Skye Prower

"It was no trouble at all," replied Melody. "I'm just thrilled you managed." "Just think of everything you could do now!" said Anna. Skye saw Tikal's upset look. "I didn't think you'd hear that," he said. ------------- Ziona looked at where her hand was holding an imaginary glass. "Glen, I don't want to spoil this moment, but there is one more thing I'm gonna need your help with."

"Or the worst," mumbled Skye very quietly. --------------- "To a new era!" Ziona mimicked knocking the glasses together.

"You must have had a good teacher then!" said Skye, patting Melody on the shoulder. "Seriously though, it is impressive how quickly you've picked this up." "Once you've got the full hang of the spell, you can try making the lights different colours, control where they fly, all sorts of stuff. And maybe even try casting it without the words!" said Melody, feeling excited about the new world that had opened up for her friend.

"Wow," breathed Melody. "That... that was a lot faster than I managed it." Anna leaned over and gave Hope a hug. "Well done!" she exclaimed, then backed off looking a little embarrassed.

Skye nodded with Hope's recital. "That sounds correct." "Try to keep that sensation of magic you had in your mind. And focus your will on what you want to achieve," advised Melody.

"Okay then!" said Melody with a massive grin. "Skye?" she asked. Skye nodded his understanding and pulled out his journal and a pen. Melody took ahold of Hope's hand again, and began setting it into a particular pose. "Now, keep your hand in this gesture when you try to cast. No waving your hands around for this spell. And don't worry if it doesn't work even several times. The only reason I didn't give up when I tried was because I knew for certain I had magic." "I think the whole castle knew," muttered Skye as he wrote something down. "I'm surprised you remember, you were only... what? Three at the time?" "My earliest memories. It was rather traumatic," said Skye with a cheeky grin. He handed a slip of paper to Hope with some seemingly nonsensical words written on it. "I've written these phonetically. Say them rhythmically, with an emphasis where the capitals are. If it works, you'll cast the same light spell that Melody has been. Good luck Hope." "I'm sure you'll do it," said Melody.

Melody looked a little disappointed, but nodded in agreement. "Okay, ready to try again?" she asked, making the lights appear again.

"Considering you've never dealt with magic before, you're doing well!" said Skye. "I should warn you Hope though, I wasn't trying to resist you at all. Trying to do that to an actual mage probably wouldn't work. But for dismissing magic on it's own, you've got the knack." Melody took a quick drink. "So, do you want to practice that some more? Or move onto the big question? Can you actually cast yourself?"

Melody grinned, while Skye smiled encouragingly. "I know. You really can't describe it. Though don't get your hopes too high yet, it doesn't mean you can cast magic I'm afraid. Okay, lets move onto the next round then," she said. Melody held out her hand, and the same three lights appeared above it. "Now, see if you can dismiss the spell when its under my control. Focus on that feeling, these lights, and how you managed to dismiss your own light. It may take a minute or two. In fact, you might not be able to do it at all." "If you find it easy, that doesn't mean you'll be casting spells with ease, or necessarily at all," pointed out Skye. "And if you can't do it, that doesn't mean that you cannot cast magic. Though the latter probably means you only have a limited magical potential. Though it's not a given"

Melody clapped her hands together. "That's it. You've got it. Now, when the lights were active, were you able to sense or feel the energy from them?" Melody asked.

Anna watched the lights. She gave them an inquisitive poke, but her finger passed straight through. "That's just the start. It's the most basic spell there is." "I have to say I'm impressed Melody. You used to have difficultly casting that even WITH the words and gestures," said Skye. Melody looked a little flustered. "I know. I... I think my magic got boosted somehow after being in your head." Melody turned back to Hope. "Now, the fist thing you need to learn is to dismiss the spell. I know it'll be tempting to try and move the lights, summon more, make them change colour or the like. But you need to make sure you can switch the spell off first." Melody took a deep breath. "So, try and just will them to disappear. Will alone might not be enough, you may need to conjure up a thought or an image that means ending or finishing as well. You're techy minded, so maybe the idea off flicking an off switch, or pushing an off button." "In my case, it's focusing on the idea of blowing out a candle," said Skye.

Melody smiled reassuringly and turned Hope's palm to face upward. She shut her eyes and concentrated for a second, then three small lights shimmered into existence, orbiting each other above Hope's hand. Melody drew her own hand back. "What do you think? If you move your hand, they'll follow it."

"You really don't want to know the answer," said Skye, sipping his drink. "Okay, I'm gonna cast a spell now, through you. It might feel a bit strange, but don't try to fight it, okay?"

"Well we better wait until..." Melody stopped talking as their drinks were served. "Right on cue," she muttered. "We should have plenty of time now until out food is ready going by the crowd here." Melody reached out to take ahold of one of Hope's hands. "Last chance to back out," Melody said. Anna watched with ruptured interest. "Uh, are you doing what I think you're doing?" asked Skye. "I'm gonna do it properly this time," retorted Melody.

Anna shyly gave her order. Skye frantically flicked through the menu. "Uh... gah, I'll just have a steak then!" Melody turn to Hope. "Just say when you're ready."

"Hold on, I haven't chosen yet!" said Skye as the waiter arrived. "Then you can order last then," said Melody, giving her order. ------------- "And here's to many more days like this," said Ziona, raising an imaginary glass.

"I did?" Skye sounded surprised, while Anna enthusiastically nodded. Melody gave a small smile. "Does that mean you're going for the calamari?" "Squid? Eww, no. I think I might join Hope and Tikal with a cheeseburger..." Melody laughed and waved a waiter over. -------------- "It's the right day for it," said Ziona

"Yeah, there is a good choice," said Skye, also unsure as he began to study the menu intently. "I think I might join you with a burger Hope," said Melody, "but I'm gonna try the spicy chicken one." "What's cal-a-mar-y?" asked Anna. "Calamari? That'll be squid Sis," said Skye absent mindedly. Anna slowly lowered her menu. "You called me 'Sis'!" she pointed out happily. ------------ "Me? No, it's too early for that. I'm just relaxing," replied Ziona.

"Me too, I'm starving," said Skye as he sat down and picked up a menu. "So what are you having Hope? And you Sis?" asked Melody. "I... I dunno..." replied Anna, still looking through the menu.

"Hang on, there they are in that booth," pointed out Skye. "You girls seem excited by something," he said as he walked over to them. ------------------ Ziona gave a contented sigh.

"Yeah. I can't see them outside the restaurant. They probably went to get a table." -------------- "We'll save it as a last resort then," laughed Melody as they sat down in the booth. Anna picked up a menu, and looked at it with amazement. "So... much... choice..." she mumbled. ------------- "Then we're both happy."

"We could put Skye and Tikal at the edge of the booth, encourage them to be all lovey-dovey, then no-one would be watching!" suggested Melody with a laugh.

"I think they might be mad at us already!" commented Skye. ------------- "A booth would be good. We probably don't want people to see us playing with magic," pointed out Anna. ------------ "You do say silly things sometimes Glen. But I find that endearing," replied Ziona, playing with Glen's dreadlocks.

"Okay, Okay, I'm going!" laughed Skye. ---------------- "Cool. Well, here we are. Let's find a table," said Melody as they entered the busy restaurant. --------------- "Really? I thought that was what you did?" said Ziona semi-distractedly