[Essek did make good on his promise, offering him the chance to see – or hear – one of his spells. It was after the Mares were gone, when the paranoia and the dreams abated, that Essek decided to use Sending. The drow’s voice rang inside Kirigan’s head, calm, quiet.]
Are you still interested in learning magic? I can meet you somewhere you enjoy or the library, whichever you favor.
[Idly, he waited for a response, something short and in twenty-five words, lest it cut him off. This magic, at least, had a character limit.]
[ Kirigan stops in surprise when he hears the familiar voice in his head, calm, quiet. Strange. He takes a moment to marvel over the magic that allows for someone to put their voice, thoughts, words within his head. He tilts his head to the side.
Can he simply think it back? Speak it? Fascinating. ]
I am quite interested in learning magic still or at least attempting. The library is perfect. See you shortly.
That's a fascinating spell. [ Without knowing the limitations, he can feel it. Still this kind of magic does not... exist in his own world. He heads toward the library. ]
[ Kirigan smirks slightly himself at the use of the term 'General' from someone who is nowhere near the Ravakan army, and does not use it as such. He is there at the library in one of the larger rooms when Essek arrives.
He leans against the doorway, waiting for him. His eyebrows lift, dark gaze resting upon him as he steps near. ]
I would like to work toward it in time. [ A response to his latest message before there's a pause, a quiet silence. ] You look better than when we met.
[ Not that that is difficult. They met during a very painful, dark time for the both of them. ]
[He floated across the floor, although it was impossible to tell with the way his cloak hid his feet, brushing over the tiles. Small habits had been difficult to lose, and this felt like one of those situations aesthetics and showboating might be subtly necessary. ]
I hope your own nightmares have settled back? [Nightmares. The whole thing still felt so strange, foreign to him. Trancing again was welcome, sleep banished, and what “dreams” he had were tightly controlled, just as it should be.]
[ Kirigan watches him float across the floor in his direction, and he tilts his head to the side in clear but quiet interest. More power- How powerful is this individual? What can his magic do? Even if it has its limits, it is clearly powerful. His gaze drifts over him, and he remains leaned against the doorway. ]
...they have. The mares left, and so did my own. [ He still might have bad memories, still might think about all of it, but- It is different. He can set it aside sa he needs to. ]
Incredibly patient.
[ One of the benefits of being very old, one of the risks. He is tired of being so patient. ] Why do you ask?
[Essek was still young by drow standards – just over a hundred years and so many more to go – but there would be a day that he would feel the same. For now, he could still hide in that patience, and that was what made his crimes so dangerous: they couldn’t have been committed by someone who was impulsive, not with all those moving parts.
The drow smiled, drawing close to him and then floating past through the doorway.] Because this will take time.
[A favorite of his.]
Do you have a book? Something to write in? [He didn’t speak anything, but did raise one finger, tracing a design in the air that glowed, before he reached in and pulled out his spellbook, a leather covered tome that looked at home in his hand. Today was his turn to show off, apparently.]
[ Kirigan tilts his head as Essek floats past through the doorway, and he reaches into the pocket of his coat. He pulls a small journal from it along with a writing implement.
He lifts it within his hand, taking notes already on what he has observed, on what he has seen already. ]
I do. I am accustomed to needing to study.
[ He surveys the spell book with open interest, leaning over, looking at what is written within. There is a pause. He is leaned over, and his dark gaze lifts to look at Essek. ]
[There was an emphasis on the word, the edges of his accent playing at it. He was glad for this, for someone who was ready to study, excited to learn; it reminded him of Caleb, both in the early meeting and those later.
He found a table, empty except for some forgotten books at one side. Taking a seat, he nodded, almost laughing. These magics that he was doing? These things he did were nothing, cantrips, simple. If Kirigan was impressed with this, well, things would be interesting during this training.
He waved at a seat across from him, the universal sign of Please sit.]
I do. [There was no shame in those words, only pride that bordered on arrogance. He knew what he was, he knew he was good.] I am considered a prodigy in my den.
[He set his spellbook down and folded his hands.] My concentrations are in dunamancy and graviturgy, but those are not what I will be showing you.
( Kirigan watches him and then follows at the gesture. He takes a seat across from him, studying his expression with interest- the almost laugh, the arrogance on his face. There's interest there in his eyes as he leans forward, watching him. ]
A prodigy?
( It is asked without any revelation of his own. He is the only shadow summoner in his world beyond his mother, and his mother cannot do what he can. Still he says nothing about it.
Dunamancy, graviturgy. He has not heard these words before. )
I am grateful for whatever you wish to show me, Essek. I still doubt I will be able to learn it-
[This was where he was comfortable, an element he understood; the library harbored smells that were similar to home, to manufactured extra-planar towers he had grown accustomed to. He knew what he talked about, spells and sigils, the complexity of timelines and gravity, and there was an ease in that, too.
It was a distraction from the rest of what was going on. ]
Yes. I even held a prominent place in the court, the youngest to do so. But it was my skills in dunamancy – time magic - that helped me to achieve such a role.
[He laid his book down and opened the pages, flipping through them. There were sketches, hurried notes in words and characters that Kirigan would not recognize. He looked at several spells, teetered between Minor Illusion and Mage Hand, then decided to go with Prestidigitation instead. Simple.]
I don’t believe I have ever taught anyone from a place of no knowledge, so this should be interesting. But if you cannot do it – which could be the case – at least you will learn somethings.
( Kirigan can sense Essek's comfort, steadiness within the library. It is something he relates to. He always finds comfort with books, with learning, with losing himself in learning. When he was safe enough to do so, he realized all the answers that rested within them.
Power could be found through what he could learn about people, about the world around him, about the things others were afraid of.
Still he pauses at what Essek says, at the words, at how- His mouth parts, and he openly stares. )
Are you saying you were able to manipulate time?
( Through all grisha can do, all merzost is capable of... Manipulating time- The idea is- He might be somewhat speechless. To the extent, it takes him time to respond to what else Essek says. )
I enjoy learning regardless of whether or not it is something I would be capable of myself. ( It's hard to know. Magic in his world is forbidden. His own abilities are within his blood, and he could teach no one else to manipulate shadow, but to be able to learn more- ) I appreciate you taking this time, Essek.
Probably something similar than what you are thinking at the moment. [Because most went to the extremes, the idea of being to change entire things, and while that could be a goal, it was…far more complex than that. Tangled and woven like knitting, it worked with some things, across different ideas.]
It is more about shifting than rewriting, bending the possibilities from multiple timelines and reworking into our favor. Coupling that with controlling some pieces of localized gravity and additional aspects…
[There was a small, delicate nod of his head. There were things he could do, too, and eventually he would be delighted to show the man Resonant Echo, a spell he had created himself, but that would come later, with time and the possibility of trust.
Which…would be a long time coming. It was difficult to trust anyone.]
Do you not have people that work with it on your own plane?
[It wasn’t that surprising; the Empire only had pieces because of his own foolish choices he had made. ]
It is my pleasure. Your powers seem different than our own; you use gestures, but ours involve verbal, somatic, or components, or a combination of the three. The components themselves depend on the spell that’s cost; some of them are iron, some could be something as rare as pearls or jade.
It sounds... incredible, Essek. ( Kirigan's voice is quiet but genuine with his wonder, with the very thought of all the possibilities. He knows so much now that he did not know when he was young, when he was foolish.
There are many ways his world could be changed from the better. Attempting to do so from the current timeline was messy, but changing it in the past, benefiting Grisha, it's-
He meets Essek's gaze with a slow smile and then shakes his head. )
Not at all. I should like it if there was- Like it perhaps too much. Are there dangers in... shifting? Bending as you call it?
( His dark gaze rests upon him, curious, openly curious as he lingers on his features. )
So you must always have the components on hand? There are perhaps more limitations of your own magic while still having more... applications.
[They all had things they wanted to hide, to fix, mistakes made that they would take back if they could. Essek had learned to live with they, regardless of the ghost; the mistakes were the steps that led him here, with friends and affections. It had taught him humility, remorse, regret, and affection.
But there were flickers of moments, of moments in Empire cities where people in taverns mused and mourned over the fresh war where he had flickers of dreams of fixing this.
And they were gone as soon as they came.]
There are dangers in anything we do; magic is hardly an exception. Its very nature is cause for caution and control. [But he knew what this man was asking.]
In what I can do? No. But…I have attempted things that could have had grave consequences if my casting partner hadn’t been as skilled as he was.
[And how difficult that spell had been, even if that risk of a rest had saved the world.]
Yes, if the spell in question requires them. Ours is not as easy as manipulating shadows, but ours is more versatile in given situations. Tell me: what do you do a brightly light room where the shadows are small or nonexistent? Does it affect your abilities?
( Kirigan's expression is one of understanding. He knows what it is like for magic to get out of his control. He is one of the few to truly use magic within his world- merzost.
The Fold that resulted. It has killed many more than he ever anticipated when he unintentionally made it in a bid to save his people. He swallows thickly as Essek speaks of the dangers, of the caution and control that it requires. )
I see. Some times risks are necessary.
( There is certainly no judgement from him as his dark gold gaze rests upon Essek. )
If a shadow exists at all, I can grow it and use it as I will, but light is ultimately more powerful than shadow. ( That is why he believes Alina will ultimately be far more powerful than him... if she continues to grow her power, continues to use it. ) If there are more shadows, it makes it easier to call to them, but otherwise I can use a small amount of shadow like I could use a large amount.
( spread it, grow it, twist it, use it as he saw fit. )
[And he had done those risks, the one in Cognnouza being the most drastic he had done in quite some time. Would he do it again? Yes, of course, but only if his casting partner was Caleb; while the risk was there, he wasn’t a fool, either.]
And sometimes, they are exciting and the only way to learn something new.
[It was the arrogance that lead to wars, but risks…risks were important for innovation, too.
Essek felt the weight of those gold eyes on him, his own violet gaze leveled back at him as he tried to read him. The drow was curious, had been since they had met, and time had only fed into it.]
And so your power has a weakness, however slight it may be. People – depending on the race – may have natural resistances and weaknesses as well, so they may supplement them with magical items to offset negative situations; for example: tieflings – which I do not believe I have seen any here – are not as harmed by magics that use fire.
[It was a shame that the light that would weaken Kirigan’s magic would be a determent to Essek as well. At least they shared the sentiment.]
But the spells we will start with will not use components; they are proving slightly difficult to find here and I do not wish to spend them on practice.
And sometimes, those risks are the only way to save more lives.
( Kirigan will always be aware of what the Fold became in his attempt to protect his people. It became something worse than what he anticipated, but he was able to save some of his people who would have otherwise been massacred there, surrounded by the army insistent on seeing them all killed.
He took a stand. No one else ever did. For that reason, he cannot regret the act even if he regrets many innocents who were lost to it. And now he takes risks for the better of Ravka at the cost of other lives, because he is the only one old enough to see the big picture. )
...tieflings. I believe your world must have very different races than my own.
( Essek himself looks different than anyone Kirigan has seen before, but Hell has helped him grow accustomed to people looking differently. )
I would not ask you to spend them needlessly. ( It is said in reassurance. ) Which spell did you wish to start with?
[The smile on Essek’s lips was soft, grateful for someone who realized that concept. The Nein had understood it, letting him cast that spell, but most others would not have agreed that the risk of unraveling time was worth the reward.
But that risk had saved….everything. Even if it had terrified and exhilarated him.
Kirigan and him…they had a great deal in common, it seemed.
But yes, magic. Yes. They had a lesson to focus on. ]
There is a common spell often first taught to people learning – Prestidigitation. It is a simple spell and its tricks are small, but in the correct setting it can help.
[He opened his hand for Kirigan’s notebook and his writing implement.]
( Kirigan catches the smile on Essek's mouth- grateful to be understood. This is something he can relate to as well. It's difficult to get people to understand the worth of risks especially when those risks cost lives.
It's the reason he offers him a soft smile of his own (one of understanding, one without judgement).
He nods then, pulling out the notebook and pen from his pocket to hold out to him in turn. )
It certainly sounds intriguing, versatile. ( That is one of the benefits to the magic in Essek's world. It can do a great many things that he has never heard of Grisha powers (or magic) being able to do ) What can it do?
[Essek…appreciated the smile, and the pointed tips of his cuffed ears colored slightly. He took the pen and the notebook, and began to write the rather long list of uses that Prestidigitation spell had. Perhaps he should have started him on something more narrow, defined, especially given his own limited use of magic in his world, but Essek thought the flexibility would be important.
After he wrote the list, he drew four hands in the bottom of the page, the fingers in a different position for each one. Words – not of Common, no, but Undercommon as he had learned all his spells – were scribbled before handing the book back.]
There are many uses, and we can try each one to see if one strikes you more than the other. There is a verbal component – I tend to use my native tongue – and I drew the motions of what your hands should be so that you can practice without me. For safety’s sake, I suggest not attempting candles or campfires while in the library.
[There was a sweep of his hand, a fluid motion from one hand gesture to another, before he spoke something in another language. In the center of the table was a small spattering of sparks, purely visual and lacking any heat.
He made it look utterly effortless, and to him, it was.]
( Kirigan notes the colored tips of his ears with quiet interest. He watches as Essek writes without saying a word to interrupt him. He reads over the words as he writes them, taking the book back and looking over it again. His gaze flicks from the book in hand up to Essek again.
He nods his understanding and then watches the sparks that spatter.
The list of what can be done with this spell is so long. )
That is amazing.
( It is spoken genuinely, having memorized the movements, the words as well- He should like to speak them like Essek does. )
What... language was that? ( He had mentioned his native language, but Kirigan has never heard anything like it before )
[There was a small smirk playing over his lips, wondering what Kirigan would think the first time Essek manipulated gravity or offered a mote of possibility. These here were cantrips, things that had their place, but Essek’s power, his skill? That would be something to really have awe over. ]
Which is why I know you can do it.
[This human was sharp and had his own power; was there enough space for this, too? Essek hoped so, just as he hoped it would go in reverse, would allow hm to learn about the shadows. A fair and mutual partnership]
That- Ah. It is Undercommon, the language from where I come from. I…can’t imagine you have heard it before.
[That smile never faltered as he cleared his throat and spoke in that language, the sharp edges with twining vowels. ”I believe that you can do this, General. Just as I believe you can teach me what I wish to know.”]
( Kirigan decreases the distance between the both of him as he speaks that second time as if he might untangle the meaning of the words simply by looking close enough at Essek. He cannot as much as he would like, but he is intrigued at the meaning, at what lies within the words he cannot decipher.
But the flush that had appeared on Essek's ears lets him know that Essek might not at all mind the closeness, might not mind this. )
It is unfamiliar to me, but I like the sound of it. Without knowing what you've said.
( He turns from Essek then if only to do a similar motion with his hands as what Essek showed him previously. As if he hadn't just invaded Essek's space. )
Essek realized it curiously, but didn’t say anything; being in relatively close distance would come in handy with motions and hand movements. Yes, yes, this…this was fine. It…it was purely instructional.
I said, ”I believe that you can do this, General. Just as I believe you can teach me what I wish to know.” And they are quite true statements, if you are curious.
[He watched the hand motions, then reached over to take the man’s hands in his own. He manipulated the fingers, bending one, straightening another, angling the thumb, before pulling his grip down to his Kirigan’s. Carefully he guided the whole hand movement into a semi-circle, before letting go.]
It always feels strange the first time, but it will feel more natural over time. Move your hand like…like the shadows you command: fluid and smooth and weightless, but powerful
( Kirigan's gaze darkens at the words and the truth he finds within them. Sometimes belief is the greatest obstacle to learning. His shoulders straighten, and he nods. )
I was curious. ( It is murmured in a soft voice before his gaze flits up to meet his. ) I believe the same, Essek.
( He pauses when Essek reaches over to take his hands within his own, and he breathes in sharp at the closeness and the touch. His focus hones in on exactly the way to move the hands. Kirigan does want to learn so though his dark gaze lingers on Essek, he nods after the demonstration.
His hands then move in the movement again, but this time he does it exactly without Essek needing to help, and then he adds in the words. He speaks it in uncommon as he heard Essek say them. Within the movement and the words, he feels the magic, the power behind them.
It's not perfect, but a spark does appear, brief, dim, quiet. But real. )
[Essek’s eyes watched every moment, even fraction of a space and listened to the lilt of the words Kirigan did not know. He waited and held his breath and when he saw that spark – tiny and bright – he let out the air in his lungs and smiled.
It wasn’t much of anything, but it was something. It was a start. It was proof that he could learn, that he could be taught.
Perhaps he wasn’t that bad of a beginning teacher after all.]
Well, I suppose you can inform me formally that I was correct in this endeavor.
[He chuckled, proud of him, as he smiled softly.]
You will need to practice this a great deal to get it to where it is usable, but you do not strike me as someone who is bothered by hard work.
( Kirigan still stares at his own hands like he does not know what to make of it. For centuries, he has been aware of his powers and aware of the dangers of using merzost. This was something entirely different. To think he could learn it. To think it might change his world-
He can hardly let his mind wrap around the possibility. He lifts his gaze from his hands to meet Essek's, and he smirks in light amusement. )
Formally, Essek, I will admit you were correct in this endeavor.
Hard work has never been an issue for me. ( He has had so much time, but he has never spent an ounce of it waiting, relaxing. Kirigan has always been working, focused on making his world better for his people. He will do the same with this new knowledge.
[He laughed under his breath, watching the amazement of it all, the knowledge setting in the man across from him. There was a power in magic, something strong and crafty; it was a key for a lock, a way to fix a problem, and it was the wielder that had to think of all the different keys they had on their keyring.
It would take time, though, to get to Essek’s level, Caleb’s level. Months. Years. And then maybe Kirigran could learn enough to craft his own spells as they had. A locksmith, so to speak.
He looked to Kirigan, smiling with an eagerness that he hadn’t felt in some time; learning a new spell excited him, thrilled him to his core. And after seeing what the General had managed…
He was thrilled for who would be teaching him as well.]
If you are ready, then I put myself in your hands.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Audio-ish
Are you still interested in learning magic? I can meet you somewhere you enjoy or the library, whichever you favor.
[Idly, he waited for a response, something short and in twenty-five words, lest it cut him off. This magic, at least, had a character limit.]
no subject
Can he simply think it back? Speak it? Fascinating. ]
I am quite interested in learning magic still or at least attempting. The library is perfect. See you shortly.
That's a fascinating spell. [ Without knowing the limitations, he can feel it. Still this kind of magic does not... exist in his own world. He heads toward the library. ]
no subject
Aside from so few knowing how to use it, of course.
Essek cast it again, burning another spell for the day but finding it worth it all the same.]
It is a bit beyond what you are set to learn, General. Perhaps it is something we can work to over time.
[Still smirking, he set off for the library.]
no subject
He leans against the doorway, waiting for him. His eyebrows lift, dark gaze resting upon him as he steps near. ]
I would like to work toward it in time. [ A response to his latest message before there's a pause, a quiet silence. ] You look better than when we met.
[ Not that that is difficult. They met during a very painful, dark time for the both of them. ]
no subject
[He floated across the floor, although it was impossible to tell with the way his cloak hid his feet, brushing over the tiles. Small habits had been difficult to lose, and this felt like one of those situations aesthetics and showboating might be subtly necessary. ]
I hope your own nightmares have settled back? [Nightmares. The whole thing still felt so strange, foreign to him. Trancing again was welcome, sleep banished, and what “dreams” he had were tightly controlled, just as it should be.]
How patient are you?
no subject
...they have. The mares left, and so did my own. [ He still might have bad memories, still might think about all of it, but- It is different. He can set it aside sa he needs to. ]
Incredibly patient.
[ One of the benefits of being very old, one of the risks. He is tired of being so patient. ] Why do you ask?
no subject
The drow smiled, drawing close to him and then floating past through the doorway.] Because this will take time.
[A favorite of his.]
Do you have a book? Something to write in? [He didn’t speak anything, but did raise one finger, tracing a design in the air that glowed, before he reached in and pulled out his spellbook, a leather covered tome that looked at home in his hand. Today was his turn to show off, apparently.]
no subject
He lifts it within his hand, taking notes already on what he has observed, on what he has seen already. ]
I do. I am accustomed to needing to study.
[ He surveys the spell book with open interest, leaning over, looking at what is written within. There is a pause. He is leaned over, and his dark gaze lifts to look at Essek. ]
You have quite the power of your own.
no subject
[There was an emphasis on the word, the edges of his accent playing at it. He was glad for this, for someone who was ready to study, excited to learn; it reminded him of Caleb, both in the early meeting and those later.
He found a table, empty except for some forgotten books at one side. Taking a seat, he nodded, almost laughing. These magics that he was doing? These things he did were nothing, cantrips, simple. If Kirigan was impressed with this, well, things would be interesting during this training.
He waved at a seat across from him, the universal sign of Please sit.]
I do. [There was no shame in those words, only pride that bordered on arrogance. He knew what he was, he knew he was good.] I am considered a prodigy in my den.
[He set his spellbook down and folded his hands.] My concentrations are in dunamancy and graviturgy, but those are not what I will be showing you.
no subject
A prodigy?
( It is asked without any revelation of his own. He is the only shadow summoner in his world beyond his mother, and his mother cannot do what he can. Still he says nothing about it.
Dunamancy, graviturgy. He has not heard these words before. )
I am grateful for whatever you wish to show me, Essek. I still doubt I will be able to learn it-
Our worlds are very different.
no subject
It was a distraction from the rest of what was going on. ]
Yes. I even held a prominent place in the court, the youngest to do so. But it was my skills in dunamancy – time magic - that helped me to achieve such a role.
[He laid his book down and opened the pages, flipping through them. There were sketches, hurried notes in words and characters that Kirigan would not recognize. He looked at several spells, teetered between Minor Illusion and Mage Hand, then decided to go with Prestidigitation instead. Simple.]
I don’t believe I have ever taught anyone from a place of no knowledge, so this should be interesting. But if you cannot do it – which could be the case – at least you will learn somethings.
no subject
Power could be found through what he could learn about people, about the world around him, about the things others were afraid of.
Still he pauses at what Essek says, at the words, at how- His mouth parts, and he openly stares. )
Are you saying you were able to manipulate time?
( Through all grisha can do, all merzost is capable of... Manipulating time- The idea is- He might be somewhat speechless. To the extent, it takes him time to respond to what else Essek says. )
I enjoy learning regardless of whether or not it is something I would be capable of myself. ( It's hard to know. Magic in his world is forbidden. His own abilities are within his blood, and he could teach no one else to manipulate shadow, but to be able to learn more- ) I appreciate you taking this time, Essek.
no subject
It is more about shifting than rewriting, bending the possibilities from multiple timelines and reworking into our favor. Coupling that with controlling some pieces of localized gravity and additional aspects…
[There was a small, delicate nod of his head. There were things he could do, too, and eventually he would be delighted to show the man Resonant Echo, a spell he had created himself, but that would come later, with time and the possibility of trust.
Which…would be a long time coming. It was difficult to trust anyone.]
Do you not have people that work with it on your own plane?
[It wasn’t that surprising; the Empire only had pieces because of his own foolish choices he had made. ]
It is my pleasure. Your powers seem different than our own; you use gestures, but ours involve verbal, somatic, or components, or a combination of the three. The components themselves depend on the spell that’s cost; some of them are iron, some could be something as rare as pearls or jade.
no subject
There are many ways his world could be changed from the better. Attempting to do so from the current timeline was messy, but changing it in the past, benefiting Grisha, it's-
He meets Essek's gaze with a slow smile and then shakes his head. )
Not at all. I should like it if there was- Like it perhaps too much. Are there dangers in... shifting? Bending as you call it?
( His dark gaze rests upon him, curious, openly curious as he lingers on his features. )
So you must always have the components on hand? There are perhaps more limitations of your own magic while still having more... applications.
( Perhaps that is how it all balances out. )
no subject
But there were flickers of moments, of moments in Empire cities where people in taverns mused and mourned over the fresh war where he had flickers of dreams of fixing this.
And they were gone as soon as they came.]
There are dangers in anything we do; magic is hardly an exception. Its very nature is cause for caution and control. [But he knew what this man was asking.]
In what I can do? No. But…I have attempted things that could have had grave consequences if my casting partner hadn’t been as skilled as he was.
[And how difficult that spell had been, even if that risk of a rest had saved the world.]
Yes, if the spell in question requires them. Ours is not as easy as manipulating shadows, but ours is more versatile in given situations. Tell me: what do you do a brightly light room where the shadows are small or nonexistent? Does it affect your abilities?
no subject
The Fold that resulted. It has killed many more than he ever anticipated when he unintentionally made it in a bid to save his people. He swallows thickly as Essek speaks of the dangers, of the caution and control that it requires. )
I see. Some times risks are necessary.
( There is certainly no judgement from him as his dark gold gaze rests upon Essek. )
If a shadow exists at all, I can grow it and use it as I will, but light is ultimately more powerful than shadow. ( That is why he believes Alina will ultimately be far more powerful than him... if she continues to grow her power, continues to use it. ) If there are more shadows, it makes it easier to call to them, but otherwise I can use a small amount of shadow like I could use a large amount.
( spread it, grow it, twist it, use it as he saw fit. )
no subject
[And he had done those risks, the one in Cognnouza being the most drastic he had done in quite some time. Would he do it again? Yes, of course, but only if his casting partner was Caleb; while the risk was there, he wasn’t a fool, either.]
And sometimes, they are exciting and the only way to learn something new.
[It was the arrogance that lead to wars, but risks…risks were important for innovation, too.
Essek felt the weight of those gold eyes on him, his own violet gaze leveled back at him as he tried to read him. The drow was curious, had been since they had met, and time had only fed into it.]
And so your power has a weakness, however slight it may be. People – depending on the race – may have natural resistances and weaknesses as well, so they may supplement them with magical items to offset negative situations; for example: tieflings – which I do not believe I have seen any here – are not as harmed by magics that use fire.
[It was a shame that the light that would weaken Kirigan’s magic would be a determent to Essek as well. At least they shared the sentiment.]
But the spells we will start with will not use components; they are proving slightly difficult to find here and I do not wish to spend them on practice.
no subject
( Kirigan will always be aware of what the Fold became in his attempt to protect his people. It became something worse than what he anticipated, but he was able to save some of his people who would have otherwise been massacred there, surrounded by the army insistent on seeing them all killed.
He took a stand. No one else ever did. For that reason, he cannot regret the act even if he regrets many innocents who were lost to it. And now he takes risks for the better of Ravka at the cost of other lives, because he is the only one old enough to see the big picture. )
...tieflings. I believe your world must have very different races than my own.
( Essek himself looks different than anyone Kirigan has seen before, but Hell has helped him grow accustomed to people looking differently. )
I would not ask you to spend them needlessly. ( It is said in reassurance. ) Which spell did you wish to start with?
no subject
But that risk had saved….everything. Even if it had terrified and exhilarated him.
Kirigan and him…they had a great deal in common, it seemed.
But yes, magic. Yes. They had a lesson to focus on. ]
There is a common spell often first taught to people learning – Prestidigitation. It is a simple spell and its tricks are small, but in the correct setting it can help.
[He opened his hand for Kirigan’s notebook and his writing implement.]
If I may?
no subject
It's the reason he offers him a soft smile of his own (one of understanding, one without judgement).
He nods then, pulling out the notebook and pen from his pocket to hold out to him in turn. )
It certainly sounds intriguing, versatile. ( That is one of the benefits to the magic in Essek's world. It can do a great many things that he has never heard of Grisha powers (or magic) being able to do ) What can it do?
no subject
After he wrote the list, he drew four hands in the bottom of the page, the fingers in a different position for each one. Words – not of Common, no, but Undercommon as he had learned all his spells – were scribbled before handing the book back.]
There are many uses, and we can try each one to see if one strikes you more than the other. There is a verbal component – I tend to use my native tongue – and I drew the motions of what your hands should be so that you can practice without me. For safety’s sake, I suggest not attempting candles or campfires while in the library.
[There was a sweep of his hand, a fluid motion from one hand gesture to another, before he spoke something in another language. In the center of the table was a small spattering of sparks, purely visual and lacking any heat.
He made it look utterly effortless, and to him, it was.]
And it is just like that.
no subject
He nods his understanding and then watches the sparks that spatter.
The list of what can be done with this spell is so long. )
That is amazing.
( It is spoken genuinely, having memorized the movements, the words as well- He should like to speak them like Essek does. )
What... language was that? ( He had mentioned his native language, but Kirigan has never heard anything like it before )
no subject
[There was a small smirk playing over his lips, wondering what Kirigan would think the first time Essek manipulated gravity or offered a mote of possibility. These here were cantrips, things that had their place, but Essek’s power, his skill? That would be something to really have awe over. ]
Which is why I know you can do it.
[This human was sharp and had his own power; was there enough space for this, too? Essek hoped so, just as he hoped it would go in reverse, would allow hm to learn about the shadows. A fair and mutual partnership]
That- Ah. It is Undercommon, the language from where I come from. I…can’t imagine you have heard it before.
[That smile never faltered as he cleared his throat and spoke in that language, the sharp edges with twining vowels. ”I believe that you can do this, General. Just as I believe you can teach me what I wish to know.”]
no subject
But the flush that had appeared on Essek's ears lets him know that Essek might not at all mind the closeness, might not mind this. )
It is unfamiliar to me, but I like the sound of it. Without knowing what you've said.
( He turns from Essek then if only to do a similar motion with his hands as what Essek showed him previously. As if he hadn't just invaded Essek's space. )
Like this?
no subject
Essek realized it curiously, but didn’t say anything; being in relatively close distance would come in handy with motions and hand movements. Yes, yes, this…this was fine. It…it was purely instructional.
I said, ”I believe that you can do this, General. Just as I believe you can teach me what I wish to know.” And they are quite true statements, if you are curious.
[He watched the hand motions, then reached over to take the man’s hands in his own. He manipulated the fingers, bending one, straightening another, angling the thumb, before pulling his grip down to his Kirigan’s. Carefully he guided the whole hand movement into a semi-circle, before letting go.]
It always feels strange the first time, but it will feel more natural over time. Move your hand like…like the shadows you command: fluid and smooth and weightless, but powerful
no subject
I was curious. ( It is murmured in a soft voice before his gaze flits up to meet his. ) I believe the same, Essek.
( He pauses when Essek reaches over to take his hands within his own, and he breathes in sharp at the closeness and the touch. His focus hones in on exactly the way to move the hands. Kirigan does want to learn so though his dark gaze lingers on Essek, he nods after the demonstration.
His hands then move in the movement again, but this time he does it exactly without Essek needing to help, and then he adds in the words. He speaks it in uncommon as he heard Essek say them. Within the movement and the words, he feels the magic, the power behind them.
It's not perfect, but a spark does appear, brief, dim, quiet. But real. )
no subject
It wasn’t much of anything, but it was something. It was a start. It was proof that he could learn, that he could be taught.
Perhaps he wasn’t that bad of a beginning teacher after all.]
Well, I suppose you can inform me formally that I was correct in this endeavor.
[He chuckled, proud of him, as he smiled softly.]
You will need to practice this a great deal to get it to where it is usable, but you do not strike me as someone who is bothered by hard work.
no subject
He can hardly let his mind wrap around the possibility. He lifts his gaze from his hands to meet Essek's, and he smirks in light amusement. )
Formally, Essek, I will admit you were correct in this endeavor.
Hard work has never been an issue for me. ( He has had so much time, but he has never spent an ounce of it waiting, relaxing. Kirigan has always been working, focused on making his world better for his people. He will do the same with this new knowledge.
He shifts his body toward Essek again. )
Should I start a lesson of my own?
no subject
[He laughed under his breath, watching the amazement of it all, the knowledge setting in the man across from him. There was a power in magic, something strong and crafty; it was a key for a lock, a way to fix a problem, and it was the wielder that had to think of all the different keys they had on their keyring.
It would take time, though, to get to Essek’s level, Caleb’s level. Months. Years. And then maybe Kirigran could learn enough to craft his own spells as they had. A locksmith, so to speak.
He looked to Kirigan, smiling with an eagerness that he hadn’t felt in some time; learning a new spell excited him, thrilled him to his core. And after seeing what the General had managed…
He was thrilled for who would be teaching him as well.]
If you are ready, then I put myself in your hands.