noblankpages | Duplicity IC Contact

[ He turns it over in his hands, examining the damage left by the raw magic that had been forced through it. ]

Between the two of us, I imagine we could work out at least a close approximation of how it's done. [ Which may sound a little overconfident, but Zexion has spent his life studying magic in its different forms. The unique challenge offered here is too much for him to pass up. His eyes shine with obvious, irrepressible excitement. ] What does being an arcane warrior consist of? If it's a derivative of that.

[ Ah, but that confidence sparks a stronger smile from her. Neria has always appreciated challenges. ]

I'm most certain we can. [ And she will be glad to see Zexion's critical eye on such a project. ] Arcane Warriors essentially channel mana and power into their bodies to become perfect soldiers on the battlefield. They were mostly used by the ancient elven. I learned it from a spirit I freed.

[ As one does. ]

I don't know how mages in the Circles use Knight-Enchanting but an Arcane Warrior quite literally uses their magic prowess and strength as one would use physical muscles. I can bolster my attacks, use a shield for defense, or I can quickly regenerate my mana pool. But it allows me to use a blade and be far stronger on the battlefield. Useful, when most people think I'm very small and unassuming.

Fascinating. So you're essentially using your magic to enhance your physical abilities? There are spells I know to that effect, but they're more for aiding in speed and reaction time than strength.

In any case, I take it you use a more conventional sword as an Arcane Warrior? Since it sounds as if the technique for creating mana blades is exclusive to Knight-Enchanters.

I can do those too - buffer spells - but in effect...yes. I take my magic and turn it on its head to make it benefit me physically. And yes, I can use a conventional sword, but that doesn't mean any technique is unique to Knight-Enchanters.

[ The smile she gives him is sharp, challenging. Proud. ]

They know what has been passed down from books and lore. They've taken a fraction of what I know and have shaped it into what they think would fit. But I know what it feels like first-hand.

If they can do it, so can I. And I can make it better...with your help.

Uncovering an ancient magical technique like this is... Well, it's a scholar's dream. [ There's an almost childlike giddiness at the idea bubbling below the surface, barely contained by Zexion's determination to stay at least somewhat dignified. ]

Where would you like to start? We've spoken before briefly about how making my illusions tangible works, and I imagine similar principles might apply.

I can speak to Ivy about fixing the handle of the blade or making something better...but I would want your help in deconstructing and testing what's here. You have keen eyes, Zexion, and I need them.

[ And she needs someone who's less likely to worry and fret and stop her. Magic has always been about trial and error and experimentation. She isn't going to be stopped because someone is fearful for her safety. ]

Your illusions, though... That's an idea. What do you have in mind?

Ivy? Oh, yes. She works with enchanted materials, doesn't she? [ He remembers that conversation they had about synthesis, back when Neria introduced them. ]

Well, it depends on how similar our magic truly is, but a lot of training in illusions involves visualization exercises. Meditating on the minute details of an object, the weight and texture of it in one's hand until you've memorized them, then channeling magic into recreating them. We might start you on trying to recreate simple objects before working up to duplicating an existing sword, then go from there.

Yes, she's something of an alchemist.

[ Neria considers what he offers, her gaze lingering meaningfully on him while she works it all through. But, really, it's more that she's considering logistics, because she's already beginning to nod emphatically. ]

If you could teach me those things-- I know our magics are likely very different but anything would help. If you'd be willing to instruct me, I'd be grateful. And I can show you whatever I can of my own magic, teach you anything you'd like.

From the sound of it you manifested the sword because you knew what a solid one felt like in your hand and were able instinctively to channel your magic into what should have been there, right? Even if you can't cast illusions as I can, the basic principle should be similar enough to apply.

[ He's already thinking over old lesson plans and exercises he was introduced to early on, when he was first learning illusion magic. It was all a long time ago, but he's sure he knows the basics well enough to teach them. ]

We can start now, if you'd like. And I'd be very interested in learning how you manage fine control over temperature. I've noticed you using that particular ability a few times, ah. In the past. [ During moments of intimacy. ]

Yes, I pushed arcane energy into where the...missing blade was. And just made it work from there.

[ It had cost too much energy, of course, because she was essentially dumping too much in terms of output into the handle. It'd been unwieldy. Zexion, at least, can teach her to fine-tune all of it and help her control it better.

To his comment, she turns a faint pink and laughs. ]

Well, that shouldn't be so difficult to teach, considering you already know elemental magic. But-- I'd love to start now. How would you like to proceed?

It's the fine control that I'm interested in seeing if I can learn. A flame is easy for me. Heat by itself is a different matter. [ Especially maintained at a constant but low intensity. He's not even sure if it's possible with the sort of magic he has, but he's eager to try. ]

Often the first step in learning illusions is making simple two dimensional shapes - circles, squares, triangles - in a purely visual manifestation. I don't know if your magic will lend itself well to that, but I can take you through the visualization exercises that go into it. Here.

[ He sits down across from her at the desk and holds his hand out in front of him, index finger extended, and begins drawing a circle in the air in blue-white light. ] Some people find it helpful to think of their hand as a pen and their magic as the ink, and act as if they're actually painting a surface.

[ She follows him to sit, though she watches him with a great deal of fascination. He makes it sound so simple and, indeed, his demonstration simply encourages this idea. Slowly, she lifts her hand, points a finger out, and tries to do the same.

It's not working, obviously, because she lacks the inherent talent. She frowns, considering, and then tries again. Neria attempts just a simple circle. She tries several times to do this, slow, methodical. It's clear she's trying to feel the process and to channel her magic into it.

It's slow going. She does not speak. But eventually, there is light, very faint. It's simple mana come to her call that she uses to make the circle. But this isn't...illusion work, she thinks. ]

But how do you make it... You know. This is just suspended mana, it's not an illusion.

All illusions are just magical energy being made to behave in specific ways, really. It may not feel like anything impressive now, but you have to start with the foundations before diving into more complex images, as with any skill.

I'd recommend practicing until you can draw the circle consistently, but if you're feeling ambitious you can try changing its color. That will help you get a feel for how your will effects the magic visually, and once you've mastered color we can move on to texture, which goes a long way towards making objects look real. And once an object looks real, it's much easier to trick the mind into thinking it should feel real as well.

[ BUT SHE WANTS TO BE PERFECT AT IT NOW, ZEXION.

Ugh, fine. He has a point. She's gone so long just being...excellent at learning magic that's been in her wheelhouse that actually finding something difficult, even a challenge, is a little exciting, even if it is also rather frustrating. ]

Is that how you learned it? Color, texture, then convincing someone it was real?

[ Being the Gifted Kid is haaaaard. He gets it. ]

It is, yes. Illusion is an interesting school of magic in that traditionally it's more for show than anything else - an art form, rather than a weapon. So much of the methods of instruction for it involve perfecting the sensory aspects in order to recreate things like animals, or flowers, or other experiences. That said, once you have the basics down, we may be able to skip ahead somewhat, if you're not concerned with your sword looking like it's made of magic rather than metal.

[ She's still making a decent attempt at holding the circle there, just trying to focus on the magic and energy going into it. Neria looks up at him. ]

I think a sword that looks like pure white fire is suitably more frightening than a blade, don't you? I'm fine with learning how to make it look like a sword, though, if only to shake the magic off of it later.

[ Zexion smirks. ] If intimidation factor is what you're striving for, then I'm certain we can do that. Here, I'm going to try touching your circle. Don't worry about making it feel solid just yet, but try to see if you can make it move as if reacting to my hand.

[ He reaches out and taps gently on one side of the circle. ]

I want people to think twice before attacking, frankly. So if they see some kind of flaming blade being held aloft, I think it should be a deterrent, not a challenge they want to overtake.

[ Neria pauses in speaking, letting him reach out and touch it. With care and focus, she tries to get it to thrum or...ripple, maybe? And there's some minor shifting there, yes, but it's not quite what Zexion's looking for. ]

That certainly makes sense. It will be good to be prepared for times when you might want to go with a more subtle approach as well, though.

[ Zexion's eyes light up when he sees her effort. Ambitious! More difficult to pull off effectively, but still, he's impressed. ]

Not bad. It's interesting that you chose use a rippling effect rather than treat the circle as a solid object and just move it slightly. That's what most starting illusionists tend to do.

[ She blinks up at him. ]

Oh, I... I thought-- Well, it looks fake enough. I didn't think it'd be believable if it seemed more solid than that.

No, it's a good instinct. Thinking about the different properties an object might have, rather than going with the easiest or simplest solution. You'll still need some practice to do non-solids effectively, but that was very good for a first try.

[ That sort of affirmation sparks something in her, and Zexion might recognize it in himself, in the things he's felt before, long ago. It's pride, genuine pride, and gratitude. ]

I can get there. I know I can.

[ She'll just need to keep practicing every single day until she's satisfied. And then practice more. ]

Duplicity IC Contact

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject