Practically Magic [Open! Practical Magical lessons!]

[weirdnecro]

Who: Sokie and you!
When: Pre and Post Snatched because people may need the outlet later
Where: Mainly around Sokie's yard in Aef, maybe outside of the city
What: Sokie is teaching some practical magic to anyone interested.
Warnings: TBA, maybe some mild violence, swearing?



Most of the lessons start off in a yard, sand swept- though sometimes it's just outside of the Bright wall, away from any of the encampments to give them space- and well, in case things explode or are set on fire. She's good about making announcements before the classes take place on the network, just in case the location changes.

It usually starts off with a hello and a declaration of what they're going to go over today. Sometimes it's how to avoid being caught by illusion and charm spells; sometimes it's on how they can use various runes in every day life.

New students, Sokie likes to take to the side and assess for herself to see what level they're at, before sticking them in one of three groups which she calls: ducklings, flip flops, and eaglets. She doesn't act like one is better then the other, just that the flip flops won't set the whole place on fire by accident.

Usually there's a quick talk, with demonstrations during, before she checks to see if there's anyone who needs help with understanding. After the check in, she smiles. It's time to put the knowledge to use.

A: Magic Dodgeball

It's not exactly regular dodgeball. True, there is some ball throwing, but- there's a twist. One team has to use magic (witch or monster!) to confuse, distract, or otherwise trip up their opponents, while the other has to resist without falling back on magic. Don't worry-they'll get to switch eventually! But no hitting people in the face with the ball, teleporting to the other side of the field, nor any truly dangerous magic- whoever tries something dirty gets an automatic out and whatever punishment Sokie feels like that day. Whatever it is, it won't be pleasant.

Now DODGE!

B: Changing hot potato

You thought that was the only game Sokie had in mind? No? Good! Because this one is a leg up from dodgeball. Because this lesson was on transmutation, and she has a specific idea in mind: she wants the witches to change the ball into different objects. Nothing too complicated! It could be as simple as changing its temperature, or making it glittery. Advanced students will be asked to make something a little more complicated, like making it into a plush doll.

And once it's changed, the next witch has to change it back. Monsters will be in the middle of the circle, making things more complicated by interfering with the tossed ball.

Which gives the witches less time. Oh, you didn't know there was a time limit? There is- and when the time is up, the ball, transmuted or not, will make a loud farting noise and coat the witch with a noxious fume. It's all illusionary of course- but it sure makes the eyes water! Don't worry, it'll fade in ten minutes or less.

C: Always be kind to your healer

Sokie is surprisingly intense about the healing lessons, and doesn't let as much go for much joking as she is about the other lessons. But then again, as she puts to the witches and the monsters- there can be no guarantee that there will be someone there to care for bruises and worse. There's the witch lessons of simple healing spells, but all are taught alchemy for simple blood restoration potions, regeneration potions, and things of that ilk. She's also all about teaching how to assess-basically first aid, but in magic land.

Which means...there are a lot of opportunities to partner up for learning potions, and a lot of excuses to doze off when being used as the first aid dummy.

Don't worry. There's a reason why she's conducting the lesson out of the city-so if there's an explosion, she can contain it. She does have a specialty of making barriers and all.

D: We wash this city

While this may seem to be just a class for the merfolk and the witches, the others have some lessons too- and this one is a wandering one. For where the places that have been cleaned up, or haven't been tagged yet, rune written paper is encouraged to slap against the walls, buildings, and houses. This may at least keep them from being vandalized for a time.

Plus, for the witches and monsters who do this instead of playing soapy power washer, they may get a better feeling for doing the magic. Of course, these papers were created if not that day, then the prior workshop slash class by witches so they get the feeling of making runes for minor shields.


E: It's time to DUEL!

And of course, it's time for a bit of fun. By fun, it's possible danger. But it's fine! That's what they made all those health potions for, right? These can be mixed with monster-monster, witch-witch, and witch-monster.

It's to surrender, or disable-with an emphasis of trying not to cause lasting damage. So don't get carried away with fire balls!

Can't seem to get a handle on them? It's all right. There's a timer. She's giving every pair off five minutes, and everyone has been paired off randomly!

Well. Mostly. Unless she thinks this might help somewhat.

Comments

Questions

[weirdnecro]

Lemmie know if you have questions or suggestions here!

Sokie | Witch | OTA

[weirdnecro]

[When Sokie isn't instructing or watching the teaching games that she built, she can be found finding out the basis of people's knowledge, practicing one on one, or even taking a small break with a small cup of water or coffee.

She could even be offering to duel to see how far her students have come! Anything goes here!]

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat approaches Sokie, mostly because... well. She's not in the best of moods right now. Her bonded has just vanished from the city and she's trying not to let that keep her down.

But she supposes she ought to do something instead of moping. Moping isn't becoming. Even if she does feel like a part of her heart has been ripped out of her. So she's a little less high energy than she might otherwise normally be. ]

I understand you're giving lessons...?

[ She's even being a bit muted. ]

[weirdnecro]

[She gets it completely. Moping isn't great, doing something productive is good. But then, Sokie is someone who likes to stay busy, no matter what is going on. Even if that busy means kicking back and reading.]

That's right.

[She doesn't really know her so...she's not going to ask why she's so subdued. It'd be rude.]

I'm gonna have to ask some questions though, if you don't mind-just so I know what you know, what you want to learn, so neither of us is wasting the others time. That all right?

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat rolls a shoulder in a shrug and flashes a little half-smile. ]

I suppose I can't refuse. Ask away - I'll have answers, of one sort or another.

[ She wouldn't dream of wasting anyone's time. Honest. ]

[weirdnecro]

Don't worry, they're pretty basic.

[She offered Iramaat a half smile in return. It was all practical really.]

What do you know, magic wise? Are you a witch or a monster, and what is, or what do you wish to be your specialty?

[wylderrant]

[ Iramaat hums thoughtfully. ]

I'm a monster; a faun. And... I used to have magic of my own, but here I feel woefully untalented. It doesn't come as easily as it used to. And I'm not sure I'm looking for a specialty. I'd just like to be able to use it again...

[weirdnecro]

Mmm...well, as you are right now, you are specialized as a faun.

Unless you get tattoos, or use alchemy, you've got nature magic. That, and a really great sense of direction.

[She clicked her tongue.]

If you used to have magic, then you'll have to put some effort in. You're going to be unlearning old habits and establishing new ones. Think you can do it?

[wylderrant]

Ah! Nature magic...! Vaguely familiar, I suppose. I can... work with that.

[ Iramaat frowns. She probably should've been 'working with it' a long time ago, but she never thought too hard about it. At least until now. ]

Of course I can do it. I can do just about anything I put my mind to.

[weirdnecro]

It's a good magic brand to get into, plus you have possible faun friends.

Pretty sure you could sync up with them for more powerful magic but- ah, I'm getting ahead of myself.

First...let's see how quick you can learn, and unlearn.

[wylderrant]

I'm not sure I've met another faun since I've arrived here - or at least not a mirrorbound one...

[ Iramaat taps her chin. Maybe she should look into that. ]

I like to think I'm a quick learner!

[ She flexes her fingers with a theatrical sort of flourish. ]

What would you like me to do?

[weirdnecro]

I know a few. Everett, for one, Myr, the blindfolded fellow-there's Judar, but he will hit on you and hard, by the way.

[But Iraamat really wants to give this a shot huh...Sokie considered, glancing around. There wasn't really any sort of plant life around for her to grow, and while she could just give seeds...

She noticed some birds-pigeons-pecking the ground nearby. Sokie smiled.]

I'd like you to talk to those pigeons over there.

[wylderrant]

I... think I've met Myr!

[ SHe doesn't know the others, though. Still, there's a flashing smile in response. She liked Myr the last time she met him. Good fellow.

It takes her a moment to process the request and she blinks. ]

Talk to the pigeons? I'm... not usually much of an animal-whisperer, but I'll give it a try.

[ She glances at the pigeons and then starts to sidle over, trying not to startle them away. ]

Hello there, my winged friends...

[weirdnecro]

Wears a blindfold, blond, rather earnest?

[That's Myr. Also, loves sticks. But that's because he loves stick fighting, so.]

Not quite like that. I'll give you a hint. All of the magic in this world is about bonds.

how would you like TWO sad magickless fauns, sokie

[faithlikeaseed]

[Myr had, of course, made a point of showing up to any of Sokie's lessons he could make time for. He has gotten over enough of his initial hesitation and embarrassment at being a hindrance to actually participate in some of the physical challenges--he's not going to get any better at functioning while blind and behoofed, else--but up until now he's declined to participate in any of the lessons involving bettering a Monster's magic.

Because he didn't have any. Or didn't seem to. Beyond the maddening occasional flicker of a fellow-feeling with his bees, which he still isn't even sure he's really experiencing, and beyond that bone-deep sense of direction, his magic just...isn't there.

It's been nearly five months since Geardagas unmaged him and the magic that was meant to be his compensation for the theft, dislocation, and awful transformation still hasn't appeared. He's attended classes at the Coven, Bonded a Witch, done his utmost to be patient (amidst prayers to the Maker for more patience still) and ... still nothing.

So one day when everyone else has gone home, he plants himself beside Sokie and begins without preamble,]

Have you heard anything about Monsters who never get their magic at all?

SURE two fauns are better then none

[weirdnecro]

[She had been pleased to see him come to the lessons. She hadn't been sure if he'd have time, or the inclination, what with her not knowing what he was doing in his life but...it was still good to see him.

Even if he didn't want monster magic lessons, that was all right. He was still learning, and that was what was important.]

The only case I've ever heard of that is with chimeras. But that could be because their magic is adaption and survival-not something they can consciously use for themselves.

Nothing about fauns though, if that's what you're asking.

faun & on & on

[faithlikeaseed]

[He chews his lower lip, considering that, before nodding once. It's relieving in a way--he knows enough of the doctrine of chances to know if it's never happened before, it's probably not happening to him--but it doesn't explain his current state. And that's miserable.]

Mine hasn't, [said with all the frankness of a wound suddenly lanced.] Except in the dreams, and once during the mist. I can't do any of what a faun's supposed to.

[weirdnecro]

[Poor Myr. She could understand it all too well. She wasn't the powerhouse she used to be, but at least she could still express her craft. He didn't have that.]

And what do you think a faun is supposed to do?

[She wanted to check, just to see if he's missing anything.]

[faithlikeaseed]

[It's a good question, and like all her questions makes him stop and think--makes him realize where he's been hyperbolic in his despair.

He takes a slow breath in and lets it out before answering, with at least a little humor,] Drink, rut, and commune with nature, or so I'm told. [He's only half-good at one of them, but.]

Charms don't work on me and you could bash me about the head all day without much effect. Know where I am anywhere I am, too. But growing plants and speaking with animals--I can't do it, no matter how I've tried.

[And he's tried not to be self-pitying about it either but Maker, how much longer would he have to wait to feel even a tenth the mage he'd been?]

[weirdnecro]

[She's a thinker, that's for sure. But hearing all of those things make her snort gently. Well...she certainly knew about the rutting part of their nature...

Charms being unworkable was interesting though, and the hard head? A given. Still...]

You have nature magic. Those two fall into that category, but if you think a little more, there may be other things that fall into it as well.

But if you want to deal with those two, we can do that.

I have another question for you Myr. Do you feel a connection to this world?

[faithlikeaseed]

[It's probably because she...knows...that he's so free with joking about it. Fauns are Sure A Thing, aren't they.]

They're the ones most like what I had back home, [he admits.] Anything growing or creeping in the Realm of Opposition is in Creation's remit.

[What else might it be possible for him to do? Perhaps he's been so fixated on something like what he had back on Thedas he's missed other avenues entirely...

Her second question catches him crossways in the midst of considering that; if he'd blink in surprise, he would. As it is he lifts his antlered head, expression between troubled and thoughtful.]

I--don't know I do. Certainly not the way I felt connected to Thedas through the Fade. [If he's truly, brutally truthful with himself...]

...I think, [slowly,] I haven't wanted to. Because that would mean I've begun to think of it as home, with no chance of going back.

[weirdnecro]

[Fauns are a Thing and she gets it Myr. It's not your fault.]

But here's the thing. While you do have your own beliefs, your way of seeing the world when it comes to magic...

There is no Fade here. The is only you, and the bonds that you can create here, and let go.

[She sighed. Then:]

And that may be why you can't conduct the magic here. Because you think it has to be one way or the other. That if you're able to do one thing in this world, that you've given up.

Magic is a tool Myr. And it may be the only tool we have in returning to our worlds.

[faithlikeaseed]

I know that. [His voice pitches up; he actually stomps a hoof in his distress. This cuts deeply enough he can't accept a rebuke as gracefully as is his wont--and it shows.]

Maker, do I know it--and if it really is that, that I simply need to connect with the world somehow other than making Bonds, then you're right, I'm a fool, [she didn't say that, Myr,] for not trying sooner and this all my own idiot fault for resisting it out of fear.

But I--I don't even know if I'm meant to go home. [His voice drops, tone suddenly bleak.] We're here for a reason, aren't we? [And he'd had reasons, rashly or not, to promise as much of his life as he could give: Everett. L. Dorchacht's refugees.

That forecluded putting everything he had into escaping, didn't it?]

Half my heart's here, and half's in Thedas. I don't know how to choose between them, and anything that feels like choosing... [He trails off.]

[weirdnecro]

[Ah, there's the frustration. She thought it'd come out sooner or later. She didn't call him a fool, but he needed to pour all of this out and just make sure that he felt better for it, for acknowledging his feelings.

And yet, he thought he had to choose one or the other. Which is why, she had to murmur a spell to protect her fingers.

So she could flick him on the forehead.]

Choose both.

Honestly Myr, did you think I would learn magic if it meant I was stuck here?

[faithlikeaseed]

[hey!!!

He recoils from the flick, knocked out of his pity-party and mightily disgruntled about it.]

How?

[...oh, wait--]

You're saying going home doesn't have to be one-way.