Disclaimer: Kirby belongs to Nintendo and HAL Laboratory.
Fecto Elfilis finally stirred and opened their eyes the next morning. They noticed their arm had been reduced to a puddle. They let out a soft hiss of pain and slowly regenerated the parts of them which were missing using their stored biomass. After that, they went on to clean up the puddle of themself in the bed. Once they finished, they noticed Vesa fast asleep next to the futon while laying on a blanket decorated with pillows. Instead of trying to wake her up, Elfilis pulled their futon closer to her before laying back down.
Several minutes passed before Vesa groaned and opened her eyes, slowly sitting up.
"Good morning," Elfilis said as they sat up, "how are you doing?"
Vesa blinked twice and gazed into Elfilis's eyes.
"I wanted to keep you company last night," she admitted, "are you ok?"
"My body is still sore," Elfilis sighed, "but I'll be fine in a short while."
Vesa sat on the futon, leaning closer to Elfilis. They purred as their tail swayed side to side.
"I have a general idea on what your affinity might be, I believe," Elfilis told her, "it's likely something close to support or assistance. I think its application is rather broad and uncertain. But, it means you'll have difficulty with any spells meant to attack others."
Vesa gasped softly in awe upon this revelation.
"So that means I must've hit the right mark when I started learning that water augment spell," she commented.
"Yes," Elfilis agreed, "so far, the spells you've learned have mostly been support based. It makes sense that only now are we having issues. The next spell I'll teach you is going to work much better at keeping you safe, I believe."
Elfilis concentrated until their nails began glowing faintly in a blue color.
"This spell is called the magic scalpel," they continued, "a useful technique meant for medical use, but it's also dangerous if you want it to be. It lets you selectively cut anything you touch as long as it is organic in nature. Usually, it's meant for performing surgery without breaking the skin to prevent bleeding. A skilled user can use it in ways which can be lethal."
Vesa examined her hands as she took a moment to process the information.
"Is there something I can use to demonstrate it on?" she asked.
"I can create a fake body if you want?" Elfilis offered.
"Perhaps something with internal injuries," Vesa suggested, raising her index finger.
"I can do that," Elfilis nodded, "what do you want me to make?"
"Let's see," Vesa pondered, "are there any wildlife animals you assimilated on my planet when you first arrived?"
"I have several," Elfilis answered.
"Even a rabbit?"
"Yes," Elfilis nodded, "what kind of injuries do you want to try healing? You won't be able to heal it with just the scalpel spell, you'll need some real healing magic to do that. It would need to be alive."
"Perhaps some basic cuts will do. I mean, I want to know if I can handle healing spells first before I try that scalpel."
"To practice a real healing spell, you'll need a living creature. The only spells that can be used to heal corpses are considered necromancy. Necromancy back home was…frowned upon. It wasn't illegal, however it was a difficult thing to practice since no one wants their family members being dug up and used for practice. Not to mention there are a few things that it can be used for other than battle of the worst kind. There were necromancers, however, who could make a living by preparing corpses for burial, making them look nice and healing wounds, that kind of thing."
"Which is why I was going for a living creature anyway," she agreed.
Elfilis nodded before they spawned a living rabbit and placed it on the bed, making sure its brain was intact. Vesa examined the rabbit carefully, but realized it lacked a soul, hence its brain activity was fake.
"Now let me show you a basic healing spell," Elfilis said, "this one is meant to be used up close rather than at range like most healers like to do in combat."
Vesa watched as Elfilis's hands took on a green glow, sparkles dancing around the hands.
"Here," they continued, "feel what I'm doing."
Vesa reached out her hands until her fingertips touched theirs. The sensation of the spell gave off warmth and comfort, almost relaxing if it weren't for the small jolt of energy she got like a small adrenaline rush meant to keep her on her feet.
"Now try it yourself," Elfilis instructed.
Vesa withdrew her hand and focused her eyes on the rabbit as she concentrated her mana reserves. It took a few minutes before her mana channeled into her hands, which emitted a green sparkling glow. She hovered her hands over the rabbit's small lacerations. The wounds slowly started to knit themselves together, which seemed harder even when she had a vague idea of what she was doing. She recalled the science classes she took growing up apart from her own medical history.
The wounds finished closing in a matter of minutes. Vesa let out a breath of exhaustion and sweated a little.
"You did well for a first try," Elfilis told her, "though it seemed like you were brute forcing the spell a little."
Vesa locked eyes onto Elfilis.
"I'm not really sure why it's hard to kick the habit," she admitted with a shrug.
Elfilis lowered their feelers.
"Oh, it seems you misunderstood," they frowned, "brute forcing a spell is essentially giving your magic an intention and forcing it to work. Technically, you can do anything as long as you have enough magic to brute force a spell with the effect you want. However, having knowledge as to how to achieve the effect you want certainly helps. Technically, all magic spells are 'brute forcing' it in a way since we're ordering magic around to get results, but we typically call it that if you aren't using the spell formulae, a spell circle, or a focus to make it happen. I feel like this is my failing as a teacher personally since I didn't give you a spell circle or have you study it in a book."
Elfilis closed their eyes softly.
"At some point, you'll be able to do spells without the circle and experience no major drain," they continued, "but for now, it's probably best that I teach them to you still."
"At least I appreciate what you're doing for me," Vesa smiled.
Elfilis returned their gaze to the rabbit.
"And I enjoy teaching you," Elfilis nodded in agreement, "honestly, my sister Zan would be the best option to teach spell circles to you."
Elfilis scooped the rabbit into their arms and reabsorbed it.
"So," they asked her, "do you have any other plans for today?"
Vesa took out her map from her pocket bangle and read it carefully, her finger tracing on the northwest section.
"Bubbly Clouds?" Vesa said, "I wonder what that place is like."
"It's in the sky, for one," Elfilis explained, "I recall seeing it a while back during my first flight to the Fountain of Dreams."
Vesa stashed the map into her pocket bangle.
"Then, can we go see it?" she requested.
"That sounds fine to me," Elfilis nodded.
After breakfast, Vesa and Elfilis left the tower and meandered through the courtyard. Up ahead, they could see Elfilin chattering with Kirby.
"Ready to go?" Elfilis asked, "it seems Kirby and my brother have similar plans…again."
Elfilis wagged their tail as they eyed the pink star warrior. Elfilin happily hopped onto the Warp Star, and Kirby flew it up into the sky seconds later. Vesa smiled at Elfilis and nodded at them.
"Let's go," Vesa proclaimed.
Elfilis scooped Vesa into their arms. They spread their winglike ears and took off into the sky. Soaring above the lands of Pop Star, they made their way to one of many areas of solid clouds existing in Dreamland.
Upon arriving at Bubbly Clouds, the first thing Vesa noticed was orange, green and purple bubbles decorating the white clouds. Pillars with red and white swirls topped with star ornaments dotted the area. Seemingly large bubbles with colorful swirls floated in the sky.
"I wonder how much of this is made with magic and how much is constructed by the inhabitants," Elfilis commented, "most of it seems natural."
Elfilis touched down on one of the clouds, setting Vesa onto the surface. She glanced down and shuffled her feet, amazed the cloud underneath didn't give way for her unlike the clouds she knew about on her planet. Elfilis scanned their surroundings, their feelers fluttering from the sensation of dream based magic. As she examined a tower from a distance, she slowly tread along the cloud, sidestepping a couple wiggling bubbles.
"It's probably a good idea to be careful where you step," Elfilis told her, "the clouds may be solid, but there are holes in the cloud cover."
"R-Right," Vesa stammered.
Vesa scampered towards Elfilis, grasping their hand with hers. Elfilis enclosed their fingers around her hand as they wandered around. A bunch of Noddies perched on a platform as they napped. A Kabu could be seen annoying a nearby Scarfy. Vesa's eyes wandered until she spotted Bandee on another cloud in the distance standing next to a telescope. He didn't seem to mind the UFO circling him curiously, which actually intrigued Elfilis as it seemed to be bio-mechanical.
When Vesa and Elfilis reached the edge of the cloud, she took notice of a circular balcony holding a pool, with water flowing from a cloud above it topped with an imitation tree decorated with colorful bells.
"That looks beautiful," Vesa gasped in awe, "I'd love to go check it out!"
"Of course," Elfilis smiled.
Elfilis swayed their tail as they gently lifted Vesa into their arms. The ultimate life-form flew across the sky and reached the platform. Once they touched down, Elfilis set her onto the ground. Vesa approached the pool and observed a Waddle Dee relaxing in a beach float. A flock of Bronto Burts flew above them in a zigzag pattern. She spotted an ornate gazebo nearby. She glanced over her shoulder and beckoned Elfilis to follow her. When they set foot into the gazebo, they fixated their eyes onto the rainbow ahead.
"This rainbow," she mused, "it looks amazing up here. Even more so than the ones I've seen back on my planet."
"Indeed, it does."
Vesa leaned closer to Elfilis, allowing them to place their hand on her shoulder. She could feel her heart racing as her face reddened with excitement. She snaked her arm around their waist, their tail wagging happily. Vesa turned until her body was facing theirs. Elfilis knelt to pull her into a gentle embrace. She noticed her partner's face also happened to redden.
"Hey, Elfilis?"
"Yes?" Elfilis raised their brow.
Vesa tilted her head up, gazing into their eyes.
"Have you…ever kissed anyone before?" she asked.
Elfilis took a moment to think as they blinked slowly.
"No," they admitted, "I've never been that close to anyone."
"Me neither," Vesa replied, "but I think I've seen how it goes in my world. Do you want me to show you?"
"I suppose it wouldn't hurt," Elfilis nodded slowly.
Upon cue, Vesa cupped their cheek in her hand, tilting her head to examine their face. When her eyes located a small mouth on Elfilis's lower jaw, she leaned in and pressed her lips against theirs. Elfilis purred as they kissed back. Vesa closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her alien partner. Elfilis wrapped their winglike ears around her and held her close.
When Vesa and Elfilis broke off the kiss for a moment, they gazed into each other's eyes. They continued to purr and nuzzled her face.
"Not bad for a first kiss, huh?" she mused.
"Of course."
Vesa closed their eyes while Elfilis licked her face. After a moment, she pulled them into another passionate kiss. They squeaked a little and their feelers twitched. Still, they gently cupped the back of her head. As Vesa and Elfilis kept their lips locked together, her tongue brushed along the inside of their mouth. Elfilis let out a confused squeak for a moment, yet they enjoyed the sudden sensation. They returned the gesture, their lightly barbed tongue licked hers.
A minute passed before Vesa and Elfilis broke off the kiss. The ultimate life-form unfurled their ears. Smiling, Vesa placed her hand on their head. They blinked softly, their face still red. Vesa and Elfilis turned their heads, noticing as Kirby was participating in an Air Grind race against a Waddle Doo, a Sir Kibble and Elfilin in the distance. Elfilis didn't really say much, still dazed from their first kiss.
Vesa and Elfilis sat down at a nearby bench and took a few minutes to rest. Once they both calmed down, they stood up.
"I wonder what kind of unique creatures this place has," Vesa said with a shrug.
"Well," Elfilis placed a finger on their lower jaw, "magic saturated areas like this one tend to have a variety of unique flora and fauna, if that's what you're looking for."
Vesa smiled at Elfilis as she led them out of the gazebo. They gave her an affectionate headbutt before scooping her into their arms.
"I don't think I say it enough," Elfilis confessed, "but I'm blessed to have you in my life."
Vesa stared in awe upon hearing those words. Her heart fluttered in warmth in a matter of seconds the instant she realized what Elfilis meant.
"Ah," she blurted, "thank you, Elfilis."
Vesa rested her head on Elfilis's shoulder. After they nuzzled her cheek, they began soaring through Bubbly Clouds, both of them doing some sightseeing and observing the residing wildlife.
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