Stuff happens. Also I think I will timeskip next arc so it's not 50000 words before the first canon character.
XXX
No.
Gisela saw a serpent burst from the still water of the bay, its teeth bared and releasing an ear smarting cry.
She moved.
It moved.
It was coming. Maape and Gastislion were behind her. She couldn't let it have them.
There were screaming and suddenly her body felt like it was full of leaded rocks.
It was grey around her. Why was it grey around her?
Her head was ringing.
She couldn't let it through.
Bile was rising in her throat.
Her mouth tasted arcid.
She couldn't let it through.
Why wasn't she dead.
Clouds.
Time turned normal as she stumbled out of the strangely solid clouds. Why were there clouds? Where was the serpent?
Were Gastislion and Maape alright. She couldn't let her siblings die.
The sudden twisting of her head intensified the headache.
She couldn't see the serpent.
Or her siblings.
The bile rose up, her mouth tasted bitter and burned as she twisted and release the contents of the lunch that she had just eaten.
Someone was taking to her.
Maybe it was father? She couldn't see. Couldn't think.
Two other blurs held onto her, her siblings.
They were okay.
She was going to take a nap.
She drifted.
Gisela woke up with a pounding in her head unlike anything she had ever felt before. If this is what a hangover is like I am never drinking, ever. She thought, dazed as she lolled about in the hammock, trying to ride out the waves of pain that smashed her skull.
What had she done to herself!
Then she remembered. Eating on deck, the water got rough. A serpent had burst from the waves. Her siblings frozen. She had moved. Then it was fuzzy. Grey fuzzy, fuzzy grey.
Were they safe?
She didn't know.
That was all Gisela needed to force herself up, willing her headache back through force of will.
She grabbed the rough rope of the hammock and slide out, almost tumbling to the floor before she righted herself.
She could do this. She needed to.
The stinging of her knees distracted her from her throbbing of her head. That was good. Stumbling against the rocking Gisela made her way to the cabin door.
Her hand slid on the knob but she was able to find purchase open the door to the interior corridor.
Just keep going. She forced her body to move. She could do this.
Finally she reached the end.
She shoved open the next door and blinked at the bright lights and she stumbled up the steps. She a sharp stab of pain hit her knee as she tripped, falling down a step before catching herself on her hands. I don't have time for this.
Finally she made it up the stairs, clinging to the rail as hard as she could.
Her vision blurred for a moment before clearing. The deck was a wreck. Gisela could see the ruined railing and the smashed timbers as people worked to repair them. She stood awkwardly unsure of what to do.
She needed to find out what had happened to her family.
She needed to find out why her head was killing her.
One thing after another, she reminded herself, one thing after another.
"Gisela"
Gisela winced as the turning motion intefiyed the already present headache. It felt like an iron band was closing around her skull.
"Maape, Gastislion, are they all right?", Gisela demanded as her father approached.
"There fine, you should still be in bed. Anjay told me that using magic for the first time can leave you a mess"
"I used magic" Gisela asked, half dazed with relife.
"Yes. We can worry about the consequences latter, now drink this and go back to bed" he said.
They were moving? When had they started moving? Father was helping her down the stairs, he was nice, even if he didn't know her.
She was back in her hammock and he was handing her something.
"Wha'is it" Gisela asked, slurring her words as exhaustion closed in.
"Anjay told me to have you drink it next time you woke up. It will help with the magic shock"
Cluslily, she grabbed the cup. Her hand shook slightly as she brought the drink to her mouth. She felt something cool on her chin, some had dribbled as she swallowed.
Quick as it was in her hand Lynoosne had taken it back, she couldn't make out where he put it.
The world was blurring again.
"Now sleep" he said as he pulled the light sheet up.
Sleep. She could do that, that would be easy.
Gisela opened her eyes. They felt crusty. She shifted her head, waiting for the pounding headache to start again but to her great joy there were no new waves of pain. Shifting she felt sore, but it was the soreness of exercise, not strong pain.
"You're awake"
Twisting her head Gisela saw Maape looking at her from the next hammock over, her legs dangling out one side.
"You're alright". Gisela allowed herself a sigh of relief. She vaguely remembered being told that her siblings were alright but she had been afraid...they're safe Gisela, don't go there. She kicked herself mentally.
"Yeah", Maape hesitated for a second, kicking her feet. "Do you remember what happened. You know, when it attacked"
"It came from the water and it was going at Gastislion and you. I needed to stop it. Then it's just a gray haze". I did something, or someone did something and I ended up hurt. I wish Maape would just tell me instead of beating around the bush like this.
"Yeaahhhh" Maape said again, this time drawing it out. "You should talk to dad soon, I'll let him know that you are awake and somewhat functional". As she said that she pushed out of the hammock and neatly landed with not so much as a wobble. She was half way out the door when she turned back, "And Gisela" she said, pausing for a second, "thanks, sis"
"You're welcome" Gisela said quietly, not sure if Maape could still hear her as she walked down the hallway.
I hope I find out what is going on soon, last I remembered Maape was pissed at me. What happened between then and now. She tested her legs, they seemed to work, but Maape is getting Fath-Lynoosne and I should wait. I hate being bored. A lot.
Gisela tried to reach out to meditate but it was like someone shown a light in her eyes. Moments after she had quieted herself she jolted out, blinking spots from her eyes.
That was new.
Being deapan was fun. It was a great coping mechanism. Even if it was just in her head.
Gisela was about to try to meditate again when the door opened, revealing Lynoonse and… Anjay?
What's she doing here, it makes sense that he is being my father and all but Anjay is just a crew member. Unless.. A nagging suspicion formed in the back of Gisela's mind, time to listen to what they have to say. Maybe I will actually get some answers this time. She didn't want to get her hopes up.
"What happened Father"
"You have magic", he said flatly. "When- when the serpent attacked you used clouds to make a barrier between the serpent and your siblings"
"I used clouds". It was easy to focus on one detail, how were clouds strong enough to make a barrier.
"No. You used magic in the form of clouds. Magic… for all we try to rationalize it it isn't quite rational. You were able to transform and release energy, what you transform and release energy as is clouds. That is your affinity, same as mine is currents. The thing is they weren't real clouds. Not in the sense that they were just air. In the same way that magical fire doesn't always burn, magical clouds can block a blow"
"Oh. So how do your currents work? Do you materialize some form of heat or-"
"I think we should talk about what happens now" Lynoosne said, interrupting Anjay. "While I am glad, so glad that you are safe and that your were able to save", here is voice cracked a bit, "your siblings you having magic… complicates things"
"Right, it does. What happens to me now?". Gisela hadn't meant for her magic to become known, she knew that normal people in Caelum didn't have magic, that it wasn't something popular. She had been planning to hide it, to conceal it until she could leave Caelum or just use it in secret. But the way she had used her magic, there was no hiding that. None at all.
"We talk to your mother, she will understand that you just wanted to save your siblings. Then we will talk to the temple, now that you have it you need to be trained and taught to use your gift well"
"You're being really rational about this" Gisela couldn't help but observe. This whole encounter was starting to feel a bit surreal.
Lynoosne rubbed his forehead, he looked like he was trying to stave off a headache. "I'm trying. You always had to be the special child"
"Sorry", Gisela said, feeling uncomfortable. Things really weren't working out as she hoped. "How long till we get back to Caelum", she asked, trying to keep the conversation somewhat alive.
"It's night now, at the speed we are going we should be back by noon tomorrow, you didn't actually sleep for that long"
"It felt like longer", Gisela said, surprised. It was been an early lunch-brunch so I guess it makes sense but I really was a mess. She winced, even remembering the headache she had hurt. I hope magic doesn't always feel like that.
"Sleep tonight and come find me tomorrow morning. I have some exercises that can help you use your magic now that you have fully reached it" Anjay instructed before pushing off the wall that she was leaning on and leaving the room, leaving Gisela with just her father.
"Gisela" Lynoonse said before trailing off, he hesitated for a second before continuing, "I won't lie and say that it wouldn't have been easier for us before you used magic but it doesn't mean that you are not still my daughter. Chi-your mother will be shocked but she will be fine, I know it"
"Why will Mother be so upset", Gisela had wondered about that. In Caelum most people seemed not to care or see magic users like janitors, Chiosca seemed to really dislike them. It was easier to think about that than to think about Lynoonse calling her his daughter, or that Gisela didn't have the energy to refute that.
When she tried all she could think about was the moment when she jumped between her siblings and death. She had been trying to keep herself distant from them so it didn't hurt, that moment had shown her it would.
And now, now she wasn't sure where she stood or of anything except that nothing would be the same anymore. The balance had been broken and now they would have to pick up the pieces. Somehow.
Lynoonse was silent for a moment, then he started to speak again.
"She's proud. Your Mother's family has worked their way up for nothing over the years and magic… your mother sees magic as something that could risk the status that her family and her have worked so very hard for. I'm sure she will except that magic doesn't have to hurt the family, she just might take a little time. Be kind to your mother, she is doing her best in the best way that she knows"
"I will try", Gisela said, unsure if it was a promise or not. She felt her mouth stretch open into an involuntary yawn.
"I should go", he said, getting up from Maape's hammock. "It will be okay, Gisela, it will be okay". He left, leaving Gisela unsure of whether he was talking to her… or to himself.
Either way, she wished she could share his faith. Gisela's plans didn't seem to be working out. Trying to put the negative thoughts out of her head for a moment Gisela turned over in her hammock, willing herself back to sleep.
The sharp cold woke her up. Startled Gisela flung herself out of the now damp hammock, landing on the floor with a harsh thump.
Dazed, Gisela looked up into the unrepentantly grinning face of Anjay, bucket in hand. Someone's having to much fun, she thought bitterly. It wasn't her either.
"Was that necessary", Gisela complained, lying flat on the slightly rocking floor. She could taste salt in her mouth, it was gross.
"I've always wanted to do that", Anjay said, stilling smirking. Gisela had the sudden desire to punch someone, imagine that. They seemed much nicer yesterday.
"Congratulations", Gisela replied sarcastically.
"Thank you. Now come on, we are burning daylight. You need to be ready before you get the shore"
Right. Anjay was going to help her, had they decided on that yesterday? Gisela couldn't remember. Not wanting to risk another bucket of water and, even if she didn't want to admit it to her smirking tormenter, excited to learn magic Gisela shoved herself off the floor.
"Sela'wha"
Turning at the noise Gisela saw that Gastislion was somewhat awake, "it's nothing, go back to sleep" she whispered before turning back to Anjay. "Give me a moment to change out of this", she gestured to her now wet chition.
Anjay tilted their head, "fine, but be out soon. Otherwise…". They raised to bucket theatenigly, eve though she knew it was empty Gisela flinched.
After detmering that Gisela was suitably threatened Anjay turned around, leaving the room.
Gisela rushed through getting ready, she didn't really have many clothes having not packed much for the trip but her first chiton was only slightly dirty and, more importantly, it was dry. Dryness was not Gisela's current state, no matter how much she wished that it was.
Quickly swapping garments Gisela slipped out, trying not to wake them more that she already did. Getting out onto the deck Gisela could see that the sun was barely rising above the horizon.
"Really", she asked, glaring at Anjay as she emerged from the depths of the ship.
"You need time to practice. Captain said you need to be able to demonstrate your magic. Even without that don't you want to be able to summon your clouds without passing out"
"Yeah... " Gisela said, not wanting to concede.
"Then we better get started. You meditated to reach out right? Like that except with more pull"
Gisela tried.
In…
She stopped thinking what she was going to do about family
Out…
She stopped feeling the chill of an ocean morning
In…
She stopped smelling mix of salt and wood that she had soon learned was ship central.
Out…
She stopped hearing the rustling of the wind, they way it blew through the sails.
In…
She stopped.
She reached.
Beckoning.
Warm.
She had been expecting the light from the last time that she had tried to meditate but it still felt her feeling almost blinded.
She pushed through it, reaching out.
She felt something answer.
Opening her eyes she saw a slight fog around her hands. It felt warm and safe. As soon as it came it dispersed, blown apart by the wind.
"Not me", Anjay said, raising their hands in a gesture of innocents. "Not a bad try, this time see if you can get it to stick around for longer. Not much worth in a fog hand"
"Right"
Over the course of the next hour and a bit, gauging by the sun, Gisela slowly pulled more energy out, creating thicker and thicker clouds by Anjay's coaching. Soon she found herself feeling winned.
"How do I shape it" Gisela asked, panting as she used her knees to support herself.
"You're not a maker style mage so you have to manually shape it" Anjay instructed, "will it to move how you want, don't try and picture an object. I doubt that would work for you, you're too much of a manipulator"
"What's the difference?".
"Maker magic uses concepts and ideas of already existing objects as the templates for the magic's expression. They are able to materialize almost anything- so long as they already know what they are shaping. It is less flexible but the extra force that the idea gives the magic can make it stronger. Manipulators manually shape their magic. When you shift your clouds you are not trying to make a glove, correct?"
"Yeah. Which are you?", currents don't really match either of those…
"Neither. I'm not an elemental magic user, my magic affinity is more off a concept than yours. If it is a current and I am strong enough I can take hold of it with my consciousness and wield it." That's cool, Anjay raised their eyebrow, "Now isn't it time you get back to work".
"Yes Anjay"
By the time that it was about eight Gisela could reliably call clouds to dance around her. She was also incredibly hungry.
"Let's break now". Anjay stretched, pushing off the barrel that they had sat on to watch Gisela. "Magic burns a lot of energy, especially at first while your body is getting used to it", they explained as they walked to the mess with Gisela.
"You should sit with your siblings". Anjay gestured to where Maape and Gastislion were eating their breakfasts.
Seeing that Gisela was hesitated Anjay gave her a light shove.
Oh boy. Not even paying attention to the food that she had gotten Gisela took a seat at the table, acting on auto pilot.
At least I'm not the only awkward one here, Gisela thought forcing herself to be positive as she stared at her siblings. If they were. Gisela wasn't sure if she would want to be her own sibling.
"You have magic". Gisela loved Gastislion, he was great at breaking awkward silences.
"Is it new?". That was Maape always asking questions.
"Yeah, just got it when…". The serpent rose up in her mind's eye, teeth bared are roaring.
"Thanks"
Gisela ducked her head. She knew why she had pulled away but.. But given how she had acted, given that when it had come down to it it was all for nothing. Well...
"I'm sorry". She could try to do better.
She raised her head, confused. That had been more than just her voice.
"I know you are my sister Gisela, even if you suck at showing it", Maape explained.
"Sorry for not being a good sister" Gisela said, feeling guilty for all the times she had ignored the younger girl.
"Lets both be better", Maape offered.
"Deal"
After that things got less awkward and Gisela returned to attempting to eat her body weight in food. She even had to get up for a third serving.
After that she went back to working with Anjay, practicing channeling the ethernanos through her body and creating her "clouds" .
"Land ho". Turning her head at the voice Gisela could see Caelum in the distance, she was almost home.
Her stomach flipped over. Ly-Father had been okay about her magic but Chiosca had always been much louder in anti-magic.
No way to go but through, Gisela reminded herself.
Anjay had excused themselves and declared the practice over, having had to go do her real job.
All Gisela could do was wait.
Finally she could see them. Waving from the docks were Chiosca and Ca. A sick feeling rose in her stomach.
There was no avoiding it. Gisela helped as much as she could to prepare for docking, using it to get her mind off the nerves that left her feeling as if she was vibrating.
She couldn't do this.
She had to.
Finally it was time. The gang plank was lowered and Gisela stood behind her siblings, antsy for a completely different reason.
Father put a reassuring hand on Gisela's shoulder. She did her best not to pull away, she decided to be better.
Then they were walking down the plank, the ship secured to it's mooring point.
It was easy to hang back as the rest of the- her family recombined into a hug. At least until Maape dragged her in. Apparently Maape was trying to be better too.
Then they were away from the crew, Chiosca had gotten antsy when Lynoonse had left with them, leaving the ship in the hands of it's first mate.
Standing in one of the quiet groves outside the temple district Lynoonse explained.
I was right about things changing.