teach me magic

[Ivar]

Glade 60 4623


Ivar walked down the street, feeling the weight of the small bag on his shoulder. It contained the few things he thought he would need to practice magic: a notebook, a pen, and some bandages he had bought from someone who assured him they’d help if he got hurt. He had been scared to practice magic since Luna had given him the ability, afraid of what he might do or what might happen to him. But he was finally ready. He was tired of feeling powerless and unfulfilled, and he knew that magic was the key to unlocking his true potential.

As he approached Luna's house, Ivar's heart began to race. He had not seen her in weeks, and he hoped that she would be willing to help him with his practice. He knocked on the door and waited, shifting his weight from foot to foot. He could hear his heart pounding in his chest as he called out Luna's name.

"Hello? Luna?"

Ivar had a shaky voice. He waited for a moment, then knocked again, more urgently this time.

"Luna, are you home? It's me, Ivar."

He could feel a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead as he waited for a response. His palms were slick with sweat, and he wiped them nervously on his pants. He had never been good at waiting, and the anticipation was almost unbearable. He did not know if she even still lived here. They had not spoken much since moving to the area.

[Sola]

▬ι═ﺤ

Luna had just woken up and was lazily sipping on her morning tea when she heard a knock at the door. She peered through the curtains and saw Ivar standing there. She felt a sense of excitement and anticipation as she opened the door for him, greeting him with a warm smile. Ivar’s presence was enough to get her in a positive mood and recall the fun they’d had last season.

"Good morning, Ivar! It's so good to see you," Luna said as she welcomed him inside. She would lead him to the living room, gesturing for him to take a seat on a chair. "What have you been up to lately? How has your magical training been going?" She recalled initiating Ivar a month or two ago. She’d promised to help him learn a thing or two but they never got around to it. There’d been a series of murders on the ship that had thrown everyone for a loop.

Luna had wondered what Ivar had been up to for all this time. She’d wanted to reach out but she was busy with her own life. She’d managed to get close to a member of the Entente, travel out to the badlands, and make it back alive. It was hard to find a day like this where she had nothing going on. Well, nothing until Ivar came by.

Luna tried looking him up and down and would pick up on any changes in his appearance. Then, she’d pour Ivar a cup of tea and offer it to him.

Created by Moop!

[Ivar]

Ivar felt relieved to see Luna once again. She was always so upbeat and cheery, and it was a refreshing change from his usual pessimistic outlook. He followed her inside and took a seat, sipping the tea that she had handed him. It was good, but he was more interested in catching up with her.

When Luna asked what he had been up to, Ivar sighed. He looked the same so there was not much for Luna to notice as far as differences went.

"Making do, mostly. I've been trying to scrounge up enough money to start my own business, but it's been tough."

He took another sip of tea.

"But, you know, I like living in Daravin. It's a good place to be."

Ivar's face grew somber. There was much he wanted to tell but he was not the type to spill his feelings especially since he had not seen Luna in what seemed like months. He still had to ask for help. That was why he was there, not to make small talk.

"About magic, I've been too scared to practice it properly. I don't want to mess anything up. I came to you hoping you can teach me if you have some spare time. I’ve come to realize that you were right about this place after all. The magic users have an advantage and I just need to learn enough to make my mark.”

He was surprised to see that Luna was not living with anyone. It made him wonder if he still had a chance. He could not bear to ask now, but later perhaps. He sighed again.

[Sola]

▬ι═ﺤ

Luna smiled warmly and said, "Of course I have time to teach you, Ivar. I'd love to help you get started with your magical abilities." She thought for a moment and then remembered the first thing she learned, how to move things with her mind. "Let's start with The Weave," she said. "It's like a…” she realized in that moment that she didn’t know how to explain it. She thought hard and realized that teaching was harder than it sounded. She said, “imagine being able to make like… a hand in the air so you can grab things and move stuff around. I’ll teach you how to do that. Of course there’s the emotional manipulation stuff, but I think that’s too much for a beginner to do. My dad didn’t teach me how to do that until I was able to do the basics well enough."

Luna's face brightened with excitement as she recalled what it was like to learn magic for the first time. She thought about how to rephrase what she’d said earlier. "It's all about focusing your mind and directing your energy," she said. "Try to picture the weave as a net of energy that you can use to catch things and move them around. It's hard to explain, but once you get the hang of it, it'll become second nature."

Luna grinned and took a seat at her table. "Now, let's get started." She focused on creating a very small weave and surrounded her cup with it. She then lifted her hand and the cup rose in unison. “Now you try!

Created by Moop!

[Ivar]

Ivar was impressed with Luna's ability to lift the cup. He hadn't known he had the ability to control things with his magic. He was expecting to be able to manipulate emotions, but telekinesis was fine too. He held out his hands dramatically and tried to form a field around the cup. To his surprise, he created a small distortion in space, like a smaller version of what Luna had made.

Excited by this new discovery, Ivar continued to try to move the cup. He concentrated harder, focusing all his energy on the cup. He could feel the energy surging through him as he willed the cup to move, but it remained stubbornly still.

“Stupid thing.”

Ivar took a step back and took a deep breath. He needed to calm himself down and focus. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind, trying to push all distracting thoughts away. When he opened his eyes, he felt like he could do it. He held out his hands once more.

“Fucking…”

Again, he tried to move the cup. This time, he could feel the energy flowing smoothly, like a river, from his hands to the cup. The cup started to shake, and Ivar felt a surge of satisfaction. He continued to focus, pouring all his energy into the movement of the cup.

“I did it!”

But just as he felt he was getting the hang of it, the cup suddenly fell to the ground, shattering into a hundred pieces. Ivar was stunned, his heart pounding with shock and disappointment. He had been so close!

[Sola]

Luna watched intently as Ivar attempted to control the cup with his mind. She cheered him on even though he struggled to maintain his hold on it. She could see the concentration on his face, and it reminded her of when she first discovered her powers.

"You did a lot better than I did on my first try," Luna said with a smile, trying to encourage him. "Just remember to stop if you start feeling any pain or discomfort. It's important to listen to your body. Don't worry if you don’t get it, it takes time and practice," Luna reassured him. I know I’m not a great teacher, but I'm here to help you whenever you need it. We can keep practicing together until you get it."

Luna gestured at the tea. "Why don't we take a break for now and have some tea?"

Luna sat at her table, lost in thought about what she could do to work on her own powers. She had always struggled with controlling her magic, and seeing Ivar struggle with it made her realize how far she had come. She wondered if she could use Ivar as a guinea pig for future lessons, to practice her own abilities. She knew it wasn't the nicest thing to do, but she was desperate to improve her magic. She decided to keep the idea to herself for now, not wanting Ivar to feel used or taken advantage of. Luna leaned back in her chair, staring off into the distance as she pondered what other methods she could use to strengthen her own powers.

[Ivar]

Ivar took a moment to relax and sip on the tea that Luna had kindly provided for him. The warm liquid spread through his body and soothed his nerves. He listened carefully as Luna advised him to be careful and to stop if he began to feel any discomfort.

"I'll be careful. I'm ready to try again."

He set the teacup down and took a deep breath, focusing all his attention on the cup in front of him. He waved his hands enthusiastically, trying to grab it with the weave. To his surprise, he felt a gentle tug, and the cup moved a few inches. Excitement built inside him, but he quickly lost his concentration, and the cup fell back down with a clink.

Ivar tried again, focusing all his energy on the cup. This time, he managed to hold it in the air and even push it a little, but he felt that something was not right. The weave was flickering and unstable, and he couldn't quite control the cup's movements.

Frustration crept in as Ivar tried several more times, each attempt bringing him closer to success, but each time failing in the end. He could feel the magic flowing through him, but he just couldn't seem to master it well enough to control the cup completely.

“Should I feel bad for only getting this far? I don’t think I will be able to control it properly today. How long does it take to get as good as you?”

Ivar did not like how little he could do. He was expecting to be able to at least throw a knife when he heard of telekinesis.

[Sola]

▬ι═ﺤ

As Ivar prepared to make another attempt, Luna wondered if there was something else she could do to help him. She had been thinking about Ivar's eagerness to learn, and she wondered if there was a way to give him a preview of what it was like to control emotions. Perhaps there was a way to link their minds in such a way that she wasn’t the only one who could see murals.

Luna could see the disappointment etched on Ivar's face, and her heart went out to him. She knew how frustrating it could be to struggle with something that seemed so simple. But she was determined to make sure that he didn't give up or lose faith in himself. So, she spoke up, her voice gentle and reassuring.

"Don't feel bad," she said, placing a hand on Ivar's shoulder. "You're doing really well, especially considering that this is your first day. Magic can be tricky, and it takes time to master. You're making good progress, and I'm proud of you for trying." Luna smiled warmly at Ivar, hoping to encourage him.

She cleared her throat and said, "pushing is good by the way," a small smile forming on her lips. "You can try pulling too. Those are both good ways of moving things."

She felt that it was important to keep Ivar's spirits up, especially since he seemed so invested in learning magic. Luna had seen the way he’d looked when he managed to move the cup, and she knew that he had a natural talent for it. She didn't want him to get discouraged and give up on his dreams.

Created by Moop!

[Ivar]

Ivar focused his attention on the empty cup in front of him, feeling the semi familiar surge of energy coursing through his body as he prepares to use his magic once again. He takes a deep breath, steadying himself as he focuses his gaze on the cup, watching it intently. He can feel the energy building within him, a pulsing warmth that grows stronger with every passing moment.

Finally, he raises his hand, palm facing the cup. He feels the energy flow from his body and into his hand, a wave of power that he directs towards the cup. He concentrates, visualizing the cup tipping over, and suddenly he feels the energy release, a burst of force that sends the cup inching across the table.

Ivar took a deep breath, trying to focus all his energy on the stubborn cup. He had attempted to pull it towards him, but it had refused to budge. He didn’t feel that bad anymore because Luna cheered him up but it did not suddenly make him perform better.

"I can't do this anymore. I am way too frustrated."

Realizing that he had reached his limit for the day, Ivar thought about what he wanted to do next.

“Thank you for your help. I insist that I pay you for this help you’ve given me.”

He reached into his pocket and handed her fifty df.

"Take this. It’s the least I can do to thank you."

This sum of money was not insignificant but he thought it well earned. If he could afford to give more he could but he still needed to save for his business. As he had packed up his belongings and prepared to leave, Ivar had suddenly recalled something.

"Hey, Luna, I could spare more money if you’re free for other activities later."

He hoped she would pick up on his offer. He had been single for a while now and would enjoy Luna’s company.

Ivar sat lost in thought. Specifically, he was thinking about Luna and what he would do if she ever left town. Luna had been Ivar's friend for a while, and he had come to rely on her guidance and expertise. He felt that she was a decent teacher too. But Ivar knew that nothing lasts forever, and he couldn't help but wonder what he would do if Luna ever moved away.

He had considered trying to find another magic teacher, but he wasn't sure if anyone else could live up to Luna's standards. She was the only one who even knew he had magic. Finding someone else who could match her level of skill and expertise and be willing to do him these favors would be a challenge.

But Ivar also knew that he couldn't rely on Luna forever. He needed to become self-sufficient, to be able to practice magic on his own without relying on anyone else. He had made some progress under Luna's tutelage, but he knew that he still had a long way to go.

[Sola]

Date

"Thank you, Ivar," she said. "But really, you don't owe me anything. I'm happy to help you out." Luna smiled as she took the currency that Ivar offered her. It wasn't much, but she appreciated the gesture nonetheless. As she held the currency in her hand, she couldn't help but feel a little conflicted. On the one hand, she was happy to have been able to help Ivar with his magic training. She enjoyed seeing the progress he had made throughout the day, and she felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that she had played a part in that.

But on the other hand, she couldn't help feeling a little uneasy about being paid for her time. Helping Ivar had been a labor of love for her. She didn't want him to feel like he had to pay her for her efforts. She wanted him to know that she genuinely cared about him and wanted to see him succeed. She hoped that he could sense the sincerity in her words. She didn't want him to think that she was just being polite or trying to downplay the value of her time.

At the same time, Luna was grateful for the currency. She knew that every little bit helped, and she was trying to save up for a special project that she had in mind. She didn't want to come across as unappreciative of Ivar's generosity. So, she tucked the currency away in her pocket, feeling a mix of emotions as she did so.

Luna chuckled when he offered to pay her for more. She knew what he meant and she wasn’t interested in that kind of thing at the moment. She already had a lot in the motion so unless he was going to give her an offer she couldn’t refuse, she was going to have to pass. She brushed it off by saying, “haha, maybe another time. And I had a good idea. Why don't we meet up later and practice a little more? I could practice a thing or two on you. It’ll be mutually beneficial, I hope." She winked at him and led him outside. She’d have to brainstorm to figure out exactly what she wanted to try out.

Luna looked around her small but cozy home, taking stock of what needed to be tidied up. She had been so focused on helping Ivar with his magic training that she had neglected her own space. She walked over to the bookshelf and straightened the books, making sure they were all neatly lined up. She then picked up a stray sock from the floor and tossed it into the laundry pile. As she moved through the room, she paused to light some candles, enjoying the warm glow they cast around the space. Next, she moved into the kitchen, where she washed the dishes that had piled up in the sink. She wiped down the countertops and swept the floor, feeling a sense of satisfaction as she saw the space transform from cluttered to tidy. As she worked, she thought about how nice it would be to have Ivar over for dinner sometime, to show off her abysmal cooking skills and to enjoy some good company. But for now, she was content with having a clean and cozy home to relax in.