Once again, with nary more than a gesture, Tsaikatlaua displayed power beyond Yyan’s comprehension. He was beginning to wish she would stop doing that: he felt each flood of magic like a constricting cloth wrapped around his heart, befuddling his senses.
At her request for a plan, Yyan leaned back against a wall and closed his eyes. Though his mind had been hampered by fever and exhaustion, he recalled a few vague images of the place where her book was kept. He opened his eyes again and let his gaze travel around the room. Loath as he was to speak with anymore paranoid underworlders, the danger of keeping their two chosen thieves out of communication was too great. He decided not to include Rue, however; as much as it might anger her, Yyan still viewed her as too dangerous to open up to.
The interior of the building will be awash with enchantment, he reported. There is some kind of… being that maintains the defenses. I doubt there is any way to slip past its notice, but perhaps some way can be found to batter through its hold?
Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Hearing that they would once again revisit the demon mistress's home was not something that Talion had been looking forward to. Not only was the place quite stuffy feeling but it made him sweat, his skin itch and his nose tickle in a way that made him feel all too uncomfortable. He felt a need to remove as much clothing as he could just to eliminate the heavy, damp feeling things but he hated revealing himself in such a way.
He felt that the others were watching him, judging his lack of masculinity and repulsed by his rather frail physique. He was ashamed of his appearance and hated that he was forced to either wilt under the uncomfortable conditions he was placed within or to expose just how weak he truly was.
If the heat and the thick, damp air weren't enough to put him in a foul mood, the body of the young girl that they had had to deal with had been left to rot within the confines of the demon's indoor jungle. The heat and the moister in the air had accelerated the rotting process and made the room near unbearable, despite the fact that she had been dead only a mere few hours.
He had to concentrate on breathing out of his mouth just so he didn't have to smell the thing.
He sat back down in the corner that he had occupied the night before and took out his book one more time.
Talion would have liked to sit quietly reading his book but he knew that he had contributed little to this group and that if he did nothing else, he might be cut off from the supply of herbs that the demon had been giving him. To show the master and his mistress that he could be good for something, every once in a while, he looked up from the molding pages of his tattered document and addressed the others.
"In the dark of night we would be a lot less likely to be seen but we should not wait until it becomes too late, we don't want to be caught leaving in the morning light. I would hope that our thieves have at least a little knowledge on how to open a locked door, assuming that they in fact lock their doors at night and Master, if not..." He had forgotten what he was suppose to call the mistress but he nodded in her direction to signal that he was talking about her. "She should be able to deal with anyone in our path."
"I wouldn't think that a book would be too hard to steal and with these humans being so terrified by magic as they are, I wouldn't think that they would have much in that regard set up to stop us."
He felt that the others were watching him, judging his lack of masculinity and repulsed by his rather frail physique. He was ashamed of his appearance and hated that he was forced to either wilt under the uncomfortable conditions he was placed within or to expose just how weak he truly was.
If the heat and the thick, damp air weren't enough to put him in a foul mood, the body of the young girl that they had had to deal with had been left to rot within the confines of the demon's indoor jungle. The heat and the moister in the air had accelerated the rotting process and made the room near unbearable, despite the fact that she had been dead only a mere few hours.
He had to concentrate on breathing out of his mouth just so he didn't have to smell the thing.
He sat back down in the corner that he had occupied the night before and took out his book one more time.
Talion would have liked to sit quietly reading his book but he knew that he had contributed little to this group and that if he did nothing else, he might be cut off from the supply of herbs that the demon had been giving him. To show the master and his mistress that he could be good for something, every once in a while, he looked up from the molding pages of his tattered document and addressed the others.
"In the dark of night we would be a lot less likely to be seen but we should not wait until it becomes too late, we don't want to be caught leaving in the morning light. I would hope that our thieves have at least a little knowledge on how to open a locked door, assuming that they in fact lock their doors at night and Master, if not..." He had forgotten what he was suppose to call the mistress but he nodded in her direction to signal that he was talking about her. "She should be able to deal with anyone in our path."
"I wouldn't think that a book would be too hard to steal and with these humans being so terrified by magic as they are, I wouldn't think that they would have much in that regard set up to stop us."
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Anther had a distinct feeling he'd been locked in with the criminally insane. He was not yet sure if that notion should include Sagath, but he was wary. To make it worse, the smell of the dead was thick in the air. He could only be thankful Yoger had not been drawn into the mess.
To make matters worse, Rue had directly gone in the face of what Anther had asked -- of what all of them had agreed upon! -- and had slipped silent and stealthy after them. She had not descended into Tsai's lair, but her presence was unmistakeably there. But he could not let his thoughts linger after that, and so he struggled to keep pace with what everyone was saying.
Sagath had opened his snotty little mouth to add his own opinion.
"Any traps or locks we encounter can be taken care of by Anther, or I. Depending on the guards, I might be able t'grease us pass 'em. Quiet like." He rubbed his fingers together, seeming older than the brat he'd been earlier that day. "Course, it would help if we were all dressed a little more convincingly." A sideways look to Tsai and her chair.
Anther tried to not think about the chair.
"Ya," he found himself agreeing, words tumbling out to please the demon-lady before she started cursing him, "I gots a fine set a picks. Clinkers won't stand up t'me." From beneath his layers of grime and dirty clothes, he withdrew an oiled cloth and rolled it open. He fumbled the metal wires and hooks, and cursed as they scattered in front of him. He began to pick them up silently, face heating in embarrassment and misery.
To make matters worse, Rue had directly gone in the face of what Anther had asked -- of what all of them had agreed upon! -- and had slipped silent and stealthy after them. She had not descended into Tsai's lair, but her presence was unmistakeably there. But he could not let his thoughts linger after that, and so he struggled to keep pace with what everyone was saying.
Sagath had opened his snotty little mouth to add his own opinion.
"Any traps or locks we encounter can be taken care of by Anther, or I. Depending on the guards, I might be able t'grease us pass 'em. Quiet like." He rubbed his fingers together, seeming older than the brat he'd been earlier that day. "Course, it would help if we were all dressed a little more convincingly." A sideways look to Tsai and her chair.
Anther tried to not think about the chair.
"Ya," he found himself agreeing, words tumbling out to please the demon-lady before she started cursing him, "I gots a fine set a picks. Clinkers won't stand up t'me." From beneath his layers of grime and dirty clothes, he withdrew an oiled cloth and rolled it open. He fumbled the metal wires and hooks, and cursed as they scattered in front of him. He began to pick them up silently, face heating in embarrassment and misery.
-
Tsaikatlaua
- Citizen
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:39 am
- Name: Tsai
- Race: gods-blessed human
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Tsaikatlaua listened to all the comments, eying the thieves as they eyed her chair. A leonine mile crossed her face. "There is this trinket and more where that came from once we succeed," she murmured to Sagath and Anther.
She hadn't thought about the body of their last thief and she ignored it now, preparing to raise an eyebrow if these new people foolishly inquired. "Dressed a bit differently and more convincingly, you say?" she asked. Rolling her eyes she crossed to a trunk hidden away in the shadows and pulled out more local clothes, stripping down and not caring who looked. She put on a dark red dress over a black, sheer shift, removing most of the gold from her body. She released her hair from its ties and shook it out, then it rebound it tightly to her scalp. It still hung like a thick, shiny black serpent over her neck and around her shoulder, but the gold was gone. "Better?" Without waiting for an answer she sat again, back in the golden chair.
"I anticipated difficulties already," She commented. "which is why you all are here. If I could do it on my own, I would, but I was not gifted to deal with breaking in to government buildings. No one thought the book would be here, locked up in this manner." She looked down as Anther picked up his tools, watching him as he did so. "I do hope that you are more able than you appear, master lockpick." There wasn't any mocking in her voice, but the threat was there all the same.
She directed her smile at Talion. "I shall be able to deal with unwanted attention from the guards of a mortal nature, but the magic around the place suggests there is something more sinister at play here. As we deal with that, I shall breathe easier."
She hadn't thought about the body of their last thief and she ignored it now, preparing to raise an eyebrow if these new people foolishly inquired. "Dressed a bit differently and more convincingly, you say?" she asked. Rolling her eyes she crossed to a trunk hidden away in the shadows and pulled out more local clothes, stripping down and not caring who looked. She put on a dark red dress over a black, sheer shift, removing most of the gold from her body. She released her hair from its ties and shook it out, then it rebound it tightly to her scalp. It still hung like a thick, shiny black serpent over her neck and around her shoulder, but the gold was gone. "Better?" Without waiting for an answer she sat again, back in the golden chair.
"I anticipated difficulties already," She commented. "which is why you all are here. If I could do it on my own, I would, but I was not gifted to deal with breaking in to government buildings. No one thought the book would be here, locked up in this manner." She looked down as Anther picked up his tools, watching him as he did so. "I do hope that you are more able than you appear, master lockpick." There wasn't any mocking in her voice, but the threat was there all the same.
She directed her smile at Talion. "I shall be able to deal with unwanted attention from the guards of a mortal nature, but the magic around the place suggests there is something more sinister at play here. As we deal with that, I shall breathe easier."
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Yyan tapped the bridge of his nose as he tackled the problem of the magical defenses. You and I may be best prepared to combat the building’s magic, lady, he said thoughtfully. Given time, I can learn the working of certain spells, but I don’t have the strength to unravel enchantments as powerful as the ones we’ll find. Your magic is comprised of sheer power. Channeling those two assets together may yield results, if it could be done safely.
A thought occurred to him, and he turned to Talion. And then there is you. What you did to her. He pointed at the corpse of their first thief, keeping his gaze fixed on the pale young man. You leeched her magic away to weaken her. Could you do the same to the building’s defenses? That might weaken them enough for my lady and I to break through.
It was a wild theory. Yyan had no idea if it was actually viable. All he knew for sure was that if they did not find a way to win past the gate, then Tsaikatlaua would make short work of them all and find someone else who could.
A thought occurred to him, and he turned to Talion. And then there is you. What you did to her. He pointed at the corpse of their first thief, keeping his gaze fixed on the pale young man. You leeched her magic away to weaken her. Could you do the same to the building’s defenses? That might weaken them enough for my lady and I to break through.
It was a wild theory. Yyan had no idea if it was actually viable. All he knew for sure was that if they did not find a way to win past the gate, then Tsaikatlaua would make short work of them all and find someone else who could.
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Talion listened intently to the new voice of master speak his commands into his mind. He wanted as the cloak figure pointed at the corpse of the girl that he had helped in killing earlier and he nodded his head.
"I can absorb magical energy from someone or something that has it, yes, but in order to do so, I will need to establish some sort of physical contact with it. I can not kill or destroy anything in absorbing their power but I can weaken them and turn this energy back on them through my own abilities."
He wanted to add more, let them see for himself the tiny purple-black sparks that he could bring to his fingertips or the fact that he could cause a painful, burning sensation in those he touched but he also didn't want to feel as if he was showing off. He wanted to prove that he could be helpful but he didn't want to force himself into the center of the action either.
While he waited for somebody else to add more to the conversation, he returned to his book and another dose of herbs. Best to keep the strength up if it is going to be called on later.
After a few minutes of puffing away at the old pipe. Talion Used his tongue to slide his pipe over to the side of his mouth, he figured now would probable be the best time to remind Master of the magic lesson that he had offered to give before he forgot about it again.
"Earlier you said that you wished to be taught how I can seem to vanish from sight, would you like to learn this now or later? It could come in handy for when we need to sneak in and out again."
"I can absorb magical energy from someone or something that has it, yes, but in order to do so, I will need to establish some sort of physical contact with it. I can not kill or destroy anything in absorbing their power but I can weaken them and turn this energy back on them through my own abilities."
He wanted to add more, let them see for himself the tiny purple-black sparks that he could bring to his fingertips or the fact that he could cause a painful, burning sensation in those he touched but he also didn't want to feel as if he was showing off. He wanted to prove that he could be helpful but he didn't want to force himself into the center of the action either.
While he waited for somebody else to add more to the conversation, he returned to his book and another dose of herbs. Best to keep the strength up if it is going to be called on later.
After a few minutes of puffing away at the old pipe. Talion Used his tongue to slide his pipe over to the side of his mouth, he figured now would probable be the best time to remind Master of the magic lesson that he had offered to give before he forgot about it again.
"Earlier you said that you wished to be taught how I can seem to vanish from sight, would you like to learn this now or later? It could come in handy for when we need to sneak in and out again."
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Sagath had gone rigid, and was staring at Yyan with an odd expression; brow furrowed and a deeply fascinated look in his eyes. Anther had hunched over his tools, and hugged them to his stomach. He bowed his head and didn't look much at anyone. He hoped they would not look at him. He hoped Rue would go home. He hoped Yoger stayed safe. The most he could do now was keep his head down and do what he was told. Maybe he would get out of the whole mess alive. Maybe he'd be caught and held by the guards. He was starting to wonder what in life was worth all of this mess. The city certainly wasn't worth it.
A bubble of laughter broke loose in his chest, and he stifled the sound into a brief, small cough of noise. It was only a little hysterical, and he tucked his tools away as he tried his best to be unremarkable and blend into the walls.
"Vanish?" Sagath's voice was clear and coolly curious, and Anther flinched away from it.
A bubble of laughter broke loose in his chest, and he stifled the sound into a brief, small cough of noise. It was only a little hysterical, and he tucked his tools away as he tried his best to be unremarkable and blend into the walls.
"Vanish?" Sagath's voice was clear and coolly curious, and Anther flinched away from it.
-
Tsaikatlaua
- Citizen
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:39 am
- Name: Tsai
- Race: gods-blessed human
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Tsaikatlaua smiled gently at Yyan. "I had not thought of that. But perhaps by combining our powers... you are right. My gods will shield us from backwash of my own power, and I daresay they would cover yours too, if something went wrong. They cannot deal with the building's own power though, and therein lies the problem."
She turned her gaze to Talion, regarding him thoughtfully. "Yes... Yyan has a good idea. If you could be touching the building and draw off its power, I think we can cause a distraction to take the attention away from you... can't we?" She directed at the small group of thieves, raising an eyebrow. They only needed one of the thieves, after all... "Rue," she said, looking to the shut door. "Perhaps she would oblige us. Or perhaps she need only come along. Unless one of you wishes to take her place?" Tsaikatlaua questioned of the others.
The honey-skinned young woman lowered her eyes as Talion mentioned vanishing. She didn't mind so much if Yyan was taught the art--he'd proven himself very useful over the past day. Of course, she got the idea that he was driven from fear, but she didn't mind that. She lived in fear of her gods and had been blessed, given a task that would cause her name to be passed down through the ages if she succeeded. And she would succeed, of course, but she couldn't do that with vanishing thieves. "There will be no vanishing on your part, Sagath. Perhaps afterward, tomorrow night if we are back and alive, then you can learn the art. Yyan, if you learn quickly you may do as you will. But we leave in an hour, if everyone knows their tasks."
She waited for a response from the motley crew, wanting to hear the murmurs of assent that would tell her that if not entirely prepared, they at least knew what they were supposed to do.
She turned her gaze to Talion, regarding him thoughtfully. "Yes... Yyan has a good idea. If you could be touching the building and draw off its power, I think we can cause a distraction to take the attention away from you... can't we?" She directed at the small group of thieves, raising an eyebrow. They only needed one of the thieves, after all... "Rue," she said, looking to the shut door. "Perhaps she would oblige us. Or perhaps she need only come along. Unless one of you wishes to take her place?" Tsaikatlaua questioned of the others.
The honey-skinned young woman lowered her eyes as Talion mentioned vanishing. She didn't mind so much if Yyan was taught the art--he'd proven himself very useful over the past day. Of course, she got the idea that he was driven from fear, but she didn't mind that. She lived in fear of her gods and had been blessed, given a task that would cause her name to be passed down through the ages if she succeeded. And she would succeed, of course, but she couldn't do that with vanishing thieves. "There will be no vanishing on your part, Sagath. Perhaps afterward, tomorrow night if we are back and alive, then you can learn the art. Yyan, if you learn quickly you may do as you will. But we leave in an hour, if everyone knows their tasks."
She waited for a response from the motley crew, wanting to hear the murmurs of assent that would tell her that if not entirely prepared, they at least knew what they were supposed to do.
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Yyan smiled, pleased that Tsaikatlaua had seen merit in his haphazard plan. The real test would come when they stood before the building itself, but having a direction helped ease some of the concern plaguing him. Even more than the fear of failing his powerful mistress, the thought of being caught within the invisible nets of that place made his heart drum shallowly against his ribs. He didn't even know why he feared it, and that made it all the worse.
He rubbed a hand over his mouth at Talion's suggestion, trying to think of an excuse to refuse and failing. Another asset at his disposal, particularly now, was too much of an advantage to pass up. An hour wasn't much time to learn... but it was enough to make a start.
Sagath's interest was understandable; he was a thief, afterall. Yyan hadn't missed how intensely the well-spoken underdwelling looked at him either, a different feeling than Anther's terrified mistrust, but almost as disconcerting. Yyan sensed hunger in him, for tools, tricks, advantages. Anything that could be used for his own gain. He resolved to guard himself carefully around that one.
With a soft sigh and a glance out the window, he gave a nod. I will use the time as best as I can, my lady, he replied to Tsaikatlaua. Then he motioned for Talion to follow as he moved toward the back corner of the shack away from the others. Tuning his words to Talion alone, he said, All right, what must I do?
He rubbed a hand over his mouth at Talion's suggestion, trying to think of an excuse to refuse and failing. Another asset at his disposal, particularly now, was too much of an advantage to pass up. An hour wasn't much time to learn... but it was enough to make a start.
Sagath's interest was understandable; he was a thief, afterall. Yyan hadn't missed how intensely the well-spoken underdwelling looked at him either, a different feeling than Anther's terrified mistrust, but almost as disconcerting. Yyan sensed hunger in him, for tools, tricks, advantages. Anything that could be used for his own gain. He resolved to guard himself carefully around that one.
With a soft sigh and a glance out the window, he gave a nod. I will use the time as best as I can, my lady, he replied to Tsaikatlaua. Then he motioned for Talion to follow as he moved toward the back corner of the shack away from the others. Tuning his words to Talion alone, he said, All right, what must I do?
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Talion graced the tanned demon lady with a simple nod of the head before slowly climbing to his feet without the assistance of either the wall behind him or the walking stick that had been resting on the floor by his feet. His movements were slow but with the help of the added drugs within his system, they were not painful.
He stumbled and walk with a limp but he slowly made his way around the few piece of furniture that stood between himself and the Master at the back of the room. The corner that Master had chosen was perfect for the task as it was dark and far enough from the others so that they would be less likely to distract them and they would have a higher chance for success if they weren't being watched.
"It's really quite simple." He spoke through his teeth while continuing to smoke his pipe. "I assume you know of the astral plane, the source of all magic. It is a place that exists within, around, and apart from our world or at least that is what I was taught. We all get our powers from it but only some know how to take from it directly."
He paused for a second to look back at the others before continuing in a hushed tone.
"If you focus hard enough you should be able to see it, feel it, smell it. It is everywhere but it hidden at the same time. Can you see it?"
Talion closed his eyes to demonstrate. "Once you see it, feel it's vibrations tickle the hairs on your skin, you must pull it out of the air and to yourself. I find it easiest to find it in the dark, where it concentrates. "
His fingers spastically reached out as if pulling hairs out of the air that could not be seen by the average person, and pulling them to himself. His actions were those of one that was experienced with the act and within a moment he would be hidden from the eyes of anyone who was not intently watching him.
"Though you may use this trick to make yourself appear to have disappeared, you will have neither disappeared nor be beyond the ability to be spotted by those looking directly at you. My trick is simply one to draw attention away from you so that you can safely walk away."
With a wave of his hand he brushed away the magical disguise.
"Now I wish to learn the secret of your mind speaking ability."
He stumbled and walk with a limp but he slowly made his way around the few piece of furniture that stood between himself and the Master at the back of the room. The corner that Master had chosen was perfect for the task as it was dark and far enough from the others so that they would be less likely to distract them and they would have a higher chance for success if they weren't being watched.
"It's really quite simple." He spoke through his teeth while continuing to smoke his pipe. "I assume you know of the astral plane, the source of all magic. It is a place that exists within, around, and apart from our world or at least that is what I was taught. We all get our powers from it but only some know how to take from it directly."
He paused for a second to look back at the others before continuing in a hushed tone.
"If you focus hard enough you should be able to see it, feel it, smell it. It is everywhere but it hidden at the same time. Can you see it?"
Talion closed his eyes to demonstrate. "Once you see it, feel it's vibrations tickle the hairs on your skin, you must pull it out of the air and to yourself. I find it easiest to find it in the dark, where it concentrates. "
His fingers spastically reached out as if pulling hairs out of the air that could not be seen by the average person, and pulling them to himself. His actions were those of one that was experienced with the act and within a moment he would be hidden from the eyes of anyone who was not intently watching him.
"Though you may use this trick to make yourself appear to have disappeared, you will have neither disappeared nor be beyond the ability to be spotted by those looking directly at you. My trick is simply one to draw attention away from you so that you can safely walk away."
With a wave of his hand he brushed away the magical disguise.
"Now I wish to learn the secret of your mind speaking ability."
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Anther nearly cursed aloud when Tsai mentioned using Rue. He had told the girl to stay back at their hideout, but she had simply ignored him. This sparked a tiny, warm spot of anger in his chest, but he didn't say anything. Sagath, looking one part amused and one part curious at the freakshow that was being displayed, didn't say anything either. Fat load of help he was. No sense of loyalty, no sense of camradarie: Sagath was colder than any of them, and more ruthless besides. He made Anther nervous.
Anther wanted ale.
When Talion started to speak, Sagath remained still and silent, but a hungry look came over him. It was the same sort of look all the street children possessed, but in him there was something more adult and feral about it. Sagath did not play games, and whatever his reasons for remaining in the streets with the rest of their little den, he would not remain there with them forever. Anther had to remember that. He would. But he just wanted a drink so badly, something to take the edge off of all the weirdness.
Anther looked away from Talion, and closed his eyes wearily.
Anther wanted ale.
When Talion started to speak, Sagath remained still and silent, but a hungry look came over him. It was the same sort of look all the street children possessed, but in him there was something more adult and feral about it. Sagath did not play games, and whatever his reasons for remaining in the streets with the rest of their little den, he would not remain there with them forever. Anther had to remember that. He would. But he just wanted a drink so badly, something to take the edge off of all the weirdness.
Anther looked away from Talion, and closed his eyes wearily.
-
Tsaikatlaua
- Citizen
- Posts: 72
- Joined: Tue Dec 02, 2008 5:39 am
- Name: Tsai
- Race: gods-blessed human
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Yyan and Talion secreted themselves in some corner, and Tsaikatlaua didn't bother to keep up with their conversation. Why should she be invisible when she could be powerful and sexy instead? That, to her, seemed to solve more problems. Then again, she was a female who had no problem with nudity in this heavily-clad culture, and that probably worked in her favor as well.
Her clothes chafed. She was wearing a dark dress in the local fashions and she did not feel comfortable. For one thing, she had two layers on. It helped keep her warm, but where she could work her powers she had no need of warmth. Scowling, she blew out gently through pursed lips and cooled the air. She toned down the humidity as well, finding the mix of cool air and moisture in the air not pleasant for one who was trying to find the perfect temperature.
She sighed and shifted in her golden chair, changing a fingernail into a claw and scraping intricate patterns on the armrest of the seat. She stood abruptly, feeling the last vestiges of the wonderful sun falling beneath the dreary skyline of Marn. "We go," she announced. "Gather your friend on the way out... I shall explain her task to her when we reach the Library."
Tsaikatlaua led the way out of her rented shack, not waiting for answers. There were few enough people on the streets, and those that were out fell away at the look in her eyes--a predator, headed for the kill.
Her clothes chafed. She was wearing a dark dress in the local fashions and she did not feel comfortable. For one thing, she had two layers on. It helped keep her warm, but where she could work her powers she had no need of warmth. Scowling, she blew out gently through pursed lips and cooled the air. She toned down the humidity as well, finding the mix of cool air and moisture in the air not pleasant for one who was trying to find the perfect temperature.
She sighed and shifted in her golden chair, changing a fingernail into a claw and scraping intricate patterns on the armrest of the seat. She stood abruptly, feeling the last vestiges of the wonderful sun falling beneath the dreary skyline of Marn. "We go," she announced. "Gather your friend on the way out... I shall explain her task to her when we reach the Library."
Tsaikatlaua led the way out of her rented shack, not waiting for answers. There were few enough people on the streets, and those that were out fell away at the look in her eyes--a predator, headed for the kill.
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Whatever Yyan thought of Talion, the process the pale young man used to cloak himself with shadow was a fascinating one. The explanation of the source of magic was different from what Hyalith had taught, but he wasn’t up to starting a debate just then. He wanted to learn, and whatever Talion knew of magic, right or wrong, he at least got results.
Yyan decided to try it. He closed his eyes and concentrated on detecting this hidden force in the air. It was difficult because he wasn’t sure what to feel for. The blanket of moisture still pressed, the warm temperature making him sweat beneath his old clothes… then inexplicably growing colder and eliciting shivers. Such distractions frustrated him, until he came to his senses and pressed his palm over his heart. Breathing slowed, unwanted emotion sloughed away, until a perfect center of calm remained. In that state, he separated the known from the unknown and for a moment held a sliver of… something between two pinched fingers. He opened his eyes, but the thing vanished before he could look at it.
Interesting, he murmured.
Talion’s request caused Yyan to blink, then snort faintly. Do you now? Likely, it’s far different than anything you have ever tried to do. Magic is only barely involved. The secret is focused will. He cocked his head to look at Talion askance. I wonder if you even have any will left in you.
He was being harsh, but the thought of opening Talion up and allowing his darkness to escape the confines of his mind unnerved Yyan. Hyalith had warned him constantly of the perils, to himself and others, of directing his thoughts without the proper grounding. It was not something you agreed to frivolously.
Yyan sighed, and his expression softened. But since you shared your knowledge with me, I will not be remiss in returning the favor. We have not the time for complete instruction, but I can teach you what I know of inner control, and that is the first step. Who knows? Perhaps that alone will quiet down the darkness that plagues you.
At that moment, Tsaikatlaua announced their departure and led the way out of the shack. Yyan lifted up the hood of his jacket. Come. We can talk further as we go.
Yyan decided to try it. He closed his eyes and concentrated on detecting this hidden force in the air. It was difficult because he wasn’t sure what to feel for. The blanket of moisture still pressed, the warm temperature making him sweat beneath his old clothes… then inexplicably growing colder and eliciting shivers. Such distractions frustrated him, until he came to his senses and pressed his palm over his heart. Breathing slowed, unwanted emotion sloughed away, until a perfect center of calm remained. In that state, he separated the known from the unknown and for a moment held a sliver of… something between two pinched fingers. He opened his eyes, but the thing vanished before he could look at it.
Interesting, he murmured.
Talion’s request caused Yyan to blink, then snort faintly. Do you now? Likely, it’s far different than anything you have ever tried to do. Magic is only barely involved. The secret is focused will. He cocked his head to look at Talion askance. I wonder if you even have any will left in you.
He was being harsh, but the thought of opening Talion up and allowing his darkness to escape the confines of his mind unnerved Yyan. Hyalith had warned him constantly of the perils, to himself and others, of directing his thoughts without the proper grounding. It was not something you agreed to frivolously.
Yyan sighed, and his expression softened. But since you shared your knowledge with me, I will not be remiss in returning the favor. We have not the time for complete instruction, but I can teach you what I know of inner control, and that is the first step. Who knows? Perhaps that alone will quiet down the darkness that plagues you.
At that moment, Tsaikatlaua announced their departure and led the way out of the shack. Yyan lifted up the hood of his jacket. Come. We can talk further as we go.
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Talion wasn't really sure if he liked the answer he received but it was all he had to go off of. It was true that he was surrounded in darkness, it practically consumed him, this much he knew but as much as he knew of it, he didn't really know it nor did he know how to get rid of it. If that was even what he really wanted to do.
Sure the darkness had brought him more than his fair share of problems but that didn't change the fact that it was still very much a part of him and had been since before he could remember. The Master had always insisted that it was his gift, it was what had separated him from others and strengthened his bond with his brother, until he too was lost. Now the darkness was all that remanded of his past.
He limped back to the front of the room to retrieve his walking stick and book before leaving the house. The book was slipped into a pocket on his pants and the stick took its rightful place within his hand. Other than the presence of the cloak that he had lent to the thief, he left the dwelling much as he had entered it the night before.
Sure the darkness had brought him more than his fair share of problems but that didn't change the fact that it was still very much a part of him and had been since before he could remember. The Master had always insisted that it was his gift, it was what had separated him from others and strengthened his bond with his brother, until he too was lost. Now the darkness was all that remanded of his past.
He limped back to the front of the room to retrieve his walking stick and book before leaving the house. The book was slipped into a pocket on his pants and the stick took its rightful place within his hand. Other than the presence of the cloak that he had lent to the thief, he left the dwelling much as he had entered it the night before.
Re: Borrowing Back Taken Magic
Rue was angry. Anther was a pathetic little rat if he thought he could keep her docile and obeying orders like some kind of half-wit lacky. Who was he to tell her to stay here, go there, watch the base, follow the leader and if you're a good girl I'll give you a pat on the head? Well, simple. He wasn't. She wasn't going to follow his ass down anywhere even if he thought otherwise. And he thought he could keep her from following. Hah! He couldn't. He couldn't when they were all brats, and he couldn't now.
So she'd perched on the outside of the building, very carefully listening in to the words and sounds. She didn't like what she was hearing -- everyone knew magic was highly illegal in Marn! -- but even so she felt her curiosity looping her and drawing her in, until she heard Tsai speak of using her.
She jerked back from the building, and considered running away and keeping low for awhile. But wait, no, she weren't no cowardly dint like Anther was, and didn't he tell her she couldn't go? But she could go! She'd even been requested so who was he to think to hold her off, like he was some special sumbitch and she just a lowly errand runner?
Tsai swept out of the building, and Rue tried hard not to be awed by the woman's sheer presence. It was easier when she spotted Sagath, who was looking as puffed up and arrogant as usual, and she slipped in behind the woman so quickly that Sagath had to stop or else run into Rue's back. She smirked vindictively.
_______________________
Anther was the last to exit the building. He did not want to be anywhere near Tsai, so he tarried until Talion slowly gathered his things and traipsed out of the place. The thief was quick to note that Sagath did not so much look back to make sure Anther was okay and following, and the young man felt a fresh wave of misery wash over him. Once outside, it was clear that they were really going to do this, and that Rue had decided to follow her own will on the matter. So typical. Anther was very quickly forming a grudging opinion that the only good women were the ones on street corners. The rest were all meddlesome, swollen-headed puffed-up toads.
He scowled, and stuck close to Talion's heels as the small party took their sweet time through the roads and alleys of the city, and he tried very hard to not look at any of the passersby, or any doors or windows or any street openings or any other alcove where a living person might be. He didn't want them to notice him. He didn't want them to question him, or jeer at him. . .or arrest him. He didn't belong in this section of the city, and his pulse pounded through him.
He had never seen this part of the city before. He kept his head down, and tried not to look ahead at Sagath's swagger or Rue's bold step. Or even at Yyan or . . .or. . .her.
They stopped.
Rue stepped closer to Tsai, excitement coloring her face and dancing in her eyes -- stupid traitor -- and Anther finally looked at his surroundings. That building then, that must be the library.
He gulped.
So she'd perched on the outside of the building, very carefully listening in to the words and sounds. She didn't like what she was hearing -- everyone knew magic was highly illegal in Marn! -- but even so she felt her curiosity looping her and drawing her in, until she heard Tsai speak of using her.
She jerked back from the building, and considered running away and keeping low for awhile. But wait, no, she weren't no cowardly dint like Anther was, and didn't he tell her she couldn't go? But she could go! She'd even been requested so who was he to think to hold her off, like he was some special sumbitch and she just a lowly errand runner?
Tsai swept out of the building, and Rue tried hard not to be awed by the woman's sheer presence. It was easier when she spotted Sagath, who was looking as puffed up and arrogant as usual, and she slipped in behind the woman so quickly that Sagath had to stop or else run into Rue's back. She smirked vindictively.
_______________________
Anther was the last to exit the building. He did not want to be anywhere near Tsai, so he tarried until Talion slowly gathered his things and traipsed out of the place. The thief was quick to note that Sagath did not so much look back to make sure Anther was okay and following, and the young man felt a fresh wave of misery wash over him. Once outside, it was clear that they were really going to do this, and that Rue had decided to follow her own will on the matter. So typical. Anther was very quickly forming a grudging opinion that the only good women were the ones on street corners. The rest were all meddlesome, swollen-headed puffed-up toads.
He scowled, and stuck close to Talion's heels as the small party took their sweet time through the roads and alleys of the city, and he tried very hard to not look at any of the passersby, or any doors or windows or any street openings or any other alcove where a living person might be. He didn't want them to notice him. He didn't want them to question him, or jeer at him. . .or arrest him. He didn't belong in this section of the city, and his pulse pounded through him.
He had never seen this part of the city before. He kept his head down, and tried not to look ahead at Sagath's swagger or Rue's bold step. Or even at Yyan or . . .or. . .her.
They stopped.
Rue stepped closer to Tsai, excitement coloring her face and dancing in her eyes -- stupid traitor -- and Anther finally looked at his surroundings. That building then, that must be the library.
He gulped.