Dearest Lana

Chapter Three

"Strength, is all about weakness."
Jasmine stared at him with narrowed eyes, eyebrows knitted together so there was a crease between them.
"There's no weakness for Arians. They're monsters."
The Biryan chuckled at that, lines forming under his eyes. This frustrated her, the only time he smiled was when he was making fun of her, or laughing at her.
"My dear, monster is a relative term,
To a small bird, a cat would be considered a monster. But humans, we are used to being cats. Now, the Arians are the cats. It's not their fault we became birds."
Jasmine sighed deeply. She supposed he was right, but it didn't lessen her hatred.
"So, anyway, now we must discover that weakness.
Who do you care about most? Your foster parents? A sibling or something?"
Jasmine shook her head. Sure, she was grateful to all of them but she didn't care for them, as much as she felt guilty saying it.
"Fine, a friend perhaps?"
Jasmine only had two friends- a Cayran girl like herself, and a Biryan boy from the house next door. But neither did she have a special relationship with.
"What if...what if my weakness was myself?"
This sparked his interest and he nodded as if a gesture for her to continue, his eyes gleaming brightly at her.
"I mean, together with insecurities and the natural human instinct to put yourself first, I'd say that's my biggest weakness."
Satisfied, the Biryan nodded and made his way over to the wooden table in the centre of the room. "It's white pine, beautiful piece."
Jasmine made an 'hm' sound in agreement, watching him stroke the knots that decorated the surface of the table.
"Magic isn't about light and shit coming from your hands, it can come in different forms: spirit which is a mental power. It can be mind control, mind reading, emotional manipulation etc. Or, it can be physic which implies any physical magic such as appearance changing or shape shifting."
Jasmine took a deep breath.
It was a lot to take in. Not only that magic was possible in those with no special abilities, but there were endless possibilities for magic too.
She looked down at her hands. The small doll-like hands with bitten fingernails were not something she could ever imagine forming magic, or any kind of strength.
Jasmine almost didn't notice the door slam shut, and she gave a loud gasp and a yelp. She span to see the Biryan smiling with amusement.
"So I guess you can do spirit then." She breathed.
He laughed heartily and turned to the door, and it swung open again. He nodded.
"How long did that take you to learn?"
"Years. But it was worth it. Now, get out my house you've been here for hours!"
Jasmine placed a hand over her heart, mocking hurt, and walked towards the front door. She tried not to act surprised when the door opened for her.
She could hear his laughter from inside.
Busy smiling to herself, she almost didn't see the short blonde girl watching her, arms crossed.
"Jasmine Lila Wilson, what are you doing in his house?" She gasped.
Jasmine's friend was a beautiful short blonde who's hair reached down to her hips. Her eyes, a deep blue that made some flinch, as it was such an extraordinary colour.
If Jasmine had been asked to define nature by a colour, she'd have picked January's eyes. They were like the sea, ocean and sky all rolled into one.
Jasmine looked into said eyes, the determination and confusion sparkling like a fire.
"Look, January, please don't tell my mum. He's just helping me is all."
January didn't take her eyes off Jasmine's, and her arms didn't uncross either. But she sighed and fell for her friend's pleading puppy-dog eyes.
"Fine Jaz, but not until I get an explanation." Jasmine groaned at her friend's stubbornness. But, Jasmine felt it was her fault. Even before she had met January, her friend had a reputation for her stubborn attitude. It was 'typical Cayran' apparently.
"I'll tell you everything, but not now Jan. You know there's like spies everywhere."
"Fine Jaz, but I expect you to explain soon. Before the Gathering. I expect you and that Biryan have plans for then."
Jasmine waved January off and began her walk home. Sometimes she frustrated Jasmine so much. Is calling him Biryan any different then when others hate on Cayran? At least Jasmine had learnt from her mistake. He had taught her that.
She contemplated asked January to come with her on her next visit. But, a part of her didn't want to share his company and knowledge.
So instead she forced her way back to her simple cottage at the end of the road, thinking of as many excuses as she could to use for January.