Tyro n. a beginner in learning : novice
Poppy scrunched her brow, trying her hardest to focus despite how ridiculous she felt. For some reason she had agreed to let Lulu try to teach her magic. Being Lulu, this of course meant drinking some bizarre concoction that turned her lips orange, painting stars under her eyes, and wearing Lulu's oversized hat. Her one consolation was that Lulu had chosen a secluded patch of forest for these "lessons."
"First," Lulu stated seriously, passing in front of Poppy rapping her staff on her palm like a schoolmarm's with a ruler, "you close your eyes to see beyond."
"Beyond what?" Poppy asked, scrunching her face. The paint on her face flaked and itched.
"Beyoooooond," Lulu enunciated, as if that made all the difference in the world.
Knowing Lulu's instructions weren't going to get any clearer, Poppy obediently closed her eyes. She looked every way she could think of, but all she could see were the dancing specks of light on the back of her eyelids.
"Do you see it?" Lulu's voice floated to her. "The seas and skies and sprawling squirrels of magic?"
Poppy didn't, at all, but she had never been one to quit without trying.
She tried and tried, until her eyes ached from searching and a pulsating whooshing sound dominated her hearing.
Through all this, Lulu had been uncharacteristically quiet. Maybe she sensed something, because she spoke just as Poppy's will began to waver.
"Seeing is only a teensy bit. Let's do some real magic!"
"Yes, please," Poppy said gratefully, opening her eyes. While she didn't particularly think that she would be any better at this, at least her lack of ability would be obvious and concrete.
Lulu tossed Poppy her staff. "Now follow me!"
She began shuffling in a rhythmless dance, full of twirls and jumps and stomps. Poppy followed along as best she could, her battle training the only thing keeping her from landing on her face.
Finally, Lulu struck a triumphant pose. "Glimmerglam!"
Poppy tottered and thrust the staff in the air. "Glimmerglam?"
A purple plume of magic burst from the gnarled wood, swirling aggressively through the air before being dispersed by a gust of wind.
Poppy stared, mouth agape.
"Piiiiix!" Lulu admonished.
Poppy glared at the Pixie. Well that certainly made more sense. The little pest didn't even have the manners to look abashed.
"I guess I'm just not a mage." Poppy shrugged. Honestly, she wasn't really surprised; she liked the weight of the hammer in her hand, and this all felt really…mimsy seemed like the right word somehow. "How about next time I show you some hammer diplomacy?"
She hoped Lulu had a little more talent with a weapon than she had with a spell. But Lulu's smile was more than consolation for an hour of silliness.