Closed [Gug Andjak]Inspection and Invection[Fallon]

[Clyde Sullins]

As they headed out of the citadel, Clyde listened to the woman's take on the subject. For a moment he tried to recall her name, only to realize he had forgotten it. Passing onward however he decided he would ask her of her name again later, and focus more on the lesson at hand. After all he did not want her getting any wrong ideas about Glyphing under his tutelage. "So, by inputting something in with the correct markings it is capable of transforming said djed into something?" Clyde shook his head, a motion that would likely be lost unless the female mage happened to look back then. He was going to try and clear up the point, only for her to continue on in her attempt at understanding Glyphing. "No, it's more than simply that. Djed needs commands, it needs to be more than just moulded into something. Instructed almost, given a series of sequences in which to follow out. Guidance around pathways to give an end result?" As she finished her take on Glyphing, they passed outside. Clyde felt the fresh air on his skin, and taking in a breath launched into a explanation of the woman's attempt at an explanation. “Ah, yes and no. Some of that it right, some of it is not. Djed can be shaped, it can be added together or put into its composite parts, it can be directed, and even stored. Yes in some ways the Glyphs do act as commands, telling the djed to do this or do that, within its limits. I think you understand the application of Glyphing well enough, however you seem to misunderstand the Glyphs themselves.” “Glyphs both mean nothing and anything. Two different Glyphers could use the exact same symbols and Glyphs, only for it to have a totally different outcome. That is because Glyphing is not about the fancy symbols or shapes or words or things, those things are of no importance. Instead it is about the intent one lays into those shapes and things. The meaning it has to you the Glypher.” “There are blocks of Glyphs which are common elements of a sigil which are common across Glyphers, however the form they take can widely vary. In some ways Glyphing is a universal language that all Glyphers can read. However you do not read the symbols, instead you read the intent in the layout of the symbols, and decipher the effects and end results its creator is attempting.” With his short explanation done, it seemed they were back to the topic of her magic. Clyde was interested to hear what she had to say on it, and to hear what she could do. "Good, so on par with the understanding souls have layers turn the attention to that of the astral body. As you said, the astral body is the reason why someone can move their body. It treats the flesh like a puppet, synchronised in movement. Now, with that in mind, what happens if you remove the flesh from the astral body?" Clyde was puzzled on this point. He knew that if one removed the astral from the flesh, then surely the limb it controlled would be unable to move... But what would be the point of that? "Well, using the puppet analogy once more the strings would have been cut and the flesh would go limp. And the astral layer still gives forth instruction." This further intrigued Clyde. How was it that if the astral layer was detached from ones soul, that it could still give forth instructions? How did that work? Along with that, what could this disembodied astral layer do, if it was not connected to ones flesh? "Now, those are perfectly mundane in every form and manner. Like... most books and ink really. Anyway, the astral layer is still capable of giving instruction despite not having flesh." "So, with that in mind, what of the possibility of willing expulsion of the astral from that of the body? Well, the same as above would apply. The strings that held the astral to the flesh would unweave and the flesh would go limp. But once again, we approach the question of what is the astral capable of?" As the woman spoke, Clyde once more felt a odd vibration across his skin. It was clearly reminiscent of djed, of some working of djed upon the air. Which likely meant the woman was performing some feat of magic. However he could not see anything, and was not sure what. She did however pose a question he had been considering not to long ago. What could it do in such a detached state? The intensity of the vibration upon the air picked up, rising to a crescendo, a audible pitch Clyde could hear in a odd way. "Well, as I said. It would still behave, it would still be capable of giving instruction and doing." Then something very odd happened before Clyde. The book before him had opened. As Clyde focused on the spot he swore for a moment he saw a slight haze, but as he looked directly at it the haze seemed to dim and become almost unnoticeable. Perhaps it had never even been there. But the effect on the book was obvious. Then there was a dance of motion, as the quill was dipped into the ink, and the wetted quill began to draw within the book, seemingly of its own volition. "I present to you projection. The manipulation of the astral body through detachment and djed." Clyde glared at the book for a moment, and then turned back to the mage, puzzling out what he had seen. Clearly what she was saying was that she could willingly detach her astral from her body, and then use it to remotely interact with something. This was clearly odd, but also clearly possible. It also suddenly explained the focus of djed remnants upon the arms, as surely those would be the limbs one would most likely detach. “Interesting... Now, how does one go about learning such a thing? I know of many magics, but I cannot think how one would learn to willingly detach ones own astral body. Also, what are the limits of this, its abilities? I see it can interact with physical objects, but what of other things? And can things interact with it? And what are its risks?” “Honestly, this reminds me of an ability of ghosts called soulmist projection, which allows them to move about things even though they have no physical form. This seems oddly reminiscent of that... In fact, its almost the exact same thing, even in name, except ghosts use their soulmist as a conduit since they have no physical body, and for you you do have a physical body and must do the added step of detaching the astral body forcibly. And what is that like, the process of detaching, and I suppose inevitably reattaching?”

[Fallon]

There was a moment of regard as she considered his words on Glyphing, her brow frowning as she tried to make sense of them. Read the intention, how was that even possible if each thing was different? Her eyes blinked at that thought, her mind flickering back and forth as she begun to loosely grasp upon the concepts. It was hard to find something she could compare it to, and whilst it may have seemed easier for the wizard behind her to explain - it did not mean she completely understood. Lips were wetted, and she saved her questioning for later.

As she gave her demonstration, she lifted the quill from the page and returned it to the ground. The ink was sealed after that, and the book promptly snapped shut. Her eyes however were fixed upon the expression of Clyde and the level of perplexity that seemed to be smothered by it. Astral fingers flexed, the disembodied element focusing for a moment. She thought upon splitting it, separating it out into two halves as she watched him come to terms with what was going on. Perhaps it was a difficult concept to grasp, or perhaps it was perfectly understandable - she could not get into his mind to attempt to explain it further than she actually already did.

Her brow did however crease when he began his questioning in a mad flurry, "Learn Projection? Can't be done from books if that is what you're asking. You would have to be initiated. And by initiated I mean your astral body is removed from your physical and put back in. Slowly, painfully, fiddly, very dangerous stuff. One wrong move and it's over, makes you little more that a ghost," She spoke firmly at that point, "At least, that is what I remember from my initiation. I do not know how to do it myself, or anything outside of the raw basic idea of it. It would be better to say I have had no practice in it what so ever, and thus would not take on another into this school simply out of the danger with it."

She shook her head, confirming her point and that there would be no further discussion on the matter of initiation from her perspective, "I am not sure on the limits. I mean, of course there is understandably range and of course time. One can only stretch the astral so far away. When I was younger it was only... a couple times my arms length I can reach. Now however?" She felt the astral limb split as she willed the shape to change into that of a long tendril that slice between where the fingers were. It was from there she gently picked the objects and returned them to her person, "The distance is greater and the time for which it can be exposed is longer."

She tucked the quill and ink into her pocket, and let the ethereal hand give a turn in the air. Somewhere within she was getting a slight buzz, but she did not dally upon that thought for too long, "Weight is another factor, only so much can be lifted at one time. Projection is like a muscle, it starts off weak and feeble and must be trained. If you over train it though, it can leave crippling consequences," she gestured down to her limp arm, "The limb can be left numb, weak... or paralysed. It could... possibly interact with other ethereal beings, and most likely vice versa. With that in mind they could probably damage the astral layer and of course vice versa."

Nodding in agreement to the soulmist projection she plucked upon her djed once more, "That is correct, it is similar par those things you noticed. The Astral must be detached by force and with aid of djed. I can't really... describe the process. To me it's like having a massive weave, strings are laced in together to create the cloth that makes the astral layer. But it is by the use of djed that it is unweaved, split and taken apart. And then when returned, that is how I restore it. Stitch it back together, weave it in, make it a whole piece again. But, as I said, that is what the process is like to myself. Everyone is different." She paused, contemplating on whether or not she should start reattaching it or not, "Does that answer your question."

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde listened, intrigued by the thought of being able to loosen his astral form from his body, to do as she did. Any information on it would be enlightening, and likely further increase he interest in the magic. "Learn Projection? Can't be done from books if that is what you're asking. You would have to be initiated. And by initiated I mean your astral body is removed from your physical and put back in. Slowly, painfully, fiddly, very dangerous stuff. One wrong move and it's over, makes you little more that a ghost." Clyde nodded. The magic reminded Clyde of Reimancy, and of how initiation worked for it. It needed another user to teach you, just like projection, and involved a invasive and possibly dangerous initiation which could easily get you killed if not performed well. "At least, that is what I remember from my initiation. I do not know how to do it myself, or anything outside of the raw basic idea of it. It would be better to say I have had no practice in it what so ever, and thus would not take on another into this school simply out of the danger with it." Clyde stared back at the woman for a moment, gazing into her eyes. For a moment a flare of heat and anger came to Clyde's eyes, as they bore into the woman. However as he recalled back to the times he had initiated others into Reimancy, and how he had felt the many times people had wanted him to teach them, his anger faded and a small smile returned to his lips. “Mmm... Sounds similar to Reimancy, at least in the dangers and circumstances of initiation, if not the exact way it is done. Though even in that regard in some ways there are commonalities... Perhaps that means we are kindred spirits, both of magics that require more than a book to learn to use them.” Clyde let out a sigh, not sure if he fully believed her however... But she seemed genuine enough, and so he would not press the point. He did not see it ending well if he did, so there was no point in pushing in its regard. At least not now... "I am not sure on the limits. I mean, of course there is understandably range and of course time. One can only stretch the astral so far away. When I was younger it was only... a couple times my arms length I can reach. Now however? The distance is greater and the time for which it can be exposed is longer." Clyde nodded. This seemed another commonality of Reimancy and Projection. Both grew in terms of distance of use and time of use as one grew more skilled. Of course Reimancy also had the factor of gaining various elements. And while in projection the time was limited due to strain or tiring astral limbs, in Reimancy it was due to res decay. And that was something that never totally went away, instead one simply became more efficient at transforming ones djed into res. "Weight is another factor, only so much can be lifted at one time. Projection is like a muscle, it starts off weak and feeble and must be trained. If you over train it though, it can leave crippling consequences." "The limb can be left numb, weak... or paralysed. It could... possibly interact with other ethereal beings, and most likely vice versa. With that in mind they could probably damage the astral layer and of course vice versa." Clyde nodded. It was good to hear of the downsides, to know of its limits and precautions that needed to be made... It was also interesting to hear of what could interact with it... Since if his transmuted Reimancy could interact with an ethereal ghost, surely then it could also interact with a astrally projected limb... "That is correct, it is similar par those things you noticed. The Astral must be detached by force and with aid of djed. I can't really... describe the process. To me it's like having a massive weave, strings are laced in together to create the cloth that makes the astral layer. But it is by the use of djed that it is unweaved, split and taken apart. And then when returned, that is how I restore it. Stitch it back together, weave it in, make it a whole piece again. But, as I said, that is what the process is like to myself. Everyone is different." Nodding, Clyde thought over the process. Surely if he ever did learn the magic, knowing such things would be useful. Often he knew with personal magics mentally concentrating on a process, even an imagined one, was helpful. "Does that answer your question." Clyde grinned back at her, still smiling, a sudden thought occurring to him. “Yes, that was more than helpful. Though it does make me wonder, what would happen if say... I used my Reimancy to make a fireball, and tossed it at such a projected limb of yours?... It seems like it would be able to interact with and damage it... But I do wonder what effect that would cause to take place. I mean what would it be like, having your astrally projected limb burned by magical fire? And what would it feel like once you reintegrated the limb... Would it cause lasting damage? Or damage that would fade in time... I do wonder how that would work...”

[Fallon]

Fallon simply stared back, unphased by the burning that rested behind her eyes and simply let it wash on past. There was the slow blink, her eyes looking down back to where her projected limb would be before she begun the slow and steady process of reattaching - no use having it out for display if it was not doing anything. She focused on the weave, the way the threads joined and came back together, winding in and out as she slowly processed it linking both together once more. Her thumb rubbed at the joint of her elbow, her lips pursing into a line as she massaged the muscles. Her eyes held when he spoke of being 'Kindred Spirits' however.

"No," she frowned at him, confused almost by his statement. Her head cocked to one side, lips parting as tried to comprehend what it was he actually wanted. Was he suggesting a trade or something else? Either way it made little sense, in her understanding magic was something that had to be earned not exchanged like common coin. The very idea made her internally writhe at the thought, "I do not think so. My words still stand as they are. I do not initiate, if not because of inexperience and theoretical in doing so - and thus wishing to avoid risks that could occur in performing such a feat - then also for the case of those I barely have known for less than a few bells at most."

Besides, why would she even want to learn reimancy from him?

Regardless, the wizard seemed to be thinking through the small display that was before him whilst she continued her slow reattachment. Whatever machinations were going on his head were beyond her, nor did she really feel she wanted to know what exactly the contents of them were. The wizards of Sahova were a strange breed after all. Her thumb continued to rub, pressing down along the veins as she willed the reconnection and laced it back in. The left hand gave a twitch, her lips pursing into a line as she focused and diverted her attention away for those few important moments. There was a wince of discomfort as the nerves burst into life, teeth grinding slightly as she focused on lifting numbing sensation and growing sensitivity.

"In terms of projection with other magics," She released a hiss as she massaged the muscle and willed life to return. The left fingers slowly bent and flexed, the subtle willed movements gradually being restored to the flesh, "I do not know. Nor do I really wish to experiment in order to find out. Would much rather leave such things to either reading about within my own time, or leaving it onto the field of battle - so to speak." She tapped the thumb and forefinger together, testing the motor control within the hand as she flexed the wrist out, "Though, if I was to make an educated guess I imagine that it would probably hurt. Possibly directly to the nerves instead of the flesh itself... beyond that I am not sure. You would have to ask someone else who follows within this school for an answer."

With her belongings now truly returned to her, Fallon gave a final, testing stretch before turning her attention solely to the man, "Now I have given a demonstration and answered what questions I can, I believe that is all I can do for you now... well, there is no use in keeping you nor myself from our respective activities, correct?" She gave a respectful nod, the thoughts ticking over on locking herself way within the box room with her supplies being all too pleasing of an idea. She cocked her thumb back to the citadel, already taking a step back in representation to her desired location "So... I shall be off. I'm sure you'll be able to find me should there be any other pressing questions you have on projection."

[Clyde Sullins]

Clyde has simply been speaking in generalities, his mind meandering to things that often others would fine off topic or not truly relevant. This was one of those cases, were he was not hinting or conniving or trying to move things in a certain way, but instead simply speaking of his own observations, of what he thought on things. So it was when the female mage responded in the manner she did, Clyde found her to have been quiite rude. He was simply saying there were similarities between the two, which from a certain stand point there was, and she had jumped off on a tangent assuming what he said was some demand for her to teach him it. Part of what he had been referring to was also people wanting to be initiated. Considering all of his time as a Reimancer, this was one thing he understood quite well. So in that one instance beyond the others, he trusted her words when she said she did not think she could safely do such a thing. He himself knew from his own experiences of a person attempting a Reimancy initiation without the requisite skill. Death would be all to likely if they lost focus or where not properly skilled. Along with that considering what initiation required, he did not truly trust her enough to put himself in such a position of vulnerability. "No,I do not think so. My words still stand as they are. I do not initiate, if not because of inexperience and theoretical in doing so - and thus wishing to avoid risks that could occur in performing such a feat - then also for the case of those I barely have known for less than a few bells at most." "In terms of projection with other magics. I do not know. Nor do I really wish to experiment in order to find out. Would much rather leave such things to either reading about within my own time, or leaving it onto the field of battle - so to speak." "Though, if I was to make an educated guess I imagine that it would probably hurt. Possibly directly to the nerves instead of the flesh itself... beyond that I am not sure. You would have to ask someone else who follows within this school for an answer." "Now I have given a demonstration and answered what questions I can, I believe that is all I can do for you now... well, there is no use in keeping you nor myself from our respective activities, correct?" "So... I shall be off. I'm sure you'll be able to find me should there be any other pressing questions you have on projection." Clyde grinned back at the woman, a bit of anger clearly ringing in his eyes, but more of a joking tone carrying over into his voice, a tone of barely repressed action. “Don't be rude. If you are going to listen to what I say, perhaps you should actually hear it. Perhaps you need your ears cleaned out. Where in that did I say I wanted you to initiate me? Or where in that did I say I even trusted you to initiate me? I was simply pointing out a fact, of the similarities. Perhaps if instead of listening for what you expected to hear, of me trying to force you to do something, you would hear what I actually said and meant, which is that our magics in that regard are similar. It is not a slight task or undertaking to impart them, nor is it something to do to anyone that you trust less than utterly. In both you put yourself, your very life, in the other persons hands. ” Cocking his head slightly, Clyde stared at the woman. “You know, your constant rudeness and hostility is starting to annoy me. I have been more than accommodating, and you seem to continue to be hostile regardless of what I say or do. You say you wish to learn, but you don't seem to have a very open mind, not when you interpret all I say in such a clear fashion which is different to my own meaning. Did you ever consider sometimes people simply say what they mean, and mean what they say, and do not have any hidden agenda behind it?” “I even offered to show you one of my magics, and was partially through the process of teaching you Glyphing, but you continue to be rude and find hidden meanings in what I say and do.” Clyde continued to stare at the woman, at the mage, and the two of them alone out of the citadel. “As for the reasoning in regards to projection and reimancy interacting... If you truly plan to learn of such things in the field of battle, then you are twice a fool. Magic is of testing and experimenting. Do you make an attempt at a new technique for the first time when a enemy is rushing at you to end you? No... You test and practice and learn of it, so that you know what the outcome will be should you find yourself in a combat situation needing to use it. You practice and experiment so that when your life depends upon it, you know the risk you are taking, and whether or not it will be able to save or protect you.” “If you wish to leave then do so. I have been nothing but civil, even if I have done so in my own unintended way, while you have continued to see into words and actions in ways they were not meant.” Of course, since Clyde had only covered a few of the topics of Glyphing, and had not even gotten to several sections of it, should she leave she would be no more able to use Glyphing than she could before meeting Clyde. But of course, Clyde reasoned to himself, this would be through no fault of his own, and through no lack of trying on his part.

[Fallon]

Rude or not was simply down to personal views and opinions. As far as she was concerned she felt probed, exploited and used to reveal the nature of her magic by brute force and demands. Something that in response left her only raising a single eyebrow as to what exactly was rude about her actions. She had tried to politely step away from the situation, twice now, had not made any demands to learn outside of the simple questioning of knowing what was being done, and looked only to leave the man be afterwards. There was no request for formal lessons, nor was there and acceptance of a contract as such from herself. No agreements had been made, merely offered - unless of course there was some underlying hint or clue that spoke otherwise.

She had attempted to maintain a level of respect, had spoken of the base understandings of her own arcane abilities, and in return was left with back handed comments. It was confusing to say the least. And with the way the man was spouting on, making his demands and his own hostile nature grated against her. Which was why now she herself had fallen into little more than the thoughts of retreat and escape. Paranoia called her, rubbing firmly and reminding her that Sahova was most definitely not a safe place to be in - and so she set herself to leaving at the first possible moment.

Musing, she likened the situation to communicating through a wall of glass - the movements were seen but the words and context were lost in transition. If there was less dancing around the subject from the other and a more definite line of thought, then no doubt the situation would have been easier to read. And with the lecturing tone it did little to instil the urge to stay or even consider truly listen any more. There was only a look back, a neutral, unmoving mask of an expression leaving the words to enter, and wash on past. It was only then that it became clear of the divide between mages and way they were, the majority behaving more like him, whilst the others were discarded to the side without a second thought.

Fallon turned her head away, silent, and continued her walk back up towards the citadel. Enough was enough, and waiting around any longer would achieve nothing in her eyes. Without pause the cold stone of the citadel greeted her and the stagnant air entered. Solitude was the chosen destination now, and she would get there even if it required her to be 'rude'.

[Ink]

Let me see what you have done with your ink. Clyde Skills Auristics 1 Carving 1 Deduction 1 Glyphing 1 Interrogation 2 Intimidation 1 Logic 1 Philosophy 3 Teaching 1 Lores Names Before Questions Stealth Glyphing: Channeling Magic Rather than Blocking Layers of the Soul: The Astral Body Projection: Manipulation of the Astral Body Soulmist Project and Projection, a Connection? Bitzer: The Projectionist Loot Reimantic Earth Cube, Glyphed to channel djed to avoid it. Fallon Skills Auristics 3 Interrogation 1 Logic 1 Philosophy 3 Projection 1 Subterfuge 1 Teaching 2 Writing 1 Lores Glyphing: Magic Squiggles Glyphing: Effects Other Magics Glyphs are Personal Symbols Clyde Sullins: Arrogant Mage Between Black and White If there are any concerns or problems with my grading please feel free to toss me a PM. I am more than happy to explain my reasons or reevaluate them if you feel I've been unfair. Also please remember to edit your grade request as graded or delete it if possible. Thank you, Ink