Last round was full of change for the Kauker family. Asteroid graduated from high school and soon found himself engaged to Keely Dunn. Not long after, the triplets grew to teenagers-just in time to be a part of Asteroid's wedding.
Are you doing yoga?
Eclipse: Yeah, it's nicer than the treadmill. Apparently we have a "Winterfest photo shoot" later on today.
Yeah, I guess it is that time of year...where are we going?
Eclipse: Into some woods at the edge of town...Dad said it would look rustic.
Wait...wasn't the island at the edge of town? How many edges does this place have?
Celestial: Dad, can you hurry up? It's starting to snow.
Poe: That just makes it look more magical....ok. One, two...oh, hold on. I think something's wrong with the camera. Just give me one second...
Eclipse: (whispers) This is going to take him forever...
Aurora: I know. Want to go walk around a bit?
What exactly do you expect to find in random woods?
...I stand corrected.
Celestial: What is that thing?
Eclipse: You think we can walk through it? It kind of looks see-through.
Apparently, we can...
Sure, why not. It can't be any more strange than the giant plant.
Eclipse: Where are we?
Aurora: Why is the sky purple?
Celestial: Maybe we've slipped into some kind of alternate dimension, where...
???: Hello, there...
Eclipse: Um...hi. Sorry to barge in like this, but...
Simeon: It's quite alright. I knew when we put that portal in Glimmerbrook that eventually, we'd be discovered...
Eclipse: Does it count as discovering if you don't know where you are?
Simeon: You are in the magic realm...
Eclipse: Magic?
Simeon: Yes. All you see around you are spellcasters.
Aurora: A what? Wait, are you like a witch?
L: Sort of. My name is L. Faba....
Yeah, well, listen, Elphie, this has all been fun but I think...
Aurora: Oh, my...is that your familiar? I don't believe I've heard this one before.
(sigh) Maybe I'll have more luck with Celestial...
Celestial: So wait. You're telling me that you know how to do magic?
Morgyn: Yes...I can demonstrate if you'd like...
Celestial: Wow. That is so cool...
(sigh) Ok, let's go back to Eclipse...
Eclipse: Wow, that was awesome. Um...so, were you, like, born able to do that?
Simeon: Oh, no...I started out as a novice....just like you.
Eclipse: Just like me? Are you saying I could learn to do that?
Simeon: If you are ready. But first...a short test.
I guess we're doing this...
Um, far be it for me to question the magical arts, but...how exactly is this a test?
I guess it doesn't matter because Eclipse passed.
And here we go...
Ok, great. We have a spellcaster in the family...
...
...
...
Make that two spellcasters...
....
....
....
Make that three spellcasters. Lucky that there were 3 sages.
So, are you guys like, really sure about this? I mean, this is a big commitment...
Aurora: Oh, come on. Look at the cool stuff we can do!
I mean, so far you all just appear to be making sparkles with your hands. I can do that with a bag of glitter. And may I remind you that your father is probably waiting for you back in the woods? I doubt it took him this long to fix a camera.
Aurora: (sigh) She's right. We've got to get back.
Celestial: Wait, just give me one second.
Celestial: Is there anything we can take home with us to practice?
Shopkeeper: Well, we have some spell tomes, but I must warn you that you may need to practice a bit before you can interpret them.
So, I'm going to guess that none of you have told your parents about this?
Aurora: Are you kidding? Of course not.
And you don't think they're going to notice all of you practicing magic in the house?
Aurora: You've met Dad, right?
Oh, come on...he's not that oblivious...
Or...maybe he is.
Poe: Ok, I can help for a bit but then I've got to go finish cleaning the bathroom. Your mother will have a fit if it's not done.
Eclipse: Um, actually...I can do it when we finish...
You're actually volunteering to clean the bathroom?
Oh...I get it.
At least this stuff has some practical use.
Eclipse: Well, they do call it practical magic...
Poe: Hey, when did you learn magic?
Eclipse: What?
Poe: That bathroom is spotless! I've never seen it that clean. Nice job, honey!
Eclipse: Oh, um...thanks.
So are you two practicing on the plumbing too?
Celestial: No, are you nuts? We get phenomenal magical powers and you want us to use them on the toilet and the sink?
Well, what else do you plan to use them on?
Aurora: Each other! Duh!
Wait, guys...this doesn't seem safe...
...
...
...
You alright, Celestial?
Celestial: Yeah, I think so.
Maybe you two should find a less dramatic way to practice?
What?
Eclipse: I figured out that I can use that cleaning spell on myself. Look! No more showers!
Um...ok. As long as it doesn't end with you face down in the grass like your sister I guess that's fine.
Universe: Did you hear all that noise outside last night?
Celestial: Um....no. Not at all.
Universe: Huh...maybe it was a dream. Hey, a package came for you yesterday.
Celestial: Really? I didn't order anything. Did it say why?
Universe: I don't know...must be a late birthday present. I think it might be a snowglobe; it kind of feels like a glass ball. It's down in the dining room.
Celestial: Whoa!
Ok, now what the hell is that?
Celestial: I don't know. The card just called it a familiar. They sent a broom, too, but I don't really know what that's for. I mean, Eclipse is the one who cleans with her magic-not me.
As long as we don't have to get it a Winterfest gift...
Poe: It's so nice to have everyone in one place again. It seems like you three have all but disappeared lately. Are you sure you haven't learned magic?
Universe: Oh, come on, Poe. They're just being teenagers.
Poe: Yeah, um, speaking of that. I was chatting with Hosnian the other day and he said that the mysterious voice told him his kids would be going to something called college...
Um...
Hey, look! It's Father Winter!
And apparently, Father Winter is just fine with the fire bird. Good to know.
But maybe we should still keep it under wraps around the family?
Especially on a holiday.
Eclipse: Hey, cool! I got a package...from the magic realm
Let me guess. A weird glass all and a broom?
Eclipse: Yeah, how'd you know?
Call it a hunch.
Eclipse: Well, I guess the broom makes sense...I have been mainly cleaning with my magic.
Guys, that's not what the broom is for...
Besides, it's almost time for Winterfest dinner. Maybe can the magic talk for awhile?
Eclipse: Well, well, if it isn't Finn the Hero...
Finn: Aww, come on. You don't really buy that, do you?
Eclipse: I don't know, I mean, you did save that part of town from that plant.
Finn: I wish we'd been able to bring you guys along too. You know, the whole "triplet team"
Triplet team?
Eclipse: It's the nickname he made up for us. None of the rest of us use it but he's refusing to let it die.
Well, whatever you guys call yourselves you all grew up pretty nice.
Eclipse: You ready?
Celestial: Yeah...I just have to take a shower.
Eclipse: There's no time! Here, let me...
Celestial: What the...hey, cool! You didn't tell me that you could use that practical stuff on people!
Eclipse: Come on...let's get Aurora.
Guys, it's like 3 in the morning. Why all the sneaking and whispering?
Celestial: (sigh) We don't want Mom and Dad to know where we're going. And if we go in the middle of the night, they won't ask us so we won't have to lie. Ok?
Do I get to know where you're going?
I could have guessed...
Ok, good. The magic wands will totally help with the whole secret thing...
And I see Celestial has finally figured out what the broom is for. Well, as much fun as this has been it's just about time for me to be moving on. You guys have fun...defying gravity or whatever and I'll see you all next round.
A Message From the Mysterious Voice: And thus ends what I'm now dubbing the "Game Pack Trilogy". Except, unlike Jungle Adventure and Strangerville, this one doesn't end after one round. I debated who should become spellcasters for a while, but these 3 seemed like the best option. There's 3 of them-one for each style of magic-, they're old enough, and their colors actually kind of match the symbols. Eclipse is actually a bit farther along in terms of experience because she gets to practice on stuff around the house. I'm also leaning towards Eclipse taking over the house since she now tends to be separated from the other two who are practicing on each other.
