Better when I'm indoors, but... yeah, actually! I started working for the orchestra, doing music and illusions - I've been spending so much time there lately, it's actually kind of perfect for me!
[He smiles, and it's genuine. It's been a healthy way to explore his magical abilities, as well as keep practicing something he loves.]
Illusions are just so... natural. Anything I think about, I can start making it seem real.
[That last bit is a little bit wistful. He basically know how that can be kind of creepy conceptually.]
I'm glad you've found something suited to you. I wish I appreciated human music more. From what I've heard so far, it tends to be more high-pitched and... thin or fluttery, I suppose, than what I'm used to.
Can you hide what's really there, as well? A moment.
[She's just gonna grasp the carved gall in her beak and mutter some words, the soft tip of her tooth-edged tongue tracing against it a few times, and when she takes it out she cuts another line and holds the completed item out on her narrow palm.]
When you hold this, it should keep you warm. I've seen people wear items spelled like this on lines around their necks - that might work too.
[He wastes no time clasping it between his hands, eager for the warmth to kick in.]
You know, I still have one of those charms that protects from fire, from the bonfires when we first got here. Now I have a matching set!
[He grins at her, and then looks over to the sunset.]
It's... easier to make stuff than to take it away, but... I can make myself disappear when I have to. That was actually the first thing I ever did, with these powers.
[It takes a moment to kick in and initially is less a sense of heat than an easing of the pain and numbness of cold.]
A good idea.
That is useful. Something like that keeps the valley where my people live safe, for now. To enter it, one needs to already know it's there. [She gives him a sidelong glance.] It's not a happy thing to have to learn.
[He agrees softly, the cold starting to become less of a barrier for him, but a little bit of a shiver still there. The things in that cave were horrible, and it's hard not to think of them whenever reminded.]
It's nice to know that I could still protect people like that, if I had to. But... there are more fun things I can do, too!
[He lifts one of his hands, concentrating. A few tiny motes of swirling flame appear, reminiscent of will-o-wisps. They will project a kind of warmth that is entirely imaginary, but comforting all the same.]
I can sort of make things warm, but... it's not real! So I was trying not to do it when I'm actually cold, because... it wouldn't actually keep my body from getting hurt by it.
...Also... I can always tell it's fake, so... they don't actually help me as much.
[Toby admires the little flying flames, reminding herself they aren't real and she doesn't have to worry about them burning down the edifice. She's always going to be more inclined to wariness around fire when she's above the ground.]
I see. I'm glad you're getting a grasp on this and the implications, it's very good to be aware of that kind of limitation.
Can illusory light still dispel darkness, or is it all in the heads of the beholders?
[He'd gotten so busy talking, he almost lost track of why he had asked her here to begin with. He straightens with surprise, his eyes widening a little as she asks - oh, right. Okay.
This kind of thing isn't especially hard for him, expressing affection is easy. But, asking for something of someone is a little more difficult.]
Um... yeah. Kind of. Remember how you asked me, before, if I wanted to Bond? And I said we should get to know each other better first? Well...
[His cheeks flush, just a little beyond their reaction to the cold.]
I think you're really cool, Toby. And smart. And you took care of me during the full moon before, even though I was being weird and you didn't have to.
I... think we should Bond. If you still want to. I... I do.
[Toby had expected this to come up after another month or so. She blinks, and then shows one of her rare, deliberate smiles.]
Thank you, Steven. You're an uncommonly thoughtful and sensitive youth. I envy your outlook on life and other people, and I suspect it's not as easy as you make it seem.
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no subject
[He smiles, and it's genuine. It's been a healthy way to explore his magical abilities, as well as keep practicing something he loves.]
Illusions are just so... natural. Anything I think about, I can start making it seem real.
[That last bit is a little bit wistful. He basically know how that can be kind of creepy conceptually.]
no subject
Can you hide what's really there, as well? A moment.
[She's just gonna grasp the carved gall in her beak and mutter some words, the soft tip of her tooth-edged tongue tracing against it a few times, and when she takes it out she cuts another line and holds the completed item out on her narrow palm.]
When you hold this, it should keep you warm. I've seen people wear items spelled like this on lines around their necks - that might work too.
no subject
[He wastes no time clasping it between his hands, eager for the warmth to kick in.]
You know, I still have one of those charms that protects from fire, from the bonfires when we first got here. Now I have a matching set!
[He grins at her, and then looks over to the sunset.]
It's... easier to make stuff than to take it away, but... I can make myself disappear when I have to. That was actually the first thing I ever did, with these powers.
no subject
A good idea.
That is useful. Something like that keeps the valley where my people live safe, for now. To enter it, one needs to already know it's there. [She gives him a sidelong glance.] It's not a happy thing to have to learn.
no subject
[He agrees softly, the cold starting to become less of a barrier for him, but a little bit of a shiver still there. The things in that cave were horrible, and it's hard not to think of them whenever reminded.]
It's nice to know that I could still protect people like that, if I had to. But... there are more fun things I can do, too!
[He lifts one of his hands, concentrating. A few tiny motes of swirling flame appear, reminiscent of will-o-wisps. They will project a kind of warmth that is entirely imaginary, but comforting all the same.]
I can sort of make things warm, but... it's not real! So I was trying not to do it when I'm actually cold, because... it wouldn't actually keep my body from getting hurt by it.
...Also... I can always tell it's fake, so... they don't actually help me as much.
no subject
I see. I'm glad you're getting a grasp on this and the implications, it's very good to be aware of that kind of limitation.
Can illusory light still dispel darkness, or is it all in the heads of the beholders?
THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION
Um... I don't really know! I should try that. Maybe it would just... make you imagine what you think is there?
no subject
A good point. What is the nature of illusion? But it does also seem that light is easy to create here. It was the first spell I learned.
[The oak gall charm does grow warm eventually, warmer than body heat would make it. Its main effect is still just that it's not so cold though.]
Is this what you wished to speak to me about?
no subject
This kind of thing isn't especially hard for him, expressing affection is easy. But, asking for something of someone is a little more difficult.]
Um... yeah. Kind of. Remember how you asked me, before, if I wanted to Bond? And I said we should get to know each other better first? Well...
[His cheeks flush, just a little beyond their reaction to the cold.]
I think you're really cool, Toby. And smart. And you took care of me during the full moon before, even though I was being weird and you didn't have to.
I... think we should Bond. If you still want to. I... I do.
no subject
Thank you, Steven. You're an uncommonly thoughtful and sensitive youth. I envy your outlook on life and other people, and I suspect it's not as easy as you make it seem.
[She offers her long hand, palm up.]
I would be pleased to Bond with you.