Harriet and Artemis, both being one, watched Lilly's situation from afar.
Magic does exist. And I know how it feels to be disbelieved. - Thought Harriet - This has gone on long enough. And besides, Venus will like it. - Thought Artemis. She didn't want to get into trouble, but she would make her point.
Let's go.
"Are you quite finished?" - The voice was soft and calm. No one should have heard over the laughter, let alone fall silent. Yet all did. Everyone looked at Artemis. Lilly was surprised, but could not bring herself to speak. Neither could the teacher.
Artemis went on.
"I suppose you will say that there is no such thing as magic." - She said - "I will ask for your permission to speak, teacher..."
"G-granted..." - The spider-like teacher looked at Artemis. She wasn't sending off any evil auras or anything. She wasn't being forceful. Yet the teacher saw no choice but to accept her request. It was a reasonable one, yet she knew she'd accept it, whatever it were. Something about the voice... - She thought to herself - ...but not mind control. No.
Artemis tried her best to talk in a way these children would understand.
"Two thousand years ago, the Greeks believed lightning came from the gods. Now, people 'know' where it comes from. You will say magic does not exist. Look around you. We know the Sun changing like it did shouldn't be possible. Is it so hard to call that magic? Really? For less than two months, we have been living in a world where people can fly or spit fire. Teacher, you studied Physics in college. Should most angels, or even most harpies, be able to fly?"
Why does she call me "teacher" now instead of "Miss" or "Miss Caten"? And when did I ever tell her I took Physics for a semester? - "Er... Yes, that's correct... Most angels and harpies don't have the wing size to fly... And... Well, yes, spitting fire would be right out..." - Said the teacher.
"And yet you laugh when she says she wants to study magic?" - Said Artemis - "Magic is a science like any other. It has rules like any other science, too. It's new, and at the same time very old, but it does exist. And I think it would be good for people to know how it works and, especially, what not to do with it. It has rules, yes. There are things that cannot be done with it, Lilly. But it does exist. If it didn't, this would not be possible."
With that, Artemis showed the palm of her hand. A soft glow came from it, coalescing into the image of the Moon. It released a soft glow, one that could be easily mistaken for moonlight, but one that could help one see.
"A long time ago, some hunters used this to see in the woods. It is a simple trick, really. Quite useful as well. Animals would mistake this for normal moonlight, but it would still help people see." - Said Artemis - "And it is now helping you people see... I will not teach you, for there are rules even I must follow. And I apologize for the intrusion, teacher, but I believe it was for the best. I ask that no one tells anyone about this. Let's proceed?"
Artemis knew she would be obeyed on that. She dismissed the small moon she had created, and sat down. As the teacher proceeded with class, order restored, Lilly looked back at her and Harriet smiled. Lilly smiled back, through her tears and very thankful.
They were friends again.
