Sal~

I think the reason I hate history class so much is because of our extensive unit on the Salem Witch Trials. That was a bit traumatizing as a kid. It took me a few years to realize that actual witches like myself would be able to escape any type of torture they came up with, but still, I haven't look at non-magic people the same since. 

In history today, we're learning about the first settler of Chicago, Jean Baptiste Point DuSable. Little is it known that he was actually a witch. As Mr. Byrd drones on and on about how his home was on the bank of the Chicago River and how 'this is very important knowledge in the history of Kast and Uvete rivalry...', I look at my watch for the 100th time. We're not even ten minutes into the class! I'm feeling a little slow today, probably because of the hot, muggy weather.

"He was a jack-of-all-trades. working as a carpenter, cooper, miller, and..." I'm only picking up pieces of the lesson. Fortunately, Mr. Byrd never calls on any students, because he's too busy blabbering on and on about things 90% of the students couldn't care less about. Fifteen minutes into class. I occupy myself by doodling little flowers in my history notebook (that is completely blank except for the charm on the cover that keeps it from being stolen)

I open up my very organized planner. Writing things down helps calm my nerves, and I know I'm not forgetting anything. Let's see. History first hour, then... yes! Medicinal Magic with Ms. Imani! It's a class required at KAMTI- you have to take it at least once before you graduate junior high, but if medicinal magic seems to be your 'thing' then there's Medicinal Magic II, Introduction to Elixirs, or Herbal Healing. I'm pretty excited for that. 

I also see that I've written something in after Medicinal Magic. It's a lecture or something, during my study hall. Cool! I remember now that it's about controlling our powers in non-magic environments. And God knows I need that.

~~~

So, yeah, Clouded Leopard, Sal will be attending Devon's lecture. 

~Myles

I hop on the train, iPod in hand. There are no seats left so I grab onto the rail. The tune Courting on the Court by Haley Semper, my favorite song artist, comes on. The waves of tech calm me down, and it's a good thing too, because today is my first day at KAMTI.

sorry it's so short. 

Here's the drawing I was talking about. It's Charly running late to class! I had to photoshop it brighter, so I hope it shows up well.

Note: Anyone from Kast who wants to be in the audience can be, it doesn't matter!

Devon

~~

Taking in a deep breath, I nervously run my fingers through my hair and adjust the tie roped around my neck, concerned about it feeling tighter than usual. Oh well, that might just be nerves. My heels click on the floor of the stage as I walk out, blinking for a moment at the brightness of the lights. Annoyed, I find that the podium is too short, and with a tiny flick of my finger I pull the wood up, causing it to rise to a more comfortable height. Alright, I think. Let's do this. 

"Hello, everyone, and welcome to a lecture on the use- and control- of your magic in the normal human's world. Now, to most people, it might not seem like something that should have to be controlled. After all, magic is magic, yes? But a lot of the time it can be dangerous around non-magical people and environments." I rack through my mind for a second, trying to think of a power to use as an example. I... hm, I don't know anyone who has weather magic. If so, well, they'll just have to assume I'm not referring to them. "Take wind magic, for example. In a small space it can be controlled, but if it gets too out of hand, it can be nearly impossible for those who don't posses magic to halt it. 

Of course, not everything can be out of control. With time, and temperment-" I almost catch myself on the word here, I can think of far too many times when my temper's gotten the best of me. "-it can successfully be made to calm down. One thing that many witches do to control magic is to try and control emotion. Many magical surges can be caused when your emotions spiral out of control, making you more likely to snap.  

Another tip you can try if you magic every starts to get out of control, or even if you just feel like you need something to help yourself with, try carrying around a small, ordinary object, like a rock or a wallet. It can help channel your magic into the item, though it depends on whatever your talent may be. For instance..." My heart started hammering in my throat as I took out the tiny driftwood I'd pocketed earlier today for this example. I know I shouldn't nervous about something like this, but I can't help it. Relaxing for a moment (how ironic- I've been telling them to relax to stop magic, now I'm doing it myself to summon some) I twist my hand around the driftwood, and it molds like putty under my fingertips and swirls into a large, plate-sized seashell shape. There's a collective and stifled murmur from the audience, as I had guessed. I don't suppose many Kast members would have seen such a Uvete-seeming power- making art from nature. Though, 'art' it should really be called. Mostly I just deal in construction and electronics... anyways. 

"This small object may change in accordance with your magical talent, but it shouldn't be too noticable for any civilian or non-magical person to notice, and it often helps decrease any chance of destruction or other occurences."

~~

Sorry, that's all I got for this part. I know lectures can be and are much longer, but I don't think I can write 5 1/2 pages on a topic I'm kinda making up as I go. I established a few things about magic in the world, hope it's okay, Bluebird. I know that Sal is attending this lecture- anyone else who is can post about him speaking or something happening in the middle of it. 

~Imagine~

I don’t want to go to school today.

I must seem so childish right now, but I actually don’t feel well. I was partners with someone sick a  few days ago, and at any rate, I’d rather be writing in my notebook than listening to a boring lecture in History class, or solving dull numbers in math.

“Mom?”

“Yes, hija?”

“I’m sick. Can I skip school today?”

“Ginny, I know you don’t like school. But you’re smart, and need to show it with your grades. You’ll miss things if you skip?”

I smile inwardly. Mom should know by now that she never wins an argument with me. For goodness’ sake, my magical power is writing and persuasion! Any argument put in my mouth is made a hundred times stronger.

Taking a deep breath, I turn on the charmspeak. “Mama, you know that productivity fails when one is sick. Imagine me going to school, snapping at other children because I don’t feel well, and not being able to concentrate! Imagine a teacher yelling at me and hating me because I’m not paying attention in class.”

“But Ginny--”

We argue on for some time, but eventually, she’s won over.

“Alright, Imagine. I have to go to work now, but you can stay home.”

“Yes! Thank you! Gracias, Mama!” I give her a hug, grinning like mad. Seven hours. Seven hours freed up, seven hours to spend on my notebook!

I run upstairs and stick a pencil in the sharpener. It’s time to get down to writing.

~~~

That was the best day in a long time, but eventually, my parents came home and I had to put the paper down to do chores.

“I don’t know how she does it,” Mama said, shaking her head. “Imagine convinced me again!”

My dad sighed. “Ginny--”

Just then, the doorbell rang. Putting the dishes down, I went to open it. Probably homework. But who was it?

I opened it. It was . . .

Ahh, guys I'm SO sorry I haven't been posting! I had piano Guild auditions, then I was sick, then I had testing... could someone catch me up on what's happened?

Sadie~

PE is one of my favorite classes, especially when we get to duel. I'm there early, as usual, and I sit and wait for everyone else. As they start filing in, Mr. P puts us into pairs. I'm dueling with someone named Jonas. We step three paces away from each other and get into fighting stances. My mind is racing as I think of different ways I could use my magic against this opponent. Come to think of it, I didn't know Jonas very well, and I didn't know what his power was. I'd have to be careful. Mr. P called out,

"Begin!" We circled each other warily for a moment, then Jonas started humming. Suddenly, the air was filled with colors and smells and sounds, and I knew I was seeing the music. A burst of light whizzing past my left ear brought me back to reality. I dove to the right as another burst of magic came at me. Vines burst up behind Jonas and wrapped around his legs, pulling him back. I shot some magic at him, but it missed, just barely grazing his arm. He managed too get free of the vines and shoot a blast of magic at me. I blocked it, then dodged another shot, but he anticipated it. I sprawled on the floor as he gave an impossibly fast return shot that left me seeing music notes in the air. I left that particular PE class feeling quite a bit disgruntled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

@Bluebird

Do we just have our specialty powers, or other, more basic magic?

@Danie

If you wanted your character's powers to be used in a different way, feel free to completely ignore this post! :)