[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.