CLOSED ♦ this spell you've got on me

[verflair]

Who: X’rhun Tia (verflair), Ardyn Izunia (daemonized) & Ysayle Dangoulain (ysayle)
What: A magic demonstration and a magic lesson. Maybe a bit of chatting, and maybe Ardyn being a creepy stalker who likes to watch.
When: A few days after the beach party.
Where: The palace courtyard.
Warning(s): Nothing, aside from Ardyn being… you know, Ardyn.

ARDYN

[ Admittedly, “tomorrow” turned into “a few days”, but not for lack of trying. Settling in was one thing, learning how to use these infernal communication devices was quite another. Bless Alisaie and her knowledge of this place and its technology, because X’rhun would still be struggling if not for her.

Finding an appropriate place to host a demonstration of magical skill was yet another obstacle, but that was much easier than trying to work the phone by far. Just a question or two to some of the locals revealed that the royal courtyard was open to all as a training ground. So, one (admittedly clumsy) phone call later, and the date was set.

X’rhun isn’t here to attract the attention of the Empress, as many seem to be, so he’s found a little corner of the yard with a sturdy but well-worn striking dummy standing watch. Shady, too, which Ardyn should appreciate. He’s dressed in his full Duelist garb today. The rapier that normally hangs from his hip rests across his lap while he sits beneath one of the trees that shade his little corner, waiting for Ardyn to arrive. ]

YSAYLE

[ The little corner of the royal courtyard that X’rhun had used for demonstrating his magic to Ardyn worked out so well, that it only seems natural to use it again for his lessons with Ysayle.

He’s a bit less shaky with the phone when he calls her, but only marginally so. There’s a part of him that wonders if he’ll ever be used to this sort of technology, and he has to remind himself that it’s not that far of a leap from a linkpearl. It’s just going to take some time.

They make arrangements to meet at the courtyard entrance sometime in the early morning, and sure enough, he’s there waiting for her, dressed in red from head to foot as usual. He gives her a nod of greeting as she approaches. ]

How have these last few days been treating you?

Comments

[ysayle]

[ Ysayle struggles less now where texting is concerned, but at least X'rhun can rest assured that he is not the only one having to learn the ins and outs of network device use. Would that link shells were available here! (But such things would need to be attuned to this world's aether, assuming the pearls could be located to begin with..)

She is prompt, arriving a little earlier than schedule due to her unfamiliarity with the location. Plus she wanted to get a better look at the location, to gain at least a little familiarity with those frequenting this part of the palace grounds.

The bright red is easy to spot, and a hand is raised in return to acknowledge X'rhun's greeting. ]

Well enough, I think. I've a young hyu--human sharing the lodgings I've been given, and I may have found a place of work. What about you?

[daemonized]

[Ardyn takes no offense at "tomorrow" having turned into a few days. There's much here to distract himself in the meanwhile, and while he had not forgotten, he had also not pressed the matter. But today seems to be the day, and Ardyn makes his way to the royal courtyard when time allows for it.

Still, he doesn't make his Red Mage companion wait for him too long. He's already familiar with the layout of the courtyard, being part of the royal guard, and after a bit of wandering, it isn't too difficult to spot X'rhun at a distance. In full regalia this time, he muses to himself. He approaches, dressed in his usual, and offers a grin to him.]

Fair weather for a demonstration, isn't it?

[Shadows from the tree above cast strange shapes across his person. But yes, Ardyn does vaguely appreciate the shaded area.]

[verflair]

Still trying to get my feet under me, as it were.

[ He turns, motioning for Ysayle to follow him. The courtyard is vast and already bustling with activity in spite of the early hour, with warriors of all sorts testing their skills against each other or the striking dummies littered throughout the area.

The little corner that X’rhun had found for himself previously, with its lone dummy standing watch in the shade of overhanging trees, remains empty, much to his satisfaction. ]

I’m trying to learn what I can about this place before I go seeking employment. Where have you been looking for work?

[verflair]

[ Let’s be real, unless it’s a beach party, X’rhun never goes anywhere not dressed in full regalia. The fancy hat is mandatory, okay? ]

Aye, I’m glad the weather saw fit to cooperate.

[ He hauls himself to his feet, sheathing his sword once he’s upright. As seems to be customary with him, he offers Ardyn a small bow of greeting. ]

I apologize again for the delay. Settling in is proving quite the task.

[ysayle]

I understand that feeling. I imagine it's akin to gaining sea legs aboard a ship, though in our case we've run aground.

[ It's a clumsy analogy, but at least she tried to put the feeling into words. As it is, she follows along side rather than behind, matching her strides to his, hands folded behind her so that he cannot see how her fingers flex at the armed figures going through their paces.

(Or perhaps she seeks a certain set of armor, uniquely Ishgardian in design. It's hard to tell.) ]

Alisaie told me she works for an institute that studies magic. I am not so learned that they might employ me, I suspect, but I did find one of the smaller city libraries.

[a pause, considering her words with care. X'rhun is not Ishgardian, but he may still find her next words strange] There is a cafe, in the city proper, that has many miniature beasts as part of the appeal. I've some knowledge of the care of falcons, which apparently should stand me well in dealing with very tiny dragons.

[daemonized]

[Then they can be comrades in being dressed Too Much for everything. At least X'rhun is dressed nicely, however. The same can almost never be said for Ardyn.

Ardyn eyes the sword briefly, though his attentions remained focused on his companion for now.]

There's no need to apologize. I'm a very patient man.

[You have to be, when you've lived as long as he has.]

The wait only afforded me a growing curiosity, so I look forward to this even more.

[verflair]

[ Hey, it makes sense to him! So far, he’s very much lacking in things he understands, so it’s nice to have someone who speaks his language. ]

Ah, yes. Alisaie will always be a scholar at heart. I myself prefer to be a bit more active, but I am not fully convinced the Guard is the place for me just yet.

[ The pause is curious, though the utterance of “dragons” helps the pieces fall into place. ]

Truly, there is a cafe where one can dine among tiny dragons?

[ He sounds more intrigued and amused than anything. ]

[verflair]

[ X’rhun is always dressed nicely. Let him put you through Eorzean “What Not to Wear”, Ardyn. ]

Well, then, where shall we start? With the explanation or the demonstration?

[daemonized]

[He places a hand on his hip, and idly reaches up to adjust the scarf that hangs loose around his neck.]

Show me a demonstration. Then I can be in awe enough to ask you a myriad of questions after.

[verflair]

[ He chuckles a little. He won’t deny that red magic is… flashy, to say the least, but whether or not Ardyn will be awed is another matter entirely. ]

Very well then. If you will.

[ He motions to the place he was occupying previously at the base of the tree, if Ardyn would like to move to be able to watch both caster and target. Once situated, X’rhun draws his blade. The ornate crystal focus that always rests at his opposite hip moves from its place with a wave of X’rhun’s hand, hovering just above his palm. Turning the blade point-down, he snaps the crystal onto the end of the hilt with a sudden motion.

Now, wielding blade and crystal like a conjurer’s staff, he begins to cast.

After a few spells, it’s easy enough to pick out the pattern. A spell that takes a few seconds to cast is always followed by one that is instant. Fire or lightning spells issue from the crystal focus in turn with wind or earth, always alternating. In between, there is the occasional burst of red light, a filler spell of some sort, it seems, that takes the place of one of the elemental ones if need be.

This goes on for a short while, until X’rhun seems to reach some sort of predetermined stopping point. The crystal comes away from the blade and X’rhun dashes towards the striking dummy as though pulled along on a string. He slashes and stabs at the striking dummy with the rapier, every move well-practiced and precise.

And because red mages never do anything halfway, he disengages with a backflip, and brings a pillar of bright white light slamming down on the dummy with a final motion of his hand.

And then of course he sweeps into a bow. Ta-da! ]

[ysayle]

Are you considering sharing the art of red magery with those of this world, then? [But not in the guard. He did not seem the type suited to mercenary work either..] Perhaps the Institute has more active roles, or could recommend jobs within the city that might suit one of your skill?

[She looks faintly embarrassed, but nods confirmation]

Apparently cafes with creatures are quite popular. The largest dragon they have is just a little smaller than a young Dravanian, [she motions with her hands] and some are far smaller. They have their own mews away from the food, but there are several water wyver who swim within tanks too.

[daemonized]

[Well. How else is someone supposed to respond to such a display? Ardyn is not the type to gawk and gape, though one would not necessarily blame him if he did -- this was a different sort of magic than anything in Eos, though there are a few similarities that he sees in both the lightning and the fire. But Ardyn, standing where he can have a clear view of all of this, responds with something just as flattering. Applause.

He grins, because that backflip tho. It's so extra. He thinks it's a perfect ending to a marvelous light show.]

A wonderful display!

[He laughs.]

The practice dummy never saw it coming.

[verflair]

The thought had crossed my mind, but I do not know if those from different worlds would be capable. The ambient aether in this world is different, so that would likely hold true for one’s own store of aether as well.

Ah, but suffice it to say, I would like to explore the possibility. It may be a long road, however.

[ He casts her an amused, yet reassuring smile. Nothing to be embarrassed about. ]

It sounds like a sight to behold. You’ll have to give me the location so that I can stop by.

[verflair]

I daresay it did not.

[ Said with a chuckle as he returns his blade and crystal to their resting places at his hips. The dummy must be magicked in some way, he imagines, because it only comes away looking a bit charred in spite of the assault. ]

I hope that will suffice for a decent taste of what red magic has to offer?

[ysayle]

I have not thought to check with any others if they've been similarly affected. [ It simply hadn't come up yet with Alisaie, and Estinien does not use spells.] Part of our practices then can be used to measure any change in bodies adapting to the native aether, then, assuming such a thing is possible.

[Eorzea being steeped in such meant travelling beyond its borders provided you with less...and they are very very far from home. ]

Should you visit, I'll be happy to introduce you to a few of them. Some are more mischievous than others, but that is no different to other young of any species.

[verflair]

The only other person from our home that I know to be a mage is a mage of the red, like myself. Though I’ve not asked Alisaie if she’s attempted any arcanistry since she’s been here.

[ He taps a finger to his chin. That might be worth pursuing. After three moons, mayhaps Alisaie has a better time with the aether here. ]

If it is not too forward of me to say, you seem rather fond of your tiny charges.

[ysayle]

I've gotten to know her since arriving here. Previously, I was better acquainted with her brother.

[a pity he still sleeps; a scholar's input would be welcome these days.]

No, not forward at all. They-- [a pause, as she considers her words with care. they remind her very much of the younglings of Anyx Trine, which makes her heart ache for memory of Vidofnir. and she is not yet ready to speak of her past with X'rhun. Especially not in so open a place.] --are a little like the falcons my family raised when I was very young. And alike to felines rather than canines; independent but welcoming attention. They are the stars of the cafe and they know it.

[daemonized]

[The dummies are definitely stubbornly difficult things to maul or maim. He's seen it time and time again, when he quietly observes others training and practicing here in the courtyard. Oddly, Ardyn is almost never observed participating similarly, but he has confidence enough in his own abilities to feel that he doesn't require it.

Regardless, that's not his focus for now. Here come the questions.]

Indeed. But now I have a figurative deluge of things to ask you. You were warned.

[So, first, he of course did take note of that crystal. He gestures at it, resting at his companion's hip.]

Tell me about that crystal.

[verflair]

Alisaie was a pupil of mine for some time. I’ve never met her brother, but I’ve heard much of him. Funny that we should each be acquainted with the Leveilleurs.

[ There’s something about the way Ysayle hesitates that keeps grabbing his attention. He knows nothing of her life. He knows only the broad, sweeping strokes of history. He knows that for generations, the Ishgardians bore the dragons no love, branding anyone who would associate with them a heretic. He knows that even with the Dragonsong War over, old prejudices are hard to let go of for some.

He knows that would be enough to make anyone tread with caution. ]

My dear, you needn’t worry about judgement from me. I’m Ala Mhigan, so I am quite keenly aware of the prejudices one can bear their fellow man. It seems a waste, when there’s so much to be learned from one another.

[verflair]

[ He waves the crystal from its place on his belt, letting it hover over his open palm in the space between himself and Ardyn. ]

It has no power of its own, if that’s what you wish to know. It is a focusing device and nothing more. I can cast without it, but it affords me much more accuracy and speed to use it.

[daemonized]

I see. Interesting, for crystals have more of a weightier... importance on Eos.

[He shrugs, though, moving along.] It is nice to look at, at any rate. Tell me, you cast your spells in a pattern, didn't you?

[verflair]

Ah, well, there are crystals and then there are crystals. Ones such as these bear no importance, but others certainly do.

[ But that’s not really what they’re here to talk about. One lesson at a time, after all. ]

Aye, I did. Red magic was born out of the combination of the black and the white, and so it is our aim to strike a balance as we cast.

[ysayle]

Her brother made mention of her occasionally, but I came to know him during a time of lost resolve and a desire to recover his pride. Though I might never have met him in person were it not for another -- have you ever had the fortune of meeting the person known as the Warrior of Light?

[ And that right there, is the crux of the matter. Those of other stars no nothing of Eorzea and need no explanations. Just how much she wishes to say may well depend on how well X'rhun knew her fellow Chosen of Hydaelyn. And in turn, how he might feel regarding not just a heretic, but The Heretic of most recent years.

But the fact he's making it clear that a door is open, that he has no qualms in being approached regarding her past, still leaves her nervous, if grateful. ]

Know that I appreciate your offer, but, I am not quite ready to talk of it. It is a life I must now leave behind me. And if I were to speak on it, it would not be here. [a glance now, to their surroundings; their corner is quiet but who knows who might be lurking in earshot?] Thank you, nonetheless.

[verflair]

That I have. In fact, the Warrior of Light was a sometime pupil of mine as well. It's hard to imagine that a soul like that doesn't touch the lives of everyone they encounter.

[ He smiles, a simple warm expression, dipping his head in an understanding nod. ]

Think nothing of it. If you ever wish to talk, know that I am always willing to listen with an open hear and mind, both.

But that's not why we're here, is it?

[ysayle]

[ That makes her laugh. ] I should have known, they've always managed to get themselves entangled in all manner of matters, big and small. One might almost think their generosity a flaw.

That is appreciated more than you know, X'rhun. [ah, but words are words. it'll be a while before she sees if they translate to deed. But today, they have something else in mind.]

Indeed it is not. We were going to work on spell casting lessons, were we not?