[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}
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.