Two little notes:

The Little Girl plot line/short story will actually have three more parts to it. Because to be completely honest, I like Badr/Leila father/daughter fluff. Looking back on the story, I do wish there would have been a way for Leila to have meet him after she came to Tison Village, but timeline and canon got in my way.

This is just cute little actual first encounter stuff between Salena and Leila. I regret not just putting this in the regular story.

I do not own magi or the characters. I do own my oc.

Chapter 9: First Encounter

—Leila's POV—

I lean back against the wall, wishing I could even out my breathing. I don't know how much more I can really take. At this rate I'll die or be turned into Reim.

And Sinbad…

I try to choke back a sob, not sure what to do. That damn idiot. He promised…

I tense up as the large heavy wooden door is slowly opened. I tense up more at the sight in front of me.

A little girl is standing in the doorway. She's on the shorter side and thin. She still looks like she's healthy, but like she could gain a bit of weight. Her straight dark brown hair just hits her shoulders. A round face with big purple/blue eyes look around nervously and scared. She's biting her bottom lip nervously.

"Hi," I whisper. I regret it as the girl jumps a little, dropping the pouch she was carrying, spilling the contents. She grips the bottoms of her basic little dress looking at me with fear. "Sorry," I say gently. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"It's okay," she says picking the stuff up. She shuts the door with some effort.

I watch in silence as she comes over and sets the stuff next to me, organizing it. I'm shocked by what she brought in here. There's a worn brown pouch of water, a little bread, and a very small piece of fruit. She also has a few jars of oils and ointments.

"Did you…bring this to help me," I ask gently. The little girl doesn't look up or say anything but nods. "Thanks."

She mumbles a reply, and opens the pouch of water. She hands it to me before opening up a jar. Before I can say anything, she takes a little bit and applies it to the still bleeding cut running down along my calf. I sip the water, relishing in how refreshing it feels.

I lean back, watching the little girl work, but I'm starting to feel sick. I'm not used to having much of anything in my stomach.

"Can you lean forward," asks the girl quietly. I turn and look down at her. She's looking down at her bare feet, probably scared of me.

"Yeah," I say moving as much as I can. Any movement of my back though is agonizing. They recently decided that to burn my side with hot coals and it's throbbing.

I watch as the girl moves my shirt up, her eyes widening at the site of the burn.

"If you're scared, you don't have to help me," I whisper. The little kid shakes her head. I reach over with my still bound hands and pat her on the head. "Thanks." I put my hands back in my lap as she looks at me with those big, scared purple eyes. I offer her a small smile.

She doesn't return it and opens another jar, applying a different ointment to my side before treating the throbbing wounds from being whipped.

"You can lean back," she says quietly. I do so finally feeling a little at ease. She holds out the apple to me.

"Was this your food," I ask. I'd hate to take it from a young child. I can't tell how old she is, but definitely younger than Ja'far. She shakes her head. "How did you get this then?"

"I took it," she says quietly. I can't help but smile at the brief moment of pride the girl has flash through her eyes.

"You don't need to do that on my account."

"Maader's poisoning you," says the girl. I'm a bit taken aback by the fact that she knows this. "My sister said you need to eat soon. She said that Maader's starving you too."

I sigh, but take the apple. I take a bite, feeling happy as I swallow the untainted item. It's sweet and tart and juicy. It's just simple and nice.

I laugh a little to myself. I guess I really am in a bad place when an apple gives me peace. I nearly finish and go to bite the core like usual (waste not, want not), only for the little girl to grab my arm lightly. I turn towards her a little confused. She quickly pulls her hand away seeming nervous.

"The seeds could upset your stomach," she says quietly looking down.

"Oh," I say setting it down with the other items. "Thanks for telling me."

The girl mutters a response. She hands me the little bit of bread. I take a bite and chew it thoroughly. It's not the best tasting thing, but it's better than nothing.

I glance back the little girl who picks up a bottle of oil.

"Can I…um-"

I nod so that she doesn't have to talk since she's too nervous to do so. She gently puts a little bit of oil onto my shoulders. I go to rub it in, but she does so instead. The scent is faint, but soothing, regardless of strength.

"My sister said that will help with your pain," says the little girl. "It should also help you sleep. She said you looked tired."

"She sounds like she knows her stuff," I say with a small smile. The little girl nods. "Make sure you tell her I said thank you, Okay?"

"Okay," says the little girl.

"I need you to do something else for me," I say. The girl looks at me, more confusion than fear in her eyes. "I want you to promise that you won't come back to help me."

"No," says the girl sassily. I pause a bit surprised by the feistiness. "You need help."

"You're scared though, aren't you," I ask. She pauses but nods reluctantly. "You don't need to be scared for my sake."

"I'm still going to help you," says the girl. "You can't stop me."

"You're right," I say quietly. "I can't, but I don't get why you are. Just make sure you and your sister stay safe and I'll be fine."

"I'm…I'm helping you," says the girl working to stand her ground. "You seem…different. Like you can do something amazing."

"What does that mean," I ask raising an eyebrow.

"I have to go back," says the little kid picking up the last of the items. "I'll come back later."

"I'm Leila, by the way," I say as she goes to open the door. She stops and seems to shift uncomfortably. "Can you tell me your name?"

"Salena," says the little girl, well…Salena, turning to face me. I smile and she smiles a little bit back at me.

"That's a pretty name," I compliment. I try to not laugh at the little blush on the her cheeks. She probably isn't used to compliments or praise, but then again I still am not used to it. "Make sure you stay safe, Salena."

She nods before leaving quickly and quietly.

She's a special little kid.

I lean my head back letting the most restful sleep I've had in weeks come peacefully.