ruinsprofessor

Right, I didn't feel it much at all. Distance can be a factor like that?

[ Cain takes the knife, not even touched by the blood that had been there, and folds it before putting it back in his pocket for now. He just raises a brow at the request. ]

Half an hour before? Time to experiment before break?

It can be. One of the friends I traveled with during the regeneration journey used artes that functioned rather differently from mine; the farther the injured party was from him, the more it cost him and the less effective it was.

[It doesn't work like that for her, but in some circumstances, it makes sense.]

Yes, that's what I was thinking. I should have some patients who will need help, if you don't mind. We can assess your new capabilities further that way, and afterward you'll have a chance to rest and eat.

So it depends on the type as well as the person. Something like that.

[ He really doesn't quite understand in general, but he's learning and picking it up quick for everything Raine has told him and what he's picked up from observing others using magic. ]

Practical and to the point. [ He nods, a slow motion. ] That's fine with me, good way as any to see what I've got without causing intentional damage first.

[ It's more of a tease than censure, but he still returns a bit of his look from earlier. Ahem. ]

[Raine nods.]

Regal is mostly human; while I'm reasonably sure he has a trace of elven blood, it must be relatively distant. I haven't had a chance to study his techniques, but I believe he uses a different method-- not mana, but chi, or something like it. No one else I know uses an arte anything like it. Still, the precedent exists.

[She offers him half a shrug and a grimace; Regal did not talk much about his training, as curious as Raine was.]

Still, that's beside the point. It's important to get a grasp on what you can do.

[She meets the gaze a little flatly, but without verbal comment.]

Right. We have the concept of chi where I'm from, but it doesn't exactly pan out the way others would like it to. No way to externalize it for real world effects.

[ At her flat gaze, his lips quirk and then he simply smiles. ]

While you make a compelling point and I won't argue that learning about it and how to control it is important, the fact of the matter remains that this is without precedent where I'm from. [ He pauses, head dipping in thought. ] There's still something of a moral quandary about it for me.

[Hm. Slightly different manifestations in three different worlds at least, then. Fascinating. Raine wonders... but no, that's not the matter at hand. One thing at a time.]

[She doesn't exactly frown, but it's relatively obvious from her expression she hasn't quite followed.]

Why moral? You've said before the living can't use magic in your world, but...

[It seems more a metaphysical problem than a moral one.]

Things like this tend to upset the balance in a major way. [ He considers, looking away for a moment, long enough to think of an equivalent. ] If the use of magic where you were from risked just outright withering the Tree with every cast, would you feel safe using it? Even here where there is no tree?

[ Perhaps not a fair comparison, but the most apt he can come up with with consideration to what he knows about her world. ]

[That nets several seconds of stunned silence out of Raine, and for the time being she can only blink at Cain, processing. He knows what that means, and she doesn't think he's likely to overexaggerate much, either.]

I... likely not, no, you're correct.

[An omnipresent feeling that anything she did to help could equally doom the world? No. Raine blows out her breath, and her attitude softens.]

I still think it's important for you to learn about this, especially if you can't control whether or not it happens, but... we can take it slowly.

[ It's with a nod that he silently confirms his own intent. Yes, that was a shot aimed very pointedly. He knew the significance and wanted to cut through any confusion on how out of sorts this whole ordeal was making him feel. As disoriented as he seemed, his emotions inside were even worse. Harder to parse. Nearly violent for the refusal to accept.

And yet— ]

That's why I came to you for help. There's no use running away from it, but... "getting used to it" isn't the half of it.

Yes. I understand.

[As much as she can, anyway.]

However I can help.

[A pause, considering.]

If this is coming from that piece of jewelry, as seems most likely, you could always set it aside.

[That's carefully neutral. Raine wouldn't, but if this seems so wrong to Cain...]

[ Cain sighs, rubs at his eyes for a moment. ]

No, I can't do that. With... everything the Dreaming seems to want to throw at me, it looks like I'm just meant to be unbalanced for a while longer. If something like this happens again, but destructive next time, it could be even worse. This is something completely outside my ken and it wouldn't be fun if something took advantage of that.

[No. She couldn't either. Raine nods, solemnly.]

I'm a little concerned about the costs to you, as well, given what you said about the first instance. That's why I want to investigate this in a controlled setting.

[But he already agreed to that, he's just reluctant. Raine gives him something of a reassuring smile, reaches over to pat his hand. It's a carefully made gesture, but meant well. There, there.]

Let me know what day is convenient for us to begin.

[ At the concern, Cain merely raises a brow. That part, at the least, isn't something he's worried about. His own well-being has long since stopped being an issue. Danger still exists and he'd rather not be put into stupid situations but... overall he's relatively fine with the only thing thus far being a physical drain. That sort of thing is easily fixed with a good night's sleep.

Her hand pats his, and he smiled for the motion. ]

I'll definitely contact you. Don't worry, I won't run away or anything.

[Raine exhales a little laugh.]

I didn't think you would.

[There aren't many places to go. But she is, still, a little worried, and she's watching Cain with something of it in her eyes.]

[ Cain sees it. He isn't sure what to do with it, because there's no real option but to go through with this. ]

What?

[A little wry; she knows she's not subtle.]

Are you all right?

[ He smiles, dips his head, somewhat abashed that the question has to be asked. ]

I'm fine. Realistically, this doesn't change much. Not while we're here. It's just... [ He narrows his eyes thoughtfully. ] ... my brain won't accept that just yet. That's all.

[It's one of Raine's most common questions, to be fair. But in this case, she thinks it was more than warranted.]

I understand. It will take time.

[But they will figure it out, together. Raine lapses into silence.]

Edited (formatting oops) 2015-09-29 08:17 (UTC)

[ It definitely is. It's just one most people learn not to ask Cain, as he generally doesn't have much choice other than to be fine. Either now or later. ]

That's something I've always had in spades.

[ He exhales, not quite a sigh, and moves to lean his back against the tree before looking sidelong at Raine. ]

You should probably get home. I didn't mean to call you out so late, anyway.

[Raine nods agreement. Of course he does. In a moment she gets to her feet, though she doesn't make to leave right away, instead leaning on her staff and looking down at him.]

It's fine. I'm glad you thought to call me.

You don't plan to stay here all night, do you?

[She knows he hardly has to worry, but it doesn't seem right to leave Cain in the park alone, either.]

[ He looks up at her, chuckles for the question. ]

No. Don't worry, I'm done with sleeping on the ground if I can help it. Just thought I'd take a breather while I'm here.

[Raine considers, then... sits back down.]

All right.

Feeling a bit tired yourself all of a sudden?

[She shakes her head.]

No, I'm fine. I can wait with you a little while, however.

I'm aware you can take care of yourself, but I'd prefer to.

[ That just prompts a smile from Cain and he settles back to something that looks more comfortable. ]

That's fine. I've dealt with enough stubborn children to understand the feeling.

(no subject)

ruinsprofessor - 2015-10-02 08:51 (UTC) - Expand

Inbox

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)