[ Jim's not one of those hard-line, 'all magic is unexplained science' people, as that's obviously untrue, but a lot of the mystery has been sucked out of these kinds of abilities for him purely because he understands the physiological mechanics behind them.
Some of them. He watches the light show with obvious interest, and the smile after reaches his eyes. Very cool. ]
There's always gonna be someone who'll use a spade to hit somebody instead of garden, [ he says, which is probably a Bones-ism he's picked up for whatever tragic reason. He remembers Solas explaining blood magic to him, and this sounds a little similar. ] Can everyone manipulate the aether where you're from?
[ He smiles in return, deciding all at once that he likes Jim. He has a good head on his shoulders, and he can appreciate someone unwilling to shove things into a particular box just because he may not understand them. ]
Not everyone, but I would say that those who can vastly outnumber those who cannot. Still, it is like any skill, some may be naturally better at it than others, but with work most can learn to wield magic if they so choose.
[ By now, they have reached the platform where the battle with Lilith is taking place. He and his companion are shouting warnings and instructions at one another, as the Voidsent presses the attack with her sword and dark powers both. ]
We did not venture past this place once the battle concluded. I would wager that moving deeper into the city might cause the memory to unravel.
[ But if Jim wishes to stay and watch, he won’t begrudge him that. He lived it, and it still strikes him as quite the sight. ]
[ It's interesting, and not unlike the 'supernatural' abilities he knows of at home; for example, he thinks of Vulcan telepathy, which is considered the norm, but some individuals never show any aptitude at all. ]
That seems to have been the pattern so far.
[ Ending memories. Though Jim's accidentally triggered new ones to appear, sometimes, in his quest to be free of something. He looks out at the battle, and can't help but ask - ]
[ He inclines his head towards the memory of his pupil, still restrained by Lilith's magic, for the time being. ]
Aye, she did. 'Twas myself and her fellow student that destroyed Lilith's body, true enough, but 'twas Arya's own will that destroyed her spirit, and at last freed herself.
[ Arya, then. Jim watches - fractionally relieved that this isn't the memory of someone's demise. He wasn't overly worried about it in the first place, with how calm X'rhun seems, but still. Nice to know. ]
Hell of a thing, [ he guesses. Jim's never seen anything quite like it. ]
I am. [ Something of a pause, there, but he decides no to go on; X'rhun is probably well familiar with how badly she was harmed, and maybe doesn't need to hear details about how Jim dragged her out of there. Last he checked in, she was on the mend. So instead, ]
She's a tough kid. [ His tone sounds approving. Stepping over the uneven terrain of the ruins, half his attention is still on the ongoing memory-battle. ]
Why 'red' magic, in particular? Just what you prefer?
[ Ah, so he was right in his guess. And he does know very well the state poor Alisaie is in, but she’s healing, so he can’t ask for more on that front. ]
It does largely come down to preference, yes. There are many schools of magic to choose from, for one who wishes to hone their craft. White magic harnesses the powers of nature, with a strong focus on healing. Black magic is about offense and destruction, where one commands powerful elemental spells. Red magic lies between, a combination of the two. It is an ancient art, one that was all but lost until myself and some comrades chanced upon writings on the subject and took up the red ourselves.
[ Just watching the battle play out, it’s true that X’rhun’s particular brand of magic seems rather piecemeal. A lightning or fire spell here, a wind or earth spell there. A hodgepodge of elements of earth and forces of destruction. ]
[ Jim makes a sound of understanding, impressed by the pioneering initiative. ] Hey, I feel you. I'm all about being well-rounded.
[ Captains wearing a million hats, or something.
The memory continues to be interesting from a technical standpoint - but Jim doesn't want to be invasive, really. And who knows how long they'll be stuck in here if they don't make headway. He nods further towards the edge of the phantasm scene. ]
We should probably get going. We'll probably walk out to everything going nuts again, if we take too long. [ Dryly. Good old This Hecking Planet. ]
[ Jack of all trades and master of none, as the saying goes, but red magic still gets the job done. His past self and his student are certainly giving Lilith a run for her money. ]
Aye, I agree. I’ve not seen the Weeping City past this point, so I suspect things will unravel rather quickly as we venture forth. Let us hope we do not emerge into the middle of a riot or some such.
[ He turns, expecting his companion to follow as they break away from the scene. Behind them, Lilith’s dying cries can be heard, and the concerned shouts of X’rhun as Arya lies still in his arms, still unconscious as she fights off the influence of Lilith’s will.
X’rhun’s guess proves to be true, however. Once they move away from the platform, across crumbling stone walkways, the memory gets blurry and frays at the edges. None too soon, the shadow of the Weeping City of Mhach gives way to the real world, and they find themselves back where they began. ]
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no subject
[ Jim's not one of those hard-line, 'all magic is unexplained science' people, as that's obviously untrue, but a lot of the mystery has been sucked out of these kinds of abilities for him purely because he understands the physiological mechanics behind them.
Some of them. He watches the light show with obvious interest, and the smile after reaches his eyes. Very cool. ]
There's always gonna be someone who'll use a spade to hit somebody instead of garden, [ he says, which is probably a Bones-ism he's picked up for whatever tragic reason. He remembers Solas explaining blood magic to him, and this sounds a little similar. ] Can everyone manipulate the aether where you're from?
no subject
Not everyone, but I would say that those who can vastly outnumber those who cannot. Still, it is like any skill, some may be naturally better at it than others, but with work most can learn to wield magic if they so choose.
[ By now, they have reached the platform where the battle with Lilith is taking place. He and his companion are shouting warnings and instructions at one another, as the Voidsent presses the attack with her sword and dark powers both. ]
We did not venture past this place once the battle concluded. I would wager that moving deeper into the city might cause the memory to unravel.
[ But if Jim wishes to stay and watch, he won’t begrudge him that. He lived it, and it still strikes him as quite the sight. ]
no subject
That seems to have been the pattern so far.
[ Ending memories. Though Jim's accidentally triggered new ones to appear, sometimes, in his quest to be free of something. He looks out at the battle, and can't help but ask - ]
Did your friend make it out okay?
no subject
[ He inclines his head towards the memory of his pupil, still restrained by Lilith's magic, for the time being. ]
Aye, she did. 'Twas myself and her fellow student that destroyed Lilith's body, true enough, but 'twas Arya's own will that destroyed her spirit, and at last freed herself.
no subject
Hell of a thing, [ he guesses. Jim's never seen anything quite like it. ]
You're a teacher?
no subject
[ It’s a guess, but a well-founded one since Jim was among the rescuers in the tower, as was Alisaie. ]
She is a pupil of mine as well. A student of Red Magic.
sorry for the delay x_x
She's a tough kid. [ His tone sounds approving. Stepping over the uneven terrain of the ruins, half his attention is still on the ongoing memory-battle. ]
Why 'red' magic, in particular? Just what you prefer?
no worries!
It does largely come down to preference, yes. There are many schools of magic to choose from, for one who wishes to hone their craft. White magic harnesses the powers of nature, with a strong focus on healing. Black magic is about offense and destruction, where one commands powerful elemental spells. Red magic lies between, a combination of the two. It is an ancient art, one that was all but lost until myself and some comrades chanced upon writings on the subject and took up the red ourselves.
[ Just watching the battle play out, it’s true that X’rhun’s particular brand of magic seems rather piecemeal. A lightning or fire spell here, a wind or earth spell there. A hodgepodge of elements of earth and forces of destruction. ]
no subject
[ Captains wearing a million hats, or something.
The memory continues to be interesting from a technical standpoint - but Jim doesn't want to be invasive, really. And who knows how long they'll be stuck in here if they don't make headway. He nods further towards the edge of the phantasm scene. ]
We should probably get going. We'll probably walk out to everything going nuts again, if we take too long. [ Dryly. Good old This Hecking Planet. ]
no subject
Aye, I agree. I’ve not seen the Weeping City past this point, so I suspect things will unravel rather quickly as we venture forth. Let us hope we do not emerge into the middle of a riot or some such.
[ He turns, expecting his companion to follow as they break away from the scene. Behind them, Lilith’s dying cries can be heard, and the concerned shouts of X’rhun as Arya lies still in his arms, still unconscious as she fights off the influence of Lilith’s will.
X’rhun’s guess proves to be true, however. Once they move away from the platform, across crumbling stone walkways, the memory gets blurry and frays at the edges. None too soon, the shadow of the Weeping City of Mhach gives way to the real world, and they find themselves back where they began. ]