Coming out of our shells (tag: Terra)

"Oh. That doesn't sound too bad." She accepted the glass from Alidia and took a sip. "Hey, it's not too bad," she said, smiling. "You certainly have good taste when it comes to drinks."

Alidia smiled. "Thanks. Want some sweets?" Alidia made some sweets appear.

"Oh no, I couldn't, I'll get fat," Terra said. She had learned to eat healthy while on the run, as sweets would slow her down if she ever needed to run. True, she was safe here, but old habits were hard to break.

Alidia snapped her fingers and made the sweets disappear. And made miniature fruit trees appear.
"Have your choice."

Terra gave a little laugh. "You know me so well," she said as she reached up to take an apple from an apple tree. As she took a bite, she asked "Is there anything your magic can't do? It looks like you can make almost anything appear with a wave of your hand."

Alidia frowned, "Yes, it doesnt bring people from the dead."
She thought of her family.

"Oh." Terra bit her lip, embarrassed for bringing up a sore subject. Quickly, she tried to change it. "Well, the things you can do are pretty impressive," she complimented as she took another bite of her apple.

Alidia grinned as she took a bite of a peach. And then she had idea. With a wave of her hands, she made it dark and made fireworks appear.

"Alidia, really, this is too much," Terra said, laughing. "I feel so spoiled." She didn't feel like she deserved all these gifts, especially when she couldn't do much to return the favor. She couldn't make apple trees grow or make fireworks appear. All she could do was move rocks.

Alidia giggled as she shook her head. "Dont be I do this with all my good friends, but you, Belle and Shanti are my closest friends." Since Ariel was busy with Jim, Alidia had new friends. And she had another idea. She made a shooting star pass but secretly. "Terra look a shooting star,
quick make a wish."

Terra frowned. "Does that really work?" she asked. She had wished on shooting stars plenty of times when she was younger (every kid did), but nothing had really happened. Terra had stopped believing in that stuff after her life had pretty much gone downhill.

Alidia looked at Terra and she saw a lot of her. But this was the new Alidia, the Alidia who was making things right. Alidia grinned, "Yes it really works," Alidia held Terra's hand "Trust me, ok?"

Terra sighed, still a bit incredulous. But she figured maybe it couldn't hurt to try and wish, one more time. If nothing happened, she could always tell Alidia "I told you so" later. She glanced back up at the sky, seeing at least two more stars streak across the sky like they were racing against each other. Terra bit her lip, wondering how she could possibly form her wish into words. It felt so complicated in her head. Eventually, she sighed and just went for it. I wish that I could stop running. That seemed to sum up everything she was feeling the best. If she could stop running, then she could finally have a life of her own, and develop relationships with the friends she had made.

Alidia wanted to help her new friend Terra anyway she could. Then it hit Alidia, a protective spell on the necklace. Alidia muttered a quick spell. And the necklaced glowed. Alidia smiled. "You will be protected now."

Terra looked up when her necklace suddenly started glowing, almost like she had a nightlight strung around her neck. "Um, what is it doing?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Was the necklace detecting something? She didn't realize that Alidia had cast another spell on it.

Alidia replied, "Its a protective spell. I wanna help you." Alidia held her head down. She didnt know if she did something wrong or right.

"Oh. Thanks." Terra still felt a bit guilty though. Alidia was giving her all these things and Terra didn't have anything to give in return, except herself. But she didn't think that was a very fabulous gift.

Alidia lifted her head. "Its no problem and dont worry repaying me, friendship is payment enough."

Terra just nodded. "Well, it's...getting late. We should probably head inside before it gets too dark." She stood up. "Thanks for everything and stuff. It was really great." She gave a little smile.

"Okay, I'll stay out looking at the stars. It was nice meeting you and getting to know you Terra and remember:

Terra smiled and nodded. "Thanks. I'll remember that." She gave another wave before heading back inside, feeling a little happier than before.

Alidia waved goodbye.

((End Thread))