Familial Ties-Part 4 of the Nightingale Series

(Lol hey guys I'm alive and here to write more for the Nightingale series. And hopefully more. Hope you guys enjoy this installment! Also side note for later on in this part: in the universe I've created magic can be done without a conduit [like without a wand or stave/staff] but with one the magic is able to be performed on a larger scale and more powerful and the person casting it has more control. Anyways enjoy!)

"So how is it being the apprentice to the big ol' great Mage? Like what does she teach you? Is it fun? Or does he talk like my old teacher and just goes on and on and on and on?" Vivienne asks excitedly as she leads you somewhere.

You laugh and let her know the Mage is a great woman. You explain how her lessons are always exciting, especially considering how you've always loved magic. Every lesson you received from her was exciting and made you excited to take on her role. You tell her how the Mage felt like the mother you had always dreamed of. Your face falls after you say that and you go quiet.

Vivienne stops and turns to you.

"Is everything...alright? Did I touch a sensitive topic? Ohmygosh I'm sorry!" Vivienne exclaims

You shake your head and tell her it's alright. You tell her how you grew up in an orphanage in the capital city. You had friends and the people who ran the orphanage were nice, but you never had a proper family. Then when you began practicing magic and excelled beyond everyone's expectations is when you became the Mage's apprentice. You smile as you tell her how the Mage gave you the sense of family. You tell Vivienne not to worry too much as it's all in the past now.

Vivienne nods and sighs.

She smiles, "Anyways, c'mon let's get to practicing!"

~

Vivienne leads you to a building that resembles a green house. Inside there are plants, however there appears to be a mage's study shoved in as well. Bookshelves, a desk, and various other magic necessities are scattered throughout the building. You laugh at the site before you, having always studied in dusty libraries and high towers. Vivienne turns to you and smiles.

"What?" She asks, "I love natural magic so this seemed like the best course of action. Gee and Markus helped me set everything up."

You simply tell her you had a very stereotypical experience when you learned magic.

She laughs, "Ah, my first teacher always told me that if I were to continue magic I should do it in a place I love. And this is it; I'm surrounded by the best people and I have a workspace where I am able to do whatever nature magic I want. It's perfect! Oh, speaking of magic I love, what's your favorite magic to do? Or are you one of those people who can't decide?"

You smile and tell her you've done all sorts of magic and just haven't found the right one, and that the Mage was helping you find it.

"That makes sense. Oooo! Can you show me something the Mage taught you? Like, um, maybe something she did at the festivals?"

You nod, saying those spells were some of the first she taught you. You summon your stave. It appears before you in a small magic cloud. Your stave is an elegant one. It is made out of a dark oak wood, with veins of a dark blue jewel tracing up and down it. At the top an intricately twisted metal forms a half cage where an orb, which is always changing colors, delicately floats. You grab the stave and see Vivienne's shocked expression. You cock your head to the side and ask her why she's shocked.

"Summoning your stave like that...! It was so clean! It was amazing! You just did it with such ease! Wow!" Vivienne exclaims, "Summon spells are usually the hardest and you just did that with no problem! Also your stave is so pretty! Mine is just a simple wooden one with a dark green orb fixed to the top, nothing fancy. Anyways, sorry for freaking out like that. Magic just always makes me excited."

You nod and tell her you understand completely. Using your stave you say a short incarnation. A galaxy swirls out of the orb and takes its place around the room. You see Vivienne looking around, her face shining brighter than the stars. You sheepishly ask her what she thinks.

"This was always my favorite part during the festivals," she responds, amazement in her voice, "and you've just recreated for me. It's amazing!"

You smile and take a mock bow. Just as you're about to say something, Gee frantically throws open the door.

"Save the magic show for later; we've got a problem," she states.