28 min read
The Gift of Knowledge
August 18, 2017
◈ WHO: Shoshana, Phoenix, Ryder, & Reuben (Beerrito & Skyeforge)
◈ WHEN: Early afternoon on August 18, 2017
◈ WHERE: The Mystic Herb
◈ WEATHER: Slightly warm but not uncomfortable.
◈ WHEN: Early afternoon on August 18, 2017
◈ WHERE: The Mystic Herb
◈ WEATHER: Slightly warm but not uncomfortable.
The Mystic Herb wasn't exactly close to home, but Shoshana had been quite insistent that they find someplace where she could look for a suitable gift for her new friend, Laurel. The two had met recently by chance in a book store, and he had been kind enough to give her a very special gift. As far as she was concerned she had no other choice but to find him something just as special. And since she wasn't capable of plucking a piece of herself off so easily (her scales shed on occasion, but she was hesitant to try pulling one off on her own), she decided the next best thing would be to find something relevant to his interests. An internet search with some help from Phoenix lead them to the discovery of the Mystic Herb, and the two made plans to leave Ambrosia early at the end of the week to make the trip and find something.
When they pulled up, the Frei guzzling water more out of excitement than actual necessity, Phoenix looked up at the shop with calm curiosity. He had laughed internally at the thought of what their family would say about the two of them coming to a place like this, but Phoenix was the black sheep as far as the beliefs of the Argyris family. He wasn't sure if he held any stock in the sorts of merchandise sold within the Mystic Herb, but he was a respectful man who judged not and was more than willing to let his daughter explore, whether for her own benefit or if she simply wanted to purchase a gift for her friend.
Shoshana nearly forgot to shut the car door entirely as she climbed out, and had to return to do so before hurrying to the front door of the shop. Much to the amusement of her guardian, the Frei didn't wait to hold the door open as she rushed inside. But as soon as she did she stopped dead in her tracks. Her wings barely moved, and her usually flicking fins went still. Her wide eyes scanned the store, completely in awe at the unique things inside. She had never seen anything like it.
"Oh..." Suddenly the Raevan felt quite overwhelmed. She wanted to look at everything, to touch it all, to smell things and feel them. But she was stuck there with no idea where to start, what to do. What were all these things? She didn't even hear Phoenix come in behind her.
Sensing her uncharacteristic hesitation, Phoenix placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "You okay, Sho?" He gave her an encouraging smile.
The Frei nodded slowly, continuing to look over the shop as a whole without moving from her spot. "There are so many things..."
When they pulled up, the Frei guzzling water more out of excitement than actual necessity, Phoenix looked up at the shop with calm curiosity. He had laughed internally at the thought of what their family would say about the two of them coming to a place like this, but Phoenix was the black sheep as far as the beliefs of the Argyris family. He wasn't sure if he held any stock in the sorts of merchandise sold within the Mystic Herb, but he was a respectful man who judged not and was more than willing to let his daughter explore, whether for her own benefit or if she simply wanted to purchase a gift for her friend.
Shoshana nearly forgot to shut the car door entirely as she climbed out, and had to return to do so before hurrying to the front door of the shop. Much to the amusement of her guardian, the Frei didn't wait to hold the door open as she rushed inside. But as soon as she did she stopped dead in her tracks. Her wings barely moved, and her usually flicking fins went still. Her wide eyes scanned the store, completely in awe at the unique things inside. She had never seen anything like it.
"Oh..." Suddenly the Raevan felt quite overwhelmed. She wanted to look at everything, to touch it all, to smell things and feel them. But she was stuck there with no idea where to start, what to do. What were all these things? She didn't even hear Phoenix come in behind her.
Sensing her uncharacteristic hesitation, Phoenix placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. "You okay, Sho?" He gave her an encouraging smile.
The Frei nodded slowly, continuing to look over the shop as a whole without moving from her spot. "There are so many things..."
The sun was high in the sky and the Mystic Herb was calming down from the usual morning rush. Reuben decided to go into the back office to gather some more supplies to restock the shelves lined with random knick knacks, crystals, stones of all kinds, dried herbs, incense, candles, cards and so much more. The Mystic Herb was a wonderful metaphysical shop; especially since the shop itself was so much more than that. It offered a real peaceful, open-minded place for those who thought differently to come and feel accepted, ask questions, and be heard.
Reuben heard the door to the shop open up as he was in the back gathering supplies. He set what boxes he did have in his arms back down and put on that usual chipper smile. Walking out into the shop, he realized just who it was that graced his presence. A raevan! His face grew an even wider grin when he saw that ribbon and just how beautiful this girl was.
"Hello and welcome to the Mystic Herb!" the owner said, looking the girl and, no doubt, her guardian up and down a split second before continuing. "You're a raevan," he said, not giving more information than that, but his sly smirk may have given away something to those perceptive enough to see through it.
Reuben heard the door to the shop open up as he was in the back gathering supplies. He set what boxes he did have in his arms back down and put on that usual chipper smile. Walking out into the shop, he realized just who it was that graced his presence. A raevan! His face grew an even wider grin when he saw that ribbon and just how beautiful this girl was.
"Hello and welcome to the Mystic Herb!" the owner said, looking the girl and, no doubt, her guardian up and down a split second before continuing. "You're a raevan," he said, not giving more information than that, but his sly smirk may have given away something to those perceptive enough to see through it.
Offering up nothing more for the moment than a friendly smile and wave to the shopkeeper, Phoenix turned his attention to some candles while he let his Raevan daughter to her business and to speak to the man who didn't seem at all surprised at the unique creature in his shop.
Shoshana, however, did seem a bit surprised. "Yes!" She said with a smile, floating towards Reuben with a new sense of confidence. "I am Shoshana. Who are you?" She floated straight up to the man and circled him from every angle.
Without waiting for an answer she found herself distracted by a display of crystals. "Your shop has so many things! It is all very beautiful, yes." She stared for a moment before remembering she was in the middle of an introduction, and turned back to Reuben to repeat her question. "What is your name?"
Shoshana, however, did seem a bit surprised. "Yes!" She said with a smile, floating towards Reuben with a new sense of confidence. "I am Shoshana. Who are you?" She floated straight up to the man and circled him from every angle.
Without waiting for an answer she found herself distracted by a display of crystals. "Your shop has so many things! It is all very beautiful, yes." She stared for a moment before remembering she was in the middle of an introduction, and turned back to Reuben to repeat her question. "What is your name?"
Reuben smiled at the curiosity of this frei. She seemed to be much more outgoing than his own charge, but each and every raevan the man had met up to this point had been quite different from each other. No two seemed to be similar in any regard.
As the shop owner began to speak, he was interrupted by another outburst from the frei. A chuckle emitted from his lips as he allowed her to finish her thoughts. "I'm Reuben, and thank you. I've collected many things over the course of time and I'm glad you find them beautiful. It's very nice to meet you, Sh-Shoshana, is it?"
Before the frei could respond to anything, Reuben knew he wanted to introduce his charge to this frei. Reuben knew that Ryder hadn't gotten the chance to meet other frei, at least not at length, and this would be his perfect opportunity.
"Hold on a few moments, okay? You just keep checking things out, I'll be right back," the tarotist stated, slipping into the back of the shop.
After a few minutes had passed, Reuben returned through the door which led to the back and behind him floated a raevan, one who looked as though he hadn't wanted to be there, but was being forced to.
"Shoshana, this is Ryder, my charge. Ryder, this is Shoshana," he began, introducing the two frei, but then turning his attention to the fellow guardian in the room. "And you must be Shoshana's guardian?" he questioned.
Ryder floated behind his guardian with a crooked smile on his face. Obviously feeling shy and rather out of place, he nodded his head at the introductions. His mind was filled with his magical incantations and trying to imagine himself still practicing; even though he was forced to converse with others and was being taken away from what he truly loved to do.
"It's nice to meet you," Ryder stated quietly, his arms tightly crossed. He still didn't have a huge grip on his poisonous skin and there was no way he was going to touch another raevan without their knowledge of his power. He had lucked out with LuLu, but she was a tough cookie, Shoshana didn't seem to be nearly as well built as LuLu had, and what if his skin had serious effects on her? He didn't even want to risk it.
As the shop owner began to speak, he was interrupted by another outburst from the frei. A chuckle emitted from his lips as he allowed her to finish her thoughts. "I'm Reuben, and thank you. I've collected many things over the course of time and I'm glad you find them beautiful. It's very nice to meet you, Sh-Shoshana, is it?"
Before the frei could respond to anything, Reuben knew he wanted to introduce his charge to this frei. Reuben knew that Ryder hadn't gotten the chance to meet other frei, at least not at length, and this would be his perfect opportunity.
"Hold on a few moments, okay? You just keep checking things out, I'll be right back," the tarotist stated, slipping into the back of the shop.
After a few minutes had passed, Reuben returned through the door which led to the back and behind him floated a raevan, one who looked as though he hadn't wanted to be there, but was being forced to.
"Shoshana, this is Ryder, my charge. Ryder, this is Shoshana," he began, introducing the two frei, but then turning his attention to the fellow guardian in the room. "And you must be Shoshana's guardian?" he questioned.
Ryder floated behind his guardian with a crooked smile on his face. Obviously feeling shy and rather out of place, he nodded his head at the introductions. His mind was filled with his magical incantations and trying to imagine himself still practicing; even though he was forced to converse with others and was being taken away from what he truly loved to do.
"It's nice to meet you," Ryder stated quietly, his arms tightly crossed. He still didn't have a huge grip on his poisonous skin and there was no way he was going to touch another raevan without their knowledge of his power. He had lucked out with LuLu, but she was a tough cookie, Shoshana didn't seem to be nearly as well built as LuLu had, and what if his skin had serious effects on her? He didn't even want to risk it.
Shoshana opened her mouth to respond, but before she could do so Reuben hurried away out of sight. She floated there for a moment curious, before she turned to start examining things about the shop. She was eyeing the crystals once more when Reuben returned...with another Raevan in tow!
Fins and wings beating almost like a humming bird's at this point, she floated closer to the pair. "Ryder!" She exclaimed, in awe at the look of the Raevan. She wanted to go right up and touch him immediately, but then she caught sight of his body language and how he remained behind Reuben. Shoshana was starting to understand these things a bit more now as time went by, so she stopped before getting too close. "Hello, yes, I am Shoshana! It is a pleasure to meet you both, yes." She nodded firmly, watching Ryder with admiration.
At bring brought into conversation, Phoenix hurried away from the candles he was sniffing to join the trio and extend a hand to the guardian. "I'm Phoenix," he introduced himself, smiling broadly. "Reuben, was it? That's some coincidence, seeing more Lab folk here." He laughed.
Fins and wings beating almost like a humming bird's at this point, she floated closer to the pair. "Ryder!" She exclaimed, in awe at the look of the Raevan. She wanted to go right up and touch him immediately, but then she caught sight of his body language and how he remained behind Reuben. Shoshana was starting to understand these things a bit more now as time went by, so she stopped before getting too close. "Hello, yes, I am Shoshana! It is a pleasure to meet you both, yes." She nodded firmly, watching Ryder with admiration.
At bring brought into conversation, Phoenix hurried away from the candles he was sniffing to join the trio and extend a hand to the guardian. "I'm Phoenix," he introduced himself, smiling broadly. "Reuben, was it? That's some coincidence, seeing more Lab folk here." He laughed.
Ryder floated silently behind Reuben, a thin smile growing on his face. If he were to be honest, the toadstool didn't really want to be there, he'd prefer being in his room practicing more magic. Not that meeting another raevan was a bad thing, it was just not his cup of tea, at least not right now, being dragged away from his magic to be shown off, like Reuben had done a few times in the past already, and then when finished, he would just end up going back to his room to continue what he had started earlier. But, he was here now, so in his mind, it was best to make the most of the situation.
Reuben moved towards Phoenix and nodded when the man came to introduce himself. "Yeah, it is always very nice to meet new lab members. It's not as rare as it seems, I guess. But then again, I think it's funny because fate always seems to bring us together," he said, not really acknowledging the fact that this man may not believe in fate; but to Reuben, it was always true. Somehow, someway, the members of Lab 305 always tend to find each other in even the most bizarre circumstances. A very special type of magic in it's own right.
Ryder decided to step out of his comfort zone, since Reuben had always pushed him to be more outgoing, whether the frei liked to or not, and speak up to the fellow raevan. "So," he paused a moment, hands falling into his pockets. Reuben had warned him that body language was a very good way to tell a lot of a person's attitude. So, realizing he probably looked like he didn't want to be there, may be a bit off putting. "What are you made of? Do you know? And what magic can you do?" he questioned the frei awkwardly. Magic was always his go-to conversation starter, since the other raevan he had met all had some sort of magic about them, it was just easier to get himself interested in another being that way. Otherwise he'd simply stare at his phone screen and act uninterested, which wouldn't be his intention either. Oh how he needed more exposure to the ways of this world.
Reuben moved towards Phoenix and nodded when the man came to introduce himself. "Yeah, it is always very nice to meet new lab members. It's not as rare as it seems, I guess. But then again, I think it's funny because fate always seems to bring us together," he said, not really acknowledging the fact that this man may not believe in fate; but to Reuben, it was always true. Somehow, someway, the members of Lab 305 always tend to find each other in even the most bizarre circumstances. A very special type of magic in it's own right.
Ryder decided to step out of his comfort zone, since Reuben had always pushed him to be more outgoing, whether the frei liked to or not, and speak up to the fellow raevan. "So," he paused a moment, hands falling into his pockets. Reuben had warned him that body language was a very good way to tell a lot of a person's attitude. So, realizing he probably looked like he didn't want to be there, may be a bit off putting. "What are you made of? Do you know? And what magic can you do?" he questioned the frei awkwardly. Magic was always his go-to conversation starter, since the other raevan he had met all had some sort of magic about them, it was just easier to get himself interested in another being that way. Otherwise he'd simply stare at his phone screen and act uninterested, which wouldn't be his intention either. Oh how he needed more exposure to the ways of this world.
Phoenix had to stop and think about that. Fate? He hadn't really thought much about the concept before. He'd always just figured that everything was a random event. He wasn't a religious or spiritual man. But hadn't things been rather oddly convenient since Zoe brought up the Lab for the first time? None of them had every seen a Raevan or heard of Lab 305 until then, but ever since they'd been running into them left and right. And even how Shoshana came to them had been rather interesting. If Zoe hadn't snuck the bottle on the trip with them after all that time waiting around, if they hadn't been in the right place at the right time...
"I think you may be right about it being fate," Phoenix admitted in a surprisingly gentle tone. Something about being here seemed to relax him a bit, to open him up to the idea. Not that he was particularly closed minded to begin with, in all honesty.
Shoshana slowly inched forward, testing the waters. Her eyes flicked up and down the other Raevan with intense curiosity and awe. She had to know all about this exceptionally unique Raevan! But he beat her to the questions, so the first one on the tip of her tongue fell away.
"Ah! I am made of sand, and I am a hippocampus! My family found my soul in Greece," she explained. But when Ryder asked about her magic she flushed a bit, the color mingling curiously with the sparkles and scales on her cheeks. "Magic, yes, I can... She looked around, but didn't immediately see anything she could use to demonstrate.
"I can move sand," she said then, wiggling her fingers. "I am not very good at it yet. I can make small figures, and I can move it where I want, but I get so tired so quickly. But I am learning!"
Questions aside, she jumped into what she had wanted to say while she had the opportunity. "You have freckles, like me, yes!"
She was nearly buzzing with excitement. "Are you a mushroom?" She cocked her head to the side.
"I think you may be right about it being fate," Phoenix admitted in a surprisingly gentle tone. Something about being here seemed to relax him a bit, to open him up to the idea. Not that he was particularly closed minded to begin with, in all honesty.
Shoshana slowly inched forward, testing the waters. Her eyes flicked up and down the other Raevan with intense curiosity and awe. She had to know all about this exceptionally unique Raevan! But he beat her to the questions, so the first one on the tip of her tongue fell away.
"Ah! I am made of sand, and I am a hippocampus! My family found my soul in Greece," she explained. But when Ryder asked about her magic she flushed a bit, the color mingling curiously with the sparkles and scales on her cheeks. "Magic, yes, I can... She looked around, but didn't immediately see anything she could use to demonstrate.
"I can move sand," she said then, wiggling her fingers. "I am not very good at it yet. I can make small figures, and I can move it where I want, but I get so tired so quickly. But I am learning!"
Questions aside, she jumped into what she had wanted to say while she had the opportunity. "You have freckles, like me, yes!"
She was nearly buzzing with excitement. "Are you a mushroom?" She cocked her head to the side.
Reuben watched as Phoenix thought. He could tell the wheels were turning. The guardian smiled and nodded. A lot of people didn't think about it that way, but in a way, it was true. Reuben had never met a raevan before in his life and - by chance - had come across one in a magic convention. Since then, raevan have been an ever consuming part of his life. "I honestly believe so, anyway. To me, that's the easiest answer to life's strange questions," he stated aloud, glancing over to Shoshana and Ryder. At least his charge seemed to be enjoying the meetup. It was different, seeing him interact. It wasn't often that he did, so it was nice to see it first hand.
Ryder raised a brow at the girl, grasping the inside of his pockets, wishing there was something there to play with. Oh how he hated some interactions, but this girl had some intriguing qualities about her. A hippocampus was a new word to the frei. What in the universe was that? "A...what?" he questioned, becoming more interested in this meeting. Learning something new was always fascinating for the frei.
As she began to go into describing her powers, Ryder's eyes widened. Sand manipulation? That seemed somewhat like his mushroom manipulation power he had come across in the early days of his life. He wondered if she practiced with magic as much or as hard as he did. Was she as intrigued by it as he was? Or was she simply living her life as she wanted to? "Will you show me?" he asked, backing up slightly towards Reuben's office door. "I have a lot of dirt in the back yard. Reuben's herb garden. Would that work?"
The small mushroom became excitable at the aspect of learning some new magic, and showing off his skills if at all possible. So, when the opportunity arose, he nodded. "Yes, I do. And I am a mushroom. Well, partially a mushroom. I'm also part Visible Imagination. So...well...watch," he began, taking a deep breath. His freckles began to change colors and glow dimly. In his outstretched hand, a small dagger, intricately detailed, began to manifest itself out of thin air. When it was complete, he let out his breath and felt his energy deplete. It was the strangest sensation, but he had become proficient enough with his imaginary summoning (as he called it) that it didn't kill him anymore. Horns and wings were easier to summon than full blown weapons and armor. "See, I can craft things from thin air..." he began, floating closer to the fellow frei. "Nobody can touch them but me. But they're cool to look at, I guess. I only recently started doing weapons from the renaissance age. I wish I could keep them, but I feel so tired after a little bit that I have to make it disappear. I can't keep them forever. But I love looking at them. I oftentimes just create horns or wings to help improve my stamina and allow me to keep bigger crafts longer, but it's taken me a while so far," he stated, feeling a bit tired and wobbly after just a few minutes with the intricate dagger. He then let go of it, allowing it to slowly disintegrate as it fell to the floor. With that, he took another deep breath, feeling a little better, albeit hungry.
"Oh, but if you can show me how you manipulate sand, I'll show you how I manipulate mushrooms," he said, floating through Reuben's office to the back yard, motioning the frei to follow.
Ryder raised a brow at the girl, grasping the inside of his pockets, wishing there was something there to play with. Oh how he hated some interactions, but this girl had some intriguing qualities about her. A hippocampus was a new word to the frei. What in the universe was that? "A...what?" he questioned, becoming more interested in this meeting. Learning something new was always fascinating for the frei.
As she began to go into describing her powers, Ryder's eyes widened. Sand manipulation? That seemed somewhat like his mushroom manipulation power he had come across in the early days of his life. He wondered if she practiced with magic as much or as hard as he did. Was she as intrigued by it as he was? Or was she simply living her life as she wanted to? "Will you show me?" he asked, backing up slightly towards Reuben's office door. "I have a lot of dirt in the back yard. Reuben's herb garden. Would that work?"
The small mushroom became excitable at the aspect of learning some new magic, and showing off his skills if at all possible. So, when the opportunity arose, he nodded. "Yes, I do. And I am a mushroom. Well, partially a mushroom. I'm also part Visible Imagination. So...well...watch," he began, taking a deep breath. His freckles began to change colors and glow dimly. In his outstretched hand, a small dagger, intricately detailed, began to manifest itself out of thin air. When it was complete, he let out his breath and felt his energy deplete. It was the strangest sensation, but he had become proficient enough with his imaginary summoning (as he called it) that it didn't kill him anymore. Horns and wings were easier to summon than full blown weapons and armor. "See, I can craft things from thin air..." he began, floating closer to the fellow frei. "Nobody can touch them but me. But they're cool to look at, I guess. I only recently started doing weapons from the renaissance age. I wish I could keep them, but I feel so tired after a little bit that I have to make it disappear. I can't keep them forever. But I love looking at them. I oftentimes just create horns or wings to help improve my stamina and allow me to keep bigger crafts longer, but it's taken me a while so far," he stated, feeling a bit tired and wobbly after just a few minutes with the intricate dagger. He then let go of it, allowing it to slowly disintegrate as it fell to the floor. With that, he took another deep breath, feeling a little better, albeit hungry.
"Oh, but if you can show me how you manipulate sand, I'll show you how I manipulate mushrooms," he said, floating through Reuben's office to the back yard, motioning the frei to follow.
Phoenix chuckled. "I have a lot of those strange questions myself lately it seems." He also looked to the Raevans. "She's raised them for sure. I never would have imagined something like them being possible, even with all the crazy things that exist. They make you wonder about things." In particular his involvement in Lab had raised the curiosity about souls. He knew now for a fact that souls were very real, but what did that mean?
Shoshana raised her eyebrows and smiled, thrilled to share a bit of information herself rather than being the one asking questions. "It is half a horse, half a fish! It is a very big creature," she explained enthusiastically.
At the suggestion to go to the backyard and show Ryder her magic she grew even more excited. "Yes, I can show you! I can make whatever you may like to see, if it is small enough." She picked up and shook the water bottle in the sling at her side. "I have my water bottle, yes, if I get tired and thirsty." She didn't think to explain that she needed to hydrate much more when she used her powers.
When Ryder explained his own power and demonstrated, Shoshana's eyes bulged. She had never seen such a thing before. When the dagger fully formed, despite the information that she would be unable to touch it, she reached forward a bit, wanting to feel for herself. When it disappeared she looked almost disappointed. She wanted to see more, and her mind started racing with ideas of things she wanted to see, but she could tell that Ryder was weary and thought better than to ask.
"That is very..." She looked thoughtful, then thought of what Phoenix would have said. "Cool." She smiled warmly. "I would very much like to see your mushroom magic," she added as she followed, looking over her shoulder to wave at her Guardian. Phoenix nodded in approval.
Shoshana raised her eyebrows and smiled, thrilled to share a bit of information herself rather than being the one asking questions. "It is half a horse, half a fish! It is a very big creature," she explained enthusiastically.
At the suggestion to go to the backyard and show Ryder her magic she grew even more excited. "Yes, I can show you! I can make whatever you may like to see, if it is small enough." She picked up and shook the water bottle in the sling at her side. "I have my water bottle, yes, if I get tired and thirsty." She didn't think to explain that she needed to hydrate much more when she used her powers.
When Ryder explained his own power and demonstrated, Shoshana's eyes bulged. She had never seen such a thing before. When the dagger fully formed, despite the information that she would be unable to touch it, she reached forward a bit, wanting to feel for herself. When it disappeared she looked almost disappointed. She wanted to see more, and her mind started racing with ideas of things she wanted to see, but she could tell that Ryder was weary and thought better than to ask.
"That is very..." She looked thoughtful, then thought of what Phoenix would have said. "Cool." She smiled warmly. "I would very much like to see your mushroom magic," she added as she followed, looking over her shoulder to wave at her Guardian. Phoenix nodded in approval.
Reuben simply nodded and smiled. He was proud of how Ryder was turning out, not that he had a whole lot to do with anything, but it was nice to know that he was caring for someone other than himself for once. And all those questions just solidified the way the world works in the tarotist's mind. Souls, power, magic, it was all very real and he couldn't help but smile knowing that what he had been studying for half his life was true and correct, or at least true in his view. "Yeah, it's crazy. But it's also so exciting to know how much magic is true and real," he began, but as the two left through his office, his eyebrows furrowed. "You two be careful, okay?" he called, shaking his head.
Ryder's eyes widened. A fish and a horse? Not like a seahorse, he presumed? Maybe more like his foxfish, Renard? It was definitely something he'd have to look up one day to get a visual of.
When she agreed to show him a bit of her magic, he showed her to the garden. There it was, a bunch of somewhat moist dirt. Hopefully she could do something with that? "That's great, I hope this works?" he stated. He was prepared for some amazing magics, and hoped that she could do some beautiful sand castle art, or something to that extent. After the beach trip earlier in the year, Ryder witnessed many sand castles being built, maybe she could win those types of competitions. 'The Best Sand Castle', or something to that extent.
When prompted to see his mushroom magic, he grinned. He floated close to the dirt in question and took a deep breath. "Alright, here goes," he said, closing his eyes. His freckles began to glow just like before and his hands began to have a faint green light emanating from his palms. In the dirt, a small bud began to grow, and suddenly, from it, grew a mushroom cap, and a stem burst from the ground. Ryder opened his eyes and smiled, plucking the mushroom from it's resting place. "There, that magic is much easier for me to do. I can also form it into whatever I'd like. I have a huge mushroom hat in the house," he said, holding the fly agaric mushroom out to her if she'd like it.
When finished, he backed up a bit to give her some room to show off her magic as well. He was riddled with anticipation. "Can you, perhaps, create a sand castle?"
Ryder's eyes widened. A fish and a horse? Not like a seahorse, he presumed? Maybe more like his foxfish, Renard? It was definitely something he'd have to look up one day to get a visual of.
When she agreed to show him a bit of her magic, he showed her to the garden. There it was, a bunch of somewhat moist dirt. Hopefully she could do something with that? "That's great, I hope this works?" he stated. He was prepared for some amazing magics, and hoped that she could do some beautiful sand castle art, or something to that extent. After the beach trip earlier in the year, Ryder witnessed many sand castles being built, maybe she could win those types of competitions. 'The Best Sand Castle', or something to that extent.
When prompted to see his mushroom magic, he grinned. He floated close to the dirt in question and took a deep breath. "Alright, here goes," he said, closing his eyes. His freckles began to glow just like before and his hands began to have a faint green light emanating from his palms. In the dirt, a small bud began to grow, and suddenly, from it, grew a mushroom cap, and a stem burst from the ground. Ryder opened his eyes and smiled, plucking the mushroom from it's resting place. "There, that magic is much easier for me to do. I can also form it into whatever I'd like. I have a huge mushroom hat in the house," he said, holding the fly agaric mushroom out to her if she'd like it.
When finished, he backed up a bit to give her some room to show off her magic as well. He was riddled with anticipation. "Can you, perhaps, create a sand castle?"
After the two Raevans had disappeared out back, Phoenix clasped his hands together and looked around the shop. "Clearly magic isn't anything new to you, from the looks of it." Glancing around at all the things the shop had to offer, he had more than a few questions. "This is all very new to me. I'm afraid I don't know much about magic. Not something I've spent any time around, y'know?" He laughed. Goodness, if his parents could see where he was standing right now they'd have a field day. He knew they wouldn't agree with this sort of thing. But Phoenix had never followed in their footsteps as far as beliefs. He really didn't know what he believed in, but he was a tolerant man and quite curious himself. "I'd love to know more about what you do here. And I'm sure Shoshana will have a hundred questions of her own when they come back.
Shoshana leaned in as close as she could without interfering with Ryder's display. The fingers of one hand clasped to her lips, she watched with utter amazement as the mushroom grew. When it had fully formed she jerked up and clapped her hands enthusiastically. "It is beautiful!" She took the mushroom in her hands and beamed at the other Raevan. "Thank you!" Knowing food didn't keep forever, she made a mental note to ask Phoenix if there was a way she could keep the mushroom forever. It was not lost on her that she had come for a gift to repay one present and had now received another.
Tucking the small shroom slightly inside her scarf behind her fin for safe keeping, the Frei settled down closer to the ground again. She gave a tiny frown. Wet soil was harder to work with, and there was the fact that it was soil and not straight sand. She could still use it, but it would take more work to gather up the bits she could use, and the dampness would hinder her.
Not willing to let these things stand in her way, Shoshana extended a hand towards the dryest patch of dirt she could find. Slowly it began to separate,
the grains of sand within and beneath the soil surfacing and starting to take shape in front of her. As the process unfolded, small beads of sweat began to form around the Raevan's brow. This was more energy than she was used to extending. For a brief moment the sand stopped moving and she exhaled sharply, then her hand went rigid and the process began again. After several painful minutes a small sand castle sat before them, perhaps six inches in height. The details were poor, but there were still recognizable towers and indentations of windows and a door.
Visibly exhausted, Shoshana fizzled backwards until she was practically laying on the ground. She breathed heavily, but she had a weak smile on her face. "A sand castle," she said, voice hoarse.
Shoshana leaned in as close as she could without interfering with Ryder's display. The fingers of one hand clasped to her lips, she watched with utter amazement as the mushroom grew. When it had fully formed she jerked up and clapped her hands enthusiastically. "It is beautiful!" She took the mushroom in her hands and beamed at the other Raevan. "Thank you!" Knowing food didn't keep forever, she made a mental note to ask Phoenix if there was a way she could keep the mushroom forever. It was not lost on her that she had come for a gift to repay one present and had now received another.
Tucking the small shroom slightly inside her scarf behind her fin for safe keeping, the Frei settled down closer to the ground again. She gave a tiny frown. Wet soil was harder to work with, and there was the fact that it was soil and not straight sand. She could still use it, but it would take more work to gather up the bits she could use, and the dampness would hinder her.
Not willing to let these things stand in her way, Shoshana extended a hand towards the dryest patch of dirt she could find. Slowly it began to separate,
the grains of sand within and beneath the soil surfacing and starting to take shape in front of her. As the process unfolded, small beads of sweat began to form around the Raevan's brow. This was more energy than she was used to extending. For a brief moment the sand stopped moving and she exhaled sharply, then her hand went rigid and the process began again. After several painful minutes a small sand castle sat before them, perhaps six inches in height. The details were poor, but there were still recognizable towers and indentations of windows and a door.
Visibly exhausted, Shoshana fizzled backwards until she was practically laying on the ground. She breathed heavily, but she had a weak smile on her face. "A sand castle," she said, voice hoarse.
Reuben knew that a lot of the things he sold and a lot of the things he believed were not the norm for a lot of people. Thus, a lot of people had questions about his lifestyle, his work, and his overall view of life. He enjoyed being able to share such things with people, so an inquiring soul should always be received with open arms. He smiled. "Yes, that is true. Magic and I have a history, a long and twisted one at that. But I understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea. I'm just happy to hear that you'd like to learn more about what it is I do here," he began, chuckling at the mention of Shoshana having many questions. "What is it that you'd like to know?"
~~~~~
Ryder smirked as he handed off the mushroom. This girl's enthusiasm was quite different from what he was used to. Most other raevan he had met in the past were very poised and didn't get too excited about things, so seeing that there were many facets to this whole life of being a raevan excited him. Maybe they weren't all just stiff beings? Maybe there was a sort of...diversity among them.
"No, thank you," he said, he hadn't ever been applauded for showing off his magic, it was something he did more for fun and to earnestly learn rather than for others enjoyment.
In eager anticipation, Ryder then floated back a moment to give the fellow frei some space. As she began to work on the soil, Ryder watched as it slowly began to change, the individual sand particles began to appear towards the top and it did change the look of the ground. Ryder's eyes widened as she began to shape and mold the dirt into what really looked like a pretty decent sand castle, although, being honest, Ryder was a bit underwhelmed at the size and detail of the small castle. But it seemed to take a pretty big toll on the frei. As she fell backwards and began panting heavily, she spoke. He had only been that exhausted a few times, especially towards the beginning of his practice.
"That's...pretty," he began, not wanting to say a whole lot to discourage what could be a new friend. "It was pretty awesome watching the sand pull through the soil like that. A-are you okay though?" he asked, slightly worried for Shoshana, floating a bit closer to her. "Don't you practice your magic a lot?"
Phoenix inhaled deeply and when he exhaled let out a soft hum, once more looking around him at the many things the Mystic Herb had to offer. ”I don’t even know where to start,” he said, more to himself than Reuben. He knew chances were this was a lot more to the man than just a hobby, and he didn’t want to come off as insulting with any of his questions. But all he could do was try. Hoping his sincerity would show through even if he said something stupid, he dove in with what he imagined was a good place to start.
”I’ve heard there are…religions, I guess, involving magic and stuff like this? Is that what all of this is, what you’re into?” He sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. ”And do you have to believe in something in particular for any of this to work?”
Shoshana reached for her water bottle and proceeded to drain a good half of it before attempting to speak again. ”Yes, thank you, I will be fine.” She’d never exhausted herself quite to that level before, but she felt confident that drinking enough water and resting a few moments would put her right again. The smile never faded, even as tired of one as it was.
”I have practiced many times, yes,” she said, looking up at the other Raevan. ”But, ah, my magic is…difficult, yes. Because my soul is from a sea creature I need lots of water. When I used my sand magic it dries me out ever so much. I get tired, and weak. I am getting better, yes, but it is still very hard.” There was a bit of disappointment in her eyes. She desperately wanted to be able to create things without wearing out so easily. But she had already improved over the months, and she had to remember that.
”You are very lucky to have a place like this to practice,” she said, patting the soil beside her. ”There is no sand where I live, so I have to go out.” That was alright to her though. She went out often enough that she wasn’t sad over it. Still, Ryder was very lucky to have this.
”I’ve heard there are…religions, I guess, involving magic and stuff like this? Is that what all of this is, what you’re into?” He sheepishly scratched the back of his neck. ”And do you have to believe in something in particular for any of this to work?”
Shoshana reached for her water bottle and proceeded to drain a good half of it before attempting to speak again. ”Yes, thank you, I will be fine.” She’d never exhausted herself quite to that level before, but she felt confident that drinking enough water and resting a few moments would put her right again. The smile never faded, even as tired of one as it was.
”I have practiced many times, yes,” she said, looking up at the other Raevan. ”But, ah, my magic is…difficult, yes. Because my soul is from a sea creature I need lots of water. When I used my sand magic it dries me out ever so much. I get tired, and weak. I am getting better, yes, but it is still very hard.” There was a bit of disappointment in her eyes. She desperately wanted to be able to create things without wearing out so easily. But she had already improved over the months, and she had to remember that.
”You are very lucky to have a place like this to practice,” she said, patting the soil beside her. ”There is no sand where I live, so I have to go out.” That was alright to her though. She went out often enough that she wasn’t sad over it. Still, Ryder was very lucky to have this.
Reuben gave a smile to the man and nodded. It was always wonderful when someone came to him to discuss spirituality. He loved a good, willing and open person when it came to discussions of this type. “It’s okay, start wherever you need to. I’m very open about my spirituality and I’m always willing to share and discuss things with willing participants,” he began, a bright smile on his face. “Yes, there are many pagan religions out there, one of the most well known being called Wicca. I, personally, have fallen away from all religions. I prefer to take my journey through life as an independent spiritual person. Many beliefs come together to create different religions, at least in my opinion. So, the answer is no, you don’t have to believe in anything in particular to have what I practice work. It helps to believe that it will, but at that point it’s just optimism, not true belief,” he said, pausing momentarily to reminisce on his past. “I began my belief system from growing up in an extremely Christian religious household. And from there, nothing felt right. So I branched out and found Wicca, and practiced that for a few years until I realized it is all just religion. So, I stopped altogether. Now I practice my own forms of spirituality and divination.”
~~~
“I’m glad to hear that,” the frei responded to the girls chugging of the water. “Would you like some more water? We have filtered and tap in the house if you want or need more? I just know when I wear myself out during a practice session or something, it takes me a bit and a lot of imagination eating before I really truly feel better.”
Ryder watched as the girl caught her breath. It made sense, now after hearing her explanation. He wondered, if she was at the ocean with an unlimited supply of water, would it work the same? Would her power be unlimited? These thoughts crossed the mind of the young frei to the point that his curiosity got the better of him and he had to ask. “So, if you went to, say, the ocean, would that be like your best place to practice? Because for me, my bedroom is alright, but I typically take my supplies to the middle of the forest to practice my magic. I’ve found this perfect, secluded area where it’s quiet and allows me to concentrate. I just do my best work in the forest at night, especially after a wonderful rain. I think it has to do with my soul being a mushroom. It loves dark, wet places. I should probably find a cave someday to see if it would be even better. Who knows?”
~~~
“I’m glad to hear that,” the frei responded to the girls chugging of the water. “Would you like some more water? We have filtered and tap in the house if you want or need more? I just know when I wear myself out during a practice session or something, it takes me a bit and a lot of imagination eating before I really truly feel better.”
Ryder watched as the girl caught her breath. It made sense, now after hearing her explanation. He wondered, if she was at the ocean with an unlimited supply of water, would it work the same? Would her power be unlimited? These thoughts crossed the mind of the young frei to the point that his curiosity got the better of him and he had to ask. “So, if you went to, say, the ocean, would that be like your best place to practice? Because for me, my bedroom is alright, but I typically take my supplies to the middle of the forest to practice my magic. I’ve found this perfect, secluded area where it’s quiet and allows me to concentrate. I just do my best work in the forest at night, especially after a wonderful rain. I think it has to do with my soul being a mushroom. It loves dark, wet places. I should probably find a cave someday to see if it would be even better. Who knows?”