The golden light of early evening spills across the grand courtyard, casting long shadows over rows of robed students. Hundreds of young witches sit shoulder to shoulder, diplomas clutched tightly in their hands, the fabric of their sashes fluttering like spell-touched flags in the wind. A hush falls over the crowd as the final moment arrives.
From behind the velvet-draped stage, HEADMISTRESS GARA-BEANO emerges. Her robes billow dramatically as she approaches the podium, footsteps echoing with purpose. She pauses, then raises her arms to the sky, and in a heartbeat...
The courtyard erupts! Applause, cheers, and magical sparks burst into the air as the graduating class rises to their feet, swept up in a moment they’ll remember forever.
Headmistress
Well met, Mystic Academy Graduates!!
All the Students raise one hand to their foreheads, with their palms out. Gara-beano does the same in response.
HEADMISTRESS
Well now... I must say, I am so proud to have been given the privilege of teaching, such an amazing class of young Witches! Give yourself all a round of applause!!
All but one of the Witches start applauding vigorously in the audience. A young boy looks a tad dejected as he looks around at the other happy Witches cheering.
HEADMISTRESS
As you all go off into this new world full of possibility and adventures, whatever they may be. Be it moving forward with your Witchcraft, or maybe setting out on a Witch's Journey. Whatever it is you choose to do in life, Always remember the lessons and the teaching you've learned here at Mystic Academy...
She pauses for a moment and looks out at all her students with hopeful eyes. She begins tearing up a little.
HEADMISTRESS
So many of you have worked so hard to get to this day... And it does my heart good to see you all make it to this day.
Young Witches in the audience also begin tearing up, as they think about how far they have all come.
HEADMISTRESS
If you take anything from this school, most importantly! Is to never forget the bonds and friendships you've made in your Covens, because even though now that school is over, your Covenship is forever!!
Everyone starts clapping again, they throw their witches hats up into the air.
MOMENTS LATER
The dejected boy stands alone by the snack table, sipping on some punch. URI watches all the other Witches have a good time. As they laugh and dance, like they have their whole lives ahead of them... he sighs, trailing off in thought for a moment.
URI
From out of the shadows a taller boy sneaks up on him, without saying a word, PIXLLER puts his hands on Uri's waist, startling him greatly.
PIXLLER
BAAAAAAAHH!!
URI
AHHHH!!!!
Uri's drink goes flying out of his hand in a goofy, cartoonish manner. Flying and spilling on the ground. Pixller chuckles, very satisfied with himself.
PIXLLER
Yu-Yu, did you learn nothing in Stealth 101? Never let your guard down.
Uri grabs a hold on his chest while breathing heavily, trying to reground himself.
URI
Jeez! Pix! Will you ever grow up!?
He quickly turns to him and gives PIXLLER a punch in the arm, but there's no real heat behind it.
PIXLLER
Did I scare you?
Uri blushes a little, then looks away embarrassed. Uri starts grabbing napkins from the snack table trying to clean the mess he made off of the ground.
URI
You play too much Pix... not everything is some kind of joke...
Pixller's smile fades a little, as he watches Uri trying to clean up the punch. He rubs the back of his head, pulls out some kind of weird device from his hoodie.
PIXLLER
Here, I got it...
His eyes begin to glow turning a bioluminescent turquoise, as technological tendrils start to crawl down his arms linking with the device. He hits a little button, then drops it on the ground, as a cute little cleaning drone forms from the weird device.
PIXLLER
Beebe, Clean. Level 2 Spill.
The little robot begins cleaning the mess from off of the ground, Pixller pulls Uri up from off of the ground, dusting him off.
PIXLLER
There. No need for you to get your cute little outfit dirty...
Uri doesn't say anything back to him, but he walks over to a nearby wall in the corner to lean up against it.
Pixller leans up against the wall next to him, then crosses his arms behind his head.
PIXLLER
You gotta learn how to relax, man. It's all in good fun, Uri.
Uri's nerves start to settle down, as he leans back on the wall folding his arms sheepishly, looking back at the crowd longingly.
URI
Yeah... I guess...
He goes quiet as he sinks into the wall a little. Pixller's eyes widen, then looks at him with concern etched across his face, then smiles sweetly after a moment. Pixller puts his hand on his shoulder.
PIXLLER
Would you like to talk about it...?
URI
What…?
Uri turns his head back to him.
PIXLLER
Yu-yu...
He tilts his head every so slightly... watching with quiet patience, his expression making it clear...he knows something’s wrong. Uri quickly snaps his head away.
URI
Pix, I'm fine. I guess I'm just... I don't know, overwhelmed?
PIXLLER
Yu-yu...
Pixller gives him another, even harder, look.
URI
Ok! Fine! Jeez! I'll talk!
(Beat)
I guess, it's just hard to be excited-No! Happy! About my...
(Rolls eyes and scoffs)
"Future" when I had NO part and making it. Everyone always telling you who to be, how to stand, how to act, how to...feel...
Uri's golden eye slowly glances back over to the crowd...
URI
...It's just... hard to look forward to a life already planned out for you...
Uri trails off. Pixller watches him with the intensity of a mother hen.
URI
I guess... I just wish I had more to look forward to... that's all...
PIXLLER
Wait, is that what this is about? I would've thought you'd be happy for school to finally be over.
URI
School, ending doesn't change what is expected of me... it doesn't change what happened... and it *definitely* doesn't change what happens next either...
PIXLLER
Oh god... Don't tell me you are STILL hung up on "the Incident"? Uri, That was years ago, the shit is like ancient history now!
URI
But Pix... it's not that simple for me... and I feel like nobody-
PIXLLER
Bro, We just freaking Graduated!! Who even cares about all that Timeline Mumbo jumbo crap anymore!
Pixller jumps in front of him and gets in his face all excited.
PIXLLER
Uri, It's time to put all that crap behind you! You heard Gara-beano, You've got us!
(Beat)
And... you've got me...
Uri looks away...
URI
I don't know Pix... Things are gonna be real different after college...
PIXLLER
(Winks)
You ain't have to worry about nothing! You've got your number 1 Coven Bro. By your side!
URI
Do... Do you mean it?
Pixller grabs him by his shoulders and stares into his eyes.
PIXLLER
Yu-yu I'm not going anywhere... Coven bros. For life?
Pixller sticks his hand out for a fist bump. Uri smiles and bumps his fist.
URI
Coven Bros. for life...
TWO YEARS LATER
The steam from the shower fogs up the mirror. Uri drys his curly Black and red hair with a larger towel. He wipes off the condensation from the mirror, while he's brushing his teeth.
He winces at his reflection a little and looks away. He spits out his nurdle from his mouth and sighs.
His phone dings, he looks down to see it's a text from “Pix”. He heads into the living room. He walks into his living room from the bedroom, he lights a candle. Then takes a little sniff.
He smiles a bit to himself, as the smell of Coastal Sunset starts to permeate the room.
He heads to the kitchen passing by a few unfinished Kintsugi projects, a pair of headphones and Microphone, an upright piano, and a drawing tablet on his desk all gathering dust.
He runs his hand along the piano, playing a few keys as he passes by.
He stops at his desk, and his little portable drawing tablet, and puts it in his bag.
He walks up to his bookshelf which is full of books on Familiars and Familiar care. He runs his fingers through the titles, until he settles on one.
Uri grabs a book titled "Advanced understanding of Familiar injuries."- by David Forbasd.
URI
There you are.
In the kitchen an older woman is making breakfast. LUANN is humming a tune to herself. She is wrapping up what looks to be a breakfast burrito in little aluminum wrap for on the go.
Uri heads straight for the door, she sees him try to rush on by and stops him.
LUANN
Well Good morning to you too! I just made us some breakfast Burritos come sit and eat!
URI
Sorry, Gran! I'm gonna be late for work this morning.
His phone dings again. He sighs.
URI
Not to mention Pix has been texting me, none stop all morning about the stupid Coven meeting tonight... I've already missed a few of them.
Uri's Phone dings again!
URI
(Irritated)
And there he goes, proving my point...
LUANN
Now, you come on now! You can at the very least trouble an old woman a moment with her Grandson.
URI
Sorry, Gran. If I don't head out now, I'm gonna be late. Murasia is gonna be busy today, so I better get a move on.
LUANN
Oh, Well, you give her my best. And tell her I'll be bringing Rex over for his check-up next week, ok?
As Luann says that REX, a lizard type Familiar looks up from his little bed and grumbles to himself.
URI
Heh, can do. I'll put you down when I get in.
Uri's phone dings yet another time.
LUANN
Someone's popular. What has that boy up in arms this morning?
URI
He's always like this... something about some kind of event tonight. I'm not sure. I haven't really been keeping up with all that Coven stuff, you know?
LUANN
I know, honey.
URI
At the very least I'm gonna go to this one thing today, but I have to leave now so I don't have to stay late tonight.
Uri starts heading for the front door, he grabs a hold of the door knob, when she speaks.
LUANN
Well look at you. Taking an interest in Time Management again?
He stops dead in his tracks as he's about to head out the door, a feeling like lightning shoots up his spine... his head drops. His voice gets very deep and dark sounding.
URI
What's that supposed to mean...?
LUANN
I didn't mean anything by it, dear. I know that's a sore wound...
URI
It doesn’t matter anymore... We both know I was never cut out to be a Time Witch...now was I...?
LUANN
Uri...Now you know that's not-
URI
It's fine...
Uri's Phone dings again. He lets out a heavy sigh...
URI
(Sigh)
I have to go...
LUANN
Well... since you insist on going, take this here burrito to go then, sweetie.
Without turning from the stove, She snaps her fingers and pops the Burrito in his mouth using magic.
LUANN
Now, go on dear. You go out there, and you just take on life, one step at a time.
She walks over to him and straightens him out.
LUANN
Now you hear me, I love you. And I want you to walk with your head held high. Be proud of who you are Uri.
He takes a bite then pulls it out of his mouth. He smiles, and she gives him a kiss on the cheek.
URI
(Mouth Full)
Thanks Gran... I'll be back in a bit!
Uri Grabs his jacket off the hook, puts the book in the bag, throws his bag over his shoulder, then heads out the door.
Uri is reading all of Pixller's texts while he heads over to work.
PiXLLER
PIX: Uri are you coming like you said or not!!!!!!?????!?!?!?!?!
PIX: YOU BETTER COME!!!!!!
PIX: YU-YU!!!! WHERE ARE YOU!?!?!?!
PIX: WHY YOU NO ANSWER ME!!!!!
He puts the phone back in his pocket, sighing heavily.
URI
Pix... give it a rest already...
As he continues walking on his way to work, thoughts begin to swirl around in his head.
URI
(Scoff)
(Mocklying)
Interest-in-Time-Management.
From the deep recesses of his mind, another voice speaks ever... so... quietly...
Nobody
...You were never cut out for such a prestigious honor... It's not like you ever wanted it anyway.
URI
My thoughts exactly...
His phone dings AGAIN!
NOBODY
So overbearing. What is with his obsession with you?
Uri quickly text him back.
URI
Fuck PIX! Yes, I'm coming tonight!! Chill!
NOBODY
Don't you just wish he'd just let you have your space for once?
URI
Sometimes... he just makes me so mad!
NOBODY
He's always meddling... Bugging and fussing and meddling.
Uri sighs to himself and continues walking to work.
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