[For Steerpike] "The earth, the air, the fire, the water, return return return return..."

[silvereyedphage]

It's time the youngster learned to shield his mind properly: it's been a few years since they began and the young man has a firm grasp on the theory. Now it's time he put it into practice

Comments

[not_snake_bite]

Steerpike will come, on time as he always is, in his most dour attire.

"Master," he says, "I see you have called me once more."

He is pleased to resume training. It helps him re-focus - he's been... distracted... of late.

Not that he's complaining.

[silvereyedphage]

When he arrives, Muraki is at work drawing the circle, using chalk on the end of a long stick and leaving one bit of it open, since it will be closed later. "Yes, it's time your studies moved on from the theoretical and onto the practical," he says. "I thought we would start with simple shielding of the mind first. It's a vital tool that you'll need before you can move on to more intricate and dangerous workings.

"It has been some time since we last worked together, but there has been a lot to interrupt it. I trust you've used your time well?" he asks, nonchalantly, not expecting an answer.

[not_snake_bite]

"Well enough, my lord, though my studies were philosophical for a time," as well as carnal, which he is off course not mentioning.

"Have you been well?"

Steerpike should be all down-to-business, but he feels a sort of moral obligation to chitchat. He couldn't explain why, though.

[silvereyedphage]

He doesn't know what his student has been up to, but if he has any suspicions, there's no jealousy there, not any longer.

"I have been keeping busy, tending to a troublesome patient and teaching biology to some of the youths in the Mansion," Muraki replies. "Clever young minds, though not as retentive as you have been," he adds.

[not_snake_bite]

"You flatter me, Master," Steerpike replies, though he bows, accepting the compliment.

He steps into the circle, then, and says, "I am ready."

[silvereyedphage]

He'll close the circle with a final stroke of the chalk, then taking a clean lancet from his breast pocket, he unwraps it and pricks his fingertip, letting a drop of blood fall onto the chalk line, charging it with energy. The line might glow a little bit with a faint dark radiance.

He'll hold out the chalk to his student. "Inscribe a circle on the floor, enclosing yourself. This is to raise a filter before we proceed to the next step."

[not_snake_bite]

"Yes, master," he replies, and does so, tracing with clean diligence. His gestures are precise, calculated.

He's been practicing.

[silvereyedphage]

Well, that's an interesting development, he can't help thinking. The youngster always was rather precise, but this is unprecedented.

"Very good," he says, raising an eyebrow. "Now, breathe in slowly, and hold it, counting to three. On the third count reach into your being, feel the strength of your spirit. Then let out the breath, imagining that breath as a stream of energy, a stream that reaches the chalk line at your feet and forms a shield. Not a solid shield, but something flexible. something with give to it, like chain mail."

He's starting to rub his palms together, as he speaks....

[not_snake_bite]

Steerpike does as he's told, focusing his mind on the line, breathing his focus onto the walls he's building, thinking, or rather, trying to, think only of the task at hand.

Thoughts of Morgana are trying to weave their way into his mind, though, and it is difficult to resist.

[silvereyedphage]

"Concentrate... keep focusing on that shield," he says, drawing his hands apart as he holds a small orb of energy, about the size of a orange. He'll push it toward his student, rather than throw it. If the shield deflects it, the orb will bounce off and return to the master's hand. If not (and 'tis up to the typist), Steerpike might sense something like a static-electricity charged beanbag hitting him: it's soft, but it'll feel prickly.

[not_snake_bite]

Weeeeeell, he was busy thinking of the girl, he's getting egged for it.

The mini kame-ha-me-ha will hit Steerpike, and he'll blink.

"Oh."

[silvereyedphage]

"First attempt is always the hardest," Muraki replies. Then with a wry smirk, he adds, "And this is why I chose an energy orb: the man who trained me used cricket balls. Harder on the flesh as well as the pride.

"Shall we try again?"

[not_snake_bite]

He tries to shake himself out of it, rubs his hands (as if they were the problem), and nods.

"Aye."

[silvereyedphage]

"As before, clear your mind, or at the very least, push any distractions into a far corner of your mind," he says, rubbing one hand against another, gathering his energy. "Again, breathe in slowly, and hold it, counting to three. On the third count reach into your being, feel the strength of your spirit..." he continues, repeating the instruction.

[not_snake_bite]

Again, Steerpike does exactly as he is told. His movements are calculated, his face is expressionless.

He seems entirely ready.

[silvereyedphage]

He'll spread his hands a bit, another orb of energy between them and again, he pushes it toward his student, putting a little more force into it...