Ensorcell

Birds Nest

Other than that, Melony's day was going well. Study hall was in the library, throughout the period she looked through the thin, shiny pages of her history book. Near the end of the book are pictures about found objects from the old world. Her favorite is the photo of the first telephone with a mouthpiece and an earpiece. There are other things of course, beautiful golden bird cages, fountain pens, and other strange, slow, and difficult looking objects.

Finally, it was time for air class. For their first class together, walked outside together into a large clearing with clean cut grass. The 20 first years in their little gray uniforms waited excitedly. Ms. Puffin said loudly "I've decided to start with something fun for our first day. I believe the best way for you to learn is by being thrown into it. So, let's go."

She was talking about the nests.

Many kids raised in air magic families have played in a smaller version of a nest at some point. They are round and look exactly like a bird's nest made out of twigs. Inside, the seat is padded and made of soft, plump fabric. There's a lap seat belt to help hold the kids in and a steering string in the front that looks like a long thick piece of twine. But there's something strange about all this. There are 10 nests on a high platform, directly under the platform was what looks like a long, oversized trampoline. Also, on the platform was a stiff looking lever at the corner with a lost looking miniature giant gently holding it.

Melony was in the first group to ride the nests. Ms. Puffin stood in front of them looking shorter than ever, but still yelled loud enough for them to hear. She had on a cape that whipped in the wind, making her look silly.

"Now, these are called automatic training nests, they are your building blocks to using magic carpets, flying cars, and if you ever choose brooms," she spat the last word out like spitting out old, sour milk.

"They can nearly fly by themselves but, they need people like you to do anything more than hover. Remember to be confident, and don't be afraid to use all of your air magic. Their safety charmed, so you won't shoot yourselves to the stars. Good luck."

Before she started counting, many tightened the goggles they got when they sat in their nest and held onto their piece of rope so hard that their knuckles turned white. Melony had been in one of these a couple of times as a child and technically knew how to fly one, but the teachers lack of instruction made her doubt herself.

"1,2......3" there was a loud CLUNK and Melony felt herself begin to drop and screamed along with everyone else. She used her magic to sharply pull herself up about a foot above the platform. Others weren't so quick and slammed down on the trampoline which quickly propelled them upward nearly three feet above the platform. The students fear of falling back down kept them afloat. Only three students in group one couldn't stay in the air. Melony's ears stung for a while because of the screaming.

It was a fun time. Each group got 30 minutes in the nests, by the end of their time everyone had gotten in the air at least once. The kids who got the hang of flying the new machine got to fly as high as they could, which was no higher than the tallest tree for safety purposes. And they flew after each other in a game, they couldn't go to fast for safety purposes.

After group ones thirty minutes were up, it was group two's turn. They were excited about flying, but didn't want to get whipped around by the trampoline like group one did. Group two was firmly and safely seated in their nest when the teacher started talking again.

"Don't be so nervous. At least you lot know what to expect." She gave them a few seconds to prepare themselves before she started counting.

"1,2," CLUNK the tiny giant pulled the lever and down they went. They were similar to group one, a couple kids caught themselves, a few had the trampoline to help them get traction, and some didn't fly at all. Melony got to see how badly the trampoline jerked the others around. There little heads would jerk forward at a breakneck speed. It looked beyond uncomfortable to Melony, who was very grateful that she got into the air on her first try. At the end of the hour Ms. Puffin thanked the giant, whose name is Hamish, and the students thanked him to.

Melony felt relieved that it was finally supper time, the end of the day. She took a bowl, filled it with pasta, mix in half tomato sauce and half cheese sauce, and a few crushed croutons on the top. She was eating a forkful of pasta when Ella sat next to her with a plate of fish sticks and fries. She passed Melony back the pencil she had borrowed.

"Mom sent me a whole pack via mail. Ben lost all his pens." She said while taking a fish stick and fries in her fist, dipped it into mayonnaise, and shoved it into her face.

"So," Melony asked "how was water class?"

"Great," She said excitedly "I finally got the hang of breathing underwater. Can't do it for long though." Ella stuffed more food into her mouth. "Your air class is last period right," Melony nodded

"Was that screaming you guys?"

"Yah," Melony thought "we were flying in nests and some kids needed some help, getting into the air." the girls started to talk about what clubs they were going to join.

"I'm going to join the guppies." Ella exclaimed proudly.

"The what?" Asked Melony.

"The Guppies. It's our schools swim team."

"Oh, that sounds like fun." Melony said "I'm going to try out for our schools Aromatics team. We're called The Hatchlings." Melony explained.

Ella scrunched her face up in concern. "Is that when you fly around on brooms?"

"Absolutely not!" Melony exclaimed. Brooms were famous for being uncomfortable and painful to ride on. "We ride carpets. We learn about broomsticks in year two. But that's only because we have to."