The crowd gathered around Lily once she began her familiar summoning ceremony. All of these eyes watching her in her families cramped living room made her feel a bit suffocated. She had never seen so many people at theses ceremonies before. Usually when one summons their familiar, it’s an intimate moment with only your family around. But this time is different.

Lily’s parents had invited friends and family from all over town to witness who they’re calling a “prodigy” begin her magic journey. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a shy 12 year old girl, but her parents are willing to overlook her obvious discomfort if it means the families social status with grow.

From where I was in the crowd, I was barely able to see anything. The rest of her family was watching from the front while I had to hope I could catch the occasional glance of Lily from all the way in the back. If I only I could be up there to support her.

All I could hear were the whispers of those around me.

“Do you think she’ll really be able to summon a familiar two years early?”

“Her parents must be so proud to have an amazing daughter like Lily.”

“I can’t believe the Mayor wouldn’t show up to such a momentous event.”

“I’m sure her familiar will be something quite impressive.”

Having to listen to everyone’s gossip and speculation always annoyed me. I tried to mentally block out all of the talk and just focus on the ceremony. Only another distraction presented itself when I felt my familiar pawing at my leg.

I looked down to see him, a tan 8 pound Pomeranian, sitting and looking up at me with wide eyes and a smile. Knowing what that meant, I picked him up so I could hold him for the rest of the ceremony. He acted so much like a dog that there were times when I thought he wasn’t a familiar at all and I had actually just summoned a normal dog.

With the dog in my arms, I heard a commotion that meant the summon had started.

The empty bottle of charmed ink sat next to her as she was drawing the last of the summoning circle with her brush. She gave one last scan across the room, hoping to find someone that will help calm her nerves. But she wasn’t able to find that comfort.

She then took a deep breath and spoke the final summon “To all spirits and demons, I call unto you who desire me.”

All of the sound was sucked out of the room. Out of the lines she drew on the floor, a bright yellow light shot out. The color of Illusion. The color that matched her bright yellow hair.

Through the gaps of the audience, I was able to see her eyes were open wide. But I wasn’t able to tell if it was out of fear or excitement. She stayed staring at the light until something began coming out of the portal. The brightness of the light prevented anyone except for Lily to see what kind of animal it was.

When the light dimmed, the rest of the crowd were finally able to clearly make out her familiar. Standing in the middle of her sigil was a great gray owl. It was an absolutely stunning bird who’s presence caused quite the commotion among the crowd.

Lily on the other hand looked to be slightly disappointed. To the point where she didn’t do what was expected in this situation and introduce herself to the familiar. An awkward start to a bond that would last for the rest of her life.

Her mom bumped her back “Lily!” which ushered her to speak “Um, hello… I’m Lily…”

The owl slowly walked up to Lily, and she lowered her head in order to hear him speak. Although none of us in the crowd were able to hear him say anything, we were all able to tell that she was indeed communicating with him.

The connection between witches and their familiars allow them to communicate with each other. But familiars are only able to be heard by the witch that summoned them. It’s a special bond that witches have with the demon or spirit that chose to tether themselves to us.

She laughed at what he said, and the crowd erupted into praise of her once again.

“My word, what a majestic creature! Your parents must be so proud of you!”

“We’re so happy it went well for your family this time! The last time was a real let down!”

“Your magic must be really strong to be able to summon something like that!”

I knew that the moment was suppose to be about Lily, but coming to these events always brings my mood down. My familiar, sensing that I was upset, gave me a kiss on the cheek. It helped remind me that this was about Lily and not about me.

The reason I was there was to support Lily… and… to also give her a late birthday present. It wasn’t anything extravagant, only a necklace with her star sign on it. Small enough to keep in my pocket, but something that I knew would be meaningful to her.

Through the small gaps I was able to see between the crowd, I could see that she was feeling a bit overwhelmed. She never really was good with crowds. And her familiar must have taken after her, because he spread his long wingspan and flew up into the rafters of the house in order to avoid the crowd.

Her parents weren’t really paying attention to her much either. Instead, they were both accepting praise from all of their friends that they had invited there. But with them distracted, I felt it was the only time I could have went up to Lily to talk to her.

I had to push my way through the crowd with one arm since the other arm was relegated to holding a little dog. Luckily the room was small, so it didn’t take long to make my way up to her.

When I was close enough, I could see the distress in her face. She was surrounded by people she had probably never met before and was too shy to give a response to most of them. Her body language told me she was hoping someone would save her.

So her distress turned into joy when she saw me “Evelyn! I’m so happy you’re here! I didn’t think you would come today!”

“Of course I’m here. I wouldn’t have missed it for anything.” the crowd around her began to disperse as soon as they saw me.

It was the first time I had seen her smile since I had been there. She pet my familiar and asked him “It’s so good to see you dog! You’re as cute as ever! Are you still taking care of my sis- of Evelyn?”

He barked back at her and she giggled.

There was then an awkward pause. It was the first time we had talked to each other for a while, and I wasn’t really sure what to say. And I always had to made sure I was careful with my words whenever it came to her. Saying the wrong thing would only make the relationship worse.

“Oh uh, congratulations on your familiar.” I was finally able to say “Are you excited about being able to fully use your magic now?”

Again, the mention of her familiar looked to leave her disappointed “Yeah, he’s neat… and the magic is exciting too I guess… my mom and dad already have a lot of special training lined up for me.”

I remembered the present in my pocket and reached in to retrieve it for her “Oh uh, I actually…”

“Evelyn. You’re here?” Lily’s mom interrupted from behind me.