Chapter Text
The cards were all against you. Literally. The tarot cards laid out in front of you were very against your decision to move across the world and start a new business.
In fact, everyone seemed to be against you-your mother, father, aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone. But there was no way you were changing your mind. You had been dreaming about moving to Seoul, South Korea since you could interpret your dreams. The little manifestations of your unconscious mind told you that you needed to leave your cozy little home with your family.
Your sister was possibly the only person who readily agreed to put you on a broomstick with your possessions. Mostly because then she would have all of the attention.
Three reversed cards -- Ace of Cups, Seven of Cups, Two of Pentacles -- weren’t going to delay your trip either. Your magical bag that seemed to hold everything you held dear was packed and tied to the broomstick that your family had gifted to you once you had been able to walk. It was your main means of traveling and was more reliable than the gas cars that regular humans used. If anything could get you to Seoul quickly, it was Broom.
You were preparing for take-off in your front yard when your mother tried one last time to trap you in your room.
“Honey, don’t you think Seoul is dangerous for a young witch such as yourself. What if someone realizes what you are? Witches burned in Salem! Who knows what they did to witches in Korea?”
“Mom, please stop worrying. ‘Witches don’t burn, they thrive.’ Isn’t that what you always told me? Don’t switch up now that I’m leaving. I’m not a child. I will be careful. You can’t keep me in my room until I turn fifty.”
She smiled sadly, knowing she couldn’t possibly win against your determination. She was the one who raised you. “I could try. But I won’t. I’ll miss you.”
“You’ll miss me physically. But I know as soon as I tell you I’ve breathed in the air of South Korea, you’ll be calling me every single second.”
“You know me so well. Give me one last hug?”
“Last hug? You know, I’ll be visiting from time to time, right?” You giggled as you hugged the woman who had given you life.
“Of course. And I’ll be visiting you. You won’t ever know when I’ll pop up.”
Your mother crushed you into her bosom before letting you go. It was a symbolic hug. She needed to let you go so you could grow. She knew what Seoul had in store for you. Love, happiness, sadness. She would never tell you she had peeked into your future during a ritual a year ago. It wasn’t entirely forbidden and it was only done for emergencies. Losing you was an emergency at the time, and she just needed to know. What if there was something she should warn you about? What ifs were dangerous in the witch community. There should be no hesitation to cast a spell or to go on a spiritual journey to discover who you are.
Your mother was wrong, but it did give her peace of mind to see you so happy with the friends you’d make. However, there was something that did catch her eye. Two men were cuddling with you in one scene she had seen. Jealousy was deeply written into both of their eyes. She had thought she saw some form of malice in one of them then the ritual ended.
She had forced herself to write it off as her worry was getting the best of her. Just a trick of the light she had told herself.
And now she was telling herself to see you off as you left your childhood home. She called the rest of your family who had gathered out.
“We’ll miss you, __! Get me an autograph from an idol. It doesn’t matter who!” Your sister said. She was a fan of korean music.
You lifted your left leg over Broom and perched into your seat. Wiggling a little, you made yourself comfortable for the ride to Seoul.
“I checked your broom. It has enough magic to get you there, but you’d have to refill it as soon as you see land. Otherwise, you’re going to crash land somewhere,” your father told you as he came over to kiss your head.
Your aunts and uncles said encouraging words even though their eyes were holding back the tears they wanted to release. The first born daughter was finally leaving home.
One of your aunts presented a box that was wrapped to you.
“A witch should always have a companion. Preferably a black cat,” she winked.
The box started to whine in soft meows as she placed it into the magical bag that was tied to the broom behind you.
“Good luck. Remember that you are powerful. Passion for magic runs through your veins. Use it to find your passion in your new home.”
“I will, auntie. Also, I don’t suppose this cat can talk, can it?”
“You’ll find out soon enough my love,” your mother answered. “You need to go. You’re losing darkness and I don’t want you flying during the day.”
“Of course.”
You readied yourself, facing towards the horizon that would lead you to a new life. Before you say the spell that would commence take-off, you turn towards your family once again.
“I love you. And I will visit as soon as I situate myself.”
Your mother starts to cry and leans into your father who wraps his arms around his wife. Your sister smiles and waves, trying to keep herself from bursting into tears. You were her only sibling and, without you constantly nagging at her, she would be quite lonely. The attention wouldn’t matter if no one was there to compete with.
“Bye!” Your aunts and uncles call out unanimously.
You start running, muttering the words for take-off under your breath.
O’ wind I call upon thee
lift me up and let me fly through the sky,
let me be free,
keep me safe
So it shall be
Broom slowly lifted up, your feet no longer touching the ground. When you could see the tops of the trees, you glanced down at your family who were still watching your departure. You couldn’t see their eyes anymore but you knew that they were all crying. Your cheeks were wet themselves. Wiping away the tears so you’d be able to see, you wave down at your family, wishing you had a few more minutes to say goodbye.
But minutes would turn into hours. Hours would turn into days. Days would turn into months.
You need to leave at that moment. Seoul was waiting for you.
With one last wave and a quick check to make sure your bag was still secure, you grasped onto the broom handles tightly, and took off.