The Orb And The Onslaught {COMPLETE}

kigaM dnA yretsyM

     Silence and confusion filled the room. Both Quentin and Florence were staring at Skyrah in shock and surprise. Florence didn't know enough about magik to know what should or shouldn't be, there was so much more she needed to know.

"Have you always had magik?" She was having sime trouble processing, "Was it just laying dormant because of your... ordeal?"

     Skyrah looked like she hadn't been expecting these types of questions. Florence had the feeling she was worrying they'd shun her now that they knew. 

"Erm... No, I didn't, at least I don't remember having it. But I do remember others having magik, I think it's common where I come from."

    She stared down at her hands which held a faint glow now, she flipped them over, back to front, as though seeing them for the first time.

"Do you know how to use it?" Quentin's voice was eager and Florence assumed he was likely thinking of her earlier words about protecting them.

     Skyrah bit her lips together, her dark hair falling in front of her, "I don't..." she paused and stared harder at her hands. Whatever she was trying to do, made her face scrunch, but otherwise nothing happened. "Uh, no, I can't do anything... what's the point in that? How am I going to help?"

She looked to Florence, her eyes anxious and pleading.

    "Firstly, don't worry too much about it right now, we're all exhausted and you already exhibited a great feat of magik just recently. You need to rest, once we're underway again, we'll try to find some way to explore your abilities."

Skyrah nodded slowly, on the surface Florence's words had calmed her but she settled back into the sofa with worry behind her eyes. 

     "But where do we go from here?" Quentin spoke from the other sofa while he got himself comfortable.

"I have an idea about that," Florence admitted. "However we're not discussing it until we've all had some sleep. I don't know when we'll receive hospitality such as Maria has given us again, let's make the most of her kindness."

    She received no arguments there. Skyrah had fidgeted down into the covers on the sofa until only her face was visible. Quentin was mumbling where he was, half asleep and basking in the warmth from the fire. Florence watched them momentarily then turned back to the cats, who were all sleeping peacefully. She got herself comfortable next to them on the fluffy rug, stroking them to hear only purring and contentment in response.

     Her own words echoed in her mind, there was no way of knowing when they'd get a warm place to stay again. The state they'd all been in just hours before; cold, muddy, exhausted and injured. It wasn't a state she ever wanted to see any of them in again, and yet she got the feeling it might. She reached her arm around and stared at her cast, the rain had made it soft and flexible- it was doing nothing for her anymore. 

    Very carefully, she pulled at the edge surrounding her hand and it came off easily. She felt no pain in her arm, the cast lay on the floor beside her, as she stretched and flexed her arm. She needed to be fully mobile now that the cats were out of commission. She wasn't used to not having them there, ready to serve and protect. Perhaps she took them for granted. At that thought, all three heads lifted to turn and look at her, meowing their distaste for what she was thinking.

    "I'm sorry, go back to sleep." She smiled, watching them lay their heads back down, tails flicking around them.

She pulled a cushion down from the armchair and rested her head on it. Letting the fire warm her and sleep take her into its peaceful, restorative depths.