May 19th, 122 PW
After Soneya got out of the hospital, she resumed her duties at work but she was sent home a little earlier because her head clearly wasn’t in it. The diary Doctor Sehkhara had given her was securely in her pocked and she regularly felt for it, hoping against hope that it would provide a bit of insight into her constant headaches. She really, really hoped it was possible, even if she still wasn’t quite sure about the doctor’s motives. She was still afraid Metarie would try and use some kind of magic on her.
Her parents weren’t helping in the evening, once again commenting on her long disappearance from work, the fact that she had gone to the hospital and been a general nuisance to more than just one person that day but Soneya tuned them out, retiring early to go to bed. It was the best course of action and she could already feel the pressure on her head ease the moment her eyes closed and sleep snuck up on her.
A dream came to her, one she had had for quite a few nights in a row already, always with slight changes to the setting or the general course of the dream, but it was always similar. That night, she was standing next to the Ofriyu, dressed in a gorgeous skyblue silk dress with her hair flowing freely over her shoulders, looking out at the water. A serene expression on her face, Soneya was almost smiling. All around her thick drops of water were falling but she herself remained miraculously dry. It was odd but at the same time it felt like the most normal thing to her, as though water was her friend and would in no way ever even think about harming her. Holding out her hands to the sides as though she wanted to catch some of the droplets, her eyes were fixed on something in the river.
A Nightly Visitor
A Nightly Visitor
Last edited by Soneya on Tue Feb 18, 2014 7:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Tell dropped into her dream, descending from the clouded sky upon his crystal ball. He did not care for his own dreams; those found in others were much more restful. This one in particular had stood out amidst the others. There was that irresistible call of magic within, and Tell could not refuse. If his senses were correct, it was the dream of an unpracticed water mage.
His precarious perch atop the green crystal ball descended in the manner of a swiftly falling feather, rocking from left to right in slow sweeps. Without effort, he moved from his sitting position to stand upon the orb, and it was without fear that he hurled himself into the open air. He plummeted down, the gravity of the realm left uninfluenced by his mind. Before he reached even a mere few feet beyond the green sphere the wizard snapped his fingers and vanished into thin air, leaving nothing behind but a gap in the rain.
The wizard’s consciousness reappeared a short distance away from the girl, but his body did not follow. In spectral form he waited, observing as the dreamer preformed some ritual foreign to Tell, extending her hands over the waters. They responded to her greeting, and did not touch her.
Tell turned his own power to the water, which suddenly crashed over her. The time in which she reflexively closed her eyes and sputtered was all Tell needed to up the pressure. The entire world was altered in a moment as water rolled in from every conceivable angle, Soneya now standing atop the last remaining visible patch of earth. The foam and spray hurtled ever higher, obscuring vision of anything besides its terrible might.
Tell decided it was enough. He teleported beside the dreaming girl in a gleaming flash of blue light and constructed himself a new form which yet remained independent of his own; Tell had copied the shape and clothing of the dreamer. In her form he drew together her hands, now aglow with bright sapphire, before unleashing the power and sending the waves reeling off as if stuck by a great blow.
The water struck down, Tell began slowly draining the water, which remained violent the whole while. As he did, he turned to Soneya. They looked perfectly identical but for Tell’s confident expression and the lingering blue light which still played upon her form.
“Do you know what we are?” He asked her, using his nearest guess as to her voice. It came out soft and feminine, but remained colored by his unmistakable, firm accent from the past.
His precarious perch atop the green crystal ball descended in the manner of a swiftly falling feather, rocking from left to right in slow sweeps. Without effort, he moved from his sitting position to stand upon the orb, and it was without fear that he hurled himself into the open air. He plummeted down, the gravity of the realm left uninfluenced by his mind. Before he reached even a mere few feet beyond the green sphere the wizard snapped his fingers and vanished into thin air, leaving nothing behind but a gap in the rain.
The wizard’s consciousness reappeared a short distance away from the girl, but his body did not follow. In spectral form he waited, observing as the dreamer preformed some ritual foreign to Tell, extending her hands over the waters. They responded to her greeting, and did not touch her.
Tell turned his own power to the water, which suddenly crashed over her. The time in which she reflexively closed her eyes and sputtered was all Tell needed to up the pressure. The entire world was altered in a moment as water rolled in from every conceivable angle, Soneya now standing atop the last remaining visible patch of earth. The foam and spray hurtled ever higher, obscuring vision of anything besides its terrible might.
Tell decided it was enough. He teleported beside the dreaming girl in a gleaming flash of blue light and constructed himself a new form which yet remained independent of his own; Tell had copied the shape and clothing of the dreamer. In her form he drew together her hands, now aglow with bright sapphire, before unleashing the power and sending the waves reeling off as if stuck by a great blow.
The water struck down, Tell began slowly draining the water, which remained violent the whole while. As he did, he turned to Soneya. They looked perfectly identical but for Tell’s confident expression and the lingering blue light which still played upon her form.
“Do you know what we are?” He asked her, using his nearest guess as to her voice. It came out soft and feminine, but remained colored by his unmistakable, firm accent from the past.
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Soneya gasped, not comprehending what had just happened, what was still happening! Never had the water turned against her, never had she been completely drenched by such a powerful wave as the one hitting her now. There was no explanation for this. What had gone wrong? The waters were supposed to be friendly. But this… this spoke of a different story. She did not understand and the waters kept roiling relentlessly about her.
Her world was suddenly turned upside down and she could feel every drop that hit her slide down some part or other of her body. She was fully aware but at the same time she felt as though the whole incident was completely surreal. Not that she understood what the incident even was or where she had suddenly gone, thus she just stared, blinking through the water droplets in her eyelashes, and letting things take their course.
Something appeared in front of her. Someone rather. But someone she had nev… The person in front of her was herself!
Shocked at the sudden revelation, Soneya wondered if she was standing in front of a mirror. However, she did not recognise the smug expression on the face of her counterpart as ever having been one she wore herself. Cocking her head to the side, she studied the person in front of her. Now that the waters had subsided and stopped their aggressive attack, she felt much calmer again. Water was gently lapping at her feet in small waves and it was almost comforting. It almost felt as though the water was apologising to her for having gone completely out of control.
“What do you mean?” she replied when the appearance suddenly spoke to her. She was not afraid. How could she be afraid of herself? Even if she did not wear the same facial expressions or use quite the same voice. “Who are you?” she asked, curious as to why she was seeing herself talking to herself, but she felt it was important to speak up and not just dismiss this. “What are you doing in my dream?” Funny, how could she even know she was in a dream? Was she conscious? But no, she couldn’t be. She was dreaming, was she not? What was going on?
Curiously, she lifted her hand toward her own face, the one that was looking at her. This was just an appearance, right? Or was this someone real?
Her world was suddenly turned upside down and she could feel every drop that hit her slide down some part or other of her body. She was fully aware but at the same time she felt as though the whole incident was completely surreal. Not that she understood what the incident even was or where she had suddenly gone, thus she just stared, blinking through the water droplets in her eyelashes, and letting things take their course.
Something appeared in front of her. Someone rather. But someone she had nev… The person in front of her was herself!
Shocked at the sudden revelation, Soneya wondered if she was standing in front of a mirror. However, she did not recognise the smug expression on the face of her counterpart as ever having been one she wore herself. Cocking her head to the side, she studied the person in front of her. Now that the waters had subsided and stopped their aggressive attack, she felt much calmer again. Water was gently lapping at her feet in small waves and it was almost comforting. It almost felt as though the water was apologising to her for having gone completely out of control.
“What do you mean?” she replied when the appearance suddenly spoke to her. She was not afraid. How could she be afraid of herself? Even if she did not wear the same facial expressions or use quite the same voice. “Who are you?” she asked, curious as to why she was seeing herself talking to herself, but she felt it was important to speak up and not just dismiss this. “What are you doing in my dream?” Funny, how could she even know she was in a dream? Was she conscious? But no, she couldn’t be. She was dreaming, was she not? What was going on?
Curiously, she lifted her hand toward her own face, the one that was looking at her. This was just an appearance, right? Or was this someone real?
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Tell cocked his head to the side. “’Tis strange, is it not? Two of us here, yet only one has realized what we are.”
Tell bent backwards and did not stop before he fell; he simply passed through the ground. The instant he vanished completely beneath the damp earth, he reappeared behind Soneya. He reached out a hand and placed it upon her shoulder. As she turned, he lifted his hand so that she stared directly into a sphere of blue light, coalescing once more into Tell’s open palm. Tell made the dream-water obey his whims and circle towards him in long tendrils, as if a magnetic force drew it into the light.
The rushing liquid, upon reaching the light, made a hissing sound as it turned to steam in moments. Tell was suddenly struck by memories of rushing water, and a terrible correlation to great and unyielding pain. He contracted his hand quickly and let the water fall; the wizard stepped backwards apprehensively, glaring at droplets of water like they hid a viper. Suddenly recalling Soneya’s presence, Tell looked up and hastily retained his composure, sparing only a momentary glare promising consequences if she called attention to his blunder.
“...Magic," Tell continued, "‘tis the stuff of life, and ‘tis a power both you and I wield. We have been chosen by fickle fate to be born as mages.” He drew himself up and began to float off the ground. Leaning back slightly, as if against an invisible wall, he summoned all three of his crystal balls behind him and sent them swirling rapidly in a confusing nexus of circles around him. It was an unmistakable display of power. “This mastery can be yours, if you but embrace it.”
Tell bent backwards and did not stop before he fell; he simply passed through the ground. The instant he vanished completely beneath the damp earth, he reappeared behind Soneya. He reached out a hand and placed it upon her shoulder. As she turned, he lifted his hand so that she stared directly into a sphere of blue light, coalescing once more into Tell’s open palm. Tell made the dream-water obey his whims and circle towards him in long tendrils, as if a magnetic force drew it into the light.
The rushing liquid, upon reaching the light, made a hissing sound as it turned to steam in moments. Tell was suddenly struck by memories of rushing water, and a terrible correlation to great and unyielding pain. He contracted his hand quickly and let the water fall; the wizard stepped backwards apprehensively, glaring at droplets of water like they hid a viper. Suddenly recalling Soneya’s presence, Tell looked up and hastily retained his composure, sparing only a momentary glare promising consequences if she called attention to his blunder.
“...Magic," Tell continued, "‘tis the stuff of life, and ‘tis a power both you and I wield. We have been chosen by fickle fate to be born as mages.” He drew himself up and began to float off the ground. Leaning back slightly, as if against an invisible wall, he summoned all three of his crystal balls behind him and sent them swirling rapidly in a confusing nexus of circles around him. It was an unmistakable display of power. “This mastery can be yours, if you but embrace it.”
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Soneya screamed when she, well, her other self, suddenly fell and she instinctively reached out to try and catch the appearance, but then, much to her confusion, her mirror image just disappeared into the ground. She screamed even more when she suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder. Turning around as quickly as she could, Soneya felt a wave of dizziness overcome her, provoked not only from the abrupt movement but the blue light in front of her face wasn’t helping her cause. Water was flowing in from all sides and she was so confused that she didn’t know where up or down was anymore, what was real and what wasn’t.
She barely noticed the expression on her counterpart’s face, but she noticed the quick motion to wipe any compromising looks away again and she focused on that little thing to drown out everything else though nothing more happened not did the solution to this predicament of hers suddenly dropped from the sky, though she kept wondering about it. Meanwhile, the appearance was just looking at her and kept talking. Soneya had no idea anymore what was happening, but she had even less of a clue what this person was talking about.
“Mages? Both of us?” This person really seemed to be on some sort of trip. At least, she now had confirmation that there was someone else in her body because she would never have sprouted such nonsense. The spiralling crystal balls were almost hypnotic however and Soneya caught herself trying to follow their paths, her head moving about in circles along with them until she almost could no longer stand upright. She was so dizzy and so confused, and on top of it, she felt the familiar pounding of a headache slowly building.
“Why would I want to embrace anything? Why would I believe anything you’re saying?” She couldn’t remember how all of this had started, she had just suddenly not been on her own anymore without any recollection whatsoever why this was the case and what this person even wanted from her. “How do I even know that I’m not just dreaming all of this?” She cocked her head to the side when she heard her own words, wondering if they made any sense at all. Was this even still real?
She barely noticed the expression on her counterpart’s face, but she noticed the quick motion to wipe any compromising looks away again and she focused on that little thing to drown out everything else though nothing more happened not did the solution to this predicament of hers suddenly dropped from the sky, though she kept wondering about it. Meanwhile, the appearance was just looking at her and kept talking. Soneya had no idea anymore what was happening, but she had even less of a clue what this person was talking about.
“Mages? Both of us?” This person really seemed to be on some sort of trip. At least, she now had confirmation that there was someone else in her body because she would never have sprouted such nonsense. The spiralling crystal balls were almost hypnotic however and Soneya caught herself trying to follow their paths, her head moving about in circles along with them until she almost could no longer stand upright. She was so dizzy and so confused, and on top of it, she felt the familiar pounding of a headache slowly building.
“Why would I want to embrace anything? Why would I believe anything you’re saying?” She couldn’t remember how all of this had started, she had just suddenly not been on her own anymore without any recollection whatsoever why this was the case and what this person even wanted from her. “How do I even know that I’m not just dreaming all of this?” She cocked her head to the side when she heard her own words, wondering if they made any sense at all. Was this even still real?
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Tell chuckled at her flailing responses and halted the movement of his crystal balls. As if frozen in time, they remained perfectly still in scattered positions around Tell’s form. The only movement they still claimed was the lazy waves of light they still radiated, one red, one blue, and one green.
“Why should you listen to me?” The wizard laughed, a shrill, high noise with his warped voice, and said “Who do I look like? If you must have proof, merely look to the water.” Tell pointed, tilted his head to the side and lowered his own gaze. “Look how it laps about your feet even after this power told it otherwise but moments ago.”
Tell ceased his levitation to land gracefully upon the soil and began to walk forwards. “And unless I’m mistaken, you suffer aches of the mind on a regular basis. A mystery to society’s fool magi? Pah.” The wizard stared into her eyes while narrowing his own. “I call it ignorance.”
Now face to face with Soneya, he continued. “You have been blocking your power, in your world of material and tangible things, not unlike that damnable seal. Yet we wield not its creator’s power, and must suffer for refusal of our birthright. I would see an end to your imprudent suffering. Accept me as your tutor, and you’ll endure no more.”
Tell brought out his left hand to grasp her right around the wrist. He held her hand to his right palm, which still held the fleeting remnants of the dream-magic he had used to call the water. For the moment, it was as if the two of them were holding one shining blue speck of light. “What say you? Will you learn, or will you rot?”
“Why should you listen to me?” The wizard laughed, a shrill, high noise with his warped voice, and said “Who do I look like? If you must have proof, merely look to the water.” Tell pointed, tilted his head to the side and lowered his own gaze. “Look how it laps about your feet even after this power told it otherwise but moments ago.”
Tell ceased his levitation to land gracefully upon the soil and began to walk forwards. “And unless I’m mistaken, you suffer aches of the mind on a regular basis. A mystery to society’s fool magi? Pah.” The wizard stared into her eyes while narrowing his own. “I call it ignorance.”
Now face to face with Soneya, he continued. “You have been blocking your power, in your world of material and tangible things, not unlike that damnable seal. Yet we wield not its creator’s power, and must suffer for refusal of our birthright. I would see an end to your imprudent suffering. Accept me as your tutor, and you’ll endure no more.”
Tell brought out his left hand to grasp her right around the wrist. He held her hand to his right palm, which still held the fleeting remnants of the dream-magic he had used to call the water. For the moment, it was as if the two of them were holding one shining blue speck of light. “What say you? Will you learn, or will you rot?”
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Oh, her mirror image was walking towards her. Soneya did not like it but she stood her ground for now. Nothing was going to happen to her, right? Her mind kept switching around between signals it was sending her, sometimes giving her the illusion of being in reality, sometimes assuring her this was just a dream. It was as though her consciousness could not decide what to do with the experience.
She hadn’t even noticed how much the water was still pooling around her, running over her feet almost as though it were caressing her until the appearance pointed it out to her. Everything the other person said was true, but Soneya didn’t want to hear any of it. Yes, she suffered from headaches, yes she should probably listen to a being who looked just like her, but that didn’t mean that she was inclined to do so. Even less because she was told to. This was her place, and in her place, she wasn’t going to act like her regular, obedient and good self. She didn’t want to have others tell her what to do. But then again, this was herself telling herself... wait, what?
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is nonsense! Why would I listen to you?” She realised she was repeating herself and turning in circles even before she had fully asked the question but she wasn’t going to take it back. Somehow that sudden... outburst almost of the appearance, made her wary and she frowned as she looked at the being.
Slightly annoyed, she stepped away from the appearance, or rather wanted to, as she suddenly realised that she was held back by a hand around her wrist, and much to her amazement, power seemed to flare between their hands. For a brief moment that small speck of light flared a little brighter and Soneya gasped, instantly stepping away, ripping her hand out of the being’s grip.
“I do not want you as a tutor. There is no power. There is no magic. There is nothing, nothing wrong with me! I do not rot, I will not rot!” As her anger suddenly flared, the water sprayed out in time with her exclamation, suddenly roiling around her feet, similar to what had happened earlier, if on much smaller scale. She glared at the appearance, the water regularly lashing out but not doing any damage. Maybe if she got angry enough, this being would go away.
She hadn’t even noticed how much the water was still pooling around her, running over her feet almost as though it were caressing her until the appearance pointed it out to her. Everything the other person said was true, but Soneya didn’t want to hear any of it. Yes, she suffered from headaches, yes she should probably listen to a being who looked just like her, but that didn’t mean that she was inclined to do so. Even less because she was told to. This was her place, and in her place, she wasn’t going to act like her regular, obedient and good self. She didn’t want to have others tell her what to do. But then again, this was herself telling herself... wait, what?
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is nonsense! Why would I listen to you?” She realised she was repeating herself and turning in circles even before she had fully asked the question but she wasn’t going to take it back. Somehow that sudden... outburst almost of the appearance, made her wary and she frowned as she looked at the being.
Slightly annoyed, she stepped away from the appearance, or rather wanted to, as she suddenly realised that she was held back by a hand around her wrist, and much to her amazement, power seemed to flare between their hands. For a brief moment that small speck of light flared a little brighter and Soneya gasped, instantly stepping away, ripping her hand out of the being’s grip.
“I do not want you as a tutor. There is no power. There is no magic. There is nothing, nothing wrong with me! I do not rot, I will not rot!” As her anger suddenly flared, the water sprayed out in time with her exclamation, suddenly roiling around her feet, similar to what had happened earlier, if on much smaller scale. She glared at the appearance, the water regularly lashing out but not doing any damage. Maybe if she got angry enough, this being would go away.
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Tell laughed again, this time a more vigorous, howling laughter which held the deeper trappings of his true voice. As Soneya shoved herself away, Tell also staggered back a few steps. When he rose from his pose, he hurled his hands skyward. For a moment, nothing happened, but then the ground beneath rumbled. The earth rocked upwards once, as if a great being was thrashing from beneath, before hurtling upwards moments before the spray of the water hit him. Tell kept laughing, but his unfaltering mockery held a certain element of deranged fear.
“Look at yourself!” He shouted down at Soneya, putting his hands on his hips and leaning over the edge of his improvised platform, “Look at what you are doing! ‘Tis magic, magic, all magic, by your own hand! And you want to use it! You want to be free! You want to toss aside the evils which plague you, to heal that which is broken!”
Tell threw his hands outward, as if attempting to sweep aside all of Soneya’s doubts. His stone platform lowered slightly, bringing him closer to her level. No longer shouting, speaking just loud enough to be heard over the rolling waves, he said, “There is magic in you, and there is nothing wicked in accepting it. You will learn to control it, or it will hurt you. In that sense, you are blessed, for not all receive this chance.” His platform descended to the point where it would be easy to step up to the surface of the slab. A wave of his hand overtook Soneya’s control of the waters, which subsided to a deathly quiet.
“I’ll offer once more," He said, his voice nearly a whisper, "Will you learn?”
“Look at yourself!” He shouted down at Soneya, putting his hands on his hips and leaning over the edge of his improvised platform, “Look at what you are doing! ‘Tis magic, magic, all magic, by your own hand! And you want to use it! You want to be free! You want to toss aside the evils which plague you, to heal that which is broken!”
Tell threw his hands outward, as if attempting to sweep aside all of Soneya’s doubts. His stone platform lowered slightly, bringing him closer to her level. No longer shouting, speaking just loud enough to be heard over the rolling waves, he said, “There is magic in you, and there is nothing wicked in accepting it. You will learn to control it, or it will hurt you. In that sense, you are blessed, for not all receive this chance.” His platform descended to the point where it would be easy to step up to the surface of the slab. A wave of his hand overtook Soneya’s control of the waters, which subsided to a deathly quiet.
“I’ll offer once more," He said, his voice nearly a whisper, "Will you learn?”
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Shocked by what she had done, Soneya stumbled back even more. She barely registered the slab of earth her counterpart was suddenly standing on, her eyes fixed on the water instead. Her element, her friend… what had she done? What was she doing? What was she??!
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “No. No. No, no, no! It’s not magic!” The young woman almost broke down crying, refusing to understand what this all meant, refusing any and all consequences to this experience. Magic was bad. It was no good. Only evil could come of it! She would not…
A wave of relief washed over her. There were no more doubts. There was no need for doubts. All would be well and all would be as it should. If only she accepted what her other self was telling her. The appearance was right. She was already hurting and it would only get worse over time. How many times had she already been in hospital or completely immobilised by severe headaches? How much longer would she, or rather could she keep this up before she broke down completely? Maybe to never get up again?
Soneya looked down at the calm waters by her feet. She didn’t remember pulling the waves back. Had she done this? Had the other she done this? She didn’t know. She didn’t care anymore.
What would happen though if she were to accept this offer?
What would this do to her? What would it mean for her?
It would be for the best, there was no doubt about that anymore.
Taking that last step over the abyss, her own personal dark hole, Soneya stepped onto the slab of earth, hovering just in front of her like an open invitation. The water seemed to push her upwards a little, giving her a little extra boost as though it was fully on board with her decision. “I accept your offer to be my mentor.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “No. No. No, no, no! It’s not magic!” The young woman almost broke down crying, refusing to understand what this all meant, refusing any and all consequences to this experience. Magic was bad. It was no good. Only evil could come of it! She would not…
A wave of relief washed over her. There were no more doubts. There was no need for doubts. All would be well and all would be as it should. If only she accepted what her other self was telling her. The appearance was right. She was already hurting and it would only get worse over time. How many times had she already been in hospital or completely immobilised by severe headaches? How much longer would she, or rather could she keep this up before she broke down completely? Maybe to never get up again?
Soneya looked down at the calm waters by her feet. She didn’t remember pulling the waves back. Had she done this? Had the other she done this? She didn’t know. She didn’t care anymore.
What would happen though if she were to accept this offer?
What would this do to her? What would it mean for her?
It would be for the best, there was no doubt about that anymore.
Taking that last step over the abyss, her own personal dark hole, Soneya stepped onto the slab of earth, hovering just in front of her like an open invitation. The water seemed to push her upwards a little, giving her a little extra boost as though it was fully on board with her decision. “I accept your offer to be my mentor.”
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Tell clapped his hands together, a delighted expression on his face. “Wonderful! I am certain you shall benefit in many ways!” Tell had to admit confusion as to her apparent doubts in magic. While he had certainly witnessed a full range of arcane terrors himself, in his estimate all but the most primitive societies wholly embraced the power it offered. The petite little girl before him did not look a barbarian.
He considered asking her name, but considered the fact that he was taking her appearance and thought better of it. Instead he moved the edge of the pillar and motioned for her to sit. He would have done the same, but the girl had dragged the water to the edge. It was not true water, and could not harm him, but he could not bring himself to rest his feet over it all the same. Instead he knelt and began creating blurry images between his hands.
“You have been blocking your magic for quite some time. It will lessen your pain if you can find some means of releasing it. Occasional use would be ideal, but it is likely you do not know how to access your power in the material world.” The images became more distinct. A little swarm of runes escaped from the ball of magic. They floated about like fireflies.
“Many of our empire's mages turn to these as a means of starting out. Rune based spells are often significantly easier than tacit, personal casting. I will offer you some of my own.” The floating runes swirled together and coalesced into one, a perfect likeness of the rune which Tell used for summoning. “In addition, your affinity is clearly for the water. Carve this into a stone, and toss it into the depths of a reasonable source. By focusing on the rune, you may be able to call and command the waters.”
He paused for a moment, as if thinking. “Is this too much to take in? I understand that you are wary of your power, whatever your reasons." He moved his hand to his chin and gave her an odd look. "We could begin with spells yet simpler.”
He considered asking her name, but considered the fact that he was taking her appearance and thought better of it. Instead he moved the edge of the pillar and motioned for her to sit. He would have done the same, but the girl had dragged the water to the edge. It was not true water, and could not harm him, but he could not bring himself to rest his feet over it all the same. Instead he knelt and began creating blurry images between his hands.
“You have been blocking your magic for quite some time. It will lessen your pain if you can find some means of releasing it. Occasional use would be ideal, but it is likely you do not know how to access your power in the material world.” The images became more distinct. A little swarm of runes escaped from the ball of magic. They floated about like fireflies.
“Many of our empire's mages turn to these as a means of starting out. Rune based spells are often significantly easier than tacit, personal casting. I will offer you some of my own.” The floating runes swirled together and coalesced into one, a perfect likeness of the rune which Tell used for summoning. “In addition, your affinity is clearly for the water. Carve this into a stone, and toss it into the depths of a reasonable source. By focusing on the rune, you may be able to call and command the waters.”
He paused for a moment, as if thinking. “Is this too much to take in? I understand that you are wary of your power, whatever your reasons." He moved his hand to his chin and gave her an odd look. "We could begin with spells yet simpler.”
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Soneya, obediently sitting down, ignoring the water pooling around her – she wasn’t getting wet from it -, listened intently to what she was told, even though half of it still sounded like crazy talk to her. The mention of power and accessing magic and anything to do with it was almost transferred into a bubble in her mind which would then be dumped in the nonsense-drawer but the young woman forced herself to properly listen. She would try her utmost to understand what was being said as well.
And it made sense. It really did; much to her surprise. The relation between accessing magic, which seemed to put her at ease here, and between her physical pain, which was non existent in this place, seemed so obvious now. It was almost painfully clear what she had been doing to herself. Eagerness to overcome her pain overruled any kind of doubts she might still have harboured.
Watching the little runes flit between them with interest, Soneya lifted a hand to poke a finger at one but just before she could touch it, it was drawn away to form a larger picture. It was fascinating! How did she do this? Soneya’s gaze flickered to her mirror image and realised that she had been spoken to without hearing everything, but yet she heard enough to be able to look confused.
“Carve it into a stone? But how? And what would I do with the stone once I managed to get the rune onto it?” Soneya was interested, much to her own surprise. It seemed that her need to alleviate her own pain was larger than her need to stay away from everything magical. Or maybe she just believed that once she woke up all of this was no longer real or relevant?
“What kind of spells?” she suddenly asked, feeling suspicious again. Her reasons were her own and in the way she suddenly recoiled from the rune and leaned back as far as possible without falling off the little ledge, it was clear that she didn’t associate runes being in line with spells. The latter sounded way more dangerous than a little drawing could ever be. “I don’t want to learn any spells.”
And it made sense. It really did; much to her surprise. The relation between accessing magic, which seemed to put her at ease here, and between her physical pain, which was non existent in this place, seemed so obvious now. It was almost painfully clear what she had been doing to herself. Eagerness to overcome her pain overruled any kind of doubts she might still have harboured.
Watching the little runes flit between them with interest, Soneya lifted a hand to poke a finger at one but just before she could touch it, it was drawn away to form a larger picture. It was fascinating! How did she do this? Soneya’s gaze flickered to her mirror image and realised that she had been spoken to without hearing everything, but yet she heard enough to be able to look confused.
“Carve it into a stone? But how? And what would I do with the stone once I managed to get the rune onto it?” Soneya was interested, much to her own surprise. It seemed that her need to alleviate her own pain was larger than her need to stay away from everything magical. Or maybe she just believed that once she woke up all of this was no longer real or relevant?
“What kind of spells?” she suddenly asked, feeling suspicious again. Her reasons were her own and in the way she suddenly recoiled from the rune and leaned back as far as possible without falling off the little ledge, it was clear that she didn’t associate runes being in line with spells. The latter sounded way more dangerous than a little drawing could ever be. “I don’t want to learn any spells.”
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Tell looked at her, confusion displayed in the arch of his eyebrow and turn of his lip. Had he not succeeded in convincing her of the morality of magic already? His confusion rapidly gave way to frustration, even though it had not yet become repetitive behavior. He made a dismissive “tsk” noise as he threw his hand out to the side. The wind picked up and blew their silky blue dresses around, but both of their outfits underwent a more dramatic change than mere movement.
They no longer wore Soneya’s blue dress, but instead his usual purple attire. Anger creeping into his voice, Tell turned and stated, in a voice wholly his own, “Have you accepted my tutelage or have you not? If you have, as you stated but moments ago, I ask you to cast aside your useless superstitions. You are a mage, and there is more to the title than running from the pain of repressed power.”
Tell grumbled over the line of thought for a moment before turning to his rune once more. His voice returned to his approximation of Soneya's as he continued, “Now, as I was saying. Spells. I was using the term to refer to any arcane abilities you may grow to demonstrate, rather than any specific form of magic.” He dismissed the rune, figuring she had seen enough of it to remember. He breathed slowly, put a hand to his head and seemed to calm down a bit. “I ask forgiveness for my outburst. Your ignorance is likely not your own fault; and it has become my duty to cure it regardless.”
He walked over to where she had stumbled. “As for the stone...” He materialized a rock in one hand and a chisel in the other. “The solution to carving seems straightforward enough. The rune need not be perfect, merely shaped with intent. It likewise need not be a stone, so long as the wear of a river or lake will not erode it with any great swiftness.”
They no longer wore Soneya’s blue dress, but instead his usual purple attire. Anger creeping into his voice, Tell turned and stated, in a voice wholly his own, “Have you accepted my tutelage or have you not? If you have, as you stated but moments ago, I ask you to cast aside your useless superstitions. You are a mage, and there is more to the title than running from the pain of repressed power.”
Tell grumbled over the line of thought for a moment before turning to his rune once more. His voice returned to his approximation of Soneya's as he continued, “Now, as I was saying. Spells. I was using the term to refer to any arcane abilities you may grow to demonstrate, rather than any specific form of magic.” He dismissed the rune, figuring she had seen enough of it to remember. He breathed slowly, put a hand to his head and seemed to calm down a bit. “I ask forgiveness for my outburst. Your ignorance is likely not your own fault; and it has become my duty to cure it regardless.”
He walked over to where she had stumbled. “As for the stone...” He materialized a rock in one hand and a chisel in the other. “The solution to carving seems straightforward enough. The rune need not be perfect, merely shaped with intent. It likewise need not be a stone, so long as the wear of a river or lake will not erode it with any great swiftness.”
Re: A Nightly Visitor
It had merely been a question… Soneya’s petulant nature, one she usually kept well-hidden, rushed to the forefront and she frowned at the person opposite her. Something about that being wasn’t quite right, nor was she very comfortable with the sudden change in clothes. The robes were purple. Everything in this place was just completely out of order. The other’s voice, both their clothes, her own personality…
She didn’t want to reply. It would be so easy to just ignore the plea for forgiveness and move on as though nothing had happened, yet, she didn’t go down that lane; well at least she wasn’t going to completely ignore it. “Seventeen years of being taught that magic is evil isn’t going to go away when someone snaps their fingers. You will need patience,” she warned. Cocking her head to the side, she briefly wondered where this suddenly came from. She was so confused. Almost as if she were at war with herself.
The girl turned back to business. “And if I don’t have a chisel at hand? I don’t think there is one around the house. Would a knife do?” She was fairly certain that her parents didn’t own tools of any sort, probably not even the most basic to use around the house. They wouldn’t do anything themselves. They considered themselves too high up the food chain to dirty their own hands. Whether it was true was an entirely different matter. She was surprised at the sudden surge of hatred that swept through her at the thought of her parents and quickly pushed any notion of them from her mind.
“So I assume you want me to try and carve that rune now?” she asked, uncertain, but the rock and chisel were right there, in front of her. It would be the most logical thing to do, wouldn’t it? The image of the rune was gone however and Soneya was suddenly scared that she didn’t remember it properly. “What if I don’t carve it right? What if I make a mistake? Even if the intention is there, when it’s the wrong rune… couldn’t something go wrong?”
Nevertheless, her delicate fingers went for the materials in front of her so she could give it her best shot. Her eagerness to learn had returned. For the time being. The tool felt odd in her hand and as silly as it was, she was unsure how to hold it, let alone use it. But it still felt alright in her hand. So did the rock, which was surprisingly warm coming from an apparition. Stopping for a second in her examination of the rock and chisel, she looked up into her counterpart’s face. How come an apparition could give her anything? Then she shook her head and turned her attention back to the task at hand, starting to work the chisel on the rock. This was a dream. Anything was possible. And just like that, Soneya began to carve the rune her mentor had shown her. If a little bumpy, but she did.
She didn’t want to reply. It would be so easy to just ignore the plea for forgiveness and move on as though nothing had happened, yet, she didn’t go down that lane; well at least she wasn’t going to completely ignore it. “Seventeen years of being taught that magic is evil isn’t going to go away when someone snaps their fingers. You will need patience,” she warned. Cocking her head to the side, she briefly wondered where this suddenly came from. She was so confused. Almost as if she were at war with herself.
The girl turned back to business. “And if I don’t have a chisel at hand? I don’t think there is one around the house. Would a knife do?” She was fairly certain that her parents didn’t own tools of any sort, probably not even the most basic to use around the house. They wouldn’t do anything themselves. They considered themselves too high up the food chain to dirty their own hands. Whether it was true was an entirely different matter. She was surprised at the sudden surge of hatred that swept through her at the thought of her parents and quickly pushed any notion of them from her mind.
“So I assume you want me to try and carve that rune now?” she asked, uncertain, but the rock and chisel were right there, in front of her. It would be the most logical thing to do, wouldn’t it? The image of the rune was gone however and Soneya was suddenly scared that she didn’t remember it properly. “What if I don’t carve it right? What if I make a mistake? Even if the intention is there, when it’s the wrong rune… couldn’t something go wrong?”
Nevertheless, her delicate fingers went for the materials in front of her so she could give it her best shot. Her eagerness to learn had returned. For the time being. The tool felt odd in her hand and as silly as it was, she was unsure how to hold it, let alone use it. But it still felt alright in her hand. So did the rock, which was surprisingly warm coming from an apparition. Stopping for a second in her examination of the rock and chisel, she looked up into her counterpart’s face. How come an apparition could give her anything? Then she shook her head and turned her attention back to the task at hand, starting to work the chisel on the rock. This was a dream. Anything was possible. And just like that, Soneya began to carve the rune her mentor had shown her. If a little bumpy, but she did.
Re: A Nightly Visitor
Tell leaned over Soneya’s shoulder as she worked on the rune. The thing was scraggly but was fit for service, and though Tell wondered if perhaps he should offer other tools he eventually concluded that it was good enough. Tell shrugged. “Practice makes perfect, I suppose they say. I rather doubt a knife would produce any practical results. The chicken scratches it would leave would be unfit for the refined processes of the arcane. You will have to acquire some manner of chisel or pick. Surely it will not be difficult.” He waved a hand dismissively to the side. “Not many have the luxury of questioning coin.”
But the quality of the rune paled before this new revelation. “Who is it that has educated you thus? They speak not the truth.” Tell wondered at his initial scouting of Marn some century ago. Had that strange affiliation of red gloved hypocrites grown so strong as to overtake an entire region of Eyropa? It could not be! Perhaps the buffoonish Puradynes were responsible. They held influence in the ignorant East. “You shall not trust them henceforth.” He ordered, “For they would claim you and I villains, which you can observe is not the case. The power which we are born into is beyond the demands of mortals.”
He recreated the rune in his hand. “Study it, and try to carve it once more.” He flicked the image off, then leaned forwards and spun the rock around so that her recent rune faced away from her. “You will need to work from memory once you reawaken, and these dreams are not so different from those of common mortals. The details may blur unless we suitably fortify them, and while you may dispel your fears of magical backlash, it is possible your mental image may differ from that which you carve.” He traced the stone, feeling its smooth edge with his thumb. He had always thought it strange how he could feel and perceive his own creations within dreams, even without conscious thought. There was something to be said for the expectations held within the mind, even after centuries of existence on the astral plane. “This would likely cause your spellery to fail, but no drama should result. It is your power, after all. It will only do that which is within your will, barring truly exceptional circumstances.”
But the quality of the rune paled before this new revelation. “Who is it that has educated you thus? They speak not the truth.” Tell wondered at his initial scouting of Marn some century ago. Had that strange affiliation of red gloved hypocrites grown so strong as to overtake an entire region of Eyropa? It could not be! Perhaps the buffoonish Puradynes were responsible. They held influence in the ignorant East. “You shall not trust them henceforth.” He ordered, “For they would claim you and I villains, which you can observe is not the case. The power which we are born into is beyond the demands of mortals.”
He recreated the rune in his hand. “Study it, and try to carve it once more.” He flicked the image off, then leaned forwards and spun the rock around so that her recent rune faced away from her. “You will need to work from memory once you reawaken, and these dreams are not so different from those of common mortals. The details may blur unless we suitably fortify them, and while you may dispel your fears of magical backlash, it is possible your mental image may differ from that which you carve.” He traced the stone, feeling its smooth edge with his thumb. He had always thought it strange how he could feel and perceive his own creations within dreams, even without conscious thought. There was something to be said for the expectations held within the mind, even after centuries of existence on the astral plane. “This would likely cause your spellery to fail, but no drama should result. It is your power, after all. It will only do that which is within your will, barring truly exceptional circumstances.”
Re: A Nightly Visitor
A dream? Was she really in a dream? That was what the appearance had just said. She considered this for a moment, realising that it could quite possibly be true indeed. Hadn’t she had that same thought a little earlier? She wasn’t sure anymore. Everything seemed so... different here than in the real world – ah! There it was again. The notion of this not being real. But if this wasn’t real, if this was only a dream, how could she possibly truly remember what she had just experienced? Already she wasn’t sure how all of this had come to pass.
Despite this maybe not all taking place in reality, Soneya was still reluctant to believe that she and the mirror image were not evil for doing what they were doing, after all they were practising magic, but she was willing to believe that as long as she was in this place – whether it was a dream or not – nothing truly bad could happen. It may be a foolish sentiment but she was almost certain that it was true. Though she did like the idea of her magic doing her bidding. It was a fascinating concept. “Barring truly exceptional circumstances? What would qualify as such an exceptional circumstance?” Losing control of her magic was a terrifying thought and Soneya frowned in confusion over the incredible mixture of feelings flooding through her at an overly rapid pace. But nevertheless, she obligingly went to work and carved the rune again as requested, pondering meanwhile where she could get a chisel from. Money definitely wouldn’t be the issue but she was clueless when it came to tools and wasn’t sure where to get this particular one. However, she didn’t want to ask anymore seemingly silly questions and thus held her tongue in this respect.
Just as she was about to finish the rune, her world suddenly started crumbling apart bit by bit. Looking up and around in alarm, the girl let the chisel hover over the stone and shot a questioning look at the appearance. What was going on?
Soneya!
The girl ignored the call of her name. Nobody knew she was there. Except of course her mirror image. Nobody should be able to interrupt her. Thus she simply ignored the sound of the voice as well as the increasingly rapid pace with which this place was starting to fall apart.
Soneya!!
Wherever the voice came from, it didn’t sound pleased and it was annoyingly persistent, continuously distracting Soneya from finishing off the remaining bit of the run. A second voice soon joined in the chorus of shouting her name over and over again. A violent shudder shook her and all of a sudden, the dream crashed and Soneya woke with a start to her parents’ angry yelling and shaking her to wake her up.
“What’s going on?” she asked hesitantly, a nuance of alarm tingeing her voice. Her parents had been angry before, sure, but this seemed to take their anger a step further as they had never woken her up in the middle of the night over something. What had she done to upset them this time?
“Our bedroom is flooded!!”
Despite this maybe not all taking place in reality, Soneya was still reluctant to believe that she and the mirror image were not evil for doing what they were doing, after all they were practising magic, but she was willing to believe that as long as she was in this place – whether it was a dream or not – nothing truly bad could happen. It may be a foolish sentiment but she was almost certain that it was true. Though she did like the idea of her magic doing her bidding. It was a fascinating concept. “Barring truly exceptional circumstances? What would qualify as such an exceptional circumstance?” Losing control of her magic was a terrifying thought and Soneya frowned in confusion over the incredible mixture of feelings flooding through her at an overly rapid pace. But nevertheless, she obligingly went to work and carved the rune again as requested, pondering meanwhile where she could get a chisel from. Money definitely wouldn’t be the issue but she was clueless when it came to tools and wasn’t sure where to get this particular one. However, she didn’t want to ask anymore seemingly silly questions and thus held her tongue in this respect.
Just as she was about to finish the rune, her world suddenly started crumbling apart bit by bit. Looking up and around in alarm, the girl let the chisel hover over the stone and shot a questioning look at the appearance. What was going on?
Soneya!
The girl ignored the call of her name. Nobody knew she was there. Except of course her mirror image. Nobody should be able to interrupt her. Thus she simply ignored the sound of the voice as well as the increasingly rapid pace with which this place was starting to fall apart.
Soneya!!
Wherever the voice came from, it didn’t sound pleased and it was annoyingly persistent, continuously distracting Soneya from finishing off the remaining bit of the run. A second voice soon joined in the chorus of shouting her name over and over again. A violent shudder shook her and all of a sudden, the dream crashed and Soneya woke with a start to her parents’ angry yelling and shaking her to wake her up.
“What’s going on?” she asked hesitantly, a nuance of alarm tingeing her voice. Her parents had been angry before, sure, but this seemed to take their anger a step further as they had never woken her up in the middle of the night over something. What had she done to upset them this time?
“Our bedroom is flooded!!”