on her fingertips.
“It’s okay, we’re magical girls too,” Shani says, stepping up to her. She looks brave and protective. “Take a deep breath. You’ll be okay.”
She does, looking like she’s about to burst into tears.
“We’ll help you with the ward,” Char says.
* * *
>>
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Please turn back a page
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* * *
Please turn forward a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
The door’s locked, so you head to a window and peek in. About four hundred people—most of the town’s population, you think—are gathered in the community center. It’s pretty crowded. A magical girl stands in the center of the main room, her body glowing with magical energy.
“Through the window,” Char murmurs. She melts the glass open; Shani cools it with a jet of water from her palm. Then you shimmy through the space and into the gymnasium.
When the magical girl sees you, she gasps and immediately points her fingers at you in the shape of a gun. Pink light glows on her fingertips.
“It’s okay, we’re magical girls too,” Shani says, stepping up to her. She looks brave and protective. “Take a deep breath. You’ll be okay.”
She does, looking like she’s about to burst into tears.
“We’ll help you with the ward,” Char says.
* * *
>>
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* * *
Please turn back a page
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Please turn forward a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
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You remember a technique that served you well during the siege of Castle Vestri whenever the wards needed recharging. “Would it be possible for us to do something to cheer everyone up? That way, we could put the resulting positive energy into the wards.”
She nods and gives you some suggestions.
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>>
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Please turn back a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
You remember a technique that served you well during the siege of Castle Vestri whenever the wards needed recharging. “Would it be possible for us to do something to cheer everyone up? That way, we could put the resulting positive energy into the wards.”
She nods and gives you some suggestions.
* * *
>>
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Please turn back a page
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Please turn forward a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
You remember a technique that served you well during the siege of Castle Vestri whenever the wards needed recharging. “Would it be possible for us to do something to cheer everyone up? That way, we could put the resulting positive energy into the wards.”
She nods and gives you some suggestions.
* * *
>>
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Please turn back a page
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Please turn forward a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
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After conferring with your squadmates, you decide to…
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Tell them a story!
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Put on a fashion show!
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Please turn back a page
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Please turn forward a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
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After conferring with your squadmates, you decide to…
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Tell them a story!
* * *
Put on a fashion show!
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Have someone perform
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Please turn back a page
* * *
* * *
Please turn forward a page
* * *
Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
After conferring with your squadmates, you decide to…
* * *
Tell them a story!
* * *
Put on a fashion show!
* * *
Have someone perform
* * *
* * *
* * *
Please turn back a page
* * *
* * *
Please turn forward a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
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“Hey, let’s make up a story to tell them!” you suggest. Your mother can tell the most amazing stories, and you’ve learned a lot from her. “Once upon a time, there was a girl who found out that she was a princes…” As you improvise the story, your friends jump in to help, acting out the roles of parents, villains, allies, and talking animals. By the time the princess defeats the usurper with the power of her love for her people, everyone is entirely engrossed in your story.
You’re really doing a lot to raise everyone’s spirits. Already, the atmosphere inside the small building feels happier, and you can sense it strengthening the wards. You’re proud of yourself.
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but then monsters
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
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&nb
sp; “What if we got some of the people to put on a fashion show?” Char’s the first to agree, and she helps convince Malou and Shani of the idea’s benefits. You recruit a small group of preteen girls who are comforting each other in a corner; when you explain your idea to them, their eyes get so wide, and they start jumping up and down and squealing.
Using your magic, you manifest a variety of cute outfits for the girls to wear. It warms everyone’s heart to see their grandaughters or neighbors or friends or children or sisters looking stylish and happy!
Power surges into the ward, and you know you’re helping to keep the town’s inhabitants safe.
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Wait, though. What's that?
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Please turn back a page
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Please turn forward a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
“Hey, let’s make up a story to tell them!” you suggest. Your mother can tell the most amazing stories, and you’ve learned a lot from her. “Once upon a time, there was a girl who found out that she was a princes…” As you improvise the story, your friends jump in to help, acting out the roles of parents, villains, allies, and talking animals. By the time the princess defeats the usurper with the power of her love for her people, everyone is entirely engrossed in your story.
You’re really doing a lot to raise everyone’s spirits. Already, the atmosphere inside the small building feels happier, and you can sense it strengthening the wards. You’re proud of yourself.
* * *
but then monsters
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* * *
* * *
Please turn back a page
* * *
* * *
Please turn forward a page
* * *
Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
“What if we got some of the people to put on a fashion show?” Char’s the first to agree, and she helps convince Malou and Shani of the idea’s benefits. You recruit a small group of preteen girls who are comforting each other in a corner; when you explain your idea to them, their eyes get so wide, and they start jumping up and down and squealing.
Using your magic, you manifest a variety of cute outfits for the girls to wear. It warms everyone’s heart to see their grandaughters or neighbors or friends or children or sisters looking stylish and happy!
Power surges into the ward, and you know you’re helping to keep the town’s inhabitants safe.
* * *
Wait, though. What's that?
* * *
* * *
* * *
Please turn back a page
* * *
* * *
Please turn forward a page
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Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
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Shani is almost inhumanly graceful, walking on her hands and bending over backwards, getting her feet to kiss her ears. Then she dances with movements as flowing as water, limbs lithe and gestures precise. Everyone watching her seems lightened of heart-and compelled to applaud.
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>>
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* * *
Please turn back a page
* * *
* * *
Please turn forward a page
* * *
Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
“Hey, let’s make up a story to tell them!” you suggest. Your mother can tell the most amazing stories, and you’ve learned a lot from her. “Once upon a time, there was a girl who found out that she was a princes…” As you improvise the story, your friends jump in to help, acting out the roles of parents, villains, allies, and talking animals. By the time the princess defeats the usurper with the power of her love for her people, everyone is entirely engrossed in your story.
You’re really doing a lot to raise everyone’s spirits. Already, the atmosphere inside the small building feels happier, and you can sense it strengthening the wards. You’re proud of yourself.
* * *
but then monsters
* * *
* * *
* * *
Please turn back a page
* * *
* * *
Please turn forward a page
* * *
Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
“What if we got some of the people to put on a fashion show?” Char’s the first to agree, and she helps convince Malou and Shani of the idea’s benefits. You recruit a small group of preteen girls who are comforting each other in a corner; when you explain your idea to them, their eyes get so wide, and they start jumping up and down and squealing.
Using your magic, you manifest a variety of cute outfits for the girls to wear. It warms everyone’s heart to see their grandaughters or neighbors or friends or children or sisters looking stylish and happy!
Power surges into the ward, and you know you’re helping to keep the town’s inhabitants safe.
* * *
Wait, though. What's that?
* * *
* * *
* * *
Please turn back a page
* * *
* * *
Please turn forward a page
* * *
Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe
* * *
The only jokes Malou knows are military ones. But she thinks they’re hilarious—she can barely get through a line because she’s struggling to get the words out without doubling over with laughter. And even if no one understands her unit’s parody of the enlistment oath, laced as it is with inside jokes about various incompetent personell in other divisions, Malou’s battle to say three words at a time without giggling at her own humor is cheering in itself, especially to the littler children. The barrier pulses with joy’s bright glow.
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