"Tell me about witch magic," Jon held Cinder's hand as they walked home from the park. "Can you really cast spells and stuff?"
"You could call them spells I guess," Cinder nodded, "but we call it hexing."
"Wait, you can really do that?" Jon replied. "How does it work?"
"It just kind of happens. I mean," Cinder paused in thought, "it's tricky to explain. Our bodies constantly produce magical energy. It's in our genes see, and we just expel it like sweat off your back. Except it's invisible. We're all tuned to this energy too, intuitively, and we can use it to cast hexes. Or remove them, of course."
"Wow," Jon frowned in confusion, "I'm still not sure how all that works."
"Imagine a hex as a puzzle, then reversing a hex is like solving it. If you're the person who made the puzzle, then you already know the solution to it. But every hex is different, even if they do the same thing. It's not easy without the solution."
"Okay, I get it," Jon nodded, "I think. What do hexes do?"
"Pretty much anything, once you're good at it. Though normally a hex can only be cast on one person or one object. It gets extremely difficult when you try to throw a hex on more than that, but it's not unheard of. Nana claims she did four people all together, this one time." She added, "Years ago, back when she was stronger."
"What else? Oh yeah," Cinder continued, "We can also hex food and liquids, and make potions out of them. Did you see our cauldron? That's where that comes in. Since we only produce so much magic a day, we save some handy ones for later."
"So you're bottling your magic?"
"Yep, we've got loads of potions at home. You should see my pantry some time!"
"I'd like that," Jon smiled.
"Cool . Although, Mom would probably kill me if I did," Cinder sighed. "You got any more questions? I don't get the chance to talk about this stuff all that often."
"Really?" Jon asked. "I would've guessed everyone asked you about this kinda thing."
"Believe it or not Jon, the statement, 'I'm a witch' is usually enough to stop the questions," she grinned.
"Okay, then I gotta ask just one more thing," Jon nodded. "I'm curious. Are there any boy witches?"
"Not that you'd know it," Cinder shrugged. "Male witches carry the gene, but they're not green-skinned and can't produce or control magic at all. A male witch can go his whole life without knowing his heritage."
"Amazing," Jon muttered, "though now I've got like a million more questions."
"Shoot," Cinder said. "I honestly don't mind."
"Nah, it can wait," Jon shook his head. "Besides, we're here already."
The couple had reached the sidewalk in front of their neighbouring homes.
"Do you want to come over for dinner tonight?" Cinder asked suddenly.
"I dunno "
"Please?" Cinder pleaded, clutching Jon's hands tightly with her own. "I know my mom will like you."
"Sure I guess, if it's okay," Jon relented.
"Of course it will be," she kissed him, again on the cheek. "Come on over at seven o'clock."
"Right, see you later," Jon nodded, "Beanstalks."
"Ass!"
