RP:Gentle Hearts with Souls of Fire

Part of the Time Heals All Wounds Arc

This is a Healer's Guild RP.

Synopsis: Practice makes perfect, but there is an internal struggle. One fresh. Raw. Magikrios is able to pull out that fire within Nel, but can she control what she ignites? Well, only time will tell.

Spring of Vitality

Penelope had been in a state of… mind. One would say peace, but that was hard to come-by lately. The world was silent in the thickets of forest. The girl had travelled a few miles through the forest from her old family cottage to get to… a spring. Just outside the mystics of Enchantment. She sits with crossed legs, lowered shoulders and plenty of candles surround her in a circle while a tree is on her backside for no sneak attackers. A dagger is plunged into the earth because… paranoia. Either way, she was doing her new homework. Ignite candles, be mindful, and let go. Only she could really be the one to tap into the fifth element, but she was having a hard time grasping control. So there she sits. Eyes closed with strenuous brows. Relaxing was hard, you know? Lighting candles took forever. So far… only two were lit out of six. This was nonsense.

Magikrios just so happened to be walking throughout the forest with a shorter female elf by his side who appears to be taking notes. "We'll definitely go with the tree inside of camp. I like the centralized location," the Lyastri states. The woman replies with a nod and a simple confirmation, "Yes sir. We will start construction immediately." As the two walk passed the tree Penelope is working near, Magik catches a glance of the candles. "I'll check in with you later. Thanks again," says the pyromancer to the woman. She nods once more and disappears towards the west. Magik wastes no time in plopping down opposite of his clanmate. He assumes her position as well; legs crossed. He looks from the candles to the dagger then finally to Penelope, "Whatcha doin', Nel?" The elf softly smiles. He was always eager to teach those willing how to make fire manifest and bend at will.

Penelope is motionless until she hears the rustling of grass in front of her. Internally there is a darker shade behind her eyes. Another body. Moss eyes snap open and the dagger is automatically snatched from the ground. “The hell are you—“ Her chest heaves in the breath of adrenaline. And one candle blows out. There was a tenseness behind her gaze, almost a horror. ‘Nel’. The tall elf sits, and she blinks her way back into reality. Best not to sneak up on a girl with PTSD. One might get stabbed. The dagger is plunged back into the ground. “Sorry,” she seems distant for a moment before getting herself back together. “Meditation. Homework. Trying to light these…” The healer looks frustrated as she stares at the recent candle that blew out. “You’ve got to be joking.”

Magik's soft smile remains as Penelope snatches up her dagger but only to be stabbed back into the earth. The elf takes in the scene quickly. A not-so-relaxed Nel. Heavy breathing. Quickness to snatch at the dagger. And that poor extinguished candle. "Meditation -and- homework? No wonder you look frustrated." He tilts his head to the side, "You have too many distractions going on. I can tell you this..'Concentrating' on relaxing will get you nowhere." Here comes the Veneficus D'Chath persona. "I'm assuming your goal is to light all of these candles, yes? A difficult task without the right emotions." With a simple glance, all six candles ignite in Magik's familiar black flames. The color switches to a normal reddish orange then extinguishes. Even the lone candle. "What do you enjoy, Penelope? What is your ultimate passion in this world?"

There is a sharp inhale at his commentary, and she sort of nods her head back and forth in contemplation at his words. Meditation and homework. That really was not a balance, now, was it? Penelope really cannot look at Magik in the moment he generalizes her distractions. There was so much more than the concentration that was eating at her. Silence consumes her as she listens with a flat line on her lips, yet there is the faint head nod to his questions. The black flames then appear in a quick motion before the color turns into the typical orange flames. It was effortless, it seemed. “Well, what a show-off,” she finally says with light humor, and in that midst, a small smile actually settles on her face. Perhaps it was the aura he brought before her. Relaxed. His question makes her lips twist and there is long silence again. “I know death is not opposite of life, but a part of it,” she begins, “but that doesn’t mean I want people to experience it. Not right away, at least.” Pause. “What brings me… joy--comfort, even--is to free others from suffering. Healing. Helping. One day, I’d like my own practice. The thought of someone in distress, but them knowing they have time because I did something about it, well…” Her mind flicks to several people: Lionel, Kyori, Lanara and so many more. “The healing process is rewarding no matter the difficulty for some because it’s one life and it’s their life and it’s… just beautiful. Knowing they just have another day to keep living.” And that, sir, was passion.

Magik remained quiet as the Whisper spoke. Some people needed a push. Others, like Penelope, just needed slight direction. The pyromancer adjusts his posture to sit up straight and folds his hands in his lap, "That..is perfect. Focus on what you just said. Focus on those emotions. Take a moment to -feel- that passion." Magik remained quiet to give Penelope a moment to herself. After a few moments he speaks once again. "Now..Focus on the candles and what you want to happen. Let your passion fuel the fire." Instead of watching the candles, the elf watches Penelope's facial expressions as she attempts to light them.

Penelope cants her head at him before settling her hands in a relaxed position again. Her mind focuses on one face. A little boy with the olive, tired face. The marked runes on his body. The blood. She wanted to help Leon. She was doing this for him. Moss eyes look at the candles around her. Her hands gently lift to hover over the wicks of the candles. Bright green eyes slowly dim into a hazel swirl as she feels the warmth in her fingertips. “Brannlys,” she says in her faint Ardelian tone. Fire. 'Brannlys' meant ‘fire’ in Ardelian. Her face looks relaxed, less strained. And in a moment, three candles light at once out of the six. The smile grows, “No way,” improvement, though more to learn. Lighting three at once was better than lighting one.

Magik would have clapped out of pure excitement but he didn't want to disturb Penelope's focus. Instead, a soft smile forms across his features. "Amazing," was his other reaction. However, the lesson is only half over. "Now, I want you to try something. It's not guaranteed to work because everyone is different.. Don't feel discouraged if nothing happens.." The Lyastri gives Nel another moment to enjoy her victory before continuing on, "This may be a little more tricky and again, maybe it's not for you..However, let's go the angry route for a moment." Magik stands and takes a step back, folding his hands behind his back, "This will be a little more chaotic if you don't focus on the second part. You have the passion part down but what about the anger portion? I've pushed students this direction. It sounds a little sketchy but it may work out for you." Magik waves a hand at the candles to extinguish them. "Focus on something that really, -really-, pisses you off, but also something that will bring you solace. For example: My father was mentally and physically abusive towards my step-mother who I loved very dearly." All six candles ignite into a very violent black flame. The wick of the candles barely contain the fire as it flickers high into the air in front of Penelope. "Unfortunately she was killed before I could do anything about it." The fire grows even more. "But! And this took me years to realize this, she's no longer suffering. She's at peace and my father died by my hands." The flames die down to be contained to the candle wick. Magik focuses on the candles as his smile comes back, "Knowing that she is finally free of my father's ways is one of the ways I'm able to bend and manipulate fire to my will." The black flames grow once again but in a more controlled manner. Inside each flame a mirrored and fiery version of Penelope can be seen. The fiery Nel stands in the flames, waves to Penelope, then extinguishes. "Again, this isn't for everyone and if you are uncomfortable with this method, I totally understand. Whenever you're ready.." The elf stands tall as he waits for the next move.

Nel slowly opens her eyes at his reaction. There is a fall of content that washes over her. Eyes remain calm now before… the word ‘angry’ escapes his mouth. The grace drains from her face. Almost pale. The druidic witch is patient enough to hear the man out as she steadily places a hand on one of her scarred forearms. The least of her past injuries. The flame ignites when he lets the aggression get the best of him. She watches the flames rise violently before they die down when he talks about the death of his father. The killing makes her queasy because… then she is staring at herself in fire flicks. She manages a very faint smile before the fiery Nel vanishes. “That’s how I lit most flame before…” The girl was more powerful when it came to anger, though the meaning to control was something that she was not used to. Penelope was also hesitant in this moment. “I can… try.” Not a good idea. At least right now. The events in her life were raw. Yerrel had her going back to easy check-ups recently because of post-traumatic stress. She inhales and remains sitting while he stands. Probably a good idea, Magik to stand back. This time, her eyes do not close as she stares at the flame. The memories come soaring to the death of her twin, to the night of gore and horror. Massacre. The image of herself picking up the blade that is in the earth’s surface—killing innocents without her own control. It was all because of Linken. The entity that Linken held inside of him. All the flames of the candles ignite easily, but they do not cease in increased heat. Her eyes were turning the hazel hue, but something was wrong… Distance in her gaze with the flashbacks. Symptoms of the stress. She was somewhere else—not in reality. The Ardelian stands while picking up the blade, and what was unfortunate for Magik was that… he was no longer Magik in her eyes. Magik was an elf, so it was easy to slip into that post-traumatic stress because Linken had been an elf. Magik was distorted in her eyes. Yeah, perhaps this was not a great idea. “How the hell did you get out of the void?” There was fear, but strong stability. Horror in her eyes as the blade is pointed towards the Lyastri. The orange flames from the candles begin to creep to the earth to grow in flame. Oh boy. Anger might have been good… if Nel was not having recent traumatic episodes.

Magik stood tall as he studied Penelope. The shadows created by the growing flames flickers across his features. They can be dealt with immediately if it starts to spread towards the rest of the forest. Penelope has lost her grip on reality and quick at that. That was the concern. Magik tilts his head just to the side as he studies the pointed blade. Does he press this further or try to convince her that he is not who she thinks he is. Might as well press. "Focus, Nel. Who has escaped the void?..Send them back. Use the flames." The Lyastri adjusts his stance just a bit, putting his right foot back to dig his boot into the ground and turning his body while bringing his hands to the front of him, palms open towards Nel.

It was a quick switch, but the memories were so raw. Plus, being in the forest where everything happened did not help. The small dagger is held as another hand is hovered out over the flames. Hazel eyes seem confused. ‘Focus, Nel’. Nel. Linken never used that nickname. The entity inside Linken never used that nickname which is why she preferred that name. The distorted elf that she sees somehow has… Magik’s voice. This was not reality, or was it? Was the Lyastri still there? Was her mind playing tricks on her? Or was the entity inside of Linken playing tricks on her? “The certain someone who put me through hell that I never knew existed.” And then, the Lyastri’s hands raise, and in a moment, her left hand clenches to channel the energy of the heat of the flame. The flames rise higher, crackle, and form a wide circle around him before they snap forward to close in on him.

As the flames surround the elf, he keeps his focus on his clanmate. His form is completely engulfed in Penelope's orange fire as soon as Nel clenches her fist. Magik takes a step closer, "Again, Nel! Send them back to the void! Again!!" Magik's hands remain in a defensive position, adding his own magic to contain the flames to the general area incase Penelope loses control. The elf continues to burn brightly as he takes another quick step forward, "End them!" Magik is just asking for it at this point. One more energy flare up from Nel may be enough for tonight's impromptu lesson.

The healer’s fists are clenched before the endgame. Her stare was hard on the Lyastri’s with the swirling of hazel clouding her gaze. The mix of magic and rage. Who knew anger rested beneath the spine of the girl who appeared graceful? His words are thick and there is fear that tightens in her chest as he steps closer, but… her world was wrong. Very wrong. Everything that had happened in her past had been so, very wrong. And perhaps this was the door to end the chapter to a new beginning because with failure became a new beginning. ‘End them!’ was the last echo that lingers in the air before a ferocious yell echoes in return. Small hands lift the heat that is within the flames. The orange reflecting in brownish-green hues. With one swift move, she sweeps a step forward and pushes both hands out towards him directing fire straight at him in a fireball. This lesson was just what she needed.

Magik was definitely in a ‘screw it’ mood all of a sudden. The fireball was met well against the Lyastri as he lowers his hands just before she let the fire loose. He could have simply caught the fireball and redirected it elsewhere but what would that do to Penelope’s confidence? He was here to help her manifest her abilities, not render it useless against someone who can create and control fire out of nowhere with minimal effort. Build your friends up, people! The elf’s body is thrown backwards a few yards as the fireball comes into contact with him. He lands on his back and tumbles heels over head until he comes to a violent rest only due to the fact that a tree stopped the momentum. “Ow..” Magik leans up but decides to just rest his head against the bark, “That was..great!” Magik smiles brightly as he pats off some remaining flames from his shirt. Enough about him though. He calls out to Penelope as he stands and starts making his way towards her, “You alright, Nel?”

As the ball of fire takes out the elf and flings him back, the Ardelian still holds that stance she used to attack. The fireball then dissipates into smoke, and there behind the fog rests the Lyastri against the tree. One piece. The traumatic thought of Linken was clear, and she was in the present. The tenseness of her hazel gaze remains, but her breathing is heavy and full of adrenaline mixed with mild exhaustion. Mentally and physically. It was a big move for a beginner. Eyes stare at the smile that is spread across Magik’s lips. He was… proud? There were flames on his shirt for Sven’s sake. And although the toxicity of thought swirled through her mind, there was also victory to be had. A smile begins to form before the hands that are held up in front of her are now pulling in with a ‘yesss’ of a victorious hiss. “Aha!” There was a jump. If only there was a freeze frame. “Holy crap, Mag!” Hands now run through her hair and clasp tresses into bunches. “That was...” Hazel eyes then look over him to make sure he is in one piece. “Just wow. Thank you. Err… it needs work, but… I think we might have just discovered exactly what I needed.”

While the Veneficus gives Penelope some final words and direction, he flicks a small black fireball towards Nel but it disappears before it can make contact, "Now that we have found out what gives you more fuel, you need to control the emotions behind it. Normally we would have stopped and we would have had a lesson dealing with such..Meditation, yadda yadda yadda, then we would have tried again, but.." The elf smirks, "..out here I'm just Magikrios. And you technically aren't a student of mine..Just a friend giving another friend some pointers." The smile fades. It's time for just a little bit of seriousness. The Lyastri holds his hands behind his back and continues on, "However..You need to find some type of..closure..with that situation that made you flare up like that. Technically, you let the rage consume you. I did push that, yes, but just for curiosity's sake. So, I will push a little bit of advice. Meditate. When you can have that rage but still see your target as who they are and not someone else then you will know when you have complete control." The seriousness fades and that smirk reappears, "Then I can teach you some neat tricks I've picked up.."

The smirk begins to fade at Magikrios’ final words of advice. The rage was, in fact, consuming. The man is left with nothing but a stare of blankness. Under the mask, however, relied fear again. Shame in a sense. Meditation, yes, would work, but facing the memory would also have to be something she would have to accomplish. The human’s heart beats at an uneasy pace, but the Lyastri’s smile appears again. “Right,” is all the Ardelian has to say to words of advice. Would Penelope be able to get over such a thing? Face such a heavy fear? Learn to control the fear? The rage? Only time would tell. “Well,” her voice sort of clears itself before a wave of that poised façade washes over her. “Well, until then, I suppose,” there is hesitance in her tone. “I’ve got to get myself back home now.” Home. It did not feel that way. “I’ll see you around, Magik.” The smile is polite enough and she moves beyond the trees leaving those six, single, lifeless candles behind her.