Hello there, my name is Hazel. I’m a sixteen-year-old witch-in-training, and when you first see me you’ll probably notice my coke-bottle glasses, thick gold hair and long nails. I wear a long black coat with a hood and long steel blue scarf and carry a satchel with art supplies with me pretty much everywhere.
You’ll probably also notice my familiar, Earl Grey of Cattington. They’re the grumpy cat that never leaves my side. Our bond is so strong that we can even talk to each other — though you probably won’t understand us!
Most folks from my village would say that I’m charming, I think.
The people close to me make it clear that I should look around me more, and pay attention to my surroundings.
As for me, I think I’m pragmatic and I’d really like to be more demonstrative.
I’m writing this from Karikiya, the quiet little village I’ve lived in all my life. I live here with Sonnet (they/them), the village witch. They’re my godparent. People in the village say they’re old-fashioned, but they can actually be playful when it’s just us.
Since I decided to become a witch they’ve acted as my mentor, teaching me the basics of the old ways. We’ve learned a lot together, but now it’s time for me to put it into practice on my own, far from their guiding hand.
Me and my familiar will be leaving on the next full moon, just two days from now, to spend a year away. I hope to hone my magic into something truly special, but also want to find out what a new culture can teach me.
When I dream about my new home, I wake up with lingering memories of the restorative tang of freshly-brewed tea and dusty libraries hiding rare titles.
I’m looking forward to what the year will bring, but I’m also nervous about how well I’ll do.
I wish I had the self-reliance and confidence Sonnet shows when they interact with the villagers. They boldly stick to their ideals and the witchcraft they’ve so meticulously taught me no matter the nay-sayers. I am glad, however, that I am more open to learning new ways and incorporating the old ways into our current way of life, I am not stuck in old tradition.
I spent an evening enjoying freshly-brewed tea with my best friend, reminiscing on our old adventures in the village and laughed at the hijinks we got into when growing up. She told me that she wished the best for me, and that she was sure wherever I went I’d make a difference somehow.
I dreamed of traveling to new villages and being turned away, with fire and pitchforks for the magic I wield, unable to find a place for myself anywhere I went. The fear of failure lingers past the dreams and nightmares. I hope I manage to succeed at whatever I do once I leave and that I’m not forced to return home defeated. If I do return, I want it to be triumphant!
My mentor had one final trial for me today, they wanted to see my mastery in flight. I took off feeling confident and ready, after all, tomorrow I leave on this very broom! But without warning, as I sailed into the sky, a counter-current of strong wind hit my broom, and with a cry of surprise, I toppled and fell, landing on top of a bush.
I wasn’t hurt beyond some scratches as I got out of the bush to see Sonnet standing there shaking their head in disapproval. They informed me I had to keep a wider eye on my surroundings, the leaves below would have warned me of the oncoming gust had I but thought to keep an eye on the ground and not on the sky above. Feeling sheepish and disappointed, they sighed and told me that now that I knew, I’d surely fare better tomorrow. I will have to do my best to keep my eyes open to all around me!
My mentor and parents organized a large feast for the night of my departure. My father cooked a large paella big enough to feed everyone. During the time it took to cook, and even afterwards my mother kept giving me advice, telling me how much she’d miss me, and hugging me with questions about how necessary was this? And if I’d stay instead. I told her I had to do this, and that I’d be fine. I made sure to reassure my friend as well, while she was less vocal, I knew she too would miss me dearly and feel as lonely as I’d likely feel on my journey’s start.
I stayed till the end, enjoying the food I’d miss the most after leaving, and endured the tight hugs of everyone who came to say goodbye and the pictures taken to commemorate the night. Finally, I got on my broom, with Grey behind me, and waving to my friends and family, I set off into the night.