Magic Resilient

by Kayla Bashe

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  Now that you’ve defeated your enemies, you feel more powerful than ever.

  I won’t fight for only this place.

  I want to fight for everyone…never another Siege of Vestri. Never again.

  And something about your selfless wish, the happiness of the moment, catches like a match touching a candle wick. Suddenly your conciousness is part of a thousand different battles on hundreds of planets. You’re going to…

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  Help others become better at fighting

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  Help others become stronger

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  Now that you’ve defeated your enemies, you feel more powerful than ever.

  I won’t fight for only this place.

  I want to fight for everyone…never another Siege of Vestri. Never again.

  And something about your selfless wish, the happiness of the moment, catches like a match touching a candle wick. Suddenly your conciousness is part of a thousand different battles on hundreds of planets. You’re going to…

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  Help others become better at fighting

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  Help others become stronger

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  Please turn back a page

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  Char’s the expert at dodging bikers and strollers; Shani keeps turning around as if trying to see everything at once. “I never truly believed buildings could be this tall,” Malou says. “I’ve seen pictures, but—it’s splendid. It’s as if someone towed down the stars and strung them like lanterns on rooftops…”

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  Now that you’ve defeated your enemies, you feel more powerful than ever.

  I won’t fight for only this place.

  I want to fight for everyone…never another Siege of Vestri. Never again.

  And something about your selfless wish, the happiness of the moment, catches like a match touching a candle wick. Suddenly your conciousness is part of a thousand different battles on hundreds of planets. You’re going to…

  * * *

  Help others become better at fighting

  * * *

  Help others become stronger

  * * *

  * * *

  * * *

  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’re fighting alongside everyone, putting an extra push of strength into spear-thrusts, dabbing poison onto arrows mid-flight, correcting the tiniest malfunctioning parts of jammed magical guns constructed in haste before they can misfire.

  Let me help you with that, you say in your mind, reaching out to the glow of souls like bright jeweled dots in the universe. You don’t have to be alone. I’m here now.

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  You’re fighting alongside magical girls all over the galaxy, giving them the extra boost they need to run a little faster and not get crushed under an unconscious, falling monster; to jump a little higher and get onto a creature’s scaly-alligator back, or just make it to safety; to struggle to their feet when the wind has been knocked out of them and their entire bodies are cuts and bruises.

  As long as there are battles to be fought, I’ll stand beside whoever I can. We all have to support each other.

  So let me help you.

  And a thousand voices, like whispers on the wind, respond: yes.

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  You’re fighting alongside everyone, putting an extra push of strength into spear-thrusts, dabbing poison onto arrows mid-flight, correcting the tiniest malfunctioning parts of jammed magical guns constructed in haste before they can misfire.

  Let me help you with that, you say in your mind, reaching out to the glow of souls like bright jeweled dots in the universe. You don’t have to be alone. I’m here now.

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  >>

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  You’re fighting alongside magical girls all over the galaxy, giving them the extra boost they need to run a little faster and not get crushed under an unconscious, falling monster; to jump a little higher and get onto a creature’s scaly-alligator back, or just make it to safety; to struggle to their feet when the wind has been knocked out of them and their entire bodies are cuts and bruises.

  As long as there are battles to be fought, I’ll stand beside whoever I can. We all have to support each other.

  So let me help you.

  And a thousand voices, like whispers on the wind, respond: yes.

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  When you get to the apartment, the e-door buzzes you in, but there’s no one there. After a few minutes of searching, Char discovers a little note stuck on the fridge with a magnet in the shape of a pink high heel.

  Called away unexpectedly—Maroon’s daughter is about to give birth to her third boy. Hoping she doesn’t drop before we arrive.

  -xoxo darlings

  Maroon, Bechette, and Alice Iris

  The paper smells like old-lady perfume, flowery and powdery, and there are three lipstick kisses at the top of the paper—one plum, one light and vivid purple, and one bright pink.

  On the other side of the piece of paper, there’s a list of nearby cultural events that are happening that night, and a list of good places to eat in the area.

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  See a theatrical performance

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  Go to a dance show

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  Go to a concert

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  Please turn back a page

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  You’re fighting alongside everyone, putting an extra push of strength into spear-thrusts, dabbing poison onto arrows mid-flight, correcting the tiniest malfunctioning parts of jammed magical guns construct
ed in haste before they can misfire.

  Let me help you with that, you say in your mind, reaching out to the glow of souls like bright jeweled dots in the universe. You don’t have to be alone. I’m here now.

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  >>

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  Please turn back a page

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  Please turn forward a page

  * * *

  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

  * * *

  You’re fighting alongside magical girls all over the galaxy, giving them the extra boost they need to run a little faster and not get crushed under an unconscious, falling monster; to jump a little higher and get onto a creature’s scaly-alligator back, or just make it to safety; to struggle to their feet when the wind has been knocked out of them and their entire bodies are cuts and bruises.

  As long as there are battles to be fought, I’ll stand beside whoever I can. We all have to support each other.

  So let me help you.

  And a thousand voices, like whispers on the wind, respond: yes.

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  >>

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  Please turn back a page

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  “Hey, should she be floating like that? Get your friend down from there.”

  “Whatever she’s doing, it’s very important. I’m not interfering.” As sweet as Char’s tone is, a threat simmers under the words like blazing coals, and you’re proud of her. At last, your work done, you return to your body, completely exhausted. Your vision blurs as you stagger backwards.

  Char slips her arms under yours and holds you up. “It’s okay, Verdie. I’ve got you.”

  So you let yourself rest.

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  “What’s she doing? Someone snap her out of it!” It’s a man’s voice, one of the villagers.

  “I wouldn’t do that. I trust her.” Shani’s tone is polite, but there’s a warning like hidden steel: don’t underestimate Verdie, because she’s as brave as anything! After another petite eternity of achieving victory, you fall. Too exhausted even to slow your descent, you tense your muscles in anticipation of hitting the ground—but Shani catches you, gathers you close. She’s warm and soft, and it makes you feel safe.

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  You decide to go to a nearby theater (Char, who has experience with public transportation, confidently navigates the subways) and catch a play.

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  “Hey, you—hey, girl! Stop that! No, really, tell her to stop floating in the air, it’s spooky!”

  “Touch her and I’ll take your arm off,” Malou says quietly. Brave, splendid girl! It’s not polite, but it works. An entire forever in seconds goes by, and then your work is done at last. You’re too drained even to hover, so you plummet, preemptively wincing against impact—but Malou catches you neatly, as if you weigh less than a seabird. “You did such a good job,” she murmurs, her voice low and soothing. “I’m so proud of you.” Malou means safety, means ally, means love. Your brain switches off and lets you rest.

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  Awareness comes back to you slowly. You register the existence of light, of concerned faces around you when you blink your eyes open. Slowly, the faces become clearer, develop individual identities: Malou, Char, Shani.

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  "What happened?"

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  "What's going on?"

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  Please turn back a page

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  Awareness comes back to you slowly. You register the existence of light, of concerned faces around you when you blink your eyes open. Slowly, the faces become clearer, develop individual identities: Malou, Char, Shani.

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  "What happened?"

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  "What's going on?"

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  Please turn back a page

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  Magic Resilient, by Kayla Bashe

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  Tonight’s show is called Shira, Princess of Sparta. The set is like a crystal cave, with low platforms and white columns that can be moved from scene to scene. The lead actress is as cute and darling as an animated princess brought to life, and an aura of innocence surrounds her as Shira travels from kingdom to kingdom. When shipwrecked, she wins a jousting tournament and earns her fortune; when taken prisoner by pirates, she exposes an underground ring of sex-slave trading kidnappers. After praying to an oracle of Athena, she’s delighted to discover that the babe she’s been carrying is not a stranger’s, but her lover’s, conceived before she left home. She returns home to much acclaim just in time to be delivered of a healthy boy, and all is well.