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Moving to the bustling city of London was a major culture shock for Blair. Gone were the wide, verdant pastures of her hometown in rural Ireland, replaced by towering gray buildings and cold asphalt streets. She couldn't feel the spirits as strongly as she did back in their old home, too. It made her feel a little lonely.

Her mother said she'd still be able to do magic, but warned that it would tire her a lot faster now that they were detached from nature. That scared her.

"Don't worry so much. You'll have more things to keep you busy now that we're in the city. Why don't you go around the neighborhood? Maybe you'll meet new friends."

She hadn't even gone around past half the block she lived in when she felt something smack her in the head hard. A black-and-white ball bounced by her feet. Three young boys, probably aged 8 to 12, ran over to her.

"Oi! That's our ball you have," said one of the boys as he snatched the ball out of her hands.

"Pft, I thought she was cute from afar, but she's got weird spots on her face," said the tall, lanky boy as he bent down and took a closer look at her.

Blair blushed furiously and tried to hide it by pulling her scarf over her face. She was about to run home when the third boy blocked her way.

"Where do you think you're going, Ms. Ringworm? Off to spread that fungal infection, I reckon," he said as he poked her forehead hard.

"What the hell do you lads think you're doing, harassing a girl like that?" The voice came from a young, blonde girl. She couldn't have been much older than Blair was, but the boys looked at her warily. "Touch her and I swear I'll tell Ms. Mardling! It'll be the stick for the lot of you. Now, go, shoo!"

The boys scampered as the blonde girl started throwing rocks at them. "That should sort them out. Hey, are you okay?"

"Ah… yes, thank you very much," murmured Blair. Her heart was still racing. She quickly covered the birthmarks on her cheeks with her hair as the girl approached her. The girl was only half a head taller than she was but she felt a little intimidated by her.

"Aw, don't cover those up. That's obviously not ringworm. Those idiots. Besides," said the girl as she tucked Blair's hair behind her ears, "they suit you. Reminds me of deer markings."

"Do I look so much like prey," Blair blurted out nervously.

The girl chuckled. "You have a weird sense of humor. Nah, you just look new around these parts. And deer have giant antlers and they kick hard, mind you. They're not weak. My name's Marion, by the way. From Saint Emebert's, two streets from here."

Blair shook the taller girl's hand. "Blair. I live in the narrow flat in between the bakery and the flower shop just around the block."

Marion beamed. "I love the madeleines they make there! Anyway, I gotta go. l'll be late for class. See you around, eh Blair?"

Blair smiled and waved at her new friend as Marion ran off. The little redhead didn't feel so lonely now.