Cadenza was by the shore, experimenting with their magic. Instead of freezing water, however, they were experimenting with their simpler spells. Perhaps, by use of these simple spells, they could fine tune their magic control?

So, they had decided to practice the first spell they had ever used. The one where they had chilled the air, even though the air was already chillier by the water. Best to start at the very beginning.

It barely got colder at all, however. Just the slightest change to the air.

Maybe it was possible that because it was already chilly, it was hard for the magic to work? Maybe it would be easier if they heated up the air instead, Cadenza decided.

So, they tried that instead. They did their best to focus on wanting to heat the air as they had done to make the temperature more comfortable for Sprig.

Once again, it worked only technically. There was something that Cadenza was not grasping here, and they were not sure what it was.

Perhaps Cadenza was too distracted for those simple spells. But there was one spell that they were generally good at, in their experience. At least, they thought they were generally good at it. Just because they had not failed yet did not mean they would not ever, they knew.

But, still, they would try to freeze a small patch in the water. They were determined to be better with magic than this.

The patch froze solid, before being swept up by the rest of the water out to the depths of the bay. Cadenza sighed in relief. At least that was one spell they could do.

Another idea occurred to Cadenza, relating to the same spell. They knew now that they could pull a small amount of water out of the air.

Therefore could they turn water into air? They did not know if it had any combat purposes, but it followed logical sense. And it allowed them to practice using this spell in further ways.

So they focused on the water once again

And the water hissed, a light steam coming out of water. The air felt hotter. Not hot, per say, but...

This could be weaponized, they realized. Just as freezing was cold, whatever this was happened to be hot. Hot enough to hurt, maybe. They hated the thought of hurting others, but it was sadly necessary to consider with the dangers they had learned of from their dads.

Still, Cadenza was visibly frustrated despite learning this new potential way of using their existing magic. They could tell that most of the spells they had done, they had just barely succeeded at.

Those were feeble spells. Weak.

If Cadenza wanted to protect their children, they needed to be strong.

They were torn between reaching for further heights or practicing the spells they had just barely managed moments prior. Eventually, they decided on the latter. The last thing they needed was to injure themself.

Once again, an attempt to warm the air.

It just barely warmed the air more than before. Barely a noticeable amount at all.

They had not failed any spells so far during this session, but very few definitive successes had occurred either. Cadenza did not know why.

It was very frustrating. They tried their best to focus on chilliness, of lowering the temperature. Back to the beginning.

This time, the resounding success was clear. The air become even chillier than before in a truly noticeable way, and Cadenza was delighted!

And confused. They didn’t think they had done anything different.

Magic was weird.

Well, with that impressive success, Cadenza’s spirits had lightened some. Even if they did not understand it at all.

It gave them the determination to try the spell to heat up the air once again. So far, they had succeeded at that spell but had not succeeded particularly well.

So they focused, this time on heat.

And it worked! It wasn’t as impressive as cooling the air down moments ago, but it was definitely more of a success than previously.

They were tempted to try something more impressive, more dangerous. Cadenza could sense spell possibilities within themself that would work for such a purpose. But... They did not want to endanger themself or their children's chrysalises.

So, they went back to their standard spell. Once again, they were attempting to freeze some water.

It was definitely a success, like before, much to their delight. But, they could feel the exhaustion creeping over them. They decided it was time to rest. Not sleep, but rest.

So they moved farther from the water to curl protectively nearby their hidden children. And then, they let themself rest. They did not know what was soon in store for them.

[Exit]