[The Bronze Woods]Ode to Nexusaches [Clyde]

by **Ball** on October 31st, 2015, 10:22 pm

"My Speaking"

My Thoughts

70th of Fall, 515AV
2 Bells After Of Earth and Clay

Ball was only briefly able to recall the fast paced combat that he was a part of. Just briefly though before his nexus stabbed at him with a sharp reminder. The Pycon groaned and tried to lift his arm over his face, doing his best to shield Syna's rays from his monocular vision. It wasn't a task Ball wanted to force, but the goddess was just too damn bright and it was hurting, yet no sooner did he lift his arm did his body threaten to revolt and toss whatever bits of clay he may still have within his being.

He had brief recollections of euphoria and power coursing through his limbs, it lingered there and he felt the hidden pull of desire weakly before the unyielding torment of a nexus-ache and his left hand seemed to scream as if it unattached for sometime in the most violent of ways. He recalled briefly that it was removed, he briefly knew the surrounding circumstances. Yet Ball didn't want to dwell on it, it only made his nexus hurt even more. Thinking hurt. “What the petch did I do?” He didn't expect an answer, but he was beginning to start to realize other sounds around him. There was the sounds of horses trotting slowly along, their hooves clicking on the ground against stones and twigs. There was something underneath Ball, something he could only assume was his faithful mount. So someone did manage to find me.

The squired clay tried his hardest to recall the brief seconds that were there prior to the fight, and then the fight itself. It was all a fog. As if there was something blocking his clarity of recollection. Ball knew what it was, judging from the pounding ache his nexus was recoiling repeatedly back at him. Nivel. Bloody Hai what did I talk you into? Yet his nexus only returned with the whispers of a single word and the glimmering memory of the mage's fingers imitating an explosion. He tried to shake it away, but his nexus released the memory on its own, it was a slight relief to be rid of the temporary feeling of guilt, but it was quickly replaced with the numbing nexus-ache and the heavy like iron limbs.

Ball didn't move, he didn't want to. Not yet, Imass's heavy panting and slow pace was enough to lull the pycon into a sense of easy-going traveling, a small chance to allow his nexus to relax. A frowned creased his face though, it wasn't entirely an uncommon look for Ball, but he just thought of something. There was someone else there, I recall them speaking, something about a dog.. And then something else, something about surrendering was it? I don't recall… it seems so blurry. They are okay I hope. Surely they must be, I remember the knights arriving, they are surely the ones escorting us home. Oh gods bed.

Credit :

by **Clyde Sullins** on November 2nd, 2015, 1:31 am

As the group had wandered along at a slow but steady pace, Clyde had kept a watch on Ball. Once the knights had shown up they'd dealt with the bodies, bound the bandits, and collected their things. They'd checked on Ball, put him back on his mount which Clyde had run into on his way to save Ball, and then headed back to the city.

Clyde wasn't a master of navigating, but considering how long he'd been travelling before he ran into Ball, he figured they would be back at Syliras in another bell at most. Then again, he also wasn't the best at keeping track of time, so perhaps he was off on that. In a simple attempt at checking the time, he compared the location of the sun in the sky, but that didn't work out to well either.

It was not directly above, but he couldn't recall if it was before midday, or after... Plus he forget which side the sun set on, so couldn't tell by the direction they were heading back to Syliras when it was. All in all, it was perhaps a good thing he'd run into the knights, as in hindsight he realized he might have been slightly lost. He did his best to observe his surroundings, to note the paths and trails the knights took, and to make a mental wilderness map, which might make later trips easier.

But then again his wilderness skills were little better than his skills at navigating said wilderness.

However Clyde's focus had been on the squire he'd been walking along with, or more to the point his aura.

Clyde had been working on reading the Pycon's aura back when they'd been attacked. He'd not stopped in the intervening time as they'd been walking along, and so had gleaned quite a bit from the tiny clay man's aura.

He wasn't sure if the other knights were mages or not, or if any had a grasp of magic. But if they did they hadn't noticed Clyde using his Auristics, and hadn't said anything. But then again with his skill even if they'd been a mage, they likely wouldn't have detected his more subtle use of magic unless they'd been similarly skilled in it. And Clyde, being modest, was quite the expert in aura reading.

Along with that Auristics being so passive, it was not one easily noticed, and didn't tend to draw attention. Perhaps if he was a novice using it, staring at his target, one might see. But with his skill direct eyesight was no longer needed, and proximity to the target simply made his work easier without perhaps being a full necessity.

In the time that he'd been inspecting the pycon he hadn't noticed him stir at all. Instead he'd been focused on the things within him. He'd drilled down, starting off by inspecting for djed residue. Clyde had learned long ago that personal magic left residue of a sort on ones aura, something that could be seen by a skilled enough aurist. When he'd checked the Pycon's aura he'd not seen much, and it had been focused in his limbs.

Considering what he'd seen when the pycon was actively using the magic, it further seemed to prove that he was using the flux, since the djed remnants were limited to areas commonly affected by spells of that magic.

However with his target unconscious or unaware, and knowing so little of the clay man, he was having trouble learning much more. He'd felt a few odd stirrings, and seen some spurts of things that might have deeper meaning, but he wasn't sure what they'd meant. Plus he had seen a weird image of a piece of clay shaped into a ball. He had no clue what that was about.

As his mind wandered and the examined the brown river of djed that was the pycon's aura, or how he interpreted it, Clyde saw motion both with his mundane sight and his magical one.

Along with a sudden motion of awareness, Clyde sensed a stab of pain pressing into the pycon, and radiating off of it. Clearly the pycon had done too much magic, and was now suffering the ramifications.

“Ah, I see you are awake. You stressed yourself quite a bit back there in our little battle. It seems I appeared just in time.”

Bending down a bit closer, Clyde whispered to the tiny clay man.

“I'm Clyde by the way. Never caught your name. And your a mage right? I saw the magic punches. Though you didn't seem too in control. You seemed to be enjoying yourself a bit too much for that...”

“Have you had much training?”

by **Ball** on November 6th, 2015, 3:16 am

"My Speaking"

My Thoughts

OOCIt is so hard to write good socialization threads for Ball lol. At least this thread actually serves a plot right?

Ball bristled a bit, he felt a chill ripple along his nexus and body before he shuddered, it was a bit breezy and the pycon just assumed it was that. There was silence though, well as silent as a wing of horses carrying armoured men, a panting dog, and a man walking could possibly be amongst the solitude of the woods. The man had spoke though, sometime after he stirred enough to return to the realm of consciousness and Ball grimaced as he nodded, he could feel just how much he stressed himself out there physically.

The man leaned to speak with Ball, his shadow loomed over both dog and squire, causing the dog to stop walking and growl deeply. A press of Ball's hand though calmed Imass quickly enough – there already was enough sound going on around the pycon that he didn't need more sound and rumbling underneath his being to make the nexus ache any worse. The man's name was uttered, but it was quickly forgotten, Ball had no care to recall names and the next set of words further cemented a thought in his nexus. It was less a set of words and more of a directed question.

The three inch squire sat up and turned to look at Clyde, “I. Am. Not. A. Mage.” It was clear in the way Ball spoke those words that he seemed serious in what he thought. The rumbling of his voice was enough for one of the knights in front of them to call out, “And I am sure the other squires don't seem themselves as punching bags squire Ball.” The squire obviously ignored the knight's comment and Ball's hand balled into a tight fist, the anger that flared up didn't make his aching nexus any better, nor did the memory of the idiot throwing flaming spheres at him and nearly die in the resulting Hai. Just because I know a single type of magic doesn't make me a mage… Does it? The pycon's eye narrowed a bit, his hand relaxed, it was too much effort to keep it balled up like that, it just hurt too much.

“I barely know the…” Ball paused, unsure of what to say , “I barely know… it.” He spat the word 'it' out as if it was a vile word. He looked at the man, “Why does it matter to a citizen anyway? Ball couldn't recall the last time a citizen actually cared about the three inch squire. Ball only really meet with squires or knights… He met with maybe two or three citizens of the Fortress City.

WC: 435

Credit :

by **Clyde Sullins** on November 6th, 2015, 3:30 pm

Clyde had to fight a smile as the tiny dog growled at him. It wasn't even a proper full sized dog, not like Rye his own, and certainly didn't appear too intimidating. However feeling like grinning as the dog growled at him might be rude, he fought the urge for a grin to break out.

However when the pycon then professed with serious vehemence that he wasn't a mage, Clyde did let a small smile cross his lips. He wasn't sure who the pycon was trying to fool, but he doubted even anyone without auristics as he did would have missed the magic the tiny clay soldier had used.

But then again, Clyde thought to himself, he had been around magic for most of his life. He knew the signs, had seen the particular magic before, and knew to look for it. So perhaps the magic hadn't been so obvious as he'd thought. Plus with his Auristics sensing another mage using a spell was as simple as sneezing in a dust clogged room.

Plus he wasn't just any aurist. His touch was both skilled and subtle, even other lesser aurists had failed to detect his probing touching. From what he'd examined of the pycon he didn't think he had any other magic besides the flux, but he couldn't be sure.

Apparently Clyde wasn't the only one to hear the pycon's words, as a knight spoke up in a somewhat mocking manner in response to the clay man's words. If nothing else Clyde learned from this that the knights knew the clay man was a mage, and that his name was squire Ball. Suddenly that odd flash of an image, of a wad of clay shaped into a ball, made sense. From the aura of anger radiating off of the pycon almost palpably, he also knew that he was perhaps quick to anger.

Of course, he likely could have told that from things already past. But, Clyde reminded himself, it always helped to have extra supporting evidence.

When the pycon Ball did speak, it was with a somewhat familiar tone. It was clear that the clay man didn't care for magic, not even wanting to refer to the thing by its name. He made clear he didn't know much of the magic, which seemed to further his earlier assumptions that he wasn't skilled in the magics use.

Clyde responded quietly, speaking directly to the pycon, though it was possible the others might overhear his words.

“Why does it matter to me? Because, you clearly need help with controlling it, and I believe I could aid you in that need. I know control. I've been about, learned things, learned skills, and know of such things. Magic is magic, but it has similar roots, and I've seen others with your magic before. Flux I believe?”

Clyde kept walking along, his hand rubbing along the length of Cha absentmindedly, the motion possibly drawing attention to the length of blue wood.

“I know control... And I could likely teach you what you need to know to harness your magic, and not let it run loose and wild as you were before.”

by **Ball** on November 7th, 2015, 6:18 pm

"My Speaking"

My Thoughts

The citizen smiled, it was small but clear to the Pycon's vision, it was enough to want to send a heavy handed punch at the man, the will to do so was there. The strength though, that was lacking his limbs seemed to weight far more than they should have and it was weighing heavily on the ache that Ball currently felt in his nexus. It seemed like almost every single grain of clay in Ball's body was weighed down with iron ore. His hand clenched into a fist nonetheless, his nexus churned to will the hand to swing upward at Clyde, but as it lifted from the soft fur of Imass it trembled, barely getting off the dog's back before flopping back onto the dog and falling open.

Even with the display of anger that rippled heavily through Ball's being and his core was shaking with the urge to cause physical harm across this man, he could do nothing about it. Even through all of that Ball could do nothing but listen to the quiet whispering speaking of the man, he sounded almost like he was a mage. The knights surely knew nothing about this citizen other than he happened to be in the right place at the right time. Yet when Clyde spoke, he spoke with assurance and he spoke of knowledge. Control? I am in control… I am… He barely nodded at the last question, it was as if he didn't care to call it was it was still.

I already know about meditation. It isn't very useful… Staring PyconNivel said it would get easier… Better if I keep going with it though. What more can this larger pycon teach me that I don't already know? Ball did his best to sit up, it was a slow process with each shifting adjustment shooting dreadful stabs of pain into his nexus. It took a few ticks before he was sitting enough to not require support of his arms. Dizziness ensued but it quickly went away when his nexus was able to settle into a more comforting position within his body. Petching Hai Staring Pycon. Ball grimaced though, he never felt like this before and it wasn't something he wanted to deal with again – if he could help it. Looking up at the man – this citizen that had more knowledge it appeared than even Staring Pycon (whom Ball used as his source of all magical inquiries which weren't many) – “You speak as if you have intimate knowledge of how to control this…” Ball paused once again, he wasn't comfortable saying the thing out loud yet and the internal battle tore his facial expression into a blur of expressions.

It is time I came to terms with what you have been ignoring. I can admit it to Myself alone but amongst my peers: knights, squires, and citizens I are afraid to admit the truth. I am not ready though. They are not ready. I am in total control of what I can do. Aren't I?

Ball's face went from the convoluted mess of expressions to a look of sheer emptiness, he was thinking deeply at this point. I understand I overdid it back there. I reached beyond the norms of my body. But I was in utter control. I was able to stop myself. I did stop myself… Before I was too late. I did. Didn't I? He looked at the man, “I was in control of it.” He paused, a look of confusion on his face, “Wasn't I?” The look of confusion was traced with a glimpse of worry. His nexus rumbled with it's aching but a flash of a memory bubbled to the surface. It was Nivel with her explosion symbolism.

“I don't want to explode.” he muttered to himself.

WC: 632

Credit :

by **Clyde Sullins** on November 7th, 2015, 7:16 pm

Anger burned from the pycon as easily as heat burned off a hot coal. He'd learned the tiny clay man was quick to anger, but he was also clearly a violent person.

As Clyde spoke to him, his response was another hot flare of anger, and this time it was paired with violent intent. His intent rang off of him as the violent action of attacking and punching. However from the feeble movement of his arm, it was clear he was stopped by his own physical condition.

But from what he saw of his intent, it was not for a lack of desire or trying. No, Clyde was fairly certain if the pycon hadn't been so incapacitated he'd have leapt upon him and already attacked the Chaon.

Of course with having seen some of the pycon's actions before, and seeing the anger paired with the honed focus on himself, perhaps some of that was just an assumption his mind made from what he saw and interpreted in his aura and body language.

It was likely good, Clyde realized, that he was speaking to him about this while he was in such a state. If he hadn't been they would likely have had to fight, and that could as easily ruin everything.

He wanted to gain the pycon's trust, but the clay man wasn't making it easy.

At his first words recognizing that Clyde spoke as one with true and wide knowledge, Clyde smiled once more, though not at the pycon but at himself and his own response.

And perhaps a small bit of the smile was in recognition of the clay man once more refusing to call what he did magic.

“I do. Not this thing specifically, but in general, yes, I know what must be done, how it is does, and such. I know of the processes, and of the subsidiary skills that aid one in their use. I have been studying it most of my life.”

“And I have taught such to others before. I've had other students, those with such powers but not the knowledge or skills needed to control them. Even one with the same type of power as you use, I believe.”

Once he spoke he seemed to calm somewhat, the red hot anger simmering and cooling somewhat. It seemed if nothing else a good sign that he was becoming open to listening and not ready to attack the messenger for his message.

At his next question, a almost desperate one of the clay man hoping for Clyde to answer with an affirmative, to say what he wanted to hear, Clyde knew he could not. Telling him what he wanted to hear wouldn't help, and a sad frown crossed Clyde's face as he knew what he must say.

“No, my little pycon, it was in control of you.”

The bit about exploding though confused Clyde.

“As for exploding... Ah... I've never heard of that particular example of overgiving, but well... I'm not an expert on your specific magic so don't know of its common effects of overgiving, nor am I familiar overly with how your race reacts to such... But I've never heard of someone doing that specifically.”

“You used it out of joy, did you not? I could see the joy in you, the pleasure, as you used your magic. Perhaps the first one you were in control, but the second time... The second one, I do not believe so. That pleasure, that joy, that was the magic, that was its controlling you. Was this not explained to you, by the one that taught you?”

Clyde paused for a moment, in his explanation, giving his possible student a moment to think through Clyde's words.

“Joy and pleasure are some of the most common ways that magic extends its grasp on you. Other times, it will be more physical things, or even feelings, or desires, or words spoken to you. I couldn't list them all. But when you do magic not out of need, but because of one of these things, because one of these things drives you and makes you want to use it, then it is the one in control. Perhaps you were in control of the spell, of what you did, the effect, but of the choice to do the spell, to do more magic, that I believe was influenced by the effects of the magic. You may justify why you did it later, but in the moment and in truth you will know there was no true need.”

Clyde paused for a moment, perhaps to lay it on a bit thicker, perhaps simply to make clear his words. Or perhaps without even realizing it Clyde was casting doubt on the pycon's actions, and twisting a more honest action into a more confused one and leading him to the conclusion Clyde desired.

“Tell me, in truth, did you NEED to do the last spell? I've seen you fight, and you seemed quite skilled. There was only one bandit left for you to fight. Are you honestly telling me that without magic, you could not have defeated that one bandit? If you can honestly say that you needed that magic to defeat that last bandit, then you are right and you are perhaps in control. If not... Then I am afraid you need my help more than you realize.”

by **Ball** on November 7th, 2015, 8:44 pm

"My Speaking"

My Thoughts

When Clyde answered his first question it wasn't entirely surprising to hear it, he admitted to not having used the magic Ball, but he also continued on and explained that all the personal ones seemed to work on the same premises. Ball briefly recalled something about djed and he took that as a point to remember and then quickly let the thoughts drift away as he listened even more to Clyde.

It was the second question that Ball had asked the answer wasn't expected, it was the creasing of Clyde's face with a frown that told Ball what he was going to say, the words only further jabbed the realization in place. Ball didn't realize that he spoke his fear aloud there, it wasn't his main fear in life, but it did involve Flux specifically. It apparently was not actually known if Staring Pycon's statement of exploding was true or not – It feels real enough to happen.

Clyde went on though, he spoke of joy – of pleasure at the use of it. Ball turned his gaze from Clyde, if Clyde could still see Ball's face though he would see a look of confusion, of trying to recall those moments in time. He did briefly recalled a feeling of power, of invincibility but he could not recall joy at this moment in time. Ball could only assume that it was indeed joy and pleasure he felt. Yet when provided a question Ball stopped his attempt to recall how he felt and tried to recall the day Staring Pycon taught him and Squirrel Pycon the art of Flux, or at least start it. It was as if her voice drifted briefly into his nexus, his lips muttered the words briefly as he recalled them, “...you feel an unbelievable craving to do magic you have hit the point...” The point of what though? He couldn't recall the rest of what she said around it though, not that it really mattered though she did make mention of something along those lines and it appeared that it didn't matter for Clyde continued on with his more extended detailed lesson than Ball was willing to admit. His nexus wasn't aching as much as it has been but it was still there… Still showing it's annoyance with Ball nonetheless.

Yet the words he was speaking were making sense. When Clyde paused and Ball looked back up at the man's face, trying to study his facial expression and see what he was feeling about Ball and his stupidity, yet there was no glimpse beyond concern that Ball could see, it appeared to the Pycon that the citizen really was there to help Ball.

“I only recall the first time. I felt power, then exhaustion. There was a boot, it was coming down and fast. I had to react. I wasn't fast enough though. His boot came down and pinned my hand between the ground and his foot. It hurt, I couldn't stop my momentum though. Oh gods it hurt. But combat… I was in a life or death situation, I didn't have time to think about the pain.”

Ball paused, this was the first time he could recall doing what he heard others do, analyzing attacks and scenarios post-combat. He was debriefing a citizen as if he was a knight above him. Yet he couldn't stop himself, “I reacted. I know I felt anger then. The petcher took my hand, it was only fair I returned the favor.” Ball laughed at the words though that Clyde spoke, apparently the citizen didn't know Ball and even the Knight from earlier chuckled yet made no attempt to provide answers.

“Gods no. I reacted, I didn't use it again...” There was doubt felt in his words just then, “I didn't need to use it. Why would I have? I have punched knights in armor and dented the plates. I have knocked teeth out of a Blue PyconImass the Akalak, I have torn the skull of a vomiting bird from it's body. I surely had no need to use it again… Even if I did.” Ball looked away, the look of confusion etched his face, I didn't react again with magic, I couldn't have. I was in control of my body. Sure I was not in control of my emotions… I was in control of my body. Yet he doubted it still that he was really in control of even his own body now. A master of pyken – and something as natural as the inner workings of his soul were beyond his control? No. I do not believe I allowed my body… My djed to control me. Ball looked at his hands, they were open and palm up. His left wrist held the faint crease of clay merging with clay still as his body mended itself together once more. Another feeling though accompanied his nexus ache – hunger.

“I am hungry though. Is that… Normal?”

WC: 820

Credit :

by **Clyde Sullins** on November 7th, 2015, 11:51 pm

Clyde listened as the clay man explained the fight, or at least the last bit of it against the lone bandit.

He nodded along at certain details, as they lined up more or less with what he'd seen. Ball didn't know it, but just as now Clyde had had the pycon within his aura sight for the fight. He'd seen his attacks, seen how he'd fought, has seen the shifting of djed as each spell was used after the first.

He nodded along for the most part, not paying total attention. After all, he'd just seen the fight, seen it from all angles and from none, seen the affects on both Ball and the bandit he'd been fighting.

It wasn't until Ball said he hadn't used but the one spell, that Clyde stopped short. He froze in mid step, then turned to face the pycon's face as he'd been gazing off down the path before.

After a moment Clyde remembered himself, and began to walk along with the group once more, catching up after a moment next to Ball and his dog.

“Yes that's... Yes, being hungry after using magic is normal, especially if you strain yourself. But Ball... You...”

Here Clyde paused and leaned down, whispering as quietly as he could for the pycon alone.

“Ball, I saw you. I was watching you. Watching YOU. You used two spells. You used another awhile after the first. I saw it. I saw your magic, saw the shifting, you did two spells.”

Clyde stood up straight, shaking his head.

“This is... Worrisome. I knew you didn't have full control over it, and weren't too skilled but... If your magic is using you to do spells without you even realizing and willing it... That's bad Ball, very bad.”

“There are worse things that can happen Ball, worse things than exploding or dying. The worst things of overgiving, is when you live, but lose yourself. Not like you get caught up, but literally like a bit of yourself is lost. Not all effects of overgiving are so physical. If you lose control, and your magic takes you down that path, you'll no longer be you.”

“I can help you Ball, if your willing, if you'll do what needs to be done. But by what you've said, it seems all the more imperative that you do so immediately, before you do any more magic.”

Staring at the pycon, meeting his eyes, Clyde glared with his most serious and intimidating gaze.

“Promise me. Promise me now, that you won't do any more magic, until you've gotten assistance. Promise me you won't do any more magic, unless under the direction and watch of another mage. Promise me Ball. For your own good.”

by **Ball** on November 8th, 2015, 12:59 am

"My Speaking"

My Thoughts

Ball shook his head, it was a sharp and clear left-to-right motion. This was going on while he dug his right hand into his torso, he seemed to be feeling around and eventually pulled out what appeared to be a large wad of darker clay. Using his left hand he pressed the tear into his stomach as he grimaced a bit before taking a bite out of the clay wad. “I never did a second spell. I think I would know what I did and didn't do...” It appeared Ball was going to say Clyde's name and immediately paused, it was clear that he couldn't recall the man's name and with that he frowned before shaking his head a bit and then took another bite from the clay wad.

“Even if I did cast a second spell. How could it do something without my telling it to do something? That's just… that's just crazy.” Yet Ball was starting to recall something briefly about the fight, a surge of power, a faint trace of the emotions he felt early surged forward as he chewed the clay in his mouth. His nexus ache was fading away more and more it seemed with each bite, but Ball was sure that was just his imagination, there was no way it would go away that fast. Yet Clyde kept talking, something about it being dangerous and worrisome. Ball just nodded, his nexus though it was elsewhere. He was trying to recall what it felt to have that rush and thrill. The… What did he call it? The joy, the happiness? Something like that. Ball turned his attention back though somewhere around the part where Clyde offered to help. Ball was going to make a comment about it and instead though nothing about it.

Clyde spoke about promises. Promises to not do anymore magic until he receive help. No magic unless with another mage. It was the last words though that snapped Ball out of his longing, “I… I promise.” It was clear to anyone not watching the two that Ball had vacated the conversation already though.

Shoving another bite of clay into his mouth Ball chewed it slowly, “I do miss that rush though.” He whispered softly. It could be told him his whispered voice it was in a dreamlike thought, unaware that he was actually speaking anything out loud. Wait a tick… He mentioned something about no longer being me… After a few ticks though of staring off he looked back up at Clyde, “Can you repeat the part about… No longer being me?” That doesn't sound good… No longer being me? It just seemed to to dawn on Ball that that was mentioned somewhere around the Clyde offering to help.

WC: 457

Credit :

by **Clyde Sullins** on November 8th, 2015, 5:53 am

Clyde shook his head at the foolish pycon. He was clearly in denial, and didn't even realize what he'd done. Personal magic acted upon will, to a degree, and it was possible to use it by instinct or by accident. It was less common with less skilled users, as a person new to the magic usually took a good deal of concentration and work to use a spell, but it wasn't impossible.

For instance in Balls case he had been caught up in a fight, had been tired from the first spell, and pressed by battle. Perhaps he had truly not intended to do a spell, but had done so by instinct or in response to his magic's call. With his senses dulled by overgiving perhaps, and his desire to punch harder and stronger, perhaps he'd pulled his djed and done the spell without fulling intending it.

Or perhaps he was lying. It was hard to tell. But Clyde knew he'd done the second one.

“Ball, we aren't talking about making a sword, or building a wall, this is magic. Magic, at least personal magic, doesn't always take time and direct focus. You don't call upon it like a ally brought to battle. It can be, at times, simply done on instinct, called upon and used. But you did a second spell, I assure you. Mine sight does not lie.”

“And crazy or not, magic is magic. When you push yourself too far, when you overgive, control is the first thing to go. You could intend to do one thing, and end up doing another thing completely. Magic loosed out of control if the most dangerous, for both whatever it is aimed at and the one using it.”

Though the pycon gave the promise Clyde had asked for, it was in a half way and distracted manner, one Clyde didn't fully trust. Perhaps, Clyde thought to himself, the pycon was more affected by the magic than he'd first thought.

“Ball... Yes, the rush, the pleasant feeling, it is grand, but it is not to be trusted. It is fleeting, and will drive you to go past your limits where nothing good lies.”

“Magic... Magic uses djed, personal magic uses the mages djed. That djed has to come from somewhere, and after you take what your body has to spare it can take from unexpected places. Mages can go mad from such things. Can be twisted into a shell of their former self. Or slowly have every bit of who they are burned away bit by bit, as they press onward.”

“Magic is not free, and for every spell, every gain, there is an equal loss. If you do not learn to control yourself, and to control your magic, such will happen to you.”

“I will help you, if you agree to work with me. But the things I would teach you, they are not all meant for common folk to learn. I would need to make sure my secrets stayed secret, and what I told you was not passed onward. There is no telling the harm, or the effect, if someone without full knowledge divulged what I would show you to another. Do you wish to learn to control your magic?”

Closed [The Bronze Woods]Ode to Nexusaches [Clyde]