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Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#226: Sep 28th 2020 at 4:29:46 PM

Sieglinde von Brandt

Conveniently (or inconveniently, depending on how one thought of it) Sigi had seen fit to follow Verona out of curiosity anyhow, and literally just after she asked of Shard regarding the supposed ‘personal thing’ she squeezed her head beneath Verona's arm to peek out towards him also. Only upon seeing Shard's state did she frown and pull herself out again, eventually plopping down on the other side of him and leaning over slightly to try and give him a hug.

“Hey. You two talk about stuff. I don't mind not listening,” she attempted to encourage; as she knew she was at least good at not paying attention. But Shard was upset, and she never let anyone be upset alone if she could help it.

Besides. Hugs were nice! For both involved. Her jaw was still smarting after all, and her more vulnerable side felt like she needed some excuse for comfort herself. Even if it was in trying to give comfort to somebody else.

Edited by Enirboreh on Sep 28th 2020 at 12:31:01 PM

bork
kagescorpionakki Breath of the Sun from Long Ago Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Breath of the Sun
#227: Sep 28th 2020 at 5:51:42 PM

Pick

The fighting drew to a close as the last enemy was defeated. Pick relaxed, 'sheathing' his wooden sword (read: sticking it back in the loop in his belt) and surveying the damage.

The tavernkeeper fortunately didn't press charges, understanding that they'd acted in self-defense. Pick nodded at her, before turning towards the entrance. Where the cloaked man had just run out of. Pick's hand moved to the hilt of his sword as he followed the man out.

He saw the cloaked man running into an alleyway, and made to follow, running a few steps before pausing and turning back. Shard was slumped against a wall, and Verona and Sigi had come out to comfort him. Pick mentally berated himself; while the cloaked man was suspicious, his allies were more important.

Pick strode back over to the group. "That cloaked man mentioned news of an assassination attempt earlier, and you were visibly shaken." He said, calmly. "I don't know if he's an acquaintance of yours, or an enemy, but I assure you that if he does try to do anything to you, I will protect you, Shard."

Then he turned towards Sigi, stepping towards her and raising his hand to lightly touch her injured jaw. "You are injured. Allow me to heal you. I witnessed our instructor using healing magic earlier, so I should be able to simply replicate that energy flow."

Without waiting for a response, he closed his eyes and attempted to replicate the exact feel of the healing spell he'd felt earlier.

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#228: Sep 28th 2020 at 6:00:00 PM

Shard

"AAH!" Shard yelped, nearly jumping out of his skin at a sudden voice. When he saw who it was, he calmed down a bit. "Oh...hey, Verona...nice to see you again..." He attempted a laugh, but it was weak and died out quickly.

Then he noticed Sigi, whose head was squeezed beneath Verona's arm to look at him. The sight was strangely adorable, and Shard's lips twitched up into a half-smile. "Nice to see you too, Sigi—"

And then she was hugging him.

Shard blinked in surprise, then moved a bit closer into the hug. "Thanks, both of you," he murmured. "I'd...still rather not talk about it, but..."

Then Pick (who he hadn't actually noticed until this moment) mentioned what had happened in the tavern. Shard stiffened a little, before forcing himself to relax. "Nope. Don't know him. An' if I do, I don't recognize him." He might've recognized me, though. "He gave me his cloak, so, um, that was nice of him. I think."

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
MichaelDj54 Since: Mar, 2010
#229: Sep 28th 2020 at 6:03:35 PM

Zyan

Zyan watched only silently as the others dipped out in search of their classmate who was outside at the moment, leaving him alone with Freana and her own words of encouragement.

He knew she was right, that the pacifist route could only go so far and that if he continued to simply wait in tbe sidelines as things happened around him, no good would come of it. It was...comforting to hear someone, be it physically line Sigi, vocally like Freana or even emotionally like the others he didn’t feel alone at the moment. Forgiven, and the event forgotten.

He hoped.

So gulping he rose to his feet and looked up at Freana with a nod. “We should probably head out.” He said, gesturing at the bodies that lay around them. “Something tells me we’ve left our mark here more than enough.”

However. As he started to walk out her words DID echo in his head. The invitation. The thought alone made his body tense but at the same time a thought did race through his head. The old farm boy routine would get old. Don’t hide in your shadow and expect people to hate you.

Go out. Branch out. Explore yourself. If it doesn’t work out then at least you tried. But you still had to make the effort.

A nervous swallow. He tended a fist and then his tail wrapped around her leg.

“Freana?” He asked before they could get too close to the door, looking up at her.

“About that invitation earlier?” A silent nervous inhale before he attempted a braver looking grin. “If you think you can handle me, I’m more than happy too. Besides, who knows?”

And as he walked by , trying to feed off his own confidence-

“I may be able to show YOU a thing or two.”

Half of him proud of himself for making the first step to stepping out. But the other half was screaming in silent introverted terror.

And by god did it scream loud.

PresidentStalkeyes Eats moldy bread and flies into windows from United Kingdom of England-land Since: Feb, 2016 Relationship Status: Do you like me? (Yes ⎕ Definitely ⎕ Absolutely!!! ⎕)
Eats moldy bread and flies into windows
#230: Sep 28th 2020 at 6:09:10 PM

Zoss

Zoss hadn't paid much attention to Elliot this time; all of a sudden, their confidence had vanished and they were busy pacing up and down the library as best as their bad leg would allow, thinking over and over about how to best get the knowledge out of that Mesmer without screwing it up. They never were good at asking the questions, that's how the accident happened... but they need to ask the right questions. If they ask the wrong questions, that's it, relationship permanently in the toilet, no knowledge, no nothing. This social chess lark, it's insidious, sadistic, barbaric!

Wait... what was that Elliot said? Pretend to be someone you're not?

Just like that, they suddenly were off in a flash. They went right over to the Mesmer professor in the stupid outfit... what was their name? Screw it, they'll cross that bridge when they come to it. Right now, they were only focused on one thing.

Standing by the Mesmer, they loudly stomped the floor, as if standing to attention. "Professor, uh... Professor! My name is, ah, Zoss, Zosspen- Zoss Panopola, and I have traveled, yes, I have traveled miles, across a desert, if you will, of sorts, in a manner of speaking... and I must know, I must have the answers to... to, the Rift, and things, and you're from the Rift, so, logically you must know about it, and magic and all those related mysteries, and I, like many people, want to know these things, so I, uh... maybe we could help each other out, see, I can also, uh... do stuff, such as, uh... things like..."

Okay, this plan wasn't working out.

"...I'm sorry, should I come back in? ...Sir? Can I call you sir? You look like a sir. I look like a sir as well, but I'm not, so I thought I'd better check."

Those sell-by-dates won't stop me because I can't read!
furnacedoor from in the middle of something Since: Sep, 2020 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#231: Sep 28th 2020 at 6:10:25 PM

Verona

Verona breathed a sigh of relief. Just as soon as she'd thought of her, Sigi had been there, her simple brand of affection doing a pretty good job of calming the situation. Pick's declaration had been sweet, too, and Verona contemplated sitting down and pulling Pick into a big group hug with Sigi and Shard.

But then, Pick reached out his hands to Sigi, declaring his intent to use magic to heal her, and Verona's smile dropped. She took a step back, stumbling against the door frame. She put up a hand as if to shield herself from a blow, and spoke in a quiet, strained voice.

"Pick, can you...warn me before you try that?"

Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#232: Sep 28th 2020 at 6:18:38 PM

Sieglinde von Brandt

“...Uh? You wanna heal me...?” Sieglinde blinked at Pick's approach, twitching away subconsciously at his touch to her bruised jaw before noting Verona's discomfort and biting her lower lip in uncertainty. “...uhhh... I mean I... don't mean to sound... mean about it, but... it's really not that bad, and... I'd prefer it if either an actual healer did it or I just let it heal... naturally...”

Her face scrunched up into a frown at how her own words had come out, and she promptly gripped Pick's outstretched hand in an effort to draw his attention. She looked pleading, almost.

“...D-Don't be mad, or anything... it's not that I don't trust you, but... I mean, it's the first day and magic is pretty hard. I know you're a Mesmer and are probably pretty attuned to it and everything but... just to be safe, you get me?”

She smiled a little after this, releasing his hand and then broadening her expression into a cheery (.^-^.) face.

“But thanks, Pick~! It's real sweet of you to offer...~”

bork
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#233: Sep 28th 2020 at 6:30:54 PM

Freana

Zyan had a point. Much as she wanted to get plastered, it was better to get out of there while they could. The longer they stayed, the better chance those bastards would get off the floor and they'd have to start this shit all over again.

But before she could go, the kid did something she didn't expect.

He made a move.

...well.

She guessed she'd have to give her answer.

Tail still wrapped around her leg, she didn't waste a moment. Holding his head back, she kissed him square on the lips, leaving them there for a solid second before letting go. She sauntered towards the door, putting a hand on the doorknob before making it formal.

"Dorms. After dark. My place."

And as if sealing the deal, she blew one slow little kiss.

"See you there."

She winked, grinning like a fiend as she skipped out the door.

Score one for love.

kagescorpionakki Breath of the Sun from Long Ago Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Breath of the Sun
#234: Sep 28th 2020 at 6:31:05 PM

Pick

If Pick was at all hurt by Sigi's interjection (he wasn't) then he didn't show it. He merely nodded, lowering his hand and cutting off the flow of energy before it could properly begin.

"Very well. I understand your concerns. And noted, Verona." He drummed his fingers on his thigh as he stepped back and turned to Shard, refocusing his thoughts on the cloaked figure. He'd figure out later why Verona was afraid of magic.

"Lord Forebrow." Pick said suddenly. "The cloaked figure mentioned there was an attempt on the life of someone named Lord Forebrow. Then you panicked, and fled. You are obviously connected to this event, given your reaction. But I am equally certain that you are not an assassin, as you are clearly too kind and honest to be capable of conspiring in murder."

Pick reached forward to place a hand on Shard's shoulder, in what he hoped was a comforting gesture. "I don't know how you are connected to this event, and I will not force you to share, if you do not want to. But if you do, I will not judge you for your past, whatever it may be. I know you are a good person, Shard."

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#235: Sep 29th 2020 at 11:56:00 AM

Shard

"U-um..."

For a few moments, Shard stared at his lap, fidgeting with the cloak.

Then...he smiled. "Thanks, guys. I'm...not ready to talk about it right now. But...maybe one day."

He got to his feet, still a bit shaky, but far calmer than he had been. "Sooooo on a completely unrelated note, when does the next class start? 'S been a while since combat."

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
UndyingPhoenix Since: Feb, 2015 Relationship Status: You cannot grasp the true form
#236: Oct 1st 2020 at 4:39:45 PM

Ainsworth International Adventuring Academy - Library

Instructor Mekel, at first, gave no indication of having even taken notice of Zoss...until they spoke. With a sigh, the Mesmer looked up from their book, a rather complex tome detailing the biology of Menagerie's inhabitants and some sort of energy flow diagram, to stare straight at the masked student, their blank, teal-tinged orb not covered by their long, aureolin hair feeling as if it drilled right through with its gaze. When they spoke, the ethereal float of their voice was hard to discern as masculine or feminine, and though there was little anger in it, there was a certain...terseness.

"You are perhaps the 7th person today who's come up to me in my time between classes to ask me about the secrets of the Rift, as if me being a Mesmer means I know something nobody else can. Well, I appreciate the interest in magic, but allow me to be curt. I do not. I do not remember a thing from before I awoke from my divine servitude. All I know is that I have an affinity for the Rift energies that flow everywhere, and that is something I cannot share. And learning about the Rift and how it works is no task for some fledgling like yourself. If you want to learn about magic, I'm due for a class soon. Anything I could tell you here, I can teach you in class. Understood?"

With that said, Mekel turned back to their book, poring over the pages and writing down some notes in a smaller book to the side.

"And you may call me Instructor, Mx Mekel or Mx Rothschilde. I'm hardly a professor or a sir."

Over at the library counter, Orlin looked up from his work at Elliot, pointing at his own throat and shaking his head, before pointing to some bookshelves in the back. He then pointed down at the piles of work on desk, wagging the quill in his hand with a nod of understanding, and got back to logging the collections.


Ainsworth International Adventuring Academy - Magic 101 - 12:00 PM

Almost immediately as the students stepped in the room, the air felt abuzz and alive, though in a way that was most certainly not natural. Strange force lifted and weighed down on them alike, silent excitement emanating from the elegant, intricate marks on the wall and floor seeming to give anything not tied down a loose ephemeralness. Everything felt almost...unreal, as if they had stepped into a world just between the waking and waning. At the center of the room, as with Maya, stood the imposing figure of Mekel, staff still slung across their back. They had been browsing through a book as the doors opened, only for it to quickly vanish into nothingness as the students filed in.

"Good day, students. I am Instructor Mekel, though you may also call me Mx Mekel or Mx Rothschilde. Do not be alarmed at the aura of this place. It is simply the safety wards enchanted into the room itself. So long as they remain up, we should have no tragic mishaps. With that said...Close the door."

They pointed two fingers at the entrance to the hall, giving a casual flick of the wrist. The wind kicked up, and the doors slammed shut tight, the runes on the door lighting up where they had been inert before.

"That door shall remain closed at all times during class. At 10 minutes after the scheduled time, it shall close and I will not accept any lateness without prior notification or valid reason. You are not to use magic, on your own or especially against others, in this hall without my permission and supervision at least for the immediate future. Do I make myself and the rules of this hall clear? Now, before we begin, I'd like to answer any questions you may have, within reason of course. And before you ask, no, me being a Mesmer does not give me some secret forbidden magical secrets."

With that, they shot a knowing look at Zoss. There was no hostility nor disdain in the instructor's voice, but they seemed to be the exact opposite of the laissez-faire Maya. In this case, opposites did seem to attract.

Edited by UndyingPhoenix on Oct 1st 2020 at 1:40:03 PM

Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#237: Oct 1st 2020 at 4:52:00 PM

Sieglinde von Brandt

“Hello, Mx. Merkel...~!” Sieglinde sang upon overhearing their introduction, cooing and shivering at the the lively buzzing in the room as she began to idly saunter about and delicately investigate as much as she felt she'd be allowed to without exploding everyone. Or something. She only seemed half-aware of the teacher's recounting of the rules, but nodded rapidly and smiled beguilingly once they had finished.

“Yes, Mx. Mekel~! I'll be good, I promise~”

Orrr as good as I can be...

“I don't think I have any questions... hmm... nada for now!” she eventually hummed, clasping her hands behind her back casually as she twirled around on her heel and flashed a happy (^-^) face at them.

bork
furnacedoor from in the middle of something Since: Sep, 2020 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#238: Oct 1st 2020 at 5:19:01 PM

Verona

Verona inhaled deeply through her nose, trying to remain calm as her heart rate went through the roof. This was magic class. Magic class. Why did I think this would be a good idea?

She'd been riding the high of the brawl and the unlikely bonding she'd done with most of her classmates and had followed them without thought into the classroom. She'd planned to stand near the door for a quick escape, but upon entering the room she'd felt oddly refreshed, as if a weight had lifted off her shoulders even as she felt the force of something else settle in its place. Distracted by this, she'd drifted into the middle of the room with the rest of the class.

Of course, she regretted that intensely as the door slammed closed with a gust of wind. Surprisingly, all she felt was a slight tickle in her throat, but that did nothing to allay the sudden panic she felt at being caged.

With that in mind, she tentatively raised her hand.

"So nobody can come in during class, but what about if somebody wants to leave? Like, just as an example, for a class-related medical emergency? For example."

That was the question she asked. The question she thought?

How often can I ditch this class without getting expelled?

Edited by furnacedoor on Oct 1st 2020 at 5:20:46 AM

kagescorpionakki Breath of the Sun from Long Ago Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Breath of the Sun
#239: Oct 1st 2020 at 5:20:03 PM

Pick

He'd seen them at orientation, but this was the first time Pick was actually speaking to another of his own kind. It was odd, seeing another like himself. It made him realize that he was not the only of his kind to awaken. And that made him wonder why Mesmer awakened.

Was there some external force, or was it simply their own programming? Was it happenstance, or were they designed to eventually gain free will? So many questions ran through his head, but despite Mekel's offer of answers, Pick knew the instructor wouldn't have the answers to any of them. No one would.

He pushed those thoughts away, focusing instead on the door-closing spell the instructor had cast. Like with the healing spell before, he focused on the flow of energy, trying to gently shape his own energy in the same way.

"I have no questions, Mx Mekel." Pick said, trying to get used to the feeling of taking and manipulating energy at the same time. He paused, both verbally and in his energy movement. "Though I would just like to say that it is... comforting, to see another of my own kind. I hope I do not disappoint you, teacher."

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?
kkhohoho (4 Score & 7 Years Ago)
#240: Oct 1st 2020 at 6:17:04 PM

Freana

Magic class, huh?

Freana was of two opinions about this whole thing. On the one hand, learning any sort of magic would give her some sort of edge. She'd already heard a bit about body magic from some of the students in the hall. If any of that was true, than using something like that on someone like her? That'd be an ace in the hole! Put it together with some invisibility or mind-reading magic or something and she'd have it made.

On the other hand, magic was hard.

But hey. No pain, no gain, right?

She nearly gagged just thinking that.

"Hey, no-one's saying you know any fancy magical secrets just cuz you're a mesmer. They are saying you know fancy magical secrets cuz you're the school's teacher and got more magical know-how than the whole class put together. I mean, anyone trying to take you on would probably get knocked straight on their ass. Like, you've gotta know something, right?"

Edited by kkhohoho on Oct 1st 2020 at 9:19:49 AM

LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#241: Oct 1st 2020 at 7:12:00 PM

Shard

Shard practically bounced into magic class, excitement carrying him to the center of the room. Of all his classes, this was what he was most excited for. Casting spells like a true wizard, one from all the storybooks! Learning and mastering every form of magic! Being able to recite an incantation and not have everything blow up in your face, causing your father to run into the tower and find it a charred mess while you writhe in pain on the floor, screaming and crying with your one remaining eye and blood is everywhere and—

Shard blinked, then shook his head. He was not going to lose his excitement. He was not. Not over something he was trying to put behind him.

Fortunately, he hadn't missed much in his reverie. Unlike combat class, no one seemed to know what to ask. Good news was, there was a lot Shard wanted to learn about magic, and no better time to ask than now!

His hand shot into the air so fast it was a wonder his thumb didn't take anyone's eye out, and before he could get called on he asked, "Are there different types of magic? What are they? Are any of them easier or harder than others? What are the limits to what you can do? Oh, and how do you cast spells without blowing yourself up?"

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
PresidentStalkeyes Eats moldy bread and flies into windows from United Kingdom of England-land Since: Feb, 2016 Relationship Status: Do you like me? (Yes ⎕ Definitely ⎕ Absolutely!!! ⎕)
Eats moldy bread and flies into windows
#242: Oct 1st 2020 at 7:50:43 PM

Zoss

Hearing the Mesmer speak, Zoss figured it was probably best to humour them in any way they could, going from their tone of voice. ...After all, if they had asked the wrong sort of questions, they'd need to take a hard turn into bootlicking yes-man territory. Shift the scale back to the neutral.

"Mm-hmm, yep, yes..." they idly muttered as the instructor - 'Mekel', apparently - emphasize their lack of forbidden knowledge. Well, whatever, it was a long shot, they figured. ...Unless they were covering up that knowledge to protect it from strangers. Zoss was a stranger, that much was certain. It was only smart.

"Ah... yes, yes, I see, I understand, si- uh, instructor. I uh, as they say, yes, they say, I am 'picking up what you are throwing down'. They say that in Terraforma, yes... anyway, thank you for clearing that up, yes, and I suppose I shall see you shortly!" they rambled as they slowly limped their way in reverse, back towards the librarian. They still needed to ask about some of the alchemy material...

Later, in magic class...

As Mekel made their latest speech, Zoss probably would have been thinking about the social chess again, had they not been busy sweeping their eye across a book entitled 'The Magnum Opus and Other Alchemical Misconceptions' - one of several books that they'd arranged in a big stack next to them. They'd arrived about five minutes earlier than everyone else to give them time to set up and start making notes in their little black book. They had gotten the general gist of Mekel's speech being 'don't be late' - well, that was that taken care of - but they hadn't registered the aside glance or whatever else their fellow students were saying. What they did register was the request for questions.

They looked up from their note-taking. "Ah! Yes, I have a question, if you'll forgive me for my earlier, uh, faux pas, with asking about secrets and whatnot, but... no, this one is rooted in reality, you see... ahem, anyway..."

They paused momentarily to loudly push their chair in as they flipped a couple pages back through their book, stopping at a particular passage. "According to this, the extract of the Fnyydroot plant can be used in an alchemical process to create a kind of foamy substance that's an ideal packing material - I think I've read about Fnyydroot foam in another book which says that it's made of an element that reacts with heat to create an explosion, which could be used as a ready fuel for fireworks or other such missile objects that require heavy propulsion. Thing is, though, Fnyydroot foam generated via an alchemical process is magic, right? Does that mean it cannot be affected by mundane chemical reactions? I've looked everywhere in this book and I'm getting mixed responses, uncertain theories... magic is part of the mundane, magic is apart, depends on the strength, the caster... how consistent is magic, anyway? I've read about the possibility of using magic to help synthesize liquid forms of gases, but then that in turn might affect the purity of the liquids..."

Those sell-by-dates won't stop me because I can't read!
TheRealWren Omega Overlord. Or superjwren329. Either or. from I...honestly have no idea. Since: Jan, 2011
Omega Overlord. Or superjwren329. Either or.
#243: Oct 2nd 2020 at 5:04:16 AM

Library

While he was somewhat curious...Elliot decided it'd be best not to pry and that he had his answer. Not to mention with time probably ticking away, he'd have to come back later as he quickly jotted down a note, cheerfully thanked Orlin along with a polite bow and headed off to class.

It just wouldn't do if he was late, not at all.


Magical Class.

Elliot couldn't help but tilt his head and wonder what exactly was going on, not exactly masking his confusion that well. Well, aside from the rules.

"Okay, so don't panic, be here on time and no magic without your say so. Is there any other rules? Otherwise, that's certainly simple enough!"

Then SOMEONE had to mention magic and blowing up. Although it did take a few seconds before it kind of clicked.

"...Wait, hold on, firstly...how, what's the word...volatile. How volatile is magic? And secondly, actually, make this the first question...what even IS magic?" He inquired, looking somewhat worried and confused.

Hope you weren't expecting anything witty here. Maybe some day.
HilarityEnsues Since: Sep, 2009
#244: Oct 2nd 2020 at 2:28:16 PM

Xera

Magic was important, no matter who you were. Even a warrior dedicated to martial pursuits needed to have some understanding of it if they wanted an edge in battle. Not to mention that Body Magic would be particularly useful for someone like her. It was for these that she walked into class with an open mind and an eagerness to learn.

"To be honest, I really don't know very much about magic at all. How do you... start? I mean, what do you do when you're just learning about it? Sorry, I guess that's not really much of a question, but this is definitely not my area of expertise."

MichaelDj54 Since: Mar, 2010
#245: Oct 3rd 2020 at 9:22:57 AM

Zyan

You know maybe after everything that happened it would be a good thing to just go to class and clear his mind of the panic, worry, and most prevalent of all, excitement. Magic was something he only ever considered learning and mastering in the past but now, here he was! About to learn how to use magic!

Yes he knew he wasn't going to be throwing fireballs after the first class, but it was progress that they would be learning! He was excited to get started. He was so excited he couldn't even speak, all he could do was rock on the balls of his heels and try not to get TOO excited about the idea of using magic in conjunction to his own physical feats he was capable of!

But also keeping a realistic idea that knowing him? He'd blow himself up trying to do the most basic shit.

But it was fun to dream.

UndyingPhoenix Since: Feb, 2015 Relationship Status: You cannot grasp the true form
#246: Oct 5th 2020 at 9:07:49 AM

Magic 101

Mekel gave a curt nod to Verona, though there was a certain sense of "that much should be obvious" when they spoke. "Of course you may leave with a valid reason. Those doors are shut, not locked. Although judging from your reaction, and my wife mentioning that someone in her class rushed out the door the moment she used Life magic on someone...you have something against magic. Most people are keen on learning the mystic powers of the world. Perhaps..." Mekel closed their eyes, a distinct feeling of being watched washing over Verona, singled out. It was brief, before quickly vanishing as the instructor opened their eyes once more. "If you would like, see me after class. There is something you need to know, and something which I may be able to help with."

With that, they turned to Freana, but addressed the whole lot of them soon after. "I know enough about magic. I'm hardly a master magic-worker, but I have enough knowledge and experience to get by as an adventurer. That should suffice for you too. As for the rest of your questions, all will be answered now, or in due time. Starting with 'what is magic' and 'how volatile is it'."

The words said, Mekel swept their arm and, with a snap of their fingers, the space their arm passed warped and distorted like a mirage on a desert horizon, or the rippling of crystal-clear water. This warped energy soon turned prismatic, splitting into several smaller orbs of various colours and natures. A burning flame, glistening water and ice, and almost mud-like energy, rippling visible silver wind, light and dark dragged out of nature, and many others.

"This, dear students, is the essence of our world and the others outside it. What you see here is the split, filtered results of our reality, normally invisible to the naked eye, made manifest using magic. Menagerie, like all worlds, is a stable environment adrift in the great Rift beyond our skies and materiality, the realm where gods dwell. Rift energy is the foundation of all existence, and this Rift energy is where all other energies form from, separate aspects of a whole that make our existence possible. These filtered essences are stable most of the time and in most environments, merely existing in different balances. Magic is the term used to describe handling and controlling these essences directly, such as in the forms of spells, enchantments or alchemy, often using your own mind as a way of attuning to and working these energies. In that sense, magic itself is as volatile as its user, reacting to their grasp of it. To that end, methodical practice and a calm mind are essential for the prospective magic user. Your mind must be as a machine, for those of you familiar with the technology of Saorant and certain parts of Terraforma."

Mekel lowered their hand, the magical energies vanishing back into the fold of the world as if they had never existed, and unslung their staff from their back and giving the ground a few taps. Almost immediately the wards flared up, and the air became...hazy and almost foggy, a presence descending upon the class. It was overwhelming, yet not, as if the entire world seeped into them.

"So to the end of learning how to manipulate these forces, we have to take the first step of utilizing it: Sensing. You may have felt the effects of the energies before, but very few of you without prior experience will have even sensed the true source of it. I have used the wards in this room to stabilize and make these energies 'heavier' in order for you all to sense it easier. I want you all to meditate, close your eyes, or whatever activity will clear and focus your mind and spirit. Once that is done, 'reach out' or 'in' as it were and feel these energies, visualize them in whatever way you find natural. Describe them to me. They can be found not only in the space around you, but within yourself and other beings. Life and Body energies should be easiest to feel, and each person should feel them differently. I urge you all to remain relatively calm, more for the sake of progress than a concern for safety. Awakening your being to the forces beyond your ken would threaten to overwhelm anyone, but it shouldn't blow up in your face here."

furnacedoor from in the middle of something Since: Sep, 2020 Relationship Status: YOU'RE TEARING ME APART LISA
#247: Oct 5th 2020 at 9:56:40 AM

Verona

I can't do this.

Verona stood still for a moment, watching her classmates, unable to even consider closing her eyes. She watched as they settled into their meditations, or whatever else they were using to concentrate, and felt completely at sea.

She glanced at Mx. Mekel, at their impassive gaze scanning the classroom. They'd said they had something to tell her, after class. How was she supposed to think of anything else? They could be about to inform her that this school would be better off without somebody who had "something against magic" like she did. And then she'd be packed off home, back where she'd started, back under the disappointed gaze of her parents.

On the other hand...she slowly reached for her pouch, extracting the deck of "premium" cards that Maya had given her. A special reward, she'd said, for performing well in class.

She couldn't keep standing in the center of the room. She drifted toward a corner, seeking the comfort of her back against the walls. She settled on the floor, drawing her legs up to her chest, and set about opening the card box, looking through the cards one by one. She wouldn't have any success at this exercise anyway, and it was a decent way to pass the time.

But as she found herself flipping through images of foreign, dreamlike landscapes, and exotic creatures, she slowly felt herself relax. The movement of the cards became routine, rythmic, more instinctive than intentional. And eventually, well, she guessed that she was Sensing.

It didn't feel like reaching anywhere, to her. It felt like making herself small, so that the world around her could be as big as it wanted to be. The energies of Menagerie were landscapes layered upon landscapes, worlds of their own, hiding in plain sight and waiting to be seen. It was like hiding on the cliff face, watching the brush sway and envisioning kingdoms.

As if in a trance, she pulled a card from the top of the deck and set it down in front of her. It was a tree, growing on a miniscule island of dirt which was splitting a narrow river in two. Its roots extended, visible, into the rushing water, further interrupting its path to take what it needed, but being constantly battered in the process.

She spoke, almost without thinking.

"That's Life."

Enirboreh AKA Nixer from the domain of infinite floof. Since: Jul, 2015 Relationship Status: Non-Canon
AKA Nixer
#248: Oct 5th 2020 at 10:07:40 AM

Sieglinde von Brandt

“...ooh...~”

For a moment it seemed as if Sieglinde was about to reach out and try to touch Mekel's magical display, but she soon paused and withheld as they began their speech. She blinked in a daze upon hearing the flurry of words, but tried to concentrate as hard as she could—getting the gist of it at the very least and nodding along obediently.

As they ‘heavied’ the wards, Sieglinde's eyes seemed to droop woozily as she moved to sit down crosd-legged; idly brushing flecks of dirt off the soles of her feet as the teacher once again went into an explanation she could barely follow. But the key words of ‘reaching in’ communicated enough to her, and she closed her eyes—letting out a slow breath as she tried to relax and focus in on this strange presence.

“...it feels... warm. Fuzzy. No, um... hazy. Like a fog in the early morning... but it's kinda like it's... breathing. All swirly, and gentle... but it's got... force behind it, like a... like a flowing river– I feel like I'm describing a meal or something, it sounds weird...”

bork
LilyTheLitten Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️ from The Investigation Institute Since: Apr, 2020 Relationship Status: Longing for my OTP
Inspector Irratino my beloved ❤️
#249: Oct 5th 2020 at 10:40:00 AM

Shard

"Relax! Relax. Got it. I can do that." Shard was admittedly not very good at relaxing, but if it meant being able to throw magic without everything blowing up in his face, then he was down!

He plonked down onto the floor and squeezed his eyes shut. Focus. Focus. Focus. The wards settled on him like a thick fog, and he started absently drumming his fingers on the floor. Focus focus focus how did I do this the first time? The world around him dimmed, the sounds growing softer and softer until they were simply white noise.

Then the world shattered, and darkness consumed it.

Strange galaxies turned overhead. Stars dotted the sky, a mix of black and purple and blue and green and colors he couldn't name. He was alone, little more than a tiny dot in this endless sky—but he didn't feel alone. He felt like he was part of something bigger than himself, and that was...soothing.

His eye locked onto one star in particular, watching it glow alongside the others. It seemed to grow more radiant by the second, soon overtaking the other stars as its light burned at the dark sky. He felt like he was aflame, the star's light consuming his vision—

Shard's eye snapped open with a jolt, the visions disappearing. What was...? The last few moments...he'd felt like he had moments before the explosion. He looked around the classroom, wondering if anyone else had felt that.

If the wards hadn't been up...would I have...?

"I think..." Shard hesitated. "I think I sensed the Rift."

Edited by LilyTheLitten on Oct 5th 2020 at 10:41:10 AM

"Look inside yourself and to the stars; there, you will find your answers."
kagescorpionakki Breath of the Sun from Long Ago Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Anime is my true love
Breath of the Sun
#250: Oct 5th 2020 at 10:59:05 AM

Pick

Pick had already closed his eyes when Mekel began the display. He knew that the visual was for their benefit, to help them conceptualize. He also knew he didn't need it. It was easier for him to feel than to see.

He sat down with the others, keeping his eyes closed, and bowed his head in focus as the energies deepened around them. He felt the wards in the room, the fog of Body and Life. He casually pushed his consciousness deeper, and he understood.

"They are resources." Pick said, explaining his understanding as best he could. Briefly he wondered if Mekel would comprehend the energies in the same way he would. "Raw materials which can be molded into different forms as needed. The different energies manifest as different resources, such as lumber versus metal. But as with lumber and metal, they are fundamentally the same, at their core. They-"

Then his eyes suddenly opened, his head whirling to look at Shard, as the boy awakened from his own meditations. "You did." Pick said. "I could feel that as well. That was the primordial resource. The fundamental particle. I know it well, despite having forgotten my centuries of work. You must be talented at this, Shard, to reach so deep."

What is so amusing about this? Why do you take lives? How can you forget?

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