⚡ hadriel - ic inbox

[evocation]

This is Kyna. You should just text me if you actually want me to answer.

Comments

[evocation]

Oh.

[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.

[lifetothefullest]

[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.]

[evocation]

They do? How?

[That's actually... pretty fascinating. Harlan has never mentioned anything like that, but then, magic is a little different for everyone.]

[lifetothefullest]

It's kind of hard to explain.

[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.

[evocation]

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.]

[lifetothefullest]

[He nods at that, thinking it over.]

Have you ever played an instrument before?

[He's wondering if this will be something completely new to her or not.]

[evocation]

Nope. You've got your work cut out for you.

[Godspeed, Lance.]

[lifetothefullest]

Piano isn't especially difficult, it just takes a lot of practice; you'll pick up some simple songs really quickly.

[There's a reason piano's so popular with kids, after all.]

[evocation]

Okay.

[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?]

[lifetothefullest]

Don't feel obligated to, but... Okay, yeah.

[He's definitely like to keep learning, and yes, it's definitely a when and he's glad to hear that.]

[evocation]

[She smiles a little.]

I don't feel obligated, it was fun, and you were good at it.

[lifetothefullest]

Thank you.

[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.]

[evocation]

[She laughs, nudging him again.]

Well, now you are a wizard. Congratulations.

[lifetothefullest]

That is... Not something my brain can process, I'm sorry.

[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.]

[evocation]

Pfft. You aren't being depressing. Are you sure you're okay?

[lifetothefullest]

Yeah. I'm doing better, anyway.

[It's an honest answer, which is not always Lance's favorite thing to give, but she deserves it.]

[evocation]

Okay. Just don't do that... thing, you know? Where people worry about everyone else and not themselves.

[lifetothefullest]

I would never do such a thing.

[But he doesn't even try to say it with a straight face, offering a small smile.]

[evocation]

Bullshit.

[She shoots him a look.]

You're not even sneaky about it.

[lifetothefullest]

Hey, I'm totally sneaky, you're just paying too much attention.

[He usually gets away with pretending things are fine no problem back home, so there.]

[evocation]

Oh my God, no one has ever said that to me before. Write that out and sign it.

[lifetothefullest]

[He can't help but laugh at that.]

I can totally draw up a little certificate for you.

[evocation]

No, that makes me seem like a nut job. I can give you a wizard certificate, though.

[lifetothefullest]

Wow, talk about things that would make someone seem like a 'nut job'.

[Complete with air quotes, because even though he's not going to directly call her on the terminology he can't just ignore it, either.]

[evocation]

[She's the worst so she doesn't even pick up on that minor call out.]

Yeah, I guess you'd seem pretty lame if you had wizard ID card or something when you can just prove it.