studio space. Like magic, her heart eased down from her throat, calm seeping in through her skin. Quiet music called to her, an offering of tranquility in every note.
Elsie breathed. Vero had been right - she needed this.
The scent of summer grasses and dandelions tickled her nose. Looking around, she saw the bouquet at the front of the room - a riot of color and weeds, clearly picked by small hands. Elsie grinned. It was just the right touch of exuberance in an otherwise utterly peaceful room. Rightness settled on her skin as she folded onto her mat.
Then Elsie blinked as Nat unrolled her mat and lined up just to her left. The message was clear - it wasn't the positioning of a teacher. Shards of sadness sliced at Elsie's breathing.
Nat reached out a hand, eyes softening the shards. Elsie closed her eyes in gratitude as the meaning shifted. No, not a teacher - someone to be at her side. A friend.
With a shared grace that astonished Elsie, they eased into movement together. Following instinct, she slid back into downward dog, her body creaking its appreciation, even as unused muscles scrambled to wake up. Used to following Nat's movements, Elsie looked over - and discovered Nat was tracking hers. Her old teacher stretched into an elegant downward dog and waited patiently.
Carefully, Elsie led into a simple sun salutation, feeling an odd pride as Nat smoothly followed. Keeping the flow simple, she took them through the most basic version of the sequence, their breathing united as arms swept and backs arched, reaching for the gifts of warmth overhead.
As they moved into forward bend, Elsie felt Nat's breath hitch a little. Concerned, she looked over, and moved into the next pose. Which wasn't right - she could feel it. Nat followed, but it wasn't where she needed to be.
Quietly Elsie shifted into reverse, back into forward bend, and paused. Opening yoga, Nat had said. Breathing deeply, Elsie held the pose, sending air and space to the tight places on the backs of her legs, her hips, the small of her back. Gently she helped her body to release into the gift of opening this pose should be. The breathing beside her sounded almost blissful.
And this time, when she finally led out of the pose, Nat flowed smoothly, body embracing the next movement.
Elsie had spent a professional lifetime trying to help others. It had never felt like this. Her mind had always gotten in the way.
It wasn't until she saw the tears rolling down Nat's face that she realized a lot more had opened than a few tight muscles.
Going entirely on instinct now, Elsie moved in, earth magic at her fingertips. With careful strokes, she wiped the tears, offering what little healing she had. And then realized she had far more powerful magic to offer.
Sniffling through her own tears, Elsie grasped her friend's hand - and asked for help. "Come shopping with me. I need to buy a bike." And with Nat's serenity at her side, she might be brave enough to buy the one she really wanted.
It was exactly the right offering - she knew it before the glow of reply ever hit Nat's face.
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To: veronica.liantro@witchlight.org
From: Jennie Adams
Subject: Update.
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Dear Vero,
Well, it appears that Elsie landed in the best possible place - Nat's arms. I have no idea what magic has transpired today, but Jamie reports that his three nieces, along with Nat, Caro, and Elsie, are all in his back yard, consuming copious quantities of chocolate and decorating a bike to rival anything on the streets of Berkeley.
With that decorating crew, I can only imagine.
More importantly, he reports the open delight in Elsie's mind - and the searing joy in Nat's. Something very right has happened today, and it started with a jar of silliness and flowed through your music room.
I have been paged to join them, camera in hand, to record this moment for posterity. And pink glitter, if I have any. This being Witch Central, I'm sure I can scare some up.
Lizard is tucked in at Thea's house, pretending she doesn't know anything about babies. I'm pretty sure Bean will see right through her. I don't expect