Vivian paused for a moment, the wooden spoon in her hand moving in a slow, deliberate motion as she stirred the fragrant sauce. The rich aroma of simmering vegetables and spices filled the air, wrapping the kitchen in its warmth. She glanced at Emma, her expression thoughtful as she finally broke the silence.
“Well...” Vivian began, her voice steady and deliberate, “when someone is born, they inherit an innate magic, something passed down from one of their parents. From the moment they awaken, they can choose either to master that magic to perfection or to learn others from different sources. Remember, though,” she added, her tone sharpening slightly, “no one is truly limited to the amount of magic they can learn. It all depends on their ability to grasp and understand the process.”
Emma listened intently, her white eyes reflecting the flickering light from the stove. The words settled in her mind, and for a brief moment, she was silent, processing what she had heard. Finally, she spoke, her voice curious yet cautious.
“Alright,” Emma said slowly, choosing her next words carefully. “Does that mean I can learn healing magic while still mastering my innate magic?”
Vivian chuckled softly, a sound both amused and affectionate. “Yes, dear, you can,” she replied, her gaze warm. “But it has to be one at a time. And…” Her tone grew serious as she continued, “don’t forget what the doctor said. You mustn’t push yourself too hard. Avoid complex or strenuous magic... it could still damage your core.”
The reminder struck Emma like a quiet echo, the doctor’s voice replaying vividly in her mind. She nodded, her expression momentarily shadowed by the memory. “Okay, Mom,” she said, a faint smile returning to her lips.
“Well,” Emma ventured again, her voice brightening with a note of hope, “could you... I mean in your free time, teach me healing magic?” Her gaze locked onto Vivian’s, her white eyes silently pleading for agreement.
Vivian sighed, a gentle exhale that spoke of a mother’s love and mild exasperation. “Alright,” she relented, nodding slightly. “When I have some free time, I’ll teach you.”
Emma’s heart soared, though she kept her excitement contained. One of my goals... finally in motion, she thought, her smile widening ever so slightly.
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Vivian turned back to the stove, lifting the pan from the heat with practiced ease. The aroma of the meal intensified as she moved the pan to the counter. “Now,” she said briskly, “go wake your sister Ellie. I’ll finish up the dish.”
Emma nodded, leaving the kitchen and stepping into the quiet hallway. The soft glow from the kitchen faded behind her as she walked, her footsteps light against the wooden floor. The passage was dim, the muted light of evening filtering in through the curtains.
When she reached Ellie’s door, she paused, knocking gently. The sound was soft, barely audible, as though she didn’t want to disturb her sister too abruptly. There was no answer.
“Ellie?” she whispered, pushing the door open slightly. Darkness greeted her; Ellie hadn’t bothered to turn on the lights.
Emma stepped inside, her eyes adjusting slowly to the dimness. The room was quiet, the faint hum of nighttime settling over it like a blanket. She moved closer to the bed, where Ellie’s form lay motionless beneath the covers.
“Ellie,” Emma called again, her voice a little louder now. Still, there was no response.
A small knot of worry began to form in Emma’s chest. She reached out hesitantly, tapping the blanket where Ellie’s shoulder should have been. Nothing.
Frowning, she leaned closer, curiosity and concern mingling in her thoughts. She carefully lifted the edge of the blanket, only to find a stack of pillows arranged neatly beneath it.
“Boo!”
A sudden grip on her shoulders made her gasp, a startled scream escaping her lips as she turned sharply. Her heart raced as she spun around, only to find Ellie grinning mischievously behind her.
“Ellie!” Emma exclaimed, a mix of relief and annoyance coloring her voice. “Not funny!”
Ellie laughed, her voice light and unrepentant. “Sorry, couldn’t resist,” she said, though her grin suggested she wasn’t sorry at all.
Emma crossed her arms, giving her sister a mock glare. “I wasn’t scared,” she muttered, “just… surprised. And worried,” she admitted softly. “You didn’t answer, and I thought something might’ve happened.”
Ellie’s grin softened slightly, a flicker of guilt crossing her face. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry,” she said, reaching out to ruffle Emma’s silver-white hair playfully.
Emma swatted her hand away, smirking. “Not fair,” she said before darting forward, her fingers finding Ellie’s sides. She tickled her mercilessly, drawing bursts of laughter from her sister.
“Alright, alright, stop!” Ellie gasped between laughs, finally catching her breath. She sat up, shaking her head. “You win.”
Emma grinned triumphantly. “Good. Now, Mom says it’s time for dinner.”
Ellie nodded, stretching her arms lazily before wrapping one around Emma’s shoulders. “Let’s go, then,” she said, steering them both toward the door.
The two walked out together, their laughter lingering softly in the air as they made their way back to the warm glow of the kitchen.