I Am Totally a Real-Life Wizard (Not Clickbait, I Swear!)

Spoiler

How many do you think Joe’s written under various pen names? XD

Vendetta held out their hand again. Valeri believes in me. Valeri believes in me.

A dim light glinted in the creases of their palms. They took a deep breath, imagined it growing. If Valeri believed in them, they could too.

But wasn’t it that belief that got them stuck here? They believed in you so much, that they let you drag them into this mess.

The light died in Vendetta’s hand.

Spoiler

Oh gosh. I'd say five at least, most of them plagiarized. xD

For Vendetta. Valeri stretched out her hand and took a deep breath. They held tightly to the knowledge that their sibling believed in them. As long as the V siblings were together, they could do anything, right?

A blinding pulse of light shot out of Valeri's fingers and shattered against the far wall. A picture thudded to the floor.

Valeri winced and blinked the spots out of her vision. Balance was always the problem, wasn't it? Yes, Vendetta thought Valeri was strong, but that strength manifested at all the wrong times... She never stood up when she should, and spoke out when no one needed their input. They lowered their hand. Maybe she shouldn't learn magic; who knew how destructive she could be with it?

Spoiler

Gilderoy Lockhart wannabe.

Cody sighed and flicked the light on. “Oh dear. I see what’s happening here. Khalil?”

Khalil nodded. “Yes, I do.”

"What is it?" Valeri tried to paste a neutral, clueless expression onto her face. "I--I'm sure we just need practice...?"

Dawn hummed sympathetically. "Oh, children. There's no shame in doubting yourself. Everyone's done it at some point. Even me-- there was a long period of time when I questioned my nonviolent approach... ahem. Anyways. It looks like Cody and Khalil have a few words for you."

Khalil sat on the arm of the couch, gently putting a hand on Valeri’s shoulder. “Would you feel comfortable talking through this? It might help if Vendetta targets your doubts specifically.”

Vendetta froze. If Valeri got all personal, then they would as well. And they were not looking forward to that.

Spoiler

our characters just getting free therapy xD

Valeri looked terrified for a split second, then quickly hid it with a frown. "Uh, sure." They didn't offer anything more.

"It's okay, take your time. We can start with something you wish you could've done better, then help you work through those regrets."

Valeri stared at her hands for a moment. "Well, I, I guess there was that time I exchanged some words with Vendetta's crush..." Valeri winced. "Okay, that's an understatement. I'm, um, pretty sure the girl was terrified of me after that... and I maybe accidentally caused her to step backwards and trip into a fountain. D-don't worry, I've tried my best not to hurt anyone after that...!"

Vendetta flushed. “Oh my God, I remember that.” They chuckled. “It was for the best though. It wouldn’t have worked out. And not just because she came into fifth period looking like she tried to beat an Olympic swimmer in free stroke.”

Dusk snorted. “Sorry.”

"Wait, no, but I messed everything up! I totally embarrassed that poor girl. And now you're just laughing about it?" Valeri tugged at her hair and stared at Vendetta.

Vendetta took a deep breath, gently easing Valeri’s hands out of their hair. “Lately, Valeri, I’ve been questioning if I like anyone. All of those crushes, they’d never last. And if any of them liked me back, it felt wrong. So no, you didn’t ruin anything. There was nothing to ruin.”

"Oh! O-okay... Um. You're not just saying that to make me feel better, right?" Valeri examined Vendetta's face. "Never mind." They squeezed their sibling's hands and gave them a small but genuine smile. "I'm glad you're figuring out your identity. But please still tell me if you feel like I'm ever embarrassing someone... You know how I talk before I think."

Vendetta laughed. “No. I have no idea. I definitely haven’t watched you insult your third grade teacher so much that he cried.” They pressed their forehead to Valeri’s. “But I love you for it. Because that’s who you are. And I’m so lucky to know you, Valeri.”

"I mean, he kind of deserved it..." Valeri half-laughed, half-sniffled. "Th-thank you, Vendetta. Love you too. Y-you're the best sibling ever, y'know? Oh... Hah... I didn't mean to cry over this..."

Cody handed them a tissue.

"Thanks." Valeri smiled through her tears and hugged their sibling. Dawn hummed happily.

Vendetta hugged them back. “I try my best. You’re pretty cool too.”

Dawn sniffled. “This is just so sweet.”

Dusk laughed. “Shush you.”

Finally Valeri released Vendetta and gave them a wobbly smile. "Alright, it's your turn now." She patted them on the back. "Go conquer those doubts!"

Khalil gently asked Vendetta, "Are there any regrets you have?"

Vendetta looked away. “Yeah, a few. But mostly all of this.”

Dusk. “Vendetta-“

“And I know that some good has come from this! We found Dusk and Dawn, accidentally saved Khalil, but I put us in danger. If you get hurt it’ll be my fault for being stupid and trusting Joe’s discount staff and his rhyming prophecy and I’ll never forgive myself.” Vendetta groaned. “Because I always do this. You’re there voice of the reason and I’m the stupid one that ruins everything.”