[But he's quiet a moment after he says it, gaze briefly distant; he means what he says, but he's remembering the last time he said the same words that Kyna did and why. It was a similar situation, actually, and one that ties in a little with what they were talking about with her magic and learning new skills to begin with, and so after a moment he decides to actually tell her about it.]
I, um... I asked Dr. Brennan kind of the same thing, a few months ago, also about music. She wanted me to teach her the lyrics to a song I'd played on piano, since we both sing, but during the fight before I arrived here there was... A lot of damage to my voice.
[He makes a vague gesture at his throat, gaze shifted off to the side; the whole thing is still a little emotionally difficult to discuss.]
It's not the same thing as what you're dealing with, especially since I didn't go into music as a career or anything, but it was still... It still felt like I'd lost something that was really a part of me. But learning new skills and focusing on other things helped a lot, and then eventually I was able to be fully healed anyway.
[Which is still, hopefully, what will happen to her. But the point is he gets it as much as he can, and the advice he's trying to give is from experience, not just theory.]
[He doesn't quite manage to look at her again yet, but he initiates a gentle shoulder bump this time and manages a weak smile all the same.]
Thank you, and you're welcome. Just... Things improved, even if they didn't feel like they would at the time, so don't give up hope.
[And that said, this time he looks over at her again.]
But in the meantime, it's okay if it all kind of sucks. I think music might be a good distraction, though; I think you might pick it up pretty quickly. Playing piano and using magic feel kind of similar, for me.
[And in fact, last time he'd played piano he'd combined the two; because he feels the flow of magic similarly to how he feels music, it had been surprisingly easy to make the keys light up when he touched them while playing.]
[But he'll make an attempt anyway, eyebrows furrowing in thought.]
When I use magic just on its own, it kind of feels like an adrenaline rush, but in a good way. But it has a distinct... Path, I guess, to how it flows? And you've probably seen how pianists do that whole swaying thing, because you just kind of get into it, and it's like the music is moving through you when you play. The two things feel like they follow the same sort of path, or something like that.
No, it makes sense. Harlan said his magic is kind of like... a power surge. Like almost blowing a fuse. Mine has always felt like I'm guiding it through a circuit or something. The adrenaline rush is there, but it's... controlled, you know? Unless I'm casting without a Focus.
[And now she can't feel anything at all, but she doesn't want to talk about that.]
[He's a little awkward with compliments sometimes, and this is one of them, but at least he still manages to say the right thing.]
Magic is one of those things that like... In my world, it doesn't exist and you know that even as a kid, but you still hold out hope you might end up being secretly a wizard or something.
[So it's really surreal--in a good way--to be able to cast even the super basic spells he's learned. He may be the first person from his world to ever learn to do magic like this too, which is... Also incredible to think about.]
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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I'll try. As long as you promise not to make fun of me.
[Because she's never touched an instrument in her life.]
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[But he's quiet a moment after he says it, gaze briefly distant; he means what he says, but he's remembering the last time he said the same words that Kyna did and why. It was a similar situation, actually, and one that ties in a little with what they were talking about with her magic and learning new skills to begin with, and so after a moment he decides to actually tell her about it.]
I, um... I asked Dr. Brennan kind of the same thing, a few months ago, also about music. She wanted me to teach her the lyrics to a song I'd played on piano, since we both sing, but during the fight before I arrived here there was... A lot of damage to my voice.
[He makes a vague gesture at his throat, gaze shifted off to the side; the whole thing is still a little emotionally difficult to discuss.]
It's not the same thing as what you're dealing with, especially since I didn't go into music as a career or anything, but it was still... It still felt like I'd lost something that was really a part of me. But learning new skills and focusing on other things helped a lot, and then eventually I was able to be fully healed anyway.
[Which is still, hopefully, what will happen to her. But the point is he gets it as much as he can, and the advice he's trying to give is from experience, not just theory.]
So... Yeah. I won't make fun of you.
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[She's not quite sure how to respond to that, so she's quiet for a moment, sneaking a glance at him.]
I'm sorry. That sucks.
[Which doesn't really feel adequate.]
I'm glad you got better. And, um... Thanks. For listening and everything. And for helping me.
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Thank you, and you're welcome. Just... Things improved, even if they didn't feel like they would at the time, so don't give up hope.
[And that said, this time he looks over at her again.]
But in the meantime, it's okay if it all kind of sucks. I think music might be a good distraction, though; I think you might pick it up pretty quickly. Playing piano and using magic feel kind of similar, for me.
[And in fact, last time he'd played piano he'd combined the two; because he feels the flow of magic similarly to how he feels music, it had been surprisingly easy to make the keys light up when he touched them while playing.]
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[That's actually... pretty fascinating. Harlan has never mentioned anything like that, but then, magic is a little different for everyone.]
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[But he'll make an attempt anyway, eyebrows furrowing in thought.]
When I use magic just on its own, it kind of feels like an adrenaline rush, but in a good way. But it has a distinct... Path, I guess, to how it flows? And you've probably seen how pianists do that whole swaying thing, because you just kind of get into it, and it's like the music is moving through you when you play. The two things feel like they follow the same sort of path, or something like that.
[And there's a short pause.]
That probably made like, no sense.
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[And now she can't feel anything at all, but she doesn't want to talk about that.]
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Have you ever played an instrument before?
[He's wondering if this will be something completely new to her or not.]
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[Godspeed, Lance.]
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[There's a reason piano's so popular with kids, after all.]
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[She's willing to try, anyway.]
And, um... When my magic comes back, I promise I'll start teaching you again.
[At least it's a "when" and not an "if" now, right?]
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[He's definitely like to keep learning, and yes, it's definitely a when and he's glad to hear that.]
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I don't feel obligated, it was fun, and you were good at it.
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[He's a little awkward with compliments sometimes, and this is one of them, but at least he still manages to say the right thing.]
Magic is one of those things that like... In my world, it doesn't exist and you know that even as a kid, but you still hold out hope you might end up being secretly a wizard or something.
[So it's really surreal--in a good way--to be able to cast even the super basic spells he's learned. He may be the first person from his world to ever learn to do magic like this too, which is... Also incredible to think about.]
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Well, now you are a wizard. Congratulations.
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[He's joking, of course, but geez. And then, a little more seriously--]
Thanks again for offering to teach me in the first place. And for, you know. Coming over here and putting up with me being depressing.
[He really appreciates it. He's still worried and stressed about everything gong on, but he's a lot calmer about it now.]
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[It's an honest answer, which is not always Lance's favorite thing to give, but she deserves it.]
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[But he doesn't even try to say it with a straight face, offering a small smile.]
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[She shoots him a look.]
You're not even sneaky about it.
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[He usually gets away with pretending things are fine no problem back home, so there.]
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I can totally draw up a little certificate for you.
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