Mingle Post for Solace

[reflectedblight]

Who: EVERYONE
Broadcast: N/A
Action: On Solace
When: Second half of January

[Start your own headers, fix ships, buy stuff, get on those hoverboards, whatever!]

Comments

[nerdeology]

Yeah... that can work, I think. If we run out we can just use ice.

[Too bad Edna's not here, then they'd have plenty to work with.]

Well, Sora? Want to give it a try?

[notzubats]

Okay! Here goes!

[He takes a deep breath and concentrates on the junk. He even holds out his hand, trying to focus as much as he can. It's pretty clear from his stance and his face, he's trying really hard.

And yet, nothing happens. No swell of power, not anything. He keeps trying for a few moments more before giving a sigh]

Nothing.

[sylphystia]

[Dezel isn't terribly surprised. He leans in to whisper something to Mikleo.]

Should I scare him a little?

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo's not surprised either - probably going to take more than a quick psychology lecture to resolve this problem - but it doesn't mean he can't be a little miffed. Figures that life won't throw them a bone. He mumbles back,]

I'd prefer we not get ourselves blown up.

[notzubats]

[Sora meanwhile is over here, trying his hardest to focus again and get his powers to work. But um yep. Still nothing]

[sylphystia]

[Poor Sora. He sounds like he's about to explode.]

All right, all right. Don't give yourself a headache.

[He walks over so he can plop his hand down on top of Sora's head and rustle his hair a bit.]

What are you thinking about right now?

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo snorts faintly but doesn't comment. Dezel, you'd better not go doting on him too much. They have to be firm with him, here!]

[notzubats]

[He peers up through his bangs at Dezel as he rustles his hair]

How it'd be real nice if my powers would go off on that junk?

[sylphystia]

[He smiles a little, shark teeth evident.]

If emotions are what bring your powers out, nothing short of righteous indignation is gonna work.

[He leans in a little.]

Time to get angry, short stack.

[nerdeology]

...Are you sure we want to be starting with that one?

[Anger can get... kind of explosive, can't it?]

[notzubats]

[!!!!]

I'm not that short!

[ANGER METER RISING...]

[sylphystia]

I have some experience with it. [He shrugs. He'd rather have exploding things than like, getting his head blown off.

He leans down to rib Sora more... and use his head as an armrest.]

The little girl we traveled with was taller than you.

[Edna is not really a little girl-- she's older than everyone except maybe Zaveid-- but that's neither here nor there.]

[nerdeology]

[...Huh. Well, it's working, at least. If they're making this bed, might as well lie in it. Mikleo circles slowly around them, brows lifting thoughtfully.]

You know, you're actually right about that. What age would you say Edna looks, 11 or 12?

[notzubats]

[GRRRRRR.

He makes a little growl and shoots them both glares. He is NOT smaller than a 11 year old girl!! But at least he has enough focus to know that he should be trying to channel that anger into his powers and not at these two.

And so, while fuming about the insults, he focuses on the junk again. This time, he feels the energy build up. It's not that strong, he's not that mad, but it's there, and there's enough to use. And so he'll do just that.

It's not an explosion this time, like when he's startled or afraid. Instead, there's a slicing sound near the junk. Almost like it's been hit by some invisible blade, one fast enough to break the sound barrier. It's not strong enough to cleave the junk in half, especially the steel parts, but there's a clear slash mark that cuts across the pile.]

[sylphystia]

[It's small, but it's a huge step in the right direction. Something in Dezel's stance relaxes after he sees the result. That had been a very fast attack. Given time and training, Sora might even be able to fight toe to toe with a seraph.]

You did it.

[Dezel's all but glowing. He ruffles Sora's hair again, as if to apologize for the teasing.]

[nerdeology]

...Wow.

[Mikleo whistles quietly, leaning out from behind Dezel (where it's safe, because come on) to examine the damage.]

Not bad for a shortie.

[Clearly not going to apologize for the teasing. Look how effective it was!]

[notzubats]

Yeah! I could feel the energy so I just focused on the stuff and it happened-!

[He did it! He really did it without it being an emergency! Though Mikleo's remark sure gets the seraph a look and a little half-hearted huff]

Hey. Knock it off.

[sylphystia]

Next time you feel it bubbling up, you can control where it goes. I told you it wasn't impossible. It's just a matter of recognizing it and learning not to fear it.

Can you do it again?

[Dezel casually rests his arm on top of Mikleo's head since he's right there.]

You're a shortie too, you know.

[nerdeology]

[Mikleo scowls and bats Dezel's arm away. Shaddup.]

My height has nothing to do with this.

[ANYWAY.]

Try again, just by thinking about it rather than by hearing anything we say.

1/2

[notzubats]

Again?

[Right, okay. What they are saying is making sense. So he takes a deep breath and goes quiet as he tries to think of things that make him mad. Insults, cheating, unfair treatment....yeah, all of those things make him pretty mad alright.

It takes a bit, but soon the thoughts are fresh enough in his head to start to build up some of the energy. Recognize and don't fear it.

He focuses on the rubble. And again, there's a quick slash that cuts at the junk. This one isn't as strong as the last one, but there's still a prominent slash mark there.]

[notzubats]

[ --!

He looks up, surprised]

- Hey! It actually worked!

[sylphystia]

So it did.

[This is good, good news.]

Now that you can do it at will, you'll be able to practice on your own, too. [He glances at Mikleo.] Should he move on to other emotions or do this for a while?

[Since, you know, Mikleo is clearly the only one who knows what he's doing.]

[nerdeology]

Much as I'd like to say no, repetition is key... it isn't like anger is the only one you're having trouble with. Once we know a method for each, practice is something that can be done in your own time.

[In other words, he's got shit to do besides this, and there's only so much they can help with.]

What's another emotion you have difficulty controlling? One that might cause damage around you.

[notzubats]

[He gives a nod to that. Right okay, practice on his own is something he could do]

Fear, for sure. I always have trouble with that one.

[sylphystia]

[A very good point, and true enough. Not that Dezel has much to do besides... his actual job... which he sometimes blows off for no reason, but no one can argue that he does well when he's there.]

It's hard to control being startled. It's your body's automatic response as it tries to protect you. [Hmm...] If you can sense someone coming before they attack you, that gives you a little more time to think things through.