RP:Seeking Apprenticeship with the Cryomancer
Characters:
- Azrakh, High Elf, Apprentice Wizard.
- User:Satoshi, Kit Vampire, Frost Singer.
- Ko'tar, White Superb Lyrebird.
Satoshi's claimed herself a fair sized space in the expansive room, practically warding off inquisitive students by constructing a low barrier of cushions around her pillowed placed in the center. The foxkin sits cross-legged upon her seat, eyes closed and body relaxed as she drifts in thought. A soft hum escapes the Frost Singer throughout her trance, the soothing melody marking itself a lullaby of sorts as it coaxes the less attentive magelings into a state of light sleep. Not that Satoshi's particularly aware of this, buried in her private musings as she is; but the odd, long-tailed bird on her shoulder seems to notice and take great amusement in it, chortling a bell-like song as it glances about at the vulpine's unintended 'victims'.
Azrakh entered the area with a tired demeanor. He had been traversing the country for some time now, and so his robes had accumulated a rather striking amount of dust and grit. Not that he cared that much about it. He was not the type of mage that spends most of the time in libraries, perusing ancient volumes. He preferred the dust on his clothes. Azrakh left his travelling robes on a cushion to the side, and caught wind of a particularly inviting melody. It was harmonious, bewitching perhaps. He followed it to its source, and to his surprise, a pale lady, laying on a pile of cushions, was humming it. The bird on her shoulder was beautiful, and reminded Azrakh of Rynvale. "That odd instrument in the corner is no rival to your humming, milady."
Satoshi opens a single amber-flecked eye to view the speaker, offering him a faint, lop-sided grin in response. The expression widens further upon catching the quiet murmurs amongst a small number of students--who've obviously only been pretending to meditate--at the high elf's willing interruption of Lady Frostmaw's meditation. "Well, merci, stranger~," the foxkin trills, the sound duplicated in greeting from the white lyrebird. A raised eyebrow and light jerk of her head indicates the whispering magelings. "They think you're rather brave. I'm guessing you're moreso new. Which es it? Or both, perhaps~?"
Azrakh gazes at the other students nonchalantly, and turns again to address the woman, after a slight bow. "I wouldn't say I'm so new to these lands as to not know who you are, the lady of Frostmaw. I have visited, and I can't really say I was very impressed with the town. For the palace, I cannot account, as I did not enter. I don't think I would have received many welcoming looks." The high elf makes a pause, taking the time to settle himself on a cushion in front of the woman. "I don't consider myself to be especially brave either. I simply believe everyone should be able to address everyone, as long as it is done with the proper respect. After all, we all smell eventually." The elf offers a smile.
Satoshi's grin widens all the more at the speech. "Speaking one's mind -is- a form of bravery, really. And what you say about Frostmaw is true enough. But then, it's taking me some time teaching a warrior people how to.... -decorate-. All practicality, no splendor. Not even a proper palace~," she sighs in exaggerated drama, slumping slightly before leaning forward to whisper in a conspiratorial manner, "And the runts are only afraid to talk to me because I froze the tongue of the last one to interrupt moi. But that was because he stepped on one of my tails~. A fox has to defend herself, no~?" There's a playfully pouty set to the foxkin's mouth with that as she settles back into her cushion. "But self-defense aside~, you seem to know me but not the other way around. Got a name, stranger? Or I could just call you Dusty, as that seems fitting at the moment~."
Azrakh almost lets out a chuckle, but thought it better to contain that and instead released a beaming smile. As he pats his arms to shake off some of the dirt, he utters "I would actually favor Dusty over my own name. It's easy to pronounce, and quite fitting. My name, Azrakh, is too coarse. I wear it like a scar." The elf now adopts a serious expression. "I must admit that running into you here suits my purposes. I have heard of your magical prowess and your domain over the cold element. As such, I aspire to become your apprentice and gain entrance to the Mages Guild, so I can achieve further proficiency myself. I try to learn only from the best, and that is where they are."
Satoshi, in that peculiar habit of hers, mentally logs Azrakh's name away as 'Dusty' from hence forth. He was doomed to be given a nickname upon meeting her as that's how the foxkin's mind functions, but lack of objections just makes it easier on both parties, doesn't it? And with her strange memorization habit performed, Satoshi can offer a wide-eyed look of surprise--but the bird preening on her shoulder very well might be her true reaction to the compliment, prideful creature that she is. "Well, you get straight to the point, don'tcha? Hrm~. The Eldermage has mentioned me taking on an apprentice, and I've entertained the thought, admittedly. Are you aware that any lesson runs the high risk of death, monsieur Dusty~? My teachers weren't gentle, and I certainly am no different. We actively tried, and try, to kill each other."
Azrakh acquiesces with a nod. "I'm quite aware of that. I'm not like those over there. I partial to a more hands-on, practical approach to magic. Less books and more touching the misterious glowing trinket in the altar. So if the training involves less book handling and more dragon slaying, the more drive I'll find to excel." The elf attempts to deliver a charming, confident smile. "I'll be thrilled to be almost killed by such a lovely liege on a daily basis, especially if it would end up in me being more knowledgeable in the arcane. I also imagine travelling with such a fine-voiced bird must be beautiful. So, what do I have to do?"
Satoshi can't help but laugh and very nearly claps her hands in a childish display of amusement. "You're a shameless flatterer. I like that~." Nodding as if to affirm her words, the vixen falls silent--save for her ever-present faint hum--and thoughtful. "What do you have to do~? Well. I'll have to think on that. Firstly, I'll agree. -Tentatively-. I'll need to test you, but I'll also need to think up a proper test, before we make any further agreement. For all I know, you're all pretty words and no skill. There has to be a core to one's power. Being an apprentice is about being guided, not grown. I can't create more raw skill than you already possess. So, tell me, what are you capable of, what have you learned thus far?" His answer, whatever it may be, will be taken with a grain of salt by Satoshi, as she's more willing to see something before believing it.
Satoshi adds, as an afterthought, "Don't mock the powers of books. They're the foundation of all teaching, and although not as potent a lesson as dragon-slaying... they -can- have their uses, believe you me. They've saved my life before."
Azrakh nods in agreement. "'I'm sorry. It's just that I don't miss the more bookish stage of learning. I intend to apply the theory nowadays. Regarding what I can do, I'd have to say I'm a wizard of relatively moderate skill, so far. I try not to focus in solely one aspect or element of magic. I don't consider myself advanced enough to do that yet. So you could say I'm familiar with a vast array of useful tricks. And even though a spell from me may not be particularly powerful, I'm very skilled at using the circumstances and environment to my advantage. However, my biggest virtue is my thirst of knowledge. I'm one of those boring books just waiting to be scribbled on. If you'd like it so, we could perhaps arrange a small sparring session later, so that you may test the depth of my abilities."
Satoshi offers the elf a smirk that can almost be called malicious at the proposition. "That's my kind of test, yes. We'll do that. Not now. And I'm not telling you when. Just tellin' ya it'll happen at some point." The lyrebird gives a trill of delight then, nestling against the bardic mage's neck to receive a light petting. "I suppose you're aware that I can only instruct you in the elements of ice and water. I don't possess the abilities of the other elements. I gave that up a long time ago. If you don't want tutoring that focuses on one branch, you may wish to seek a different instructor now. The Eldermage, for one."
Azrakh lifts himself from the cushion, and stretches his limbs. He delivers another winning smile at the fox. "It'll happen when it'll happen. I'll be ready. As for the cold and ice, I believe it would be foolish to pass such an opportunity. I'll attempt to become an expert in whatever it is that you deem appropriate to teach me. If necessary, I shall seek out further instruction at a much later date." Azrakh bows lightly. "I shall take my leave now. I'm very satisified with your tentative agreement, I must say. You are the prettiest teacher I've ever had. Most tended to sport full beards, so you realize it isn't such a great feat." He smiles. "I'll see you around. Don't stop humming."
Satoshi offers the elf a salute. "Until I try to kill you to determine your abilities, Dusty. Take care~. And believe me, there's no stopping -my- singing, worry you not.~" Farewells given, the foxkin adds in a whisper to her feathered companion, "At the very least, we'll get to hear lovely compliments all the time with him around, no~?"