"Your kid's cute," she says when Makel's gone.

"Thank you. I can't find anything about the location of Orvara people except the ones we picked up last spring but we didn't get them all, there might still be some, worth a check."

"Right. Anything else we should determine before heading out?"

"Don't think so."

Edie says a phrase in her language and sprouts wings feathered in crystal, each one reflecting a tiny fragment of an image that doesn't match what it ought to be reflecting.

I like your magic system.

It's pretty great!

Emily says a different phrase, and sprouts wings feathered in shining steel.

Do I get some?

Eventually, I'm sure. They're a spell.

How do I get more spells?

Personal achievement.

Ah. Okay.

Based on your opinions of what counts, not some objective standard.

I really like your magic system.

"Thank you!" Ruby says brightly.

What've you guys accomplished for your spells-

"Defeated some villains and made progress on social justice work, mostly."

Some villains.

"What do you mean by that?"

It's just a weird - I'm not sure we have exactly the concept.

Magic fucks with peoples' heads sometimes. Not magical girl magic, but the other kinds--sorcery and artifact magic.

Ugh.

There is a reason I am not either of those.

Your kind seems much more convenient. Unless it has terrible drawbacks you haven't mentioned.