middaeg | [closed] having the entire world at your fingertips

A good offensive is a good defensive.

[Wait no- It's the other way around. Sigh.]

Let's see what you can do then, kid.

[Despite the jab he is actually interested in seeing how Riku is doing. Witch powers must be hard to learn and he can't imagine having to start from square one in that sense. He's always had materia and there isn't much learning to that magic. It's pretty much just slot the materia in and go.]

[Yeah, you're getting a look and a raised eyebrow for that. Zack, please. You know that's not how that saying goes.]

Power isn't always everything...

[His tone is a bit distant at that, but it doesn't last long. Zack's caught him off guard and he blinks, surprise clear on his face.]

What? You... want me to show you?

Sounds like there's a story behind that.

[Just a guess. Zack certainly knows about the power-hungry types.

He grins and crosses his arms over his chest.]

And yeah, let's see what you got. You said you're used to handling fire?

...Maybe.

[He grimaces and looks away. And that's the only acknowledgement he'll give Zack in regards to that.

Instead deciding to focus on Zack's request of sorts. He turns to the rest of the little area around them, but there's not much to use to target practice. His original intention was to come here and practice maintaining a spell, seeing how long one little bit of magic could last. But there is a small table and chairs, and with a hum, Riku decides they'll do. Someone in the Coven who's more experienced can surely conjure some more up.]

Kind of. It feels easier to use than other types of magic... [Not that he'd claim to be good at other kinds of magic. Sora was the one with the magician friend. The closest equivalent for Riku would be Maleficent, and even that's a stretch.

So Riku goes over, grabs both of the chairs and sets them up a few feet apart from one another before returning to his spot near Zack. It feels a little like he's showing off, but the older man did ask for this.

A deep breath and eye close. It's easy enough to dip down into what feels like an endless reservoir of magic inside him. A different feeling than the Darkness that usually plagues his heart. The lessons he's been taking have been leaving things a little vague, but visualizing has helped him. Thoughts of Kairi and of the warmth and sun of the islands. Remembering the last battle he had at Sora's side, utilizing his Firaga spells for all they were worth.

Sparks crackle at his fingertips and eyes open wide. Riku pulls back a hand only to thrust it forward again, a volley of dark purple fireballs launched at the chairs.]

Fire!

[Most hit the targets. There's a few that stray off course. But hey, it never hurts to do some target practice.]

Edited 2019-06-14 01:08 (UTC)

[As that fire magic crackles in the air and the chair takes a serious firey beating Zack can't help but twitch at the smell of it. It assaults his senses out of nowhere and he suddenly puts a hand over his nose. The smell of magic is so strong that it leaves his head spinning with a strange tingly pleasure and he growls out under his breath because of it.]

... Great. Yeah. Good job.

[He's still holding his nose as if he's trying to get that sweet smell out of it. Magic. Especially a witch's magic. Is this what it does to monsters?]

[Luckily, Riku is pretty good at conjuring flames, but they haven't had too many lessons on what to do if you miss your target. The few stray fireballs snuff out against the walls of the area, but the chair is left burning under the flames. He wouldn't mind snuffing it out himself, but a half toasted chair wouldn't be of use to anyone anyways.

No. Instead he turns to Zack, looking a little concerned. The older man sounded a bit distracted, and holding onto his nose like that just confirms it.]

Hey... you okay?

[There's always been a few monsters around in the classrooms, sharing space with their bonded partners. But he's never seen a reaction like this from one of them. It is just because of the bonds?]

Yeah.

[Zack says this quickly and sharply as he rubs his nose like he wants to sneeze.]

Just the smell of magic... It's pretty damn strong.

The smell...?

[Riku actually does glance at his hand for a moment. There's so actual scent in the air, beyond burning wood and charcoal. But he does sense magic and Riku can take a wild guess that it's what Zack means. Sensing the magic in the air through scent, much like the witch used to be able to do with Darkness.

He ducks his head a bit sheepishly, not sure how he can fix this.]

Sorry. Never been particularly good with it so... not sure how to shut it off.

It's fine. I just didn't know it could be that potent.

[Magic is so sweet and it tickles his nose. He didn't think it would affect him so much. It's not Riku's fault that Zack was caught off guard. He also can't help but wonder if this is because Zack's yet to take a bond. His monster senses are getting stronger and more unruly every day...]

You just keep learning what you need to learn.

[If it's because Zack is boundless, then Riku is just as guilty, not having a single bond himself. He can feel the magic growing and brewing inside him day after day, and so far practicing has done enough to keep these new powers in check.]

...Right.

[He nods, voice quiet but accepting that little positive reinforcement for what it's worth. He still feels awkward about it, even rubbing his hands against the side of his pants, and turns to watch the chair become cinders.]

...How are your hands?

Edited 2019-06-21 01:06 (UTC)

You're gonna do great, kid.

[If the smell of his magic is any indication? Riku has some serious talent with this. And some power.

He flexes his fingers a bit at the question and then waves a hand.]

Fine. Getting used to claws is a bit of a thing, though.

[Swallowing the lump that's rapidly formed in his throat, Riku only nods. Maybe, but one of the last people to encourage him like that lead him down a path he deeply regrets.

So deflect. Focus on something else now, and that something will be the man in front of him. Riku only raises a brow at that wave. Is Zack just playing it off?]

...I'll bet. Probably tearing through everything, right? Is that the only change you've had so far?

[At this point of time Zack can only nod.]

Yeah... Well. That and-?

[He bends his head down and runs a hand through his hair to show Riku that he's got thick horns starting to peak out of his hair as well. Two little black nubs that are very obviously made of bone or horn stick out from his black locks just barely.]

Horns.

[If hadn't lowered his head, Riku would have never noticed the growths. They blend in well with his spikes, and Riku honestly hasn't seen anything like it.]

Looks like a real headache to deal with. [He can't imagine the amount of pain and irritation the older man's been in. Claws are one thing, horns are entirely different.

Curiousity is overcoming him, and Riku reaches out a hand gingerly, just hovering above the horns.]

...Do they hurt?

Edited 2019-06-26 23:34 (UTC)

[Riku wants to touch them? Well... He might feel a little uncomfortable with that. He doesn't have a bond with Riku and the action is a little close for comfort. But after a moment he shrugs and lets it happen if Riku wants to do it.]

Ever had a migraine so bad your eyesight gets blurry? It's like that sometimes.

[It's a weird request. He understands that, and Riku looks a little uncomfortable himself. At most, he just touches a horn with the pads of his fingers, gentle and careful. They definitely feel solid and smooth. No illusions or tricks.]

That sucks... [He hums lightly to himself in thought as he pulls his hand back just a bit.

...Only for him to plant both his wrists on Zack's forehead without warning or permission. Both palms wide open and facing the horn growths, he channels the magic in him again, this time for a different use.]

...Heal.

[One quiet word and his palms glow with a soft green light, tiny globules of the green magic being absorbed into the horns. A very basic healing spell, one that the other witches were surprised he picked up so quickly, but he hopes it'll be enough to help.

He completely pulls back this time, shoving his hands into his pockets.]

That should keep them at bay for a while.

Hey- What are you--?!

[His protest dies on his lips pretty quick because that minty smelling magic suddenly makes the aching in his head subside. He shudders a little before he stands up straight and puts his own hand over his forehead.]

... Thanks. [He resists the urge to add kid into that.] I knew you had some power in you. That helped.

[He really is honestly grateful.]

Sorry... [It slips out faster than he realizes, glancing to the side awkwardly. Praises are still something he needs to get used to.]

...You make a good guinea pig. Haven't been able to practice healing that much. [A tiny smirk. Truth be told, it was Zack and many others that reminded him of the importance of spells like those. Not everyone arrives in the most ideal conditions, and the monster transformations don't seem to be painless either.

A twitch of the lips and the smirks fades. Riku looks at Zack directly, voice and expression low and quiet.]

I'm sorry you're going through this...

[He gets the feeling that this kid hasn't gotten a lot of encouragement in his day. Or that maybe he just doesn't know how to take a compliment. Reminds him of Cloud, actually. That awkward shuffle and inability to keep eye contact but desperately wanting to be told he's doing a good job--- It's very Cloud-like. When he was sixteen, anyway.

He comes up to Riku and pats him well on the shoulder.]

I'll be fine. Besides, got a friend like you to get me out of a pinch if I need it. Feel free to use me as target practice anytime. You're gonna be great.

[closed] having the entire world at your fingertips

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