Role

Chapter 2

And so the second year of school progressed. Every day was a struggle and
every day Ziv had to become cleverer using her sleight of hand talents and
knack for building contraptions. However, Ziv began to worry, as the lessons
got harder and harder, and she ran out of ingredients that could pass as the
type of spells they were beginning to learn.

Presentation day. Invisibility. Dread. She had planned, but she was still
nervous and had an uneasy feeling as she waited to go last. Today they were
asked to all bring in their family pets and cast the spell on a living
animal. Her only option had been, Kooshka, her familys cooshie. A usual
pet in this village, but one that fit her exotic parents perfectly.

Of COURSE Sazel would be up before her. Sazel's mocking smile seemed
targeted as her as she not only cast the invisibility perfectly, but on her
black cat no less than she had bonded that morning for extra credit! Ziv
chirped something less than flattering under her breath. Mostly for her and
Kooshka's personal satisfaction.

It was time. Her turn. Ziv was as confident as she was beautiful when it came
to putting it on. And so she became the presenter, the performer, it was the
only way to be convincing and play the part. She threw off her cape and
unfurled her wings, and in a flourish of a spin her cooshie had disappeared!
She of course knew that Kooshka was hidden in her discarded heavy cape. This
had worked! Training, carefully sewn compartments, and the focus of the
minds eye had fooled an entire class. Maybe she was a wizard of more
mundane matters!

Sazel's cat meows. No! Suddenly the heavy embroidered cape lunges across
the floor! The whole alchemy bench comes crashing down and flames immediately
begin to unnaturally spread as only magical flame can. Sazel screams! Kooshka
takes off after the damn black cat! The cooshie growls and the familiar is
covered by the cape and the most horrific feline screeching ensues! Suddenly
Sazel's scream turns to one of piercing pain and she cries out as her body
is racked by convulsions! Fire everywhere! People screaming and running! Ziv
runs, seeking escape, seeking air, just seeking.