Prota suggests magic impacts Nell's skill as a cartwright. 

"If it can happen without you even noticing it might be why you're so good with carts," you remark.

Step 136

Prota is correct that Nell's magic makes her better at carpentry than she would otherwise be. However, Nell takes offense at the suggestion that she's reliant on magic; Nell takes pride in her years of practice, and in fact her design and assembly skills are just as important as fine detail and repair magics, if not more. In addition, Nell made a point of developing her skills in spite of her perceived lack of magic, and the implication she was using it all along kind of stings. Nell is a generally easygoing person and the offense may not last, but it's still a sore spot for her. It also stings that she's not really getting a new magic, just finding out about an existing one that she didn't know she was using. Nell is still shocked and off-balance, not sure how to feel about this discovery. 

How long has Nell been practicing carpentry? If, like Prota, she set out to the Blue in her late teens, and if she began practicing carpentry shortly thereafter, she'd be about twenty years old at that time. Lifespans are shorter in medieval settings; magic mitigates this somewhat, but most blusefolk are on the poorer side and have few options against disease. Glint is probably in his mid-forties, fairly old but with magic that makes him hardier than most. Nell is younger, but still Glint's peer in many ways, so her age should be early to mid thirties. This means she's been a carpenter for about 15 years. [Glint is about 45 and Nell is about 30-35 years old.]

"Excuse you," Nell snaps, "I'm good with carts because I spent fifteen years fixing them! I never needed magic before and -" her voice catches, tightens, "- and, and there's a lot more to carpentry than just fixing scratches!" She glares, blinking tears from her eyes. 

None. 

"- of course there is, if you were a weaver you'd be fixing fabric, but like, it must - help, at all," I say, backpedaling.

Prota agrees with Nell's rebuttal and points out that the magic is useful for many things, not just carpentry. Prota tries to defuse the situation by explaining what they meant. They imply no insult was intended. It is not quite an apology, but more of a de-escalatory clarification. Prota may feel confused by the vehemence of Nell's response, not knowing its source. 

You quickly attempt to clarify. "- of course there is, if you were a weaver you'd be fixing fabric, but like, it must - help, at all," you say. 

Step 137

Prota's response doesn't hit a nerve the way their original statement did, but it doesn't improve matters either. Nell is still on edge, feeling hurt and confused. Opportunity may remain for this conversation to end on more pleasant terms. How does Nell respond in the moment? She's still coming to grips with the idea that she's had magic all this time. If it can get past the shock, Prota's point is a good one. Nell's magic helps only on the margin. Would she recognize this? Maybe not immediately. Feeling insulted and distraught makes it hard to stop and consider arguments, even good ones. Nell would definitely agree with Prota after some quiet deliberation. 

What about Glint? He feels out of his depth here. He knew that Nell was touchy about her lack of magic. He might have expected her to be delighted to find she had one after all. He is fairly dependent on his own magic for his livelihood, and is largely content with that. He doesn't fully understand Nell's reaction. He can at least imagine why this isn't the easiest way to learn. He's not the best judge of people, but he's known Nell for a long time, and has enough background to put the pieces together. 

Possibility: Nell excuses herself to think. Glint gently chides Prota and explains what he knows about Nell's past. After some time, perhaps in the morning, Nell apologizes to Prota and Glint. This provides another opportunity to talk about Nell's magic. (This seems reasonable. It demonstrates to the Player that actions have consequences, even when they don't have all the information they might need to predict those consequences. It is not a permanent loss, and shouldn't feel overly unfair.) 

"I - I need some time to think," Nell stammers. She lurches to her feet and flees in the direction of her tent, in the center of the clustered wagons.

After a pause, your uncle sighs. "It's not your fault, greenjay. I think you touched a nerve. Nell was pretty upset when she didn't seem to get a magic from the Blue. Threw herself into carpentry, seemed determined to do well without magic. Finding out she's had it all along - well, it's kind of a blow, I think. But you're right, it's not everything, her skills are real, and I think - I hope - she'll see it that way too." 

None. 

"I hope so." I sigh. "We should get out of her way, I guess."