it begins...

[nerdeology]

Who: You! Us! Everyone!
Broadcast: ???
Action: All over! It's a planet/moon mingle!
When: 8/15-9/12, or until captcha kills us all

Show some spirit! It's a new system, and that means new people, new shenanigans, new adventures, savvy? You'd better have enough moxie to thrive in this one...

Or maybe you're just here for the food.

Comments

[arcanepower]

[Wow, that's... okay, that's not what he expected. Vessels usually mean prisons. There are tons and tons of stories about monsters, spirits, and other things being sealed inside vessels. But the way Mikleo talks about it makes it sound like a good thing, so Belth doesn't press the connotations.]

They must be a very good friend.

[Belth cracks his eyes open and sees Mikleo all but swimming. It's kind of... sweet, to see a nature spirit in his natural element. Like releasing a fish back into the ocean. He stretches his hand out toward the river, and very carefully, calls a minor water spell that plays with the current around Mikleo. The canal is small and a bit lacking, so he hopes this makes him feel better, like standing in a gust of wind when you're hot.]

[nerdeology]

He is, but that's not entirely why. It's a mutually beneficial thing- we both have a dream to pursue.

[Still, he's smiling as he says it. Their partnership had been something hard-fought and hard-won, but in the end it's worth it. They've both reaped the benefits many times over since then.

He glances down at the water as it moves around him, feeling the shift- the unnatural change making it do that. Being in-tune to the element means he can see it more in how the water moves rather than recognize the spell itself.]

...Is that you, doing that?

[arcanepower]

[Belth pulls his hand back, and there's an undeniable flush to his cheeks and nose.]

I-- I thought... it would be nice. [He halts the spell, suddenly very diffident.] I can leave you alone if you'd like.

[He shouldn't be wasting mana, anyway, but he thought if even a little bit could help, then it was okay.]

[nerdeology]

No, no, it's fine. It is nice.

[He moves his hands in tandem with the altered current, gently coaxing a spiral of water out of the canal to circle around him. It's been a while since he had the chance to work his magic into another's, and he's never done it with someone who didn't use seraphic artes before. It's fascinating.]

[arcanepower]

[That's the kind of encouragement he needs. He feels a little worry in his heart lessen, so he resumes the spell, only to see Mikleo doing something truly incredible with it. He can't help gasping at the spiral, so pure and beautiful, a gleeful expression of both magic and simple joy.

This is the kind of thing Belthazar could never do by himself. He has very little frost mastery besides being able to summon his water servant. Belth's genius lies in using magic to solve problems in innovative ways, not rewriting how the laws of magic work.]

It's beautiful...

[nerdeology]

[He doesn't miss that comment, and it makes him smile faintly to himself. The water snake circles around him a few more times before he gestures over his shoulder, and it creeps over to where Belthazar is, placidly weaving a path around him instead, rising and falling as if traveling over a series of waves in the air. As part of his carefully-controlled seraphic arte, the water is guided by pure mana, and it hums in the air like a song, peaceful and relaxing.]

[arcanepower]

[The elf lets out a tiny squeal of delight-- a rare noise for sure-- and covers his mouth. He watches the water dance like there's nothing amiss in the world at all. Such displays are usually man-made, and never quite as wonderful; Silvermoon has a habit of making things float just because they can.

But this feels right, mana and all. He breathes in deep as he reaches out to touch it with hesitant fingertips, as if it might shatter beneath his fingers and leave him soaking wet.]

[nerdeology]

[The water doesn't break apart or dissolve at his touch, though it does wiggle to get back on the path it's being directed along, almost like a creature squirming away from being touched. Loose droplets fall, clean and pure thanks to the effect of the seraphic arte. Mikleo's smile grows as he tilts his hand, causing the rope of water to twist like a spiral as it turns; this had been one of the more advanced tricks he'd learned when he and Sorey were smaller, on days when they couldn't go outside and ran out of books to read. Sometimes his element was better than any toy they had available, and Sorey always complimented him when he'd discovered a new thing he could do with it. He'd liked that.

Seeing that sort of wonder in the eyes of someone else is a nice feeling, too.]

[arcanepower]

[He's definitely impressed. The way the water turns and dances can't be anything but a high level trick. It's a nice flair, and Belth really loves how it looks as it twists through the air. He turns a little to follow it, much like a child chasing a dandelion puff; there is a distinct feeling that he doesn't let himself act like this around most people.

Then the dizziness returns and he has to sit down again, though he tries not to wince too obviously.]

I-I've never seen anyone control water like that, not even in a city of mages. I suppose I still have a lot to learn.

[nerdeology]

If I could control multiple elements, I doubt I'd be able to do this. It's a perk and a limitation, both.

[When Belthazar sits down Mikleo calls the water to him again, brushing his fingers through it before releasing the arte back into the canal. When he glances back, it's then that he notices the body language of his companion.]

...Are you alright?

[arcanepower]

No one else can do what you do. You should take pride in that.

[He takes in a deep breath to steady himself, and this requires his attention, which means there's a pause before he answers Mikleo.]

Ah, um, I-I'm fine! I am just a little under the weather myself. Nothing to be concerned about.

[That's a blatant lie, and he knows it, but what else is he supposed to do?]

[nerdeology]

[He does take pride in it- he wouldn't deny that. But there's always that desire, no, need to improve. For his own sake, for Sorey's. It would be better if he focused more on combat artes, but... well, a little bit of both can't hurt. Especially not here, when they're so much less danger threatening them.

Enough of that, though. He shifts in the water, half-turned, not standing up just yet but close.]

Is there anything I can do? You helped me, I'd like to return the favour.

[arcanepower]

[Belthazar bites his bottom lip, and he gets the feeling that he won't be able to keep lying if he's pushed. He slowly, deliberately pulls his feet beneath him. It's the kind of body language one sees in a child accustomed to running at the first sign of things going bad. He's scared of something and it's not Mikleo.]

Don't worry about it. I didn't-- I didn't do anything.

[He lets out a breath, lifts his head and tries to be as strong as possible.]

I should probably return to the Bishop. T-thank you for showing me your magic. I had fun today.

[nerdeology]

[He's familiar enough with this sort of behaviour to realize he's pushing where he shouldn't. The illnesses of mortals - or other species in general - is something he's only familiar with in terms of what he's seen with Sorey, but he's aware that some chronic sicknesses do exist- conditions that they might be afraid to talk about, or are embarrassing, or are too private to discuss with a stranger. Illnesses that can't be treated or cured.

He purses his lips and shakes his head, resting his hands back in the water. He doesn't want to cause conflict here, not when it's already more peaceful for the both of them.]

I'm sorry- you don't need to say it if you'd rather not. I won't pry.

[arcanepower]

[There's definitely some guilt and anguish with this. Even if Mikleo can't sense it, it's written on his face. Mikleo wants to help and Belthazar wants to let him-- he's learned to let people help-- but...

Light, he doesn't want Mikleo to think it's his fault.] I will be fine. Do not worry overmuch.

[He gets to his feet, using the railing to help. He breathes an apology, regardless.]

-- I am sorry.

[nerdeology]

[Ah.

Well. So noted for next time, then, assuming there even will be one. Mikleo watches him rise. He'd offer some assistance, but he's in no state to be of much use, and he figures his presence would be unwanted, anyway. Damn.]

There's... no need. Thank you again for your help.