[OPEN TO PLEROMA] MAGIC TRAINING!

[wolof]

WHO: Pleroma interested in ~*~magic~*~
WHAT: Magic Training!
WHERE: Outside Greentruth
WHEN: Mid Visoseri
WARNINGS: none anticipated - if any are needed, please PM me and I'll add them!

Deep beneath Greentruth, on the forest floor, is the safest place, to keep the city free of errant fire spells or other such dangers, and a few of the paths down are lit with dancing lights -- when caught with the right angle -- point arrows down, to the forest floor, below the large trees and the city nestled up within the branches. Daylight cuts and filters in, but the entire area is lit with lanterns and fires throughout the space that was chosen. The large area is divided, different sections, signs, clearly laid out paths with torches, all to illuminate where the sunlight doesn't cut, and ensure that the foggy, deep forest is bright enough for those who want to study magic can do so. The space is...about as clear as it can be, given the location, although there is still plenty of wildlife and plant life that has been..."gently" encouraged to move out of the way, so the paths between each area is clear.

For some time, during the "symposium", at the top of every hour, a spell was let off that was all illusion, a flare that careened upward to announce the presence of the magical gathering in the forest floor below. Although there had been a communion, only days prior, to announce the gathering, there can be no mistaking where this gathering is meant to be.

[Target Practice]

Set a bit away from the center bonfire of the gathering was several wooden, human shaped frames, set up at varying distances from the cleared area. Some were tucked behind half cover, behind a tree in the far distance, or as if they were "crouched" behind a gathering of ferns. The entire area is lit with overhead lights, to keep the mists and fogs at the forest floor from encroaching too much. There's also plenty of replacements set to the side, painted neatly, in case anyone gets too...destructive. A few (although not many) seem to have a small, glowing rune carved to the base, and shine with what looks to be a veneer -- it's a weak shield working, to be sure, but they'll be less easily destroyed than the others. They're interspersed throughout the "shooting range", and there's a starting area constructed from a fallen log to set where the "shooting" space was.

Off to another side, set against a small table, are a collection of clay pigeons. There's a box to the side filled to the brim with the small... they're closer to clay plates painted colorfully, but it's rather easy to see what they're set up for. There's no mechanism to launch them into the air, due to budget -- but if you can find a way to launch them... or if you can convince a buddy to throw or magic them into the air, it's fair game to throw them off and deep into the forest, and see if you can hit them!

[Sparring Ring]

Closer to the central bonfire is a large rope barrier set into a circle. The stakes are each inscribed -- again curious workings from the hostess -- although this is designed more to keep things in, than out. Not people, of course, once in, one can leave just as easily as before, but there's a perceivable shiver when one passes through -- a shield to protect wayward spells from leaving the encircled area. A small sign posted -- with perfect painted calligraphy -- explains that this area is for practicing magic duels. Either from one on one fights -- or even two vs two or larger -- and while the space isn't huge, it's certainly set up with enough space for several people to move around in comfortably, for a friendly wizard's duel. A final rule at the bottom does dictate that participants should "avoid lethal damage".

There's even a small set of logs outside the ring for spectating, arranged neatly and purposefully as seats, one can rest up or cheer on their friends from the sides, if you're so inclined.

[Obstacle Course]

The entrance starts with a sign -- off to one side, a pathway marked clearly into the forest. It's listed as a "Practice Course", and includes a statement that warns for "sudden enemies" that are littered through the dark and dank woods beyond -- and also that it's not really set up for true beginners. (Or you can go anyway, you do you.) The path is lined with small motes of light, that guide one throughout the pathway and the course. You can run, you can walk, but eventually, you'll come upon the first obstacle, a felled tree across the path, followed by a pit dug into the earth right behind it -- nothing dangerous in the bottom (of course) but you'll come out covered in mud -- before the trail continues deeper into the forest. The lights are present to lead one from the entrance, and along toward the exit -- it's a good length, and designed for someone to make their way through the entire thing with caution. Several wooden targets are littered throughout the path -- some even move, either up and down, or side to side, to hide from cover, enchanted with another low-grade cantrip to move, so as not to be too easy. Several more "pitfalls", and even a large pit at some point, one must use their wits and magics, to get across.

Or, you know, walk around it, if you're so inclined, although that's hardly the intent.

There's plenty of creativity with the falls and obstacles, and at a good clip, takes about a half-hour to walk. And who knows, maybe there's something out in the woods that caught sight of the light, and moved closer to investigate...

[Scholarly Pursuits]

For those who are not inclined toward battle, there is always a need for more than just those who fight. Finding ways to do that is the tricky part, often. While one can go to battle, and weave great workings and spells, and fight an enemy, there's just as much merit in the pursuit of knowledge, of using your magics for more than simply war. In that vein, there is a section set up for precisely this purpose. Perhaps you want to sit and think for a bit about how to combine your own power with an ally's, or even to think through how to make it work. Sometimes just putting a pen to paper is enough to get the thoughts flowing.

It's difficult to lug furniture of any sort from Greentruth to the floor below, but molding and sculpting the area to work for this purpose is important, so there are fallen tree trunks that have been split to create large tables, and logs left everywhere to create into seating. There are large sheaths of paper, ink, and quills, all set up for theory and magic. There are no books -- although if they are brought and shared, all the better. Dancing lights coalesce above, almost galaxy-like in the way they gather together, to offer light for those that want to spend time studying.

Beyond the paper and ink are materials, small shards of metal, barks, plants, dirt, and other sorts of things that could be considered... "material components", as it were. Collected with are, and laid out along the large table in dishes, to be used if needed in ones own magical study.

[Fire Pit]

Of course, what gathering would be a true gathering without a fire? It's warm, with seats all about, reminiscent of the sort of thing one would dig when roasting a large beast. Seats all around, from cushions, to stumps, rocks, and even some blankets, all set up for relaxing after a long day of working hard -- or for those who want to spectate!

The fire has a beast on the spit -- something purchased within Greentruth clearly -- and large enough for an entire gathering of people. There is a display laid out on one of the largest stumps, with plenty of vegetables and fruits to roast on the fire or simply eat, and another stump has plenty of bottles of wines, liquors, and even some juices about to be sampled by those who need a little break, or at the end of the day. The fire doesn't seem to need fuel, and doesn't get extinguished, but burns cheerily, creating a centerpiece to the entire gathering for those who need it. The drinks aren't frosted, but there's plenty of practice to be had by simply chilling one yourself, or asking a friend to do it!

Comments

[wolof]

[ She wasn't sure what kind of abilities Toge had, beyond his speech, so she's curious to see what he can do. The light wasn't particularly fast, but she didn't doubt that that was intentional, no need to go in guns blasting -- either because they were allies, or because they were testing the waters of capability.

A few words in high arcana blossomed from her hands, the make and shape of them indecipherable to the untrained eye -- one would gloss across them if they are perceived, unless one knew high arcana already -- and she wove a small shield to diffuse the energy before her. ]

You can try to hit me a little harder! [ she said with a small laugh, although her fingers danced like a piano player, forming another spell, which left the ground rumbling beneath him. Nothing particularly dangerous, but annoying, and hard to concentrate around, for certain. ]

[snakeandfangs]

[ it's light, how can light actually hit anyone harder? he's more or less caught in thought, determining whether he can actually generate enough force to make it go, before watching that shield bloom in mid-air. ]

... ?!

[ interesting. okay. he can learn from her, somehow. toge's about to try to create his own before the ground starts shaking beneath him, and his eyes widen--- expecting something to burst from the soil and swallow him whole.

but after a moment or two... nothing. he can continue to ride the trembling earth for a few more seconds. it's kind of fun? ]

Konbu, konbu.

[ right. okay. harder? he can try that. keeping his balance, toge pulls his hands back, past his head before shoving the air forward. the same colored light accompanies a burst of wind. ]

[wolof]

[ It's strong enough that Akua has to steel herself to stay up. It's interesting to see Toge use his abilities, particularly since their conversations thus far have been rather innocuous, other than the slight diversion about his power.

But he has more than just that, not that she doubted it. She kept the abilities light, in response. She didn't know if he was going easy on her or not yet. She waved a hand, and the rumbling stopped, as sudden as it started. ]

Wind and light, hm? Any other elements for me? [ She sounds amused. Most magical fighting she'd done had been much...higher stakes than this. It's... a nice change of pace. She created another working, but held it in hand, instead of letting it free. She didn't want to up the intensity yet, not until she knew if it would put Toge in danger. ]

[snakeandfangs]

[ the more toge gets used to it, the more fun he's having. allowing motes of light to sort of sparkle in front of his face is... mesmerizing? like fireflies of his own creation, moving around to make various shapes. a square, a circle, a fish, onigiri... onigiri again.

he looks at her and nods emphatically. ]

Salmon.

[ but there's a twist, and toge's not afraid to try this. it doesn't seem like it'll have a strong effect in general--- just a way to slow her down before his 'attack' reaches her. ]

Don't move!

[ and then he lets a few of those fluttering lights go, in the form of actual sparks. ]

[wolof]

[ Akua can feel it, the moment his words hit her ears. Her lips spread into something closer to a grin, even as her body shuddered to a halt, one hand held up in a fist. That's more like ti.

The effect holds her well enough, although she'd been Spoken to plenty, she can feel the edges of the Name she was to claim balk at such a thing -- for who could tell Calamity what to do? As it is, though, the presence, a new, familiar friend, is still only a burgeoning whisper, not fully formed, and thus the ability of being Named is not with her, so her resistance is only will, and little else.

She is able to open her hand, slowly, enough that a small blossom of darkness swallows the lights that draw near -- not Night but the principle is the same. ]

[snakeandfangs]

[ his sparkles fade, being swallowed up right before his eyes. it's his curiosities that slow him down, in a sense--- that he wants to make sure he's understanding everything that happens. otherwise, in cases where he may not have time to appreciate the kind of magic being used, he may not know the best path forward: to defend himself, defend a friend, even defend...

well. he won't get that far. the only thing he can really betray is his own belief in people.

but now that she's somewhat out of that command, he won't feel as bad going for another cantrip attempt: a stream of water, again not the most powerful! he just wants to see how she deals with it. ]

[wolof]

[ It's interesting, to be tested by someone who doesn't know the vast span of things that Akua had done. She'd never really sparred before, her magics were quite a bit more... explosive -- like the superweapon one pulled out during the Turn -- but she knew the principles enough. It's a new way to exercise, and one she's not used to.

A stream of water is different, and there's a pause, as she considers. It's just a stream of water, after all. Efficiency demands little more than a shield to keep her dry, but the point of the exercise is to think it over, right? What would be most efficient? Catherine would have some cobbled together, wild idea about turning it to steam, while Masego would simply let it vanish before his eyes. Akua, though -- she was a touch more practical.

It's a simple spell, that she casts, nothing requiring high arcana, and when the water drew near, she moved forward, to touch it with her finger, the spell to cool it to freezing left her at the same time, letting it turn to ice, and fall to shatter to the ground.

She followed up with a small spell to draw them upwards, in a halo, before she let one fly --- again, trying to see what he would do. ]

[snakeandfangs]

Tuna mayo!

[ how amazing she is in his eyes... utilizing said magic in ways that are just creative enough to make him clap his hands. less so as the ice whizzes towards him, but still! he'll have to think a quick and fast way to deal with those frozen fragments.

he could also just raise a shield. maybe do something he's already done; surely a gust of wind would do the trick? no, toge will try another element he hasn't touched yet. as he raises his hand, making a mock gun with his thumb and index finger, toge's grin matches the twinkle in his eyes as he mutters to himself: ]

Pew pew.

[ like a gun, only instead of bullets, this one spouts out a burst of flame that envelops those chunks of ice. of course, what he forgets is that ice melts into water.

and that water splashes into his face. ]

Ah!

[ surprise... ]

[wolof]

[ It's just ridiculous enough that Akua's shocked a little bit from her faux-serious stance, and the hovering working of ice shards clattered to the ground and shattered.

No, she really can't help herself. There's a peal of laughter as she held a hand over her mouth, clearly, that one caught her off guard. ]

That's one way to deal with them.

[ Although the splashback... ]

It's a good thing that was just water, huh?

[snakeandfangs]

Salmon...

[ he also laughs. it's funny, he can't deny it. a mistake, though it could be a serious one, is still... it requires some of that levity. better to laugh in the face of danger than cower. ]

... konbu.

[ just wait a moment. he can dry himself off? with some of that wind? should be easy to, and he does it without issue.

but maybe he should try something different now? honestly, he wants to see what she does again. with a smile, toge holds out his hands and beckons to her. ]

[wolof]

[ When he beckoned, she waited for a moment considering. Here, she couldn't do some of her favored techniques, like create portals, or summon devils from the hells, skills that she had lost, when she arrived here -- or more likely, the realms that she would travel through are gone.

Besides, she isn't keen on simply laying waste to Toge with a devil. This fight doesn't warrant it.

She does, however, want to do something interesting. Her fingers swept in front of her like a pianist plucking those wiggly, rapidly vanishing from thought letters, before she put it together in her mind.

The ground rumbled, once again. Earlier, she'd dug pits, out in the woods using this technique, but this time, she let the ground drop under Toge, the excess dirt rising to create higher walls. He wasn't far -- about a ten-foot high wall when it was all said and done. She wasn't trying to hurt him, after all. ]

[snakeandfangs]

[ at first, he wonders what kind of amazingly cool magic she's going to treat toge with--- he soaks up all of these possibilities like a sponge, bright eyed and bushy tailed, more than happy to take it all in (and the potential dangers that accompany them) so that he can become the best toge that he can be.

what he doesn't expect is... the ground suddenly giving out, but also expanding? surrounding? toge's reaction time is almost enough, as he scrambles to try to climb out, but to no avail. ]

... tuna! Tuna, tuna!

[ hello... anyone up there...? ]

[wolof]

[ It's a trap, of sorts! Akua looked up at the high walls of earth, and listened. There was no other danger here. No water at the bottom, no poison, really. Just earth.

For her, it's borderline kind. ]

Oh my, did I do that?

[ She asked, her tone loud enough to be heard, but teasing. ]

You can't jump it?

[ She almost felt bad for him. Woe to Catherine, who taught her to Care about people. ]

[snakeandfangs]

[ of course she did that! toge huffs, puffing out his cheeks in a childish manner. he's pretty sure he can't leap this entire wall all by himself--- he knows a few that certainly could, but no. he'll just have to make his own way out.

making handholds in dirt. bursts of water and then fire, to moisten and then harden without making it too crumbly. it takes a few moments, but eventually he sort of makes his way out with a lot more effort than he thought he'd have to use and then... flops out and over.

landing on his feet, toge lets out a long sigh. ]

... mentaiko.

[ damn. ]

[wolof]

[ When he pulled out of the high walls, and landed on the ground, Akua clapped, honestly surprised, but impressed. He clearly hadn't just leapt out, and she leaned forward, peering up at the high walls. ]

I'm impressed. Did you make a ladder?

[ He'd clearly been working his way out of there, but she was curious what he'd chosen.

She snapped her fingers, and the ground fell back down, not level now that it had been disturbed, but a mound of dirt, as it fell back into place. ]

[snakeandfangs]

[ leaning over, he puts his hands on his knees as he does his best to catch his breath. definitely going to need to take a seat soon and enjoy some water and fruit for some much needed energy, but. ]

Salmon.

[ as he dusts off his hands by slapping them against his thighs, toge nods. just in case he wasn't heard. ]

Salmon, salmon.

[ whew. ]

[wolof]

[ She laughed, and it was delighted. ]

Incredible! I would have just made a door, but that's so clever! It's also a unique way to surprise an enemy, if you climb out and surprise them.

[ He looked winded, though. She paused. ]

Do you... want to take a break?

[snakeandfangs]

[ and now he winces. a door definitely would've made more sense. toge offers a few nods, standing up straight and stretching out--- first reaching down to his ankles then up towards the sky. a way to get himself loose.

not wanting to overuse the food words, mindful of not sounding repetitive, he nods before pointing toward the refreshments. ]

Tuna, tuna.

[ they look tasty, don't they? any offering of food and drink makes toge a happy boy. ]

[wolof]

[ She laughed, and nodded. ]

I have a bit. I managed to get something on the spit, and there are drinks... [ She paused. ]

Although, being an overachiever, I didn't chill them... I thought it might be a fun exercise... but some might be too tired.

Oh well, warm drinks never hurt anyone, hm?

[snakeandfangs]

[ well, that's fine. he flashes her a thumbs up. the fact that she set this up in the first place should be celebrated; having everyone train together... it's a welcome experience.

but then he shakes his head. no warm drinks needed. he raises a hand and with some effort, conjures up cubes of ice. just a few. ]

Bonito flakes.

[ no warm drinks! well, unless they're supposed to be warm. ]

[wolof]

[ Akua smiled, and clapped her hands together. ]

Yes, precisely! See? Even small ways of practicing can make later workings easier.

[ A beat, then. ] Shall we? We'll find something deserving of that ice.

[snakeandfangs]

Salmon!

[ yes, they'll definitely find something. man, he's pretty lucky to have met akua here.

hopefully that magic practice will come in handy sooner rather than later!!! ]