[Given the color of the paper, there really is only the one person who it could be from.
...What he finds inside is. Well. He's certainly not going to wear it, that much is certain. But he can't entirely deny that it's fitting. Even if he has a suspicion he'll be shaking glitter out of everything for the next few days at least.]
[ QUICKLY RACING IN and shaking herself off with a "brr" but when she turns— she beams and sets down the parcel she brought. It has some warm, delicious rolled puff pastry with mince filling! ]
This is for you! The smell was driving me crazy but I only ate one! See how patient I was?
[Definitely a good thing, for all that he has long since given up on such things as shame.]
Mmm. Fortunate, then, that I have... other methods.
[He raises a hand at that and snaps... and a moment later both they (and the pastry) are standing in his room, the pastry coming gently to rest on the table near his bed.]
[It does certainly make things more convenient, for all that he cannot manage to leave the space they have found themselves in. Not that he has any significant desire to, of course. But there is something to be said for knowing one's limits all the same.]
It would make the endeavor rather easier.
[Not that he doubts her ability to do so. But better to not need to try, surely?
And either way, he takes the box once she offers it, and after casting a brief eye over it, sets about carefully unwrapping it... only to raise an eyebrow at what he finds within.]
I presume you had no more idea as to the contents as I?
No idea at all! When I tried to open one of the boxes, it had nothing in it, but when I gave a box to someone else, it did!
[ Her ears flick up excitedly. ]
What's in it? Is it something funny? There was a little cushion that trapped air in one of them, and if you put it down on someone's seat, it sounded like flatulence!
[There's perhaps a bit of surprise in his expression as she takes his hand, but no actual resistance, otherwise. Better still, perhaps, the ring does fit!
And slowly starts turning colors to a sort of blue-green.]
[ She giggles at that, still holding his hand to see if it changes into any other colours, before looking up at him. ]
I shall take it as such, then. Especially if you like it!
[ Which he does, hopefully, or he wouldn't be allow her to have him wear it. But, she'll hold his hand a while longer. ]
I'll have a nicer present for you for whenever my brother and I can do something for solstice, but I didn't want you to feel like I wasn't thinking of you!
[It does not change further, for the time being, and neither is there any indication that he dislikes it, for all that it's not something he has seen before.
(And besides, far be it for him to turn down a gift, regardless of what it might be.)]
I shall look forward to the solstice, then. And treasure this in the vein it was meant.
Outside the dorms would be fine. I'm likely not going to go too hard.
The risk of blotting is too high if I do, anyway.
I'm outside, whenever you're ready.
[ Blotting, as he's explained, is residual negative energy that forms from over-using magic. He carries a pen with a magestone that shows how much blot has accumulated, and while Vil's doesn't have much now, there's always the risk. ]
[He will likely never entirely understand blotting. But still, odd though it seems to him, he can accept that it is a thing that Vil is concerned with, and that will have to do.]
I will be there shortly.
[And indeed, he is.]
Was there something in particular you had in mind to practice?
[ He gives him a polite nod and smile, gaze somewhat softer on seeing him. ]
Good evening, sir. [ He's polite! But also... ] I'm glad you could join me. I was looking to focus on my ability to... create. I suppose. Obviously I haven't the magic to do what you've mentioned you're capable of- but something meant more for display, perhaps...?
[ Like illusions of light and so on. ]
There's something of an event I've planned and it may be useful for it.
[There's a brief nod in return - it's only polite, after all - before Emet-Selch settles in to listen.]
Creating light itself - true light - is often beyond even my own skills of creation. But for that which you have described there is something else that may prove just as useful.
[A brief pause, and then:]
Tell me, what experience do you have with creating illusions?
[ Rather than explain, he simply demonstrates, bringing out his magic pen and focusing.
After a few moments, he manifests what starts looking like light threads- they're faint, but there's a pulsing glow to them, with a touch of glitter that he starts to build up. Further and further until they start shaping into rings, and he continues until they start becoming like little bubbles of light, glittering in the evening air-
Unfortunately, that's all that he manages before they start to gently fade off. ]
... that's about as much as I can manage. I was hoping for your help in something that lasts a little longer.
[It's as good an explanation as any, and Emet-Selch watches patiently as Vil begins his demonstration. And while it may not necessarily be much, nor last very long it nonetheless proves that he is familiar with the basic concept.
There's a nod, too, at the request. He may not be entirely certain of how compatible the magics of their respective worlds are, but he can certainly do his best.]
The act of creation - as we would know it - and illusionry are not too dissimilar from each other. Both require a familiarity with that with which you mean to create, such that it might better be recreated. However with illusion the intention is not to fully bring the desired concept into being but merely use aether to give the semblance of something.
For example...
[He gestures, turning one hand palm up... and lights begin to flicker into being around them. Little orbs, gently floating along the invisible currents of the air, no more than will-o-wisps - a nod to Vil's own offering.]
However, should I wish instead to shape that same aether into something else, I would hold the image of what I wished in mind and then--
[This time there's a snap... and the will-o-wisps turn into a gentle fall of snow, distinguishable from genuine snow only by the lack of any accompanying chill.]
[ He pays rapt attention to what he's doing, and listens to his explanation. He always makes things sound so easily digestible, which- he supposes, his own professors do as well, but there's something warmer about this.
He does watch- first with concentration, and then with amazement. He made it look so effortless, and he thinks on it. ]
... so what I need to be doing is not attempt to manifest it as a whole creation. Not that I feel like I could do magic like that, but... it sounds like I may have been complicating it, when you put it that way.
[In fairness, Emet-Selch always has had a gift for magic. And has the advantage of not needing to worry about blotting, either.]
Precisely. You need only shape the aether into something that resembles that which you intend to create - you need not also see to whatever might lie beneath its surface.
[ That... is actually more helpful than what he was trying to do. So he nods and lifts, which will transform into a grimoire and-
He'll focus, until he starts to form some pretty motes around Emet-Selch in different colours, and they'll start to spin around in the air before becoming flowers that look like they're outlined in colored lights, all floating and spinning until they become a flower crown and settle on Emet-Selch's head.
[There's a sort of half-smile at the flower crown settling on his head - a look that seems to suggest both 'why am I not surprised' and 'of course it would be that', but he says nothing of either. Instead, he simply lets it remain where it is, rather than going to any effort to dispel the illusion.]
I had certainly hoped it might. And I am glad to have been of some assistance, besides.
[ This is also... surprisingly easier to maintain than any sort of actual creation (which would be rather surprising to him if he could manage)—but this definitely seems so much easier to maintain now than what he could do before.
Especially since it doesn't require all that much to hold it! And watching how the illusion glitters and sparkles- even to the point of having the flowers "bloom" in the crown, he can't help but smile, too. ]
Thank you. Though I suppose this does bring upon the dilemma of practicing to ensure that I can do this while my focus is elsewhere. Right now, it requires most of my concentration.
[ He finally dispels the crown (with the little flowers becoming a rain of colored dust that vanishes)— and sighs with a quiet smile. ]
Which could change if my thoughts don't remain so clouded. But that isn't something I ought to bother you with, sir. It's...
[ He sighs and moves a hand to his opposite forearm. ]
... I suppose a lot is happening and it's a bit overwhelming.
[Emet-Selch falls silent for a moment, as he listens. That it should take most of Vil's concentration is no great surprise - it is often so, for those who are still learning the fine art of illusionry, and might not otherwise have sufficient practice at it to make it look effortless.
But that is a discussion to return to later, as curious as he is about what Vil might have intended to use it for. Instead, he turns to the other comment, and while he won't claim to be any sort of expert in the many and various things that can cloud one's thoughts... he knows well enough to know that speaking of such things can sometimes help.]
It would be no bother. Though neither will I insist that you speak of such things, should you rather not. No matter how overwhelming they might seem.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
day 78;
[There is no note. No indication who it's from. But there's really only one person it could be.]
[rng says that inside is a novelty unicorn mask. It's absolutely covered in glitter.]
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...What he finds inside is. Well. He's certainly not going to wear it, that much is certain. But he can't entirely deny that it's fitting. Even if he has a suspicion he'll be shaking glitter out of everything for the next few days at least.]
« day 78 - text/action »
'Tis cold out here!!
[ What is she doing. She'll be outside in an oversized sweater over her dress, holding some presents! And shivering. ]
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[And he's not super fond of it either. Still, it's not long at all before he is opening the door and gesturing as if to say 'come on in'.]
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This is for you! The smell was driving me crazy but I only ate one! See how patient I was?
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He can't deny the soft smile that crosses his face at her words, either.]
More patient than most might have been.
[And it does smell good, he can't deny.]
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[ Not that she will, but you know, just in case. ]
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[And that's... almost the same.]
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Good enough for me! Ah, this is nicer though...
[ Good thing his teammates are off elsewhere huh. ]
Should we go to your chambers? Though now I don't want to release you. You're toasty.
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Mmm. Fortunate, then, that I have... other methods.
[He raises a hand at that and snaps... and a moment later both they (and the pastry) are standing in his room, the pastry coming gently to rest on the table near his bed.]
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Nice! She shivers a bit and continues to cling to him then. ]
Much better, then. But I suppose I should peel myself away to give you your present, too...
[ She does, reluctantly! And reaches into her bag to pull out a box- it contains the mood ring, but she doesn't know it yet. ]
This one's yours. Let's see what's in it!
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It would make the endeavor rather easier.
[Not that he doubts her ability to do so. But better to not need to try, surely?
And either way, he takes the box once she offers it, and after casting a brief eye over it, sets about carefully unwrapping it... only to raise an eyebrow at what he finds within.]
I presume you had no more idea as to the contents as I?
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[ Her ears flick up excitedly. ]
What's in it? Is it something funny? There was a little cushion that trapped air in one of them, and if you put it down on someone's seat, it sounded like flatulence!
[ She is SO amused by that! ]
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[Still, at her request he reaches into the box and pulls out the mood ring, holding it out on the palm of his hand so she can see.]
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[ Her ears lift in surprise, and she reaches out to look at the ring before observing it curiously. ]
What a pretty ring! I've never seen anything like it!
[ She tries to put it on but it's a size too big. So she takes Emet's hand! ]
Here we go!
[ She's going to attempt to have him wear it! ]
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And slowly starts turning colors to a sort of blue-green.]
Nor I.
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Look, look! 'tis almost blue! I wonder if 'tis because you're excited to see me!
[ Because she wears blue, too! ]
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[And in all his long years he's never had the benefit of encountering a ring that changed color like this.]
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I shall take it as such, then. Especially if you like it!
[ Which he does, hopefully, or he wouldn't be allow her to have him wear it. But, she'll hold his hand a while longer. ]
I'll have a nicer present for you for whenever my brother and I can do something for solstice, but I didn't want you to feel like I wasn't thinking of you!
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(And besides, far be it for him to turn down a gift, regardless of what it might be.)]
I shall look forward to the solstice, then. And treasure this in the vein it was meant.
« day 79, early evening »
Are you busy, sir?
I'd like to practice some spells with you, if you aren't.
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Will the spells in question require any significant space or would you rather do them here?
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The risk of blotting is too high if I do, anyway.
I'm outside, whenever you're ready.
[ Blotting, as he's explained, is residual negative energy that forms from over-using magic. He carries a pen with a magestone that shows how much blot has accumulated, and while Vil's doesn't have much now, there's always the risk. ]
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I will be there shortly.
[And indeed, he is.]
Was there something in particular you had in mind to practice?
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Good evening, sir. [ He's polite! But also... ] I'm glad you could join me. I was looking to focus on my ability to... create. I suppose. Obviously I haven't the magic to do what you've mentioned you're capable of- but something meant more for display, perhaps...?
[ Like illusions of light and so on. ]
There's something of an event I've planned and it may be useful for it.
no subject
Creating light itself - true light - is often beyond even my own skills of creation. But for that which you have described there is something else that may prove just as useful.
[A brief pause, and then:]
Tell me, what experience do you have with creating illusions?
no subject
After a few moments, he manifests what starts looking like light threads- they're faint, but there's a pulsing glow to them, with a touch of glitter that he starts to build up. Further and further until they start shaping into rings, and he continues until they start becoming like little bubbles of light, glittering in the evening air-
Unfortunately, that's all that he manages before they start to gently fade off. ]
... that's about as much as I can manage. I was hoping for your help in something that lasts a little longer.
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There's a nod, too, at the request. He may not be entirely certain of how compatible the magics of their respective worlds are, but he can certainly do his best.]
The act of creation - as we would know it - and illusionry are not too dissimilar from each other. Both require a familiarity with that with which you mean to create, such that it might better be recreated. However with illusion the intention is not to fully bring the desired concept into being but merely use aether to give the semblance of something.
For example...
[He gestures, turning one hand palm up... and lights begin to flicker into being around them. Little orbs, gently floating along the invisible currents of the air, no more than will-o-wisps - a nod to Vil's own offering.]
However, should I wish instead to shape that same aether into something else, I would hold the image of what I wished in mind and then--
[This time there's a snap... and the will-o-wisps turn into a gentle fall of snow, distinguishable from genuine snow only by the lack of any accompanying chill.]
no subject
[ He pays rapt attention to what he's doing, and listens to his explanation. He always makes things sound so easily digestible, which- he supposes, his own professors do as well, but there's something warmer about this.
He does watch- first with concentration, and then with amazement. He made it look so effortless, and he thinks on it. ]
... so what I need to be doing is not attempt to manifest it as a whole creation. Not that I feel like I could do magic like that, but... it sounds like I may have been complicating it, when you put it that way.
[ He's just stressed, ok. ]
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Precisely. You need only shape the aether into something that resembles that which you intend to create - you need not also see to whatever might lie beneath its surface.
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He'll focus, until he starts to form some pretty motes around Emet-Selch in different colours, and they'll start to spin around in the air before becoming flowers that look like they're outlined in colored lights, all floating and spinning until they become a flower crown and settle on Emet-Selch's head.
When Vil looks, he can't help but smile. ]
Charming. That really did help.
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I had certainly hoped it might. And I am glad to have been of some assistance, besides.
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Especially since it doesn't require all that much to hold it! And watching how the illusion glitters and sparkles- even to the point of having the flowers "bloom" in the crown, he can't help but smile, too. ]
Thank you. Though I suppose this does bring upon the dilemma of practicing to ensure that I can do this while my focus is elsewhere. Right now, it requires most of my concentration.
[ He finally dispels the crown (with the little flowers becoming a rain of colored dust that vanishes)— and sighs with a quiet smile. ]
Which could change if my thoughts don't remain so clouded. But that isn't something I ought to bother you with, sir. It's...
[ He sighs and moves a hand to his opposite forearm. ]
... I suppose a lot is happening and it's a bit overwhelming.
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But that is a discussion to return to later, as curious as he is about what Vil might have intended to use it for. Instead, he turns to the other comment, and while he won't claim to be any sort of expert in the many and various things that can cloud one's thoughts... he knows well enough to know that speaking of such things can sometimes help.]
It would be no bother. Though neither will I insist that you speak of such things, should you rather not. No matter how overwhelming they might seem.