Flashback Whispered Words (Verin)

[Venser Rush]

If his brother was surprised by the notion that Venser was clearing his mind before he was instructed to, then his experience with the craft of Magic was infantile, at best. It explained his uncertainty, and in that, Venser felt a measure in pride. Having not only read into the research of magic, but experienced it for himself, he knew, at the very least, that clearing the mind from all thought unrelated to the pursuit had disastrous results. Venser was unfamiliar with the discipline that Verin was to delve into, but if he were to experience it, he would, at the very least, adopt a similar frame of mind. A sense of superiority flooded the younger twin's mind, clouding his thoughts with pride as a grin materialized upon his expression. But, it quickly faded. Stop it. Let Verin do his work. Venser closed his eyes for just a moment before opening them. The first instructions were tedious, repetitive, and a clear sign of his brother's ineptitude. It set Venser on edge, even startled him slightly, but it also cautioned the young man that he was likely in even less danger than he had initially believed. One must know something in order to be a danger to others. Clearly, Verin is navigating blind through the cave of his own doubts. Then Venser noticed the change in his tone when he spoke anew, the command echoing in his mind, a most curious sensation... The boy obeyed his brother, hesitating for a moment, reconsidering it before he decided to allow his brother's plans to move forward. His legs swung off of the bed, feet meeting floor as he turned to face his brother. His head tilted just slightly as curiosity took hold. Crystalline eyes, just slightly off-focus in their stare, met Verin's as the boy laced his hands upon his knees, ignoring the prickling pain that moved through his right wrist and into his arm as he awaited his brother, imploring him to continue.

OOCSorry for the shorter post, bro ._. I can't really delve more into it since there's little else to lead in. On your next post, there'll be a better reaction, I swear D:

[Verin Rush]

As his brother sat up, Verin stood calmly by, watching the fluid movement his brother performed. It was difficult to know for certain whether or not the younger twin was moving because Verin had asked him, or whether, as Verin hoped, he felt compelled to sit up. There was no way to actually ask that question of his brother, though, without giving the game away. Venser might suspect, but if he actually knew, the purpose would likely be defeated, especially with one with as strong a mind at his little brother. Luckily, Verin had his brother’s undying trust on his side. Having something natural would most definitely work in his favour, as he didn’t have to spend much of his Hypnotism time artificially cultivating that bond between them. Instead, he could metaphorically dive straight in and start planting the seeds he wanted to. Gingerly, he also took a seat on the bed too. Though his breaths were not as obvious and defined as they were when he first started clearing his mind, he continued to breath deeply, more than usual, in an effort to remain calm and keep control over himself. He pushed himself further backwards, so that his back was resting against the wall behind Venser’s bed, and his feet were horizontal. “Look at me, brother.” He said slowly, calmly, though without the same commanding tone he had adopted last time. If he radiated a calm aura about him, then surely his subject would follow his lead. The Rush scion was keep to make this as easy as possible for himself, which was also why he was using Suggestion; it was the simplest method, and it was also the one that was most likely to go undetected by the subject, maximizing the chances of it working. There was, of course, the likelihood that his Suggestions would not be strong enough to last more than a few chimes bells, maybe even a day or so, if he continued to practice. If Venser looked at him, he continued to watch his younger brother, rarely blinking, though he allowed his eyes to go unfocused in an effort to keep them moisturised. “You’re not weak.” The melodic quality returned into the elder twin’s tone as he spoke a phrase that he had repeated over and over to his brother. Though it was a phrase that he suspected his brother had never truly accepted, at least when it came to their father. “Nor are you powerless…” He would go on, but the next mention Verin planned to make would be of their father, which would likely incite anger or other negative emotions that he didn’t want Venser to be feeling right now; anything of the sort would damage what he was trying to do with the younger boy. No, first he would see how well Venser took to what he had already supplied, and then he would continue on. From what he had read, everyone had a different mind, and they all worked in different ways. Venser was strong willed, but the trust that he needed was already there – Verin was unsure of the reaction he would provoke. Worst came to the worst, he would just have to continue with a few more simple things before he brought up their dear father. OOCI didn't offer you much to work from this time either this is exciting for me; I never have longer posts than you.

[Venser Rush]

The compulsion was an odd feeling. It was sudden, as if a different voice was compelling him to act. Venser could forge a hypothesis as to why, but without complete certainty, there was little point to voicing such concerns. Venser faced his brother as he spoke to him, the first command obeyed as he stared him in the face. The boy's gaze was rather glassy, yet receptive, the boy's full attention focused on his brother as a calm washed over Venser. His breath was expelled in slow, soothing exhales, his lungs filling with air moments after. Fingers brushed along the material of his trousers before they placed themselves at the bed, crystalline eyes filled with curiosity as Verin began to speak again. I'm not weak? The words that his brother spoke was... shocking, at the least. For his entire life, he was preyed upon by his father, shackled to the mediocrity that condemned the poor and the meek. He was damned, beaten, and hated by his father, steered to a point of total isolation by his suppressor. There was little he could do about it, his father both larger and stronger than Venser. Verin stood in for him when possible, but Verin also had the benefit of loving the man, being loved by him. His brother couldn't understand the utter suppression of being denied a life worth anything. Of course he was weak. But... maybe he wasn't? Was Verin trying to tell him something? He clearly was, because the next words only punctuated the point. I'm not powerless. I'm not weak... Clearly, Verin has faith in me... Of course Verin had faith in him. Verin was his staunch supporter, his educator, his provider in many ways that their father never was. The elder of the twins gave him the love that their father gave him. But, even Verin did not know everything. Even Verin could not always be there. Venser bore little resentment for it, because Verin didn't have to be there at all. In fact, the trust and love he had for his brother was what encouraged Venser to allow Verin to do whatever it was he was doing. A smile materialized across the twin's lips as he nodded in agreement with his brother, He's absolutely right. I am NOT worthless. NOT weak. Not powerless. The spark of the celestial exists within me. The power of Djed that Verin has learned to tap into... I'll ask him how he does it when he's done. Venser curled his fists as visions began to flash in his mind, of instances when he was weak. When he was powerless. Just last week, his father had proven that he was powerless. Bruises marked the boy's body, a single, smaller bruise just an inch under his left eye. He still ached with the injuries, only made worse with his recent, failed attempt at Malediction. His doubt returned as the memories filled his mind, Venser's eyes regaining their focus, just slightly as he asked, "What makes you think that I'm not weak, Verin? There's all sorts of evidence to prove you wrong..." Venser wanted his brother to be right. He wanted it more than anything, but he was unable to simple believe him. Venser's fingers curled into fists against the bed, the words he replied with infuriating him, the realization that there was no self-confidence, or faith, was crippling. I am nothing more than Verin's shadow. The bastard that killed our mother. The unwelcome addition that stole the place of the mother in the tapestry of this family's portrait.

[Verin Rush]

At first, when Verin watched his brother, he felt a sense of satisfaction at the expression on the nigh on identical face in front of him – it was one of peace and calmness, something that he did not see often on his brother’s face. He remained silent, however, not wanting to push his brother too fast, especially seeing as he was still learning what to do. He knew enough about Venser to know how he reacted to certain situations but, while he was playing with his younger brother’s mind, he was cautions, perhaps overly so. He could not be sure, but only by testing the waters would he learn how the ripples formed. He frowned as his brother spoke, though he quickly schooled his face into an expression of neutrality. It hurt him to know that his brother thought so little of himself, at least, in the shadow of their father’s free hand. “It’s okay, you can relax…” He spoke softly when he realized that his brother’s previously clouded gaze had started to focus again. “Just relax.” He paused for a few moments, hoping that the younger twin would settle down again, and return to whatever place in his mind her had been a little bit before, when he had lain on the bed. It didn’t take an observant person to notice the deep breathing: a common technique used to calm down. It occurred to Verin that he often heard such breathing from his brother’s bed at night, before they slept… he wondered how long Venser had been doing this, whether he was attempting to meditate at night, or something similar. He took a deep breath, thinking that his brother might mimic his own efforts to stay relaxed and gentle at this stage. Though the younger twin had suffered the worst at their father’s hands, Verin had enough bad memories of the man to make his own stress levels rise as he dragged up the past. He closed his eyes. Another deep breath. And a third. Then his pale blue eyes met his brother’s again. “Many things, brother.” He said slowly, simply, in response to the other boy’s question. He continued on as if they were just having a conversation, keen to maintain normality in spite of what he was actually trying to do. “You have gotten this far, haven’t you?” It was a rhetorical question, but he phrased it that way, rather than as a statement, because he wanted his brother to think about the answer, really think, rather than let it brush over him like it was nothing, irrelevant. That was the key, though. Verin could do nothing to change what their father had done to his youngest son; the damage there was most definitely done. But, more importantly, Verin wouldn’t even try to change it. Venser was what he was today because of the tormented childhood that they had both suffered through. And Verin loved the young man that sat in front of him; he would never try to change anything about who Venser was. He could, nevertheless, try to improve his future, the future that the Rush brothers would share together. Without their father. “You’re stronger than our father.” He uttered, maintaining the same melodic pitch and tone that he had adopted earlier. “You would never hurt a defenseless child. That shows you have all of the strength in the world…” to him, his own logic was flawless, and he hoped that Venser would see that to. But it was hard to know what to say to the boy; too much and Verin might give the game away, too little and the Suggestions would not affect Venser at all. He realised just how fine the line that he was treading was. Now that he had started, he was desperate not to fall over either of the edges, for his little brother’s sake, rather than his own. Another deep breath, eyes closed. And another. His breathing, for the most part, he tried to keep in synchronisation with Venser, so the breaths were long, rather than deep. Once again, he opened his eyes, feeling calm enough to tread the line whilst maintaining his balance. “You fight on despite his attempts to beat you down. Your spirit… it’s undamaged.”

[Venser Rush]

Relax... The words polled in his mind, swirling in the maelstrom of the boy's thoughts as he stared at his brother. The command was soothing... calming. Again, compulsion struck the younger of the Rush twins as he slowed his breathing, which had begun to climb in pace in his panic. He felt a deep sigh escape him as his crystalline gaze lost their focus for a second time, his stare glazed and foggy as his hands hung limp at his sides. His guard was lowered with Verin, allowing the other boy more ease in his actions, his tone swaying the younger brother as he continued to listen. It was akin to seeking guidance, his brother had always been there for him in their younger days, and he continued to do so now. There was no change, except in perception. His next words, however, struck him. I have, indeed. I have survived despite all of the evidence proving that I should not have. I survived, even back then, when Mother did not. I survived when I was beaten to the point of unconsciousness by our father several years ago. I survived, everything that hypocritical son of a bitch threw at me, and I won't be ended by a simple doubt. The ghosts of the past will not destroy me. Venser's posture adjusted itself, from a bent spinal column resulting in a sagging posture to an erect position, the boy sitting up straight and staring at his brother still as he clenched his fists again. Verin's next words, however, struck him. Stronger... than our father? Than the man who has beaten me for as long as I can remember? All of my... His thoughts were interrupted by the next words to leave his brother's lips. Never hurt a defenseless child... His brother's argument was persuasive, but his logic was flawed. Venser cast his doubts aside. Logic wasn't everything in the world. His brother was teaching him this, by a simple extension of faith, a hand outreached to coax Venser into trusting not only Verin, but himself as well. Verin knows me better than I know myself. If he believes in me, then I should believe in myself, as well. It was Verin's last sentence that truly struck him. Undamaged? His body may be beaten and bruised, his scars blazing their trail along his back and body, but Verin was absolutely right. His spirit was undamaged. The younger of the Rush twins was unfaltering in his desire to improve himself. Errors aside, he did not lose faith in the power that he wished to gain, in the abilities that he possessed. Venser was, at the end of all ends, the master of his own destiny. And that was what Verin was trying to show him. It was a flawless point, Verin's logic in this unparalleled. Father... No, Vilkas. Vilkas Rush, is not stronger than I am... Vilkas will NEVER damage me again. I'll make sure of it. Slowly, but surely, the relaxed expression faded from Venser's features, a grin slowly growing as his mind filled with the images of a world without his father. Independence. The true, unbridled freedom. Venser's hand rose from his knees, as if reaching to clutch the freedom that he so desperately wished for, fingers clenching into a fist, tightly rolling together, nails biting into the flesh of his palm as his eyes glazed over completely, losing their colour as Verin and the room surrounding the younger of the twins faded away. He was lost in his fantasy, enveloped by the manic happiness of it. He remained utterly silent for a full chime before his lips parted to murmur, "He'll be... Gone. Our father will not be my suppressor any longer, Verin."

[Verin Rush]

As always, he continued to watch his brother. This time, though, he was pleased to see that the relaxed, calm expression remained. The tranquility was not something that Verin got to see often on Venser’s face, and he decided in that moment that he would continue to use Hypnotism on his younger twin if it meant that he could see it more often. It was interesting, also, to watch the magic in action, to watch his brother seemingly come to terms with what Verin was implying, suggesting… asserting. He thought that it was working, and he was proven right when his brother finally spoke. “…Our father will not be my suppressor any longer…” The words were like music to his own ears; that, or something similar, was what he had been hoping to hear. That his brother would no doubt experience more beatings was something that Verin couldn’t stop, save trading places with the younger boy, as he often did. But, even with the abuse still going on, he hoped that it would not bring his brother down further, that Venser would start to have more belief in himself. Because What Verin said was true – his brother was not worthless, never was, never would be. In his happiness, Verin misses the sinister edge to his twin’s voice, that something darker might be stirring deep inside. “I am glad, little brother. Soon, we’ll be out of our lives for good. ” He spoke with feeling, the other’s calmness was radiating onto him, and the success put Verin less on edge. Though there was one more thing he had to try, to make it work. Without it, if his brother knew, he doubted he would be able to do it again. In order for the Suggestion to work, he would have to do it multiple times, or it would wear off… but if Venser knew what was happening it him, he would be more liable to fight it, which Verin didn’t want. “It’s not important, ” he said slowly, periwinkle eyes boring into azure, “how you came to feel this way… ” Verin wasn’t trying to make his brother forget, on the contrary, he hoped that his twin would remember every word spoken, just so that he could remember how much faith Verin had in him. All he wanted was to have Venser not question their conversation. In all truthfulness, thinking back, he probably shouldn’t have asked his brother if he could ‘try something on him’. That had piqued Venser’s curiosity more than Verin had intended. He should have just tried without asking permission, but Verin didn’t want to lie to his brother. They had little between them, and Venser trusted very few people in the world – to lie could ruin their relationship forever, if he discovered the truth. But, convincing him that what had happened wasn’t important… that might be a way out. “You and I shared a conversation, nothing more. And now we will work on your studies. ” It was crudely phrased, but if Verin was unsure of himself, or whether it would even half work, he did not betray it.

[Abstract]

Grade Awarded!

Verin

Skills

~ Socialization - 1
~ Meditation - 2
~ Rhetoric - 3
~ Hypnotism - 1

Lores

~ Using Hypnotism on Venser

Other

N/A

Venser

Skills

~ Socialization - 1
~ Meditation - 2

Lores

~ Venser Uses Magic

Other

+ 1 Small Canine Jaw Bone

Notes

Arrrrg... I keep mixing up your names. I was going to mention you guys should write more threads, but I'm taking it back now. This is too confusing :|

Whoa... big Hypnotism problem. During the first use, it was quite obvious that the twins didn't have eye contact. I'm pretty sure - especially for a novice hypnotist - that eye contact is mandatory. This was continued throughout. So... basically nothing there, despite all the uses. I gave one point for the general logic and effort Verin put through it, like the word choice, and especially keeping his voice calm and steady, but most of it went into rhetoric. Maybe re-read the lore article?

Not too much to give here, especially for Venser.