Of course. [He steps back to let Kimihiko inside, and while he doesn't outwardly show the effects of his insomnia, the careful stack of teacups in his sink tell a different story.]
Well, such things are worth taking the time to make sure they're done right.
Then, you're here for your lessons. In which case...[He holds up a COMP, before offering it to Kimi.] I'm still teaching you the hard way first, but I'll unlock skills on this as you learn. I'm sure you can work out how to use it.
Now then. [Where Naoya pulled out a piece of chalk was anyone's guess.]
I told you before, magic is composed of two parts--ritual and will. For some forms of magic, the ritual is as simple as spoken word or mental acrobatics...in others, they require grand, over the top gestures and arcane grids.
We'll start with something simple. [He waved Kimi over to a part of floor which was bare, and leaned down, tracing out Kenaz--one of the simplest runes.
Which then promptly burst into a tidy little flame on the floor, burning in the confines of the symbol. Naoya was pretty much unconcerned with it.]
The runes require more will than ritual, so we're starting there. Kenaz is a rune for a torch and can often be used for fire.
[Holding out the chalk.] Focus on what you want to do and do it.
[Kimihiko starts at the sight of the fire, raising an eyebrow. Naoya doesn't seem concerned about it and he supposes it's stuck within the symbol - or else the place would catch on fire fast.
Taking the chalk, he studies the symbol and tries to focus on it. Willpower, huh? He had no doubts this would be difficult. Fire, then. He did his best to keep his mind from wandering, trying to repress everything that wasn't relevant and focus on the magic as he retraced the symbol.
...he hoped that person was not paying attention to this. If he was still there and he picked up on this skill, that would be dangerous. But no. His mind couldn't be allowed to be distracted. Focus on the fire, he warned himself. Not Lucy or Shinji or anything else. Just the fire.]
[There was a crackle, a spark--that became a sharp bang of light, but no fire. Hmm.
...Agitated, are we? Take a deep breath. Do it again. [As if in taunting, Naoya waved a hand as his own burning rune--a simple gust of wind to blow it out. It came effortlessly to him now, but he had centuries of practice.]
[He watched, expression flickering as the fire went out, before turning back to the ground. Alright. Distractions had to be supressed. He could do this. He could do it. He could do it. Kimihiko Ooe had never had anything but faith in himself, except recently. And so help him, he would not let that get in his way. Lucy could not take everything from him as long as he held onto his self-control.
Kimihiko took a deep breath, then another, drawing in air still heated by the no longer burning rune nearby. This time his focus was more narrowed, his awareness of the room reducing to focus on the space in front of him. He traced the symbol out in his mind before tracing it out on the ground.]
[He registered Naoya's words and focused his will on the flame again. It's easier said than done. This was an accomplishment - a start, but an accomplishment. Sustaining it would be harder. But he couldn't let himself think of that. No, to think of difficulty was to limit oneself and to limit oneself was the worst thing to do.
It was not enough to create the fire, he had to keep it there.]
[It was a drain on the body, wasn't it? Naoya wasn't watching the rune, or Kimihiko's gesture, but Kimihiko himself. Waiting for that moment, right at the edge of absolute exhaustion.
[He kept going as long as he could, trying over and over again to sustain it. It was exhausting him with each try. But that moment came as Naoya watched, his body teetering on the edge of collapse.]
[He reached out without any sort of warning, his hand closing around Kimihiko's wrist. His skin was cool to the touch, and surprisingly smooth...before he let his own power crackle through the touch.
Naoya hated being touched for such a variety of reasons. Partly because he knew how fluid power was...and if he was giving it, it was on his own terms. Reversing how drain worked wasn't that hard if you knew what you were doing...
Just extraordinarily dangerous.]
You're still thinking of trying to do it. Stop thinking and just do it.
[Kimihiko nearly leapt out of his skin, a startled cry escaping him as his head snapped towards Naoya. The sudden flood of power through him, replenishing his own lost energy was both painful and revitalising - more so as it coursed through the deep bite left by the gnomes. It was a shock to the system that he'd never experienced before.
As the shock eased, his mind registered the words. Stop thinking and do it? How? The statement was annoying even to him and he felt his face twist slightly into a grimace before turning his attention to the rune again. There was a surge of anger within him at that statement- Yes, so easy for you, I know! I am working on it! -before he determinedly threw everything of his will into the rune. Aided by anger, his mind was far less focused, far less restrained. There was no room for thought.
Flame soared into life, aided by anger and the sudden flood of power. Unrestrained and harsh, casting orange flickering light against his skin.]
There are computer parts all over his table, and a pair of COMPs sitting near him. It looks a lot like he's been working on about a billion things.]
Kimihiko.
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So that's what you have been up to. [It explains the man's quietness, at least.]
May I come in?
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Well, such things are worth taking the time to make sure they're done right.
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Yes. I understand that. [His sharp eyes take in the stack and note them. Odd. How much did Naoya drink?]
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Then, you're here for your lessons. In which case...[He holds up a COMP, before offering it to Kimi.] I'm still teaching you the hard way first, but I'll unlock skills on this as you learn. I'm sure you can work out how to use it.
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I'll figure it out. Thank you.
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I told you before, magic is composed of two parts--ritual and will. For some forms of magic, the ritual is as simple as spoken word or mental acrobatics...in others, they require grand, over the top gestures and arcane grids.
We'll start with something simple. [He waved Kimi over to a part of floor which was bare, and leaned down, tracing out Kenaz--one of the simplest runes.
Which then promptly burst into a tidy little flame on the floor, burning in the confines of the symbol. Naoya was pretty much unconcerned with it.]
The runes require more will than ritual, so we're starting there. Kenaz is a rune for a torch and can often be used for fire.
[Holding out the chalk.] Focus on what you want to do and do it.
Reply
Taking the chalk, he studies the symbol and tries to focus on it. Willpower, huh? He had no doubts this would be difficult. Fire, then. He did his best to keep his mind from wandering, trying to repress everything that wasn't relevant and focus on the magic as he retraced the symbol.
...he hoped that person was not paying attention to this. If he was still there and he picked up on this skill, that would be dangerous. But no. His mind couldn't be allowed to be distracted. Focus on the fire, he warned himself. Not Lucy or Shinji or anything else. Just the fire.]
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...Agitated, are we? Take a deep breath. Do it again. [As if in taunting, Naoya waved a hand as his own burning rune--a simple gust of wind to blow it out. It came effortlessly to him now, but he had centuries of practice.]
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[He watched, expression flickering as the fire went out, before turning back to the ground. Alright. Distractions had to be supressed. He could do this. He could do it. He could do it. Kimihiko Ooe had never had anything but faith in himself, except recently. And so help him, he would not let that get in his way. Lucy could not take everything from him as long as he held onto his self-control.
Kimihiko took a deep breath, then another, drawing in air still heated by the no longer burning rune nearby. This time his focus was more narrowed, his awareness of the room reducing to focus on the space in front of him. He traced the symbol out in his mind before tracing it out on the ground.]
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[He says it, as a flame bursts to life in midair, sparks raining down on the floor. A simple flare, unsustained, but fire nonetheless.]
...Try to keep it burning this time.
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It was not enough to create the fire, he had to keep it there.]
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It'd come sooner or later.]
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Naoya hated being touched for such a variety of reasons. Partly because he knew how fluid power was...and if he was giving it, it was on his own terms. Reversing how drain worked wasn't that hard if you knew what you were doing...
Just extraordinarily dangerous.]
You're still thinking of trying to do it. Stop thinking and just do it.
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[Kimihiko nearly leapt out of his skin, a startled cry escaping him as his head snapped towards Naoya. The sudden flood of power through him, replenishing his own lost energy was both painful and revitalising - more so as it coursed through the deep bite left by the gnomes. It was a shock to the system that he'd never experienced before.
As the shock eased, his mind registered the words. Stop thinking and do it? How? The statement was annoying even to him and he felt his face twist slightly into a grimace before turning his attention to the rune again. There was a surge of anger within him at that statement- Yes, so easy for you, I know! I am working on it! -before he determinedly threw everything of his will into the rune. Aided by anger, his mind was far less focused, far less restrained. There was no room for thought.
Flame soared into life, aided by anger and the sudden flood of power. Unrestrained and harsh, casting orange flickering light against his skin.]
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