#her magic

The bolstered, drumming beat of the earth beneath her feet. The playful, whirling dance of the air weaving in her hair. The cooled, soothing ripple of the water against her fingers. The confident, rich spark of the fire engulfing her body. Kini had always been sensitive to the world around her. She couldn't remember exactly when she started to realize certain places had their own aura. Their own whispers. Their own heartbeats. The Seeker had been so isolated growing up, perhaps that was the reason she sought something to feel when she was alone. Or maybe she had been born with a sliver of a gift to recognize the world around her? No. That was a silly, arrogant thought for one like her to have and she couldn't bring herself to take it seriously. It made her ears flatten against her head, her tail still and her stomach twist into knots. A'kini Khotan had been born worthless and had only grown into something that could be useful. She had to be thankful for her tribe's efforts, even if it was for A'khato's sake and not her own. It was the same as now- her efforts were for his and not herself. Even so though, she had to admit that she treasured her experiences out in this vast new world. Her brother was kind enough to let her go off on her own most of the time and while she couldn’t allow herself to travel too far from him, it was still a grand adventure. Once and awhile she discovered a new spot. Sometimes it would still be hot from the afternoon's sun and it reminded her to take risks. Another place would be towering high so that she could hear the songs of the breeze that tickled her to smile. A pure, chilly pool would give her respite from the heat and comfort her aches with a flowing hug. Other times it was simply a quiet, sturdy spot against stone that would steel her resolve. 

Was it a weakness to depend on the world around her so much? She knew the answer in her mind and in the echo of her brother’s voice. Yet in her heart? Kini would keep that secret as close to her as the jingling bell she wore. 

“I don’t need the stone anymore, because I already received a more powerful magic. No, I should say I already received it a long time ago. This warm and tender...”

“(Just looking at your face makes me feel safe) Just the thought of Tsuruga-san being around gives me strength... you give me courage and confidence. I also have this... this has the most powerful, the brightest of...”

Henbane

aka Hogs Bean, Devil's Eye, Henbells, Sukran

Uses:

Dried leaves are used in the consecration of ceremonial vessels.

Used in love sachets and charms to gain the love of the person desired.

Thrown into water to bring rain. 

She always knew she carried something rare, a quiet current running beneath her skin. Like water—plain, ordinary, until the right hands came along to coax out the wine. It wasn’t her body but her mind.

Most never saw it. They simply drank— what they thought was there, never guessing the mystery she kept sealed away. She wasn’t hiding out of fear— just waiting. Waiting for the one— who wouldn’t take, but invite.

And then he came, with a gaze that lingered like sunlight on glass, with a voice that felt less like command and more like home. And in that moment, her shoulders unclenched, her breath softened.

For him, she opened. For him, she poured. The water shifted, ripened, became rich and red with something almost holy. She revealed her magical powers. Only to Him.

Not submission as surrender, but submission as release— a relief, a return. At last, she could be seen. At last, she could be poured out, and filled again.