From the day we arrive on this planetAnd blinking, step into the sun

Reign observed Envy as the weasel's quills jerked upright, unable to miss the motion. What had that been? He hid his curiosity, only allowing a brief twitch of his tail. Envy made very little sense, he had been quick to learn.

He twitched his ears at Pride's views on physical combat although, it seemed, the stag understood why he wanted to learn. If, for some reason, he couldn't use his magic, he needed to be able to fight. It was only common sense, after all. Magic, as powerful as it was, was not wholly reliable. He inclined his head when the deer offered to find someone to teach him to fight, saying, "That would be much appreciated."

The cheetah took what Pride said to heart, intending on practicing his magic as much as he could. It would be useful, both to protect himself, and others. A measly single spell would not be enough, he knew. So he took a deep breath, feeling sparks dance across his Gem, before spreading across his fur, illuminating him. The air around him danced with electricity, although not nearly enough to hurt.

@Pride @Envy

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

There's more to see than can ever be seenMore to do than can ever be done

Envy tightened their grasp on Pride's head as the deer shook it from side to side- although they were becoming quite used to the sensation of movement by now, and if anything, they quite enjoyed the ride.

Pride spoke of finding another in the Seven to train Reign in physical combat, and the weasel's mind flicked through the potential candidates. When it came to physical strength, Reseda- er- Greed- was probably the most physically capable. But they didn't think they'd trust her with a young one, and they were certain that Pride shared that sentiment. "Yeah, we'll find someone," Envy said with a shake of their head that rattled their quills.

Pride went on to describe the force that was magic, in such a finely articulated and mystical way that it made the weasel's pride sting. They'd never be able to talk like that. So they decided to add to it, with the illusion of a net to fall back on. "Yes, yes! But magic can be unreliable, too. Finnicky. Sometimes it doesn't work, that doesn't matter. Even I fail sometimes... And Pride! Just try again, or try something else because maybe you need to work your way up to that! By the time it works, you'll be better at it."

Envy watched, quills quivering softly as the Cheetah began to focus. The weasel quivered with excitement and recognition as the lights began to flicker across his fur. They recognized that spell from a friend they'd known far back in their childhood- and they remembered being jealous, of course. Perhaps they could learn it now! They'd had firsthand experience with lightning, and now they paid careful attention to how it moved- watching it flicker, watching how Reign focused.

"Good, good!" they twittered excitedly.


When I speak.

When I think.


________________

@Reign @Pride

Pride nodded slightly as he listened, standing tall and dignified. When the cheetah sparked with electricity, his magicka dancing over his fur in static, the stag tilted his head, a little. Consultation of his memory found that he had encountered this before.

Elspet, young as she'd been, had been able to do things like this.

"The beginnings of powerful potential," Pride remarked, quite seriously. "I have heard that magic used to slam rooms with thunder--a sound loud enough to scare you out of your skin. And I believe it could be used to harm. You will need to practice with it, to mold it, to strengthen your mind so as to wield it more intensely."

The stag turned a little to his right, focusing on his own magic for a moment. After a beat, a light shockwave rippled out in that direction, tossing aside stones and dust in a noticeable rattle. "That, as an example, is a very minor use of my own magic. Yet if I empower it, it would have the potential to send you--and Envy--both flying. Learn to use it, and it will grow stronger."

He glanced up toward Envy as best he could. "And our King is right. Practice will help stave off failure, but magicka seems to be... temperamental. The levels in the cave fluctuate, in particular in Polaris, and at times it seems to either surge in power or simply dwindle away. I still do not yet know if there is a way to predict, or to prevent this."

@Envy @Reign

From the day we arrive on this planetAnd blinking, step into the sun

Reign looked, first, to Envy, inclining his head to say "Thank you," when the King agreed to find someone to teach him how to fight without his Magic. Then he returned his attention to Pride once more, able to recognize the deer as the greater teacher of the two.

He contemplated what he was learning, observing Pride's display of Magic. He shook himself, his own Magic sparking up again and causing Static to dance along his fur a second time.

The Cheetah tilted his head, looking at Pride. "That wasn't electricity, would I be capable of learning it? It would take more effort, yes?"

@Pride @Envy

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

There's more to see than can ever be seenMore to do than can ever be done

Envy nodded at each of Pride's words in turn, looking as though they understood, and agreed wholeheartedly, as their mind hastily put together some way to add to it and ultimately turn the focus back towards themselves. Pride's agreement with their words caused the weasel to raise their head, a pleased expression on their face.

They did, however-- feel a fleeting sting of jealousy as their loyal subject showed Reign the spell that he'd taught them first- they'd hoped to keep it largely to themselves. The quills along their spine rose upright slightly, but other than that, they said nothing, even if their gaze lingered for a while on the ground where Pride's energy had manifested.

Envy nodded at Reign's question. Preparing for a demonstration, they began to scramble down from Pride's neck and onto the ground. "Yes, yes! --Probably. Most Gembounds can learn spells of other elements. I, myself, am particularly skilled at it." After a pointed glance at Reign, they scurried down one of the deer's forelegs like an eager squirrel, and soon scampered up to Reign, standing before the cheetah and holding themselves tall- even if they still barely reached the cub's knees. "When you do this, you need to imagine what the element feels like! Fire- hot! Electricity! Shocking! Jolting! Water is cold, and... wet. But when you want to control it, all magic is similar, but different. And even if you're good at magic, it helps to start with the basics. Watch, and learn!"

The little one's quills stood on end, a shudderinbg shock of magic rippling through them until they were bristling from nose to the tips of their paws. The thrilling shock made them want to jump and bounce, and so they did, hopping and coiling like a tiny snake. And tiny sparks of lightning began to arc from quill to quill, twisting around them, lighting up the long black tines with sparks of yellow and green. When they paused with spine arched, little teeth bared in a grin and gaze smugly fixed on Reign, they couldn't stop grinning, feeling the intoxicating pins-and-needles sensation of magic shooting through them.

"But of course, it's not for everyone. As you say, it's harder... Not everyone's up to it. It takes a lot of effort, and it's not always worth it."

When I speak.

When I think.


________________

@Pride

Pride tilted his head a little quizzically at what Reign had said.

"Not electricity?" What did that mean? Reign's fur had crackled as if touched by a storm; and the roar of thunder was also a storm.

Pride hardly knew what the word "electricity" meant.

He snorted. "I do not know what you mean with this-... 'elements.' Either of you. Magic is a force to be shaped; you can categorize it if you wish but that will only hinder you! You sparkle with the storm; you could crash with its thunder. I do not see how they are different." A haughty huff, and a slight stamp of one hoof, and Pride expressed derision at this entire idea of classifying magic. It was fluid! It was malleable! Why did sentient beings get so caught up with labelling things?

Amras had done the same, trying to place magic in boxes--but he, at least, had been aware that the magic builds on other types, and on the similarities between. His view, at least, had been scientific.

Envy almost seemed to choose these ideas at random, at times! With a sigh, the stag looked to Reign. "Certainly, as our King says, imagine it, visualize; and of course, our King is right in saying that all magic is similar at its core," he continued, by way of diplomatic conversation. "There are no limits to it, no rules as to how it can be shaped. Tap into it, impose your imagination and your will upon it and shape it how you see fit. Spark with the storm, if you wish; or crash with its thunder. They are one and the same."

He was completely wrong, of course, but he had no way of knowing that.

@Reign

From the day we arrive on this planetAnd blinking, step into the sun

The Cheetah's tail twitched as Envy took it upon themselves to answer his question. But, for once, it was a good answer! Explaining that, indeed, he would be able to learn spells that didn't align with his own element. In fact, he even explained how to do so, how to imagine what the different elements feel like.

And then Envy demonstrated a spell - one of Reign's own element. In fact, one that he had just shown off. The weasel bounced and leaped and hopped about, sparks dancing from quill to quill. He found himself smiling - that little demonstration had been adorable.

He looked over, then, to Pride, listening intently. Reign found he was learning things in leaps and bounds, and he nodded. 'Spark with the storm... or crash with its thunder.' He would remember that.

His brow furrowed as he focused on his Magic, and for a moment he felt it react. His crown gleamed, for only a moment, and then nothing happened. He shook himself, allowing the static that had build up in his fur to dissipate. "Pride," he started, "My Magic, sometimes, seems to be reluctant to do as I wish. Is this normal?"

@Pride @Envy

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

There's more to see than can ever be seenMore to do than can ever be done

Pride listened, and as Reign spoke, he tilted his head a little. Confusion flickered in him. Didn't we... just explain this?

Reign was asking if magic was often reluctant. Yet Envy had just explained this, in depth--and Pride had elaborated. Perhaps this cheetah was a little scatterbrained, or--even damaged, in some way? Regardless, with a somewhat bewildered glance to the weasel, he bulwarked his mind and buckled to the task of explaining all over again.

"Ahh... yes, as we just explained a moment ago. It is often reluctant, and--magic seems to fluctuate depending on where you are, as mentioned. But as our King said," he continued, frowning a little at the idea that Reign simply hadn't listened to his King, "it happens to the best of us, and with practice, you will become more consistent. But it will never be absolutely reliable."

He paused. If the cheetah had issues remembering, or focusing, it might be more problematic to teach him--but Pride had things to do elsewhere, and it looked like this was as much as he could do for Reign, at the moment.

"I do not know if you forgot that we just explained this a moment ago--not to seem rude, Reign--but if you have issues with memory it may be problematic in remembering spellwork, as well. Regardless, I will excuse myself, for now. Once you are more skilled and experienced, and have more magic at your command, perhaps we can practice together, or even spar? In the meantime, I wish you the best of luck, and should you have any questions, I will be here or in Eridanus. It was a pleasure to meet you. My King," he added, with a sweep of his antlers in a bow toward the weasel.

He paused to ensure that Envy would not call him back, and then he turned, stepping with stately, graceful strides away.

exit Pride (unless called back?)
@Envy

Envy was pleased- that is, until the cheetah asked his question, and completely disregarded everything they'd said previously. The excitement quickly faded from their face along with the last flickers of electricity that lingered on their quills. They drooped, visibly- their jaws parting for a moment. They stood upright, folding paws against their chest. They took a moment to consider heir reaction before finally letting out an indignant snort. Did the cheetah not take them seriously? Did he see Pride as the real authority here?

Whatever the case, it wouldn't do.

Pride spoke first- and that eased their annoyance slightly as the deer reprimanded him first- but more kindly than Envy would have liked. They nodded as Pride dipped his antlers towards them, before sucking in their breath and turning on Reign. Their quills pricked upright.

"I just told you that!" they shrilled, voice high with protest. "I'm your king! You should remember that in the future, and listen to me. Forget my words, you forget the law of our Kingdom!"

The weasel paused for dramatic effect.

They echoed Pride's sentiment, but they were unable to keep the whine out of their voice. "I said I'd find someone to train you- and I will. -When you learn to respect my words! Until then, think about what I've said."

They sucked in their breath, and tried to tap into their magic- but they were too aggravated to focus properly, and the spell failed to take hold. The weasel stamped a hind paw in annoyance, before dropping to all fours and stalking back towards the Throne.

-exit Envy-


When I speak.

When I think.


________________

@Reign