29 min read
Feeble Magic
September 30, 2017
◈ WHO: Xiu, Cesc, & Ryder (Rapidashtrainer, Atmadja, & Skyeforge)
◈ WHEN: Afternoon on September 30, 2017
◈ WHERE: Wooded clearing near Oakdale
◈ WEATHER: Sunny and warm.
◈ WHEN: Afternoon on September 30, 2017
◈ WHERE: Wooded clearing near Oakdale
◈ WEATHER: Sunny and warm.
Training. That’s what he needed to do. Get back out there and practice. But how could he? He was banned from ever leaving the house without Reuben. That was the rough part, he couldn’t go at night, and he didn’t dare leave during the day; but Ryder desperately needed to get away. He couldn’t take being cooped up in the house any longer. It drove him crazy. He read every book in his arsenal, and had tried to get his mojo back practicing in his room or in the back yard; but to no avail.
Life had been twisted up and so much had occurred the past two months. Ryder missed his training partner, Xiu. He missed being able to freely explore the outdoors in the woods away from everyone and everything that could possibly distract him. All he needed to do was find a way to leave the house. Asking Reuben would ultimately be met with a blunt ‘no’. But he had to find a way to get out of the house.
His not-so-elaborate plan to distract Reuben was set into motion by none other than the wonderful aunt Calista. She owed him one after getting him banned from the bookstore, and she understood the frei’s need for a silent, serene training ground more than his guardian did. After all, she practiced her own magic, whereas Reuben was ‘a goddamn mundane’ in her own infamous words. She decided she’d distract Reuben from ever knowing his precious charge was gone by pestering him at the shop, giving Ryder a good few hours of training time before he’d come home.
With the plan underway, Calista texted the frei, giving him the go ahead to leave, and of course, to be safe and to text her if he needed anything. With that, he packed up a small satchel of supplies, basic magical reagents, his spellbook, his cell phone, and took out, floating towards the woods where he would hope to find a some inspiration and have a good training session.
Life had been twisted up and so much had occurred the past two months. Ryder missed his training partner, Xiu. He missed being able to freely explore the outdoors in the woods away from everyone and everything that could possibly distract him. All he needed to do was find a way to leave the house. Asking Reuben would ultimately be met with a blunt ‘no’. But he had to find a way to get out of the house.
His not-so-elaborate plan to distract Reuben was set into motion by none other than the wonderful aunt Calista. She owed him one after getting him banned from the bookstore, and she understood the frei’s need for a silent, serene training ground more than his guardian did. After all, she practiced her own magic, whereas Reuben was ‘a goddamn mundane’ in her own infamous words. She decided she’d distract Reuben from ever knowing his precious charge was gone by pestering him at the shop, giving Ryder a good few hours of training time before he’d come home.
With the plan underway, Calista texted the frei, giving him the go ahead to leave, and of course, to be safe and to text her if he needed anything. With that, he packed up a small satchel of supplies, basic magical reagents, his spellbook, his cell phone, and took out, floating towards the woods where he would hope to find a some inspiration and have a good training session.
“Not too far now,” said the white Valsaros to his friend, Cesc. “This is the imaginative Frei I have been telling you about. He is able to conjure up all kinds of things from his mind and they do look pretty realistic too,”
There was an almost child-like excitement in Xiu’s voice as he described Ryder’s powers to his friend. But Xiu could not help it. After all, how often do you get to actually see people and creatures from books come to life? Admittedly they lacked a corporeal form but still it was something.
There was an almost child-like excitement in Xiu’s voice as he described Ryder’s powers to his friend. But Xiu could not help it. After all, how often do you get to actually see people and creatures from books come to life? Admittedly they lacked a corporeal form but still it was something.
Cesc listened with earnest interest as Xiu spoke, but his interest was partly born of curiosity into the unknown Frei’s powers and partly from the joy his friend seemed to have in telling him about it. It wasn’t often that Xiu had that kind of excitement, the other Valsaros being much more likely to display tempered, easy judgments in even his own hobbies and interests.
“It’s amazing, what Freis can do these days, isn’t it?” laughed Cesc as he ambled beside Xiu, his hands in the pockets of his basketball shorts as he went, his sneakers crunching through the dry dirt and twigs and newly-fallen autumn leaves on the trail as they went deeper into the woods.
“Should we be training, too?” he teased, nudging Xiu with his elbow. “Any bloodthirsty, crazy vampire guys we should be looking forward to sword fighting in the near future?”
“It’s amazing, what Freis can do these days, isn’t it?” laughed Cesc as he ambled beside Xiu, his hands in the pockets of his basketball shorts as he went, his sneakers crunching through the dry dirt and twigs and newly-fallen autumn leaves on the trail as they went deeper into the woods.
“Should we be training, too?” he teased, nudging Xiu with his elbow. “Any bloodthirsty, crazy vampire guys we should be looking forward to sword fighting in the near future?”
Ryder kept his head in his spellbook most of the morning whilst sitting upon a large fallen tree trunk, his ribbon streaming down the side of the tree to keep him steady. The toadstool was no longer grasping the basic magic he had already known full well and had practiced since the first day of his life. What was happening to him? Every little spell, everything he had taught himself, gone...or, at least, mostly gone. Even his most basic of magic was fizzling out and he didn’t know how to stop it.
Finally, being a bit fed up with how his ‘training’ was going, the frei slammed closed his spellbook, tossing it aside, and took to the internet. Obviously, many internet links dealing with magic weren’t the type of magic he used. His magic was a special kind, one that couldn’t be sought after on the web. But, nevertheless, the frei began his fervent search for what was happening to him. ‘Why isn’t my magic working?’, ‘What’s happening to my magic?’, ‘Why isn’t my magic strong anymore?’ were some of the simple searches the frei was placing into the browser with very little result.
It wasn’t until he saw a couple of figures in the distance that the boy even brightened up a smidge. That was Xiu! The boy’s face lit up as he floated into the air. “Xiu! Hey! Over here!” he called, floating quickly over to the pair of valsaros walking. This was definitely the most excited the raevan had been about meeting with someone...ever. He just found so much inspiration in Xiu, with his fluid motions using his sword. A true warrior, just like Ryder had envisioned. He was excited for what the two -- now possibly three -- could work on together.
Finally, being a bit fed up with how his ‘training’ was going, the frei slammed closed his spellbook, tossing it aside, and took to the internet. Obviously, many internet links dealing with magic weren’t the type of magic he used. His magic was a special kind, one that couldn’t be sought after on the web. But, nevertheless, the frei began his fervent search for what was happening to him. ‘Why isn’t my magic working?’, ‘What’s happening to my magic?’, ‘Why isn’t my magic strong anymore?’ were some of the simple searches the frei was placing into the browser with very little result.
It wasn’t until he saw a couple of figures in the distance that the boy even brightened up a smidge. That was Xiu! The boy’s face lit up as he floated into the air. “Xiu! Hey! Over here!” he called, floating quickly over to the pair of valsaros walking. This was definitely the most excited the raevan had been about meeting with someone...ever. He just found so much inspiration in Xiu, with his fluid motions using his sword. A true warrior, just like Ryder had envisioned. He was excited for what the two -- now possibly three -- could work on together.
Xiu gave his friend a pained expression at the mention of battling supernatural forces. “I would hope not,” said Xiu cautiously lest they would be jinxed. “I was hoping that...that part of my life is over and done with. But I would not say no to practice sparring with you, Cesc. I must admit that I am rather curious, what with the both of us becoming Valsaroses? Valsari?,”
“And uh actually, I have fought Ryder’s imaginary monsters once before this,” continued Xiu sheepishly. “He conjured up a huge ogre and we did battle but it disappeared as soon as it was hit,”
By this time the two Raevans have crested the small knoll and Xiu could spot the distant figure of Ryder waving excitedly in their direction. Grinning at the Frei’s enthusiasm, Xiu returned the wave and proceeded with the introductions once they were face to face.
“Cesc, meet Ryder and Ryder, Cesc. I may have spoken about the other to each of you,” said Xiu with a laugh.
“And uh actually, I have fought Ryder’s imaginary monsters once before this,” continued Xiu sheepishly. “He conjured up a huge ogre and we did battle but it disappeared as soon as it was hit,”
By this time the two Raevans have crested the small knoll and Xiu could spot the distant figure of Ryder waving excitedly in their direction. Grinning at the Frei’s enthusiasm, Xiu returned the wave and proceeded with the introductions once they were face to face.
“Cesc, meet Ryder and Ryder, Cesc. I may have spoken about the other to each of you,” said Xiu with a laugh.
“Not much of a fight then, huh?” Cesc laughed easily at Xiu’s comment, and as he walked, the stag pulled a shard of light that rifled between a tree’s limbs. His work was easy and quick--far quicker than it had been at Sigel--and with only a few motions, he suddenly had an scimitar in hand.
“We can fight if you want,” he offered genially, his smile lazy and slow and totally at odds with his spoken word.
But in another second, the weapon was gone, completely reformed into light, as Ryder came into full view. Rhedefre’s smile broadened again and he suddenly looked as fresh and charming as the dawn from which he was made.
So this was Ryder! A frei with striking looks--rainbow freckles--and pale curling hair. He seemed rather at home in the wilderness, Cesc thought to himself, as though he had sprouted right there under the tree, book in hand and all. Strangely, he suddenly remembered a Sigel he hadn’t seen in years: the unwithering leaf, Eiry. They seemed kindred, somehow…
“Ryder!” he greeted, holding out a hand to the Frei. “I’m Rhedefre, or Cesc, if you’d rather. Xiu really has spoken of you plenty. A pleasure to meet you!”
“We can fight if you want,” he offered genially, his smile lazy and slow and totally at odds with his spoken word.
But in another second, the weapon was gone, completely reformed into light, as Ryder came into full view. Rhedefre’s smile broadened again and he suddenly looked as fresh and charming as the dawn from which he was made.
So this was Ryder! A frei with striking looks--rainbow freckles--and pale curling hair. He seemed rather at home in the wilderness, Cesc thought to himself, as though he had sprouted right there under the tree, book in hand and all. Strangely, he suddenly remembered a Sigel he hadn’t seen in years: the unwithering leaf, Eiry. They seemed kindred, somehow…
“Ryder!” he greeted, holding out a hand to the Frei. “I’m Rhedefre, or Cesc, if you’d rather. Xiu really has spoken of you plenty. A pleasure to meet you!”
Ryder’s expression and excitement only amplified at the mention of this new man’s name. Rhedefre, that was definitely exotic; and Ryder took note that Cesc, which was far more easy to pronounce, would probably be his go-to name for this man. With a quick wave to Xiu, his focus was mainly on this new man, tall, handsome, and very bright.
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Ryder stated, clenching tighter to his book. “Forgive me, but I can’t shake your hand,” the frei began. “I have poisonous skin that I don’t know how to control, and I’m afraid it’s just been more out of hand lately,” he concluded, his demeanor changed to a much more calm, albeit downcast state.
Turning his attention to Xiu, he spoke again, “I’m afraid all of my powers have been a bit...out of touch lately. I haven’t even been able to summon Alice, much less anyone or anything else. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. That’s why I was hoping to find you. Maybe that book you said you had will give me some inspiration?”
“It’s very nice to meet you,” Ryder stated, clenching tighter to his book. “Forgive me, but I can’t shake your hand,” the frei began. “I have poisonous skin that I don’t know how to control, and I’m afraid it’s just been more out of hand lately,” he concluded, his demeanor changed to a much more calm, albeit downcast state.
Turning his attention to Xiu, he spoke again, “I’m afraid all of my powers have been a bit...out of touch lately. I haven’t even been able to summon Alice, much less anyone or anything else. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. That’s why I was hoping to find you. Maybe that book you said you had will give me some inspiration?”
Admiring the ease at which Cesc fashioned his sword of light, Xiu contemplated the other’s invitation for a moment before answering. “Perhaps later, once we have met Ryder,” said Xiu with an amiable wave of his hand in decline. “Can’t have the both of us coming up to a Frei looking disheveled and out of breath. And speaking of which..,”
It was at this point where Cesc’s friendly personality shone through and Xiu was glad to see the two raevans getting along. Ryder had come off as a rather shy frei during their first encounter. It would be good for him to make as many friends as possible.
But when Ryder next spoke, Xiu’s expression turned to one of concern. Trouble handling their abilities seemed to be ubiquitous among freis. The Valsaros himself remembered a time in the not too distant past when he had trouble coming to grips with his own macabre need for blood.
“You have had trouble summoning Alice? The imaginary entity that was with you since birth?” asked Xiu with a frown. “So what you are experiencing is a diminishing ability? That is really quite unusual”
Turning to Cesc with folded arms and a puzzled expression, Xiu bit his lower lip in thought. “Usually, the opposite happens. Ryder, did anything happen recently at home? With your guardian or friends maybe? Or perhaps you tried changing your diet?”
“And y-yeah, here’s the book as promised,” said Xiu as he hastily turned and rummaged through his backpack before pulling out a thick volume. “The Great Encyclopedia of Mythical and Legendary Creatures.”
It was at this point where Cesc’s friendly personality shone through and Xiu was glad to see the two raevans getting along. Ryder had come off as a rather shy frei during their first encounter. It would be good for him to make as many friends as possible.
But when Ryder next spoke, Xiu’s expression turned to one of concern. Trouble handling their abilities seemed to be ubiquitous among freis. The Valsaros himself remembered a time in the not too distant past when he had trouble coming to grips with his own macabre need for blood.
“You have had trouble summoning Alice? The imaginary entity that was with you since birth?” asked Xiu with a frown. “So what you are experiencing is a diminishing ability? That is really quite unusual”
Turning to Cesc with folded arms and a puzzled expression, Xiu bit his lower lip in thought. “Usually, the opposite happens. Ryder, did anything happen recently at home? With your guardian or friends maybe? Or perhaps you tried changing your diet?”
“And y-yeah, here’s the book as promised,” said Xiu as he hastily turned and rummaged through his backpack before pulling out a thick volume. “The Great Encyclopedia of Mythical and Legendary Creatures.”
The toadstool watched in awe as Cesc created a shield of light around his hand. “I...guess not,” he said, a growing smile on his face as he slowly extended his own hand and grasped it. It felt no different from other skin, not to the frei anyway. But it was beautiful and the glow was warm and gave the frei a sense of delight knowing that there was always some sort of magic to defend against his problematic skin. At least for some raevan.
Ryder turned his attention to his friend, simply nodding at Xiu’s minor explanation of Alice. Yes, he had been having trouble with everything as of late. He couldn’t quite get anything exactly as he wanted them. His diminishing ability was quite the obstacle. He didn’t know what to do, he was truly hoping that the encyclopedia would help him conjure up some sort of fantasy.
Ryder took a moment to think when asked about his home life and diet. He had been feasting on imaginations, but that’d been done many times before the problems began. But his home life. Now that was a whole can of worms on its own. Did he want to be honest? Not entirely. He didn’t really feel the need to vent about how he had gotten into trouble, or how he had been grounded. He didn’t want the elder raevan to think badly about him or his guardian. “No, nothing I can think of. Home is fine and I have been eating the same thing since I found out that imaginations are delicious. If anything, once I fed for the first time, my magic strengthened. It was sort of sudden and all my muses kind of dissipated at once,” he stated.
However, the frei’s demeanor completely changed when Xiu pulled out the book, a bright smile grew instantly on the frei’s face. “Oh thank you so much! I can’t wait to delve into it!” He exclaimed.
Ryder turned his attention to his friend, simply nodding at Xiu’s minor explanation of Alice. Yes, he had been having trouble with everything as of late. He couldn’t quite get anything exactly as he wanted them. His diminishing ability was quite the obstacle. He didn’t know what to do, he was truly hoping that the encyclopedia would help him conjure up some sort of fantasy.
Ryder took a moment to think when asked about his home life and diet. He had been feasting on imaginations, but that’d been done many times before the problems began. But his home life. Now that was a whole can of worms on its own. Did he want to be honest? Not entirely. He didn’t really feel the need to vent about how he had gotten into trouble, or how he had been grounded. He didn’t want the elder raevan to think badly about him or his guardian. “No, nothing I can think of. Home is fine and I have been eating the same thing since I found out that imaginations are delicious. If anything, once I fed for the first time, my magic strengthened. It was sort of sudden and all my muses kind of dissipated at once,” he stated.
However, the frei’s demeanor completely changed when Xiu pulled out the book, a bright smile grew instantly on the frei’s face. “Oh thank you so much! I can’t wait to delve into it!” He exclaimed.
“Oh!” Cesc exclaimed as Ryder shied away from his handshake; he pulled back his hand and then reoffered it a moment later, now covered in a glittering armor of light. It wasn’t that Rhedefre particularly wanted a handshake from someone with poisonous skin--it was that there was something so downcast, so isolated about Ryder’s demeanor that, well, it didn’t seem like getting touched would exactly hurt, either. “Can’t poison light, ah?”
He then turned his attention to Xiu’s attempts at diagnosis, simply nodding along to his questions, glossing over the ‘imaginary entity’ part of the conversation, and resting back on his heels as the fellow Valsaros ran through the options. When Xiu revealed the massive tome he was carrying, Cesc added an eyebrow lift and pursed lips to his expression: Oh, good, he thought, finally someone as into books as Xiu is.
He turned back toward Ryder as Xiu finished, waiting for a response before adding his own two cents.
He then turned his attention to Xiu’s attempts at diagnosis, simply nodding along to his questions, glossing over the ‘imaginary entity’ part of the conversation, and resting back on his heels as the fellow Valsaros ran through the options. When Xiu revealed the massive tome he was carrying, Cesc added an eyebrow lift and pursed lips to his expression: Oh, good, he thought, finally someone as into books as Xiu is.
He turned back toward Ryder as Xiu finished, waiting for a response before adding his own two cents.
That’s Cesc for you thought Xiu as he watched the stag summon up a glove made of light in order to elicit a handshake from the shy frei. That skill has never ceased to be impressive. No matter how often one has seen it.
At Ryder’s excitement over the recently acquired book, Xiu gave a laugh. “I’m glad. That poor book has been sitting in the bookshelf for ages. Perhaps with you it will get a second life. I used to read it often enough so uh...if you happen to find random stuff in it, like pieces of paper or a grocery receipt, please ignore it. Or discard it. They are just makeshift bookmarks I leave behind sometimes,”
Ryder’s report on his diet seemed fine. The Valsaros wondered what imaginations tasted like. The very word, “imagination” made it sound like a wondrous and intriguing thing but something he’d sadly be unable to fathom.
But when the Frei fibbed about his home life though…
Xiu pursed his lips slightly. This...seemed like a rather delicate subject to broach; what with Ryder deliberately saying that things were fine when they were not. And the Valsaros was pretty sure that calling the Frei out on it would not help matters in the least. In fact,it might even drive the poor Frei to shut himself up in embarrassment.
Which was not something you’d want with Raevans and their unpredictable capabilities.
“You know, the book’s pretty heavy and cumbersome and I have yet to meet your guardian Ryder. Perhaps I should? I don’t think they would approve of their charge meeting up and accepting gifts from two strangers like us, even if we are kindred,” said Xiu as he tried to find a reason to meet and hopefully have a quiet talk with Ryder’s guardian. “You mentioned previously that you live not far from here?”
At Ryder’s excitement over the recently acquired book, Xiu gave a laugh. “I’m glad. That poor book has been sitting in the bookshelf for ages. Perhaps with you it will get a second life. I used to read it often enough so uh...if you happen to find random stuff in it, like pieces of paper or a grocery receipt, please ignore it. Or discard it. They are just makeshift bookmarks I leave behind sometimes,”
Ryder’s report on his diet seemed fine. The Valsaros wondered what imaginations tasted like. The very word, “imagination” made it sound like a wondrous and intriguing thing but something he’d sadly be unable to fathom.
But when the Frei fibbed about his home life though…
Xiu pursed his lips slightly. This...seemed like a rather delicate subject to broach; what with Ryder deliberately saying that things were fine when they were not. And the Valsaros was pretty sure that calling the Frei out on it would not help matters in the least. In fact,it might even drive the poor Frei to shut himself up in embarrassment.
Which was not something you’d want with Raevans and their unpredictable capabilities.
“You know, the book’s pretty heavy and cumbersome and I have yet to meet your guardian Ryder. Perhaps I should? I don’t think they would approve of their charge meeting up and accepting gifts from two strangers like us, even if we are kindred,” said Xiu as he tried to find a reason to meet and hopefully have a quiet talk with Ryder’s guardian. “You mentioned previously that you live not far from here?”
Cesc’s expression changed just slightly when Ryder said things were fine at home, his eyes narrowing just barely before catching himself. That there was some kind of turmoil in the frei’s aura was obvious--he’d admitted it, was seeking help for it--but this was something else. This was a young kid trying not to shine a light on another part of his problem, and thereby probably missing part of the solution.
But it was not, Rhedefre reminded himself gently, his business to deal with. He could count the seconds between now and their meeting.
“Gifts from strangers,” he backed Xiu up with an easy laugh, “generally not an accepted practice, yeah.”
He paused, tapping his fingers on his thigh, considering the frei’s situation. “You know, when my magic started getting stronger, it made me a little uncomfortable, all told--I kind of suppressed it for a while, myself, without meaning to. You’re actively trying to do your magic but can’t, yeah?”
But it was not, Rhedefre reminded himself gently, his business to deal with. He could count the seconds between now and their meeting.
“Gifts from strangers,” he backed Xiu up with an easy laugh, “generally not an accepted practice, yeah.”
He paused, tapping his fingers on his thigh, considering the frei’s situation. “You know, when my magic started getting stronger, it made me a little uncomfortable, all told--I kind of suppressed it for a while, myself, without meaning to. You’re actively trying to do your magic but can’t, yeah?”
Ryder smiled as he quickly flipped through a few pages, eagerly awaiting the moment he could take it all in uninterrupted.
“Thank you so much! I can’t wait to read it all. And don’t worry, I’ll make sure to throw out any and all grocery receipts I find,” he said, a bright smile appearing on his countenance.
Turning to Cesc, his brows furrowed. Strangers? Ryder wouldn’t consider Xiu a stranger, not anymore. “Well, I...thought we were friends?” He looked between the two valsaros in slight confusion, clinging tightly to the book he was just given.
When asked about the suppression of his magic from Cesc, Ryder took a moment to think. No, it wasn’t really like that. He had been actively trying, but something just wasn’t right each and every time he tried. “No, I don’t think I’m suppressing anything. I mean, not consciously anyway. I don’t know what’s going on,” he stated, his face turning downcast as soon as the words left his lips.
When asked about his homelife and if he’d be willing to take them there, the frei thought a moment. Ryder was out of the house when he wasn’t supposed to be, and if two random strangers showed up there with him, he would surely be in trouble. “Umm...actually,” a sigh broke from the frei’s throat. “Honestly, I’m not supposed to be out of the house today. I...got into trouble earlier this month and was...Umm…” oh what was the word that Reuben used again? “Grounded?” He questioned aloud. “I mean, I’m not anymore, Reuben said I wasn’t anyway. But he did tell me I couldn’t leave the house without permission. Please don’t tell him, but I just needed to get out of the house. I have been cooped up in my bedroom for weeks. I was only able to leave whenever he took me out. It’s...too much,” the frei broke down. He shook his head and he felt the sadness, and anger, growing within him. He wasn’t so much mad with his guardian as he was for himself putting himself in that situation.
A moment of silence passed and Ryder spoke once more, “If you guys really do want to meet Reuben, you’ll have to go into his shop without me. It’s connected to my house, so he would welcome you there and I could come in the back. But, if not, I understand. I just can’t show up with you.”
Xiu cringed inwardly. He really should have chosen his words better. “Of course we are friends but ah..I am thinking that your human guardian is not aware of that. Which in retrospect… he might find it highly suspicious…,” said Xi, pretty sure that things are not supposed to be as complicated as his brain is making it sound.
But complication seems to be the highlight of today’s encounter when Ryder admitted that he had been previously grounded and had, in fact, snuck out to meet them.
“We can meet Reuben another day,” said Xiu decidedly. “Maybe when you are helping out at the front. That would give us an opening conversation I’d wager,”
Cesc’s suggestion of Ryder unconsciously suppressing his ability seemed plausible too. “Is the reason for being grounded linked to you using your ability by any chance?” asked Xiu again as he tried to find a plausible reason for Ryder’s loss of powers.
“But if you rather we not talk about it, perhaps we could see if a bit of practice and exercise will get those inhibitors out?”
But complication seems to be the highlight of today’s encounter when Ryder admitted that he had been previously grounded and had, in fact, snuck out to meet them.
“We can meet Reuben another day,” said Xiu decidedly. “Maybe when you are helping out at the front. That would give us an opening conversation I’d wager,”
Cesc’s suggestion of Ryder unconsciously suppressing his ability seemed plausible too. “Is the reason for being grounded linked to you using your ability by any chance?” asked Xiu again as he tried to find a plausible reason for Ryder’s loss of powers.
“But if you rather we not talk about it, perhaps we could see if a bit of practice and exercise will get those inhibitors out?”
“Strangers to your guardian, eh?” laughed Cesc, shrugging off the awkward moment with ease, his smile unfaltering. He nodded along with Xiu’s suggestion to meet Reuben another day, adding: “Easier to meet when it doesn’t seem as obvious you might’ve invited us while you’re grounded.”
Grounding--the very word made him have to swallow another smile. He probably could have benefitted from some grounding himself when he was younger, he thought, but Shep and Vivi hadn’t been keen on that. It was nice to know that Ryder, even though they’d just met, was being taken care of by someone that was invested in raising him responsibly.
“Don’t worry about coming out. Not like you’re out robbing a bank, just trying to reconnect with your powers. Is there anything you want to try?”
Grounding--the very word made him have to swallow another smile. He probably could have benefitted from some grounding himself when he was younger, he thought, but Shep and Vivi hadn’t been keen on that. It was nice to know that Ryder, even though they’d just met, was being taken care of by someone that was invested in raising him responsibly.
“Don’t worry about coming out. Not like you’re out robbing a bank, just trying to reconnect with your powers. Is there anything you want to try?”
Ryder thought a moment on the things the valsari had said. Did the grounding take a toll on him? Perhaps, it was the most likely suspect. Ryder took a deep breath. “I fear you may be right with that statement. Being grounded…” the Frei cringed, “it sort of...sapped my drive to practice. I’m not allowed to leave the house. So being cooped up inside all day every day for the past couple weeks has really taken its toll,” he said with a heavy sigh.
The toadstool did nod at the conclusion to meet with Reuben another day. He was secretly quite relieved that they agreed to come into the shop another day. He brightened up a bit more after that, for the fear of Reuben finding out he’d been gone was crippling.
“Umm…” the Frei mumbled, thinking about what he could potentially try that could reconnect him to his power. “Maybe…” he thought a moment more, “I can try looking through this book and producing one of these creatures?” Before he was even finished with his sentence, he was flipping through the pages of the book in a fury. He landed on one page, “Aziza,” he spoke aloud, speedily reading the small paragraph about it being a small nature spirit, it gave him the idea of a nymph. Yes, a nymph, that was something he had heard of before.
Thump.
The frei closed the book and had a bright smile on his face. It was small enough that he shouldn’t have a problem with it, right? He set the book down on the ground and floated back up. The frei seemed quite dramatic about it, but he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Bright red magic flickered from his fingertips quickly, but fizzled out just as fast. A heavy sigh followed. And he took a deep breath and tried again. This time, the red magic began to flow from the tips of his fingers and quickly formed into a small smoky creature reminiscent of a fairy and faded quickly back into a puff of red smoke. But it was nowhere near perfect. During its small life, you could see that the wings were too small, the head was too big, it was just off.
“Ugh. See? I used to be able to create things that would actually take form, would actually become colorful, full figured forms...Xiu knows. But this is all I’ve been able to do lately and it frustrates me to no end,” he stated, the frustration and anger apparent in his voice.
The toadstool did nod at the conclusion to meet with Reuben another day. He was secretly quite relieved that they agreed to come into the shop another day. He brightened up a bit more after that, for the fear of Reuben finding out he’d been gone was crippling.
“Umm…” the Frei mumbled, thinking about what he could potentially try that could reconnect him to his power. “Maybe…” he thought a moment more, “I can try looking through this book and producing one of these creatures?” Before he was even finished with his sentence, he was flipping through the pages of the book in a fury. He landed on one page, “Aziza,” he spoke aloud, speedily reading the small paragraph about it being a small nature spirit, it gave him the idea of a nymph. Yes, a nymph, that was something he had heard of before.
Thump.
The frei closed the book and had a bright smile on his face. It was small enough that he shouldn’t have a problem with it, right? He set the book down on the ground and floated back up. The frei seemed quite dramatic about it, but he took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Bright red magic flickered from his fingertips quickly, but fizzled out just as fast. A heavy sigh followed. And he took a deep breath and tried again. This time, the red magic began to flow from the tips of his fingers and quickly formed into a small smoky creature reminiscent of a fairy and faded quickly back into a puff of red smoke. But it was nowhere near perfect. During its small life, you could see that the wings were too small, the head was too big, it was just off.
“Ugh. See? I used to be able to create things that would actually take form, would actually become colorful, full figured forms...Xiu knows. But this is all I’ve been able to do lately and it frustrates me to no end,” he stated, the frustration and anger apparent in his voice.
Xiu nodded sympathetically. Being grounded could be quite the pain in the neck. But usually it was for a good reason. At least in his case when his lust for blood could be a danger to others. Xiu made a mental note to ask Reuben about the nature of Ryder’s punishment should the opportunity come up in the future. But right now…
The Valsaros watched as Ryder attempted to conjure up an Aziza. A mythical being of African origin. But it was as Ryder had claimed. The apparition was weak and insubstantial when compared to his previous summonings.
“Yes, you were able to summon a very convincing troll,” agreed Xiu with a nod of his head. “Perhaps it is as Cesc said, don’t worry overmuch about it.”
Then a thought came up.
“Would you like Cesc and I to teach you sparring? Just for a change of pace maybe?”
The Valsaros watched as Ryder attempted to conjure up an Aziza. A mythical being of African origin. But it was as Ryder had claimed. The apparition was weak and insubstantial when compared to his previous summonings.
“Yes, you were able to summon a very convincing troll,” agreed Xiu with a nod of his head. “Perhaps it is as Cesc said, don’t worry overmuch about it.”
Then a thought came up.
“Would you like Cesc and I to teach you sparring? Just for a change of pace maybe?”
Cesc’s eyes opened wide as Ryder demonstrated (or, at least, tried to demonstrate) some of his magical prowess. He leaned slightly forward, his lips parting, as so much amorphous smoke turned into what looked to be a real thing--but then, as it took greater form, Rhedefre’s head jerked back and his lips tightened. It was a weird bobblehead of a creature, teeny-winged and just all around not-quite-right.
Eughh.
As it disappeared, Cesc laughed in spite of himself, then covered his mouth with one hand.
“No,” he said apologetically, “I’m not laughing at you--it’s just, it’s really cool, and then it came out like… well, that. Definitely not right.”
He shook his head, sheepish. “I think you might be straining yourself. Yeah--maybe we can teach you something else, get your mind off it. I think you’ve got the yips.”
Eughh.
As it disappeared, Cesc laughed in spite of himself, then covered his mouth with one hand.
“No,” he said apologetically, “I’m not laughing at you--it’s just, it’s really cool, and then it came out like… well, that. Definitely not right.”
He shook his head, sheepish. “I think you might be straining yourself. Yeah--maybe we can teach you something else, get your mind off it. I think you’ve got the yips.”
Ryder sighed at the attention Xiu paid last to his troll. Yes, it was, back then anyway. Now his abilities were that of a whelp. It was as though they came on very strong and then fizzled out, out of nowhere at that! He nodded in agreement with the two legger. Maybe Cesc was right, maybe he was over analyzing.
When the other man began to laugh, Ryder’s face turned beet red. What an embarrassment. Now this other man probably thought that Ryder was lame for not being able to do anything powerful. Especially after being so hyped up by Xiu in the first place. It was only after Cesc’s mini explanation that the toadstool was even able to crack a slight smile. “I think that would be...fun. But I’m not very good with physical stuff. I’m sort of...Umm...how did Reuben put it? Clutzy?” He said, looking at the sky with narrowed eyes and a sigh before rejoining the group with a shake of his head. “And, what’s a ‘yips’?” The frei questioned curiously before taking a quick moment to think.
“But I would enjoy something different,” he stated, obviously not overjoyed and still quite concerned with his lack of skill in the moment. “Where do we begin?”
When the other man began to laugh, Ryder’s face turned beet red. What an embarrassment. Now this other man probably thought that Ryder was lame for not being able to do anything powerful. Especially after being so hyped up by Xiu in the first place. It was only after Cesc’s mini explanation that the toadstool was even able to crack a slight smile. “I think that would be...fun. But I’m not very good with physical stuff. I’m sort of...Umm...how did Reuben put it? Clutzy?” He said, looking at the sky with narrowed eyes and a sigh before rejoining the group with a shake of his head. “And, what’s a ‘yips’?” The frei questioned curiously before taking a quick moment to think.
“But I would enjoy something different,” he stated, obviously not overjoyed and still quite concerned with his lack of skill in the moment. “Where do we begin?”
Xiu smiled. “I would like to see a person who has never been “clutzy” before. Just the other day I broke a bowl while loading it into the dishwasher. Thankfully we have several similar bowls about the place,”
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead and Xiu took the opportunity to study the clouds. It seemed like rain might be on the way. Tonight perhaps. That was always nice. The way the raindrops pitter-pattered against the roof.
Perhaps he would read something light tonight.
“As to where do you begin,” said Xiu, turning his attention back towards Ryder. “You will begin with a warm up to get those joints loosened. Then Sir Cesc over there might possibly fashion you a training sword. We will take it from there and practice with each other,”
A gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead and Xiu took the opportunity to study the clouds. It seemed like rain might be on the way. Tonight perhaps. That was always nice. The way the raindrops pitter-pattered against the roof.
Perhaps he would read something light tonight.
“As to where do you begin,” said Xiu, turning his attention back towards Ryder. “You will begin with a warm up to get those joints loosened. Then Sir Cesc over there might possibly fashion you a training sword. We will take it from there and practice with each other,”
He’d made Ryder self-conscious! That hadn’t been nice, Cesc scolded himself, and his voice took a note of apology as he slipped in his explanation:
“The yips,” said Rhedefre, “happen to athletes all the time. It’s when you do something so often that it’s second-nature to you, like breathing--but then one day you start thinking about it, like, how do I breathe? How long do I inhale and exhale for? And then it starts getting really complicated and you can’t remember how you ever did it easily. It’s hard to get over, but when you do, you’re just as good at the thing as you were when you started over-thinking it.”
He took a step back and nodded at Xiu then, even doing a fake and overly gentlemanly bow (circling his hand from the wrist a few times, even) when he was called ‘sir’.
“We’ll get you out of your head. And don’t worry about being a clutz. You should’ve seen me when I got these.” Cesc tapped his palm to the side of his thigh twice. “Jammed my toes so many times I thought I’d lose them again. It’s not about being the best--or even being graceful. It’s just about doing something else for a bit until your head goes back on straight.”
“The yips,” said Rhedefre, “happen to athletes all the time. It’s when you do something so often that it’s second-nature to you, like breathing--but then one day you start thinking about it, like, how do I breathe? How long do I inhale and exhale for? And then it starts getting really complicated and you can’t remember how you ever did it easily. It’s hard to get over, but when you do, you’re just as good at the thing as you were when you started over-thinking it.”
He took a step back and nodded at Xiu then, even doing a fake and overly gentlemanly bow (circling his hand from the wrist a few times, even) when he was called ‘sir’.
“We’ll get you out of your head. And don’t worry about being a clutz. You should’ve seen me when I got these.” Cesc tapped his palm to the side of his thigh twice. “Jammed my toes so many times I thought I’d lose them again. It’s not about being the best--or even being graceful. It’s just about doing something else for a bit until your head goes back on straight.”
Ryder took in all of the information he was given from both valsaros. The yips, so that’s what he was experiencing. It seemed like the right conclusion. Overthinking was something the frei was great at doing now and again.
The toadstool smiled and nodded, “Okay, I’m excited!” he began, “thanks so much for helping me out. You’re probably right, I just need to get out of my head.”
When he listened to Cesc tell his story about jamming toes, he chuckled lightly. That didn’t seem like a pleasant experience, even for him who didn’t have that sensation yet. One day, however, he would, and hoped that having those feet would be just like the warriors of old. Wearing all the armor, all the plate mail, everything that they used to do in the medieval times like he had read about. He could walk, run, and do all of the things the great warriors of the past did.
The frei took a deep breath before stretching a bit. If he was to battle with them, he had to be sure to stretch like Xiu asked.
The toadstool smiled and nodded, “Okay, I’m excited!” he began, “thanks so much for helping me out. You’re probably right, I just need to get out of my head.”
When he listened to Cesc tell his story about jamming toes, he chuckled lightly. That didn’t seem like a pleasant experience, even for him who didn’t have that sensation yet. One day, however, he would, and hoped that having those feet would be just like the warriors of old. Wearing all the armor, all the plate mail, everything that they used to do in the medieval times like he had read about. He could walk, run, and do all of the things the great warriors of the past did.
The frei took a deep breath before stretching a bit. If he was to battle with them, he had to be sure to stretch like Xiu asked.
Xiu nodded at Cesc’s explanation. Once again the stag pulled through with a succinctly worded advice. Then turning to Ryder, the Valsaros began to put the frei through a series of warmups. Granted it wasn’t much as the raevan lacked a lower body but it was good practice to get him to limber up.
“How about we meet once a week or a fortnight if you’d rather that,” said Xiu when they were finally done with stretching and Cesc had magicked everyone a set of training swords to start with. “That will give all of us a chance to recap our practices and also to see if the ‘yips’ let off. I can meet with your guardian later on as discussed so that this will not have to be done in secret. Now, hold your sword like this; Cesc will help with your stance as well…,”
“How about we meet once a week or a fortnight if you’d rather that,” said Xiu when they were finally done with stretching and Cesc had magicked everyone a set of training swords to start with. “That will give all of us a chance to recap our practices and also to see if the ‘yips’ let off. I can meet with your guardian later on as discussed so that this will not have to be done in secret. Now, hold your sword like this; Cesc will help with your stance as well…,”