M A L I K K I N G | tags: none | location: home | mood: motivated |
"Are you sure you don't need us to stay?" Malik asks his grandmother for possibly the dozenth time, but he can't help himself. It's not that he's worried that something will happen while he and Imani are gone-his father and grandmother are some of the strongest people he knows, and without the strain of two teenagers on the household budget they might be able to start setting aside savings for Dad's retirement. It's more that he loves his family, passionately and without limits, and hates the thought of being away from them for so long. Nana just tuts, though, and hands him his suitcase. Reminds him that this will be good for him and Imani as well, that it does not just benefit her and Baba. Imani's free hand slips into his, and together they walk out the door to face this new adventure the same way they do every other one: together.
I M A N I K I N G | tags: none | location: school | mood: mellow |
Malik is way more conflicted about this 'lunar falls academy' than Imani is, she notes with mild amusement but no surprise. Her twin brother has always felt things wholly and deeply, while Imani has always been content to drift on the surface of her emotions. It's not something she envies him anymore, not since she was able to understand how feeling so deeply caused him a lot of turmoil. Still, she can't help but be glad when he walks into the moonlight with her. The moment they're transported to the glade, her feet leave the ground. Nana had a strict 'no powers in the house' rule, and ever since they had discovered their abilities, she began to feel weighed-down in an off-putting way if she stayed grounded for too long. She knows the reverse is true for her twin, how he prefers to stay on the ground floor of buildings. She's almost surprised he hasn't shucked his shoes off immediately-they've become bothersome for both of them, but especially Malik. As they make their mismatched way towards the academy, she allows herself a thought that usually only comes to Malik. Whatever comes of this strange school, they will weather it together.

