noblankpages | Duplicity IC Contact

[ 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

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