TRAVEL FAR AWAY (BTS & MAMAMOO)

THREADS OF MAGIC

One child continued to sulk and refused to say goodnight.

In Byulyi's mind, she was torn between staying where she was and going over to the bay window where she had forgotten her purple security blanket. Going over there would mean having to cross Minhyuk's bed and be forced into a truce with the elder brother. The teasing was still fresh in her mind.

Byulyi can't do ma-!

"Where is my starlight?" Mrs. Moon sat on her daughter's bed.

"Hmph," Byulyi pulled on the comforter and covered her head.

Mrs. Moon scooped up the toddler and settled her on her lap. "Now, what's on my baby's mind?"

"Baby," Minhyuk giggled before closing his eyes.

Mrs. Moon unwrapped the blanket, only for Byulyi to bury her face into the fluffy fabric.

"I can't do anything wight (right)," Byulyi's said in a muffled sound.

Mrs. Moon made eye contact with her husband. Mr. Moon gave her a sympathetic look as he crossed the room to Seulgi's bassinet.

Compared to her siblings, Byulyi had not yet manifested any magical ability. When Minhyuk was three, he did accidental magic by making his broccoli change colors. Even Seulgi, who was only one year old, made her stuffed animal hop behind her as she crawled around.

Byulyi peeked one eye out and watched her father cast a spell to make Seulgi's mobile spin. She liked watching people do magic. She enjoyed seeing glowing strands that swirled from people's arms and flowed into ribbons from their wands. The colors changed depending on the spell. That night Byulyi saw pink ribbons wrap around the mobile before slowly vanishing.

"Hm. Tell you what. I need a special someone to do a job for me," Mrs. Moon smoothed out the baby hair from her daughter's forehead.

Byulyi lowered her blanket down to her nose at the suggestion. Half convinced she could not help but want to be that special someone.

"I need someone," Mrs. Moon whispered as if sharing a secret only with Byulyi. "To keep the family heirloom safe tonight."

A spark flickered on Byulyi's face. She turned towards Minhyuk's bed and was grateful that he was asleep.

"Me. Mama. Me," Byulyi hushed.

"Okay then," Mrs. Moon nodded towards her husband for him to approach them.

Mr. Moon sat at the end of Byulyi's bed and tickled her foot. "Ready, starlight?"

"Uh-huh," Byulyi bobbed a little in her mother's arms.

(Soundtrack: Tsungi Horn, Avatar the Last Airbender)

Mr. and Mrs. Moon hummed a pleasant tune, awakening the magic in their veins. Byulyi felt the stir of something tingling in their little circle. They raised their open palms, and like striking drums, glowing streaks began to pulse and formed spirals on their skin. Inked on their hands were the lines of a golden magnolia flower.

"Wow," Byulyi breathed.

Mr. Moon took an inhale and brought his fingers to the tattoo. Like a thin film, it easily peeled off. His eyes then followed the golden magnolia as it floated in front of his eyes and gradually developed into tangible stone, its surface shiny.