Aaliyah listened, already beginning to imagine what she may one day do with magic. She wanted to work with light! Maybe she could do that with fire somehow? She'd probably just end up burning everything, which is what she wants to avoid. Burning isn't fun! It smells horrible, and is really painful. Why would anyone want to burn others? Or...even themselves? She recalled the permanent burns on Imperia's paws. Why had they done that to themselves?
She then looked back at the wolf, having looked away briefly. So her name was Kin-kin. "My name is...Aaliyah." It felt so weird to be saying her own name. She had only ever heard it from Imperia, in the unpleasant way they said it, as if the name was a curse. She paused for a moment before speaking. "But you can...uh, call me Li."
@Kin-kin
Aaliyah flicked an ear lightly. She didn't really mind if Kin-kin called her kid-she was one, after all. Just as long as the golden wolf didn't call her Aaliyah in the same tone that Imperia always did, it was fine. She began to watch with interest as the other began to do a spell.
But suddenly, she seemed exhausted. Had the spell failed? Her eyes widened in surprise as Kin-kin nearly collapsed. She was still hunched over, and she watched as she slowly brought herself back up. Could her own spells do that to her? Why would anyone want to cast a spell knowing that it could fail and backfire?
"Are...Are you alright?" Aaliyah asked, hesitatingly walking closer. She had clear concern in her eyes and voice. Kin-kin was the first gembound she had come across who had actually talked to her! She hadn't seen very many, especially since she had to be near Imperia nearly all of the time, but this was still the first one who was nice to her. It would be a shame if that were to change. She nudged the large wolf's head lightly with her nose.
@Kin-kin
Aaliyah continued to look at the wolf in concern. She sat back and watched as she slowly recovered, her long tail flicking back and forth slowly.
"Are you sure you're alright?" She paused for a moment.
"What all can happen when a spell...backfires?" She had only done her spells so many times...Usually whenever Imperia told her to. She didn't like her spells. They caused harm to herself and others, and she didn't like that. Hated it, even. But these spells...The spells that Kin-kin has seemed...fun. They could make her exhausted, as shown clearly here in front of her, but they can't harm anyone. Surely that would be best?
She watched the wolf in front of her for a moment.
"My spells always hurt me and others. They're...painful. They burn me and others. But...Imperia always makes me do them. They're paws are permanently burnt, and I think they enjoy it that way. How or why, I have no idea." She sighed and sat down, looking at her own paws. She had a few burns, but they weren't permanent. And she hoped they never would be.
@Kin-kin